Table of Contents
- Summary: Madam Rides the Bus
- Oral Comprehension Check (Page 97)
- Oral Comprehension Check (Page 100)
- Oral Comprehension Check (Page 103)
- Thinking About the Text
- MCQs on Madam Rides the Bus
Summary: Madam Rides the Bus
The story "Madam Rides the Bus" is about an eight-year-old girl named Valliammai, who is curious and adventurous. She lives in a small village and is fascinated by the bus that passes through her village every day. Valliammai dreams of taking a ride on the bus and saving money for it.
One day, Valliammai secretly boards the bus and enjoys the journey. She observes everything around her with excitement—the people, the scenery, and the experience of being in a bus. However, during the ride, she also witnesses the harsh realities of life, which make her understand the complexities of the world.
The story highlights the innocence of childhood, the joy of small adventures, and the gradual understanding of life's realities. Valliammai's experience on the bus teaches her valuable lessons, making it a memorable journey in her life.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 97)
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What was Valli’s favourite pastime?Valli’s favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house and watching what was happening in the street outside.
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What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?The bus that passed through her village was a source of unending joy for Valli. Her strongest desire was to take a ride on that bus.
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What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?Valli found out that the bus journey from her village to the nearest town took about 45 minutes one way, and the fare was thirty paise. She found out these details by listening carefully to conversations between those who regularly took the bus.
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What do you think Valli was planning to do?Valli was planning to take a ride on the bus all by herself without letting anyone know.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 100)
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Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?The conductor calls Valli "madam" playfully because she behaves in a very mature and serious manner, like an adult, even though she is just a little girl.
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Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?Valli stands up on the seat to get a better view of the scenery outside the bus. She sees fields, palm trees, distant mountains, and the blue sky.
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What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?Valli tells the elderly man that there is nobody in the bus who is a child, implying that she is mature and grown-up.
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Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?Valli didn’t want to make friends with the elderly woman because she found her uninteresting and unattractive, especially because the woman had big holes in her earlobes and was chewing betel nut.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 103)
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How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?Valli saved up money by resisting the temptation to buy things like toys, balloons, and peppermints, and by not going on the merry-go-round at the village fair. It was not easy for her because she had to make many small sacrifices.
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What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?Valli saw a young cow running very fast right in the middle of the road in front of the bus, which made her laugh.
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Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?Valli didn’t get off the bus at the bus station because she was afraid of losing her way and she didn’t have money to take another bus back home.
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Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?Valli didn’t want to go to the stall and have a drink because she didn’t want to waste her money. This tells us that she was careful and determined in saving her money.
Thinking About the Text
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What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.Valli’s deepest desire was to take a ride on the bus. The phrases that tell us this include "overwhelming desire," "intense desire," and "strongest desire."
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How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?Valli planned her bus ride by carefully gathering information about the bus’s timing and fare by listening to the passengers and asking discreet questions. She found out that the fare was thirty paise one way, and she saved up the money by cutting down on her expenses.
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What kind of a person is Valli?(i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.(ii) “Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.(iii) “There’s nobody here who is a child,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me. I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, stamping her foot.(v) “You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope it will be the same time tomorrow.”
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Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?The conductor refers to Valli as ‘madam’ because she behaves in a grown-up and self-assured manner, like a mature lady.
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Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.Lines that show Valli enjoying her ride include: "Oh, it was all so wonderful!" and "Valli devoured everything with her eyes."
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Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?Valli refuses to look out of the window on her way back because she is deeply saddened by the sight of a cow lying dead on the road, which she had seen alive and happy earlier.
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What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.”Valli means that she now understands that life is unpredictable, and unexpected things can happen without our control or knowledge.
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The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?The description of the cow running in the middle of the road and Valli’s reaction to it ("utterly childish way of making the noise of a running engine") shows that the author is presenting the story from an eight-year-old’s point of view.
MCQs on Madam Rides the Bus
20 challenging multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to test comprehension of the
story "Madam Rides the Bus":
1. What was the main reason Valli was fascinated by the bus?
- A) The bus was brightly coloured.
