NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri: Chapter 1 — How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
This chapter, "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read," from NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri, explores the profound impact of literacy. It begins with reflective questions about the importance of reading and writing, and personal experiences with elders. The passage introduces vocabulary related to storytelling and community engagement, such as 'protagonist,' 'discussion,' and 'community.' The narrative then shifts to a personal anecdote from the author's childhood in a village, highlighting the anticipation for daily newspapers and weekly magazines due to poor transport. It praises the writer Triveni for her accessible and convincing style, focusing on her ability to portray complex psychological issues in ordinary lives. This chapter emphasizes the value of education and intergenerational connection, crucial for CBSE learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Kaveri |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — How I Taught My Grandmother to Read |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 310 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of literacy and education.
- Reflect on personal experiences with elders and family.
- Learn new vocabulary related to storytelling and community.
- Appreciate the impact of accessible writing styles.
- Develop comprehension skills through reading passages.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| protagonist | main character |
| discussion | debate |
| episode | a part of a story |
| community | people living in one particular area |
| concentration | focus |
| eagerly | excitedly |
| convincing | believable |
| guided | directed |
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Practice questions
- Why was the casting for the school play a lengthy process? Answer: The casting was lengthy because many good actors auditioned for the role of the protagonist.
- What kind of stories did Triveni write? Answer: Triveni wrote stories that dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people and were always very interesting.
- What was the author's childhood experience with receiving newspapers? Answer: Due to poor transport, the morning paper arrived in the afternoon, and the weekly magazine was delayed, making everyone eagerly wait for the bus.
- What made Triveni's writing style popular? Answer: Her style was easy to read and very convincing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1?
The chapter 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' focuses on the significance of literacy, personal experiences, and the joy of learning.
Who was Triveni, mentioned in the chapter?
Triveni was a popular writer in the Kannada language, known for her easy-to-read and convincing style, often exploring psychological issues of ordinary people.
What vocabulary is introduced in the chapter?
The chapter introduces words like protagonist, discussion, episode, community, concentration, eagerly, convincing, and guided.
What does the chapter suggest about learning to read and write?
It highlights that learning to read and write is important and can be a rewarding experience, even for elders.
What does the chapter imply about rural life in the past?
It implies that in the past, rural areas had limited transport, leading to delays in receiving newspapers and magazines.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 9 English — Kaveri — Chapter 1 — How I Taught My Grandmother to Read. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.