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CBSE Class 10 English
First Flight - Chapter 9
MADAM RIDES THE BUS
Author: Vallikkannan (Vallikannan)
Academic Year: 2025-2026
Pattern: CBSE 2025-26 (5 Exercises per Worksheet - 18 Marks Each)
Source: englishwithmrk.co.in
Chapter Overview & Key Content
About the Author - Vallikkannan
Vallikkannan (1920-1987) was a renowned Tamil writer known for his simple yet powerful storytelling style. His real name was K. M. Balasubramaniam. He wrote extensively about common people and their everyday experiences, bringing dignity and depth to ordinary lives. "Madam Rides the Bus" is a translated work from Tamil, showcasing his ability to capture the innocence of childhood and the poignancy of life's lessons. His stories often dealt with themes of childhood curiosity, family relationships, and the small yet significant moments that shape human understanding.
Story Summary
This touching story revolves around Valli (Valliammai), an eight-year-old girl with an overwhelming desire to ride a bus. Living in a small village, she is fascinated by the bus that travels between her village and the nearest town. The bus journey becomes her cherished dream.
Valli is a curious, self-reliant, and determined child. She carefully plans her bus journey, saving every paisa she gets. She gathers information about the bus route, fare (thirty paise one way), and timing by listening to conversations of regular passengers. The distance to town is six miles, and the journey takes forty-five minutes each way.
One day, when her mother is asleep in the afternoon, Valli boards the bus alone. She is thrilled to finally fulfill her dream. During the journey, she observes everything with wide-eyed wonder—the scenery, the canal, the distant mountains. The conductor is amused by this serious little "madam" and tries to engage her in conversation, but Valli maintains her dignity and independence.
On the way to town, Valli sees a young cow running playfully in front of the bus, which delights her. However, on the return journey, she is deeply shocked to see the same cow lying dead by the roadside, apparently hit by a speeding vehicle. This encounter with death disturbs her profoundly, transforming her mood from joyful excitement to somber thoughtfulness.
When she returns home, her mother casually asks where she's been, not suspecting anything. Valli's adventure remains her secret. The story beautifully captures a child's transition from innocent joy to the sobering awareness of life's harsh realities. Her bus ride becomes a journey from childhood innocence to a more mature understanding of the world.
Key Characters
- Valli (Valliammai): Eight-year-old protagonist - curious, determined, self-reliant, observant, independent, mature for her age, sensitive
- The Conductor: Friendly, jovial, respectful toward Valli despite her age, calls her "madam"
- Valli's Mother: Caring but unaware of Valli's adventure; engaged in household conversation with neighbor
- The Elderly Woman: Fellow passenger who tries to be friendly but whom Valli finds interfering
- Other Passengers: Provide comic relief and context
Key Themes
- Childhood Curiosity and Dreams: Valli's intense desire to experience something new
- Growing Up: The journey symbolizes the transition from innocence to awareness
- Independence: Valli's self-reliance and determination to accomplish her goal alone
- Reality of Life and Death: The dead cow represents life's harsh realities
- Careful Planning: Valli's meticulous preparation shows maturity
- Social Observation: Valli learns by observing and listening to others
- Loss of Innocence: Witnessing death changes Valli's perspective
Important Moments
- Valli's fascination watching the bus from her doorway
- Careful collection of information and saving money
- Boarding the bus alone for the first time
- The conductor calling her "madam" with affection
- Refusing the conductor's offer to explore the town
- Seeing the playful cow running beside the bus
- The shocking sight of the dead cow on return journey
- Return home with her secret intact
- The transformation of Valli's mood and understanding
Download complete character analysis, vocabulary (30+ words in English-Telugu-Hindi), detailed summaries, and extract-based questions at englishwithmrk.co.in
Integrated Grammar Worksheets (CBSE 2025-26 Pattern)
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Each worksheet: 5 exercises • 18 marks • Complete answer keys
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INTEGRATED GRAMMAR WORKSHEET 1
Based on: Madam Rides the Bus
Time: 45 minutes | Marks: 18
Name: ________________________ Class: X Roll No: ____
© englishwithmrk.co.in | Complete solutions available for registered users
1. Read the conversation between Valli and the conductor. Then report it by completing the sentences that follow using appropriate expressions. (1 × 4 = 4)
Conductor: Ticket, please. Where are you going?
