Madam rides the bus
Extract based questions
1.”Listen, child,” said the voice, “You shouldn’t stand like that. Sit down.” Sitting down, she looked to see who had been talking to her. It was an elderly man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by his attention. “There’s nobody here who’s a child,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
(a) Who is the child mentioned in the passage?
(b) How did the girl prove to the elderly man that she was not a child?
(c) Why didn’t Valla want to make friends with the elderly woman?
(d) What does Valla tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Ans. (a)The child mentioned in the passage is Valli.
(b) She said that she had paid thirty paise like every other passenger and was not a child.
(c) Valli didn’t like the physical appearance of the elderly woman.
(d) Valli told him that she was not a child as she had paid the same amount of the bus ticket as everyone else had paid.
2. “The conductor nodded and she was overcome with sadness. What had been a lovable, Zestful creature just a little while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible …”
(a) Why is ‘she’ overcome with sadness?
(b) What had happened to the creature?
(c) Why is she so sad?
(d) When did she see the cow earlier?
Ans. (a) She had just seen a young cow dead.
(b) It had been struck by a fast-moving vehicle.
(c) The cow that was full of joy and life a while ago, is lying dead-looking horrible.
(d) She saw the cow earlier while going from her village on her bus journey.
3. Over many days and months, Vallilistened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way —”which is almost nothing at all.”
(a) What conclusion was made by Valli on the basis of information?
(b) What were the sources of information for her?
(c) Whose conversations did Valli listen?
(d) What information did she want to get?
Ans. (a) The town was six miles from her village and the fare was thirty paise one way.
(b) Conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly travelled by bus.
(c) Conversations between the neighbours and people who regularly used the bus.
(d) She wanted to get all the details about the bus journey including the distance from the town, the fare and the total time required to reach the town and come back to the village, when the bus drove back after having stopped in the town for some time.
4. But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played. Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences. The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back the sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was 8 source of unending joy for Valli.
(a) What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
(b) Why did she watch the street?
(c) What was the source of unending joy for Valli?
(d) What gave Valli new unusual experiences?
Ans. (a) Standing at the door, watching the street.
(b) She watched the street because it gave her many new unusual experiences.
(c) This was to watch the bus and the people going on the bus.
(d) Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences.
5. Her first journey—what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had to make for it; she had thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry-go-round, even though she had the money.
(a) Who does ‘her’ refer to in the passage?
(b) Where was her first journey made to?
(c) What did she do to make it a reality?
(d) How did she save the money for the bus fare?
Ans. (a) 'Her' refers to Valli in the above extract.
(b) Her first journey was made to the Town.
(c) She made a detailed plan with utmost care , risk and pain to turn her dream into a reality.
(d) She thriftily saved every penny, relisted temptation to buy things for her liking or taking a ride on the merry-go-round.
9. Suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, just where it had been struck by some fast-moving vehicle. “Isn’t that the same cow that ran in front of the bus on our trip to town ?” she asked the conductor. The conductor nodded, and she was overcome with sadness.
(a) Whom does ‘she’ refer to?
(b) How does the presence of the cow affect her mood during her return journey?
(c) What kind of a person is Valli?
(d) When was Valli overcome with sadness?
Ans. (a) Valli, an eight-year-old girl.
(b) She is sad and sits quietly after seeing the dead cow.
(c) She is a kind and sensitive girl. Her spirits are dampened and she becomes sad to see a dead cow.
(d) When the conductor nodded in support of her query.
1) Give the character sketch of Valliammai. (To be written Compulsorily)
Valliammai emerges as a very clever, sensitive, self-respecting and fun-loving girl. She was just eight years old. She was a determined girl with a commanding nature. She was very curious about things. He favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. She was mature, clever and practical beyond her years. Saving sixty paise was not an easy job for a girl of her age. She was determined to resist any temptation that came in her way. Valli didn’t like being called a ‘madam’ or ‘a child’. She was a great planner and planned things after knowing all the necessary details about them.
She took the risk only to fulfill her dream which shows how determined and passionate she was about it.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
1. How did Valli react when she saw the dead cow by the roadside?
Ans. On her return journey, Valli saw a dead cow lying in the middle of the road. It was lying sprawled in a pool of blood, legs spread out, and lifeless eyes staring a horrible scene. She felt sad and this made her lose all the enthusiasm.
2. What was the most fascinating thing for Valli?
Ans. The most fascinating thing for Valli was the bus that travelled between and the nearest town.
3. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Ans. Valli refused to look out of the window on her way back because the memory of the dead cow haunted her,the sight itself was painstaking dampening her enthusiasm.
4. Why does Valli find information about the bus to the town?
Ans. Valli gathered information about the bus because she wanted to take at least ride in the bus that was fascinating for her.
5. Why was the conductor of the bus amused while talking to Valli?
Ans. The conductor of the bus was a jolly person who was fond of joking. Quote two instances to amused while talking to Valli who pretended to be a grown person.
6.” Valli enjoyed each moment of her bus ride.”elucidate.
Ans. Indeed, Valli enjoyed each moment of her bus ride,first, Valla devoured everything with her eyes,on viewing the outside view she sighed, “Oh, it was all so wonderful.so she thoroughly enjoyed everything except the cow's death.
7. Give examples from the text to show that Valli was a meticulous planner.
Ans. Valli was a meticulous planner. She listened carefully to the conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus and also asked discreet questions. She picked up various small details about the bus journey and then planned it.
8. How can you say that the conductor was a good-natured jolly fellow? Support your answer with examples.
Ans. The conductor was a fun loving, jolly fellow. For instance-when Valli refused his help to board the bus he said jokingly, “Don’t be angry with me, fine madam… Everyone move aside please — make way for madam’.
9.What information did Valli collect for her first bus ride?
Ans. Valla gathered all the minute details about the bus journey. She gathered that she required sixty paise to buy tickets for the up and down journey and that the bus would take ninety minutes from village to town and back. She carefully listened to the conversations of the passengers and villagers to get the details.
10. What made Valli sad on her return journey?
Ans. On her return journey, Valli saw a dead cow lying in the middle of the road. It was lying sprawled in a pool of blood, legs spread out, lifeless eyes staring—a horrible scene. She felt sad.
11.What was the most fascinating thing for Valli?
Ans. Valli’s source of unending joy was to have a bus ride. That was her tiny wish which grew into a strong desire with the passage of time. Her desire turned into a longing as she wistfully stared at the faces of the passengers who got on or off the bus.
12. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Ans. Vales favourite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house. She did not play like most other children because there were no playmates of her age on her street. Watching the street also gave her many unusual experiences which were equally enjoyable.
13. Give two reasons why Valli found the elderly woman on the bus, repulsive.
Ans. Valla did not want to make friends with the elderly woman because she found her repulsive as she had big holes in her earlobes and was wearing ugly earrings. She could the beetle nut the woman was chewing.
14. Why did Valli not get off from the bus when it stopped at the bus stand?
Ans. Vales sole purpose was to enjoy the bus ride. She neither had the money to buy anything from the shops at the town nor the courage to get down at the strange among at rangers.
15. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?
Ans. The conductor was worldly wise and a man of jovial nature. He judges the little girl ’s innocent behaviour. Being fun to love and also not to make the girl unhappy, he calls Valla as ‘Madam’, though she was a girl of eight years only.
Q.16. Write down the conductor’s advice to Valli?
Ans. Calling Valli a child. the conductor requested her to sit down. It will make her comfortable. Standing up, again and again, can make her fall and get hurt because the bus can make a sharp turn.
Q.17. How did Valli manage to leave the house?
Ans. Valli knew that after lunch her mother would nap for about one to four or so. It was Valli’s habit to engage these hours for her excursions and move outside the village.
Q.18. What did Valli calculate and plan?
Ans. Valli calculated and planned that if she took one o’clock afternoon bus. she would reach the town at one forty-five. On reaching town if she stayed in her scat and paid another thirty paise she could return home by the same bus by about two forty-five.
Q.19. What type of person was the conductor?
Ans. the conductor was a very wise man and knew how to tackle and talk with the passenger. He was fond of jokes and in his jolly tone interrogated Valli many times.
Q.20. What did Valli’s mother say about the things happening without our knowledge?
Ans. Valli’s mother said that so many things happen amidst us and in the world outside. We cannot know about everything. Even when we know about something we often can’t understand it completely.
Q21. What was the favourite pastime of Valli?
Ans. Valliammai or Valli was eight years old. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. From there, she watched what was happening in the street outside. For her, standing at the front door was as enjoyable as any of the games other children played.
Q22. What was the most fascinating thing for Valli?
Ans. The most fascinating thing for Valli was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. The sight of the bus was a source of unending joy for her. Each time she used to see a new set of passengers, it was a very thrilling experience for her.
