ବୋର୍ଡ ଅଫ୍ ସେକେଣ୍ଡାରୀ ଏଜୁକେସନ୍ (BSE Odisha) — ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅଧ୍ୟାୟ ମାଷ୍ଟର ନୋଟ୍ସ
ଶ୍ରେଣୀ: Class 9 | ବିଷୟ: English
ଅଧ୍ୟାୟ: Class9 Eng Ch14 The First Step
୧. ଅଧ୍ୟାୟର ସାରାଂଶ ଓ ମାଇଣ୍ଡ ମ୍ୟାପ୍ (Mind Map & Conceptual Architecture)
Chapter Summary:
"The First Step" is a poignant story that highlights the importance of girls' education and the impact of individual kindness. The protagonist, Ammu, is a ten-year-old motherless girl living with her father, Chellappa, and younger brother, Chinni. Chellappa, a watchman, holds a traditional view that girls' education is useless and prioritizes Chinni's schooling, intending to send Ammu to work as a maid for the new owner of the big house. Ammu, despite her father's uncaring attitude, secretly yearns for education, showing keen interest in books.
The new owner, Mrs. Mohan, is a kind, empathetic, and retired headmistress. She quickly notices Ammu's intelligence and her suppressed desire to learn. Initially, Mrs. Mohan offers to pay Ammu's school fees, but Chellappa, driven by his rigid beliefs and perhaps pride, refuses. Undeterred, Mrs. Mohan devises an alternative plan: she offers to teach Ammu herself every day after Ammu finishes her chores. Ammu, overjoyed by this unexpected opportunity, eagerly accepts. The story concludes with Ammu taking her "first step" towards education, learning the alphabet from Mrs. Mohan, filled with happiness and hope for a brighter future. The narrative underscores the societal challenge of gender discrimination in education and presents empathy and individual action as powerful solutions.
Core Objectives & Themes:
Conceptual Architecture (Mind Map - Textual Representation):
୨. ମୁଖ୍ୟ ବିଷୟବସ୍ତୁ, ସିଦ୍ଧାନ୍ତ ଓ ଗାଣିତିକ ସୂତ୍ରାବଳୀ (Comprehensive Theory & Formulas)
Comprehensive Analysis of the Text: "The First Step"
This section delves deeper into the narrative, characters, themes, and literary aspects of the story "The First Step."
2.1 Introduction to the Story:
"The First Step" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story that addresses a critical social issue: the disparity in educational opportunities between boys and girls, particularly in underprivileged communities. Set against a backdrop of traditional beliefs and economic hardship, the story beautifully illustrates how empathy, determination, and individual initiative can pave the way for positive change. It champions the cause of "Education for all," especially for girl-children, who are often denied this fundamental right.
2.2 Character Analysis:
2.3 Themes Explored:
2.4 Literary Devices:
2.5 Vocabulary / Glossary (from textbook and additional important words):
୩. ପାଠ୍ୟପୁସ୍ତକ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନାବଳୀର ୧୦୦% ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସମାଧାନ (100% Complete Solved Exercises)
B. The Text - I
Q1. Who are the characters in this part of the story?
Ans: The main characters introduced in this part of the story are Ammu, her father Chellappa, and her younger brother Chinni.
Q2. Describe Ammu's house and family.
Ans: Ammu lived in a single room located in the servant's quarters of the big house on the hill. Her father, Chellappa, worked as the watchman of this big house. Ammu was motherless, and she had a younger brother named Chinni. The family was poor, and Ammu was burdened with household chores from a young age.
Q3. Who was Chellappa? What did he tell Ammu?
Ans: Chellappa was Ammu's father and the watchman at the big house on the hill. He told Ammu that the new owner of the house would be arriving soon. He had already suggested Ammu's name to the new owner to work as a reliable maid there, implying that Ammu would be employed for domestic work.
Q4. Did Ammu want to go to school? How did her father react to Ammu's wish to go to school?
Ans: Yes, Ammu wanted to go to school. She explicitly asked, "What about me? I would like to go to school too!" Her father reacted curtly and dismissively. He retorted, "You are only a girl. Of what use will education be to you? You will get married even before you finish the third grade! Chinni will get a good job if he is educated." This shows his strong belief that girls' education was useless.
Q5. Do you think Ammu's father would send her to school?
Ans: No, based on his statements and attitude, Ammu's father would not send her to school. He clearly stated his belief that education was of no use to a girl and that her destiny was marriage, not a career. He prioritized Chinni's education for a future job, indicating his gender-biased perspective.
B. The Text - II
Q1. Who was the new owner of the house? What was she like?
