Chapter 1: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Suggested Answer:
It is important to learn how to read and write because it helps us become independent, gain knowledge, understand the world, communicate clearly, read books and newspapers, fill forms, use technology, and build confidence in everyday life.

Suggested Answer:
1. My grandparents speak our mother tongue and also understand Hindi/English.
2. They spend their time praying, reading newspapers, talking to family members and watching television. I spend time with them by talking to them and helping them with small tasks.
3. My favourite experience with them is listening to their childhood stories and family memories.
4. They cannot use mobile phones and digital apps easily, but they enjoy watching me use them for video calls, photos and online learning.

Answer:

Answer:

Answer: No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother in tears. She had never seen her cry even in difficult situations. The grandmother was usually strong, smiling and composed. Therefore, the narrator was surprised and worried when she saw her crying.

Answer: The narrator could help her grandmother by teaching her the Kannada alphabet patiently every day. She could give her reading and writing practice, revise lessons regularly, encourage her, and help her read simple words before moving to stories and novels.

Answer:

Answer:

(i) A. strong-willed.
(ii) emotional.
(iii) The rural setting is suggested by references to the village, sleeping on the open terrace, the summer night, the full moon, and the use of the word “Avva” from Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
(iv) The lines “Avva came and sat next to me” and “Her affectionate hands touched my forehead” establish a tender atmosphere.
(v) C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education.

Answer:

(i) B. She desires self-sufficiency.
(ii) age limit.
(iii) The narrator laughs at her grandmother’s decision because she assumes that a sixty-two-year-old woman with grey hair, wrinkled hands, spectacles and household work would not be able to learn the alphabet.
(iv) Two qualities displayed by the grandmother are determination and self-respect. She is also hardworking and courageous.
(v) The narrator is making assumptions because she judges her grandmother by her age and physical appearance without considering her willpower and ability to learn.

1. Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
The grandmother felt embarrassed because she was old, respected and well-off, yet she could not read. Asking someone else would have exposed her illiteracy and made her feel dependent and helpless.

2. Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother’s determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
The narrator laughs because she thinks her grandmother is too old to begin learning the alphabet. She notices her grey hair, wrinkled hands, spectacles and household responsibilities, and assumes that learning at that age is impossible.

3. What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother’s life and the story?
Kashi Yatre becomes the emotional centre of the story. The grandmother identifies with the old lady in the novel and eagerly waits for each episode. When she cannot read it herself, she realises the pain of dependence. This motivates her to learn Kannada and become independent.

4. What does the grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
It reflects her determination, self-respect, courage and desire for independence. She believes that learning has no age bar and that one can overcome obstacles through hard work.

5. What lessons can we infer from the grandmother’s action of touching the narrator’s feet?
We learn that a teacher deserves respect, irrespective of age or gender. The grandmother’s action shows humility, gratitude and respect for knowledge.

6. What does the line “For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle” tell us about the broader theme of the story?
The line shows that determination can help a person overcome age, social barriers and personal limitations. It reinforces the theme of lifelong learning and self-improvement.

7. How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
The story highlights this value very effectively. The grandmother has money and family support, but she still feels helpless because she cannot read. After learning Kannada, she can read a novel on her own and feels independent. This shows that education gives dignity, confidence and freedom.

Answer:
Sentences:
1. The new student had to sink or swim in the debate competition.
2. I visit my grandparents on and off during holidays.
3. We can mix and match these colours for the poster.
4. For her, learning to read was an all or nothing decision.
5. Respect for teachers is part and parcel of Indian tradition.

Answer:
Five words with prefixes from the story:
1. Unfortunately — Unfortunately, the bus arrived late.
2. Unhappy — She looked unhappy when she could not read the story.
3. Independent — Education helped her become independent.
4. Unusual — Touching the narrator’s feet was an unusual act.
5. Irrespective — A teacher should be respected irrespective of age.

Answer:
Sentences:
1. I need to hit the books before the exam.
2. I drew a blank when the teacher asked the answer.
3. It took me a week to learn the ropes of the new app.
4. She racked her brain to solve the puzzle.
5. We had to learn the poem by heart.
6. He burned the midnight oil to complete the project.

Verb Identification:
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.

(i) Answers:
A. When the delegates arrived at the conference, the keynote speaker had already begun the session.
B. After the students had learned how to identify fake news online, they started verifying information before sharing it.
C. Before Kiran started using digital payment platforms, she had ensured her understanding of online fraud prevention.
D. By the time Varun recognised the importance of budgeting, he had exhausted most of his savings.
E. When Raghu logged in to the cybersecurity webinar, the instructor had already discussed the importance of strong passwords.

(ii) Answers:
Last year, my parents and I took a financial planning course. When we reviewed our expenses, we realised we had spent too much on unnecessary purchases. After my parents discussed ways to save, I opened a savings account. By the time we set our budget, the course had already introduced investment strategies. We hurried to take notes, but many participants had completed their financial plans. Despite that, we enjoyed learning how to manage money wisely.

Suggested Completion:
1. Literacy these days includes the ability to use digital devices.
2. Digital literacy is also about protecting personal information.
3. Digital literacy enables the elderly to access online services.
4. Digital literacy encourages using the internet safely by helping us recognise fake news and online fraud.
5. The National Digital Literacy Mission helps people across the country by imparting digital literacy.

Note: This is an audio-based task. The exact words should be checked against the classroom audio/transcript.

Sample Topic: Learning can happen only when you are young.

For: To begin with, I would like to speak for the topic. Young people learn faster because their minds are fresh and active. They have fewer responsibilities and more time to practise new skills. Childhood and youth are therefore ideal stages for learning.

Against: On the other hand, learning is not limited to youth. The grandmother in the story learns Kannada at the age of sixty-two. Her success proves that determination matters more than age. Therefore, learning can happen at any stage of life.

Answer:

The Student Volunteer,
Green Valley Public School,
New Delhi

8 June 2026

The Editor,
The City Times,
New Delhi

Subject: Student Participation in Adult Literacy Camps

Sir/Madam,

As a concerned student, I would like to draw your attention to the importance of adult literacy and the role students can play in promoting it. Many adults in our society still face difficulty in reading newspapers, filling forms, using mobile phones, understanding instructions and accessing basic services. This affects their confidence and independence.

Student participation in adult literacy camps can benefit both learners and society. Adults can learn basic reading, writing, digital and financial skills, while students develop empathy, responsibility and communication skills. Such initiatives also strengthen the bond between generations and make education a shared social responsibility.

Schools, resident welfare associations and local organisations should conduct weekend literacy camps. Awareness can be spread through posters, school assemblies, social media campaigns and community meetings. I request your newspaper to publish this concern so that more students are encouraged to volunteer for this noble cause.

Yours truly,
A Student Volunteer

Sample Answer:

Suggested Answer:
Adult education helps adults gain reading, writing, numeracy and life skills. Financial literacy helps people understand saving, budgeting, investing and safe money management. Early literacy supports children in reading and writing at the beginning of school life. Cultural literacy helps people understand and appreciate India’s languages, traditions, art forms and social practices.

Suggested Response:
I spoke to my grandparents and learned that they enjoy reading magazines in our mother tongue. I gifted them a copy of their favourite magazine. They were happy because the gift showed love, respect and interest in their reading habits.