Class 10 English Chapter 21 Madam Rides the Bus

Class 10 English Chapter 21 Madam Rides the Bus The answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse throughout different chapters NCERT Class 10 English Chapter 21 Madam Rides the Bus and select need one.

Class 10 English Chapter 21 Madam Rides the Bus

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Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 10 English Chapter 21 Madam Rides the Bus Solutions for All Subjects, You can practice these here.

Madam Rides the Bus

Chapter – 21

ENGLISH

Multiple Choice Questions & Answers

1. How old was Valli?

(i) Six years

(ii) Eight years

(iii) Nine years

(iv) Ten years

Ans. (ii) Eight years.

2. Where was Valli standing every day?

(i) At the front door 

(ii) On the street

(iii) At the back door

(iv) At the back yeard 

Ans. (i) At the front door.

3. Valli has____ playmates of her own age. 

(i) Two 

(ii) No

(iii) Many

(iv) A lot

Ans. (ii) No.

4. The source of unending Joy of Valli was

(i) Sets of old passengers

(ii) Sets of new passengers

(iii) Sets of same aged passengers 

(iv) None of these

Ans. (ii) Sets of new passengers.

5. Valli wanted to ride on a

(i) Car

(ii) Bus

(iii) Train

(iv) Aeroplane

Ans. (ii) Bus.

6. Valli knew about the bus journey from___

(i) Parents

(ii) Friends

(iii) Neighbours 

(iv) Classmates 

Ans. (iii) Neighbours.

7. The distance to town form Valli’s village was-

(i) Four miles

(ii) Six miles 

(iii) Nine miles

(iv) None of these 

Ans. (ii) Six miles.

8. The fare was___ one way

(i) Thirty paise

(ii) Forty paise

(iii) Fifty paise 

(iv) Sixty paise

Ans. (i) Thirty paise.

9. How much time did the bus take to reach the town?

(i) Twenty minutes

(ii) Thirty minutes

(iii) Forty-five minutes

(iv) None of these 

Ans. (iii) Forty-five minutes.

10. Who yelled as ‘stop the bus’, ‘stop the bus’?

(i) Bus Conductor 

(ii) Valli

(iii) Another Passenger 

(iv) The driver

Ans. (ii) Valli.

Textual Questions and Answers

Before you Read:

1. ….A set of passengers 

            …….Get on the bus. 

            …..Get off the bus. 

            …..A row of seats

            …….Platform 

            …..Tickets, please. 

            …..A roar and rattle. 

            …..Slowing down to a crawl. 

            …..Blowing a whistle. 

Ans: From a fast-moving bus we can see far-off hills and green fields which look very beautiful. The trees rush fast. Grazing animals can also be seen on green fields. Snowclad mountains look very beautiful. Road side shops decorated with various items are attractive to look at from a running bus. Crowds can also be seen in the market places. People walking in the street is a common sight and people working in the fields where there are crops. Sometimes the buses run through an industrial area and factories can be seen. As the bus passes along the railway track sometimes a running train can be seen. 

Oral Comprehension Check – 1

1. What was Valli’s favourite pastime? 

Ans: Valli’s favourite pastime was to stand on the front doorway of her house, and look at what was happening in the street outside. 

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

Ans: The view of the bus with new passengers was a source of unending joy for Valli. Her strongest desire was to have a ride on the bus once in her life. 

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

Ans: Valli discovered that the town was six miles from her village and it took 45 minutes to reach town from her village. She learned this information by listening to the passengers’ and the neighbours’ conversation and occasionally by questioning them.

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

Ans: Valli was planning to go to the town and then return back by the same bus. The fare was 30 paise one way and the ride took forty five minutes.

Oral Comprehension Check – ll

1. Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’? 

Ans: The conductor calls Valli ‘madam’ because she behaved like a woman. She declined his help and was very quick in her answers to the conductor’s questions.

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

Ans: Valli looked outside from the bus but a canvas blind cut off her view. So she had to stand up on the seat. She saw that the road was very narrow and beyond it were palm trees, grassland, distant mountains and the beautiful blue sky.

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

Ans: When the elderly man calls Valli a child she angrily  replies that there is no child in the bus. She also says that she has paid her fare of thirty paise like everyone else. 

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

Ans: Valli didn’t want to make friends with the elderly woman because she was absolutely repulsive with big ugly earrings which Valli didn’t like at all. She was chewing betel nut and the beetlejuice was about to spill over her lips. 

