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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 9 Bholi

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Class 10 English Chapter 9 “Bholi” is an important lesson that focuses on self-confidence, education, and courage. Students often look for class 10 English chapter 9 question answer to understand the story clearly and prepare well for exams. The Bholi chapter class 10 tells the story of a shy and underconfident girl who faces neglect because of her looks and stammer. However, education changes her life completely.

The class 10 English chapter 9 question answer section helps students understand key themes, character development, and moral values of the story. Through simple explanations, students learn how Bholi transforms into a confident and independent girl who takes a strong stand for her self-respect. These questions and answers are useful for grasping important points and writing accurate exam answers.

Bholi English Chapter 9 NCERT solutions are written in easy language and follow the CBSE exam pattern. They include short and long answer questions that help students improve their writing skills and understanding of the chapter. Practising these solutions helps students score better and build confidence for the Class 10 board exams.

Check Out: CBSE Class 10 Books

Class 10 English Chapter 9 Bholi Questions Answers

Question 1. Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?

The twentieth century was known as the "Era of the Book" due to the abundance of publications covering a wide range of topics, from Zulus to Anteaters. People learned how, when, where, and why to do things from books. Books have graphics, punctuation, and even decoration.

Question 2. Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?

Martians tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century.

Read and Find Out (Page No. 65)

Question 1 . What guesses are made by Think–Tank about the books found on Earth?

At first, the Think Tank assumes that the books are sandwiches. He is corrected by Noodle, who states that he believes books to be some kind of communication tool. At that point, he believes the books are for ear-to-ear communication. He ends by saying that they are employed in eye communication.

Think About It

Question 1 . Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank, but at the same time, he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?

While trying not to anger Think-Tank, Noodle also makes corrections to his errors. Every time he believes Think-Tank to be incorrect, he first extols Think-Tank before putting forward his ideas and characterizing them as mere bits of information floating around in his brain. By doing this, he informs Think-Tank of what is accurate without giving the impression that he is being corrected.

Question 2. If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?

If I were in Noodle’s place, I would try to politely correct Think-Tank’s mistakes and suggest corrections.

Question 3 . Do you think books are being replaced by electronic media? Can we do away with books altogether?

Yes, books are being replaced by electronic media with the emergence of digitization. We now have e-books and online classes, which do not require paperback books. No, I don’t think that we can do away with books altogether because although there is a tendency to move towards electronic media, books still have their importance. Millions of people love to read books. The feeling and satisfaction of reading a book while holding it in your hands and turning its pages is altogether a different experience that e-books will never be able to replace.

Question 4. Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favorite book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.

Books are said to be a man's greatest friend since they mentor, educate, amuse, grieve, provoke reflection, and help us grow into better versions of ourselves. Books are lifelong friends who never leave us. They transmit wisdom and knowledge. They may inspire us, teach us, and be enjoyable.

Talk About It

Question 1. In what ways does Think-Tank misinterpret innocent nursery rhymes as threats to the Martians? Can you think of any incidents where you misinterpreted a word or an action? How did you resolve the misunderstanding?

Answer: Think-Tank misinterprets innocent nursery rhymes as threats to the Martians.

Omega reads the lines from the rhyme: “Mistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockle shells and silver bells And pretty maids all in a row” Listening to the above lines, Think-Tank thinks that people on Earth are so advanced that they can grow crops of rare metals and high explosives. Iota reads another rhyme from the book: “Hey, diddle diddle! The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon, The little dog laughed to see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon.” After reading the passage above, Think-Tank believes that humans have imparted space travel and musical culture to their tamed animals. Their pets are humorous as well. Oop reads lines from another rhyme: “Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall…” After hearing this, Think-Tank becomes alarmed since Humpty-Dumpty's picture matches Think-Tank's powerful balloon brain. He believes that Earthlings are pursuing him because they have seen him. He suggests that the people on Earth have plans to seize both him and Mars Central Control.

Question 2. The aliens in this play speak English. Do you think this is their language? What could be the language of the aliens?

Since they are unable to comprehend the words in the book Mother Goose, I do not believe that English is their native tongue. They interpret the words as codes composed of tiny dots, squiggles, and lines.

Sulekha's Change: From Bholi to a Confident Person

The story begins with Sulekha, who is the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. She got pockmarks and a stutter from a childhood accident and a case of smallpox. That's why people called her "Bholi," which means "simpleton." The class 10th bholi question answer curriculum often talks about how her family not paying attention to her at first changed her personality. People thought she was a "backward child," so her parents sent her to school not to help her, but because they thought she would never get married anyhow.