Q23. What was the tiny wish that crept into Valli’s head?
Ans The sight of the bus was the most fascinating thing for Valli. Day after day she watched the bus. A tiny wish crept into her head. She wanted to ride on that bus. At least, just once. This wish became so strong that it grew into an overwhelming desire.
Q24.Why did Valli listen to the conversations? What did she get from them?
Ans. Valli was anxious to know more and more about the bus journey. She had nourished a strong desire to enjoy a bus ride from her village to the nearest town. She listened to the neighbours and people who regularly used the bus. She was collecting the necessary details from them to plan out her bus journey. Such details could help her in her mission.
Q25. How did Valli calculate and plan the bus journey?
Ans. Valli had gathered all the necessary details about the bus journey from those who regularly used the bus. The town was six miles from her village. The one-way fare was thirty paise. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. If she took the one o’clock bus, she could reach the town at one forty-five. She calculated that she could be back home by about two forty-five.
Q26.How did Valli board the bus? Why did she say, ‘I can get on by myself’?
Ans. When Valli sighted the bus she shouted ‘Stop the bus! Stop the bus!’ She raised her tiny hand ‘commandingly’. The bus slowed down and finally stopped. She told the conductor that she wanted to go to the town and she tried to hand over the money. The conductor seeing that she was just a child, stretched out his hand to help her up. Valli replied that she could get on by herself and didn’t need any help.
Q27.Why was Valli overcome with shyness and avoided everyone’s eyes?
Ans. It was the slack time of the day. There were only six or seven passengers on the bus. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. She tried to avoid everyone’s eyes. She walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down.
Q28.What did Valli see when she peered over the blind?
Ans. Valli found that a canvas blind cut off her view. So, she peered over the blind to look outside. The bus was going along the bank of a canal. Beyond its palm trees and grassland and distant mountains. And then, there were acres of green fields as far as her eyes could see.
Q29.Why didn’t Valli like the remark of the elderly man? What did she say to him?
Ans. An elderly man saw Valli standing on the bus He asked her to sit down. He had honestly felt concerned for her. Valli didn’t like to be called herself a ‘child’. She retorted that she was not a child. She had paid thirty paise like everyone else.
Extract based questions
1.”Listen, child,” said the voice, “You shouldn’t stand like that. Sit down.” Sitting down, she looked to see who had been talking to her. It was an elderly man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by his attention. “There’s nobody here who’s a child,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
(a) Who is the child mentioned in the passage?
(b) How did the girl prove to the elderly man that she was not a child?
(c) Why didn’t Valla want to make friends with the elderly woman?
(d) What does Valla tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Ans. (a)The child mentioned in the passage is Valli.
(b) She said that she had paid thirty paise like every other passenger and was not a child.
(c) Valli didn’t like the physical appearance of the elderly woman.
(d) Valli told him that she was not a child as she had paid the same amount of the bus ticket as everyone else had paid.
2. “The conductor nodded and she was overcome with sadness. What had been a lovable, Zestful creature just a little while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible …”
(a) Why is ‘she’ overcome with sadness?
(b) What had happened to the creature?
(c) Why is she so sad?
(d) When did she see the cow earlier?
Ans. (a) She had just seen a young cow dead.
(b) It had been struck by a fast-moving vehicle.
(c) The cow that was full of joy and life a while ago, is lying dead-looking horrible.
(d) She saw the cow earlier while going from her village on her bus journey.
3. Over many days and months, Vallilistened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way —”which is almost nothing at all.”
(a) What conclusion was made by Valli on the basis of information?
(b) What were the sources of information for her?
(c) Whose conversations did Valli listen?
(d) What information did she want to get?
Ans. (a) The town was six miles from her village and the fare was thirty paise one way.
(b) Conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly travelled by bus.
(c) Conversations between the neighbours and people who regularly used the bus.
(d) She wanted to get all the details about the bus journey including the distance from the town, the fare and the total time required to reach the town and come back to the village, when the bus drove back after having stopped in the town for some time.
4. But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played. Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences. The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back the sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was 8 source of unending joy for Valli.
(a) What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
(b) Why did she watch the street?
(c) What was the source of unending joy for Valli?
(d) What gave Valli new unusual experiences?
Ans. (a) Standing at the door, watching the street.
(b) She watched the street because it gave her many new unusual experiences.
(c) This was to watch the bus and the people going on the bus.
(d) Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences.
