Madam Rides the Bus

1. In the story ‘Madam Rides the Bus’, Valli took a bus ride on the bus that she wanted to for last several months. She knew that she had to buy tickets for this. So she saved money suppressing all temptation to buy things like peppermints, toys, balloons, etc., and paid for the ticket.
* What all exciting things did she see from the bus?
* Was the excitement the same on her return journey?
Discuss with your classmate and write a paragraph based on your discussion on the above mentioned questions.
From the bus, Valli saw the canal, palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, and the blue sky on one side. On the other side, she saw a deep ditch and acres of green fields. She also saw a train at the railroad crossing, busy shopping streets, and bright shops. The most exciting sight for her was a young cow running fast in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus.

No, the excitement was not the same on her return journey. On her way back, she saw the same cow lying dead by the roadside, struck by a fast-moving vehicle. This sight haunted her, filled her with sadness, and dampened her enthusiasm, so she no longer wanted to look out the window.

2. Have you undertaken any journey by bicycle, boat, bus, train, or on an elephant back? Share your experience with your friends in the class.
(Note: This requires a personal response. A sample answer is provided below.)
Yes, I once undertook a journey by train to my grandmother's village. It was a memorable experience as I sat by the window and watched the changing landscape—from bustling city buildings to quiet, open fields and small huts. The rhythmic sound of the train on the tracks was soothing. I also enjoyed buying snacks from the vendors who passed through the compartments. It was a long journey, but the excitement of reaching the destination made it enjoyable.

Reading Comprehension

Text I

Q.1. What is the meaning of the expression “when our peers were slowing down, relaxing and watching sunsets from their front porch” and in what context has the author used this?
The expression refers to the time of old age or retirement when people usually become less active and prefer a quiet, sedentary life. The author uses this context to highlight the contrast between the typical lifestyle of people their age and their own choice to take up the physically demanding activity of cycling.

Q.2. What made Vishav and her husband confident to venture into Uttarakhand on their bicycles?
They were confident because they had lived in Dehradun their entire lives. This meant they were acclimatised to the cold winds and familiar with the narrow winding roads and almost all the scenic mountain trails the state had to offer.

Q.3. What was the strong passion that prompted the retired couple to take up this adventurous journey?
Their strong passion was for cycling. It started with short daily rides but grew into a desire to cover more ground and discover the world they had always lived in but never explored.

Q.4. What, according to the author, is the most thrilling way to enjoy and appreciate Uttarakhand? Why does she say so?
According to the author, cycling is the most thrilling way to enjoy Uttarakhand. She says this because it allows one to experience the sunlight filtering through trees, the cool breeze, and breathtaking views of sal forests and valleys in a way that is "truly inexplicable."

Q.5. Which trail occupies a special place in the couple’s heart?
The trail that occupies a special place in their hearts is the one that began from Ghanta Ghar in Dehradun and took them through Kimadi, Hathi Paon, Mussoorie, and Chaar Dukaan, right up to George Everest point.

Q.6. What are the expectations of a cyclist from such an adventurous trip through the mountains? Did Vishav and Kamal Jeet get these experiences from the 100 km ride?
A cyclist expects steep slopes, sharp curves, endless hills, lush forests, and off-road experiences. Yes, Vishav and Kamal Jeet got these experiences as the 100 km ride encapsulated all these elements.

Reading Comprehension

Text II

Q.1. The poem describes the ________________________ of going downhill on a bicycle.
(a) enjoyment (b) happiness (c) excitement (d) satisfaction
(a) enjoyment (or (c) excitement - both fit, but the poem emphasizes the joy and thrill)

Q.2. Which line(s) depict the freedom like that of a bird that the poet enjoys?
The lines are: “O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.” and “For a golden moment share / Your feathery life in air!”

Q.3. Which is the experience the boy is sharing with the bird? What is the golden moment he is referring to?
The boy is sharing the experience of flying or moving swiftly through the air. The "golden moment" refers to the brief period of speeding downhill where he feels weightless and free, similar to the life of a bird in flight.

Q.4. What is the meaning of ‘full of bliss’ here? Can the boy find this kind of bliss in the world where he lives?
‘Full of bliss’ means perfect happiness or great joy. The poet suggests that this specific type of intense joy is rare, asking "is there aught like this / In a world that is full of bliss?", implying that the thrill of the ride is superior to ordinary worldly happiness.

Q.5. There is a comparison in the third stanza. What is it?
The comparison is between the joy of cycling downhill and skating. The poet says cycling is "more than skating, bound / Steel-shod to the level ground."

Q.6. What is the meaning of the last two lines of the poem? Does “toil” mean dedication, determination, and will power to climb the hill? What is the reward here?
The last two lines mean that anyone who puts in the hard work ("toil") to climb up the hill will eventually find the "wings" or the reward of the thrilling ride down. Yes, "toil" refers to the physical effort and determination to pedal up. The reward is the rapid, bird-like descent (finding wings).