Ans: The new owner of the house was Mrs. Mohan. She was a slim, grey-haired lady, dressed in a spotless white saree. She was a widow and had a married daughter who lived in Bombay. She appeared to be a kind and observant person, as she greeted Ammu warmly and later noticed her interest in books.
Q2. What did Ammu do at Mrs. Mohan's house the next morning?
Ans: The next morning, Ammu went to Mrs. Mohan's house. Mrs. Mohan greeted her and offered her a glass of tea before she started work. Ammu then washed the few vessels she found in the sink. After that, she took up the duster and went to the drawing-room to dust everything, as Mrs. Mohan had instructed.
Q3. What drew Ammu like a magnet? What did she do then? Why?
Ans: The bookcase in the drawing-room drew Ammu like a magnet. She was deeply fascinated by the books. She then fingered the books lovingly and gazed at the pictures in one of them. This happened because Ammu had a strong, unfulfilled desire to learn and read, which her father had denied her. The books represented a world of knowledge she longed to access.
Q4. Mrs. Mohan asked Ammu if she wanted to go to school. Did she say anything about her brother?
Ans: Yes, Mrs. Mohan asked Ammu gently, "Don't you also want to go to school?" Yes, Ammu did say something about her brother. She mentioned, "Appa is sending Chinni to school from next week," with a tremor in her voice, highlighting the contrast between her brother's opportunity and her own denial.
Q5. What did Ammu say to Mrs. Mohan?
Ans: Ammu replied to Mrs. Mohan without emotion, stating, "Appa says it will be of no use to me as I am a girl. If Chinni is educated, it will help him to get a job." After expressing her father's views, she then asked, "Shall I go and wash the clothes?" This showed her resignation to her fate and her readiness to perform her duties.
Q6. Will Mrs. Mohan help her to go to school?
Ans: Yes, Mrs. Mohan will definitely help Ammu go to school. Her kind and empathetic nature, coupled with her background as a retired headmistress, indicates her strong belief in education and her willingness to support Ammu's aspirations. She later devises a plan to teach Ammu herself.
B. The Text - III
Q1. What important event took place in the last part of the story?
Ans: The most important event that took place in the last part of the story was Mrs. Mohan's decision to personally teach Ammu the alphabet every day after her chores. This marked Ammu's "first step" towards her goal of education, filling her with immense happiness and hope.
Q2. What did Mrs. Mohan plan to help Ammu?
Ans: Mrs. Mohan initially planned to help Ammu by offering to pay her school fees. However, when Ammu's father refused this offer, Mrs. Mohan came up with another plan. Being a retired headmistress, she decided to teach Ammu herself every day after Ammu finished her chores, for as long as Ammu wished to learn.
Q3. Why was Ammu not ready to accept Mrs. Mohan's help to begin with?
Ans: Ammu was not ready to accept Mrs. Mohan's help to begin with because she was convinced that her father would never agree to her going to school. She also worried about who would perform her household duties, such as cooking for her father and brother, if she were to attend school. Her father's rigid views and her sense of responsibility made her hesitant.
Q4. What was the next plan that Mrs. Mohan had?
Ans: The next plan that Mrs. Mohan had was to personally teach Ammu. Since she was a retired headmistress, she offered to teach Ammu every day after Ammu completed her chores, for as long as Ammu wanted to learn. This was a direct and practical solution to Ammu's desire for education.
Q5. What made Ammu happy at the end?
Ans: Ammu was made happy at the end by Mrs. Mohan's offer to teach her personally. This meant she could finally begin her journey of learning and achieve her long-cherished dream of getting an education. Her eyes shone with joy, and she eagerly begged to start learning that very day.
Q6. What was Ammu's first step towards her goal?
Ans: Ammu's first step towards her goal was when Mrs. Mohan began teaching her the alphabet. This marked the actual commencement of her education, which she had yearned for, and set her on the path to literacy and a brighter future.
Glossary:
E. ACTIVITY :
I. Read the following jumbled sentences and arrange them in proper order to get the story.
Original Jumbled Sentences:
1) Mrs Mohan, the new owner knew about Ammu's desire to study.
2) Mrs Mohan realized the cause of Ammu's unhappiness and thought of starting a small school for unfortunate girls.
3) Ammu, a ten-year-old motherless girl, lived with her father and little brother, Chinni.
4) Mrs Mohan told Ammu that she will help Ammu go to school.
5) In the end Mrs. Mohan taught her the alphabet and Ammu went home happily.
6) Ammu was very eager to go to school like her brother.
7) Chellappa, her father wanted her to work as a maid in the new owner's house to get money for Chinni's study.