Valli: To the town. I want a ticket.
Conductor: Are you travelling alone, little madam?
Valli: I'm not a child. I have paid my fare like everyone else.
The conductor was checking tickets. He asked Valli for her ticket and (a) __________________________________. Valli told him (b) __________________________________ and she wanted a ticket. The conductor enquired (c) __________________________________. Valli asserted that (d) __________________________________ and she had paid her fare like everyone else.
2. Choose the correct word from the options given to complete the following passage. (1 × 3 = 3)
Childhood (a) __________ (is / are / was / were) a time of wonder and discovery. Children (b) __________ (observe / observes / observing / observed) the world with fresh eyes. Their curiosity (c) __________ (lead / leads / leading / led) to meaningful experiences and learning.
3. Do as directed. (1 × 3 = 3)
(a) Children __________ be allowed to explore and learn independently. (Provide a suitable Modal: should / would / might)
(b) Valli __________ months saving money for the bus fare. (Use the verb 'spend', according to the subject)
(c) Travelling alone was a big adventure for Valli. (Identify whether the underlined word is a Gerund or Participle)
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the incorrect words and the correction in your answer sheet. (1 × 4 = 4)
| Text | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. Valli were an eight-year-old girl. | were | was |
| (a) She have a strong desire to ride a bus. | ______ | ______ |
| (b) She saves money for many months. | ______ | ______ |
| (c) The bus journey was very excited for her. | ______ | ______ |
| (d) She sees a dead cow on her return. | ______ | ______ |
5. Rearrange the following words/phrases into meaningful sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
(a) dreams / pursue / should / children / their
Answer: _________________________________________________
(b) curiosity / is / learning / foundation / the / of
Answer: _________________________________________________
(c) adventures / small / lessons / teach / big
Answer: _________________________________________________
(d) innocence / childhood / precious / is / a / time / of
Answer: _________________________________________________
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INTEGRATED GRAMMAR WORKSHEET 2
Based on: Madam Rides the Bus
Time: 45 minutes | Marks: 18
Name: ________________________ Class: X Roll No: ____
© englishwithmrk.co.in | Practice exercises with detailed explanations
1. Read the conversation between Valli and the elderly woman. Then report it by completing the sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
Woman: Are you all alone, dear?
Valli: Yes, I'm travelling by myself.
Woman: Don't you have anyone with you?
Valli: I don't need anyone. I can manage perfectly well.
An elderly woman showed concern for Valli. She asked Valli (a) __________________________________. Valli confirmed that (b) __________________________________. The woman further enquired (c) __________________________________. Valli replied assertively that (d) __________________________________ and she could manage perfectly well.
2. Choose the correct word from the options given to complete the following passage. (1 × 3 = 3)
Independence (a) __________ (build / builds / building / built) confidence in children. When kids (b) __________ (accomplish / accomplishes / accomplishing / accomplished) tasks alone, they feel proud. This achievement (c) __________ (strengthen / strengthens / strengthening / strengthened) their self-esteem.
3. Do as directed. (1 × 3 = 3)
(a) Parents __________ encourage children to be independent. (Modal: should / would / might)
(b) Neither the conductor nor the passengers __________ (was / were) aware of Valli's secret.
