Important Questions Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Important Questions Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 covers Sudha Murty’s story about literacy, self-respect and lifelong learning through Krishtakka’s journey. In CBSE Class 9 English Kaveri 2026, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read helps students practise reading, grammar, writing and literature-based answers.

A weekly magazine, a missed episode and one quiet moment of helplessness change Krishtakka’s life in How I Taught My Grandmother to Read. Sudha Murty shows how an elderly grandmother, who loves listening to Kashi Yatre, decides to learn Kannada at sixty-two because she wants to read on her own. That is why Important Questions Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 often focus on literacy, dignity, determination and respect for teachers.

Instead of only retelling the story, students can use these questions to practise inference, character-based answers and value-based responses from Chapter 1.

Key Takeaways

• Krishtakka’s conflict: She feels helpless when she cannot read Kashi Yatre without her granddaughter.
• Turning point: The narrator’s absence makes Krishtakka realise the value of reading independently.
• Central theme: The chapter presents literacy as dignity, confidence and self-reliance.
• Teacher-student bond: Krishtakka respects the narrator as a teacher, not only as a granddaughter.

Important Questions Class 9 English Chapter 1 Exam Pattern Overview

CBSE Class 9 English practice includes reading, writing, grammar and literature. Chapter 1 helps students prepare inference-based, vocabulary-based and theme-based answers.

Reading Skills Practice from Important Questions Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1

Reading questions from How I Taught My Grandmother to Read test inference, vocabulary and emotional understanding. This section uses Chapter 1 situations for CBSE-style comprehension practice.

Passage-Based Questions from Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 important questions

Q1. Read the passage and answer the questions.

“When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations.”

(a) Why was the narrator surprised?
The narrator was surprised because she had never seen her grandmother cry earlier.

Krishtakka usually remained strong during difficult times. Her tears showed that something had deeply hurt her.

(b) Why was Krishtakka crying?
Krishtakka was crying because she could not read Kashi Yatre.

The magazine had arrived while the narrator was away. She felt helpless because nobody read it to her.

(c) Which theme appears in this passage?
The theme of literacy and independence appears in this passage.

Krishtakka’s tears show how illiteracy can affect dignity and confidence.

Q2. Why did Krishtakka feel ashamed to ask others to read for her?

Krishtakka felt ashamed because she did not want others to know her helplessness.

She had money, family and respect in the village. Yet she could not read a simple magazine on her own. This made her feel dependent.

Q3. What can students infer from Krishtakka’s decision to learn Kannada?

Students can infer that Krishtakka had determination and self-respect.

She did not accept dependence as permanent. She turned her regret into action and began learning at sixty-two.

Q4. How does the narrator’s absence become important in the story?

The narrator’s absence becomes important because it reveals Krishtakka’s dependence.

Until then, Krishtakka enjoyed Kashi Yatre through the narrator’s reading. When the narrator leaves, Krishtakka realises that she cannot enjoy the story on her own.

Writing Skills and Grammar Practice from Important Questions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1

Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 gives useful practice in vocabulary, prefixes, past perfect tense and adult literacy-based writing. These questions support the writing and grammar section of the English paper.

Vocabulary and Grammar Questions from Important Questions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1

Q5. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box.

ardent, savouring, immensely, taken aback, protagonist

1. Krishtakka had an __________ wish to know the next part of Kashi Yatre.
2. The children were __________ their freedom at the wedding.
3. The narrator loved her grandmother __________.
4. The narrator was __________ when Krishtakka touched her feet.
5. The old woman in Kashi Yatre was the __________ of the novel.

Answer:

1. ardent
2. savouring
3. immensely
4. taken aback
5. protagonist

Q6. Choose the correct meaning of the given words.

1. Ardent means:
   A. careless
   B. keen or passionate
   C. silent
   D. tired

Answer: B. keen or passionate

1. Protagonist means:
   A. main character
   B. writer
   C. reader
   D. teacher

Answer: A. main character

1. Taken aback means:
   A. highly pleased
   B. deeply angry
   C. surprised by something unexpected
   D. fully prepared

Answer: C. surprised by something unexpected

Q7. Add a suitable prefix to form the opposite.

Q8. Fill in the blanks with the correct past perfect form.

1. By the time the narrator returned, Karmaveera __________ already __________.
   A. had arrived
   B. has arrived
   C. was arriving
   D. arrives

Answer: A. had arrived

1. Krishtakka felt helpless because she __________ never __________ to school.
   A. has gone
   B. had been
   C. was going
   D. goes

Answer: B. had been

Q9. Rewrite the sentence using past perfect tense.

Sentence: The narrator bought Kashi Yatre. It was published as a novel earlier.

Answer: The narrator bought Kashi Yatre after it had been published as a novel.

Q10. Use the word “independent” in a sentence based on the chapter.

Krishtakka wanted to become independent by learning the Kannada alphabet.

The sentence connects the word with the chapter’s main idea.

Writing Practice from Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 important questions

Q11. Write a letter to the editor on student participation in adult literacy.

Answer:

The Editor
The City Herald
Bengaluru

15 June 2026

Subject: Student Participation in Adult Literacy Camps

Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your newspaper, I wish to highlight student participation in adult literacy camps. Many adults face difficulty while reading notices, forms, newspapers and public information. This affects their confidence in daily life.

Students can help adults learn basic reading, writing, signatures and simple calculations. Schools can organise weekend literacy camps in community centres. Such efforts build patience, empathy and social responsibility among students.

I request schools and local groups to promote adult literacy programmes. More student volunteers can help many adults gain confidence.

