New NCERT Solutions for Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9 English Poorvi
- Chapter Name: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
- Textbook Name: Class 9 English Kaveri
- Related Stud material: Class 9 Kaveri NCERT Solutions
Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read NCERT Solutions Class 9 English
Page No. 1
Reflect and Respond
I Complete the given word web.
Answer
II. Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Which language(s) do your grandparents or elderly relatives speak?
2. How do they spend their time? How do you spend time with them?
3. What is your favourite experience with them?
4. What is something that the elderly in your family cannot do easily but enjoy watching you do?
Answer
1. My grandparents speak Hindi and Bhojpuri. They prefer their regional dialect while talking amongst themselves.
2. They spend their time praying, gardening, watching devotional programmes, and reading newspapers. I spend time with them by listening to their stories, playing board games, or helping them with technology like video calls.
3. My favourite experience was when my grandmother narrated stories of her childhood under the stars. Those memories taught me more about life than any book.
4. My grandmother cannot use a smartphone easily but she loves watching me play video games or use the computer. She finds it fascinating and modern.
III. Read the following passage. Match the highlighted words with their meanings given in the box below.
The casting for the (i) protagonist of our school’s annual play was done after a lot of (ii) debate as many good actors had auditioned for the role. We had decided to present an (iii) episode from an inspirational story. It was a life story of a group of children who worked with the (iv) community to spread literacy. Every day, we reached school early to practise with (v) concentration. We waited (vi) eagerly for the final presentation. All of us played our roles in a very (vii) convincing manner as our theatre teacher had (viii) guided us well.
Answer
| Word from Text | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (i) protagonist | 7. main character |
| (ii) debate | 4. discussion |
| (iii) episode | 5. a part of a story |
| (iv) community | 3. people living in one particular area |
| (v) concentration | 6. focus |
| (vi) eagerly | 1. excitedly |
| (vii) convincing | 2. believable |
| (viii) guided | 8. directed |
Page No. 6
Check your Understanding
I. Complete the cause and effect table given below based on Part I of the story. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| The transport system in the village was not very good / roads were poor. | (i) The morning papers arrived late in the day and weekly magazines would come one day late. |
| The grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. | (ii) She could not read. So every Wednesday the narrator would read out the next episode of Kashi Yatre to her. |
| (iii) The grandmother deeply identified with the protagonist of Kashi Yatre, as she too had never visited Kashi. The story mirrored her own life and unfulfilled dream. | (iii) She was deeply interested in the story and discussed it with her friends. |
| The narrator went to a wedding for a week. | (iv) The grandmother missed the latest episode of Kashi Yatre. When the magazine arrived she could not read it. She was in tears when the narrator returned. |
| (v) In those days, people never considered education essential for girls. The grandmother lost her mother early, her father remarried, and she was married off young. | (v) The grandmother never went to school. |
| The grandmother regretted not going to school. | (vi) She made sure that all her children and grandchildren studied well. She also decided to learn the Kannada alphabet herself to become independent. |
II. Do you think the narrator expected to see her grandmother in tears when she returned to the village? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer
No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother in tears. She clearly mentions that she had never seen her grandmother cry even in the most difficult situations. This shows that the grandmother was strong and emotionally composed. Therefore, seeing her cry came as a surprise and made the narrator worried about the reason behind it.
III. How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn to read and write?
Answer
Page No. 9
Check Your Understanding
I. State whether the following sentences are true or false. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
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1. The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence. |
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2. The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away. |
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3. The narrator was the grandmother’s first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada. |
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4. The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning. |
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5. The grandmother touched the narrator’s feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher. |
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6. The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read. |
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Answer
| Statement | True / False |
|---|---|
| The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence. | TRUE — She explicitly says "I want to be independent." |
| The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away. | FALSE — She was too embarrassed to ask anyone. She rubbed the pages helplessly instead. |
| The narrator was the grandmother's first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada. | TRUE — "I was her only teacher and she was my first student." |
| The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning. | TRUE — She said "For learning there is no age bar." |
| The grandmother touched the narrator's feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher. | TRUE — She said "I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter." |
| The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read. | FALSE — She said "my student had passed with flying colours." She was proud and happy. |
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations.
