UP Board class 10 English chapter 7 – “Madam Rides The Bus” solutions are available on this page. It covers all the question answers of this chapter. This solution is aligned with the latest syllabus of 2024-25 session.
In Chapter 7, Madam Rides the Bus, we follow the story of Valli, an adventurous and curious eight-year-old girl who is fascinated by the idea of taking a bus ride. Living in a small village, Valli spends her time observing the world outside her house, particularly the bus that travels between her village and the nearby town. She dreams of experiencing the journey herself. With determination, Valli saves up enough money and finally takes her much-awaited bus ride, learning valuable life lessons along the way. The story captures the innocence and excitement of childhood curiosity.
UP Board Class 10 English Chapter 7 Solutions
Contents
| Subject | English |
| Class | 10th |
| Chapter | 7. Madam Rides The Bus |
| Author | Vallikkannan |
| Board | UP Board |
Oral Comprehension Check
Page No: 97
Question 1. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Answer: Valli’s favourite pastime was standing at her house’s front door, watching the bustling street outside. This allowed her to observe everything happening in the village and dream about the world beyond.
Question 2. What was the source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Answer: The bus passing through her village was a source of endless joy for Valli, as each ride brought new passengers and stories. Her strongest desire was to experience a ride on that bus herself.
Question 3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find these details?
Answer: Valli discovered that the bus ride to town took 45 minutes and cost 30 paisa for a one-way ticket. She gathered these details by carefully listening to conversations and asking subtle questions to regular bus users.
Question 4. What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Answer: Valli was planning to take the bus to town and return on the same bus. She calculated that by taking the 1:00 pm bus, she would be back home by 2:45 pm, as the journey took 45 minutes one way.
Page No: 100
Question 1. Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?
Answer: The conductor called Valli “madam” because she acted confidently and maturely, refusing his help and responding sharply to his questions. Her serious attitude amused him, leading him to call her “madam” playfully.
Question 2. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?
Answer: Valli stood up on the seat because her view was blocked by the lower part of the window. Once she stood, she could see a beautiful landscape that included a canal, palm trees, fields, and distant mountains.
Question 3. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Answer: Valli firmly told the elderly man that she wasn’t a child, explaining that she had paid the same fare as everyone else and deserved to be treated like an adult.
Question 4. Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Answer: Valli didn’t want to befriend the elderly woman because she found her appearance unpleasant. The woman had large earholes, wore unattractive earrings, and was chewing betel, which made her mouth look messy.
Page No: 103
Question 1. How did Valli save money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?
Answer: Valli saved money by carefully collecting every coin she could and resisting temptations to buy small treats like peppermints or toys. It was difficult for her, especially when she avoided spending at the village fair, but her determination helped her save sixty paise for the bus ride.
Question 2. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?
Answer: Valli saw a young cow running wildly in front of the bus, refusing to move despite the driver honking repeatedly. The cow’s frantic behavior and the driver’s efforts to get it off the road amused Valli so much that she laughed until she had tears in her eyes.
Question 3. Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?
Answer: Valli didn’t get off the bus because her plan was only to enjoy the ride, not to explore the town. She had limited money and time, so she preferred to stay on the bus and return home as planned.
Question 4. Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall to have a drink? What does this tell you about her?
Answer: Valli didn’t want to spend money on a drink because she had just enough to cover her bus fare. Her refusal, even when the conductor offered to buy it for her, shows that she was responsible, focused, and careful with her money.
Thinking About The Text
Page No: 105
1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.
Answer: Valli’s deepest desire was to take a bus ride to the town. Phrases like “source of unending joy,” “stare wistfully,” and “kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes” show her fascination with the bus and her strong wish to experience the journey herself.
2. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?
Answer: Valli carefully gathered information by listening to conversations and asking subtle questions. She learned that the town was six miles away, the fare was thirty paise, and the ride took forty-five minutes. To save sixty paise for the round trip, she resisted buying treats and even skipped fun activities like the merry-go-round at the fair, all without telling her parents.
3. What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer.
(i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised ———————– .
(ii) “Yes, I —————————– go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
(iii) “There’s nobody here ————- ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can———– . You don’t have to help me. ”I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, .
(v) “You needn’t bother about me. I ——— ,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.
(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope —————–.
Answer:
(i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly. (This shows that Valli is assertive and confident.)
(ii) “Yes, I go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus boldly. (Valli is independent and fearless, not intimidated by adults or new experiences.)
(iii) “There’s nobody here,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.” (Valli is proud and demands to be treated like an adult.)
(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can manage. You don’t have to help me. I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, firmly. (Valli is self-reliant and determined to prove her maturity.)
(v) “You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out. (Valli values her independence and doesn’t want to be coddled.)
(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope you’re having fun.” (This reflects Valli’s playful and confident personality, showing she’s not afraid to interact with adults on her terms.)
4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘Madam’?
Answer: The conductor called Valli ‘Madam’ because she acted maturely and confidently, insisting that she was not a child. She even refused his help, saying she could manage on her own, which amused the conductor.
5. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
Answer: Valli thoroughly enjoyed her bus ride. Lines like “Oh! It was all so wonderful” and her excitement in seeing the canal, palm trees, grasslands, and distant mountains show her joy. She also laughed uncontrollably at the sight of a running cow, which added to her happiness during the journey.
6. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Answer: Valli refused to look out of the window on her return journey because she was saddened and disturbed by the sight of the dead cow she had earlier seen running joyfully in front of the bus. This sight made her feel upset and reflective.
7. What does Valli mean when she says… “I was just agreeing with you about things happening without our knowledge”?
Answer: Valli said this to hide her secret bus trip from her mother. She was feeling proud and excited about her successful adventure, but didn’t want her mother to know what she had done.
8. The author describes the things that Valli sees from an 8-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?
Answer: Yes, the author captures Valli’s perspective by highlighting her fascination with the bus and her joy in simple things like seeing fields, the blue sky, and a running cow. Descriptions such as “the bus looked like silver” and “the seats were soft and luxurious” reflect how a child views the world with wonder. Her reaction to the dead cow, showing sadness and avoiding looking outside, also reflects the innocence and emotional sensitivity of an 8-year-old.
Writing
Page No: 106
1. Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking grown-ups into your confidence? What did you plan and how? Did you carry out your plan?
Answer: Yes, I once planned a surprise birthday party for my mother without telling any adults. My sister and I saved our pocket money and secretly bought decorations, a cake, and invited her friends. We kept everything a secret and pretended to forget her birthday until the party was ready. She was so surprised and happy when she came home to find everything planned!
2. Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable?
Answer: One unforgettable journey was my trip to Hemkund and Badrinath. The scenic beauty, fresh air, and winding roads made the bus ride thrilling. The trek to Hemkund Sahib was a spiritual experience, with clouds covering the shrine and the icy cold water of the holy tank. The peacefulness and beauty of the mountains made it a journey I will always remember.
3. Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns? How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable?
Answer: Yes, I am concerned about road safety. Many accidents happen because people don’t follow rules, drive too fast, or use mobile phones while driving. To make road travel safer, everyone should wear helmets, seat belts, and avoid distractions like phones. Following traffic rules and driving responsibly will reduce accidents and make travel more enjoyable for everyone.