Vocabulary

1. Find out the words from the text ‘Madam rides the Bus’ that match with the given meanings.
(a) inquisitive __________________________________
curious
(b) intricate __________________________________
elaborate
(c) mesmerizing __________________________________
fascinating
(d) immense __________________________________
overwhelming (or tremendous)
(e) hardly __________________________________
scarcely

Grammar

1. Complete each sentence using a verb from box A and a word from box B (by making a phrasal verb).
(a) It was evening. She __________________________ the light.
turned on
(b) Do not ______________________ Ramesh. He was studying late at night yesterday.
wake up
(c) The school bus ______________________ and had to be towed to the garage for repair.
broke down
(d) They got in the car and _________________________.
drove off
(e) She hurt herself as she was ________________________ of the car.
getting out
(f) You have to __________________________ the form yourself.
fill in

Editing

1. Use capital letters and full stops wherever necessary and correct the spelling errors as well, in the following paragraph.
An exciting boat journey gliding crosswise the river from Godkhali jetty will take you to a place of incredible mystic beauty of Nature. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located at the South eastern tip of the 24 Paraganas district. About 110 km from Kolkata, it got its name from one of the mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor). Sundarbans are a part of the world’s largest delta, formed by the mighty rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna. It is one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on earth, a truly undiscovered paradise. The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal, halophytic mangrove forests in the world. It is the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park. Apart from being a unique largest mangrove eco-system of the world, the Sundarbans has the world’s largest deltaic mangrove forests and is also home to one of India’s most iconic wildlife species - the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Sundarbans also serves as a crucial protective barrier for the inhabitants in and around Kolkata against the floods that result from the cyclones which are a regular occurrence. The Sundarbans have also been enlisted amongst the finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Listening

1. The land of Mizo is a large open area of _________________. The hills are ________________ and ________________.
The land of Mizo is a large open area of blue-green hills. The hills are rugged and uneven.
2. The state referred here is made of two names —
(a) ‘Mi’ means _____________________________.
human beings
(b) ‘Zo’ means _____________________________.
a hill
(c) and Mizoram means _____________________________.
the land of the hill-dwellers
3. Which activities are associated with Mizo festivals? How do Mizos enjoy these festivals?
Activities associated are agricultural activities. They enjoy these festivals by singing and dancing.
4. What are the special features of a Mizo dance?
The special features are that they are expressions of the gay, carefree spirit of the Mizos. They are not intended for stage performance but evolved for community involvement and participation.
5. The following statements characterise Mizo people. Tick the one which is not true.
(e) They love to dance and not so much to sing. ( This is False )

Speaking

1. Now, write the dialogues and then in groups of three, enact it as a skit in the class.

Valli (loudly): Stop the bus! Stop the bus!
Conductor (without looking up): Who is it? Hurry then!
Valli (loudly): It’s me, I am the one who has to get on the bus.
Conductor (smilingly): Oh. really! _________________________
You don’t say so!

Valli (commandingly): I have to _________________________
go to town
Here is ________________________________________________.
my money.
(Conductor stretched out his hand to help her up.)

Valli (smartly): I can _____________________________________
get on by myself. You don’t have to help me.

Conductor (jokingly): Oh, please __________________________
don’t be angry with me, my fine madam.
(The bus started to move forward with a roar. Valli stood up on the seat to see the outside world clearly.)

A voice (anxiously): Listen, child _________________________
you shouldn’t stand like that. Sit down.

Valli (haughtily): There is nobody ________________________
here who’s a child.

Conductor (smilingly): Oh, sir ____________________________
but this is a very grown-up madam.

Valli (angrily): I am ______________________________________
not a madam. Please remember that.

Conductor (mimicking her): ______________________________
I’ll remember.

Valli (steadfastly): Because I _____________________________
want to.

A voice (with concern): If you _____________________________
stand on the seat, you may fall and hurt yourself.

Valli (irritably): I’m not ___________________________________
a child, I tell you. I’m eight years old.

1. Debate/Paragraph on Valli travelling alone.
The concerns of the elderly lady and the conductor were apt and genuine because travelling alone at the age of eight is fraught with risks, regardless of whether the child is a boy or a girl. Children are innocent and vulnerable; they may not know how to handle emergencies or strangers. While Valli showed great maturity and planning, the adults' instinct to protect a child is natural and necessary. Freedom to move around is important for development, but it must be balanced with safety and supervision until the child is old enough to understand the complexities of the world.

2. Paragraph on ‘Should the domestic animals be let loose to walk on the roads freely’.
Domestic animals should not be let loose to walk on roads freely where vehicles are plying. This poses a danger not only to the animals themselves but also to the drivers and passengers of the vehicles. Sudden movements by animals, like the young cow galloping in front of Valli's bus, can cause accidents or panic. The responsibility for the death of the young cow lies primarily with the owners who failed to keep the animal in a safe, enclosed area. However, drivers also share a responsibility to drive cautiously in areas where animals are likely to be present.

Project
2. B. Write a paragraph on ‘Why it is essential to travel with a ticket?
It is essential to travel with a ticket because it is the legal proof of payment for the service being utilized. Transport services rely on ticket fares to maintain vehicles, pay staff, and improve infrastructure. Travelling without a ticket is an offense that causes financial loss to the transport authorities and can lead to penalties for the passenger. Furthermore, a ticket often serves as an insurance record; in the unfortunate event of an accident, a valid ticket is necessary to claim compensation. Therefore, buying a ticket is a duty of every responsible citizen.