This MCQ module is based on: Reading Comprehension — Text I: Pedalling Through the Golden Years
TOPIC 7 OF 9
Reading Comprehension — Text I: Pedalling Through the Golden Years
🎓 Class 10
English
CBSE
Theory
Ch 7 — Unit 7 — Mijbil the Otter
⏱ ~26 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]
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Pre-Reading Warm-Up — Unit 7: Madam Rides the Bus
Valli, an eight-year-old girl, saves money secretly and takes a solo bus ride. This unit also features a retired couple cycling across Uttarakhand and a poem about the joy of cycling downhill. Themes: freedom, curiosity, the joy of movement, and the responsibilities that come with freedom.
Recall: On Valli's outward journey, what exciting things did she see? Was the return journey equally exciting? Why not?
Connect: Have you ever undertaken an adventurous journey — by bicycle, boat, bus, or on foot? What made it special or difficult?
Predict: A 65-year-old woman goes cycling across Uttarakhand. What challenges might she face? What rewards might make it worthwhile?
Idiom: "Turn a blind eye" means to ignore something deliberately. When might someone turn a blind eye to child safety?
On Valli's journeys: Going: she saw the bus overtaking a buffalo, a canal, palmyra trees, mountains, and a young cow running ahead. Return: the same cow lay dead by the roadside — the joy turned to sadness. The world can be beautiful and terrible at the same moment.
The cycling passage celebrates post-retirement adventure, showing that age is no barrier to discovery. The 100km trail through Dehradun to George Everest point shows that "the heart with a mighty lift / Makes the lungs laugh."
The cycling passage celebrates post-retirement adventure, showing that age is no barrier to discovery. The 100km trail through Dehradun to George Everest point shows that "the heart with a mighty lift / Makes the lungs laugh."
Reading Comprehension — Text I: Pedalling Through the Golden Years
1At a time when our peers were slowing down, relaxing and watching sunsets from their front porch, Vishav Driman and her husband Kamal Jeet found a new passion — cycling. They began with short daily rides, falling deeper in love with the sport and with the idea of discovering a world they had always been part of but never had time to explore.
2There were obvious health concerns — the risk of performing a physically strenuous activity at high altitude was the most obvious. But having lived in Dehradun their entire lives, they were acclimatised to the cold winds and narrow winding roads. Short rides extended to longer ones. Soon, encouragement from family and neighbours sparked a bold thought — was it possible to cycle across the entire state? It seemed daunting, but they decided to try.
3In Vishav's view, few experiences match cycling for appreciating the beauty of Uttarakhand. Sunlight filtering through trees, a cool breeze caressing your face, Imagery breathtaking views of sal forests spread like a green cover on the mountains Simile — the experience is truly inexplicable.
4Of all their trails, one holds a special place. Starting from Ghanta Ghar in Dehradun, the route passed through Kimadi, Hathi Paon, Mussoorie, and Chaar Dukaan, up to George Everest Point. This approximately 100-km ride encapsulates everything a cyclist could want: steep slopes, sharp curves, endless hills, lush forests, and off-road experiences.
Adapted from: 'Pedalling Through the Golden Years' by Vishav Driman, India Travel360
Look Up and Understand — Cycling Passage Vocabulary
strenuousAdjective
Requiring great physical effort; demanding; vigorous
"Cycling at high altitude is a strenuous activity even for younger people."
acclimatisedVerb (past)
Become accustomed to a new climate, altitude, or environment
"Having lived in Dehradun all their lives, they were acclimatised to the thin mountain air."
extendedVerb (past)
Became longer, larger, or greater in degree
"Short daily rides extended to all-day adventures across the state."
dauntingAdjective
Seeming difficult enough to discourage; intimidating but not impossible
"Cycling 100km through mountain terrain seemed daunting at first."
inexplicableAdjective
Unable to be explained or accounted for; beyond words
"The joy of cycling through sal forests is truly inexplicable — words cannot capture it."
encapsulatesVerb
Contains or expresses the essential nature of something in a small space
"This single 100km route encapsulates everything Uttarakhand has to offer a cyclist."
Questions — Cycling in Uttarakhand
Q.1 What is the meaning of "when our peers were slowing down, relaxing and watching sunsets from their front porch"? In what context has the author used it?
