Maharashtra State Board Class 10 My English Coursebook Solutions Chapter 4.2 Bholi
My English Coursebook Standard Ten Guide Chapter 4.2 Bholi Textbook Questions and Answers
Warming up:
Chit-chat
1. Discuss the following in your groups.
Question (a)
Discuss the following in your groups.
Various social evils that exist in
(a) big cities
(b) small towns
(c) villages
Answer:
(Use the points given in italic for your discussion,)
(a) Big cities: Female infanticide-dowry-
women’s safety-alcoholism-traffic-addiction- violence
(b) Small towns: Gender inequality at work-low status of women-child labour-caste system.
(c) Villages: Hygiene and sanitation-Religious conflicts – superstitions – poverty -illiteracy – consuming alcohol.
1. Adjectives and some Adverbs can be used in three degrees of comparison.

Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
1. simple | simpler | simplest |
2. pretty | prettier | prettiest |
3. deep | deeper | deepest |
4. intelligent | More intelligent | Most intelligent |
5. good | better | best |
6. affectionate | More affectionate | Most affectionate |
7. young | younger | youngest |
8. near | nearer | nearest |
9. quick | quicker | quickest |
10. much/many | more | most |
2. Pick out Hindi words used in the story written in English. Give their English alternative:
3. Write three advantages and three drawbacks for each of the following:

Advantages | Drawbacks | |
City Life | 1. Rich amenities | 1. Fast life |
Village Life | 1. Peaceful environment | 1. Miss the Conveniences and opportunities of life. |
English Workshop:
2.The story focusses on some social problems and evil practices that are prevailing in the society. Read the text carefully and make a list of all social problems and evil practices. Discuss in the class to find some solutions to these problems. One is done for you.

Social problems and evil practices | Probable Solutions |
1. Discrimination between a boy child and girl child. | 1. Both must be treated equal at family, school and society levels. |
2. Girl education | 2. Education should be given to girls to understand their rights. |
3. Dowry | 3. We should not give or take dowry and should complain about such practices. |
4. Marriage with an old person for property. | 4. Girls should oppose such marriages. |
3. Fill in the boxes with proper letters so as to find various characters in the story by their specialities. One is done for you.


4.Glance through the story again and describe Bholi’s character before and after her meeting with the teacher. Complete the table and then write two paragraphs describing the changes seen in her character.

Before | After |
1. She was called simpleton, children made fun of her and mimicked her. | 1. She became confident and was able to utter her name. |
2. She had neither good looks nor intelligence. | 2. She changed herself mentally and became smart. |
3. She was frightened and had no courage to speak. She was like a dumb cow. | 3. She became bold and got courage to say what is right and what is wrong. |
4. She couldn’t take her own decisions. | 4. She could take her own decisions of her life only because of the confidence her teacher had given. |
Bholi-A Courageous girl
Bholi was a backward child from her childhood and was known as simpleton. She had an attack of smallpox at the age of two and her entire body was pockmarked except for her eyes. She had neither good looks nor intelligence. Being fourth daughter of her parents, she couldn’t get any comforts of her life so she was always under pressure and had no courage to speak.
She was always frightened so she was known as a dumb cow. She couldn’t even talk properly because of her stammering habit. So she couldn’t speak out her thoughts and couldn’t take decision of her life. Overall she was sad, frightened and used to live life under the pressure of her parents.
But when she started going to school, her life was totally changed. She met a teacher who was kind and supportive. With her help she became confident and was able to utter her name properly. She changed herself mentally and became smart.
She also got courage to say what is right and what is wrong, so she refused to get married to a person who was her father’s age and decided to serve her parents. At last she was able to take her own decisions of her life with the confidence her teacher had given to her. She decided to follow the path shown by her teacher and teach in the same school where she learnt.
5. Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words:
6. Expand the proverb in about 12 to 15 lines, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’
‘Where there is a will, there is a way’
Success and achievement in life are not possible without strong will. All great personalities and personages who have left permanent prints of their lives on the society, are the men and women who had indomitable (invincible) will. If we are determined to do something, we will get it done only when we have a strong will. Most of the successful people overcome a number of difficulties to find the right path to success, that is the reason why they are successful. The examples of Helen Keller, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dr. A.P.J. Kalam, Dhirubhai Ambani and many others aptly prove the proverb.
Will power, determination and dedication help us to make impossible things possible. Only if we have the will to win, we would surely find our way sooner or later. Whatever inventions are seen today were a problem one day. But the will and hardwork of the inventors found their solutions. Impossible is possible for the person of strong will. Every successful man fails many a times but with unshaken faith and strong will, he becomes successful one day. Think high, try your best, without being daunted by the odds of the path and success is yours.
