Madam Rides the Bus
Oral Comprehension Check – I
1. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Answer: Valli’s favourite pastime was standing at the front doorway of her house and watching the activities on the street outside.
2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Answer: Watching the bus pass through her street with a new set of passengers every time gave Valli endless joy.
Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus at least once.
3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she collect this information?
Answer: Valli learned that the town was six miles away, the one-way fare was thirty paise, and the journey took about forty-five minutes.
She gathered these details by carefully listening to conversations between neighbours and passengers and by asking a few questions without revealing her plan.
4. What was Valli planning to do?
Answer: Valli was planning to travel to the town by bus and return on the same bus without informing anyone at home.
Oral Comprehension Check – II
5. Why does the conductor call Valli “madam”?
Answer: The conductor calls Valli “madam” humorously because she behaves like a grown-up.
She refuses unnecessary help, speaks confidently and insists that she can take care of herself.
6. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see then?
Answer: Valli stands up on the seat because a canvas blind blocks her view and she is too short to see properly while sitting.
From the higher position, she can see the narrow road, green fields, palm trees, distant mountains and the wide blue sky.
7. What does Valli say when an elderly man calls her a child?
Answer: Valli becomes annoyed and says that there is no child in the bus. She points out that she has paid her thirty-paise fare just like the other passengers.
Her reply shows her desire to be treated as independent and grown-up.
8. Why did Valli not want to become friendly with the elderly woman?
Answer: Valli found the elderly woman unpleasant because of her appearance and manner.
The woman had large earrings and was chewing betel nut, with betel juice around her mouth. She also kept asking Valli questions, which annoyed her.
Oral Comprehension Check – III
9. How did Valli save money for her first journey? Was it easy?
Answer: Valli carefully saved every small coin she could get.
She controlled her desire to buy peppermints, toys and balloons and even avoided riding the merry-go-round at the village fair.
It was difficult for her, but her determination to travel by bus was stronger than her desire to spend the money.
10. What did Valli see on the way that made her laugh?
Answer: Valli saw a young cow running wildly in front of the bus with its tail raised high.
The driver sounded the horn, but instead of moving away, the frightened cow kept running in front of the bus. The sight made Valli laugh heartily.
11. Why did Valli not get off the bus at the town?
Answer: Valli had planned only to enjoy the bus ride and return home on the same bus.
She did not want to explore the unfamiliar town alone, so she remained on the bus for the return journey.
12. Why did Valli refuse to go to the stall for a drink? What does this tell us about her?
Answer: Valli refused because she had carefully saved only enough money for the journey and did not want to spend it unnecessarily.
She even declined the conductor’s offer to buy her a drink.
This shows that Valli was disciplined, self-respecting and careful with money.
Thinking About the Text
13. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Which expressions in the story show this?
Answer: Valli’s deepest desire was to ride on the bus that travelled between her village and the town.
Expressions such as “overwhelming desire”, “wistfully”, and the way she repeatedly calculated and planned the journey reveal how strongly she wanted to experience the bus ride.
14. How did Valli plan her bus journey?
Answer: Valli planned the journey very carefully.
She first learned the distance, fare and travel time by listening to others. She discovered that a one-way journey cost thirty paise, so she needed sixty paise for the round trip.
She then saved the required money by giving up small pleasures. Finally, she chose a time when her mother would normally be resting so that she could travel without being noticed.
15. What kind of person is Valli?
Answer: Valli is curious, intelligent, determined, confident and independent.
She plans her journey carefully, saves money patiently and insists on managing everything herself. She also has a strong sense of self-respect and does not want others to treat her like a small child.
At the same time, her reaction to the dead cow shows that she is still sensitive and innocent.
16. Why does the conductor repeatedly refer to Valli as “madam”?
Answer: The conductor calls her “madam” in a playful manner because Valli speaks and behaves with the confidence of an adult.
Her serious manner, independence and refusal of help make the conductor treat her jokingly like a grown woman.
17. How do we know that Valli enjoyed her bus ride?
Answer: Valli watched everything outside with great curiosity and excitement.
She was delighted by the fields, trees, sky and changing scenery. She laughed heartily at the young cow running in front of the bus and stared at unfamiliar sights with wonder.
Her reactions clearly show that the journey was a thrilling experience for her.
18. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window during the return journey?
Answer: On the return journey, Valli sees the same young cow she had laughed at earlier lying dead by the roadside.
