NCERT Class 9th English How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Question Answers
Short Intro
The chapter “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” by Sudha Murty is an inspiring story that highlights the importance of education, determination, and lifelong learning. The chapter beautifully presents the emotional bond between a granddaughter and her grandmother while conveying the message that learning has no age limit.
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Quick Information Box
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Chapter Name | How I Taught My Grandmother to Read |
| Author | Sudha Murty |
| Subject | English |
| Theme | Importance of Education |
| Main Message | Learning has no age barrier |
| Literary Form | Short Story |
| Key Characters | Grandmother (Krishtakka), Narrator |
Concepts Used (Topics Covered)
- Reading Comprehension
- Character Analysis
- Theme of Education
- Grammar Exercises
- Vocabulary Development
- Idioms & Binomials
- Past Perfect Tense
- Critical Reflection
- Poetic Appreciation
- Value-Based Learning
Important Formulas / Grammar Rules
Past Perfect Tense Structure
Subject+had+V3+Object
Example:
- She had completed her homework before dinner.
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions with Explanation
Reflect and Respond Answers
Q1. Why is it important to learn how to read and write?
Answer:
Reading and writing are important because they help people become independent, knowledgeable, and confident. Literacy helps us understand the world better and communicate effectively.
Q2. Which language(s) do your grandparents speak?
Answer:
My grandparents speak Hindi and their regional language.
Q3. How do they spend their time?
Answer:
They spend their time praying, reading newspapers, gardening, and talking with family members.
Q4. What is your favourite experience with them?
Answer:
My favourite experience is listening to their childhood stories and spending evenings together.
Reading for Meaning Answers
Match the highlighted words with meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| protagonist | main character |
| debate | discussion |
| episode | part of a story |
| community | people living in one area |
| concentration | focus |
| eagerly | excitedly |
| convincing | believable |
| guided | directed |
Check Your Understanding – Part I
Cause and Effect Table
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Transport system was poor | Papers arrived late |
| Grandmother never went to school | She could not read |
| Grandmother loved the story deeply | She discussed it with friends |
| Narrator went to wedding | Grandmother became upset |
| Grandmother was illiterate | She depended on narrator |
| She regretted not studying | She decided to learn Kannada |
Q. Did the narrator expect to see her grandmother crying?
Answer:
No, the narrator did not expect it because her grandmother was mentally strong and never cried even during difficult situations.
Q. How could the narrator help her grandmother?
Answer:
The narrator could teach her grandmother reading and writing regularly with patience and love.
True / False Answers
| Statement | Answer |
|---|---|
| Grandmother wanted independence | True |
| She asked villagers to read | False |
| Narrator was her first teacher | True |
| Learning has no age limit | True |
| Grandmother respected narrator as teacher | True |
| Narrator was disappointed | False |
Critical Reflection Answers
Extract 1
(i) Grandmother was:
✅ Strong-willed
(ii) She was too:
✅ Emotional
(iii) Rural setting clue:
“Sleeping in the open terrace”
(iv) Tender atmosphere lines:
“Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.”
(v) NOT emphasised:
✅ Grandmother’s regret over lack of education
Extract 2
(i) “I want to be independent” reveals:
✅ She desired self-sufficiency
(ii) Learning has no:
✅ Age limit
(iii) Narrator laughed because:
She believed old age was unsuitable for learning.
(iv) Two qualities of grandmother:
- Determined
- Hardworking
(v) Narrator made assumptions because:
She thought elderly people could not learn effectively.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Why was the grandmother embarrassed?
Answer:
She felt ashamed because she was dependent on others for reading despite being old and financially stable.
Q2. Why did the narrator laugh initially?
Answer:
The narrator considered sixty-two too old for learning and found the idea unusual.
Q3. Significance of Kashi Yatre
Answer:
The novel emotionally connected with the grandmother because she identified herself with the protagonist and deeply wanted to know the story.
Q4. What does the grandmother’s desire reflect?
Answer:
It reflects determination, self-respect, and love for learning.