What had happened? I was worried.
‘Avva, is everything all right? Are you okay?’
I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was a summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.
(i) Complete the following sentence with the appropriate option.
The phrase ‘never seen her cry in the most diffcult situations’ tells us that the grandmother was ___________.
A. strong-willed
B. understanding
C. considerate
D. bold
(ii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
Grandmother did not reply when the narrator asked if she was alright because she might have been too _____________ (emotional/tired) to respond.
(iii) Identify the clue from the extract that indicates a rural setting with traditional customs.
(iv) Which lines of the extract establish a tender atmosphere?
(v) Which of the following aspect is NOT emphasised in the given extract?
A. the emotional turmoil of the grandmother
B. the affectionate bond between the narrator and her grandmother
C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education
D. the narrator’s concern for her grandmother
Answer
(i) A. strong-willed
The grandmother had faced many hardships without breaking down. This shows her strength and emotional control, making her a strong-willed person.
(ii) emotional
The grandmother was in tears and deeply disturbed, so she was unable to respond immediately. Her silence reflects her emotional state.
(iii) The mention of "we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house" sleeping on the open rooftop/terrace is a typical rural tradition, especially in summer.
The use of the word "Avva" — a regional Kannada term for mother, showing the local cultural and linguistic tradition of north Karnataka.
(iv) The following lines establish a tender atmosphere:
"It was a summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead."
The imagery of a full moon, the quiet night, and the grandmother's gentle, loving touch on her granddaughter's forehead creates a deeplyintimate and emotionally warm atmosphere.
(v) C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education
The extract focuses on emotions, concern, and affection, but does not mention her regret about education at this point in the story.
2. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the
deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be independent.’
I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you work so much in the kitchen...’
Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.’
(i) What does the grandmother’s statement, “I want to be independent,” reveal about her character?
A. She wanted to be literate.
B. She desires self-sufficiency.
C. She wants to prove her intelligence to others.
D. She feels pressured by society to learn.
(ii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate option from those given in brackets.
The grandmother’s determination shows that learning has no __________. (age limit/gender bias/cultural barriers)
(iii) Complete the following with a suitable reason.
The narrator laughs at her grandmother’s decision to learn the alphabet at the age of sixty-two because ___________.
(iv) List any two qualities displayed by the grandmother.
(v) How can we say that the narrator is making assumptions about her grandmother?
Answer
(i) B. She desires self-sufficiency
The grandmother wants to read on her own and not depend on others. This shows her strong desire to become independent and self-reliant.
(ii) age limit
She decides to learn at the age of sixty-two, proving that learning can happen at any stage of life.
(iii) she thinks that old age is not the right time to start learning and underestimates her grandmother’s ability.
The narrator assumed that age and physical condition were barriers to learning, and underestimated her grandmother's determination and willpower.
(iv) 1. Determination/Strong willpower: Despite being 62 years old with no prior schooling, she set a firm deadline and committed to learning the alphabet with full dedication.
2. Humility and wisdom: She was willing to learn from her own granddaughter, setting aside all ego and social pride — showing that true wisdom includes knowing one's own gaps and working to fill them.
(v) The narrator assumes that her grandmother cannot learn due to her age and physical condition. She laughs at her without understanding her determination. This shows that she judges her grandmother based on age rather than ability.
II. Answer the following questions.
- Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
- Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother’s determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
- What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother’s life and the story?
- What does the grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
- What lessons can we infer from the grandmother’s action of touching the narrator’s feet?
- What does the following line tell us about the broader theme of the story?
‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle.’ - How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
Answer
1. The grandmother felt embarrassed because she was illiterate and did not want others to know about her inability to read. She says she felt “dependent and helpless,” which hurt her self-respect. Despite being financially well-off, she lacked confidence due to her lack of education. This made her hesitant to ask others for help.