One step at a time and that well placed will take you to the grandest height. The only thing is to start with firm determination, strong will and the way is yours. So it is rightly said, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
7. Read the extract beginning from:
I was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When I was ten months old, I had fallen off the cot on my head and perhaps it had damaged some part of my brain. That was why I remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.
At birth I was very fair and pretty. But when I was two years old I had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved. But the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. I could not speak till I was five and when at last I learnt to speak, I stammered. The other children often made fun of me and mimicked me. As a result, I talked very little.
My father Ramlal had seven children, three sons and four daughters, and the youngest of them was me. Ours was a prosperous farmer’s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except me were healthy and strong. My brothers had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Of the sisters, Radha, the eldest had already been married. The second sister Mangala’s marriage had also been settled. My father would think of my third sister Champa. They were good looking, healthy girls. And it was not difficult to find bridegrooms for them.
8. Interview:
Language Study:
2. Rewrite the sentences given below as per the given Degree of Comparison without change of meaning:
3. Correct the errors in the following sentences. Focus on verbs and subject.
(a) All children, except Bholi, was healthy and strong.
(b) Since childhood, everyone will have calling her Bholi.
(c) If girls goes to school, who will marry them?
(d) New clothes was never made for Bholi.
(e) The garland were flung into the fire.
(f) Do you wants to hear more?
(g) Aren’t that right?
(h) I will teaches in the same school.
My English Coursebook 10th Digest Chapter 4.2 Bholi Additional Important Questions and Answers
Simple Factual Activities:
Choose the correct alternative for each of the following questions:
Who said to whom:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
“Come with me. I will take you to school.”
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Ramlal said to Bholi.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
“What is your name, little one?”
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The teacher said to Bholi.
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
Put [✓] or [✗] in front of the following sentences:
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
State whether the following statements are True or False:
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 5
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following sentences: (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. Bholi’s parents were eager to accept Bishamber’s proposal for marriage because they felt that she might remain unmarried all her life. 2. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for her marriage were envious of her luck.
Question 6
Maharashtra Board Solution
Choose the correct alternative and complete the following sentences: (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. The garland of marriage was made of yellow marigolds. (a) roses (b) yellow marigolds (c) lilies
2. Bishamber demanded five thousand rupees to get married to Bholi. 3. Bholi is compared with a dumb cow. 4. Bholi was not ready to get married. Complex Factual Activities:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following web: (Answers are directly given.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
Why did the bridegroom refuse to garland Bholi? (HcMIHdl} ‘Mlcdldl W. HI=bK<r1?)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
When a woman slipped back the silken veil from Bholi’s face, the bridegroom saw her pockmarked face. So he demanded five thousand rupees from her father and refused to marry her, unless he paid the amount.
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
What was the expression on Bholi’s face?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Bholi was looking up. Her eyes were not downcast. She was looking up looking straight at her prospective husband. There was neither anger nor hate in her eyes. They showed only cold contempt.
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
What shocked the family members?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
When Bishamber demanded money from Bholi’s father, Bholi got angry and her hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and threw away the veil. She told her father in a clear loud voice without the slightest stammer to take back his money as she was not going to marry that man. Thus Bholi’s firm and staight statement shocked the entire family.
Question 5
Maharashtra Board Solution
Who said to whom: 1. “Yes, Aunty, you are right. You all thought I was a dumb-driven cow.” 2. “I will serve you and mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt so much.”
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. Bholi said to the old woman. 2. Bholi said to her father.
Complex Factual Activities:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Describe the appearance of Bholi.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Bholi was the youngest daughter of Ramlal. Some part of her brain was damaged, so she was a backward child. Her entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks when she had an attack of smallpox. She was very weak. She had neither good looks nor intelligence.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the reasons: Ramlal decided to send Bholi to school because – ……………………………………..
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Ramlal decided to send Bholi to school because – ……………………………………..
Complete the following:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Bholi talked very little because – …………………….
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Bholi talked very little because she stammered and other children often made fun of her and mimicked her.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
Why did Ramlal’s wife oppose sending Bholi to School?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Ramlal’s wife opposed sending Bholi to school because she thought that if she went to school, nobody would marry her.
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
What shows that Bholi was unwilling to go to school?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Bholi did not know what a school was like when her father was taking her to school. She remembered how a few days ago their old cow Lakshmi had been turned out of the house and sold so she was frightened to go to school.
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
How did Bholi’s parents change her appearance?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Bholi was given some decent clothes to wear instead of old dresses of her sisters. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But she was bathed and oil was rubbed onto her dry and matted hair. And they made her ready to go to school.
Question 5
Maharashtra Board Solution
What made the class attractive to Bholi?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
When she saw many girls almost of her age present there, she became glad. She also hoped that one of those girls might become her friend. She saw the pictures on the wall and the colours fascinated her. Her lady teacher was also kind to her. All those things attracted Bholi.
