Bholi Class 10 English Exam Questions

Please refer to Bholi Class 10 English Exam Questions provided below. These questions and answers for Class 10 English have been designed based on the past trend of questions and important topics in your class 10 English books. You should go through all Class 10 English Important Questions provided by our teachers which will help you to get more marks in upcoming exams.

Class 10 English Exam Questions Bholi

Class 10 English students should read and understand the important questions and answers provided below for Bholi which will help them to understand all important and difficult topics.

Short Answer Type Questions :

Question. Did she enjoy her first day in school? What made her happy on this very day? What incident touched her heart?
Ans. Bholi did not enjoy her first day in school. She cried a lot. She stammered and she did not have the courage to go back home. So, she kept sobbing. The teacher’s soothing voice touched her heart. She had never been talked to like that earlier.

Question. Why did other children make fun of Bholi and mimic her?
Ans. Bholi’s entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Bholi could not speak till she was five and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. This is why other children often made fun of her and mimicked her.
Question. Why do the teacher’s eyes depict satisfaction when Bholi rejects the marriage?
Ans. The teacher has taught Bholi to be confident and has educated her. She feels satisfied that her education has given Bholi the strength to defy the social pressures and decide to lead her life on her own terms.

Question. Why was Sulekha called Bholi by every one?
Ans. When she was ten months old, Bholi had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a dull child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.

Question. Why did the Tehsildar come to Ramlal’s village? What did he ask Ramlal to do?
Ans. The Tehsildar came to Ramlal’s village. He was to perform an opening ceremony of the new school there. He asked Ramlal to send his daughters to school. It was to set an example for the villagers. They would send their sons and daughters to school.

Question. Why did Bholi feel disheartened on her first day at school?
Ans. Bholi felt disheartened at school on her first day. It was because she could not speak her name properly. She stammered. So, she felt that the girls were laughing at her. So she felt disheartened. She didn’t like school.

Question. What filled Bholi, a dumb cow, with a new hope?
Ans. As a child, Bholi was always shunned and ignored because of her looks. She faced a tough childhood and was extremely anxious and timid. Bholi’s teacher’s soft and soothing voice coupled with her encouraging words filled Bholi with new hope. The teacher’s faith in Bholi helped her grow.

Question. For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
Ans. Bholi was sent to school because when the primary school opened in their village the Tehsildar advised her father to send his daughter to the school as an example for the villagers. After talking with his wife, it was decided that if the ugly Bholi went to school, it would not harm their other daughter’s marriage prospects.

Question. Do you think Bholi’s father would have agreed to the match if her mother hadn’t insisted upon it?
Why/why not? 
Ans. I think Bholi’s father would have agreed to the match even if her mother didn’t insist upon it. It is clear that he was thinking about it as he had been worried about her looks when her sister was getting married. He had already thought that because of her looks and less intelligence the chances of Bholi’s marriage will be very less.

Question. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal? 
Ans. Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal Bishamber was a well-to-do person. He had a big shop, owned a house and he was not asking for dowry as well. He did not know about Bholi’s pock marks also. Moreover, Bholi was considered to lack sense and she used to stammer also.

Question. How did you feel when you read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by her parents as a child?
Ans. I fell terribly sorrowful when I read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by her parents for no fault of her. All the problems faced by Bholi were not caused by her, they were accidents and mishaps. In this case, her parents behaviour was not justified.

Question. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story? 
Ans. The word ‘Bholi’ means a simpleton. Throughout the story she had been a simpleton who hardly expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekha means ‘a person with a beautiful sense of letters’. In this story, this word has a larger meaning of being a literate, intelligent and mature individual. After her education, Bholi has really changed to Sulekha and her assertion at the time of her marriage is her announcement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulekha.

Question. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school? 
Ans. Initially, Bholi was scared to go to school. She cried and sat in the corner of her classroom. However, she was fascinated by the colourful pictures on the walls which were very realistic.
Therefore, Bholi was not completely afraid in the school but did enjoy some part of it because of the kind teacher and the new life that it would bring.

Question. What filled Bholi’, a dump cow, with a new hope in her? 
                                                       Or
Bholi’s heart was overflowing with a ‘new hope and a new life’.What does the phrase ‘a new hope and a new life’ mean to Bholi ?
Ans. Bholi’s heart was overflowing with ‘a new hope and a new life’. This means that the new hope which came into Bholi’s life was the hope of education when Bholi went to school, her teacher showed her the path of a new life through education. She assured Bholi that she would be able to speak without stammer, and that she would be the most learned person in the village and no one would laugh at her instead they would respect her.