(c) The running cow delighted Valli. (Identify: Gerund or Participle)
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. (1 × 4 = 4)
| Text | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. The bus was a fascinating object. | (No error) | — |
| (a) Valli watches it every day from her door. | ______ | ______ |
| (b) She listens careful to the conversations. | ______ | ______ |
| (c) The fare was thirty paise one ways. | ______ | ______ |
| (d) She plan her journey very carefully. | ______ | ______ |
5. Rearrange the following words/phrases into meaningful sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
(a) determination / achieves / goals / helps / one
Answer: _________________________________________________
(b) planning / success / careful / to / leads
Answer: _________________________________________________
(c) experiences / shape / life / our / perspective
Answer: _________________________________________________
(d) reality / sometimes / harsh / be / can
Answer: _________________________________________________
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INTEGRATED GRAMMAR WORKSHEET 3
Based on: Madam Rides the Bus
Time: 45 minutes | Marks: 18
Name: ________________________ Class: X Roll No: ____
© englishwithmrk.co.in | Comprehensive practice materials
1. Read the conversation between Valli's mother and the neighbor and report it by completing the sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
Mother: Where has Valli gone?
Neighbor: I saw her standing at the door earlier.
Mother: Did she go out somewhere?
Neighbor: I'm not sure. She might have just been watching the street.
Valli's mother was looking for her daughter. She asked the neighbor (a) __________________________________. The neighbor informed her that (b) __________________________________ standing at the door earlier. The mother enquired (c) __________________________________. The neighbor said (d) __________________________________ but she might have just been watching the street.
2. Choose the correct word from the options given. (1 × 3 = 3)
Growing up (a) __________ (involve / involves / involving / involved) facing new realities. Children (b) __________ (learn / learns / learning / learned) from their experiences. These lessons (c) __________ (shape / shapes / shaping / shaped) their understanding of life.
3. Do as directed. (1 × 3 = 3)
(a) Children __________ be taught about life's realities gently. (Modal: should / would / might)
(b) Observation __________ important lessons to curious minds. (Use verb 'teach')
(c) Saving money requires patience. (Identify: Gerund or Participle)
4. Correct the errors in the following passage. (1 × 4 = 4)
| Text | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. The journey were memorable for Valli. | were | was |
| (a) She enjoy every moment of the ride. | ______ | ______ |
| (b) The scenery was beautiful but peaceful. | ______ | ______ |
| (c) The sight of the dead cow shocks her. | ______ | ______ |
| (d) She returns home with a heavy hearts. | ______ | ______ |
5. Rearrange the words/phrases into meaningful sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
(a) part / is / growing / of / up / learning
Answer: _________________________________________________
(b) death / is / life / reality / of / a
Answer: _________________________________________________
(c) maturity / experiences / bring
Answer: _________________________________________________
(d) journey / life / is / itself / a
Answer: _________________________________________________
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INTEGRATED GRAMMAR WORKSHEET 4
Based on: Madam Rides the Bus
Time: 45 minutes | Marks: 18
Name: ________________________ Class: X Roll No: ____
© englishwithmrk.co.in | Expert-designed assessment materials
1. Read the conversation and complete the reported speech. (1 × 4 = 4)
Teacher: What did you learn from Valli's story?
Student: I learned that determination helps us achieve our dreams.
Teacher: What else did the story teach you?
Student: It showed me that life has both joy and sadness.
A teacher was discussing the lesson with a student. The teacher asked the student (a) __________________________________ from Valli's story. The student replied that (b) __________________________________ helped them achieve their dreams. The teacher asked (c) __________________________________. The student answered that (d) __________________________________ life had both joy and sadness.
2. Choose the correct word to complete the passage. (1 × 3 = 3)
Self-reliance (a) __________ (is / are / was / were) an important quality. Young people (b) __________ (benefit / benefits / benefiting / benefited) from developing independence. This skill (c) __________ (prepare / prepares / preparing / prepared) them for life's challenges.
3. Do as directed. (1 × 3 = 3)
(a) We __________ respect children's desire for independence. (Modal: must / might / would)
(b) Each of Valli's observations __________ (was / were) carefully noted.