- B) It symbolized adventure and freedom.
- C) It carried important people.
- D) It made a lot of noise.
2. How did Valli initially gather information about the bus journey?
- A) By asking her mother.
- B) By secretly listening to the bus driver.
- C) By eavesdropping on conversations.
- D) By following the bus on foot.
3. What was the cost of a one-way ticket on the bus?
- A) Twenty paise
- B) Thirty paise
- C) Fifty paise
- D) One rupee
4.
How long did it take for the bus to reach the town from Valli’s
village?
- A) 30 minutes
- B) 45 minutes
- C) 1 hour
- D) 1 hour 30 minutes
5. Which of the following best describes Valli's personality?
- A) Timid and shy
- B) Curious and determined
- C) Disobedient and rebellious
- D) Carefree and irresponsible
6. What did Valli do to save money for her bus ride?
- A) She asked her parents for extra pocket money.
- B) She started selling flowers.
- C) She avoided buying toys and treats.
- D) She took on small jobs around the village.
7. What did Valli find the most enjoyable during her bus ride?
- A) The view of the mountains
- B) The lively conversation with the conductor
- C) Watching the scenery outside
- D) The comfort of the bus seat
8. Why did Valli refuse the offer of a cold drink at the town?
- A) She didn’t like cold drinks.
- B) She was too shy to accept the offer.
- C) She didn’t want to spend her money.
- D) She was in a hurry to return home.
9. Which event during the bus ride made Valli laugh out loud?
- A) The bus nearly hitting a tree.
- B) The conductor’s joke.
- C) A cow running in front of the bus.
- D) A child crying for a toy.
10. How did Valli feel when she saw the dead cow on the road?
- A) Indifferent
- B) Horrified and saddened
- C) Angry
- D) Curious
11. Why didn’t Valli tell anyone about her bus ride plan?
- A) She was afraid they would not allow her.
- B) She wanted to surprise her family.
- C) She thought they wouldn’t be interested.
- D) She was unsure if she could carry out her plan.
12.
What does the term ‘madam’ used by the conductor signify in Valli’s
case?
- A) Respect for her age.
- B) Sarcasm for her serious demeanour.
- C) A mistake about her identity.
- D) Genuine politeness.
13.
What was Valli’s reaction when the elderly woman tried to talk to her on
the bus?
- A) She politely ignored her.
- B) She eagerly engaged in conversation.
- C) She found her uninteresting and unattractive.
- D) She asked the woman to be quiet.
14. What lesson does Valli learn from her bus journey?
- A) Life is full of surprises and not always as joyful as it
seems.
- B) Money can’t buy happiness.
- C) It’s better to stay home than to travel.
- D) Adults always know what’s best.
15. What did Valli see as a major downside of her bus journey?
- A) The crowded bus.
- B) The uncomfortable seats.
- C) The sight of the dead cow.
- D) The high fare of the bus ride.
16. What does the sight of the dead cow represent in the story?
- A) The cruelty of nature.
- B) The harsh realities of life.
- C) The dangers of traveling.
- D) The consequences of carelessness.
17. How did Valli manage to return home safely?
- A) She had her return ticket ready.
- B) She asked the conductor for help.
- C) She trusted a stranger to guide her.
- D) She relied on her memory of the journey.
18. What was Valli’s mood when she returned home?
- A) Excited and happy
- B) Disappointed and sad
- C) Reflective and mature
- D) Angry and frustrated
19. What does Valli’s character teach us about childhood?
- A) Childhood is carefree and irresponsible.
- B) Children are incapable of making plans.
- C) Childhood is full of curiosity and discovery.
- D) Children are always obedient and dependent on adults.
20. Which theme is most prominent in "Madam Rides the Bus"?
- A) The importance of education.
- B) The innocence and curiosity of childhood.
- C) The value of money.
- D) The dangers of travelling alone.
Answer Key
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. C
10. B
11. A
12. B
13. C
14. A
15. C
16. B
17. A
18. C
19. C
20. B