The expression means "when people their age were settling into comfortable, passive retirement activities." The author uses it as a contrast — to highlight that while most retired people were winding down, Vishav and Kamal chose to launch a physically demanding, adventurous new chapter. It establishes that their decision was unconventional and inspiring, defying the stereotypes of old age.
Q.2 What made Vishav and her husband confident enough to venture across Uttarakhand on bicycles?
Their confidence came from several factors: (1) they had lived in Dehradun their entire lives and were physically acclimatised to the altitude, cold winds, and narrow mountain roads; (2) they were familiar with most of the scenic mountain trails in the state; (3) they had built up fitness gradually through months of progressive cycling — short rides first, then longer ones. This systematic preparation, combined with local knowledge, gave them the assurance to attempt the full state-crossing adventure.
Q.3 What was the strong passion that prompted the retired couple to take up this adventurous journey?
Their passion was not just cycling as a sport, but the deeper idea of rediscovering a world they had always lived in but never fully explored. Cycling gave them the time, pace, and closeness to nature that busy working life had denied them. As Vishav says, they fell in love with "the very idea of discovering a world we had always been a part of, but never had the time to explore." The sport became a means of profound personal discovery.
Q.4 What, according to the author, is the most thrilling way to enjoy Uttarakhand? Why?
Vishav considers cycling the most thrilling way to experience Uttarakhand. She explains that the combination of physical immersion in the landscape — sunlight filtering through trees, cool breeze on your face, breathtaking views of sal forests spread like a green cover on the mountains — creates an experience that is "truly inexplicable." Unlike a car journey, cycling places you directly in nature; unlike trekking, it allows you to cover vast distances. The total sensory experience makes it unmatched.
Q.5 Which trail occupies a special place in the couple's heart?
The trail from Ghanta Ghar (Dehradun's famous clock tower) through Kimadi, Hathi Paon, Mussoorie, and Chaar Dukaan, ending at George Everest Point, holds a special place. At approximately 100km, it combines all the elements of a perfect mountain cycling experience — steep slopes, sharp curves, lush forests, and off-road sections — making it the most memorable of all their Uttarakhand routes.
Q.6 What are the expectations of a cyclist on a mountain adventure? Did Vishav and Kamal fulfil these expectations?
A cyclist's expectations from mountain adventure include: steep climbs that test endurance, sharp curves that demand skill, panoramic views that reward effort, immersion in natural forests, and off-road terrain for variety. Yes — the 100km George Everest trail delivered every one of these: "steep slopes, sharp curves, endless hills, lush forests, and off-road experiences." The passage confirms that their chosen trail encapsulated all that a cyclist could want from Uttarakhand.
Text II — Poem: Going Down Hill on a Bicycle (H.C. Beeching)
Stanza 1
With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.
Stanza 2
Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart with a mighty lift
Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:—
"O bird, see; see, bird, I fly."
Stanza 3
"Is this, is this your joy?
O bird, then I, though a boy,
For a golden moment share
Your feathery life in air!"
Stanza 4
Say, heart, is there aught like this
In a world that is full of bliss?
'Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.
Stanza 5
Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;
Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,
My feet to the treadles fall.
Stanza 6
Alas, that the longest hill
Must end in a vale; but still,
Who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er,
Shall find wings waiting there.
— Henry Charles Beeching
Poem Vocabulary — Look Up and Understand
poisedAdjective
Balanced and ready, with composure; suspended at a critical moment before action
"I am poised at the hilltop — perfectly balanced, ready to dart downward."
heedfulAdjective
Paying close, careful attention; alert and watchful
"He darts downhill with a heedful mind — alert to every curve and stone."
slackensVerb
Becomes slower, less taut, or less intense; eases off
"Speed slackens as the hill levels out and the bicycle begins to slow."
treadlesNoun
The pedals of a bicycle (archaic/poetic term)
"When the wheels scarce crawl, his feet fall back to the treadles."
valeNoun
A valley, especially a broad one (poetic term)
"The longest hill must end in a vale — every descent ends in a low point."
Questions — Going Down Hill on a Bicycle
Q.1 The poem describes the ___ of going downhill on a bicycle.
"Excitement" best captures the poem's dominant emotion — speed, the breathless cry, the heart lifting, the comparison to a bird in flight. "Enjoyment" is too mild; "happiness" and "satisfaction" don't capture the breathless thrill of velocity. The racing heart, the cry "I fly!", and the comparison to skating all point to intense, physical excitement.
