How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Reflect and Respond(Page 1-2)

Q1. Complete the given word web.

Answer:

Question: Complete the four boxes around the central question: “Why is it important to learn how to read and write?”

Solution

Learning to read and write is important because it helps a person to:

1. Gain independence Read and write without depending on others for everyday tasks.

2. Gain knowledge Read books, newspapers, instructions and other useful information.

3. Communicate effectively Write letters, messages and other forms of communication.

4. Improve opportunities Get better educational, personal and work opportunities.

Note: The word web is an open-ended activity. Other relevant answers explaining the importance of reading and writing may also be accepted.

Q2. Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. Which language(s) do your grandparents or elderly relatives speak?
2. How do they spend their time? How do you spend time with them?
3. What is your favourite experience with them?
4. What is something that the elderly in your family cannot do easily but enjoy watching you do?

Answer:

This is a personal response activity. Here are some sample answers to help you get started:

1. Which language(s) do your grandparents or elderly relatives speak?
   My grandparents speaks our native language, Kannada, and a little bit of Hindi. They are also learning basic English words from me.
2. How do they spend their time? How do you spend time with them?
   My grandparents spend their time praying, reading the newspaper, and tending to our garden. I spend time with them by helping them in the garden and listening to their childhood stories.I also help them use their smartphones.
3. What is your favourite experience with them?
   My favourite experience is when my grandmother teaches me how to cook traditional dishes. I love learning her secret recipes.
4. What is something that the elderly in your family cannot do easily but enjoy watching you do?
   My grandmother cannot use a smartphone easily, but she enjoys watching me use it to show her photos and videos.

Q3. III Read the following passage. Match the highlighted words with their meanings given in the box below.  The casting for the (i) protagonist of our school’s annual play was done after a lot of (ii) debate as many good actors had auditioned for the role. We had decided to present an (iii) episode from an inspirational story. It was a life story of a group of children who worked with  the (iv) community to spread literacy. Every day, we reached school early to practise with (v) concentration. We waited (vi) eagerly for the final presentation. All of us played our roles in a very (vii) convincing manner as our theatre teacher had (viii) guided us well.

1. excitedly
2. believable
3. people living in one particular area
4. discussion
5. a part of a story
6. focus
7. main character
8. directed

Answer:

Vocabulary Matching Exercise

Question: Read the following passage. Match the highlighted words with their meanings given in the box below.

Passage:

The casting for the (i) protagonist of our school's annual play was done after a lot of (ii) debate as many good actors had auditioned for the role. We had decided to present an (iii) episode from an inspirational story. It was a life story of a group of children who worked with the (iv) community to spread literacy. Every day, we reached school early to practise with (v) concentration. We waited (vi) eagerly for the final presentation. All of us played our roles in a very (vii) convincing manner as our theatre teacher had (viii) guided us well.

Solution:

Check Your Understanding( Page 6-7)

Q1. Complete the cause and effect table given below based on Part I of the story. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher. 

Answer:

Here are the completed cause and effect pairs:

Q2. Do you think the narrator expected to see her grandmother in tears when she returned to the village? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Answer:

No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother in tears. The narrator mentions that she had never seen her grandmother cry, even in the most difficult situations. The grandmother was usually a strong and smiling person, so seeing her in tears over her inability to read the latest episode of the story came as a great shock and was completely unexpected.

Q3. How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn to read and write?

Answer:

The narrator can help her grandmother by teaching her the Kannada alphabet, as she eventually does in the story. This is a personal and dedicated effort. A good teacher is patient and encouraging. The narrator can start with the basics (the alphabet), then move on to simple words and sentences, and finally to full stories. This is exactly what the narrator does later in the story, showing how she fulfills her grandmother's desire to read and write.

QPage 9. State whether the following sentences are true or false. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Sentence	True/False
1. The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence.
2. The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away.
3. The narrator was the grandmother's first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada.
4. The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning.
5. The grandmother touched the narrator's feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher.
6. The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read.

Answer:

Here are the answers for the true or false questions:

Critical Reflection(Page 10)

Q1.

Extract-Based Questions - Solution

Answer:

1. (i) Complete the following sentence with the appropriate option.

   The phrase 'never seen her cry in the most difficult situations' tells us that the grandmother was ________________________.

