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Madam Rides the Bus AP 10th Class English First Flight 7th Lesson Questions and Answers
Oral Comprehension Check
Page No. 97
Question 1.
What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Answer:
Valli’s favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside.
Question 2.
What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Answer:
The source of unending joy for Valli was the sight of the bus, filled each time with a set of passengers. Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus.
Question 3.
What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?
Answer:
Valli found out that the town was six miles from her village, and the fare was thirty paise one way, and it took forty five minutes to cover the distance. Valli collected these details from her neighbours who used to travel in that bus.
Question 4.
What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Answer:
Valli was planning to ride that bus once to the town.
Page No. 100
Question 5.
Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?
Answer:
The conductor was jolly sort, fond of joking. So, he said to a little bit serious Valli, “Oh, please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam.”
Question 6.
Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?
Answer:
Valli started to look outside. A canvas blind cut her view. So she stood up on the seat and peered over the blind. She saw the canal and beyond it palm trees, grasslands and distant mountains.
Question 7.
What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child ?
Answer:
Valli told the elderly man that there was nobody there who was a child. She added that she had paid her thirty paise fare like others.
Question 8.
Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman ?
Answer:
Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive. She had big holes in her ear lobes and ugly earrings in them. She was chewing betel nuts. Valli didn’t want to make friends with her.
Page No. 103
Question 9.
How did Valli save up money for her first journey ? Was it easy for her ?
Answer:
Valli thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way. It was very difficult to save that money resisting every temptation to buy toys etc.
Question 10.
What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh ?
Answer:
Valli laughed when she saw a young cow, tail high in the air, run very fast in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus.
Question 11.
Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?
Answer:
Valli wanted to return home in the same bus. So, she didn’t get off the bus there. Moreover, she was afraid of going out alone.
Question 12.
Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her ?
Answer:
Valli didn’t have extra money to buy there. She did not want to buy or have anything. She was disciplined and had self-respect. She did not accept the conductor’s offer to buy for her a cold drink. Admirable.
Thinking about the Text
Question 1.
What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.
Answer:
Valli’s deepest desire was to travel in the bus from her home to the town. The words that tell us this are: fascinating; source of unending joy; wish crept and grew ; wish became stronger and stronger; till an overwhelming desire; dreams; hopes, too jealous.
Question 2.
How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare ?
Answer:
Valli was determined to ride in the bus. She gathered the necessary information from her neighbours who travelled in that bus. She learnt that the travel distance was six miles; time needed was forty five minutes and fare was thirty paise one way. She planned the way to save money from the stray coins she chanced to lay hands on. She also thought of the safest time she could skip out of home.
Question 3.
What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer.
i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised ………….
ii) “Yes, I …………. go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
ii) “There’s nobody here …………. ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paine like everyone else.”
iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can …………. . You don’t have to help me. “I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said.
v) “You needn’t bother about me. I …………. ,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.
vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope …………. .”
Answer:
i) commandingly
ii) simply have to
iii) who’s a child
iv) get on by myself
v) can take care of myself
vi) to see you again
Valli was commanding. She was very clear and casual and confident in answering the conductor. She behaved like a grown-up person and announced boldly that she was no more a child. She believed in “self help is the best help”. She wanted to be independent. She wanted to take care of herself. She was polite, sociable and courteous.
Question 4.
Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’ ?
Answer:
The conductor was jolly sort, fond of joking. So, he said to a little bit serious Valli, “Oh, please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam.”.
Question 5.
Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
Answer:
Valli enjoyed her ride on the bus thoroughly. The lines that support this idea : Valli devoured everything with her eyes. Oh, it was all so wonderful… Valli too joined in the laughter. But she laughed all the same. Valli clapped her hands with glee…. this was very funny to Valli. Struck with wonder, Valli gaped at everything
Question 6.
Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Answer:
On her way back, Valli watched the same wonderful sights. She greeted them with the same excitement. Then, suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside. That was the same cow Valli saw running while the bus was going to the town. Valli was overcome with sadness. Haunted by the memory of the dead cow, Valli refused to look out of the window.
Question 7.
What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.” ?
Answer:
When Valli reached home, her mother and a neighbour were talking. Mother said that so many things happen without their knowledge. Valli agreed to the statement. What she had in mind was that she had a ride in the bus which her mother was not aware of.
Question 8.
The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?
Answer:
Yes. The text is clear about the point of view of an eight-year-old girl. Evidence to this effect: “Proud! proud!” She knew not the meaning of ‘proud’. She just learnt that the town was six miles “The fare was thirty paise” …. “There is nobody here who’s a child….”
Speaking
This story has a lot of people talking in it. The conductor jokes and laughs with Valli, some passengers try to show their concern for her, and her mother and her aunt spend time chatting.
Read the conversations carefully. Then think of similar people, or similar situations that you have experienced. Mimic a person or persons who spoke to you, saying what they said, along with your replies.
Answer:
Our neighbour: Do you know, it was just nine yesterday.
Me: What? What is nine? Time? It strikes nine twice every day!
Neighbour: No, not time. It was only nine yesterday. Very rare! Surprising.
Me: What is surprising is the meaninglessness of your statement.