Yours truly,
A concerned student

Q12. Write a short paragraph on learning at any age.

Learning has no age limit. Krishtakka learns the Kannada alphabet at sixty-two because she wants to read Kashi Yatre independently. Her journey shows that determination can overcome age, embarrassment and lack of schooling. The story teaches that education gives dignity and confidence. Anyone can begin learning when the purpose is meaningful.

Literature Questions from Important Questions Class 9 English Chapter 1

Important Questions Class 9 English Chapter 1 should cover extract-based, short-answer and long-answer practice. This section focuses on Krishtakka, Kashi Yatre, literacy and respect for teachers.

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read extract questions

Q13. Read the extract and answer the questions.

“I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard.”

(a) Who says this line?
Krishtakka says this line.

She says it after feeling helpless without the narrator’s reading support.

(b) Why does she want to learn Kannada?
She wants to learn Kannada to read independently.

Her main goal is to read Kashi Yatre without depending on anyone.

(c) What quality does this line show?
This line shows determination.

Krishtakka is ready to work hard despite her age.

(d) What deadline does she set for herself?
She sets Saraswati Puja during Dassara as her deadline.

By that day, she wants to read a novel on her own.

Q14. Read the extract and answer the questions.

“I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter.”

(a) Who says this line?
Krishtakka says this line.

She says it after touching the narrator’s feet.

(b) Why does she call the narrator a teacher?
She calls the narrator a teacher because the girl taught her Kannada.

Krishtakka values knowledge more than age.

(c) What value does this line express?
This line expresses respect for teachers.

It also shows humility and gratitude.

(d) Why was the narrator surprised?
The narrator was surprised because elders usually receive respect from younger people.

Here, Krishtakka reverses that custom to honour her teacher.

Q15. Why is the magazine Karmaveera important in the story?

Karmaveera is important because it carries the serial Kashi Yatre.

Krishtakka waits for it every week. When she cannot read it, she realises her dependence on others.

Q16. What is the role of Kashi Yatre in Krishtakka’s change?

Kashi Yatre becomes the reason for Krishtakka’s transformation.

She relates to the old woman in the story. Her wish to read it independently makes her learn Kannada.

Short Answer Questions from How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9

Q17. Who was Triveni, and why was she popular?

Triveni was a popular Kannada writer.

Her writing style was easy and convincing. Her stories dealt with psychological problems in ordinary people’s lives.

Q18. Why did everyone in the village wait eagerly for the bus?

Everyone waited eagerly because the bus brought newspapers, magazines and post.

The transport system was slow in those days. The weekly magazine reached the village one day late.

Q19. Why did Krishtakka identify with the old woman in Kashi Yatre?

Krishtakka identified with her because both had an unfulfilled wish to visit Kashi.

The old woman in the novel wanted to go to Kashi. Krishtakka had also never gone there.

Q20. Why did the narrator laugh at Krishtakka’s decision?

The narrator laughed because she thought sixty-two was too old for learning.

She noticed Krishtakka’s grey hair, wrinkled hands and spectacles. Later, she understood her mistake.

Q21. How did Krishtakka learn Kannada?

Krishtakka learnt Kannada through regular practice and guidance from the narrator.

She read, wrote, repeated and recited. Her daily effort helped her read Kashi Yatre by Dassara.

Q22. Why did Krishtakka touch the narrator’s feet?

Krishtakka touched the narrator’s feet to honour her as a teacher.

She believed that a teacher deserves respect, irrespective of age or gender.

Q23. Why did Krishtakka give the narrator a frock material?

Krishtakka gave the narrator a frock material as a mark of gratitude.

She wanted to bless and thank the girl who had taught her Kannada.

Q24. What does Krishtakka’s deadline show about her attitude?

Krishtakka’s deadline shows discipline and seriousness.

She chooses Saraswati Puja as her target because it is connected with learning. This shows her respect for education.

Long Answer Questions from How I Taught My Grandmother to Read question answers

Q25. Write a Krishtakka character sketch.

Krishtakka is affectionate, determined, humble and self-respecting.

She loves her family and enjoys feeding everyone. She also values education because she ensured her children and grandchildren studied well.

Her strength appears when she decides to learn Kannada at sixty-two. She does not allow age or shame to stop her.

Her humility appears when she touches the narrator’s feet. She respects the child because she became her teacher.

Krishtakka inspires readers because she turns regret into learning.

Q26. How does the chapter show that learning has no age limit?

The chapter shows lifelong learning through Krishtakka’s decision to study at sixty-two.

She had never gone to school in childhood. When she cannot read Kashi Yatre, she feels helpless and ashamed.

Instead of remaining sad, she begins learning the Kannada alphabet. She works hard every day with the narrator’s help.

By Saraswati Puja, she reads the novel independently. Her success proves that learning can begin at any age.

Q27. How does the chapter highlight the value of literacy?

The chapter presents literacy as a source of dignity and independence.

Krishtakka has family support, money and social respect. Yet she feels powerless when she cannot read the magazine herself.

Her pain shows that illiteracy affects daily confidence. After learning Kannada, she reads Kashi Yatre without waiting for anyone.

The story shows that reading gives freedom. It also gives a person self-respect.

Q28. What is the significance of the title How I Taught My Grandmother to Read?

The title is significant because it shows a reversal of the usual learning relationship.

A young granddaughter becomes the teacher of her elderly grandmother. This makes the story memorable and meaningful.

The title also highlights the emotional bond between the two. The narrator teaches letters, but Krishtakka teaches her the value of determination and respect.

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