Q5. Lessons from touching narrator’s feet
Answer:
It teaches:
- Respect for teachers
- Importance of education
- Humility
Q6. Meaning of “For learning there is no age bar”
Answer:
Anyone can learn at any age if they have determination.
Q7. How does story highlight value of education?
Answer:
The story shows education gives independence, confidence, dignity, and self-respect.
Vocabulary and Structures Solutions
Binomials Matching
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| sink or swim | succeed or fail without help |
| on and off | sometimes |
| mix and match | combine different things |
| all or nothing | completely or not at all |
| part and parcel | belong to |
| pick and choose | select best |
| sooner or later | sometime in future |
| leaps and bounds | develop rapidly |
Prefix Exercise Answers
| Word | Prefixed Word |
|---|---|
| belief | disbelief |
| important | unimportant |
| respect | disrespect |
| correct | incorrect |
| continue | discontinue |
| understand | misunderstand |
| ordinary | extraordinary |
| interesting | uninteresting |
| possible | impossible |
Idioms Matching
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hit the books | study seriously |
| draw a blank | unable to remember |
| learn the ropes | understand activity |
| rack one’s brain | think hard |
| learn by heart | memorise |
| burn midnight oil | study late night |
Grammar Exercise Solutions
Fill in the blanks
A.
arrived — had already begun
B.
learnt — started
C.
started — had ensured
D.
recognised — had exhausted
E.
logged in — had already discussed
Bharat Our Land Solutions
Fill in the blanks
- historical greatness
- Himavant
- Ganga
- Upanishads
- warriors
- sages
- Brahma-knowledge
- Buddha
- peerless
- praise
Poem Features
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Mood | Patriotic |
| Tone | Admiring |
| Rhyme Scheme | Free Verse |
| Personification | “Generous Ganga” |
Symbolism Matching
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Himavant | strength |
| Ganga | purity |
| Upanishads | spiritual legacy |
| warriors & sages | courage & wisdom |
| Brahma-knowledge | enlightenment |
| sunny golden land | richness |
Critical Reflection – Poem
Q1. “Mighty” refers to:
Strength of Himavant.
Q2. Question marks are used to:
✅ Emphasise a point.
Q3. Why generous Ganga?
Because it provides water and supports life.
Q4. Why graceful river movement?
Because of its smooth and beautiful flow.
Q5. Upanishads are:
✅ unmatched
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Writing incomplete answers
- Ignoring grammar rules
- Confusing past perfect tense
- Not understanding theme deeply
- Memorising without explanation
Exam Tips
✅ Read the chapter carefully twice
✅ Learn difficult vocabulary
✅ Practice grammar exercises daily
✅ Focus on theme-based questions
✅ Revise idioms and prefixes
Practice MCQs
1. Who wrote “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read”?
A. Ruskin Bond
B. Sudha Murty
C. R.K. Narayan
D. Tagore
✅ Answer: B
2. Why did grandmother want to learn reading?
A. For money
B. For entertainment
C. For independence
D. For job
✅ Answer: C
3. Which novel was grandmother listening to?
A. Malgudi Days
B. Kashi Yatre
C. Gitanjali
D. Discovery of India
✅ Answer: B
4. What message does story give?
A. Age limits learning
B. Money is important
C. Learning has no age barrier
D. Villages are backward
✅ Answer: C
5. Who touched narrator’s feet?
A. Teacher
B. Mother
C. Grandmother
D. Friend
✅ Answer: C
FAQ Section
Q1. What is the main theme of the chapter?
The importance of education and lifelong learning.
Q2. Why did grandmother cry?
Because she could not read the story herself.
Q3. What inspired grandmother to study?
Her desire for independence.
Q4. What lesson do students learn from this story?
Determination and education can change lives.
Q5. Why is the narrator important?
She becomes the grandmother’s teacher.
Q6. What is the significance of Dassara in story?
Grandmother set it as her learning deadline.
Q7. What type of story is this?
Inspirational autobiographical story.
Q8. Why is education important?
Education gives confidence, dignity, and independence.
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