   A. strong-willed
   B. understanding
   C. considerate
   D. bold

   Answer: A. strong-willed

   Explanation: The phrase indicates that the grandmother was usually very strong and resilient. She did not easily break down or show weakness even during tough times. This shows her strong-willed nature and emotional strength.

2. (ii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets.

   Grandmother did not reply when the narrator asked if she was alright because she might have been too ________________________ (emotional/tired) to respond.

   Answer: emotional

   Explanation: The grandmother was deeply upset and overwhelmed with emotion because she could not read the latest episode of Kashi Yatre. Her tears and silence indicate that she was too emotional to speak at that moment.

3. (iii) Identify the clue from the extract that indicates a rural setting with traditional customs.

   Answer: The line "we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house" indicates a rural setting with traditional customs. Sleeping on the open terrace, especially on summer nights, is a common practice in rural areas of India. It reflects simple, traditional living close to nature.

   Additionally, the use of the Kannada word "Avva" (meaning mother) reflects the traditional cultural and linguistic customs of north Karnataka.

4. (iv) Which lines of the extract establish a tender atmosphere?

   Answer: The following lines establish a tender atmosphere:

   • "In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was a summer night and there was a full moon." — The description of the peaceful summer night and the full moon creates a calm, serene, and tender setting.
   • "Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead." — This line shows the loving and caring bond between the grandmother and granddaughter. The affectionate touch of the grandmother's hands adds to the tender and emotional atmosphere.

5. (v) Which of the following aspect is NOT emphasised in the given extract?

   A. the emotional turmoil of the grandmother
   B. the affectionate bond between the narrator and her grandmother
   C. the grandmother's regret over her lack of education
   D. the narrator's concern for her grandmother

   Answer: C. the grandmother's regret over her lack of education

   Explanation: The extract focuses on the grandmother's emotional state (she is in tears), the affectionate bond between the narrator and her grandmother (shown through the loving touch), and the narrator's concern (she asks if everything is alright). However, the grandmother's regret over not having an education is NOT directly mentioned or emphasised in this particular extract. This aspect is revealed later in the story when the grandmother shares her life story.

Q2. 2. 'I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be independent.' I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her. 'Avva, at this age of sixty- two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you work so much in the kitchen...' Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled. (i) What does the grandmother's statement, "I want to be independent," reveal about her character? A. She wanted to be literate. B. She desires self-sufficiency. C. She wants to prove her intelligence to others. D. She feels pressured by society to learn. (ii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate option from those given in brackets. The grandmother's determination shows that learning has no __________________________________________. (age limit/gender bias/cultural barriers) (iii) Complete the following with a suitable reason. The narrator laughs at her grandmother's decision to learn the alphabet at the age of sixty- two because (iv) List any two qualities displayed by the grandmother. (v) How can we say that the narrator is making assumptions about her grandmother?

Answer:

(i) The correct answer is B. She desires self-sufficiency. The grandmother does not want to be dependent on others to read; she wants to be able to read on her own.

(ii) The correct answer is 'age limit'.

(iii) The narrator laughs because she thinks that learning at an old age is impractical and perhaps foolish. She sees her grandmother's age and physical state (grey hair, wrinkled hands) as obstacles to learning something new.

(iv) The grandmother displays the qualities of:

• Determination: She is resolute and firm in her decision to learn.
• Optimism/Hard work: She believes she can overcome any obstacle with hard work.

(v) The narrator is making assumptions by judging her grandmother's ability to learn based only on her age and appearance. She assumes that because her grandmother is old, she is incapable of learning something new. The grandmother, however, proves her wrong with her determination.

Q3. Answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
2. Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother's determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
3. What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother's life and the story?
4. What does the grandmother's desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
5. What lessons can we infer from the grandmother's action of touching the narrator's feet?
6. What does the following line tell us about the broader theme of the story? For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle.
7. How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?

