Class 12 English Short Stories Chapter 20 Janvi

The quiz on ICSE Class 12 English Short Stories – Chapter 20 “Janvi” is designed to help students recall, understand, and analyse the key themes, characters, and narrative developments of the story. It includes thoughtfully crafted questions that test comprehension, character motivation, moral implications, and the emotional depth portrayed in the chapter. Through this quiz, students will strengthen their grasp of important events, enhance critical thinking, and refine their ability to interpret literary elements such as tone, symbolism, and message. This engaging quiz aims to prepare learners thoroughly for exams while deepening their appreciation of the story’s underlying themes.

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Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

1. What does Sita’s statement about Ramappa being "like a prince" and "an incarnation of a god" reveal about her relationship with him?

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Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

2. Why did Javni's brother allow her to stay in a small hut despite his wife's continued torment?

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Category: Seeking Shelter

3. (A) Javni's brother reluctantly offers her shelter in the hut by the garden door to avoid quarrels and maintain familial peace.
(R) Javni's brother is concerned about the social stigma associated with widows and wants to ensure his household's reputation remains untarnished.

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Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

4. (A) Javni considered drowning herself in the river but refrained due to her fear of angering Goddess Talakamma.
(R) In Javni's culture, it was believed that drowning oneself would invoke the wrath of the river goddess, leading to eternal suffering.

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Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

5. (A) Javni refuses Ramu’s adoption joke because she believes accepting it would violate her vow to the goddess Talakamma.
(R) Javni views her hierarchical status as a servant of Ramu as divinely ordained, making adoption socially unacceptable.

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Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

6. What effect does the cart moving away have on the scene?

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Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

7. How long does a bottle of cooking oil last for Javni if it costs one anna?

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Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

8. Why does Javni attribute her survival to Goddess Talakamma?

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Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

9. How does Javni's belief in Goddess Talakamma influence her actions when facing mistreatment?

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Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

10. Who is Javni?

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Category: Seeking Shelter

11. Why does Javni’s brother initially refuse to provide her shelter?

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Category: Fear of Spirits

12. Why does Javni warn Ramappa against going out after sunset, especially near the canal?

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Category: Lamb for Talakamma

13. How does Javni perceive the relationship between Brahmins and people like herself in the social hierarchy?

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Category: Conditional Shelter

14. What is the protagonist's brother’s initial reaction to her arrival?

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Category: Javni’s Acceptance

15. In the context of caste-based eating practices, what would be the most significant barrier to Javni's acceptance in a conservative community?

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Category: Departure from Malkad

16. Why is the dried-up river significant to the story's emotional tone?

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Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

17. (A) Talakamma attributes her survival to external divine intervention.
(R) The narrative emphasizes devotion as a means to overcome hierarchical oppression.

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Category: Love for Brother’s Child

18. How does Javni's family view her relationship with her brother's child?

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Category: Caste and Social Inequality

19. In India, reservations in education and employment under Article 15 and Article 16 aim to address:

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Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

20. What was the immediate consequence when Javni\'s youngest brother-in-law beat her unconscious?

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Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

21. How did Javni's sister-in-law contribute to her misery?

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Category: Love for Brother’s Child

22. Why does Javni offer a lamb to Goddess Talakamma?

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Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

23. Why was Ramu respected in the village?

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Category: Seeking Shelter

24. How does the sister-in-law react when she finds out about the protagonist staying in the hut?

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Category: Awe of Ramu

25. What does Javni compare Ramu to in her admiration?

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Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

26. (A) Javni hides her face and appears timid when first encountered by the narrator.
(R) She expresses admiration for the narrator, calling him a "big man," suggesting respect for authority.

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Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

27. (A) Javni gazes at Ramu with reverence, calling him "prince" and "god".
(R) Javni deeply admires Ramu due to her religious devotion and emotional attachment.

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Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

28. How did Javni react when she first saw Ramu?

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Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

29. In traditional Indian society, what was a key ideological justification used to reinforce Brahmin superiority?

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Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

30. What does Javni's vow to offer a lamb to Goddess Talakamma signify in the context of her relationship with Ramappa?

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Category: Themes and Exam Focus

31. What type of question is most likely to assess higher-order thinking skills in an exam?

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Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

32. (A) Javni’s elder brother-in-law was taken away by a policeman because he was involved in gambling and drinking.
(R) The elder brother-in-law played cards and drank two days out of three.