Oral Comprehension Check – lll

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

Ans: Valli saved up money for her first journey. In order to save money she did not buy peppermints, toys, balloons etc. She also prevented herself from riding on the merry – go – round. It was not easy for her. 

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

Ans: On her way, Valli saw a young cow, tail high in the air, which was running very fast. It went into the middle of the road and then galloped in front of the bus. The driver honked but the cow got scared and instead of leaving the road, she kept on galloping in front of the bus. This made valli laugh heartily. 

3. Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station? 

Ans: Valli didn’t get off at the bus station because she was going back on that same bus. She was taking a bus ride. 

4. Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her? 

Ans: Valli didn’t want to go to the stall and have a drink because she had no money to do so. She also refused to accept cold-drink from the conductor and said that she only wanted her ticket. This shows that Valli had a lot of self will and pride.

Thinking about the Text: 

1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find words and phrases in the story that te11 you this .

Ans: Valli’s deepest desire was to ride on the bus she saw everyday.  

The words and phrases are : Overwhelming desire; wistfully; calculated and recalculated; planned and replanted. 

2. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare? 

Ans:- Valli was planning to go to the town and then return back by the same bus. The fare was 30 paise one way and the ride took forty five minutes. She learned this information by listening to the passengers’ and the neighbours’ conversation and occasionally by questioning them. In order to save money she did not buy peppermints, toys, balloons etc. She also prevented herself from riding on the merry – go – round.

3. What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer. 

i) ‘Stop the bus! Stop the bus!’ And a tiny hand was raised…………… 

Ans: Commandingly.

ii) ‘Yes, I………  go to town’, said Valli, still standing outside the bus. 

Ans:  Simply have to.

iii) ‘There’s nobody here…………. ‘, she said haughtily, ‘I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else. ‘

Ans: Who’s a child?

iv) ‘Never mind ‘, she said. ‘I can…………  you don’t have to help me. I’m not a child, I tell you’, she said,……… 

Ans: Get on by myself.

v) ‘You needn’t bother about me. I……… ‘. Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out. 

Ans: Can take care of myself

vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, ‘Well, sir, I hope………… ‘

Ans: To see you again.

Valli is a self-confident girl. She is also self-dependent with a commanding nature. 

4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’? 

Ans: The conductor refers to Valli as ‘madam because she behaves like a grown up lady. 

5. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus. 

Ans: The lines are:

1) Valli clapped her hands with glee. 

2) She laughed and laughed……… eyes. 

3) Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything. 

6. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back? 

Ans: During her return journey Valli saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside. She asked the conductor if it wasn’t the same one that had run before the bus earlier. The conductor replied by nodding his head. The memory of the dead cow haunted Valli. So, she didn’t want to look out of the window on her way back. 

7. What does Valli mean when she says, ‘I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge. ‘

Ans: Valli admits that many things happen in our midst without our knowledge. Sometimes we can’t understand these. 

8. The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement? 

Ans: The following evidence can be found in the text:

a)  Valli devoured everything with her eyes. 

b)  Valli clapped her hands with glee. 

c)  She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes. 

d)  Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.

Speaking:

This story has a lot of people talking in it. The conductor jokes and laughs with Valli, some passengers try to show their concern for her, and her mother and her aunt spend time chatting. 

Read the conservation carefully. Then think of similar people, or similar situations that you have experienced. Mimic a person or person who spoke to you, saying what they said, along with your replies. 

Ans: Do Yourself.

Writing:

Write a page- about three paragraphs- on one of the following topics. 

1. Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking grown-ups into confidence? What did you plan, and how? Did you carry out your plan? 

Ans:- Do it yourself. 

2. Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable? 

Ans:- Do it yourself.  

3. Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns? How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable? 

Ans: 1. It is very important to follow road safety and traffic rules. Children must be taught to always follow zebra crossing while crossing the road. People must stop when there is a red light. They must look around when there is a yellow light.

2. It is our duty to follow all the rules and regulations and to keep safety measures in our mind while driving. Safe driving is the best driving and the rules are framed keeping our security in mind. We should be content with what life gives us. Honesty is the best policy. 

3. Indians travel on the roads by bus, car, cycle, cycle-rickshaw, scooter, moped, truck, etc. Even pedestrians use these roads. As people don’t follow road safety rules, every year many people lose their lives due to fatal road accidents. It is also seen that 90 percent of these fatal accidents involve youngsters who like to drive at very high speed, don’t wear helmets and seat belts, talk on mobiles while driving or love to do stunts inspired by movies.