(c) The dying cow was a shocking sight. (Identify: Gerund or Participle)
4. Identify and correct the errors. (1 × 4 = 4)
| Text | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. Valli was a intelligence girl. | intelligence | intelligent |
| (a) She had plan her trip very carefully. | ______ | ______ |
| (b) The conductor was amuse by her behavior. | ______ | ______ |
| (c) She refuse to get down at the town. | ______ | ______ |
| (d) The experience teaches her about life. | ______ | ______ |
5. Rearrange into meaningful sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
(a) independence / confidence / builds
Answer: _________________________________________________
(b) valuable / experiences / teach / lessons
Answer: _________________________________________________
(c) joy / sadness / life / contains / and / both
Answer: _________________________________________________
(d) understanding / brings / maturity
Answer: _________________________________________________
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INTEGRATED GRAMMAR WORKSHEET 5
Based on: Madam Rides the Bus
Time: 45 minutes | Marks: 18
Name: ________________________ Class: X Roll No: ____
© englishwithmrk.co.in | Final comprehensive assessment
1. Read and report the conversation. (1 × 4 = 4)
Parent: Why do children need to learn through experience?
Teacher: Experience teaches lessons that cannot be learned from books alone.
Parent: Should we let children face difficulties?
Teacher: Yes, but we should guide them so they learn safely.
A parent was discussing education with a teacher. The parent asked (a) __________________________________. The teacher explained that (b) __________________________________ that could not be learned from books alone. The parent further asked (c) __________________________________. The teacher agreed but added that (d) __________________________________ so they learned safely.
2. Choose the correct word. (1 × 3 = 3)
Dreams (a) __________ (motivate / motivates / motivating / motivated) children to achieve goals. When kids (b) __________ (pursue / pursues / pursuing / pursued) their dreams, they grow. This growth (c) __________ (transform / transforms / transforming / transformed) them into confident individuals.
3. Do as directed. (1 × 3 = 3)
(a) Children __________ be given opportunities to explore the world. (Modal: must / might / would)
(b) Courage __________ from facing our fears. (Use verb 'come')
(c) Achieving goals brings satisfaction. (Identify: Gerund or Participle)
4. Correct the errors. (1 × 4 = 4)
| Text | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. This story have an important message. | have | has |
| (a) It shows how determination help us succeed. | ______ | ______ |
| (b) Valli's journey was both excited and sad. | ______ | ______ |
| (c) She learns that life has many surprise. | ______ | ______ |
| (d) The story teach valuable life lessons. | ______ | ______ |
5. Rearrange into meaningful sentences. (1 × 4 = 4)
(a) shape / experiences / childhood / us
Answer: _________________________________________________
(b) wisdom / brings / time / with
Answer: _________________________________________________
(c) precious / moments / are / simple
Answer: _________________________________________________
(d) innocence / cherish / should / we / childhood
Answer: _________________________________________________
Answer Keys with Marking Scheme
🔐 Complete Answer Keys Available
Detailed solutions • Step-by-step explanations • Marking scheme
Access at englishwithmrk.co.inSample Answers: Worksheet 1
Exercise 1: Reported Conversation
(a) where she was going [1]
(b) she was going to the town [1]
(c) if she was travelling alone / whether she was travelling alone [1]
(d) she was not a child [1]
Exercise 2: Choose Correct Word
(a) is [1]
(b) observe [1]
(c) leads [1]
Exercise 3: Do As Directed
(a) should [1]
(b) spent [1]
(c) Gerund [1]
Exercise 4: Error Correction
(a) Incorrect: have | Correct: had [1]
(b) Incorrect: saves | Correct: saved [1]
(c) Incorrect: excited | Correct: exciting [1]
(d) Incorrect: sees | Correct: saw [1]
Exercise 5: Rearrange Sentences
(a) Children should pursue their dreams. [1]
(b) Curiosity is the foundation of learning. [1]
(c) Small adventures teach big lessons. [1]
(d) Childhood is a precious time of innocence. [1]
📥 Download Complete Answer Keys for All 5 Worksheets at englishwithmrk.co.in
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