Welcome to our blog post, "Mastering Bholi Class 10: Top Questions Answered". As students of class 10 English, you're likely familiar with the captivating anthology "Footprints without Feet". Within this anthology lies Chapter 8, a poignant tale titled "Bholi", penned by the renowned author K.A. Abbas. Today, we're delving into this timeless story to provide you with comprehensive answers to some of the most important questions. Whether you're preparing for exams or simply seeking deeper insight into the narrative, our compilation of extra questions and answers will prove invaluable. And the best part? You can access the PDF version for convenient offline studying. So, let's embark on this journey to unravel the layers of "Bholi" and emerge as masters of Class 10 English literature.
| Subject | English Language & Literature |
| Class | 10 |
| Board | CBSE |
| Chapter Name | Bholi |
| Type | Important/Extra Questions and Answers |
| Session | 2024-25 |
| Book Name | Footprints without Feet |
| Literature | Story written by K. A. Abbas |
"Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again."
Bholi Class 10 Important Questions & Answers
Q. No. 1) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.
“What’s the matter with you, you fool? Shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today or else what will the teachers and the other schoolgirls think of us when they see her?
New clothes had never been made for Bholi. The old dresses of her sisters were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But today she was lucky to receive a clean dress which had shrunk after many washings and no longer fitted Champa. She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then did she believe that she was being taken to a place better than her home! When they reached the school, the children were already in their classrooms.”
i. Why did Ramlal call Bholi a fool?
This was because
a) Bholi had become hysterical and was screaming.
b) Bholi shouted in fear and pulled her hand away.
c) Bholi was behaving foolishly and was running away.
d) Bholi had been behaving very strangely with her father.
Ans. Option (b)
ii. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘decent’ as used in the extract.
a) He gets a decent amount of salary.
b) One must be decent when having a conversation with strangers.
c) She was dressed in a decent manner for the interview.
d) It was very decent of him to lend me some money.
Ans. Option (c)
iii. Pick the option that best describes how Bholi felt at the end of her first day in school.
a) lost and scared
b) calm and peaceful
c) elated and peaceful
d) hopeful and elated
Ans. Option (d)
iv. Why was Bholi’s hair matted?
a) It was entangled and oiled.
b) It was never oiled or combed.
c) It was not combed regularly.
d) It was unkempt and oiled.
Ans. Option (b)
v. What fear did Bholi have when she was told about being taken to school?
a) She thought she was going to be neglected by her parents.
b) She thought her parents were going to get rid of her.
c) She felt that she would be thrown out of the house and sold.
d) She thought her parents were thinking of ways to throw her out.
Ans. Option (c)
Q. No. 2) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.
“Ramlal stood rooted to the ground, his head bowed low with the weight of grief and shame.
The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Everyone was gone. Ramlal turned to Bholi and said, “But what about you, no one will ever marry you now. What shall we do with you?”
And Sulekha said in a voice that was calm and steady. “Don’t you worry, Pitaji! In your old age I will serve you and Mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt so much. Isn’t that right, Ma’am?”
The teacher had all along stood in a corner, watching the drama. “Yes, Bholi, of course,” she replied. And in her smiling eyes was the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when contemplating the completion of her masterpiece.”
i. Ramlal stood rooted to the ground because he
a) was moved by what he heard.
b) was influenced by Bholi’s words
c) was in a state of shock.
d) was in an immovable position.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Bholi had refused to get married as
a) her father couldn’t afford the dowry that was demanded
b) the bridegroom had been greedy and was disrespectful
c) the bridegroom had insulted her father
d) her father was getting her married to a man older to her
Ans. Option (b)
iii. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘contemplating’ as used in the extract.
a) Contemplating sharing my belongings with someone is definitely tough.
b) She took some time to respond as she was contemplating what to say.
c) I was contemplating my reflection in the mirror and was speechless.
d) She was contemplating though the pages of the document that was with her.
Ans. Option (b)
iv. Why did the teacher stand in one corner watching the drama?
a) She was elated to see what was happening.
b) She wanted to see what Bholi would be doing.
c) She didn’t want to interfere in a family matter.
d) She had faith in Bholi standing up for herself.
Ans. Option (d)
v. Pick the option that includes the correct matches of Column A with Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
| I. Bholi | i) independent and confident |
| II. Ramlal | ii) burden less and free |
| III. Teacher | iii) sense of contentment and accomplishment |
| iv) embarrassed and anxious |
a) I-ii; II-iv; III-iii
b) I-i; II-iv; III-iii
c) I-iii; II-ii; III-i
d) I-iii; II-iii; III-iv
Ans. Option (b)
Q. No. 3) Why did the children make fun of Bholi at school?
Ans. She had poke marks on her face and looked quite ugly.