Question. Ramlal was worried about Bholi as she didn’t have good looks. Counter the belief that it’s important for a girl to be good looking and give a reason for the same. 
Ans. The belief that it’s important for girl to be good looking, is wrong. It is not good looks that bring a person comfortable and prosperous life. It is a person’s good behaviour, intelligence, pure heart and courage that ensures that he/she lives a happy life. Good looks doesn’t stay forever, whether in a boy or a girl, it’s a persons virtues that stay forever and thus, are more important. 

Question. Does she find her teacher to be different from the people at home? 
Ans. Yes, Bholi found her teacher to be different from the people at home. At home, she was neglected and no one paid attention to her. She never bathed nor were her clothes washed. She was criticised and everyone made fun of her. Her teacher was entirely different. She was kind, soft and affectionate. She encouraged her and filled her with a hope of new life.

Question. How would you have reacted if you were one of the guests witnessing Bholi’s wedding when she refused to marry Bishamber Nath?
Ans. I would have been very proud that she took a stand for herself. It is important for us to understand that no one can humiliate a person like this just because they are not good looking. I would definitely praise Bholi for being so brave.

Question. Why did Bholi dislike Bishamber? 
                           Or
Why did Bholi not marry Bishamber?
Ans. Bholi did not marry Bishamber because, on seeing her pock-marked face, he asked for a dowry of five thousand rupees in order to marry her and insulted her father. This made Bholi refuse to marry him. 

Question. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life? 
Ans. Bholi used to stammer and was afraid to speak when she attended school in the beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence. She taught Bholi to read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. It was because of her teacher’s guidance that Bholi developed her personality. Thus, with her kindness, love and affection she changed Bholi’s life.

Question. What objections does Ramlal have to Bishamber’s proposal?
Ans. Ramlal was not very happy with Bishamber’s proposal. He did not like the fact that Bishamber was of his age. He had a limp (lameness, difficulty in walking) and his children from his first wife were quite grown up. It was not a very satisfactory proposition. But he could not do anything for her as Bholi was not beautiful like his other daughters.

Question. Why is Sulekha called ‘Bholi’?
Ans. Sulekha is called ‘Bholi’ because she is a simpleton who had suffered some brain damage after falling off a cot when she was ten months old. As a result, she is slow in learning things and also stammered while speaking.

Question. What kind of mother was Ramlal‘s wife? 
Ans. Ramlal’s wife (Bholi’s mother) was a traditional housewife who believed that daughters should not be educated as it would be difficult to find grooms for them. She neglected Bholi as she was ugly and dumb and wanted to get rid of her by marrying her off to anyone.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Question. Read the following quote by an American author, E. E. Hale.
“I am only one but, I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I do.”
Bholi’s evolution from a ‘dumb cow’ to a ‘masterpiece’ supports the given quote. Justify.
Ans. Bholi’s evolution from a child who could not speak properly to a self-confident young woman who could write her own destiny was astonishing. People’s perception of her was that of someone less than a human due to her lack of sense and stammering which kept her quiet and encouraged a submissive demeanour. But going to school changed her life. The guidance of the teacher and education helped her overcome stammering and instilled confidence and a sense of self-esteem in Bholi. She refused to succumb to the greedy demands of the prospective groom and spoke out.
This journey of Bholi’s growth clearly showcases the idea of being an individual and not being exploited by people or circumstances. Instead, she evolves to  become a person by being proactive and decides to contribute to the wellbeing of others around her.

Question. “Don’t you worry, Pitaji ! In your old age I will serve you and mother.” Through this statement the narrator wants to highlight the moral values Bholi was imbued with. Based on the reading of the lesson, what made Bholi aware of her rights and how did she use them?
Ans. Bholi, as a child, was mostly ignored and made fun of. Her peers made fun of her looks while her parents gave up on her, finding a good groom to get here married. In the end, they found a greedy and an old-widowed man for her. Bholi, despite the treatment meted out by her parents, displayed utmost respect and concern for them. She showed love and affection towards her parents and rarely disobeyed their words. This attitude is noticed when despite knowing the attitude of her to-be-husband, she willingly agreed to get married to him for the sake of her parents.
Bholi, while being submissive, was also a determined and confident girl who gained her self-respect through her education. Her teacher during the course of Bholi’s education, made her aware of selfesteem rights. She wasn’t ready to demean herself so she stood up confidently against the proposal of the greedy man and told her parents that she would take care of them life long, instead of getting married.

