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I. Chapter Summary

“Madam Rides the Bus” by Vallikkannan is a touching story of Valli, an eight-year-old girl who is curious, observant, and independent. Living in a village, she is fascinated by the bus journey that passes her house every day. One day, she decides to ride the bus all by herself to explore the outside world. Her excitement, confidence, and innocence shine as she interacts with co-passengers and enjoys the ride. However, on the return journey, she sees a dead cow on the road—an animal she had admired earlier—and the incident jolts her emotionally, giving her a glimpse into life’s reality. The story ends with Valli silently processing her first encounter with the harsh truth of life and death.

II. Key Concepts Covered

Concept	Explanation
Childhood Curiosity	Valli’s deep interest in exploring and understanding the world.
Independence & Confidence	Valli plans and executes her solo journey without help.
Innocence vs Reality	The contrast between her excitement and the shock of seeing death.
Coming-of-Age Moment	The journey becomes a metaphor for growth and maturity.
Observation & Sensitivity	Valli notices minute details and processes emotions deeply.

III. Important Questions

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. How old was Valli?
   • a) 6 years
   • b) 7 years
   • c) 8 years
   • d) 9 years
   •  Answer: c) 8 years
2. What fascinated Valli most about the bus?
   • a) Its speed
   • b) The color
   • c) The passengers
   • d) The journey it made every day
   •  Answer: d) The journey it made every day
3. Why didn’t Valli get off the bus at the town?
   • a) She was scared
   • b) She had no money
   • c) She only wanted to ride the bus, not explore the town
   • d) Her mother had warned her
   •  Answer: c) She only wanted to ride the bus, not explore the town
4. What changed Valli’s mood during her return journey?
   • a) Seeing the bus conductor laugh
   • b) Realizing she had no money left
   • c) Seeing the dead cow on the road
   • d) Remembering her mother
   •  Answer: c) Seeing the dead cow on the road

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks)

1. What did Valli find appealing about the bus ride? (PYQ – 2020)
2. How did Valli plan for her bus ride?
3. What incident affected Valli during her return journey? (PYQ – 2019)
4. How did Valli show her independence and determination?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

1. Describe Valli’s personality. How does her behavior reflect her maturity despite her age? (PYQ – 2021)
2. What does the story teach us about curiosity and real-life experiences?
3. How does the author use the bus journey as a metaphor for life and learning?
4. What role does the bus conductor play in the story?

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

1. What do you think Valli learned from seeing the dead cow? Can we call it a turning point in her journey?
2. If you were Valli, what would you do after returning home? Would you tell your family?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts

This is a narrative text, so no mathematical formulas are applicable. Key literary elements include:

• Narrative Style: Simple, third-person narration focusing on a child’s inner world.
• Tone: Light and humorous in the beginning; turns reflective and emotional.
• Themes: Growth, independence, life and death, curiosity.
• Character Sketch: Valli is curious, determined, observant, brave, and thoughtful.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026)

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026)

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
Madam Rides the Bus	6–8 marks	MCQs, Short Answer, Long Answer, HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Year	Marks	Question
2019	3	What incident shocked Valli during her journey?
2020	2	What fascinated Valli about the bus journey?
2021	5	What does Valli’s character teach us about determination and learning through experiences?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics

• Child Psychology: Understanding the inner world of children through observation.
• Decision-Making Skills: Valli’s planning reflects self-reliance and confidence.
• Public Transport Use: Highlights safety, planning, and behavior on public transport.
• Value Education: Encourages awareness about mortality and emotions like empathy and fear.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success

 Time Management

• Summarize each part of the story: Planning → Journey → Learning.
• Use diagrams to map character growth and emotional arc.

 Exam Preparation

• Prepare character sketch-based answers on Valli.
• Focus on theme-based questions: childhood, learning, life experiences.

 Stress Management

• Recall your own “first-time experiences” and reflect. Writing about them builds empathy and clarity.
• Discuss in groups: “Why do children ask so many questions?”

X. Career Guidance & Exploration

For Classes 9–10

Streams Overview:

• Arts: Psychology, literature, child development.
• Commerce: Communication skills and service sector understanding (e.g., transport industry).
• Science: Behavioral science and emotional intelligence.

Career Inspirations:

• Child Psychologist
• Travel Writer or Blogger
• Public Service Professional
• Educator / Social Worker

Exams and Opportunities:

• CBSE Expression Series
• NTSE
• Story Writing or Narration Competitions

XI. Important Notes

•  Always check ncert.nic.in and cbseacademic.nic.in for authentic syllabus updates.
•  Use this chapter to reflect on personal growth, observational skills, and early decision-making.
•  Practice writing from Valli’s point of view — creative tasks like diary entries enhance learning.