Q.2 Which lines depict the freedom like that of a bird that the poet enjoys?
The lines that most powerfully depict bird-like freedom are:
"O bird, see; see, bird, I fly" (stanza 2)
"O bird, then I, though a boy, / For a golden moment share / Your feathery life in air!" (stanza 3)
These lines directly address a bird as an equal, claiming to share its aerial freedom for a "golden moment" — the bicycle's speed has given the boy the sensation of flight.
"O bird, see; see, bird, I fly" (stanza 2)
"O bird, then I, though a boy, / For a golden moment share / Your feathery life in air!" (stanza 3)
These lines directly address a bird as an equal, claiming to share its aerial freedom for a "golden moment" — the bicycle's speed has given the boy the sensation of flight.
Q.3 Which experience is the boy sharing with the bird? What is the "golden moment"?
The boy is sharing the experience of flight — the sensation of moving freely and swiftly through the air without apparent effort, unbound from the ground. The "golden moment" is the brief, perfect instant at maximum downhill speed when the bicycle seems to fly, when feet are lifted, hands are still, and the boy feels weightless and free as a bird. It is precious precisely because it is fleeting — soon the speed slackens and gravity reasserts itself.
Q.4 What does "full of bliss" mean? Can the boy find this kind of bliss in the world where he lives?
"Full of bliss" means full of complete, perfect happiness and joy. The boy questions whether anything in his ordinary world matches this feeling. The answer the poem implies is: rarely. The world he lives in is full of obligations, rules, and gravity — but on a bicycle going downhill, he can access a pure, unearned joy that surpasses even skating ("'Tis more than skating"). The moment of bicycling bliss is so rare and complete that it defines the highest joy available to him.
Q.5 What is the comparison in the third stanza?
Stanza 3 compares the boy on a bicycle to a bird in flight. The boy says he shares a bird's "feathery life in air" — even though he is a boy, not a bird, the downhill speed grants him the same freedom a bird has when it soars. This is a metaphor: the bicycle is not literally giving him wings, but the sensation of speed and weightlessness is so similar to flight that the comparison is emotionally true.
Q.6 What is the meaning of the last two lines? Does "toil" mean dedication and determination? What is the reward?
"Who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er, / Shall find wings waiting there."
These lines carry a moral beyond cycling: anyone who struggles uphill — whether literally or metaphorically, in any endeavour, anywhere ("wheresoe'er") — will be rewarded with the freedom and joy of the descent. Yes, "toil" means the hard work of climbing: dedication, determination, and physical struggle. The reward ("wings") is the freedom, exhilaration, and ease that follows effort — the downhill rush. The poem ends with a philosophical message: effort earns wings.
These lines carry a moral beyond cycling: anyone who struggles uphill — whether literally or metaphorically, in any endeavour, anywhere ("wheresoe'er") — will be rewarded with the freedom and joy of the descent. Yes, "toil" means the hard work of climbing: dedication, determination, and physical struggle. The reward ("wings") is the freedom, exhilaration, and ease that follows effort — the downhill rush. The poem ends with a philosophical message: effort earns wings.
Vocabulary — From 'Madam Rides the Bus'
Find words from the story 'Madam Rides the Bus' (First Flight, Class X) that match the following meanings:
(a) inquisitive — curious and eager to find out information
curious — Valli is described as having a "thirst" for new experiences, her eyes "drinking in" everything. Also accept: "fascinated" or "wonder-struck."
(b) intricate — complex, with many interrelated details
complex / elaborate — the elaborate ritual of gathering information before the trip: asking about the bus, fare, timing, distance — methodically piecing together an intricate plan.
(c) mesmerizing — capturing complete attention; hypnotically fascinating
fascinating / enthralling — the way Valli is described watching the highway, the fields, and especially the young cow running before the bus — she was completely absorbed, unable to look away.
(d) immense — extremely large; vast in size or degree
vast / enormous — used to describe the expanse of landscape visible from the bus window — the fields, mountains, and the horizon stretching out limitlessly before Valli's eyes.
(e) hardly — almost not at all; scarcely
scarcely / barely — Valli "could scarcely" reach the window; she "barely" reached the handrail — emphasising how small she is compared to the adult world around her.
Grammar — Phrasal Verbs
What is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is formed when a verb combines with a preposition or adverb (called a "particle") to create a new meaning. Example: pick up (find casually) is different from just "pick" or just "up".From 'Madam Rides the Bus': "She picked up various small details." / "I am the one to get on."