2. The narrator laughs because she believes that learning at such an old age is difficult and unusual. She notices her grandmother’s physical signs of old age and assumes she may not be able to learn. This reflects her immature thinking. However, she later realises her mistake.
3. Kashi Yatre plays an important role as it inspires the grandmother to learn reading. She becomes emotionally connected to the story and eagerly waits to know what happens next. When she cannot read it herself, she feels helpless and decides to become independent. Thus, the story acts as a turning point in her life and drives the main theme of the chapter.
4. It reflects her strong determination and desire for independence. She wants to overcome her weakness and not depend on others. Her decision also shows that she values education and believes that learning has no age limit. This highlights her courage and self-respect.
5. The grandmother’s action teaches us to respect teachers regardless of age or relationship. She acknowledges her granddaughter as her teacher and expresses gratitude. It also shows humility and respect for knowledge. This act highlights the importance of education and values in life.
6. This line highlights the theme of determination and perseverance. It shows that strong willpower can help a person overcome difficulties. The grandmother proves this by learning to read despite her age. Thus, the story conveys that nothing is impossible with dedication.
7. The story clearly shows that education is essential for independence. The grandmother feels helpless when she cannot read and depends on others. After learning to read, she becomes confident and self-reliant. Her transformation proves that education empowers individuals and gives them dignity. Thus, the story effectively highlights the importance of education.
Page No. 13
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. The expression ‘hide and seek’ is used in the text. This is called a binomial.
Binomials are expressions consisting of two words, usually linked by a conjunction like ‘and’ or ‘or’, that are commonly used together in a fixed order. For example: odds and ends, right or wrong.
Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.
Now, use any five of the above binomials in sentences of your own.
Answer
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. sink or swim | (vii) succeed or fail without help |
| 2. on and off | (v) sometimes, occasionally |
| 3. mix and match | (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities |
| 4. all or nothing | (viii) something to be done completely or not at all |
| 5. part and parcel | (ii) complete part of or belong to |
| 6. pick and choose | (iii) choose only the best |
| 7. sooner or later | (iv) at sometime in the future |
| 8. leaps and bounds | (vi) increase or develop very quickly |
Sentences:
1. sink or swim: In the new job, it was a sink or swim situation for him.
2. on and off: She had been practising piano on and off for the past two years.
3. mix and match: You can mix and match these clothes to create different styles.
4. all or nothing: Success requires an all or nothing attitude.
5. part and parcel: Facing failures is part and parcel of becoming successful in life.
6. pick and choose: She likes to pick and choose the best books from the library.
7. sooner or later: If you keep avoiding your homework, sooner or later the teacher will find out.
8. leaps and bounds: Her English speaking skills improved by leaps and bounds after regular practice.
II. Read the following words from the text given in the box below.
These words are made by adding suitable prefixes (‘un’, ‘ir’, and ‘in’) to give an opposite or negative meaning to the words.
Now, make words by adding the suitable prefixes given in the box to the words from the text in Column 1. Write the prefixed words in Column 2. One example has been done for you.
Now, use these idioms in sentences of your own.
Answer
| Column 1 (Word) | Column 2 (Opposite Word) |
|---|---|
| 1. popular | unpopular |
| 2. belief | disbelief |
| 3. important | unimportant |
| 4. respect | disrespect |
| 5. correct | incorrect |
| 6. continue | discontinue |
| 7. understand | misunderstand |
| 8. ordinary | extraordinary |
| 9. interesting | uninteresting |
| 10. possible | impossible |
III. Identify any five words with prefixes from the story and make sentences using each.
Answer
- unfortunately (un + fortunately)
Sentence: Unfortunately, the bus arrived two hours late that evening. - unhappy (un + happy)
Sentence: The grandmother felt unhappy when she could not read the story on her own. - unusual (un + usual)
Sentence: It was unusual to see the grandmother in tears, which surprised the narrator. - independent (in + dependent)
Sentence: The grandmother wanted to become independent by learning to read and write. - irrespective (ir + respective)
Sentence: A good teacher deserves respect irrespective of age.
