CBSE Question Bank

Bholi

3. Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.

(A) "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.
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 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.
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.
v. Pick the option that includes the correct matches of Column A with Column B. Column A Column B IV. Bholi v)
independent and confident V. Ramlal vi) burden less and free VI. Teacher vii) sense of contentment and
accomplishment viii) embarrassed and anxious i)

Column A Column B

1. Bholi i. Independent and confident

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 11. Ramial ii. burden less and free

111. Teacher iii. sense of contentment and accomplishment

iv. embarrassed and anxious

(a) I-ii; Il-iv; Ill-iii

(b) I-i; Il-iv; Ill-iii
(c) I-iii; Il-ii; Ill-i (d) I-iii; Il-iii; Ill-iv (B) "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.
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.
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 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.
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.

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 Ans. (A): (i)-(c), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(d), (v)-(b)
(B): (i)-(b), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(d), (iv)-(b), (v)-(c)

10. Answer in 20-30 words

i. 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.
ii. How did you feel when you read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by her parents as a child?
iii. Do you think Bholi could have confidently refused to marry Bishamber if she weren't educated? Give reason/s.
iv. How would you have reacted if you were one of the guests witnessing Bholi's wedding when she refused to marry
Bishamber Nath?
v. Do you think Bholi's father would have agreed to the match if her mother hadn't insisted upon it? Why/Why not?
11. Answer in 40-50 words
i. 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?
ii. 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.
iii. 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: .
iv. Which character traits of Bholi have had an everlasting impression on you? Why?

12. Answer in 100-120 words

i. 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.
ii. 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.

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