Question. The teacher plays an important role in changing the course of a person’s life especially that of a young woman. What role did Bholi’s teacher play in bringing about a change in her life?
Ans. Bholi was a quiet girl with low morale and no selfconfidence. She lacked knowledge and stammered even when she spoke her name. Her admission to the school brought a number of visible changes in her. Her teacher played the most important role in changing the course of her life in this process. The teacher was polite, friendly and understood Bholi’s situation. She encouraged her every time and was very affectionate towards her. She assured Bholi that she had faith in her, and through love, concern and correct guidance, changed her into a person who was confident enough to speak, read and write so much so she refused to marry the elderly groom forced upon her by her father. Her appreciation and encouragement helped Bholi change into a stronger person inside out.

Question. Bholi was believed to be a ‘dumb cow’. What turned her into a fearless, bold and confident girl? 
Ans. After Bholi receives education, she becomes fearless and bold. Education brings these changes in her. Earlier she was a simpleton who would stammer, look ugly and wear shabby dresses. She was not able to keep her opinion in front of everyone and was thus, subdued and made fun of by everyone. This is why she was called a dumb cow. Later, after she received her education, she becomes wise and confident. She is able to talk and communicate her opinion in front of a number of people. Above everything, she is able to think for herself and refuse the groom her father had suggested for her. This completes her transformation from a dumb cow to a confident girl.

Question. Education is the passport to a better life. Discuss on the basis of the story ‘Bholi’.
Ans. Bholi is the neglected, ostracized child of a family in a village. She lacks looks and intelligence and hence, is often made fun of and called a ‘dumb cow’. Then she gets the opportunity to attend school and learns to read and write. She is educated and this increases her self confidence and makes her a stronger person. She is an example of how education changes the way one thinks and how then one has the confidence to fight against the social barriers in order to lead a happier life. Education helps one recognize his rights and duties. Understanding one’s duties makes, one responsible, while the knowledge of one’s rights equips a person with courage and confidence. Education, for Bholi, has been the passport to a better life.

Question. What social attitudes are presented in the story, ‘Bholi’? How does her teacher help her overcome these barriers?
Ans. Bholi stammered so, everyone used to laugh and make fun of her in the beginning. Then when she started attending school, she was afraid to even look
up in the class as she was just a bundle of nerves. Her teacher treated her kindly and affectionately. She encouraged her to have confidence in herself and to be bold, confirming that she would be able to break the barrier of stammering and be like the other girls. The teacher taught her to read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. This changed her life.

Question. School education turned Bholi from a dumb cow into a bold girl. How did she save her father from a huge expense and become his support in his old age? Ans. Bholi, despite her pet name, slowly gained her confidence and a good education with the help of her teacher. She understood how society worked and was brave enough to stand up against the evils present in the society. She saved her father from huge expenses and became his support in his old age by refusing to marry Bishambar who was an old and lame man. She also refused to pay the dowry of five thousand rupees. She stood up with courage and acted boldly in spite of being aware that she might not get married for the rest of her life. Bholi decided to serve her parents in their old age and work in the same school in which she studied.

Question. What do you know about Bishamber Nath? Why did Bholi refuse to marry him?
Ans. Bishamber was a middle-aged man. He was nearly as old as Bholi’s father. He limped while walking. He also had children from his first wife. He had a big house and a shop and also a lot of money in the bank. He agreed to marry Bholi without demanding dowry. But when he came to marry her on the day of wedding, he asked for 5000 to marry Bholi after seeing the pock scars on her face. Bholi’s father Ramlal begged him to not demand for dowry but Bishamber stuck to his demand. Ramlal placed his turban at his feet but Bishamber was not moved. At last, Ramlal went in and opened his locker and came out with 5000 and placed the money at Bishamber’s feet.But Bholi refused to marry such a mean and greedy person and decided to remain unmarried to take care of her parents.

Question. Education is always a great asset in the life of a woman. How did Bholi, an educated girl, face the challenge posed by Bishambar’s greed?
Ans. Education is always a great asset especially in the life of a woman. Education brings about a change in the quality of the life of a woman. Education also helps change the outlook of a woman, the way she perceives things and how she responds to situations. Bholi was a simple girl. She had pockmarks on her face as a result of which, she was shunned for her looks. Her parents as well as the villagers neglected her. She was sent to school where she received great encouragement from her teacher. Despite her education, she did not get any marriage prospects mainly due to her looks. Bishambar, her prospective husband, was a lame, old man who was greedy for Bholi’s money. Bholi, however, took a bold step and rejected Bishambar’s marriage proposal. She promised to serve her parents in their old age and went back to teach in the school where she had studied.

