Past board exam questions
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
How did education change Bholi’s personality ?
(Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Education turned the timid, stammering and neglected Bholi into a confident, self-respecting young woman. Encouraged by her kind teacher, she overcame her stammer and spoke without fear. At her wedding she refused to marry the greedy old Bishamber Nath, who demanded dowry, answered her critics boldly, and decided to look after her parents in their old age and teach in the same school.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school yet she knew that she was going to a better place than her home. Explain.
(Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Bholi was afraid of school because she stammered and had been mocked and humiliated, and she feared the other children would laugh at her. Yet at home she was neglected and treated as inferior. On the day she was taken to school, she was bathed, her hair was oiled and combed, and she was given a clean dress – things that had never happened before – so she felt she was being taken to a better place than her home.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Who did the teacher compare herself with when she sees the transformed version of Bholi ? Why did she feel so ? (Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – any two points with textual evidence; Expression 1)
The teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece. She had transformed a timid, stammering child into a confident and empowered young woman, and she felt proud to see Bholi boldly refuse to marry the greedy old groom, Bishamber. The experience validated her faith in education.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
In what ways are Bholi’s life and choices different from those of other girls in her village ?
(Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Bholi was discriminated against in her own house – never given new clothes, attention or love. Most village girls accepted their fate without question, but Bholi, once educated, refused to marry the greedy, old groom Bishamber who demanded dowry. She stood up for herself, rejected an unfair marriage and chose to live with dignity and independence as a teacher, showing courage instead of the usual silent acceptance.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
The teacher built up Bholi’s confidence on her first day at school. Discuss.
(Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Bholi, neglected and mocked at home because of her stammer and pockmarked face, was terrified at school. The teacher spoke to her gently and soothingly, encouraged her to speak her name, praised her small effort, gave her a picture book and assured her that if she learnt, no one would laugh at her and people would respect her. This encouragement gave her confidence.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Based on your understanding of the story, how do you assess Bholi’s father ?
(Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Ramlal is a simple, traditional village man influenced by social norms and patriarchy. He neglects Bholi because of her appearance and stammer, and agrees to marry her to the old, lame Bishamber to secure her future, caring more about family honour than her feelings. Yet he is not entirely heartless: in the end he accepts her decision to refuse the greedy groom and stands by her.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Mention any two reasons that substantiate that Bholi’s mother was a negative presence in her life. (Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – any two points with textual evidence; Expression 1)
Bholi’s mother never took care of her or bothered about her education, and saw her as a ‘dumb cow’ and a burden – she sent her to school only to get rid of her. She also acted cruelly by agreeing to marry her off to Bishamber, a lame, aged and greedy man, without caring for Bholi’s feelings.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
What makes Bholi believe that the place where she was taken was better than her home ?
(Bholi)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
Show answer
(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Bholi, otherwise neglected at home, was bathed and given a clean dress on the day she was taken to school, and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Being cared for and groomed in a way she had never been at home made her believe that the place she was being taken to was better than her home.
