Class 9 - English (Comm.) - Ch 1 - How I Taught My Grandmother To Read (Q and A)

How I Taught My Grandmother To Read

Q & A

Author: Sudha Murty

Q1: Write character-sketch of grandmother.

Answer: Sixty-two years old grandmother named Krishtakka lived in the erst era where girls education was not considered important. She never went to school and remained unlettered. She was married at a very tender age and had children. Later she became grandmother and had so much pleasure in cooking and feeding. Sometimes she regretted for not going to school.So, she made sure that her children and grand-children studied well. She was a dedicated home-maker and devoted all her youth to her family. She associated herself with the protagonist of the story 'Kashi Yatre' and believed that
actual practice of religion is to practice humaneness. She was very attached to her granddaughter, who read stories to her. She was perturbed when her granddaughter went to a wedding at a neighbouring village. She could not read out the weekly episode which made her determined to learn how to read herself.

She wanted to emerge from the quagmire of ignorance. Through her hard-work, sincerity, dedication and ardent desire she was able to read on her own. She thought that there is no age bar for learning. She also teaches us that real practice of religion is practicing humaneness.


Q2: What made Triveni a popular writer?


Answer: Triveni, origanally Anusuya Shankar, was a popular Kannada writer. She was so
popular because:

1. Her style was easy to read and very convincing.
2. Her stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems with common people.
3. People associated themselves with the characters of the story.
4. The stories written by her are very interesting.

Q3: Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story?

Answer: Avva could not read or write. She lived in an erst era where girls education was not considered important. She never went to school and remain unlettered. So, she depended on her granddaughter to know the story.


Q4: Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story?

Answer: Avva could not read or write. She lived in an erst era where girls education was not considered important. She never went to school and remain unlettered. So, she depended on her granddaughter to know the story.

Q5: Pick out two sentences which state that the grandmother was desperate to know what happened in the story.

Answer: The two sentences that show that the grandmother was desperate to know about the story are:

1. “Every Wednesday, the magazine would come and I would read the next episode of this story to her. During that time, she would forget all her work and listen with the greatest concentration.”
2. "Many times, I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing they could understand what was written."

Q6: Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read? How?

Answer: The grandmother asked her granddaughter to teach her Kannada alphabet. She had a great willingness for reading and a passion for acquiring knowledge. She wanted to be independent and emerge from the quagmire of ignorance. She was a keen student. Through her hard-work, sincerity, dedication and ardent desire she was able to read on her own.


Q7: Which of the following traits would be relevant to the character of the narrator's grandmother?
(i) determined
(ii) selfish
(iii) emotional
(iv) mean
Give reasons for your choice.

Answer: The grandmother was a determined and emotional lady. When she was unable to read
'Kashi Yatre', she felt very miserable and helpless. Although she cried for her helplessness, but at the same time, she took a desicion to learn how to read. She wanted to emerge from the quagmire of ignorance.She not only did her homework with all her sincerity but also even used to read, repeat, write and recite. Due to her hard-work, sincerity, determination and dedication she achieved her goal.


☛ See also How I taught my Grandmother (MCQs)