CBSE Class 10 English First Flight NCERT Solutions: Madam Rides the Bus

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter focuses on the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (First Flight), Chapter 9, "Madam Rides the Bus." The solutions delve into the character of Valli, an eight-year-old girl with a strong desire to experience a bus ride. They cover her meticulous planning, saving money, and her solo journey to the town and back. The questions explore Valli's observations, her interactions with the conductor and other passengers, and her mature handling of situations. These solutions provide detailed answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand Valli's independence, her fascination with the world outside her village, and her unique perspective on life. They are designed to aid students in grasping the nuances of the story and preparing effectively for their exams.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	First Flight
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	9. Madam Rides the Bus

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (First Flight) focus on "Madam Rides the Bus." The solutions address Valli's strong desire for a bus ride, her careful planning, and her journey. They cover her observations of the world from the bus, her interactions with passengers and the conductor, and her eventual return. The exercises help students analyze Valli's character, her independence, and her unique way of experiencing life beyond her village.

Learning outcomes

Understand Valli's strong desire and planning for her bus journey.
Analyze Valli's observations and experiences during her bus ride.
Explain Valli's interactions with the conductor and other passengers.
Describe Valli's mature behavior and independence.
Appreciate Valli's unique perspective on life and the world.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Valli's desire for a bus ride
Planning and saving money
Valli's solo journey
Observations from the bus
Interactions with the conductor
Interactions with passengers
Valli's mature behavior
The cow incident
Valli's independence
Understanding character motivations

Important topics

Valli's planning and execution of her journey
Valli's observations and reflections
Character analysis of Valli
Themes of independence and desire

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check 1

1. What was Valli's favorite pastime?

Solution: Valli's most cherished activity was to stand at the front doorway of her house. From this vantage point, she would attentively watch all the activities and events unfolding in the street outside her home.

2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?

Solution: The sight of the bus, which travelled between her village and the nearest town, brought Valli endless happiness. Each time it passed, it carried a new set of passengers, which fascinated her. Her most profound wish was to experience a ride on this bus at least once.

3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?

Solution: Valli learned that the town was located six miles away from her village. She discovered that the bus fare for a one-way trip was thirty paise and that the journey took approximately forty-five minutes. She also found out that if she remained seated and paid another thirty paise, she could take the same bus back home. Valli obtained this information by attentively listening to the conversations of her neighbors and other people who frequently used the bus service. She also discreetly asked them a few questions to confirm the details.

4. What do you think Valli was planning to do?

Solution: Based on her keen interest and the information she gathered, it is evident that Valli was making plans to undertake a journey on that very bus.

Page No: 122 Oral Comprehension Check

Oral Comprehension Check 2

1. Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?

Solution: The conductor calls Valli 'madam' because he is amused by her attempts to act more mature and confident than her actual age. When she insisted she could manage on her own and didn't need his help to board the bus, he found her behavior charmingly precocious and decided to tease her good-naturedly by addressing her with the respectful title.

2. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?

Solution: Valli stands up on her seat because a canvas blind covering the lower portion of the window was blocking her view. Being short, she needed to stand to see over it. From this elevated position, she observed the narrow road. On one side, she saw a canal bordered by palm trees, grasslands, distant mountains, and the vast blue sky. On the other side, there was a deep ditch and expansive green fields stretching out.

3. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?

Solution: When the elderly man refers to her as a child, Valli asserts that there is no one on the bus who is a child. She believes she is a grown-up and dislikes being addressed as a child. She points out that she has paid the same fare of thirty paise as every other passenger on the bus.

4. Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?

Solution: Valli found the elderly woman quite unappealing and repulsive. She noticed the woman had large holes in her earlobes adorned with unattractive earrings. Furthermore, the woman was chewing betel nut, and the red juice from it was threatening to spill over her lips. These details made Valli decide against interacting or forming a friendship with her.

Page No: 125 Oral Comprehension Check

Oral Comprehension Check 3

1. How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Solution: Valli meticulously saved every single coin she received. She showed remarkable self-control by resisting all temptations to buy things like sweets, candies, or toys. After a considerable period of saving, she finally accumulated the required sixty paise for her round trip. This process was undoubtedly very difficult for her, as she had to suppress nearly every childhood desire solely to fulfill her dream of riding the bus.

2. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

Solution: On her journey, Valli witnessed a young cow that was running haphazardly in the middle of the road, with its tail held high in the air. The more the bus driver honked the horn, the more the cow seemed to run faster and more erratically right in front of the bus. Valli found this entire spectacle so incredibly funny and absurd that she was overcome with laughter, to the point of tears. Eventually, the cow moved off the road, allowing the bus to proceed.

Common mistakes

Underestimating Valli's planning and determination.
Misinterpreting Valli's mature behavior as simply childishness.
Overlooking the details of Valli's observations during the journey.

Revision tips

Focus on Valli's motivations and how she achieves her goal.
Pay attention to the descriptions of the scenery and Valli's reactions.
Analyze the conversations Valli has with the conductor and the elderly man.
Consider Valli's character development throughout the story.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Valli's favorite pastime?

Q2. What was Valli's strongest desire?

Q3. How did Valli find out the details about the bus journey?

Q4. Why did the conductor call Valli 'madam'?

Q5. What obstructed Valli's view from the bus seat?

Q6. How did Valli save money for her journey?

Q7. What made Valli laugh heartily on her way?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'Madam Rides the Bus'?

The main theme revolves around a young girl's Valli's strong desire, independence, and her unique way of experiencing the world through a solo bus journey.

How did Valli manage to go on the bus alone?

Valli meticulously planned her trip, saved money secretly by resisting personal desires, and waited for an opportune moment when her mother was asleep to board the bus alone.

Why is the chapter titled 'Madam Rides the Bus'?

The title comes from the conductor's playful address to Valli as 'madam' due to her mature and confident behavior, which amused him.

What does Valli learn from her bus journey?

Valli learns about the world outside her village, observes different people and landscapes, and gains confidence in her ability to manage things independently, though she also learns about the harsh realities of life, like the death of the cow.

How does Valli's character stand out in the story?

Valli stands out due to her strong will, meticulous planning, independence, and her mature outlook despite her young age. She is portrayed as a determined and observant individual.

What is the significance of the cow incident in the story?

The incident with the young cow running in front of the bus highlights the unpredictable nature of life and introduces a touch of reality and sadness to Valli's otherwise joyful experience, making her realize that not all journeys are purely happy.

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