Correct Order of Sentences:
1. Ammu, a ten-year-old motherless girl, lived with her father and little brother, Chinni.
2. Chellappa, her father wanted her to work as a maid in the new owner's house to get money for Chinni's study.
3. Ammu was very eager to go to school like her brother.
4. Mrs Mohan, the new owner knew about Ammu's desire to study.
5. Mrs Mohan realized the cause of Ammu's unhappiness and thought of starting a small school for unfortunate girls.
6. Mrs Mohan told Ammu that she will help Ammu go to school.
7. In the end Mrs. Mohan taught her the alphabet and Ammu went home happily.
II. Arrange the statements in Column A in order as they appear in the story. Next match those with the characters in column B.
Column A Statements:
a) I have a younger brother.
b) I do not need your help today.
c) The money will be useful.
d) My father will never agree.
e) I shall teach you everyday.
f) I want to talk to you.
g) I will be busy all day at the big house.
h) It will help him to get a job.
Column B Characters:
a) Chellappa
b) Ammu
c) Mrs. Mohan
Arranged Order and Matching:
1. f) I want to talk to you. — Chellappa (a)
2. c) The money will be useful. — Chellappa (a)
3. a) I have a younger brother. — Ammu (b)
4. h) It will help him to get a job. — Chellappa (a)
5. g) I will be busy all day at the big house. — Chellappa (a)
6. b) I do not need your help today. — Mrs. Mohan (c)
7. d) My father will never agree. — Ammu (b)
8. e) I shall teach you everyday. — Mrs. Mohan (c)
III. Read the following main ideas of the story, “The first step" and put them, in the appropriate boxes of the ‘Flow Chart'.
Main Ideas Provided:
Flow Chart:
1. Chellappa's decision to send Chinni to school and Ammu to be a maid.
↓
2. Ammu's wish to go to school like his brother, Chinni.
↓
3. Mrs Mohan's realisation about Ammu's interest for study.
↓
4. Mrs Mohan's interest and thought to open a school for unfortunate girls like Ammu.
↓
5. Mrs Mohan's final decision to teach Ammu and beginning of Ammu's 'Alphabet learning'.
IV. Column ‘A' below names the important characters in the story. And column 'B' lists some words and phrases which describe them. Will you match each character with the words/phrases that describe it. One is done for you.
Column A:
1. Chellappa
2. Ammu
3. Mrs Mohan
Column B:
poor, polite, widow, motherless girl, old, watchman, owner, kind, helping, uncaring, maid, slim, love for books, a young girl, educated, illiterate, servant, grey haired.
Matching:
1. Chellappa: poor, watchman, uncaring, illiterate (implied), servant (by profession).
2. Ammu: poor, motherless girl, maid, love for books, a young girl, illiterate (initially), servant (by profession).
3. Mrs Mohan: polite, widow, owner, kind, helping, slim, grey haired, educated (retired headmistress), old (implied by grey hair).
Refined and Distinct Matching:
1. Chellappa: poor, watchman, uncaring.
2. Ammu: motherless girl, maid, love for books, a young girl, illiterate.
3. Mrs Mohan: polite, widow, owner, kind, helping, slim, grey haired, educated.
D. WRITING :
Q1. Who was Chellappa? What did he want Ammu to do?
Ans: Chellappa was Ammu's father and worked as the watchman at the big house on the hill. He was a man with traditional views who believed that education was not meant for girls. He wanted Ammu to work as a maid for the new owner of the big house. His intention was to use the money Ammu earned to fund his son Chinni's education, as he believed Chinni's schooling would secure a good job for him in the future.
Q2. Why was Ammu unhappy? Who made her happy?
Ans: Ammu was unhappy because her father, Chellappa, refused to send her to school. She longed to receive an education like her younger brother, Chinni, but her father's uncaring attitude and belief that girls' education was useless deeply saddened her. Mrs. Mohan, the new owner of the big house, made Ammu happy. By offering to personally teach Ammu the alphabet after her chores, Mrs. Mohan provided Ammu with the opportunity to learn, which was her deepest desire.
Q3. Collect information about Mrs. Mohan from the story and write a paragraph about her.
Ans: Mrs. Mohan was the new owner of the big house on the hill. She was described as a slim, grey-haired lady, a widow with a married daughter living in Bombay. More importantly, she was a retired headmistress, which explained her deep understanding of and commitment to education. Mrs. Mohan was a kind, empathetic, and observant individual. She quickly noticed Ammu's intelligence and her hidden desire to learn. Demonstrating great social responsibility, she not only offered to pay Ammu's school fees but, when that was rejected, she took the initiative to teach Ammu herself, becoming a beacon of hope and opportunity for the young girl.
Q4. Which character do you like the most? Why?