Neighbour: Hey, my father said it. You know, my father is highly educated. When he said it, everyone in my home was surprised!
Me ……….: What all you said is right. But what you said first is still silly. Can you tell me the context in which your father said that?
Neighbour: Mother was shivering last night. Father said it was terribly cold this season and cited the above statement.
Me : Now it makes sense. It must be: The temperature was just 9°c centigrade yesterday!
Neighbour: Yes, father said exactly like that!
Writing
Write a page – about three paragraphs – on one of the following topics.
Question 1.
Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking grown-ups into your confidence? What did you plan, and how? Did you carry out your plan?
Answer:
Planning A Trip on My Own
Planning a trip entirely on my own was indeed more thrilling than actually going on the trip. I had this rare and exciting experience last year. Since my childhood, I have fascination for trees. Just to watch different kinds of trees I go round our village and fields nearby. My dream is to become a research scholar in horticulture.
My dad’s conversations with his friend sowed the seeds to plan this trip.
My dad’s friend is an agriculture scientist who works in a Krishi Viznan Kendra (KVK), an agricultural research station, twenty five kilometres away from our village. Once he said that a rose plant in their KVK gives us both red and white coloured flowers – one branch with red and another with white flowers.
This was possible, he added, with a technique called ‘grafting’ (అంటు కట్టడం). That aroused in me irresistible curiosity to visit that center of marvels. I enquired with my classmates coming from that KVK side the mode of transport, the fares etc. On a day when our school was organising sports, I scheduled this trip without our parents’ knowledge. I told them I was going to school.
I had saved enough money from my pocket money. I soon boarded the bus that dropped me at the KVK main entrance. The guards there asked me what the purpose of my visit was. I told them I was doing a project on that KVK for my school and showed my ID.
They appreciated my effort and one young guard accompanied me to each and every corner of that expansive KVK explaining to me the significance of each spot. It was an intellectually enriching experience. And indeed I did a project on that !
Question 2.
Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable?
Answer:
An Unforgettable Journey
When I was just five my parents took us (my elder sister and me) to a famous fair in a nearby town on a Sunday. Huge crowds thronged the place because of its popularity and it being a long weekend. Right from the entrance, at every stall, sister and I were pestering parents for toys and sweetmeats. But parents were postponing buying us things on one pretext or the other. I was growing restless.
Just then I saw a snake charmer. I have a fascination for snakes and snake charmers. I ran towards him. Parents and sister did not notice me. I enjoyed the snake show for about twenty minutes. I forgot the world around me. When the show was over I came into the present. I found parents nowhere around. I started crying. A man of about twenty took my hand into his and started comforting me. He offered to buy toys and sweetmeats for me. But I said I wanted just my parents. He asked for my details.
Then he took me to the organiser’s office. From there they made an announcement over their public address system about my presence there. My parents, by then searching for me for more than a half an hour, listened to it and came there in less than five minutes. Mother took me into her hands and started kissing me profusely. It was a happy reunion. And the experience was unforgettable.
Question 3.
Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns? How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable?
Answer:
Traffic – Road Safety
Not a day passes without news about a road accident. Accidents have become an order than an exception. It pains me deeply when I hear about accidents and the resulting loss of life and limb. Can’t we do something to stop them? Should we stay silent? No. Concerted efforts from all concerned can correct the situation.
Understanding the seasons for the problem is half the solution. Poor road conditions, uneducated and untrained drivers, irresponsible road users, high powered vehicles, poor traffic rules, unconcerned authorities contribute to the tragedies.
Promoting awareness about road-safety measures, enacting stringent laws, strict enforcing officers, good road conditions, speed-controlled vehicles etc will in long run certainly bring down the number of accidents drastically! If every citizen discharges his/her responsibility, the day of zero accidents is not far away!
Activity
Question 1.
Look at the words and phrases given below. Then put a tick against the ones you think you will find in the text.
- a set of passengers
- get on the bus
- get off the bus
- platform
- Tickets, please
- a roar and a rattle
- a row of seats
- slowing down to a crawl
- blowing a whistle
Answer:
I think I will find all the words and phrases given here in the text.
Question 2.
You must have travelled by bus more than once. What can you see from a fast moving bus? Given below are some suggestions. Speak briefly about some of these scenes, or about other such scenes that you have seen; or write a sentence or two about them.
Answer:
rivers : I saw the river meandering its way through forests and deep valleys, sustaing life all through her way.
green fields : It was a real feast to my eyes to see such endlessly vast expanses of green fields that give food to all living beings.
hills : Wow ! What a scene to behold ! Rows of high hills with a thick cover of tall green trees !
roadside shops : Shops in a continuous row on either side of the road exhibiting their merchandise luringly, drew people to them.
market places : The town the bus took me to is famous for its many market places that sell multiple varieties of goods of fair prices.
railway tracks : On our way to the town we crossed a railway track. I was surprised to see on the map railway tracks crisscrossing many roads and connecting all corners of the country.
moving trains : It was indeed a memorable spectacle for me to see a moving train for the first time in my life. From a distance, it appeared like a speck. As it approached us faster, it grew bigger and bigger. It made a loud roar and rattle.
vehicles on the road : Vehicles of different types and sizes were seen on roads. They were moving in all directions at different speeds.
trees : Innumerable tall, green trees all along the road on either side and on the hills yonder painted the earth green.
a crowd : The busstand and market place witnessed a huge crowd each. So many people in groups were busy buying things.
clothes in shops : Clothes of multiple rainbow shades were artistically displayed in shops. They were of various types and served many purposes.
animals : Our countryside is a home to a wide range of wild animals and domestic animals as well. They enrich our fauna and help man in many a way.