IV. In the sentence, “I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours”, the phrase “passed with flying colours” is an idiom. It means outstanding performance.
Now, match the idioms related to ‘learning’ given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.
Now, use these idioms in sentences of your own.
Answer
| Column 1 (Idiom) | Column 2 (Meaning) |
|---|---|
| 1. to hit the books | (iii) to study seriously |
| 2. to draw a blank | (v) to be unable to remember |
| 3. to learn the ropes | (vi) to understand how to do an activity |
| 4. to rack one's brain | (ii) to think very hard |
| 5. to learn by heart | (i) to memorise something |
| 6. burn the midnight oil | (iv) to study or work late into the night |
Sentences:
- to hit the books
I have to hit the books because my exams are starting next week. - to draw a blank
I tried to answer the question but completely drew a blank. - to learn the ropes
It took Meera a few weeks to learn the ropes at her new job. - to rack one’s brain
She racked her brain to solve the difficult maths problem. - to learn by heart
We had to learn the poem by heart for the recitation competition. - burn the midnight oil
He burned the midnight oil to finish his science project before the deadline.
V. (i) Fill in the blanks with simple past and past perfect tense form of the verbs given in brackets.
A. When the delegates _________ (arrive) at the conference, the keynote speaker _________ (already begin) the session.
B. After the students _________ (learn) how to identify fake news online, they _________ (start) verifying information before sharing it.
C. Before Kiran _________ (start) using digital payment platforms, she _________ (ensure) her understanding of online fraud prevention.
D. By the time Varun _________ (recognise) the importance of budgeting, he _________ (exhaust) most of his savings.
E. When Raghu _________ (log in) to the cybersecurity webinar, the instructor _________ (already discuss) the importance of strong passwords.
Answer
A. When the delegates arrived at the conference, the keynote speaker had already begun the session.
B. After the students had learnt 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) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs given in brackets.
Last year, my parents and I A. _________ (take) a financial planning course. When we B. _________ (review) our expenses, we realised we C. _________ (spend) too much on unnecessary purchases. After my parents D. _________ (discuss) ways to save, I E. _________ (open) a savings account.
By the time we F. _________ (set) our budget, the course G. _________ (already introduce) investment strategies. We H. _________ (hurry) to take notes, but many participants I. _________ (complete) their financial plans. Despite that, we J. _________ (enjoy) learning how to manage money wisely.
Answer
Last year, my parents and I A. took a financial planning course. When we B. reviewed our expenses, we realised we C. had spent too much on unnecessary purchases. After my parents D. had discussed ways to save, I E. opened a savings account.
By the time we F. set our budget, the course G. had already introduced investment strategies. We H. hurried to take notes, but many participants I. had completed their financial plans. Despite that, we J. enjoyed learning how to manage money wisely.
Past Perfect (had + V3) is used for actions that had been completed BEFORE another past action: had spent, had discussed, had already introduced, had completed.
Listen and Respond
I. You will listen to a speaker talk about digital literacy. As you listen, complete the following sentences with one to three exact words that you hear. (Transcript for teacher on page 259)
1. Literacy these days includes the ability to use _________.
2. Digital literacy is also about protecting _________.
3. Digital literacy enables the elderly to _________.
4. Digital literacy encourages using the internet safely by helping us recognise _________ and __________.
5. The National Digital Literacy Mission helps people across the country by imparting _________.
Answer
- Literacy these days includes the ability to use digital tools effectively and responsibly.
- Digital literacy is also about protecting personal data.
- Digital literacy enables the elderly to stay connected.
- Digital literacy encourages using the internet safely by helping us recognise misinformationand cyber threats.
- The National Digital Literacy Mission helps people across the country by imparting IT training.
Speaking Activity
Turncoat is a type of solo debate where the speaker argues for and against a topic, switching sides after a certain period of time.
I. Choose your topic and speak ‘for’ and ‘against’ for not more than one minute each.
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young.
Use the guidelines given below.
• Begin with speaking ‘for’ the topic for one minute.
• Your teacher will signal that it is time to switch sides.