Question. For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
Ans. The Tehsildar sahib had advised Ramlal to send his daughters to school to maintain a good, progressive image being a representative of the government. Ramlal’s wife denies to send any of her girls to school as she thinks no one would marry them if they got educated. Bholi was sent to school because her parents thought that there is a little or no chance of someone marrying her because of her ugly face and her lack of sense, so providing her education won’t make much a difference.

Question. How did Bholi’s teacher help her to overcome her fear of school and become a confident girl?
Ans. Bholi was a meek girl. She had pockmarks all her body. She was a slow learner and used to stammer while speaking. When Bholi was sent to school for the first time, she did not know anything about the school. On reaching school she sat down in the corner of her class. When teacher asked her name, she stammered and could not tell her name.
All the girls laughed at her and Bholi felt hesitant and ashamed. After school got over, the teacher came to Bholi and again asked her name. Bholi, with so much stammering, finally spoke and told her name to the teacher. The teacher boosted her confidence by appreciating her effort. She assured Bholi that with time, she would be able to speak confidently. The teacher started by giving her a picture book and then help her reading and writing and learning other big books. Her kind attitude towards Bholi, her affection and encouragement motivated Bholi to overcome the fear of school and become a confident girl.

Question. Bholi chose a dignified life of service rather than surrendering herself to a greedy old man for the rest of her life. Education provides the required stimulus to overcome one’s personal barriers.
Explain the role of education in shaping the life of a child with respect to the lesson ‘Bholi’. 
                                     Or
How did education change Bholi’s personality?
Ans. Education brought about a huge change in Bholi’s personality. Bholi was a backward child. As a kid, she was a meek girl who had pockmarks all over her body and used to stammer. She could not speak until she was 5 years old. Because of these reasons, she was a neglected child of her family. No one cared for her and she lost all the confidence in herself. When her father was forced to send one of his daughters to school for education, Bholi was the first option. In the school, Bholi bloomed. The teacher treated her with love and care which she had never seen before. She encouraged the little girl and guided her into becoming a strong- minded girl. Bholi learned to read and write and speak without stammering. As a result, she became confident and independent while being aware of her rights.
She learnt to fight against what she thought was wrong. It was because of her education that she could speak up against the groom and refused to marry a greedy man.
The now independent Bholi told her parents that she would teach at the school and take care of her parents in their old age. This Bholi stands in sharp contrast to the old weak Bholi, all because of her education.

Question. What do you know about Bishamber Nath? Why did Bholi refuse to marry him? 
Ans. Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do prosperous grocer who was of the same age as Bholi’s father. He was a widower who had a shop and a house of his own along with a big bank balance. With grown up children from his first wife, Bishamber decided to get married again and agreed to the proposal of marrying Bholi.
On the day of the marriage, Bishamber came to the venue with his friends and family. He entered the venue with much pomp and show.
At the time of the ceremony, Bholi entered the venue and her veil was slipped. Initially, Bishamber had not asked for any dowry but after looking at Bholi’s pock-marked face, he asked Bholi’s father to give ` 5000 as dowry. Ramlal, Bholi’s father started crying and bought out ` 5000. Satisfied with the dowry, Bishamber proceeded with the ceremony, but Bholi refused to marry him. She told her father that she would not marry a greedy man such as Bishamber. She would rather take care of her parents in their old age.

Question. After reading Bholi’s story you decide to write a blog on the importance of educating the girl child and how it empowers her. Write that blog expressing your views. 
Ans. Importance of Educating the Girl Child Right to Education is one of the Fundamental Rights as recognised by our Constitution. And yet, in many parts of our country girls are not send to school by their parents. For the longest time, education has been treated as ‘privilege’ which only the boy child deserved because people thought girls should only focus on household chores and taking care of their family. And, because of this lack of education, they have been ill-treated even more, for they never learnt what is right and what is wrong.
This understanding comes from education and thus, it’s imperative that we educate the girls. It will help them understand what is good for them and will also empower them to stand and fight for their rights. It will stop the mistreatment as it has done for many.
Only then can they be truly safe and happy. Education can also help them become independent, thus, helping them become more confident and self-dependent rather than depending on their family which only leads to more ill treatment and resentment.