Common pattern: Verb (break, drive, get, fill, wake, turn) + Particle (out, down, off, on, in, up)
Common Phrasal Verbs — Reference Grid
turn on
to switch on / activate
"She turned on the light when it got dark."
wake up
to stop sleeping / rouse someone
"Do not wake up Ramesh — he slept late."
break down
to stop functioning (vehicle)
"The school bus broke down on the highway."
drive off
to leave in a vehicle
"They got in the car and drove off quickly."
get out
to exit a vehicle or place
"She hurt herself as she was getting out of the car."
fill in
to complete a form with information
"You have to fill in the application form yourself."
Exercise — Fill in the Blanks
Use a verb from Box A and a particle from Box B to make a correct phrasal verb. (A: break, drive, get, fill, wake, turn | B: out, down, off, on, in, up)
(a) It was evening. She ___ the light.
turned on → "She turned on the light." (switched on / activated the light)
(b) Do not ___ Ramesh. He was studying late last night.
wake up → "Do not wake up Ramesh." (rouse him from sleep)
(c) The school bus ___ and had to be towed to the garage for repair.
broke down → "The school bus broke down." (stopped working / malfunctioned)
(d) They got in the car and ___.
drove off → "They got in the car and drove off." (departed in the vehicle)
(e) She hurt herself as she was ___ of the car.
getting out → "She was getting out of the car." (exiting the vehicle)
(f) You have to ___ the form yourself.
fill in → "You have to fill in the form yourself." (complete all required sections of a form)
Editing — The Sundarbans
Add capital letters, full stops, and correct all spelling errors in the following paragraph.
An exciting boat journey gliding crosswise the river from Godkhali jetty will take to a place of incredible mystic beauty of Nature. The sundarbans a unesco World Heritage Site is located at the South eastern tip of the 24 Paraganas district about 110 km from Kolkata it got its name from one of the mangrov plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor) Sundrbans are a part of the world's largest delta, formed by the mighty rivers ganga, brahmaputra and meghna it is one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on earth, a truly undiscovered paradise the Sundarbans is the largest singl block of tidal, halophytic mangrove forests in the world. It is the largest tiger reserv and National Park apart from being a unique largest mangrove eco-system of the world, the sundarbns has the world's largest deltaic mangroove forests and is also home to one of India's most iconic wildlife species — the royal bengal Ttger. The Sundarbans also serves as a crusial protective barrier for the inhabitents in and around Kolkata against the floods that result from the cyclones which are a regular occurrence.
Corrections Applied:
Missing full stops added after: "...from Kolkata." | "...(Heritiera Minor)." | "...undiscovered paradise." | "...National Park."
| Error | Correction | Type |
|---|---|---|
| sundarbans | Sundarbans | Capital — proper noun |
| unesco | UNESCO | Acronym — all caps |
| mangrov | mangrove | Spelling error |
| Sundrbans | Sundarbans | Spelling error + capital |
| ganga, brahmaputra and meghna | Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna | Capitals — proper nouns |
| singl | single | Spelling error |
| reserv | reserve | Spelling error |
| sundarbns | Sundarbans | Spelling + capital |
| mangroove | mangrove | Spelling error |
| royal bengal Ttger | Royal Bengal Tiger | Capitals + spelling |
| crusial | crucial | Spelling error |
| inhabitents | inhabitants | Spelling error |
Missing full stops added after: "...from Kolkata." | "...(Heritiera Minor)." | "...undiscovered paradise." | "...National Park."
CBQ Practice
CBSE COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTION
"Swifter and yet more swift, / Till the heart with a mighty lift / Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry: — / 'O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.'" — H.C. Beeching
Q1 What does "the lungs laugh, the throat cry" suggest about the boy's experience? L4 Analyse
This is a beautiful example of personification and synesthesia — the poet gives human emotions to body parts. "Lungs laugh" suggests the exhilaration of breathing fast in sheer joy, the breathlessness of laughter. "Throat cry" suggests an involuntary exclamation — the speed is so thrilling the boy cannot help crying out. Together, these images convey that the experience is so intense and joyful that the boy's entire body responds with uncontrolled happiness. The physical sensation of speed becomes emotional rapture.