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Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

33. Why does the brother allow the protagonist to use the hut by the garden door?

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Category: Emotional Parting

34. Why does the narrator say, "I myself should have wept, had I not been so civilized" during the farewell scene?

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Category: Continued Humiliation

35. What does the brother accuse the protagonist of bringing wherever she goes?

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Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

36. (A) Sita highly depends on Javni's companionship to cope with the isolation and fear during her husband's absence.
(R) Javni provides emotional support that Sita believes men, including her husband, cannot offer.

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Category: Narrator’s Return

37. What was the narrator's state of mind upon arriving in Malkad?

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Category: Narrator’s Return

38. How did the narrator's sister react when she saw Javni at the door?

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Category: Ramu’s Revolt

39. What is the caste of Ramappa as mentioned in the text?

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Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

40. (A) In the narrative, Javni is referred to as "Mother" by the narrator, indicating emotional closeness.
(R) Despite the emotional bond, Javni is not allowed to eat with the family due to caste restrictions.

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Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

41. How does Javni react when Ramu urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern?

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Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

42. What does Javni believe is the primary purpose of her ritual sacrifice of a lamb every three years?

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Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

43. (A) Javni believes that Goddess Talakamma protects her and blesses her with kindness from others, including Ramappa’s family.
(R) Javni declares, "Everything is hers. O Great Goddess Talakamma, give everybody good health and long life and all progeny! Protect me, Mother!"

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Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

44. Why does the protagonist refrain from suicide despite enduring abuse?

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Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

45. In what way does Javni demonstrate loyalty to the narrator’s family?

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Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

46. (A) Javni's devotion to Goddess Talakamma ensures prosperity for Ramappa because her offerings are solely intended for his benefit.
(R) Javni believes that the Goddess grants rewards such as prosperity and virtue to those who offer lambs to her.

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Category: Abuse and Ostracism

47. What stopped Javni from falling into the river when she felt hopeless?

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Category: Caste and Social Inequality

48. (A) The protagonist's sister refuses to eat with Javni because she believes it is irreligious to share meals with lower-caste individuals.
(R) Religious texts explicitly prohibit inter-caste dining, reinforcing caste hierarchy.

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Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

49. How does the river contribute to the mood of the farewell scene?

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Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

50. What underlying social issue is highlighted by the brother's wife calling Javni a "dirty widow" and accusing her of bringing misfortune?

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Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

51. Which villager describes Ramu as "A very god!"?

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Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

52. How does Javni’s brother and sister-in-law treat her?

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Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

53. How does the brother’s treatment of Javni reflect societal attitudes toward widows, and what specific restriction did he place on her stay?

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Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

54. How does Javni respond when Ramappa jokingly asks if she would give her savings to him?

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Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

55. In the conversation between Javni and Ramappa, how does Javni\'s description of Ramappa as a Brahmin reflect the theme of social hierarchy?

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Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

56. (A) The protagonist is forced to live in a small hut by the garden door as a condition for staying with her brother.
(R) Her brother’s wife accuses her of being an evil spirit and mistreats her.

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Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

57. Why does Javni choose to eat alone in the dark byre near the cow?

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Category: Javni’s Life Story

58. What was Javni’s father's occupation during the summer?

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Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

59. What does the pipal tree symbolize in the scene where Javni sits beneath it?

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Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

60. What does Javni do when Sita and Ramu are about to leave the village?

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Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

61. How much does Javni earn in two days?

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Category: Departure from Malkad

62. (A) Javni was deeply saddened by the departure of the family because they treated her with kindness and respect.
(R) The text describes Javni weeping uncontrollably as she bids farewell to the family, whom she refers to as "a family of gods."

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Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

63. What does Javni say while accepting her lower status in relation to Ramappa?

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Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

64. (A) Javni is admired in her village because she actively participates in village affairs and shows deep devotion to her family and Goddess Talakamma.
(R) Javni is known for gathering news about everyone in the village and demonstrating resilience through hardships while maintaining faith in Goddess Talakamma.

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Category: Javni’s Life Story

65. (A) Javni remained kind and showed enduring love for her family despite facing severe hardships.
(R) She saved money to buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child, reflecting her compassion.