Question. Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of neglect and laughter.
Ans. Bholi was a child different from others. She suffered from a weakmind due to her accident (falling fromthe cot) when she was ten months old. She also started to a stammer while speaking.
Then, she became ugly due to the pock-marks on her face and body on contracting the smallpox disease. All these made her family and other children treat her badly, resulting in her becoming an introvert.
To help such children face the world bravely, we must treat them with love and affection and encourage them to join the mainstream society. We must not mock their disabilities, instead we should give them hope that they can be as good as the other children by motivating and uplifting them.
As we know that every child is special, proper guidance and support should be given to boost up their morals and encourge them to do good in their lives. There are a lot of children like Bholi in our society who need utmost care and affection. We must help them to improve their lives to excel in their future.

Extract Based Questions :

Question. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
The lady teacher who was in class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could understand nothing. She looked at the pictures on the wall. The colours fascinated her — the horse was brown just like the horse on which the Tehsildar had come to visit their village; the goat was black like the goat of their neighbour; the parrot was green like the parrots she had seen in the mango orchard; and the cow was just like their Lakshmi. And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side, smiling at her.
(i) Where was Bholi?
(ii) Why could Bholi not understand anything?
(iii) Why was Bholi sent to school?
(iv) How did Bholi feel when she reached the school?
(v) Whom did Ramlal hand Bholi over to?
Ans. (i) Bholi was in the classroom in the primary school of her village.
(ii) She could not understand anything as it was her first day at school.
(iii) Bholi’s parents thought that since she was not good looking and lacked intelligence, no one would marry her and hence, sending her to school was the best option.
(iv) Bholi was scared as she did not know what happened at the school.
(v) Ramlal handed Bholi over to the headmistress of the school, who then took her to her classroom.

Question. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
The next day Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand and said, “Come with me. I will take you to school.” Bholi was frightened. She did not know what a school was like. She remembered how a few days ago their old cow, Lakshmi, had been turned out of the house and sold. “N-n-n-n No, no-no-no,” she shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip. “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.”
(i) Why was Bholi being taken to school?
(ii) Why did Bholi shout in terror?
(iii) How was Bholi treated by her family on the first day of her school?
(iv) What did Bholi know about school?
(v) Find the word in the extract which means scared.
Ans. (i) Tehsildar had asked Ramlal to send his daughters to school to set an example in front of the village as Ramlal was the numberdar of the village. So, Bholi was sent to school.
(ii) Bholi shouted in terror as she thought that her father would throw her out of the house and sell her.
(iii) Bholi was given new clothes, her hair were washed and oil was rubbed in her dry and matted hair.
(iv) Bholi did not know anything about school, how it looked and what is being done there.
(v) Frightened is the word which means scared.

Question. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
In the other corner of the courtyard, Bholi lay awake on her cot, listening to her parents’ whispered conversation. Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer. He came with a big party of
friends and relations with him for the wedding. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession, with the bridegroom riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for the occasion were envious of her luck.
(i) Which conversation was Bholi listening to?
(ii) Who was Bishamber Nath?
(iii) How did Bishmaber come to the wedding procession?
(iv) Why were Bholi’s sisters envious of her luck?
(v) Find the word from the extract which is opposite in meaning to modesty?
Ans. (i) Bholi was listening to her parents’ conversationsabout her marriage with Bishamber Nath.
(ii) Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer, a 45-50 years old lame widower from another village.
(iii) Bishamber came to the wedding procession with a big party and a great pomp and show.
(iv) Bholi’s sisters were envious of her luck because her bridegroom came with lot of splendor and was riding a decorated horse and he was a well-to-do grocer.
(v) Splendour is the word opposite in meaning to modesty.

Question. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
When she was two years old, she had an attack of small-pox. Only the eyes were saved, but the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five, and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.
(i) What did Sulekha later on come to be known as?
(ii) Why did children make fun of her?
(iii) What does the word ‘mimicked’ mean?
(iv) Why was Bholi a backward child?
(v) How was Bholi at the time of birth?
Ans. (i) Sulekha later on came to be known as Bholi.
(ii) Children made fun of her because she stammered while speaking.
(iii) The word ‘mimicked’ means to copy the speech of others.
(iv) Bholi was a backward child because when she was ten months old, she fell of a cot on her head which damaged some part of her brain.
(v) Bholi was a fair and pretty looking child at the time of birth.