Question 6
Maharashtra Board Solution
Why did Bholi feel ashamed?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The lady teacher who was teaching in the class asked Bholi what her name was. But she could not utter her name ‘Bholi’ properly. As she was stammering, she felt ashamed in front of other girls. She began to cry. She felt ashamed because all the girls in the class were laughing at her.
Question 7
Maharashtra Board Solution
How would you describe the teacher’s attitude towards Bholi? Give 3 to 4 points.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The teacher was very kind and sympathetic towards Bholi. She spoke with her in soft and soothing voice. Instead of commanding, she was just giving her friendly suggestions so Bholi felt better in her company. She had never been called with that much love; so it touched her heart.
Question 8
Maharashtra Board Solution
How did the teacher encourage Bholi to overcome her stammering?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
When the teacher asked Bholi what her name was, she could not utter a single word because of fear. With the teacher’s encouraging words and pat on her back she felt relieved to give a trial. And thus Bholi could give up her stammering and overcome her fear.
Question 9
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following web.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 10
Maharashtra Board Solution
What were the drawbacks of Bishamber as a bridegroom?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. Bishamber was as old as Bholi’s father. 2. He was married. 3. The children from his first wife were quite grown-up.
Question 11
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following: (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. Beside the humiliation and grief, Ramlal was afraid of Bholi’s marriage as he thought that no one would ever marry Bholi. 2. Bholi told her father in a calm and steady voice that she would serve him and mother in their old age and she would teach in the same school where she learnt so much.
Question 12
Maharashtra Board Solution
Name the artist and the masterpiece.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The teacher who gave courage to Bholi was the real artist and Bholi was the masterpiece of her creation.
Question 13
Maharashtra Board Solution
Arrange the following sentences as per their order of occurrence in the passage: |
Activities based on Vocabulary:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Find out from the passage opposites for the following words: (
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
s are directly given and underlined.) Answer:
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
Use the following phrases in the following sentences by making certain changes : (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
(to shout in terror, to pass on, to hand over, to look. up at.)
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
Find the verb forms of the following from the passage ;
|
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
Read the given sentences and write the words of each sentence in the proper columns:
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 5
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following sentences using words given in the brackets: (disfigured, matted, fascinated) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The beautiful scenery fascinated me.
Question 6
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following sentences using the words given in the brackets: (scurried, affectionately, astonished, a great achievement) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 7
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following sentences using the words given in the brackets: (envious, procession, overjoyed, pockmarks) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 8
Maharashtra Board Solution
Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words: (Answers are directly given.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. senseless – witless 2. jealous – envious.
Question 9
Maharashtra Board Solution
Find ‘one word’ for the following from the passage:
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 10
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following sentences using the words given in the brackets: (contemptible, humiliate, startled, thunderstruck) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Sujata was thunderstruck when he presented her with an engagement ring.
Question 11
Maharashtra Board Solution
Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words: (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 12
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the following sentences by choosing the words given in the brackets: (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
She violently disagreed with what we said. (slowly/violently)
Question 13
Maharashtra Board Solution
Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words : (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
formal event – ceremony
Activities based on Contextual Grammar:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Name the Tenses: 1. I will tell you what to do. 2. Ramlal consulted his wife.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. Simple Future Tense 2. Simple Past Tense.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
Change into indirect speech: Randal’s wife said to him, “I will tell you what to do.”
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Randal’s wife told him that she would tell him what to do.
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
Rewrite as an exclamatory sentence: The child was very fair and pretty.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
How fair and pretty the child was!
Do as directed:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
The child was very fair and pretty. (Choose correct alternative to make it exclamatory.) 1. What a fair and pretty the child was! 2. How a fair and pretty the child was! 3. How fair and pretty the child was!
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
2. How fair and pretty the child was!
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
It was not difficult to find bridegroom for them. (Underline the infinitive in the sentence.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
It was not difficult to find bridegroom for them.
Change the voice:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
The teacher patted her affectionately. (Begin the sentence with “She….)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
She was patted affectionately by the teacher.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
The teacher encouraged her. (Begin the sentence with “She….)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
She was encouraged by the teacher.
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
She was a harmless dumb cow. (Make it exclamatory.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
What a harmless dumb cow she was!
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
What a shameless girl! (Make it assertive.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
She was really a shameless girl.
Frame a wh-question to get the underlined part as an answer:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Ramlal placed the bundle at the bridegroom’s feet.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Where did Ramlal place the bundle?
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
Bishamber raised the garland to place it round the bride’s neck.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Why did Bishamber raise the garland?
