📚 CBSE Grade-10 Study Guide Open in the Study Guide single page app →
HomeEnglish Language & Literature

English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [6]
How is Bholi shown to be a fearless, bold and confident girl?
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 2/2/1 Q11(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:11 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Bholi, initially a stammering, neglected girl, gradually transforms into a fearless and confident young woman, largely due to her teacher's encouragement.

At school: Though terrified on her first day, Bholi responds to her teacher's kindness. When the teacher gently encourages her, she manages to say her name and even says "Yes" aloud — astonishing herself. This small victory plants the seeds of confidence.

At the wedding: Bholi's true courage shines when the greedy bridegroom Bishamber demands ₹5,000 dowry, humiliating her father. Bholi strikes down the garland into the sacred fire and boldly declares, "I will not marry this man." She speaks without the slightest stammer — a remarkable change.

Facing society: When taunted as a "dumb cow," she confronts the crowd fearlessly: "The dumb cow is now speaking."

Planning her future: She calmly tells her father she will serve her parents and teach in the same school — showing independence and purpose.

Source: Bholi, Chapter 8

---

Explanation

Examiners look for 4–6 specific points drawn directly from the story, covering both the school episode and the wedding scene. Mention the transformation clearly — from a frightened, stammering child to a bold woman who speaks without a stammer and rejects a greedy match. Use brief quotes to strengthen your answer. Avoid retelling the whole story; focus on evidence of fearlessness, boldness, and confidence specifically.

If a question refers to an image, map, graph or diagram that is not shown here, open the Study Guide single page app, go to Library and find the actual CBSE question paper. The original papers are also available on the CBSE website: cbse.gov.in.
Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.