Q2 "Alas, that the longest hill / Must end in a vale." The poem ends with a philosophical thought. What is the poet saying about effort and reward? L5 Evaluate
The poet acknowledges a universal truth with the word "Alas" — even the most exhilarating journey must end; even the longest downhill rush ends in a valley. But the poem does not end in sadness. Instead, it turns the thought around: whoever climbs ("toils") up any hill, anywhere, will find wings — the joy of the downhill descent — waiting for them at the top. The message is that effort is always rewarded; every struggle earns its exhilaration. The "wings" are both literal (the bicycle's flight) and metaphorical (freedom, joy, achievement).
Q3 Compare Valli's bus ride and the boy's bicycle ride as experiences of freedom. What do they have in common? L6 Create
Both Valli and the boy in the poem experience a fierce, private joy of freedom through movement. Valli, like the boy, is young and constrained by adult rules — she had to save secretly and plan meticulously for her ride. Both experience the world with wide-open senses: Valli watches everything hungrily, the boy cries out in exhilaration. Both face the reality that such freedom is temporary — Valli must return home, the boy must slow down. And crucially, both are changed by the experience. The poem's philosophical ending echoes the story's moral: one must work and plan (toil) to earn the wings of freedom and experience.
Writing Tasks
Writing Task 1 — Debate: Child Safety vs. Freedom
In the story, an elderly woman and the conductor expressed concern about Valli travelling alone. Write a paragraph (150–200 words) giving your reasoned opinion on child safety vs. freedom to travel independently.
Debate Paragraph Structure
Position (1 sentence): State your view clearly
Argument 1 (2 sentences): Safety argument — with reason
Argument 2 (2 sentences): Freedom argument — with reason
Balance (2 sentences): Both concerns are valid because...
Conclusion (1–2 sentences): What is the right approach?
Sample — Safety and Freedom Are Both Essential
Children's safety is paramount, but age-appropriate independence is equally vital for their development. Valli's concerns — the elderly woman's worry and the conductor's question — are genuine: children can be vulnerable to strangers, unfamiliar situations, and unpredictable events. A child of eight travelling alone does face real risks that an adult can navigate more easily. However, complete overprotection stunts a child's ability to develop confidence, decision-making skills, and self-reliance. Valli's careful preparation — saving money, learning the route, timing the journey — shows remarkable maturity. Her curiosity and independence are qualities worth nurturing. The concern applies equally to boys and girls: both deserve guidance on how to travel safely, not prohibition from travelling at all. The right approach is to educate children about safety — recognising danger, asking for help, knowing emergency contacts — while gradually giving them the freedom to test their independence. Safety and freedom are not opposites; they are partners in raising capable, confident young people.
Writing Task 2 — Should Domestic Animals Be Let Loose on Roads?
On her return journey, Valli saw the young cow — which had given her such joy — lying dead by the roadside. Write a paragraph (150 words) on 'Should domestic animals be let loose to walk on roads where vehicles ply? Who is responsible for the death of the young cow?'
Sample — Straying Animals and Road Safety
The death of the young cow that had so delighted Valli on her outward journey is a poignant and deeply disturbing moment — not just emotionally, but because it highlights a preventable tragedy. Domestic animals should not be let loose on roads where vehicles travel at speed. Roads are built for vehicles; they are dangerous for animals that cannot understand traffic rules, respond to horns, or judge vehicle speed. The responsibility for the cow's death must be shared: primarily the animal's owner, who failed to secure it; and also local authorities, who fail to enforce rules against stray livestock on highways. In India, accidents involving stray animals cause thousands of deaths and injuries annually — to both humans and animals. Municipal authorities must enforce enclosure of livestock, especially near highways. While the cow represents the beauty of rural India, its death on the road represents a failure of civic responsibility that can and must be addressed.
FAQ
What is Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus about?
Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus is a lesson from the NCERT English textbook covering important literary and language concepts with vocabulary, literary devices, and exercises.
What vocabulary is in Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus?
Key vocabulary words from Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus are highlighted with contextual meanings and usage examples throughout the lesson.
What literary devices are in Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus?
Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus uses various literary devices including imagery, symbolism, and figurative language identified with coloured tags.
What exercises are in Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus?
Exercises include extract-based comprehension questions, grammar workshops, vocabulary activities, and writing tasks with model answers.
How does Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus help exam prep?
Unit 7 – Madam Rides the Bus includes CBSE-format questions and model answers following Bloom's Taxonomy levels L1-L6.
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