Rewrite the following as per the tenses mentioned in the brackets:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
Ramlal stood rooted to the ground. (Past Continuous Tense)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Ramlal was standing rooted to the ground.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
The teacher was watching the drama. (Present Perfect Continuous Tense.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The teacher has been watching the drama.
Question 3
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the words by using correct letters:
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
Put the words in alphabetical order: 1. violently, grief, proposal, astonish. 2. marriage, matter, manage, make.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. astonish, grief, proposal, violently. 2. make, manage, marriage, matter.
Question 5
Maharashtra Board Solution
Punctuate the following sentences: 1. whats the matter with you you fool shouted ramlal 2. have you seen her said bishamber to the friend next to him she has pockmarks on her face.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
1. “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. 2. “Have you seen her?” said Bishamber to the friend next to him. “She has pockmarks on her face.”
Question 6
Maharashtra Board Solution
Make four words (minimum 3 letters each) using the letters in the word ‘contemplating’.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 7
Maharashtra Board Solution
Write related words as shown in the example: (Answer is directly given and underlined.)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 8
Maharashtra Board Solution
Complete the word-chain of verbs. Add four words, each beginning with the letter of the previous word. disfigure, e…………., …………….., …………….., ……………..
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
disfigure, → enter, record, detect, tend.
1. Attempt anyone: Question (a) OR Question (b) 2. Attempt anyone: Question (a) OR Question (b) Personal Response:
Question 1
Maharashtra Board Solution
What do you think about your school?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
My school is the second home for me. I meet my friends and share my sorrows and joys with them. I can take proper guidance and advice from my teachers. It is the place which I love from the ; bottom of my heart.
Question 2
Maharashtra Board Solution
How do you feel on the first day of your school?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
When I go to school after a long vacation I feel very happy and excited to meet my friends. There is always a curiosity about a new class teacher and newcomers in the class. New dress, new bag I and books add more excitement on the very first day of my school, so I like it very much.
Explain the following statements: Question (a) Question (b)
Question 4
Maharashtra Board Solution
Is it good to make a fun of the child who can’t speak well? (dld-m WJfNqj) Hyihl -‘Wl 3TT% ^T?)
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
No, it’s not good to make a fun of the child who can’t speak well because it is his disability and it is not good to laugh at somebody’s disability. We should encourage him/her to speak so that he/she would speak clearly. It will boost his/her confidence whereas teasing him/her will down his/her moral.
Question 5
Maharashtra Board Solution
“If girls go to school, who will marry them?”-Why, do you think, that Bholi’s mother thought so?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
It is sad that some communities still discriminate against the education of the girl child. The condition in the past was worse. If a girl child was sent to school nobody would be ready to get married to her. Education was not at all important for any girl in those days. It was her duty to look after ‘Home and Hearth’ so taking education was considered to be useless then. Bholi’s mother was also from the same era. So she thought that nobody would marry their daughters, if they were sent to school.
Question 6
Maharashtra Board Solution
Why does positive encouragement work better than criticism?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Positive encouragement helps us to focus on our self-centred outlook. Positivity also reduces | our anxiety whereas criticism leads us towards fear, anger and stress. A word of encouragement can go a long way in our daily lives as it is the most effective motivator. It recognizes and fosters continual growth and effort. It builds determination and confidence so it is always better than criticism.
Question 7
Maharashtra Board Solution
Her heart was throbbing with the thought of new hope and new life-Explain.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
After going to school, Bholi realised that she was happy there. She had a new hope for her life as the life of school was better than her family life. She was quite happy in school because the teacher and her classmates were really co-operative and she was happy with them. So she had a new hope in her new school life.
Question 8
Maharashtra Board Solution
What is your opinion about Bholi’s bridegroom? Should she get married to him?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
I think Bholi’s bridegroom was aged with grown-up children from his first wife. She should not get married to a person who is almost the age of her father. There was a vast difference in their age so it did not seem to be a good couple/match.
Question 9
Maharashtra Board Solution
What did you learn from Bholi’s action of not getting married to Bishamber?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Bholi has done the right thing. She wouldn’t be happy with the person who was of her father’s age. He was greedy and heartless. Her married life would have been ruined. So the decision taken by her not to get married to Bishamber was right.
Question 10
Maharashtra Board Solution
“The teacher is an artist.” Do you agree with the statement. Justify your
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Answer: Yes, I fully agree with the statement. The teacher is an artist who fills colours in lives of many students. Whenever he/she sees his/her student successful in his/her life, he/she feels satisfied from the bottom of his/her heart. His/her joy is greater | than anything else in the world. Seeing his/her student at the top, makes him/her feel proud and contented. It is like an artist contemplating after completing his/her masterpiece. He is the sculptor of i the students’ future and shapes and colours their lives.
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