Ans: I like Mrs. Mohan the most in the story. Her character embodies kindness, empathy, and proactive social responsibility. Unlike Ammu's father, who held regressive views on girls' education, Mrs. Mohan immediately recognized Ammu's potential and her yearning for knowledge. Her willingness to go out of her way, first by offering financial support and then by personally dedicating her time to teach Ammu, is truly inspiring. She represents the positive impact an individual can have in challenging societal norms and providing opportunities to the underprivileged, making her a truly admirable character.
Q5. Write a paragraph on Ammu's future.
Ans: Ammu's future, which initially seemed bleak and confined to domestic servitude, now holds immense promise and hope. With Mrs. Mohan, a retired headmistress, personally taking on the responsibility of teaching her, Ammu will gain literacy and knowledge. This "first step" will not only equip her with foundational education but also instill confidence and a sense of self-worth. As she learns, Ammu will be empowered to make informed choices, potentially pursue further education, and eventually secure a respectable job. Her future is no longer predetermined by her gender or poverty; instead, it is now a path towards self-reliance, breaking the cycle of illiteracy and gender discrimination, and possibly becoming an inspiration for other girls in similar situations.
Q6. How did the writer indicate the serious social problem and suggest solution to it?
Ans: The writer indicated the serious social problem of gender discrimination in education primarily through the character of Chellappa. His dismissive remarks like, "You are only a girl. Of what use will education be to you? You will get married even before you finish the third grade!" clearly highlight the prevalent societal prejudice against educating girls. He openly prioritizes his son's education for a job, while seeing his daughter's role as purely domestic.
The solution to this problem is suggested through the character and actions of Mrs. Mohan. Her empathy, wisdom as a retired headmistress, and her unwavering commitment to Ammu's education serve as the proposed solution. By first offering to pay fees and then personally teaching Ammu, Mrs. Mohan demonstrates that individual initiative, kindness, and a belief in equal opportunities can effectively challenge and overcome deeply ingrained social barriers. The story advocates for "Education for all" and emphasizes that compassionate intervention can transform lives and foster societal progress.
୪. ବୋର୍ଡ ପରୀକ୍ଷା ମାଷ୍ଟ୍ରି ଟିପ୍ସ ଓ ସାଧାରଣ ଭୁଲ୍ (Board Exam Tips & Pitfalls)
Board Exam Mastery Tips for English (The First Step):
1. Thorough Reading and Understanding: Read the story multiple times. Understand the plot, characters, setting, and the central message. Don't just skim through; try to visualize the events.
2. Character Analysis: Pay close attention to each character's traits, motivations, and development. For instance, understand why Chellappa behaves the way he does, what Ammu truly desires, and what makes Mrs. Mohan a pivotal character. Be prepared to write character sketches.
3. Theme Identification: Clearly identify the main themes of the story, such as the importance of girls' education, gender discrimination, empathy, and social responsibility. Be ready to explain how these themes are portrayed.
4. Vocabulary and Expressions: Note down new words and phrases from the text and understand their meanings and usage. This will help you answer vocabulary-based questions and enrich your own writing.
5. Comprehension Questions Practice: Practice answering all types of comprehension questions (who, what, when, where, why, how). Ensure your answers are complete, relevant, and directly address the question asked.
6. Paragraph Writing Skills: For "Writing" section questions, practice writing coherent and well-structured paragraphs. Start with a topic sentence, provide supporting details from the story, and conclude effectively.
7. Story Sequencing: Be able to recall the sequence of events accurately. This is crucial for questions like arranging jumbled sentences or filling flow charts.
8. Connecting to Real Life: Think about how the story relates to real-world issues. This will help you answer questions that ask for your opinion or how the writer addresses social problems.
9. Grammar and Sentence Structure: Pay attention to correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence construction. Clear and grammatically correct answers fetch more marks.
10. Time Management: During the exam, allocate time wisely to each section. Don't spend too much time on one question.
100/100 Scoring Secrets:
Common Student Errors and How to Avoid Them:
1. Incomplete Answers: Students often answer only part of a multi-part question.
2. Copying Directly from Text: Instead of rephrasing in their own words, students sometimes copy sentences verbatim.
3. Grammatical and Spelling Mistakes: Common errors in English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
4. Misinterpreting Character Motivations: Not understanding why a character acts in a certain way.
5. Lack of Structure in Paragraphs: Answers are often a jumble of sentences without a clear flow.
6. Confusing Events or Characters: Mixing up who said what or what happened when.
7. Not Answering "Why" Questions Adequately: Providing a "what" answer instead of a "why" explanation.
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(ନୋଟ୍ସ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି: ଉତ୍କଳ ସ୍କିଲ୍ ସେଣ୍ଟର - BSE Odisha 100% Full Textbook Master Edition)
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