Additional Questions :
I. Read the following passage carefully.
There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of her own age on her street, and this was about all she had to do.
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.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How old is Valliammai, also known as Valli?
Answer:
Valliammai, also known as Valli, is eight years old.
Question 2.
What is Valli’s favourite pastime?
Answer:
Valli’s favorite pastime is standing in the front doorway of her house, watchíng what was happening in the street outside.
Question 3.
What does Valli enjoy doing at the front doorway?
A) Playing games with her friends
B) Watching the street outside
C) Reading books
Answer:
B) Watching the street outside
Question 4.
Why does Valli find standing at the front door enjoyable?
A) Because she likes to gossip with neighbours.
B) Because she can observe what’s happening outside.
C) Because she can play games with other children.
Answer:
B) Because she can observe what’s happening outside.
Question 5.
Why are there no playmates of Valli’s age on her street?
A) They are all attending school.
B) They are busy with other activities.
C) The passage doesn’t specify.
Answer:
C) The passage doesn’t specify.
II. Read the following passage carefully.
The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her village 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 a source of unending joy for Valli.
Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became stronger and stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire.
Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes.
If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her, Valli would be too jealous to listen and would shout, in English: “Proud! proud!” Neither she nor her friends really understood the meaning of the word, but they used it often as a slang expression of disapproval.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
What fascinated Valli the most in her village?
Answer:
The bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town fascinated Valli the most.
Question 2.
What did Valli desire to do regarding the bus?
Answer:
Valli desired to ride on the bus, even if just once.
Question 3.
How often did the bus pass through Valli’s street?
A) Once a day
B) Twice a day
C) Thrice a day
Answer:
B) Twice a day
Question 4.
Why did Valli stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus?
A) Because she wanted to make friends with them
B) Because she was curious about their destinations
C) Because their actions fueled her desire to ride the bus
Answer:
C) Because their actions fueled her desire to ride the bus
Question 5.
What did Valli shout in English when her friends tried to describe the sights of the town to her?
A) “Happy!”
B) “Sad!”
C) “Proud!”
Answer:
C) “Proud!”
III. Read the following passage carefully.
Over many days and months Valli listened 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,” she heard one well-dressed man say, but to Valli, who scarcely saw that much money from one month to the next, it seemed a fortune. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes.
On reaching town, if she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. This meant that she could take the one-o’clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five…
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli gather information about the bus journey?
Answer:
Valli gathered information about the bus journey by listening to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and by asking discreet questions.
Question 2.
What was the fare for the bus journey from Valli’s village to the town?
Answer:
The fare for the bus journey from Valli’s village to the town was thirty paise one way.
Question 3.
How far was the town from Valli’s village?
A) 3 miles
B) 6 miles
C) 10 miles
Answer:
B) 6 miles
Question 4.
How long did the bus journey take from Valli’s village to the town?
A) 30 minutes
B) 45 minutes
C) 60 minutes
Answer:
B) 45 minutes
Question 5.
What did Valli consider the fare for the bus journey?
A) A fortune
B) Too expensive
C) Almost nothing at all
Answer:
C) Almost nothing at all
IV. Read the following Passage carefully.
On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and recalculated, planned and replanned.Well, one fine spring day the afternoon bus was just on the point of leaving the village and turning into the main highway when a small voice was heard shouting: “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.
The bus slowed down to a crawl, and the conductor, sticking his head out the door, said,
“Hurry then! Tell whoever it is to come quickly.”
“It’s me,” shouted Valli. “I’m the one who has to get on.”
Now, answer the follewing questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
What was Valli poing ?
Answer:
Valli was calculating, recalculating, planning, and replanning.
Question 2.
How did Valli manage to stop the bus?
Answer:
Valli managed to stop the bus by shouting and raising her hand.
Question 3.
What season was it when Valli stopped the bus ?
A) Summer
B) Winter
C) Spring
Answer:
C) Spring
Question 4.
What was the reaction of the conductor when Valli shouted to stop the bus ? ( )
A) He ignored her.
B) He scolded her.
C) He stopped the bus.
Answer:
C) He stopped the bus.
Question 5.
How did Valli get the attention of the bus conductor?
A) By waving her hand politely
B) By shouting loudly and raising her hand
C) By sending a message
Answer:
B) By shouting loudly and raising her hand
V. Read the following passage carefully.
By now the bus had come to a stop, and the conductor said, “Oh, really! You don’t say so!”
“Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus, “and here’s my money.” She showed him some coins.
“Okay, okay, but first you must get on the bus,” said the conductor, and he stretched out a hand to help her up.
“Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself.
You don’t have to help me.”
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
What was Valli’s response when the conductor offered to help her up onto the bus?
Answer:
Valli refused the conductor’s help and said she could get on the bus by herself.
