How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

1. To communicate clearly.
2. To understand notices, forms, books and digital information.
3. To become confident and independent.
4. To access education and employment opportunities.
5. To participate fully in family and community life.

My grandparents speak Hindi and a little English.

They spend time praying, reading, speaking with neighbours and watching television. I talk with them, help them with everyday tasks and listen to their experiences.

My favourite experience is listening to their childhood stories and learning about our family traditions.

They do not use smartphones easily, but they enjoy watching me search for information and use helpful applications.

1. protagonist — main character
2. debate — discussion
3. episode — a part of a story
4. community — people living in one particular area
5. concentration — focus
6. eagerly — excitedly
7. convincing — believable
8. guided — directed

1. 1. Cause: The transport system was not very good. Effect: Papers arrived in the afternoon and weekly magazines one day late.
2. 2. Cause: Krishtakka never went to school. Effect: She could not read and depended on the narrator to read Kashi Yatre.
3. 3. Cause: She identified herself with the novel’s elderly protagonist and eagerly followed the serial. Effect: She discussed every episode with her friends.
4. 4. Cause: The narrator stayed at a wedding for a week. Effect: Krishtakka could not read the new episode and felt helpless and upset.
5. 5. Cause: When Krishtakka was young, girls’ education was not considered essential and nobody guided her. Effect: She never attended school.
6. 6. Cause: Krishtakka regretted not going to school. Effect: She ensured that her children and grandchildren studied well.

No. The narrator had never seen her grandmother cry even during very difficult situations, so the tears surprised and worried her.

She can teach the Kannada alphabet daily, progress from simple words to short passages, give manageable homework and encourage regular reading and writing practice.

1. 1. The grandmother wanted literacy to gain independence — True.
2. 2. She asked another villager to read the serial — False; embarrassment prevented her from asking.
3. 3. The narrator was her teacher and taught her to read Kannada — True.
4. 4. The grandmother believed learning had no age limit — True.
5. 5. She touched the narrator’s feet to respect her as a teacher — True.
6. 6. The narrator was disappointed by her progress — False; she knew her student had succeeded brilliantly.

It suggests that the grandmother was strong-willed. The correct option is A.

She might have been too emotional to respond.

The family sleeping on the open terrace on a summer night under the full moon indicates the rural setting and traditional way of life.

The lines describing Avva sitting beside the narrator and touching her forehead with affectionate hands establish tenderness.

The grandmother’s regret over her lack of education is not emphasised here. The correct option is C.

It reveals her desire for self-sufficiency. The correct option is B.

age limit

She assumes that a sixty-two-year-old with grey hair, wrinkled hands, spectacles and household responsibilities will find learning the alphabet too difficult.

She is determined and hardworking.

She judges the grandmother’s ability only from her age and appearance instead of considering her motivation, discipline and capacity to learn.

She was a respected elderly woman and felt uncomfortable revealing that she could not read. Asking another person would expose her dependence and make her feel helpless, despite her family being financially comfortable.

The narrator associates learning the alphabet with childhood. She focuses on her grandmother’s age, grey hair, spectacles, wrinkled hands and domestic workload and wrongly assumes that these factors make new learning impossible.

Kashi Yatre emotionally connects Krishtakka with its elderly protagonist. Her inability to read the next episode becomes the turning point that transforms regret into a desire for literacy. The novel therefore inspires her journey towards independence.

It reflects self-respect, curiosity, courage and determination. Instead of accepting dependence as unavoidable, she sets a clear goal, works consistently and proves that a motivated learner can begin at any age.

The action shows that knowledge and the role of a teacher deserve respect irrespective of age, gender or family relationship. It also reveals Krishtakka’s humility and gratitude towards the granddaughter who enabled her independence.

The line expresses the power of purposeful effort. Age and missed opportunities may create difficulties, but a worthwhile goal, discipline and perseverance can help a learner overcome them.

The contrast is very effective: before learning, Krishtakka feels helpless because she cannot access written information; afterwards, she reads Kashi Yatre confidently herself. Literacy gives her freedom, dignity, confidence and self-reliance.