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Category: Fear of Spirits

66. How does the village perceive Ramappa based on their comments about him?

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Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

67. Why does Ramappa tell Javni "In contact with a heart like yours, who would not bloom into a god?"

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Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

68. What was a key cultural conflict between colonial modernity and village traditions?

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Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

69. What was the occupation of Javni's husband in Malkad?

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Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

70. What does the sister's declaration, "They are of the lower class, and you cannot ask them to sit and eat with you," demonstrate about her perspective?

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Category: Abuse and Ostracism

71. What condition did Javni’s brother impose before allowing her to stay in the hut?

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Category: Seeking Shelter

72. (A) Javni's brother reluctantly allows her to stay in the hut by the garden door after she pleads for shelter.
(R) He agrees only because he fears her misfortune might affect his family if she is left without shelter.

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Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

73. (A) Javni continues to save treats for the four-year-old boy despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, showing her unconditional love.
(R) The child runs to Javni whenever the door is open because he recognizes her selfless affection towards him.

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Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

74. Among some traditional elites, family members eat separately despite close emotional ties. How does anthropology interpret this ritual distancing?

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Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

75. What does Javni plan to do with the money she saves?

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Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

76. Why did Javni offer a lamb to Goddess Talakamma every three years?

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Category: Mutual Affection

77. When disagreements arise in a relationship with Sita, which approach balances mutual affection and healthy conflict resolution?

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Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

78. According to the passage, what role does Javni play in Ramappa’s sister's life?

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Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

79. Why does Javni refuse to buy oil for cooking despite Ramappa's insistence?

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Category: Conditional Shelter

80. What does the hut by the garden door symbolize for the protagonist?

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Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

81. What was the first thing Ramu did upon arriving at Sita's house in Malkad?

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Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

82. What were the occupations of Javni's father?

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Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

83. How does Javni react when she finally enters the room?

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Category: Eating in the Byre

84. (A) Ramu protests against his sister's insistence that Javni cannot eat with them because she belongs to a lower caste.
(R) Ramu believes that caste should not determine eating practices and that Javni is no different from them.

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Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

85. (A) Colonial modernity introduced Western education in Indian villages primarily to promote rational thinking and scientific temper among rural populations.
(R) The colonial administration believed that modern education would lead to economic self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on British imports.

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Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

86. Why does Sita believe that men cannot understand her fears and beliefs as Javni does?

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Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

87. Why does Javni insist on eating in the dark byre despite Ramu's invitation?

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Category: Abuse and Ostracism

88. (A) Javni’s elder brother-in-law was arrested by the police because of her complaints.
(R) Javni faced severe abuse and ostracism from her family after her brother-in-law’s arrest, as they blamed her for his misfortune.

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Category: Fear of Spirits

89. (A) Javni warns Ramappa not to go out after sunset because she believes spirits roam in the dark.
(R) The canal is considered a haunted place, especially after the cows have gone home.

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Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

90. (A) Javni wanted to commit suicide but stopped herself because she feared Goddess Talakamma's anger.
(R) Javni believed that taking her own life would anger Goddess Talakamma.

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Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

91. According to Sita, how do women's perceptions differ from men's perceptions in the passage?

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Category: Emotional Parting

92. What does the narrator mean by saying, "In contact with a heart like yours, who would not bloom into a god?"

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Category: Caste and Social Inequality

93. Which term refers to the practice of discrimination based on caste that was constitutionally abolished in India?

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Category: Javni’s Acceptance

94. What does Javni refer to the Brahmins as in the text?

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Category: Conditional Shelter

95. (A) The brother allows the widow to stay in the hut by the garden door only if she promises not to quarrel with anyone.
(R) The brother is concerned about maintaining peace for the spirit of his father.

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Category: Mutual Affection

96. (A) Ram and Sita shared a deep emotional bond because of their mutual respect.

(R) Their relationship was built on trust and understanding.

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Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

97. Why does Javni refuse Ramappa's playful offer of adoption?

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Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

98. (A) Javni saved her meagre earnings to buy a sari for herself and a gift for her brother’s child, despite her poverty.
(R) Her frugality was driven by her deep love for her family and her willingness to endure hardship for their sake.