Answer:

1. Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
   The grandmother likely felt embarrassed because she was a proud and independent person. Admitting that she could not read to a neighbor or another villager may have been a blow to her self-respect. She had a special bond with her granddaughter and felt comfortable enough to show her vulnerability only to her.
2. Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother's determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
   The narrator initially laughs because of her childish perspective. She sees her grandmother's old age, grey hair, and wrinkled hands as barriers to learning. She does not yet understand the power of determination and the concept that learning has no age limit.
3. What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother's life and the story?
   In the grandmother's life, Kashi Yatre becomes a source of great joy and anticipation. It inspires her desire to be literate. In the story, Kashi Yatre acts as a catalyst for the plot. It is the grandmother's inability to read the story herself that leads to her determination to learn the Kannada alphabet.
4. What does the grandmother's desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
   Her desire reflects her strong will, her love for knowledge, and her wish for independence. It shows she is a person who does not give up easily and values education deeply, despite not having had the opportunity to learn in her youth.
5. What lessons can we infer from the grandmother's action of touching the narrator's feet?
   This action teaches us about the importance of respecting teachers, regardless of their age. It shows humility and the belief that the teacher is a form of God. It also highlights the grandmother's gratitude and her understanding that a teacher's role is to be honored.
6. What does the following line tell us about the broader theme of the story? For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle.
   This line encapsulates the central theme of the story: determination and perseverance can help you achieve even the most difficult goals. It encourages the reader to never give up, no matter the age or circumstances, and that a strong will can overcome any barrier.
7. How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
   The story is very effective in highlighting this. The grandmother's inability to read makes her dependent on her granddaughter. Her determination to learn is directly linked to her desire for independence. Her success in learning to read Kashi Yatre by herself symbolizes her achieved independence. This shows that education is the key to self-sufficiency and personal empowerment.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context

Q1. The expression hide and seek' is used in the text. This is called a binomial. Binomials are expressions consisting of two words, usually linked by a conjunction like 'and' or 'or', that are commonly used together in a fixed order. For example: odds and ends, right or wrong. Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Column 1	Column 2
1. sink or swim	(i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities
2. on and off	(ii) complete part of or belong to
3. mix and match	(iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
4. all or nothing	(iv) at sometime in the future
5. part and parcel	(v) sometimes, occasionally
6. pick and choose	(vi) increase or develop very quickly
7. sooner or later	(vii) succeed or fail without help
8. leaps and bounds	(viii) something to be done completely or not at all

Now, use any five of the above binomials in sentences of your own.

Answer:

The correct matches are:

Example Sentences:

• Sink or swim: Starting a new business can be tough; it's often a sink-or-swim situation.
• On and off: It has been raining on and off all day.
• Mix and match: You can mix and match these different pieces of furniture to create your own style.
• All or nothing: He approached the final exam with an all-or-nothing attitude, determined to get the highest score.
• Part and parcel: Taking risks is part and parcel of being an entrepreneur.
• pick and choose:When buying the buffet dinner, you can pick and choose your favorite items. 
• Sooner or later: You are going to have to face it sooner or later.
• leaps and bounds: The company’s profits are growing by leaps and bounds.

Q2. Ⅱ. Read the following words from the text given in the box below.

unhappy

unusual

unfortunately

irrespective

independent

These words are made by adding suitable prefixes ('un', 'ir', and 'in') to give an opposite or negative meaning to the words. Now, make words by adding the suitable prefixes given in the box to the words from the text in Column 1. Write the prefixed words in Column 2. One example has been done for you. extra

un	im	dis
in	mis	extra

 

Column 1	Column 2
1. popular	(i) unpopular
2. belief	(ii)
3. important	(iii)
4. respect	(iv)
5. correct	(v)
6. continue	(vi)
7. understand	(vii)
8. ordinary	(viii)
9. interesting	(ix)
10. possible	(x)

 

Answer:

Q3. III. Identify any five words with prefixes from the story and make sentences using each.

Answer:

Here are five words with prefixes from the story and their sentences:

1. Unhappy: The child was unhappy because he lost his toy. (Prefix: un-)
2. Unusual: It was unusual for her to be late. (Prefix: un-)
3. Independent: She wanted to be independent and not depend on anyone for her work. (Prefix: in-)
4. Unfortunate: It was unfortunate that he missed the bus. (Prefix: un-)
5. Disappeared: The sun disappeared behind the clouds. (Prefix: dis-)

Q4. IV. In the sentence, "I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours", the phrase "passed with flying colours" is an idiom. It means outstanding performance. Now, match the idioms related to 'learning' given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Column 1	Column 2
1. to hit the books	(i) to memorise something
2. to draw a blank	(ii) to think very hard
3. to learn the ropes	(iii) to study seriously
4. to rack one's brain	(iv) to study or work late into the night
5. to learn by heart	(v) to be unable to remember
6. burn the midnight oil	(vi) to understand how to do an activity

Now, use these idioms in sentences of your own.