Question 2.
Why did Valli show the conductor some coins?
Answer:
Valli showed the conductor some coins to pay for her bus fare.
Question 3.
How did the conductor react when Valli showed him some coins?
A) He refused to accept the coins.
B) He was surprised.
C) He accepted the coins and allowed her on the bus.
Answer:
C) He accepted the coins and allowed her on the bus.
Question 4.
Why did Valli insist on getting on the bus by herself?
A) She was afraid of the conductor.
B) She wanted to prove her independence.
C) She didn’t want to inconvenience the conductor.
Answer:
B) She wanted to prove her independence.
Question 5.
What was the conductor’s tone when he said, “Oh, really! You don’t say so!”? ( )
A) Angry
B) Surprised
C) Sarcastic
Answer:
C) Sarcastic
VI. Read the following passage carefully.
The conductor was a jolly sort, fond of joking. “Oh, please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam,” he said. “Here, have a seat right up there in front. Everybody move aside please – make way for madam.”
It was the slack time of day, and 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. Avoiding everyone’s eyes, she walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down.
“May we start now, madam?” the conductor asked, smiling. Then he blew his whistle twice, and the bus moved forward with a roar.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli feel when the conductor joked with her and the passengers?
Answer:
Valli felt overcome with shyness when the conductor joked with her and the passengers.
Question 2.
What did the conductor do before the bus moved forward?
Answer:
Before the bus moved forward, the conductor blew his whistle twice.
Question 3.
How did the other passengers react when the conductor joked with Valli? ( )
A) They were angry.
B) They were indifferent.
C) They laughed with the conductor.
Answer:
C) They laughed with the conductor.
Question 4.
Why did Valli walk quickly to an empty seat ?
A) She was in a hurry to reach her destination.
B) She wanted to avoid the conductor’s jokes.
C) She felt shy and wanted to avoid attention.
Answer:
C) She felt shy and wanted to avoid attention.
Question 5.
What was the conductor’s demeanour while interacting with Valli?
A) Serious
B) Sarcastic
C) Jovial
Answer:
C) Jovial
VII. Read the following passage carefully.
It was a new bus, its outside painted a gleaming white with some green stripes along the sides. Inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. Directly in front of Valli, above the windshield, there was a beautiful clock. The seats were soft and luxurious.
Valli devoured everything with her eyes. But when she started to look outside, she found her view cut off by a canvas blind that covered the lower part of her window. So she stood up on the seat and peered over the blind.
The bus was now going along the bank of a canal. The road was very narrow, On one side there was the canal and, beyond it, palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, and the blue, blue sky. On the other side was a deep ditch and then acres and acres of green fields – green, green, green, as far as the eye could see.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
What was the colour of the bus outside, and what did the stripes look like?
Answer:
The bus outside was painted gleaming white with green stripes along the sides.
Question 2.
How did Valli try to overcome the obstruction of her view outside the bus?
Answer:
Valli stood up on the seat to peer over the canvas blind and see outside.
Question 3.
What material covered the lower part of Valli’s window?
A) Plastic
B) Canvas
C) Glass
Answer:
B) Canvas
Question 4.
What did Valli see outside the bus while standing on the seat?
A) A busy marketplace
B) A narrow road along a canal
C) Tall buildings and skyscrapers
Answer:
B) A narrow road along a canal
Question 5.
What were the surroundings like outside the bus ?
A) Desert landscape
B) Mountainous region
C) Rural and green fields
Answer:
C) Rural and green fields
VIII. Read the following passage carefully.
Oh, it was all so wonderful!
Suddenly she was startled by a voice. “Listen, child,” said the voice, “you shouldn’t stand like that. Sit down.”
Sitting down, she looked to see who had spoken. It was an elderly man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by his attention.
“There’s nobbdy here who’s a child,” she said haughtily. “Tve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
The conductor chimed in. “Oh, sir, but this is a very grown-up madam. Do you. think a mere girl could pay her own fare and travel to the city all alone?”
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli react when the elderly man asked her to sit down?
Answer:
Valli reacted haughtily when the elderly man asked her to sit down.
Question 2.
What did the conductor say about Valli’s maturity?
Answer:
The conductor stated that Valli was a very grown-up madam who could pay her own fare and travel to the city all alone.
Question 3.
Why was Valli startled by a voice?
A) She heard a loud noise outside the bus.
B) She saw an unexpected passenger.
C) She was lost in her thoughts.
Answer:
B) She saw an unexpected passenger.
Question 4.
Why was Valli annoyed by the elderly man’s attention?
A) She didn’t like talking to strangers.
B) She felt embarrassed.
C) She thought she was being treated like a child.
Answer:
C) She thought she was being treated like a child.
Question 5.
What was the conductor’s tone when he called Valli a “very grown-up madam”?
A) Sarcastic
B) Indifferent
C) Genuine
Answer:
C) Genuine
IX. Read the following passage carefully.
Valli shot an angry glance at the conductor and said, “I am not a madam. Please remember that. And you’ve not yet given me my ticket.”
“I’ll remember,” the conductor said, mimicking her tone. Everyone laughed, and gradually Valli too joined in the laughter.
