CBSE Class 10 English NCERT Solutions: Madam Rides the Bus

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'Madam Rides the Bus', from CBSE Class 10 English, focuses on a young girl named Valli and her adventurous bus journey. The NCERT Solutions provide comprehensive answers to the questions related to Valli's meticulous planning, her savings, her observations during the bus ride, and her interactions with fellow passengers and the conductor. The solutions delve into Valli's strong will, her curiosity about the world beyond her village, and her unique way of experiencing joy. These solutions are designed to help students understand the narrative's nuances, character development, and the underlying themes of independence and childhood dreams, making them an excellent resource for exam preparation and revision.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter9. Madam Rides the Bus

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'Madam Rides the Bus' cover the story of Valli, a young girl who undertakes a solo bus journey. The solutions address her planning, how she saved money, her observations of the countryside, and her interactions on the bus. They explore her strong desire for independence and her unique perspective on the world, offering clear explanations for comprehension questions.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand Valli's character and her strong desire for a bus ride.
  • Analyze Valli's planning and saving strategies for her journey.
  • Describe Valli's observations and experiences during the bus trip.
  • Explain the interactions Valli has with the conductor and other passengers.
  • Interpret the themes of independence and childhood adventure in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Valli's character and desires
  • Planning and saving for a journey
  • Bus journey experiences
  • Observations of the countryside
  • Interactions with conductor and passengers
  • Themes of independence and childhood adventure
  • Comprehension check questions and answers

Important topics

  • Valli's meticulous planning and saving
  • Valli's observations during the bus ride
  • Valli's interactions and maturity
  • The significance of the bus journey
  • Themes of independence and courage

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check - Page 119

Question 1

What was Valli's favourite pastime?
Solution: Valli's most cherished way to spend her time was by standing at the front doorway of her house. From there, she would eagerly watch the activities and life unfolding on the street outside.

Question 2

What was the source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Solution: The sight of the bus, which regularly travelled between her village and the nearest town, brought Valli endless joy. Each time the bus arrived with a new set of passengers, it was a source of fascination for her. Her most profound wish was to experience a ride on this very bus.

Question 3

What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find these details?
Solution: Valli discovered that the bus journey to the town lasted for 45 minutes and the fare for a one-way trip was 30 paisa. She meticulously gathered this information by carefully listening to the conversations of her neighbours and other regular bus commuters. She also discreetly asked a few questions to people who used the bus service, piecing together various small details about the journey.

Question 4

What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Solution: Valli was planning a specific trip: to take the bus to the town and then return on the same bus. She calculated that since the one-way fare was 30 paise and the journey took 45 minutes, she could leave at 1:00 PM and be back by 2:45 PM, ensuring she returned within a reasonable timeframe.

Oral Comprehension Check - Page 122

Question 1

Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?
Solution: The conductor called Valli 'madam' because she conducted herself with a sense of maturity and independence that belied her age. She politely declined his offer of help and provided quick, self-assured answers to his questions, behaving more like an adult than a child.

Question 2

Why does Valli stand up on the seat? (or) What does she see now?
Solution: Valli stood up on her seat because her view of the outside scenery was obstructed by the canvas blind covering the lower part of the window. To get a clear and unobstructed view, she stood on the seat and peered over the blind. Through the window, she saw a beautiful landscape including a canal, palm trees, vast grasslands, distant mountains, lush green fields, and the expansive sky.

Question 3

What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Solution: When the elderly man referred to her as a child, Valli responded assertively. She stated that there was no one on the bus who could be considered a child, implying that she, too, was a fare-paying passenger and not to be treated as one.

Question 4

Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Solution: Valli did not wish to befriend the elderly woman because she found her appearance quite unappealing and repulsive. The woman had large earlobes, wore ugly earrings, and was chewing betel, which filled her mouth with betel juice, making her seem unpleasant to Valli.

Oral Comprehension Check - Page 125

Question 1

How did Valli save money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?
Solution: Valli saved money for her first bus journey with great difficulty and determination. She painstakingly collected every single coin she received, consciously resisting all temptations to spend it on things like peppermints, toys, or balloons. Even at the village fair, she denied herself the pleasure of riding the merry-go-round. Through these efforts, she managed to save sixty paise for her trip.

Question 2

What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?
Solution: On her way, Valli saw a young cow running very fast in the middle of the road, directly in front of the bus, with its tail held high. The bus driver repeatedly honked to make the cow move, but the more he honked, the more frightened the cow became, causing it to run even faster. This entire chaotic and amusing scene struck Valli as incredibly funny, and she laughed uncontrollably until tears streamed down her face.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting Valli's motivations for the journey.
  • Underestimating the challenges Valli faced in saving money.
  • Failing to notice Valli's keen observational skills.
  • Confusing Valli's maturity with adult behavior.

Revision tips

  • Focus on Valli's planning process and how she gathered information.
  • Pay attention to Valli's descriptions of the scenery and her reactions.
  • Analyze the conversations Valli has with the conductor and the elderly woman.
  • Consider the underlying themes of independence and courage in Valli's actions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Valli's favourite pastime?

Q2. What was Valli's strongest desire?

Q3. How much time did the bus journey to the town take?

Q4. Why did the conductor call Valli 'madam'?

Q5. What did Valli see running in front of the bus that made her laugh?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main story of 'Madam Rides the Bus'?

The story is about a young girl named Valli who secretly plans and undertakes a solo bus journey to a nearby town, driven by her strong desire to ride a bus and explore the world outside her village.

How did Valli manage to save money for her bus ticket?

Valli saved money diligently by resisting temptations to buy sweets, toys, or ride the merry-go-round. She saved every spare coin, accumulating sixty paise for her round trip.

Why is the chapter titled 'Madam Rides the Bus'?

The title refers to how the bus conductor addresses Valli as 'madam' because of her mature behavior and confident demeanor, despite her young age.

What did Valli observe during her bus journey?

Valli observed various sights like a canal, palm trees, grasslands, mountains, green fields, and the sky. She also witnessed a young cow running frantically, which amused her greatly.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to all comprehension questions, helping students understand Valli's character, her journey, and the story's themes, which is crucial for their English exam preparation.

Important links

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