The sight deeply affects her and destroys her cheerful mood. She becomes serious and no longer feels like looking outside.
19. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge”?
Answer: Valli says this after returning home and hearing her mother speak about things happening without people knowing about them.
She secretly knows that her own bus journey is a perfect example because she has travelled to town and returned without her family knowing anything about it.
Her remark is therefore both clever and slightly humorous.
20. How does the story present the world from an eight-year-old child’s point of view?
Answer: The story shows the world through Valli’s curiosity, wonder and strong emotions.
Ordinary things such as a bus, changing scenery and a running cow become exciting adventures for her. She is delighted by small discoveries and wants to behave like an adult.
At the same time, the sight of the dead cow deeply upsets her, showing her innocence and emotional sensitivity.
Additional Questions and Answers
21. How old was Valli?
Answer: Valli was eight years old.
22. Why did Valli have no playmates of her own age?
Answer: The story says that Valli did not have playmates of her own age, so she spent much of her time standing at the doorway and observing the street.
23. Why was the bus so fascinating to Valli?
Answer: Every trip of the bus brought a different set of passengers, making it seem new and interesting each time.
For Valli, the bus represented movement, adventure and a world beyond her small village.
24. Describe the bus in which Valli travelled.
Answer: The bus was new and attractive.
Its outside was painted a bright white with green stripes. Inside, it had soft and comfortable seats. There was also a beautiful clock above the windshield.
To Valli, the bus looked luxurious and exciting.
25. Why was the bus not crowded during Valli’s journey?
Answer: There were only a few passengers because it was the slack time of the day, when fewer people were travelling.
26. Why did Valli shout, “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!”?
Answer: Valli shouted because she wanted the bus to stop so that she could board it for her long-planned journey to town.
27. What did Valli usually like to spend money on?
Answer: Valli liked small pleasures such as peppermints, toys, balloons and rides on the merry-go-round.
However, she gave them up in order to save money for the bus trip.
28. Why did Valli not ride the merry-go-round?
Answer: She wanted to save every possible coin for her bus journey.
Although she was tempted by the ride, she controlled herself and kept the money instead.
29. What does the dead cow episode teach Valli?
Answer: The dead cow episode gives Valli a sudden experience of the serious and painful side of life.
Earlier, the same cow had made her laugh, but later its death made her silent and thoughtful. The contrast shows that joy and sadness can exist very close together.
30. What is the central theme of “Madam Rides the Bus”?
Answer: The story is about curiosity, independence, determination and the process of growing up.
Valli’s secret journey gives her confidence and excitement, but it also exposes her to a sad reality when she sees the dead cow.
Thus, the journey becomes both an adventure and a small lesson about life.
Long Answer Questions
31. Describe how Valli prepared for her first bus journey.
Answer: Valli had a strong desire to ride the bus that passed through her village every day.
She began by collecting information about the route. By listening carefully to other people, she learned that the town was six miles away, the fare was thirty paise each way and the journey took about forty-five minutes.
She then calculated that she needed sixty paise for the round trip. To save this money, she resisted spending on peppermints, toys, balloons and even a merry-go-round ride.
She also planned the timing carefully so that she could leave and return while her mother was resting.
Her preparation shows that Valli was intelligent, disciplined and determined.
32. Describe Valli’s experiences during the bus journey.
Answer: Valli’s first bus journey was full of excitement.
At first, she was delighted by the bus itself and by the scenery outside. She saw fields, trees, mountains and the open sky. The conductor joked with her and called her “madam” because of her grown-up behaviour.
One of the funniest moments came when a young cow ran in front of the bus. Valli laughed until tears came to her eyes.
However, during the return journey, she saw the same cow lying dead by the roadside. This sight deeply saddened her.
Thus, her journey began with excitement and laughter but ended with a new awareness of the serious side of life.
33. Give a character sketch of Valli.
Answer: Valli is an intelligent, curious and determined eight-year-old girl.
She observes the world carefully and develops a strong desire to ride the bus. Instead of depending on adults, she collects information, saves money and plans the entire journey herself.
She is confident and self-respecting. She dislikes being called a child and insists that she can manage on her own.
At the same time, she is innocent and sensitive. Her happiness at seeing the running cow turns into sadness when she later sees it dead.
Valli’s character therefore combines independence and courage with the emotional sensitivity of a child.