1. 1. sink or swim — succeed or fail without help
2. 2. on and off — sometimes or occasionally
3. 3. mix and match — combine different things for varied possibilities
4. 4. all or nothing — something must be done completely or not at all
5. 5. part and parcel — an essential part of something
6. 6. pick and choose — select only the best or preferred options
7. 7. sooner or later — at some time in the future
8. 8. leaps and bounds — develop or increase very quickly

1. The new swimmer had to sink or swim during the final round.
2. The internet connection worked on and off during the storm.
3. We can mix and match these colours to design the poster.
4. Regular practice is part and parcel of learning a language.
5. Her reading improved by leaps and bounds.

1. popular — unpopular
2. belief — disbelief
3. important — unimportant
4. respect — disrespect
5. correct — incorrect
6. continue — discontinue
7. understand — misunderstand
8. ordinary — extraordinary
9. interesting — uninteresting
10. possible — impossible

1. unhappy — The grandmother looked unhappy that night.
2. unusual — It was unusual for an elder to touch a younger person’s feet.
3. unfortunately — Unfortunately, the narrator had been away for a week.
4. irrespective — A teacher deserves respect irrespective of age.
5. independent — Krishtakka wanted to become independent.

1. 1. hit the books — study seriously
2. 2. draw a blank — be unable to remember
3. 3. learn the ropes — understand how to do an activity
4. 4. rack one’s brain — think very hard
5. 5. learn by heart — memorise something
6. 6. burn the midnight oil — study or work late into the night

1. I need to hit the books before my examinations begin.
2. When the teacher asked me the answer, I drew a blank.
3. It took me a week to learn the ropes of using the new computer.
4. I racked my brain to solve the mathematics problem.
5. We had to learn the poem by heart for recitation.
6. Many students burn the midnight oil before examinations.

1. A. arrived; had already begun
2. B. had learnt; started
3. C. started; had ensured
4. D. recognised; had exhausted
5. E. logged in; had already discussed

A. took; B. reviewed; C. had spent; D. had discussed; E. opened; F. set; G. had already introduced; H. hurried; I. had completed; J. enjoyed.

For: A new language helps us communicate with more people, understand other cultures and expand opportunities in education, travel and work. Against: The mother tongue is often enough for everyday life and expresses identity deeply; limited time and resources may also make additional language learning difficult. Therefore, it is valuable but should not become unnecessary pressure.

For: Children often learn quickly, have fewer responsibilities and can build strong foundations early. Against: Learning is lifelong; older learners bring experience, purpose and discipline. Adults regularly learn reading, languages and technology successfully. Age can influence the method, but it does not end the ability to learn.

Vaibhav

Class 9 Student

Delhi

19 July 2026

Subject: Student Participation in Adult Literacy

Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your newspaper, I wish to highlight the importance of student participation in adult literacy camps. Many adults still depend on others to read forms, notices, bank information and digital instructions. Students can help them gain essential reading and writing skills.

Volunteering in literacy programmes benefits society and also develops patience, responsibility and empathy among students. Schools and community organisations can conduct regular weekend sessions, awareness rallies and volunteer groups. Local authorities may recognise consistent student volunteers to encourage wider participation.

I hope your newspaper will draw attention to this meaningful initiative.

Yours truly,

Vaibhav

1. Kannada: Avva (as given in the activity), Ajja, Amma, Appa, Akka/Tangi, Anna/Tamma.
2. Hindi: Dadi/Nani, Dada/Nana, Maa, Pita/Papa, Behen, Bhai.
3. Bengali: Thakuma/Didima, Thakurda/Dadu, Ma, Baba, Bon/Didi, Bhai/Dada.
4. Tamil: Paatti, Thaatha, Amma, Appa, Akka/Thangai, Anna/Thambi.
5. Marathi: Aaji, Ajoba, Aai, Baba, Bahin/Tai, Bhau/Dada.
6. Usage varies across regions and families; students may record the forms used at home.

My grandparents enjoy reading a Hindi magazine and the daily newspaper. I will present them with a new issue and a book of their choice. The gift will show that I value their interests and the time we spend reading together.

1. 1. digital tools
2. 2. personal data
3. 3. stay connected
4. 4. misinformation, scams; cyber threats
5. 5. IT training