Why was Sulekha called Bholi?
a) She was the youngest child
b) She stammered and was considered a simpleton
c) She was very intelligent
d) She refused to go to school
What made Ramlal send Bholi to school?
a) He wanted her to become a teacher
b) The Tehsildar asked him to set an example by educating his daughters
c) Bholi herself requested it
d) His wife insisted
How did Bholi feel on her first day at school before meeting the teacher?
a) Excited and confident
b) Frightened and lonely
c) Angry with her father
d) Eager to make friends
Which word from the text describes Bholi’s hair before going to school?
a) Silky
b) Matted
c) Curly
d) Oiled
5. Assertion (A): Bholi’s parents neglected her because of her appearance and stammering.
Reason (R): They believed no one would marry her and therefore saw no need to care for her.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
6. Assertion (A): Bholi rejected Bishamber Nath at the wedding.
Reason (R): She refused to marry a man who demanded dowry and insulted her father.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
What quality of the teacher helped Bholi gain confidence?
a) Strict discipline
b) Soft, soothing and encouraging voice
c) Use of punishment
d) Ignoring Bholi completely
Why did Bishamber demand five thousand rupees?
a) He needed money for his shop
b) He saw Bholi’s pock-marks and tried to humiliate Ramlal
c) It was the custom in the village
d) Ramlal had offered it
What does the word “simpleton” mean in the context of the story?
a) A clever person
b) A foolish person easily tricked
c) A brave warrior
d) A rich merchant
At the end of the story, Bholi decides to
a) Marry Bishamber
b) Serve her parents and teach in the same school
c) Run away from home
d) Remain silent forever
“Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi.” At last she was able to say it and felt relieved as if it was a great achievement.
“Well done.” The teacher patted her affectionately…
i. Who is the speaker of the first line and to whom is it addressed?
ii. What difficulty was the girl facing?
iii. Identify the literary device used in the teacher’s action of patting.
iv. What does this moment reveal about the teacher’s role?
“Pitaji! Take back your money. I am not going to marry this man.”
i. Who is speaking and on what occasion?
ii. Why does the speaker refuse the marriage?
iii. Name the figure of speech in “Take back your money.”
iv. What change in Bholi’s personality does this line show?
“Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like everyone else.”
i. Who says these words and to whom?
ii. What fear is being referred to?
iii. Identify the literary device used in giving human qualities to an abstract idea.
iv. How did these words affect Bholi?
From the text, give synonyms for the following words (any four):
simpleton, matted, scurried, downcast, ginning.
Write a diary entry (80–100 words) as Bholi on the day she returned from school after learning to speak her name properly. Express your feelings about the teacher and your new hope.
Extract 1: i. Bholi to herself/teacher; ii. Stammering while saying her name; iii. Pat on back – motivation/affection; iv. Teacher builds confidence.
Extract 2: i. Bholi at her wedding; ii. Groom demands dowry and insults her father; iii. Imperative/command; iv. She has become bold and assertive.
Extract 3: i. Teacher to Bholi; ii. Fear of stammering and being laughed at; iii. Personification; iv. Gave her courage and hope.
Section C (key points – 40-50 words)
1. Bholi was disfigured by smallpox, stammered and was considered mentally backward; parents saw no chance of her marriage.
2. Teacher spoke in a soft, soothing voice, encouraged her to say her name, patted her and removed her fear.
3. Bishamber was rich, demanded no dowry and was from another village so unaware of Bholi’s condition.
4. He saw pock-marks, refused to marry without five thousand rupees dowry and humiliated Ramlal.
5. She spoke clearly, rejected the groom publicly, called him mean and greedy, and decided to become a teacher.
Section D (key content points)
1. Introduction – neglected child; physical & speech problems; first day at school & teacher’s role; growth in confidence; climax at wedding – bold rejection; conclusion – self-reliant, chooses to serve parents and teach.
2. Theme points: parents’ neglect due to lack of education; teacher uses education to build self-respect; Bholi uses education to reject injustice; final decision shows empowerment; education breaks social barriers.
All questions are answerable from the NCERT chapter text. Reviewed by GFIS faculty.