Q. No. 4) Bholi was a neglected child. Explain.
Ans. No new clothes for Bholi, old dresses passed on to her, nobody cared for or mended her clothes, parents sent her to school as they thought there was a little chance of her getting married.
Q. No. 5) Ramlal was worried about Bholi as she didn’t have good looks.
Counter the belief that it’s important for a girl to be good looking and give a reason for the same.
Ans. Beauty is subjective; it's inner qualities like intelligence, kindness, and confidence that truly matter. Bholi's inner beauty, resilience, and determination make her exceptional despite societal standards.
Q. No. 6) Bholi’s heart was overflowing with a “New hope and a new life”. What does the phrase “the new hope and the new life” mean?
Ans. To serve her parents in old age and to teach the students in the same school where she had learnt too much.
Q. No. 7) How did you feel when you read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by her parents as a child?
Ans. Reading about Bholi's mistreatment was heartbreaking. It evoked feelings of empathy and sadness for her unjust suffering at the hands of her parents.
Q. No. 8) List any one characteristic of Bholi’s teacher with reference to her first day at school. Give a reason for your answer.
Ans. Bholi's teacher demonstrated empathy on her first day at school. She noticed Bholi's fear and reassured her kindly, showing understanding and compassion for her situation.
Q. No. 9) Do you think Bholi could have confidently refused to marry Bishamber if she weren’t educated? Give reason/s.
Ans. Without education, Bholi might have lacked the confidence and understanding of her rights to refuse the marriage proposal, as societal norms heavily influenced her decisions.
Q. No. 10) How would you have reacted if you were one of the guests witnessing Bholi’s wedding when she refused to marry Bishamber Nath?
Ans. As a guest witnessing Bholi's refusal, I would have felt surprised initially but ultimately admired her courage and determination to stand up for herself.
Q. No. 11) How does education play a transformative role in Bholi's life?
Ans. Education plays a transformative role in Bholi's life.
- It helps her gain confidence and self-esteem, enabling her to stand up for herself and challenge societal norms.
- Empowers her to break free from the chains of patriarchy and choose her own path. It also enables her to recognize and resist oppression and inequality, making her an agent of change in her community.
- Through education, Bholi becomes an embodiment of the transformative power of knowledge and its ability to challenge and change societal norms.
Q. No. 12) Do you think Bholi’s father would have agreed to the match if her mother hadn’t insisted upon it? Why/ Why not?
Ans. It's unlikely Bholi's father would have agreed to the match without her mother's insistence, as he seemed more concerned with societal expectations and his own reputation.
Q. No. 13) Bholi’s parents accepted the match for her though Bishamber Nath was nearly the same age as her father. Bholi also accepted her parents’ decision without voicing her opinion.
a) What does this tell you about the social conditions prevailing in our society?
b) How do you think these problems can be addressed?
Ans. a) This reflects deep-rooted societal norms where parents' decisions are unquestioned, even if it compromise their daughter's well-being. It highlights the prevalence of patriarchy and the lack of agency for women in traditional societies.
b) Education, awareness campaigns, and legal reforms can empower women to assert their rights and challenge such oppressive traditions. Promoting gender equality and providing support systems for women can also help address these issues.
Q. No. 14) You’ve read the quote: ‘A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops.’
In the context of this statement, comment on the role of Bholi’s teacher in her life.
Ans. Bholi's teacher played a pivotal role in her life by instilling confidence and empowering her to challenge societal norms. Through her encouragement and support, she helped Bholi recognize her worth and potential, leaving a lasting positive impact that influenced Bholi's future decisions and actions.
Q. No. 15) You and your friend have a conversation about prevalent discrimination between boys and girls, even today. Write the dialogue.
You may begin like this:
Friend: I don’t think discrimination in terms of gender is a thing of the past.
You: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Friend: Hmmm. Yes, I agree, though we are in the 21st century it still continues in a blatant manner in many parts of the country.
You: ………………………………….
Ans.
Friend: I don’t think discrimination in terms of gender is a thing of the past.
You: Absolutely. Despite progress, gender bias persists. Just look at the wage gap, lack of representation in leadership, and societal expectations. It's disheartening that such inequality prevails even today.
Friend: Hmmm. Yes, I agree, though we are in the 21st century, it still continues in a blatant manner in many parts of the country.