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Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

99. Why does Javni hesitate when Ramappa jokingly asks if she would adopt him?

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Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

100. What does Javni express about her brother’s child despite her impoverished condition?

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Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

101. What does Javni's willingness to give her savings to Ramappa if he asked reveal about her character?

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Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

102. What does Ramu argue about Javni's treatment by his sister Sita?

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Category: Continued Humiliation

103. How does Javni describe her treatment by her elder sister-in-law?

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Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

104. How does Javni perceive her relationship with Ramu and the Brahmins?

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Category: Farewell at the River

105. What was the main emotion experienced by Javni when the narrator's family was leaving?

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Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

106. (A) Javni continues to serve Sita's family despite being insulted and called a "dirty widow" by her in-laws.
(R) Javni is deeply devoted to Sita's family and finds solace in her love for them.

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Category: Emotional Parting

107. (A) Javni's uncontrollable weeping signifies her deep emotional attachment to the protagonist and his family.
(R) Javni had been dreading the day of departure for a full week, which intensified her sorrow during the farewell scene at the river.

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Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

108. Why might Javni follow the man past the pipal tree?

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Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

109. What does the dialogue between Sita and Javni reveal about their relationship?

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Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

110. What was the primary reason Javni refrained from committing suicide despite contemplating it multiple times?

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Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

111. What is a key characteristic of providing emotional support in a relationship?

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Category: Lamb for Talakamma

112. What does Javni believe the Goddess Talakamma provides her with?

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Category: Introduction of Javni

113. What kind of atmosphere is created by the sunbeams filtering through the tiles?

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Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

114. (A) Javni eats alone in the dark byre because of her lower caste status.
(R) The practice of untouchability prevents people from different castes from eating together.

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Category: Marriage and Widowhood

115. (A) Javni was married to a boy from Malkaḋ chosen by her family.
(R) Her husband was a washerman who washed clothes for the Maharaja.

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Category: Javni’s Acceptance

116. (A) Javni refuses to adopt Ramu despite his playful proposal, reinforcing her belief in rigid caste roles.

(R) She believes that Brahmins like Ramu are gods and cannot be adopted by lower-caste individuals, reflecting her internalized caste ideology.

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Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

117. (A) Javni and Sita share a relationship of mutual dependence and emotional intimacy.
(R) This is because Javni provides companionship to Sita during her husband's absences, and Sita acknowledges Javni as her only friend.

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Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

118. What does Sita imply about men's understanding of women according to the passage?

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Category: Eating in the Byre

119. Why does the sister refuse to let Javni eat with them in the main house despite claiming to love her like family?

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Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

120. (A) Javni's brother allowed her to stay in the hut by the garden door despite initially being hostile towards her.
(R) Javni promised not to quarrel with anyone, which made her brother less angry.

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Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

121. What is the primary reason Sita gives for refusing to eat with Javni?

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Category: Abuse and Ostracism

122. Why did Javni refuse kindness offered to her despite her suffering?

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Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

123. What was the occupation of Javni's husband in Malkad?

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Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

124. How does Javni's belief in Goddess Talakamma influence her ability to endure mistreatment?

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Category: Departure from Malkad

125. What does the narrator say to comfort Javni during their farewell?

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Category: Love for Brother’s Child

126. What does Javni plan to do with her lamb?

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Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

127. What does Javni attribute her survival to?

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Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

128. How did devotional movements sometimes challenge Brahminical orthodoxy while still operating within Hindu traditions?

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Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

129. Why does Sita rely on Javni during her husband’s absences?

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Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

130. When Javni mentions the harvest and husking grains to indicate how long she has been with Sita’s family, what does this signify about their relationship and way of life?

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Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

131. How much does Javni earn in a month?

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Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

132. What does Javni believe Goddess Talakamma provides in return for her offerings?

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Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

133. What does Javni vow to offer the Goddess Talakamma in exchange for protection?

134 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

134. Why does Javni insist on offering a lamb to Goddess Talakamma despite Ramappa's objections?

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Category: Eating in the Byre

135. (A) Javni refuses to eat in the hall despite Ramu's insistence because she has internalized her lower-caste status.
(R) Javni's refusal stems from her fear of violating religious norms and facing social backlash for defying caste practices.

136 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

136. Why does Javni’s brother reluctantly offer her the hut by the garden door?

137 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

137. What does the brother's reaction to Javni's plea for shelter primarily reveal about societal attitudes toward widows in the narrative?

