Class 10 Words and Expressions 2 Chapter 7: Madam Rides the Bus — Workbook Unit 7

Let’s Begin

Textbook pages Let’s Begin

Question Let’s Begin

What might Valli notice on the return journey that she did not notice on the outward trip?

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Outward: fields, hills, trees, and a playful young cow. Return: the cow was dead by the road, making Valli sad.

Answer

Outward: fields, hills, trees, and a playful young cow. Return: the cow was dead by the road, making Valli sad.

Reading Comprehension

Textbook pages Reading Comprehension

Question Text I: Pedalling through the Golden Years

Answer the six comprehension questions about “Pedalling through the Golden Years”: explain the opening contrast; what gave the couple confidence; their passion; why cycling is the most thrilling way to see Uttarakhand; identify their favourite trail; and say whether the 100-km ride offered the expected mountain experiences.

Steps only

1. Other retirees chose quiet rest. 2. They knew Dehradun and its trails. 3. Love of cycling and discovery. 4. It offers close views, fresh air, and varied terrain. 5. Ghanta Ghar–Kimadi–Hathi Paon–Mussoorie–Chaar Dukaan–George Everest Point. 6. Yes: slopes, curves, hills, forests, and off-road routes.

Answer

1. Other retirees chose quiet rest. 2. They knew Dehradun and its trails. 3. Love of cycling and discovery. 4. It offers close views, fresh air, and varied terrain. 5. Ghanta Ghar–Kimadi–Hathi Paon–Mussoorie–Chaar Dukaan–George Everest Point. 6. Yes: slopes, curves, hills, forests, and off-road routes.

Question Text I: Pedalling through the Golden Years

What reasons does the text give for cycling being good for older people?

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Cycling gives exercise, keeps people active, and lets them enjoy the outdoors. The couple show that older people can still explore with preparation.

Answer

Cycling gives exercise, keeps people active, and lets them enjoy the outdoors. The couple show that older people can still explore with preparation.

Question Text II: Going Down Hill on a Bicycle

Answer Questions 1–6 about “Going Down Hill on a Bicycle”: choose the main feeling; quote the bird-like freedom lines; explain the golden moment; interpret “full of bliss”; state the comparison with skating; and explain the final two lines.

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1(c). 2. “O bird, see; see, bird, I fly” and “Your feathery life in air.” 3. The brief freedom of speeding downhill. 4. Bliss means great happiness. 5. Cycling downhill is compared with skating and feels more exciting. 6. Effort brings a reward, like wings after climbing.

Answer

1(c). 2. “O bird, see; see, bird, I fly” and “Your feathery life in air.” 3. The brief freedom of speeding downhill. 4. Bliss means great happiness. 5. Cycling downhill is compared with skating and feels more exciting. 6. Effort brings a reward, like wings after climbing.

Question Text II: Going Down Hill on a Bicycle

Why does the poet compare the ride with skating?

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Both skating and cycling downhill feel like smooth, fast gliding.

Answer

Both skating and cycling downhill feel like smooth, fast gliding.

Question Text II: Going Down Hill on a Bicycle

How does the poem’s rhythm help express movement?

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The lively, rolling rhythm sounds like the bicycle moving quickly downhill.

Answer

The lively, rolling rhythm sounds like the bicycle moving quickly downhill.

Vocabulary and Grammar

Textbook pages Vocabulary and Grammar

Question Vocabulary

Find words from the story that mean inquisitive, intricate, mesmerising, immense, and hardly.

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curious; intricate; mesmerising; immense; scarcely.

Answer

curious; intricate; mesmerising; immense; scarcely.

Question Grammar

Complete all six phrasal-verb sentences using break, drive, get, fill, wake, and turn with out, down, off, on, in, and up.

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(a) turned off; (b) wake up; (c) broke down; (d) drove off; (e) getting out; (f) fill in.

Answer

(a) turned off; (b) wake up; (c) broke down; (d) drove off; (e) getting out; (f) fill in.

Fun Facts and Editing

Textbook pages Fun Facts and Editing

Question Fun Facts

Explain the difference between “allusion” and “illusion,” then use each in a sentence.

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Allusion = indirect reference; illusion = false appearance. Example: The poem alludes to nature; the mirage was an illusion.

Answer

Allusion = indirect reference; illusion = false appearance. Example: The poem alludes to nature; the mirage was an illusion.

