CBSE Class 9 English NCERT Solutions: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Solution:

1. In this context, 'it' refers to the narrative or the story being told, which is about an old lady's journey and her strong wish to visit Kashi or Varanasi.
2. On the basis of these lines, the old lady is portrayed as someone with a deep and passionate longing ('ardent desire') to visit a significant pilgrimage site, Kashi or Varanasi. This suggests she is a person with spiritual inclinations or a strong personal goal related to this place.

Solution:

1. The speaker of these lines is the grandmother, referred to as 'Awa' in the story.
2. The speaker regretted not having had the opportunity to go to school and receive an education during her younger days.
3. The speaker decided to ensure that her children and grandchildren would receive a good education and study well, so they wouldn't face the same disadvantages she did.

Solution:

1. The speaker of these lines is the grandmother.
2. The speaker felt very dependent and helpless when she realized her inability to read. This feeling was particularly acute when she saw a magazine with pictures but couldn't comprehend the text, highlighting her lack of literacy.
3. By 'independent', the speaker here means being able to read and write, which she equates to actual self-reliance and freedom from the limitations imposed by illiteracy.

Solution:

1. In the extract, 'I' refers to the narrator, Sudha Murthy, and 'she' refers to her grandmother.
2. The grandmother wanted to talk with the narrator because she was feeling distressed and overwhelmed by her inability to read. She needed to share her feelings of helplessness and her regret about not being educated.
3. The grandmother was unhappy because she felt a profound sense of helplessness and dependence stemming from her illiteracy. She regretted not attending school and realized the limitations this imposed on her life.

Solution:

1. 'She' in the above lines refers to Avva, the grandmother. The 'homework' being talked about is the rigorous practice she undertook to learn reading and writing, involving repeated reading, writing, and reciting lessons.
2. She was so keen on doing the homework because she was determined to learn how to read and write. Achieving literacy was her goal for becoming independent and overcoming the helplessness she felt due to her inability to read.
3. This extract showcases the grandmother's immense willpower, strong determination, and dedication towards her goal of becoming literate, even at an advanced age.

Solution:

1. 'I' in the extract is Sudha Murthy. She returned from a neighbouring village where she had attended a wedding.
2. The grandmother was in tears because she had a profound realization of her helplessness and dependence due to her inability to read. Seeing the magazine and being unable to understand it deeply affected her.
3. The last line of the extract reveals that the grandmother is an exceptionally strong and resilient person. She faces life's difficulties with fortitude and does not easily show distress, indicating a stoic and determined character.

Solution:

1. The granddaughter, who is the narrator, made fun of the old lady (her grandmother).
2. The speaker made fun of the old lady because she found it amusing that her grandmother, at the age of 62, wanted to learn the alphabet. It seemed like a childish or unusual ambition to the narrator at that moment.
3. The old lady smiled because she possessed inner confidence and a strong belief that age is not a barrier to learning. She was not deterred by the narrator's childish teasing and was sure of her ability to achieve her goal.

Solution:

1. 'I' in these lines refers to the grandmother.
2. She felt dependent because she was illiterate and could not read or write. This lack of literacy made her rely on others for understanding written information, leading to feelings of helplessness.
3. The phrase 'well off' means to be prosperous, having enough money and resources to live comfortably.