You: It's unfortunate. We need to keep challenging these norms and advocating for gender equality to bring about meaningful change.
Q. No. 16) Which character traits of Bholi have had an everlasting impression on you? Why?
Ans. Bholi's resilience and courage have left a lasting impression on me. Despite facing immense adversity, she remains determined and refuses to succumb to societal expectations. Her ability to persevere and stand up for herself serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found within individuals facing oppression.
Q. No. 17) The Tehsildar was an agent of change in Bholi's life. Justify.
Ans.
- The Tehsildar changed Bholi's life as he was the one who convinced her father to send her to school. Bholi's going to school turned out to be the biggest blessing of her life.
- Education gave Bholi the confidence to challenge societal norms, and protest against evil practices like dowry and an unequal marriage.
- As an educated person, Bholi knew her worth in society.
- Bholi's mother did not want to send her to school, but her father could not disobey the Tehsildar and was forced to admit Bholi in school.
Q. No. 18) After reading Bholi’s story you decide to write a blog on the importance of educating the girl child and how it empowers her.
Write that blog expressing your views.
Ans. Title: Empowering Girls Through Education: The Story of Bholi
In a world where gender inequality persists, the story of Bholi serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of education for girls. Bholi's journey from a timid, uneducated girl to a confident, empowered woman highlights the profound impact education can have on a girl's life.
Education equips girls with knowledge, skills, and confidence to challenge societal norms and pursue their dreams. It opens doors to opportunities, enabling girls to break free from the shackles of poverty and oppression. Moreover, educated girls become agents of change in their communities, advocating for gender equality and uplifting others.
Bholi's story underscores the importance of investing in girls' education to create a more equitable and prosperous society. Let us strive to provide every girl with the opportunity to learn and thrive, for when we educate a girl, we empower her to change the world.
Q. No. 19) Imagine you are Bholi and you have been invited by a girl’s secondary school in another village to address a group of students about being independent, fearless and breaking stereotypes. Write that speech.
Ans. Dear Students,
I am honored to stand before you today as someone who has walked a path strewn with challenges, but also one illuminated by the power of education and resilience. My name is Bholi, and I come from a village much like yours.
I urge you to embrace independence and fearlessness in all aspects of your lives. Do not be constrained by societal stereotypes or limitations placed upon you. Believe in your capabilities and strive for your dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem.
Remember, breaking stereotypes starts with believing in yourself and refusing to conform to narrow-minded expectations. Education is your greatest weapon against oppression and inequality. Embrace it, cherish it, and let it guide you to a future filled with boundless opportunities.
Be bold, be fearless, and never underestimate the impact you can have on the world.
Thank you.
Q. No. 20) Read the following quote by an American author, E. E. Hale.
“I am only one but, I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I do.”
Bholi’s evolution from a ‘dumb cow’ to a ‘masterpiece’ supports the given quote. Justify.
Ans. Bholi's evolution from being labeled a "dumb cow" to becoming a "masterpiece" aligns perfectly with the quote by E. E. Hale. Initially, she was perceived as lacking intelligence due to her stammering and submissive demeanor. However, with the guidance of her teacher and access to education, she overcame her stammering and gained confidence and self-esteem. When faced with the greedy demands of a prospective groom, Bholi refused to succumb and bravely spoke out against the injustice. This journey highlights her individuality and determination to not be exploited by circumstances or people. Instead, she evolves into a proactive individual, contributing to the well-being of herself and others around her. Bholi's story exemplifies the idea that despite being just one person, she made a significant impact by refusing to let her limitations interfere with her growth and standing up for herself.
Q. No. 21) Parents play a crucial role in the upbringing of their children. Critically examine the parents of Bholi and Ebright, highlighting their impact on their children’s lives. (100-120 words)
Ans. Parents play a crucial and indelible role in shaping the lives of their children, influencing them both implicitly and explicitly as role models, teachers, and guides. Richard H. Ebright's mother stands out as a loving, caring figure who filled the void left by his absent father. Her investment of time and energy in his upbringing propelled him to great success. In contrast, Bholi's parents exhibit traits of uncaring, indifference, and a patriarchal mindset. They neglected her emotional and educational needs, sending her to school only to save face. Despite their prosperity, they failed to provide her with love and support, even arranging a marriage without her consent. This critical examination underscores the profound impact parental attitudes and actions can have on a child's development and future. The contribution and companionship of parents are indispensable, shaping children's lives and guiding them towards their potential.
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