The conductor punched a ticket and handed it to her. “Just sit back and make yourself comfortable. Why should you stand when you’ve paid for a seat?” “Because I want to,” she answered, standing up again.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli react when the conductor called her a madam?
Answer:
Valli laughed and corrected the conductor when he called her a madam.
Question 2.
Why did Valli stand up again after receiving her ticket?
Answer:
Valli stood up again after receiving her ticket because she wanted to.
Question 3.
How did the conductor respond when Valli corrected him about being called a madam?
A) He apologized.
B) He mocked her.
C) He ignored her.
Answer:
B) He mocked her.
Question 4.
Why did everyone laugh after the conductor’s response to Valli?
A) Because they found Valli’s reaction amusing
B) Because the conductor’s mimicry was funny
C) Because they were relieved to defuse the tension
Answer:
C) Because they were relieved to defuse the tension
Question 5.
What did the conductor do after the ticket exchange?
A) He continued checking other passengers’ tickets.
B) He resumed driving the bus.
C) He engaged in further conversation with Valli.
Answer:
B) He resumed driving the bus.
X. Read the following passage carefully.
“But if you stand on the seat, you may fall and hurt yourself when the bus makes a sharp turn or hits a bump. That’s why we want you to sit down, child.”
“T’m not a child, I tell you,” she said irritably. “I’m eight years old.”
“Of course, of course. How stupid of me! Eight years – my!”
The bus stopped, some new passengers got on, and the conductor got busy for a time. Afraid of losing her seat, Valli finally sat down.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
Why did the elderly man advise Valli to sit down?
Answer:
The elderly man advised Valli to sit down to avoid falling and hurting herself during sharp turns or bumps.
Question 2.
What was Valli’s age according to the passage?
Answer:
Valli mentioned that she was eight years old.
Question 3.
Why did Valli finally sit down?
A) She was tired of standing.
B) She was afraid of falling.
C) She wanted to follow the advice given to her.
Answer:
C) She wanted to follow the advice given to her.
Question 4.
How did the conductor react when Valli mentioned her age ?
A) He apologized for calling her a child.
B) He laughed at her age.
C) He was surprised.
Answer:
B) He laughed at her age.
Question 5.
What did the conductor do after the bus stopped?
A) He scolded Valli.
B) He welcomed new passengers.
C) He continued the conversation with Valli.
Answer:
B) He welcomed new passengers.
XI. Read the following passage carefully.
An elderly woman came and sat beside her. “Are you all alone, dear?” she asked Valli as the bus started again.
Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive – such big holes she had in her ear lobes, and such ugly earrings in them! And she could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel juice that was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment.
Ugh! – who could be sociable with such a person? “Yes, I’m travelling alone,” she answered curtly.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli feel about the elderly woman sitting beside her?
Answer:
Valli found the elderly woman absolutely repulsive.
Question 2.
What did Valli think of the woman’s appearance and behaviour?
Answer:
Valli thought the woman had big holes in her ear lobes and found her betel nut chewing and the threat of betel juice spilling over her lips repulsive.
Question 3.
How did Valli respond when the elderly woman asked if she was alone ?
A) She smiled and engaged in conversation.
B) She answered politely but briefly.
C) She ignored the woman.
Answer:
B) She answered politely but briefly.
Question 4.
Why did Valli find the woman repulsive?
A) Because of her earrings
B) Because of her age
C) Because of her betel nut chewing
Answer:
A) Because of her earrings
Question 5.
How did Valli percelve the woman’s earrings ?
A) Beautiful
B) Ugly
C) Elegant
Answer:
B) Ugly
XII. Read the following passage carefully.
“And I’ve got a ticket too.”
“Yes, she’s on her way to town,” said the conductor. “With a thirty-paise ticket.”
“Oh, why don’t you mind your own business,” said Valli. But she laughed all the same, and the conductor laughed too.
But the old woman went on with her drivel. “Is it proper for such a young person to travel alone? Do you know exactly where you’re going in town? What’s the street? What’s the house number?”
“You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face towards the window and staring out.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli respond when the conductor mentioned her ticket?
Answer:
Valli laughed when the conductor mentioned her ticket.
Question 2.
How did Valli react to the old woman’s questions?
Answer:
Valli turned her face towards the window and stared out when the old woman asked her questions.
Question 3.
How did Valli and the conductor respond when the old woman continued talking?
A) They ignored her.
B) They engaged in conversation with her.
C) They laughed:
Answer:
C) They laughed:
Question 4.
Why did Valli laugh when she told the conductor to mind his own business?( )
A) She found the situation amusing.
B) She was being sarcastic.
C) She was nervous.
Answer:
A) She found the situation amusing.
Question 5.
What did Valll do when the old woman asked her about her destination in town?
A) She answered all the questions.
B) She ignored the old woman.
C) She politely told the old woman she could take care of herself.
Answer:
C) She politely told the old woman she could take care of herself.
XIII. Read the following passage carefully.
Her first journey – what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had 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.
After she had enough money saved, her next problem was how to slip out of the house without her mother’s knowledge. But she managed this without too much difficulty. Every day after lunch her mother would nap from about one to four or so.
