Class 10 - Unit 03 - Section A - THE GIRL WHO ASKED WHY

UNIT 3 – INCLUSION SECTION A - THE GIRL WHO ASKED WHY

 Comprehension –

I Tick (✔)  the correct option -  -

1. The girl did not agree to her mother’s view that girls should

a) learn to cook.

b) do household chores.

c) marry at a certain age.

Answer - c) marry at a certain age.

 

2. The parents believed that the girl should marry

a) at a certain age.

b) take care of her husband.

c) cook and do household work.

Answer - a) at a certain age.

 

3. When the king allowed her to join the panel, the audience

a) felt happy and cheered the king.

b) was not sure of her worthiness.

c) left the venue in protest.

Answer - b) was not sure of her worthiness.

 

II. The following are the comments made by the people about the girl. Put a

tick (✔) on the comments that you think are correct and cross (X) the

wrong ones.

a) She was wearing provoking clothes.  (X)                            

b) She was sinning against God. (X)

c) She was of good reputation. (✔)

d) She was very good looking. (✔)

e) She was talented. (✔)

f) She was very confident. (✔)

g) She was not fit to be in a company of scholars. (X)

h) She could marry a rich person. (X)

i) She would feel uncomfortable in the company of men. (X)

 

III. A. Complete the grid with suitable information from the story. You may

choose the words given in the box. One has been done.

 

 

SN	The actual words spoken	Who said	What do these words show about the speaker?
a.	“A woman can’t sit on the scholar’s panel unless she is accompanied by a man.”	The king	The king was prejudiced.
b.	“Pardon me, Your Grace! But I was invited to join the discussion.”	The girl	The girl was confident.
c.	“But I don’t think a woman can join the discussion.”	One of the women	The woman was orthodox.
d.	“So, by joining the discussion, what do you want to prove? That, women are better than men?”	The elderly scholar	His narrow-mindedness and irritation
e.	“May I ask who wrote those hymns?”	The girl	Her confidence and curiosity.
f.	“…Why is a female intellect weaker than a male?”	The girl	Her confidence and prudent nature.
g.	“I need to study, Your Grace, to come up with an example.”	The elderly scholar	His incompetency to debate with the girl.
h.	“You ask too many questions, girl!”	The elderly scholar	His defeat and humiliation.

 

B. Which of the above utterances (actual words spoken) do you support and

why? (Do own your own)

 

III. Answer the following questions.

1. Why did the academy send the girl to the conference?

Answer – The academy sent the girl to the conference because she was the brightest scholar in the academy. The king invited only the brightest scholar of the academy.

 

2. Why did the king invite scholars and philosophers from all over the world?

Answer – The king invited scholars and philosophers from all over the world to get their inputs because he wanted to compile all the knowledge in the universe into books.

 

3. How did the girl justify her presence in the auditorium?

Answer – The girl justified her presence in the auditorium with her confidence and wit. When the elderly scholar said that female intellect was weaker than men and she could not join the discussion, she instantly asked about the hymn where it was written and how the ancestors had come to such conclusion but no one had the answer.

 

4. What made the king support the girl in the end?

Answer – The king was impressed with the girl’s confidence and merit. When the elderly scholar failed to answer her question, the king gave the girl permission to join the discussion and supported her presence.

 

5. "Women have weaker intellect," say the hymns. Do you agree/disagree with this view? Give reason(s).

Answer – I am in complete disagreement with this view. In our mythologies and ancient scriptures, it is nowhere mentioned. We are of the view that women are equally intelligent and worthy to progress in life. We already have millions of women who have made a name for themselves.

 

 

Vocabulary –

I Tick (✔) the correct meaning of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

1. She surpassed her father in knowledge.

a) defeated

b) bypassed

c) equalled

Answer - b) bypassed

 

2. The king wanted to compile all the knowledge.

a) save

b) gather

c) share

Answer - b) gather

 

3. She noticed a large number of men, but hardly any women among the

delegates.

a) guests

b) audience

c) representatives

Answer - c) representatives

 

4. The king gave a little chuckle.

a) nod

b) cry

c) laugh

Answer - c) laugh

 

5. They were sure that the girl will be humiliated by scholars.

a) ignored

b) praised

c) insulted

Answer - c) insulted

 

6. If the scholars have objections, they can debate with her.

a) argue

b) fight

c) talk

Answer - a) argue

 

Grammar –

 

2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of verbs given in brackets.

The Fox and the Goat

Once a fox was roaming around in the dark. Unfortunately, he fell into a well. He tried his level best to get (get) out but all in vain. So, he had no other alternative but to remain (remain) there till the next morning. The next day, a goat came that

way. She peeped (peep) into the well and saw the fox there. The goat asked (ask) "what are you doing there, Mr. Fox?"

The sly fox replied, "I came here to drink(drink) water. It is the best I have ever tasted. Come and see for yourself." Without thinking even for a while, the goat jumped (jump) into the well to quench (quench) her thirst. Then she looked for a way to get out. But just like the fox, she also found (find) herself helpless to come (come) out.

Then the fox said, "I have an idea. You stand on your hind legs. I'll climb on your head and get out. Then I shall help you come out too." The goat was innocent enough to understand (understand) the shrewdness of the fox and did as the fox said and helped (help) him get out of the well. While walking away, the fox said, "Had you been intelligent enough, you would never have got in without seeing how to get (get) out."