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Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

138. Why did Javni eat in the dark without lighting a lantern?

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Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

139. How does Javni's brother and sister-in-law's perception of her affect her relationship with the child?

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Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

140. How does Javni's behavior toward Ramappa’s brother-in-law reflect her position in the household?

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Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

141. (A) Ramu's insistence that Javni should eat with them in the hall and light a lantern reflects his belief in equality and humanity.
(R) Hindu religious texts strictly prohibit upper-caste individuals from sharing meals with lower-caste individuals under any circumstances.

142 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

142. What was Javni's husband's occupation?

143 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

143. In a scenario where Sita expresses distress due to external pressures, how should one ideally provide emotional support while maintaining mutual affection?

144 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

144. What was a key aspect of Rama and Sita's relationship that demonstrated mutual affection?

145 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

145. Why did the protagonist run away from her in-laws' house?

146 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

146. How did Javni's husband die?

147 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

147. How does the four-year-old child react to Javni?

148 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

148. How does Javni behave when she first sees Ramu?

149 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

149. Why does Javni eat alone in the dark byre near the cow?

150 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

150. How does the narrator feel upon arriving in Malkad after his cycle ride?

151 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

151. In the story, why does Javni's brother allow her to stay in the hut by the garden door?

152 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

152. (A) In hierarchical societies, devotion often strengthens the bond between individuals and institutions.
(R) Devotion creates a sense of belonging and reinforces adherence to established norms, facilitating adoption of roles within hierarchies.

153 / 868

Category: Javni’s Acceptance

153. What does Javni offer to give Ramu if he asks, despite her poverty?

154 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

154. How does Javni’s reaction to her brother’s warning ("do not quarrel with anyone") reflect her emotional state and position in the household?

155 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

155. How does the narrator's sister introduce him to Javni?

156 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

156. (A) Javni treats Ramu with reverence, calling him "prince" and "god" and insists he avoids the haunted canal after sunset.
(R) Javni is deeply devoted to Ramu and believes in protecting him from supernatural dangers.

157 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

157. How should a student prioritize their study time when preparing for a comprehensive exam?

158 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

158. Why did Sita refuse to let Javni eat inside the house?

159 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

159. How does the description of Ramu lying "flat on his face on the mat" after coffee consumption contrast with the later scene where sunbeams fall on his back while hearing the door creak?

160 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

160. How did Javni demonstrate his commitment despite financial struggles?

161 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

161. (A) Javni refuses to adopt Ramappa because she believes he is a Brahmin and thus superior to her.
(R) According to the text, Javni considers Brahmins as "chosen ones" and views herself as their servant.

162 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

162. (A) Sita expresses that she could not have survived in the place without Javni's support.

(R) Javni understands Sita's fears and beliefs, providing emotional comfort.

163 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

163. Javni has twice as many brothers as sisters. If she has 4 sisters, how many brothers does she have?

164 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

164. Why does Javni refuse Ramappa's playful request for adoption?

165 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

165. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramappa despite his repeated requests?

166 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

166. (A) Javni warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset because she believes in spirits walking in the dark.
(R) Javni has a superstitious and devotional worldview, which influences her warnings.

167 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

167. What reason does Javni give for eating in the dark?

168 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

168. (A) Javni warns Ramu to avoid the canal after sunset because she believes it is haunted by spirits.
(R) Javni's warning reflects her deep-rooted superstitious beliefs and devotional worldview.

169 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

169. (A) Javni endured immense suffering after her husband’s death because societal norms during that time stigmatized widows and denied them basic dignity.
(R) Widows in traditional societies like Javni's were often ostracized, deprived of social status, and subjected to harsh treatment due to superstitious beliefs associating widowhood with ill-fortune.

170 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

170. What distinguishes the sister's position in the village due to her urban upbringing?

171 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

171. What prevented Javni from committing suicide despite her miserable circumstances?

172 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

172. What does the phrase \textit{"sparkling heavens"} symbolize in the context of Ramu's moral questioning against caste norms?

173 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

173. (A) Javni's brother allowed her to stay in the hut by the garden door only to maintain peace for his father's spirit, not out of compassion.
(R) Javni's brother believed that her presence would bring misfortune due to her widowhood.

174 / 868

Category: Javni’s Acceptance

174. How does Ramu respond when Javni insists he is a Brahmin?

175 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

175. How does Ramu's restraint in expressing his emotions contrast with Javni's behavior?

176 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

176. What does Javni’s response reveal about her attitude toward giving her savings to Ramappa?

177 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

177. (A) Javni's uncontrollable weeping and her words reveal her deep emotional attachment to the family.
(R) Her sorrow stems from a fear of permanent separation and recognition of the kindness she received, which she believes she will never experience again.