5. Her first journey—what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had to make for it; she had thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry-go-round, even though she had the money.
(a) Who does ‘her’ refer to in the passage?
(b) Where was her first journey made to?
(c) What did she do to make it a reality?
(d) How did she save the money for the bus fare?
Ans. (a) 'Her' refers to Valli in the above extract.
(b) Her first journey was made to the Town.
(c) She made a detailed plan with utmost care , risk and pain to turn her dream into a reality.
(d) She thriftily saved every penny, relisted temptation to buy things for her liking or taking a ride on the merry-go-round.
9. Suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, just where it had been struck by some fast-moving vehicle. “Isn’t that the same cow that ran in front of the bus on our trip to town ?” she asked the conductor. The conductor nodded, and she was overcome with sadness.
(a) Whom does ‘she’ refer to?
(b) How does the presence of the cow affect her mood during her return journey?
(c) What kind of a person is Valli?
(d) When was Valli overcome with sadness?
Ans. (a) Valli, an eight-year-old girl.
(b) She is sad and sits quietly after seeing the dead cow.
(c) She is a kind and sensitive girl. Her spirits are dampened and she becomes sad to see a dead cow.
(d) When the conductor nodded in support of her query.
1) Give the character sketch of Valliammai. (To be written Compulsorily)
Valliammai emerges as a very clever, sensitive, self-respecting and fun-loving girl. She was just eight years old. She was a determined girl with a commanding nature. She was very curious about things. He favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. She was mature, clever and practical beyond her years. Saving sixty paise was not an easy job for a girl of her age. She was determined to resist any temptation that came in her way. Valli didn’t like being called a ‘madam’ or ‘a child’. She was a great planner and planned things after knowing all the necessary details about them.
She took the risk only to fulfill her dream which shows how determined and passionate she was about it.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
1. How did Valli react when she saw the dead cow by the roadside?
Ans. On her return journey, Valli saw a dead cow lying in the middle of the road. It was lying sprawled in a pool of blood, legs spread out, and lifeless eyes staring a horrible scene. She felt sad and this made her lose all the enthusiasm.
2. What was the most fascinating thing for Valli?
Ans. The most fascinating thing for Valli was the bus that travelled between and the nearest town.
3. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Ans. Valli refused to look out of the window on her way back because the memory of the dead cow haunted her,the sight itself was painstaking dampening her enthusiasm.
4. Why does Valli find information about the bus to the town?
Ans. Valli gathered information about the bus because she wanted to take at least ride in the bus that was fascinating for her.
5. Why was the conductor of the bus amused while talking to Valli?
Ans. The conductor of the bus was a jolly person who was fond of joking. Quote two instances to amused while talking to Valli who pretended to be a grown person.
6.” Valli enjoyed each moment of her bus ride.”elucidate.
Ans. Indeed, Valli enjoyed each moment of her bus ride,first, Valla devoured everything with her eyes,on viewing the outside view she sighed, “Oh, it was all so wonderful.so she thoroughly enjoyed everything except the cow's death.
7. Give examples from the text to show that Valli was a meticulous planner.
Ans. Valli was a meticulous planner. She listened carefully to the conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus and also asked discreet questions. She picked up various small details about the bus journey and then planned it.
8. How can you say that the conductor was a good-natured jolly fellow? Support your answer with examples.
Ans. The conductor was a fun loving, jolly fellow. For instance-when Valli refused his help to board the bus he said jokingly, “Don’t be angry with me, fine madam… Everyone move aside please — make way for madam’.
9.What information did Valli collect for her first bus ride?
Ans. Valla gathered all the minute details about the bus journey. She gathered that she required sixty paise to buy tickets for the up and down journey and that the bus would take ninety minutes from village to town and back. She carefully listened to the conversations of the passengers and villagers to get the details.
10. What made Valli sad on her return journey?
Ans. On her return journey, Valli saw a dead cow lying in the middle of the road. It was lying sprawled in a pool of blood, legs spread out, lifeless eyes staring—a horrible scene. She felt sad.
11.What was the most fascinating thing for Valli?
Ans. Valli’s source of unending joy was to have a bus ride. That was her tiny wish which grew into a strong desire with the passage of time. Her desire turned into a longing as she wistfully stared at the faces of the passengers who got on or off the bus.
12. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Ans. Vales favourite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house. She did not play like most other children because there were no playmates of her age on her street. Watching the street also gave her many unusual experiences which were equally enjoyable.