Answer:

The correct matches are:

Example Sentences:

• To hit the books: I have an important test tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight.
• To draw a blank: I tried to remember his name, but I drew a blank.
• To learn the ropes: It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes at my new job.
• To rack one's brain: I racked my brain, trying to solve the puzzle.
• To learn by heart: We had to learn the poem by heart for the recitation competition.
•  burn the midnight oil: She burned the midnight oil to complete her thesis before the submission deadline.

Q5. V. Read the following sentences from the text and underline the verbs. In sentence 1, verb 'bought' is in simple past tense. In sentence 2, verb 'had passed' is in past perfect tense. We use past perfect tense to indicate two completed actions - one occurring earlier (later past) and the other more recently (recent past). The more recent action is expressed in the simple past, while the earlier action takes the past perfect tense.

Examples

1. Secretly, I bought Kashi Yatre which had been published as a novel by that time.
2. I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours.

Answer:

(i) Fill in the blanks with simple past and past perfect tense form of the verbs given in brackets.

A. When the delegates arrived (simple past) at the conference, the keynote speaker had already begun (past perfect) the session.

B. After the students had learned (past perfect) how to identify fake news online, they started (simple past) verifying information before sharing it.

C. Before Kiran started (simple past) using digital payment platforms, she had ensured (past perfect) her understanding of online fraud prevention.

D. By the time Varun recognised (simple past) the importance of budgeting, he had exhausted (past perfect) most of his savings.

E. When Raghu logged in (simple past) to the cybersecurity webinar, the instructor had already discussed (past perfect) the importance of strong passwords.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs given in brackets.

Last year, my parents and I A. took a financial planning course. When we B. reviewed our expenses, we realised we C. had spent too much on unnecessary purchases. After my parents D. had discussed ways to save, I E. opened a savings account.

By the time we F. set our budget, the course G. had already introduced investment strategies. We H. hurried to take notes, but many participants I. had completed their financial plans. Despite that, we J. enjoyed learning how to manage money wisely.

Writing Task

Q1. As a socially responsible citizen, you strongly believe that students can contribute significantly in promoting adult literacy. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper emphasising the importance of student participation in adult literacy camps conducted by various organisations. Discuss the benefits of such initiatives for both students and society. Suggest effective ways to spread awareness and encourage more students to volunteer for this noble cause. A letter to the editor is a formal letter in which the writer gives suggestions and creates awareness on an issue of public interest or an issue already raised in an article/write- up/published letter.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Answer:

Letter to the Editor

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Pin Code

Date: [Insert Date]

The Editor
[Name of the Local Newspaper]
Address of the Newspaper

Subject: Promoting Adult Literacy through Student Volunteering

Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and a student who strongly believes in the power of education. This is with reference to the persistent issue of adult illiteracy in our country. While our government has launched several initiatives like the National Literacy Mission, the true success of these programmes can be accelerated with active participation from the youth, especially students.

The problem of adult illiteracy affects a large section of society, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. Many adults, like the grandmother in Sudha Murty's story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read', are eager to learn but lack the opportunity and guidance. This not only limits their personal growth and independence but also hampers the overall progress of society. It is imperative that we, as the younger generation, step forward to bridge this gap. By engaging in literacy camps, students can share their knowledge and help someone gain the self-confidence that comes with being literate.

A possible solution to this issue is to create a structured volunteering program where students can teach at local adult literacy camps. These initiatives nurture a sense of social responsibility and empathy among students while providing a valuable service to the community. To encourage more students to volunteer, schools and colleges could offer certificates of participation and recognize the effort in their academic portfolios. Furthermore, awareness can be spread through social media campaigns and school assemblies, highlighting the profound impact a student can have on an adult's life.

I trust this matter will be considered seriously for the benefit of all. I am hopeful that necessary steps will be taken to encourage student participation in these noble causes.

Yours truly,
Your Name