178 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

178. What was the name of Javni's brother who survived among her siblings?

179 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

179. Why does Javni say, "\Your sister loves you as if you were her own child\"?

180 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

180. How does Javni’s sister-in-law react when the child interacts with Javni?

181 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

181. Why does Ramu describe Javni as a "wonderful soul" despite not weeping openly?

182 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

182. How did Javni perceive the family she was parting from?

183 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

183. In which year was Javni born?

184 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

184. Ramappa's interaction with Javni highlights the socio-economic and caste-based disparities prevalent in their society. What does Javni’s refusal to eat in the hall primarily signify?

185 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

185. What could the pipal tree symbolize in this context?

186 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

186. What reaction does Javni have when she first sees the narrator?

187 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

187. Why does Javni run away after talking to Ramappa?

188 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

188. Where was Javni born?

189 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

189. What does Javni's statement, *"All! By her grace I live... Would my child come to me if the Goddess did not help me?"* primarily indicate about her belief?

190 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

190. How did colonial land revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement impact traditional village economies in India?

191 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

191. Why does Javni consider oil expensive in her daily life?

192 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

192. Why did Javni continue to save money for gifts for her brother’s child despite his indifference toward her?

193 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

193. What was the primary occupation of Javni's father during winter?

194 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

194. Why does Sita cry while leaving the village?

195 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

195. What prevented Javni from committing suicide despite her suffering?

196 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

196. (A) The villagers' actions of spitting at Javni and allowing cattle to ruin her fields were a form of social punishment for the scandal involving her elder brother-in-law.
(R) In many rural societies, collective shaming is used to reinforce social norms and punish those who deviate from them.

197 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

197. Why did Sita introduce Javni to Ramu?

198 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

198. (A) The narrator initially mistakes Javni for a neighbor because of her hesitant behavior at the door.
(R) Javni was afraid to enter the room as she saw Ramappa sleeping and decided to wait outside.

199 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

199. When colonial courts enforced written land deeds over customary usage rights, what was the primary consequence for village communities?

200 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

200. (A) Ramappa's suggestion that he might be reborn as a lamb to be sacrificed by Javni reflects his rejection of the hierarchical social order.
(R) The conversation highlights the rigidity of caste hierarchy where Javni, despite being devoted, cannot accept Ramappa's playful request due to his Brahmin status.

201 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

201. (A) Devotion often requires personal sacrifices, as seen in historical and literary figures who prioritized their commitments over self-interest.
(R) Sacrifice strengthens loyalty by reinforcing emotional bonds and demonstrating unwavering dedication.

202 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

202. During the first meeting at Malkad, the protagonist likely feels:

203 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

203. How does Javni perceive Ramu in the context of her reverence and the village's admiration?

204 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

204. What does Ramu urge Javni to do while she eats in the byre?

205 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

205. What does Javni offer to Goddess Talakamma every three years as a ritual of gratitude?

206 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

206. Which phrase best defines sacrificial actions in narratives?

207 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

207. (A) Ramu feels heavy-hearted at the departure but does not weep because he considers himself "too civilised".
(R) Javni's emotional outburst and sorrow make Ramu recognise her as a "wonderful soul", intensifying his inner grief.

208 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

208. (A) Javni faced severe mistreatment from her husband's family after his death.
(R) Widows in Javni's community were often subjected to social ostracization and cruelty.

209 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

209. Despite extreme hardship, what factor demonstrated Javni's enduring humanity in the story?

210 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

210. What assurance did the narrator give Javni at the time of parting?

211 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

211. The term *Dalit feminism* emphasizes:

212 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

212. What is the primary reason Javni is weeping as the cart leaves the village?

213 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

213. (A) The brother initially refuses to give the widow even a morsel of rice because he believes she brings misfortune.
(R) The brother offers the widow a hut by the garden door solely because he pities her weeping.

214 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

214. (A) Javni treats Ramu as a divine figure because she believes he is an incarnation of a god.
(R) The villagers collectively admire Ramu for his beauty and princely demeanor.