Valli always used these hours for her ‘excursions’ as she stood looking from the doorway of her house or sometimes even ventured out into the village; today, these same hours could be used for her first excursion outside the village.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli manage to save money for her first journey?
Answer:
Valli managed to save money for her first journey by thriftily saving whatever stray coins came her way.
Question 2.
When did Valli usually plan her excursions?
Answer:
Valli usually planned her excursions during her mother’s nap time, from about one to four in the afternoon.
Question 3.
Why did Valli resist the temptation to ride the merry-go-round at the village fair?
A) She didn’t have enough money:
B) She didn’t like merry-go-rounds.
C) She was saving money for her first journey.
Answer:
C) She was saving money for her first journey.
Question 4.
Why did Valli’s mother nap every day after lunch ?
A) Because she was tired
B) Because it was a habit
C) Because she needed rest
Answer:
B) Because it was a habit
Question 5.
How did Valli slip out of the house without her mother’s knowledge?
A) She waited until her mother was asleep.
B) She asked her mother for permission.
C) She left a note for her mother.
Answer:
A) She waited until her mother was asleep.
XIV. Read the following passage carefully.
The bus rolled on now cutting across a bare landscape, now rushing through a tiny hamlet or past an odd wayside shop. Sometimes the bus seemed on the point of gobbling up another vehicle that was coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road.
But lo! somehow it passed on smoothly, leaving all obstacles safely behind. Trees came running towards them but then stopped as the bus reached them and simply stood there helpless for a moment by the side of the road before rushing away in the other direction.
Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. A young cow, tail high in the air, was running very fast, right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. The bus slowed to a crawl, and the driver sounded his horn loudly again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and the faster it galloped always right in front of the bus.
Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.
“Hey, lady, haven’t you laughed enough?” called the conductor. “Better save some for tomorrow.”
At last the cow moved off the road. And soon the bus came to a railroad crossing. A speck of a train could be seen in the distance, growing bigger and bigger as it drew near. Then it rushed past the crossing gate with a tremendous roar and rattle, shaking the bus. Then the bus went on and passed the train station.
From there it traversed a busy, well-laid-out shopping street and, turning, entered a wider thoroughfare. Such big, bright-looking shops! What glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise! Such big crowds! Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli react to the situation with the cow?
Answer:
Valli laughed until there were tears in her eyes.
Question 2.
What did the conductor say to Valli when she laughed too much?
Answer:
The conductor told Valli to save some laughter for tomorrow.
Question 3.
Why did the conductor tell Valli to save some laughter for tomorrow ?
A) Because he found her laughter annoying
B) Because he thought she would need more laughter later
C) Because he wanted her to be cheerful
Answer:
B) Because he thought she would need more laughter later
Question 4.
How did the bus react when the train passed the crossing gate?
A) It stopped abruptly.
B) It shook but continued on its way.
C) It turned back.
Answer:
B) It shook but continued on its way.
Question 5.
Why was Valli struck dumb with wonder as the bus traversed the shopping street?
A) Because of the big, bright-looking shops and the big crowds
B) Because of the glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise
C) All of the above
Answer:
C) All of the above
XV. Read the following passage carefully.
Valli wasn’t bored in the slightest and greeted everything with the same excitement she’d felt the first time. But 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. What had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible, so frightening as it lay there, legs spreadeagled, a fixed stare in its lifeless eyes, blood all over…
The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted her, dampening her enthusiasm. She no longer wanted to look out the window.
She sat thus, glued to her seat, until the bus reached her village at three forty. She stood up and stretched herself. Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, 1 hope to see you again.”
Now, answer the following questions. 5 × 2 = 10
Question 1.
How did Valli react when she saw the dead cow by the roadside?
Answer:
Valli was overcome with sadness when she saw the dead cow by the roadside.
Question 2.
What change did Valli experience after seeing the dead cow?
Answer:
After seeing the dead cow, Valli’s enthusiasm dampened, and she no longer wanted to look out the window.
Question 3.
Why was Vall overcome with sadness when she saw the dead cow ?
A) Because it reminded her of the journey to town.
B) Because she had an attachment to the cow.
C) Because she was scared of dead animals.
Answer:
B) Because she had an attachment to the cow.
Question 4.
How did Valli feel about looking out the window after seeing the dead cow ?( )
A) She was exited.
B) She was indifferent.
C) She was saddened and didn’t want to look out anymore.
Answer:
C) She was saddened and didn’t want to look out anymore.
Question 5.
What time did the bus reach Valli’s village?
A) Three o’clock
B) Three thirty
C) Three forty
Answer:
C) Three forty
Madam Rides the Bus Summary in English
“Madam Rides the Bus” is an interesting story. It is narrated by Valli. She was just eight. She was fun-loving. Pastime was watching the street from their front doorway. And the most fascinating scene was the bus with a set of passengers. As she looked at the bus coming and going, she developed a strong desire to ride the bus.
She started gathering the information about the distance the bus travelled, the fare and the time it took to go to the town and come back. She started saving coins. She resisted all temptations to buy toys or food items: She planned the time too. Her mother would sleep in the afternoons. That time suited her.