Writing
34. Write about a memorable journey.
A Memorable Journey
One of my most memorable journeys was a short trip with my family to a nearby town.
I was excited because it was my first long bus ride. During the journey, I enjoyed watching green fields, small villages and busy marketplaces through the window.
The most memorable part was seeing how quickly the scenery changed as we moved from the countryside into the town. I also learned to be careful with my belongings and to observe traffic rules.
Although the journey was simple, it remained special because it gave me a new experience and made me more confident about travelling.
35. Write a paragraph on road safety.
Road Safety
Road safety is important for everyone.
Drivers should obey traffic signals, follow speed limits and avoid using mobile phones while driving. Seat belts and helmets should always be used.
Pedestrians should cross roads at zebra crossings and look carefully in both directions before crossing.
Children should also learn traffic rules from an early age.
By following simple safety rules, many accidents can be prevented and road travel can become safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. How old was Valli?
(a) Six years
(b) Eight years
(c) Nine years
(d) Ten years
Answer: (b) Eight years
2. Where did Valli usually stand?
(a) At the back door
(b) At the front doorway
(c) In the market
(d) At the bus stop
Answer: (b) At the front doorway
3. How many playmates of her own age did Valli have?
(a) Many
(b) Two
(c) None
(d) Four
Answer: (c) None
4. What gave Valli unending joy?
(a) Playing with toys
(b) Watching the bus and its passengers
(c) Going to school
(d) Reading books
Answer: (b) Watching the bus and its passengers
5. What was Valli’s strongest desire?
(a) To buy a bus
(b) To ride on the bus
(c) To visit a fair
(d) To drive a car
Answer: (b) To ride on the bus
6. How far was the town from Valli’s village?
(a) Four miles
(b) Six miles
(c) Nine miles
(d) Twelve miles
Answer: (b) Six miles
7. What was the one-way bus fare?
(a) Twenty paise
(b) Thirty paise
(c) Forty paise
(d) Sixty paise
Answer: (b) Thirty paise
8. How long did the bus take to reach the town?
(a) Twenty minutes
(b) Thirty minutes
(c) Forty-five minutes
(d) One hour
Answer: (c) Forty-five minutes
9. Who shouted, “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!”?
(a) The conductor
(b) Valli
(c) An elderly passenger
(d) The driver
Answer: (b) Valli
10. Why did the conductor call Valli “madam”?
(a) She was a teacher
(b) She behaved like a grown-up
(c) She was wealthy
(d) She knew the driver
Answer: (b) She behaved like a grown-up
11. Why did Valli stand on the seat?
(a) She wanted to sleep
(b) Her view was blocked
(c) She wanted to speak to the driver
(d) The seat was uncomfortable
Answer: (b) Her view was blocked
12. What kind of seats did the bus have?
(a) Hard wooden seats
(b) Soft and luxurious seats
(c) Metal seats
(d) Broken seats
Answer: (b) Soft and luxurious seats
13. What colour was the outside of the bus?
(a) Red with yellow stripes
(b) White with green stripes
(c) Blue with white stripes
(d) Green with black stripes
Answer: (b) White with green stripes
14. Why were there only a few passengers?
(a) It was raining
(b) The market was closed
(c) It was the slack time of the day
(d) The bus was late
Answer: (c) It was the slack time of the day
15. What does “wistfully” mean?
(a) Angrily
(b) Longingly
(c) Carelessly
(d) Loudly
Answer: (b) Longingly
16. “Gleaming” most nearly means—
(a) shining
(b) dull
(c) faded
(d) dirty
Answer: (a) Shining
17. What did Valli see that made her laugh?
(a) A monkey
(b) A young cow running in front of the bus
(c) A child falling
(d) A dog chasing the bus
Answer: (b) A young cow running in front of the bus
18. Why did Valli not get off at the town?
(a) She was afraid of the conductor
(b) She wanted to return on the same bus
(c) The town was closed
(d) She had forgotten the way
Answer: (b) She wanted to return on the same bus
19. Why did Valli refuse the conductor’s offer of a drink?
(a) She disliked cold drinks
(b) She wanted to save her money
(c) She was ill
(d) She was angry
Answer: (b) She wanted to save her money
20. What did Valli refuse to spend money on while saving for the journey?
(a) Books
(b) Pepperments, toys, balloons and a merry-go-round ride
(c) School fees
(d) Clothes
Answer: (b) Pepperments, toys, balloons and a merry-go-round ride
21. What made Valli serious on the return journey?
(a) The bus broke down
(b) She lost her money
(c) She saw the same cow lying dead
(d) The conductor scolded her
Answer: (c) She saw the same cow lying dead
22. The story mainly presents Valli as—
(a) careless and lazy
(b) curious and determined