But school is what changes her life. Her teacher is nice and patient with her, which is not the case with her family. The teacher tells her to get over her stammer and provides her books to read. This guidance with schoolwork and feelings helps Bholi get over her phobia.

The bholi class 10 questions and answers often talk about how this mentor-student relationship was the main reason for Bholi's internal revolution. To better comprehend how she has changed, we can look at how her character has changed:

Bholi’s Character Evolution

Feature	Early Childhood (Bholi)	After Education (Sulekha)
Speech	Frequent stammering, fear of speaking	Clear, firm, and fluent speech
Confidence	Shies away from people, easily intimidated	Brave, dignified, and self-assured
Social Standing	Considered a burden and a "simpleton"	A role model for self-respect
Perspective	Believed she was lucky to have a suitor	Recognized her worth and rejected greed

Social Expectations and the Marriage of Convenience

As Bholi grows older, the narrative shifts toward the social pressures of marriage in rural India. Ramlal accepts a proposal from Bishamber Nath, a well-to-do but elderly grocer who is a widower and limps. The bholi chapter class 10 question answer notes emphasize that Ramlal chose Bishamber because he did not ask for a dowry—at least initially.

On the day of the wedding, when Bishamber sees Bholi’s pockmarked face, he becomes greedy and demands a dowry of five thousand rupees. To save his family’s honor, a tearful Ramlal places his turban at Bishamber’s feet and gives him the money. This scene is a critical part of the class 10 bholi question answer english studies, as it sets the stage for Bholi's ultimate act of defiance against social evils.

The Act of Defiance: Standing Up for Dignity

The climax of the story occurs at the wedding altar. Just as Bishamber is about to garland her, Bholi flings the garland into the fire. She speaks clearly, without a single stammer, shocking the entire village. The question answer of bholi focuses heavily on her reasoning: she refused to marry a "greedy and cowardly" man.

She tells her father that she will not marry but will instead serve her parents in their old age and teach in the same school where she learned so much. Her teacher, who had been watching the scene from a corner, looks on with a sense of pride, seeing her "masterpiece" finally complete. This ending is a staple in class 10th bholi question answer papers because it marks the full transition of Bholi back into the confident Sulekha.

Original Framing: Bholi as the "Social Masterpiece"

A unique way to view the concepts in Chapter 9 is to see Bholi as a "Social Masterpiece." Usually, we consider education a tool for jobs or status. However, Bholi's story suggests that the greatest product of education is not a certificate, but a "finished personality." Just as an artist takes raw, damaged clay and molds it into a beautiful sculpture, her teacher took a "damaged" child and molded her into a person of character. This framing helps students understand that Bholi’s victory wasn't just about refusing a marriage; it was about the teacher’s success in creating a woman who knew her own worth.

Benefits of CBSE Class 10 Study Material

Full Syllabus Coverage

PW CBSE Class 10 Study Material is prepared according to the latest CBSE curriculum and covers all subjects, including Maths, Science, Social Science, and English. It ensures students learn every important topic in a systematic way.

Easy-to-Understand Explanations

Concepts are explained using simple language to help students understand easily. Step-by-step solutions, examples, and diagrams make learning more clear and effective.

NCERT-Focused Content

The study material follows NCERT textbooks closely. Important terms, formulas, and key concepts are highlighted to support strong conceptual understanding.

Practice and Question Papers

It includes a variety of practice questions, sample papers, and previous years’ question papers to help students improve accuracy and exam readiness.

Revision Support

Chapter-wise summaries and quick revision notes help students revise efficiently and feel confident during the Class 10 board exams.

Check Out: CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers

FAQs on Class 10th Bholi

What does "Bholi" mean for Sulekha?
People called Suleka "Bholi," which means "simpleton," because she fell as a youngster and hurt her brain, making her learn more slowly than other kids.
How did the teacher help Bholi get over her stutter?
The teacher was very polite to her, told her to speak without fear, and promised her that with practice, she would be able to talk as clearly as anyone else.
What made Bholi's parents decide to send her to school?
The Tehsildar pressured Ramlal to send his daughters to school to set an example. Ramlal sent Bholi because his wife believed Bholi had a low chance of marriage, so it didn't matter if her prospects were "ruined" by school.
Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber at the last minute?
Bholi refused because Bishamber showed himself to be a greedy man by demanding a dowry of five thousand rupees after seeing her pockmarks.
What does the ending of the story signify?
The ending signifies the triumph of education and self-respect over social prejudice. It shows that Sulekha had regained her voice and moving beyond the identity of "Bholi."