On one fine day, she went to the bus stop. The conductor offered to help her to climb on to the bus. But she said she needed no help. She declared, repeatedly, that she was not a child. The conductor was a jovial man. He addressed her as madam. Valli started enjoying the ride clapping and laughing. She looked out and devoured the sights of canals, rivers, vast expanse of green fields and distant mountains.
She boldly told the elderly passengers that she needed neither their advice nor help. She heartily laughed as she saw a young cow galloping in the middle of the road right in front of the bus. She watched with awe a moving train. At the town, she saw shops full of goods and people.
There, she didn’t get off the bus. She politely rejected the conductor’s offer to buy for her a drink. She returned home in the same bus. She was very sad to see the young cow lying dead on the road. She cheerily said goodbye to the conductor. As she reached home she was happy that her mother was not aware of her going out !
Madam Rides the Bus Summary in Telugu
‘మేడమ్ బస్ ప్రయాణం’ ఒక ఆసక్తికర కథ. దానిని వల్లి చెబుతుంది. ఆమె వయసు కేవలం ఎనిమిది. ఆమెకు సరదా ఇష్టం. ఆడుకోవడానికి వల్లికి తన వయసు పిల్లలు లేరు. అందువలన ఆమెకు అత్యంత ఇష్టమైన కాలక్షేపం ఇంటి ముందు తలుపు వద్ద నిలబడి బజారులోకి చూడటం. అందులోనూ తనను ఆకట్టుకునే దృశ్యం ప్రయాణికులతో ఉన్న బస్.
ఆ బస్ రావడం పోవడం చూసీ చూసీ, ఆ బస్లో ప్రయాణించాలి అనే బలమైన కోరికను పెంచుకుంది వల్లి. ఆ బస్ ప్రయాణించే దూరం, అందుకు పట్టే సమయం, చెల్లించవలసిన పైకం మొదలైన విషయాలు అన్నీ సేకరించింది. అందుకై నాణేలను పొదుపు చేయడం మొదలుపెట్టింది. ఆటబొమ్మలు, తినుబండారాలు కొనుక్కోవాలనే కోరికలను నిగ్రహించుకుంది.
ఏ సమయంలో వెళ్ళాలో కూడా ప్రణాళిక వేసుకుంది. తల్లికి మధ్యాహ్నం నిద్ర అలవాటు. ఆ సమయం తనకు బాగా అనుకూలం. ఒక మంచి రోజున బస్ స్టాప్కు వెళ్ళింది. బస్ ఎక్కడానికి కండక్టర్ సహాయం అందించబోయాడు. కానీ వల్లి తనకు సహాయం అవసరం లేదు అన్నది.
తను చిన్నపిల్లను కాను అని పదే పదే ప్రకటించింది. ఆ కండక్టర్ మంచి సరదా మనిషి. వల్లిని అతను మేడమ్ అని సంబోధించాడు. చప్పట్లతో, నవ్వులతో వల్లి తన బస్ ప్రయాణాన్ని ఆనందిస్తూ ఆస్వాదించసాగింది. బయటకు చూస్తూ తన కన్నులకు విందు చేసింది అందిన దృశ్యాలతో. కాలువలు, నదులు, పంటపొలాలు, దూరాన పర్వతాలు అన్నింటిని తనివి తీరా తిలకించింది. చాలా ధైర్యంగా బస్ లోని పెద్దవయసు ప్రయాణికులతో వల్లి తనకు వారి సలహాలు కానీ, సహాయం కానీ అవసరం లేదు అని నొక్కి చెప్పింది.
ఒక చిన్న వయసు ఆవు రోడ్ మధ్యలో బస్ ముందర గెంతుతూ పరుగెత్తడం చూసి వల్లి కడుపుబ్బా నవ్వుకుంది. పరుగెత్తే రైలును రెప్పవేయకుండా ఆశ్చర్యంతో చూసింది. పట్టణంలో దుకాణాలను, వాటి నిండా ఉన్న వస్తువులను, ప్రజలను చూసింది. అక్కడ ఆమె బస్ లోంచి కిందికి దిగలేదు. కండక్టర్ వల్లికి మంచి పానీయం కొనిపెడతాను అన్నాడు. వల్లి మర్యాదగా తిరస్కరించింది.
అదే బస్ లో ఇంటికి తిరుగు ప్రయాణం కొనసాగించింది. ఆ చిన్న వయసు ఆవు రోడ్ మీద చచ్చిపడి ఉండడం చూసిన వల్లి చాలా బాధపడింది. కండక్టర్కు నవ్వుతూ వీడ్కోలు చెప్పింది. ఇంటికి చేరుకుంది. తను బయటకు వెళ్ళటాన్ని అమ్మ గమనించనే లేదు. ఆ విషయం గుర్తించిన వల్లి సంతోషించింది.