Question Editing

Edit the paragraph about the Sundarbans by correcting spelling, capitalisation, and sentence punctuation.

Steps only

Correct examples: crosswise → across; take to → take you to; mystic → mystical; Sundarbans; UNESCO; south-eastern; Parganas; mangrove; Sundari; Heritiera minor; Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna; single; reserve; ecosystem; Royal Bengal tiger; crucial; inhabitants. Add full stops between complete sentences.

Answer

Correct examples: crosswise → across; take to → take you to; mystic → mystical; Sundarbans; UNESCO; south-eastern; Parganas; mangrove; Sundari; Heritiera minor; Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna; single; reserve; ecosystem; Royal Bengal tiger; crucial; inhabitants. Add full stops between complete sentences.

Listening

Textbook pages Listening

Question Listening

Answer the five listening questions about Mizoram: describe its land and hills; explain Mi, Zo, and Mizoram; name the activities associated with festivals; describe Mizo dances; and select the one statement that is not true.

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Blue-green, rugged hills; Mi = people, Zo = hill, Mizoram = land of hill-dwellers; festivals celebrate farming with song and dance; community dances express joy; false statement: (e).

Answer

Blue-green, rugged hills; Mi = people, Zo = hill, Mizoram = land of hill-dwellers; festivals celebrate farming with song and dance; community dances express joy; false statement: (e).

Question Listening

How can you practise the tongue twister clearly?

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Read slowly, repeat clearly, then increase speed little by little.

Answer

Read slowly, repeat clearly, then increase speed little by little.

Speaking

Textbook pages Speaking

Question Speaking

Complete the dialogue between Valli and the conductor. Use the speaking adverbs in the prompt and details from the story.

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Valli (confidently): “I have saved the fare. Please give me a ticket.” Conductor (teasingly): “You are travelling alone?” Valli (firmly): “I can manage.” Conductor (kindly): “Sit safely and do not lean out.” Valli (politely): “Thank you.”

Answer

Valli (confidently): “I have saved the fare. Please give me a ticket.” Conductor (teasingly): “You are travelling alone?” Valli (firmly): “I can manage.” Conductor (kindly): “Sit safely and do not lean out.” Valli (politely): “Thank you.”

Question Speaking

Write polite requests for the five situations: (a) ask for food in the kitchen, (b) ask about a train at the railway station, (c) ask someone to open a door, (d) ask a patient’s name in hospital, and (e) ask to play in the playground. Also give an indirect question and a question tag.

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(a) Could I have food, please? (b) Could you tell me when the train leaves? (c) Would you open the door, please? (d) Could you tell me the patient’s name? (e) May I join your game? Indirect: “Could you tell me where the station is?” Tag: “We are playing, aren’t we?”

Answer

(a) Could I have food, please? (b) Could you tell me when the train leaves? (c) Would you open the door, please? (d) Could you tell me the patient’s name? (e) May I join your game? Indirect: “Could you tell me where the station is?” Tag: “We are playing, aren’t we?”

Writing and Project

Textbook pages Writing and Project

Question Writing

Should children Valli’s age be allowed to travel alone? Give a balanced view, considering safety and whether the same rule should apply to boys and girls.

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Children may travel alone on a familiar, safe route when they are ready and trusted adults know the plan. The same rules should apply to girls and boys.

Answer

Children may travel alone on a familiar, safe route when they are ready and trusted adults know the plan. The same rules should apply to girls and boys.

Question Idiom

Use “turn a blind eye” in a paragraph about the dead cow Valli sees. Should domestic animals roam beside busy roads, and who is responsible?

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Valli could not turn a blind eye to the cow’s death. Owners must keep animals away from busy roads, and authorities should help protect animals and road users.

Answer

Valli could not turn a blind eye to the cow’s death. Owners must keep animals away from busy roads, and authorities should help protect animals and road users.

Question Project

Give one safety tip for each mode—bicycle, bus, boat, train, and aeroplane. Explain why travellers should keep tickets and suggest a class ticket-collection project.

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Bicycle—helmet; bus—sit safely; boat—life jacket; train—stay behind the line; plane—fasten seat belt. Keep tickets as proof of booking. Make a class chart from used tickets after removing personal details.

Answer

Bicycle—helmet; bus—sit safely; boat—life jacket; train—stay behind the line; plane—fasten seat belt. Keep tickets as proof of booking. Make a class chart from used tickets after removing personal details.