13. Give two reasons why Valli found the elderly woman on the bus, repulsive.
Ans. Valla did not want to make friends with the elderly woman because she found her repulsive as she had big holes in her earlobes and was wearing ugly earrings. She could the beetle nut the woman was chewing.
14. Why did Valli not get off from the bus when it stopped at the bus stand?
Ans. Vales sole purpose was to enjoy the bus ride. She neither had the money to buy anything from the shops at the town nor the courage to get down at the strange among at rangers.
15. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?
Ans. The conductor was worldly wise and a man of jovial nature. He judges the little girl ’s innocent behaviour. Being fun to love and also not to make the girl unhappy, he calls Valla as ‘Madam’, though she was a girl of eight years only.
Q.16. Write down the conductor’s advice to Valli?
Ans. Calling Valli a child. the conductor requested her to sit down. It will make her comfortable. Standing up, again and again, can make her fall and get hurt because the bus can make a sharp turn.
Q.17. How did Valli manage to leave the house?
Ans. Valli knew that after lunch her mother would nap for about one to four or so. It was Valli’s habit to engage these hours for her excursions and move outside the village.
Q.18. What did Valli calculate and plan?
Ans. Valli calculated and planned that if she took one o’clock afternoon bus. she would reach the town at one forty-five. On reaching town if she stayed in her scat and paid another thirty paise she could return home by the same bus by about two forty-five.
Q.19. What type of person was the conductor?
Ans. the conductor was a very wise man and knew how to tackle and talk with the passenger. He was fond of jokes and in his jolly tone interrogated Valli many times.
Q.20. What did Valli’s mother say about the things happening without our knowledge?
Ans. Valli’s mother said that so many things happen amidst us and in the world outside. We cannot know about everything. Even when we know about something we often can’t understand it completely.
Q21. What was the favourite pastime of Valli?
Ans. Valliammai or Valli was eight years old. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. From there, she watched what was happening in the street outside. For her, standing at the front door was as enjoyable as any of the games other children played.
Q22. What was the most fascinating thing for Valli?
Ans. The most fascinating thing for Valli was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. The sight of the bus was a source of unending joy for her. Each time she used to see a new set of passengers, it was a very thrilling experience for her.
Q23. What was the tiny wish that crept into Valli’s head?
Ans The sight of the bus was the most fascinating thing for Valli. Day after day she watched the bus. A tiny wish crept into her head. She wanted to ride on that bus. At least, just once. This wish became so strong that it grew into an overwhelming desire.
Q24.Why did Valli listen to the conversations? What did she get from them?
Ans. Valli was anxious to know more and more about the bus journey. She had nourished a strong desire to enjoy a bus ride from her village to the nearest town. She listened to the neighbours and people who regularly used the bus. She was collecting the necessary details from them to plan out her bus journey. Such details could help her in her mission.
Q25. How did Valli calculate and plan the bus journey?
Ans. Valli had gathered all the necessary details about the bus journey from those who regularly used the bus. The town was six miles from her village. The one-way fare was thirty paise. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. If she took the one o’clock bus, she could reach the town at one forty-five. She calculated that she could be back home by about two forty-five.
Q26.How did Valli board the bus? Why did she say, ‘I can get on by myself’?
Ans. When Valli sighted the bus she shouted ‘Stop the bus! Stop the bus!’ She raised her tiny hand ‘commandingly’. The bus slowed down and finally stopped. She told the conductor that she wanted to go to the town and she tried to hand over the money. The conductor seeing that she was just a child, stretched out his hand to help her up. Valli replied that she could get on by herself and didn’t need any help.
Q27.Why was Valli overcome with shyness and avoided everyone’s eyes?
Ans. It was the slack time of the day. There were only six or seven passengers on the bus. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. She tried to avoid everyone’s eyes. She walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down.
Q28.What did Valli see when she peered over the blind?
Ans. Valli found that a canvas blind cut off her view. So, she peered over the blind to look outside. The bus was going along the bank of a canal. Beyond its palm trees and grassland and distant mountains. And then, there were acres of green fields as far as her eyes could see.
Q29.Why didn’t Valli like the remark of the elderly man? What did she say to him?
Ans. An elderly man saw Valli standing on the bus He asked her to sit down. He had honestly felt concerned for her. Valli didn’t like to be called herself a ‘child’. She retorted that she was not a child. She had paid thirty paise like everyone else.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank u helped a lot!
ReplyDelete