• Then speak ‘against’ the topic for one minute.
You may use the following sentence prompts.
Answer
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue
FOR:
Learning a new language apart from our mother tongue is very important. It helps us communicate with more people and understand different cultures. In today's global world, knowing multiple languages increases job opportunities and boosts confidence. It also improves brain skills like memory and problem-solving. Moreover, it allows us to travel easily and connect with people from different regions. Therefore, learning a new language is a valuable skill that benefits us in many ways.
AGAINST:
While learning a new language is useful, it is not always necessary. Our mother tongue is enough for communication in our daily lives. Learning another language takes time and effort, which can be used to develop other important skills. Also, not everyone has access to proper resources to learn new languages. In many cases, technology like translation apps can help us communicate without learning a new language. So, it is not essential for everyone to learn another language.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young
FOR:
Learning happens best when we are young because our minds are more active and flexible. Children can easily grasp new concepts, languages, and skills faster than adults. At a young age, we have fewer responsibilities and more time to focus on learning. Schools and teachers also guide us during this stage, making learning easier and structured. Therefore, youth is the most effective time for learning.
AGAINST:
Learning is a lifelong process and does not depend on age. People can learn new skills at any stage of life if they are determined. In fact, adults often learn better because they have experience, focus, and clear goals. Many successful people have achieved great things later in life by learning new skills. Age should not be a barrier to learning. Hence, learning can happen at any age.
Writing Task
I. As a socially responsible citizen, you strongly believe that students can contribute significantly in promoting adult literacy. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper emphasising the importance of student participation in adult literacy camps conducted by various organisations. Discuss the benefits of such initiatives for both students and society. Suggest effective ways to spread awareness and encourage more students to volunteer for this noble cause.
A letter to the editor is a formal letter in which the writer gives suggestions and creates awareness on an issue of public interest or an issue already raised in an article/write-up/published letter.
Answer
Amit Kumar
Student, Class IX
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
10 April 2026
Subject: Importance Of Student Participation In Adult Literacy
Sir/Madam,
This is with reference to recent reports highlighting the issue of adult illiteracy in our country. As a concerned citizen, I would like to draw your attention towards the importance of student participation in adult literacy programmes conducted by various organisations. Despite progress, a large section of society still lacks basic reading and writing skills, which affects their confidence and opportunities.
The issue at hand affects both individuals and society as a whole. Illiteracy leads to unemployment, lack of awareness, and social inequality. It is imperative that we take collective responsibility to address this problem. Student involvement in literacy camps can bring positive change, as it not only helps adults become independent but also develops a sense of responsibility, empathy, and leadership among students.
A possible solution to this issue could be organising regular literacy camps in local communities and schools. Awareness campaigns through social media, workshops, and school initiatives can encourage more students to volunteer. Authorities could consider integrating such programmes into school activities. I trust this matter will be considered seriously for the benefit of all. I hope this letter gets published in the columns of your esteemed daily.
Yours truly,
Amit Kumar
Learning Beyond the Text
I. India has 22 major languages according to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Each language has its own unique identity. Talk to your classmates and teacher and complete the given table with words from any five Indian languages.
Answer
| Relation | Kannada | Hindi | Tamil | Bengali | Telugu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandmother | Avva / Ajji | Nani / Dadi | Paatti | Dida / Thamma | Avva / Nannamma |
| Grandfather | Ajja / Tata | Nana / Dada | Thatha | Dadu / Thakurda | Thatha / Nannagaru |
| Mother | Amma / Avva | Maa / Amma | Amma | Ma / Maa | Amma |
| Father | Appa / Anna | Pitaji / Bapu | Appa | Baba | Nanna / Appa |
| Sister | Akka (elder) / Tangi (younger) | Didi / Behan | Akka (elder) / Thangai (younger) | Didi / Bon | Akka (elder) / Chelli (younger) |
| Brother | Anna (elder) / Tamma (younger) | Bhaiya / Bhai | Anna (elder) / Thambi (younger) | Dada / Bhai | Anna (elder) / Thammudu (younger) |