(c) rude and selfish
(d) frightened and weak
Answer: (b) Curious and determined
23. Why did Valli not want to be treated as a child?
(a) She wanted to prove her independence
(b) She wanted a free ticket
(c) She disliked children
(d) She was travelling with her parents
Answer: (a) She wanted to prove her independence
24. What is the main theme of the story?
(a) Childhood curiosity and independence
(b) War and peace
(c) School life
(d) Friendship between adults
Answer: (a) Childhood curiosity and independence
Teacher Generate Question Answer
Oral Comprehension Check – I
Q.1. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Ans: Valli’s favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house and watching the activities on the street.
Q.2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Ans: Watching the bus, with new passengers each time, was a source of unending joy for Valli. Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus.
Q.3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?
Ans: Valli found out that the distance to the town was six miles, the fare was thirty paise, and the journey took about forty-five minutes. She gathered this information by listening carefully to others and asking questions discreetly.
Q.4. What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Ans: Valli was planning to take a bus ride to the town all by herself.
Oral Comprehension Check – II
Q.1. Why does the conductor call Valli “madam”?
Ans: The conductor calls her “madam” because she behaves like a grown-up and insists on being treated as an adult.
Q.2. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see then?
Ans: Valli stands on the seat because she is too short to see outside. From there, she sees canals, palm trees, green fields, distant mountains, and the wide sky.
Q.3. What does Valli say to the elderly man who calls her a child?
Ans: She becomes annoyed and says that no one in the bus is a child, as she has paid her fare like everyone else.
Q.4. Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Ans: Valli found the woman unpleasant because she kept asking questions and had betel juice in her mouth, which irritated her.
Oral Comprehension Check – III
Q.1. How did Valli save money for her journey? Was it easy?
Ans: Valli saved every coin she got and avoided spending money on small pleasures like toys or rides. It was not easy for her to save the money.
Q.2. What made Valli laugh during the journey?
Ans: She laughed when she saw a young cow running in front of the bus with its tail up, trying to escape from it.
Q.3. Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?
Ans: She did not get off because she only wanted to enjoy the ride and was afraid of going into an unknown place alone.
Q.4. Why didn’t Valli go to the stall for a drink? What does this show about her?
Ans: She did not want to spend money because she needed it for her return journey. This shows that she was careful, disciplined, and sensible.
Thinking About the Text
Q.1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Which words show this?
Ans: Valli’s deepest desire was to ride on the bus. Phrases like “source of unending joy” and her constant watching of the bus show her longing.
Q.2. How did Valli plan her bus ride?
Ans: Valli planned her trip secretly by collecting information from others. She learned about the distance, fare, and time. She saved sixty paise by avoiding unnecessary expenses and did not inform her parents.
Q.3. What kind of a person is Valli?
Ans: Valli is curious, determined, confident, and independent. She behaves like an adult, insists on her independence, and shows courage in traveling alone.
Q.4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as “madam”?
Ans: He calls her “madam” because of her confident and grown-up behaviour.
Q.5. How do we know that Valli enjoyed her ride?
Ans: Valli was fascinated by everything she saw outside the bus—fields, trees, sky, and the running cow. She laughed happily and found the journey exciting and wonderful.
Q.6. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge”?
Ans: Valli says this to hide her secret journey and avoid suspicion, while feeling proud of successfully carrying out her plan.
Q.7. How does the story show the world from an eight-year-old’s perspective?
Ans: The story highlights Valli’s curiosity and excitement. She is attracted to colours, scenery, and simple events like a running cow. Her emotional reaction to the dead cow also shows her innocence and sensitivity, typical of a child.
এই Post টো Update কৰাত সহায় কৰিব বিচাৰে নেকি?
ইয়াত কিবা ভুল, অসম্পূৰ্ণ তথ্য বা নতুন তথ্য থাকিলে আপুনি এটা উন্নত version প্ৰস্তুত কৰিব পাৰে। Live Post তৎক্ষণাৎ সলনি নহ'ব।
Update This Post