Glossary
- elaborate (adj) : fancy, showy; ఇష్టమైన, ఆకర్షణీయమైన
- fascinating (adj) : attractive, captivating; ఆకర్షణీయమైన, ఆకట్టుకొనే
- source (n) : the thing from which something comes; వనరు, లథ్యమగు చోటు
- tiny (adj) : very small; చాలా చిన్న
- crept (v-pt) : entered slowly; నెమ్మదిగా ప్రవేశించెను
- overwhelming (v+ ing-adj) : very strong, intense; బలమైన, తీవ్రమైన
- wistfully (adv) : longingly; బలమైన కోరికతో
- kindle (v) : set alight; వెలించు, కలిగించు, ప్రారంభింపచేయు
- longings (n-pl) : desires; కోరికలు
- jealous (adj) : envious; అసూయగా
- slang (n) : informal language; వాడుక భాష (గ్రాంథికము కానిది)
- disapproval (n) : opposing something; ఆమోదించకపోవడము
- discreet (adj) : careful; జాగత్తతో కూడిన
- scarcely (adv) : hardly, practically not; దాదాపుగా లేని
- fortune (n) : a very huge amount; చాలా పెద్ద మొత్తము
- commandingly (adv) : authoritatively; సాధికారికంగా
- sticking his head out of the door : putting his head out of the door; తలను తలుపు అవతలకు పెట్టి
- crawl (n) : a very slow movement; చాలా నెమ్మది కదలిక
- stretched (v-pt) : put forward; ముందుకు చాపెను
- slack (adj) : not busy; పనిలేని
- overcome (v-pp) : prevailed over; పెల్లులికిన, ఎక్కువ మోతాదుతో ముంచెత్తబడిన
- blew (v-pt of blow) : sounded; (మోగించెను, ఊదెను
- devoured (v-pt) : swallowed, took in; స్వీకరించెను, తీసుకొనెను
- peered (v-p t) : looked intensely; తీక్షణంగా చూసెను
- startled (v-pp) : surprised, frightened; ఆశ్చర్యపడెను, భయపడెను
- annoyed (v-pp) : irritated; చికాకు పరచబడెను, విసిగించబడెను
- haughtily (adv) : arrogantly; కొంచెం గర్వంతో, పొగరుగా
- chimed (v-pt) : said musically; పాడినట్లుగా అనెను
- glance (n) : look; చూపు
- mimicking (v+ing) : imitating, copying; అనుకరిస్తూ
- irritably (adv) : with annoyance; చిరాకుతో, విసుగుగా
- repulsive (adj) : causing strong dislike; తీీ్ర అయిష్టతను కలిగించే
- curtly (adv) : showing displeasure; అయిష్టతను వ్యక్తీకరిస్తూ
- mind your own business : think of your own work; నీ పని నీవు చూసుకో
- drivel (n) : silly nonsense; చిల్లర, అర్థరహిత విషయములు
- thriftily (adv) : very carefully (spending money); పొదుపుగా, అతి జాగ్రత్తగా
- resisting (v+ing) : controlling; అదుపులో ఉంచుతూ, నిగ్రహించుకుంటూ
- temptation (n) : desire to do something; చేయాలనే కోరిక
- resolutely (adv) : firmly, with determination; దృఢ సంకల్పంతో
- stifled (v-pt) : put down, suppressed; అణగ ద్రొక్కెను
- excursions (n-pl) : (here) imaginary trips; ఊహాజనిత ప్రయాములు
- ventured (v-pt) : went out cautiously and courageously; బయటకు ధైర్యంగా మరియు జాగ్రత్తగా వెళ్ళెను
- gobbling (v+ing) : eating greedily, taking in quickly; మింగుతూ
- glee (n) : excessive joy; అమిత సంతోషము
- honked (v-pt) : blew, sounded; మోగించెను
- speck (n) : a small dot; చిన్న చుక్క
- rattle (n) : a loud noise; పెద్ద శబ్దము
- traversed (v-pt) : travelled through; ద్వారా ప్రయాణించెను
- thoroughfare (n) : a busy public road; రద్దీగా ఉండే రహదారి
- merchandise (n) : things for sale; అమ్మకానికి పెట్టిన వస్తువులు
- struck dumb : surprised so intensely that no word came out; మాట రానంతగా ఆశ్చర్యపోయెను
- gaped (v-pt) : looked in wonder; ఆశ్చర్యంతో చూసెను
- amused (v-pp-adj) : feeling very happy గా ఆనందించిన
- firmly (adv) : very strongly; చాలా దృఢంగా, గట్టిగా
- shrugged (v-pt) : raised shoulders to convey feelings; అనుభూతులను తెలుపుతూ, భుజాలు ఎగురవేసెను
- spreadeagled (v-pt) : spread out; కాళ్ళు బార్లా చాపెను
- stare (n) : look; చూపు
- haunted (v-pt) : returned repeatedly to the mind; మెదడులోకి మళ్ళీ, మళ్ళీ వచ్చెను; వెంటాడెను
- dampening (v+ing) making dull; నిరుత్సాహపరుస్తూ, నీళ్ళు చల్లినట్లుగా
- glued (v-p t) attached, without movement; అతుక్కున్నట్లు ఉండెను, కదలకుండా ఉండెను
- chatterbox (n) : one who talks excessively; అతిగా మాట్లాడే వ్యక్తి
- casually (adv) : without any particular purpose; ప్రత్యేక లక్ష్మం లేకుండా; యథాలాపంగా
- chit (n) : a babe; చాలా చిన్నపిల్ల
- pokes her nose takes interest in matters not related to her; తనకు సంబంధించని విషయాలలో జోక్యం చేసుకొను