Additional Questions & Answers

1. How did Valli find out about the bus journey?

Ans:- Valli discovered that the town was six miles from her village and it took 45 minutes to reach town from her village. She learned this information by listening to the passengers’ and the  neighbours’ conversation and occasionally by questioning them.

2. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?

Or

What was a source of unending joy for Valli.

Ans:- Valli’s favourite pastime was to stand on the front doorway of her house, and look at what was happening in the street outside. 

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

Ans:- On her way,Valli saw a young cow , tail high in the air, which was running very fast. It went into the middle of the road and then galloped in front of the bus.The driver  honked but the cow got scared and instead of leaving the road, she kept on galloping in front of the bus. This made Valli laugh heartily.

4. What was Valli’s deepest desire?

Ans:- Valli’s deepest desire was to ride on the bus she saw everyday.

5. Why did Valli find the old woman who sat beside her in the bus, “absolutely repulsive”?

Ans:- Valli found the old woman, who sat beside her in the bus ‘absolutely repulsive’ because the woman was having big ear holes, even also she was wearing big ugly earrings which Valli didn’t like at all.She was chewing betel nut and the beetlejuice was about to spill over her lips.

6. Give a description of the bus in which Valli travelled?

Ans:- The bus in which Valli travelled was a new bus. Outside, it was brightly painted white with green stripes. Inside, in front of the seats, there was a beautiful clock above the windshield. The seats of the bus were soft and luxurious.

7. What scene did Valli see on the way back home that made her very serious?

Or

Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?

Ans:- During her return journey Valli saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside. She asked the conductor if it wasn’t the same one that had run before the bus earlier. The conductor replied by nodding his head. The memory of the dead cow haunted Valli. So, she did not want to look out of the window on her way back.

8. How could Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Ans:- Valli saved up money for her first journey. In order to save money she did not buy peppermints, toys, balloons etc. She also prevented herself from riding on the merry – go – round. It was not easy for her.

A. Choose the correct options for the following:-

1. Who yelled ‘stop the bus’, ‘stop the bus’?

(i) Bus Conductor 

(ii) Valli

(iii) Another Passenger 

(iv) The driver

Ans. (ii) Valli.

2. The distance to town form Valli’s village was-

(i) Four miles

(ii) Six miles 

(iii) Nine miles

(iv) None of these 

Ans. (ii) Six miles.

3. The fare was___ one way

(i) Thirty paise

(ii) Forty paise

(iii) Fifty paise 

(iv) Sixty paise

Ans. (i) Thirty paise.

4. Where did Valli’s aunt live?

(i) West Street

(ii) North Street

(iii) East street

(iv)  South Street

Ans:- (iv) South Street.

5. Outside painted  a gleaming white.

(i) shining 

(ii) dull

(iii) faded

(iv) all of the above

Ans:- (i) shining.

6. Valli would stare Wistfully at people…

(i) Carefully 

(ii) longingly 

(iii) angrily 

(iv) none of the above

Ans:- (ii) longingly.

7. What was the wish that crept into her head?

(i) To go to the market 

(ii) To travels in the bus

(iii) To ride the bus

(iv) To buy a bus

Ans:- (iii) To ride the bus

8. Why were there only six and seven passengers on the bus? Because

(i) Of storm 

(ii) Of heavy rain

(iii) The market was closed 

(iv) It was the slack time of the day

Ans:- (iv) It was the slack time of the day

9. Who was looking at Valli?

(i) Her friends 

(ii) The passengers 

(iii) Her parents

(iv) The drivers

Ans:- (ii) The passengers 

10. The conductor blew his whistle……….

(i) Two times 

(ii) Three times

(iii) One times

(iv) None of the above 

Ans:- (i) Two times.

11. The seats were-

(i) Soft.

(ii) Luxurious. 

(iii) Comfortable.

(iv) Soft and luxurious.

Ans: (iv) Soft and luxurious.

12. She usually liked to buy-

(i) Pepperments, toys, balloons etc. 

(ii) Books.     

(iii) Food items.  

(iv) Play items. 

Ans: (i) Pepperments, toys, balloons etc. 

13. Why didn’t she ride the merry-go-round? 

(i) She had no money.

(ii) She did not like to ride.

(iii) She was afraid to do so.  

(iv) She had no savings. 

Ans: (iv) She had no savings. 

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