215 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

215. What role did "adoption" play in reinforcing or challenging caste-based hierarchies in pre-modern India?

216 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

216. What did Javni repeat from the villagers?

217 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

217. What role did Hanuman play in supporting Sita emotionally during her captivity?

218 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

218. Why was Javni considered a friend by the narrator’s sister?

219 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

219. What does Ramu humorously threaten to do to become Javni's family?

220 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

220. (A) Javni’s devotion to Ramu is driven by her admiration for his strength and wisdom.

(R) The villagers hold Ramu in high esteem because of his ability to solve their problems.

221 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

221. Why does the sister-in-law continue to insult and call the protagonist a "witch" despite her evident affection for the child?

222 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

222. Why does Sita repeatedly ask “don’t forget me” and receive assurances in return?

223 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

223. How does Javni refer to the Brahmins in the given conversation?

224 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

224. Why did Javni face mistreatment from her husband's family after his death?

225 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

225. Which statement best reflects the emotional interdependence between Ramu’s sister and Javni?

226 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

226. What does the protagonist's statement, "Are they not like us?" reveal about his view on caste hierarchies?

227 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

227. What does Ramu's protest against Sita's actions signify?

228 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

228. (A) Sita feels emotionally supported by Javni because Javni understands her fears and beliefs.
(R) Javni loves Ramu as her own child, which strengthens the emotional bond between her and Sita.

229 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

229. How did Javni cope with the mistreatment by her elder brother-in-law and his mistress?

230 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

230. The syllabus for "Devotion, Hierarchy and 'Adoption' Conversation" is missing. Which of the following is a possible reason?

231 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

231. How does Sita's statement, "Men can never understand us," reflect the cultural and gender dynamics in her relationship with Javni?

232 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

232. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramu when he humorously proposes adoption?

233 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

233. (A) Javni's reference to Sita as "Mother" signifies a relationship that transcends social hierarchies and is rooted in deep emotional bonding.
(R) Javni and Sita share a bond of mutual dependence and emotional intimacy, often whispering and confiding in each other.

234 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

234. Who did Javni marry when she was eighteen?

235 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

235. What do the villagers compare Ramu to in their admiration for him?

236 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

236. (A) Javni was ostracized by her family members due to their belief that she brought misfortune.
(R) Her sister-in-law forbade her from touching their child and called her a prostitute.

237 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

237. (A) Ramu insists that Javni should eat in the hall with him, believing caste distinctions are unjust.
(R) Eating with someone from a lower caste is considered irreligious in the traditional caste system.

238 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

238. (A) Colonial modernity introduced industrial education in villages to replace traditional learning systems.

(R) British colonial policies aimed at disrupting indigenous knowledge to establish Western dominance.

239 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

239. Why does Javni refuse Ramappa's proposal to be "adopted" by her?

240 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

240. What did Javni believe about Brahmins according to her conversation with Ramappa?

241 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

241. Why does Javni eat in the byre instead of the hall?

242 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

242. What does Javni offer to Goddess Talakamma every three years?

243 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

243. (A) Javni continues to save mangoes and cakes for her brother's child despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him.
(R) She loves the child deeply and is willing to make sacrifices for his happiness.

244 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

244. (A) Javni's unwavering devotion to Ramappa, despite his rejection of Brahmin superiority, highlights the rigid societal indoctrination of caste hierarchy.
(R) Ramappa's denial of his Brahmin identity challenges the traditional norms but fails to alter Javni's entrenched belief in caste-based divinity.

245 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

245. What is the primary reason Javni offers a lamb to Goddess Talakamma every three years?

246 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

246. (A) Javni never spends her earnings on herself because she prioritizes saving for a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.
(R) Javni is content with her circumstances and finds happiness in sacrificing for her family.

247 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

247. (A) The narrator feels comfort and freedom upon arriving at Malkad after nine months in the city.
(R) The narrator had been longing for a break from his busy city life.

248 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

248. (A) The narrator's sister was sad because she was leaving Javni, her only friend.
(R) Javni wept continuously for a week because she feared she would never see the narrator's family again.

249 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

249. Why would a hut by the garden door be an appropriate place for someone who was rejected?

250 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

250. What does Javni insist Ramappa must become?

251 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

251. (A) Sita and Rama shared a deep bond of mutual affection.
(R) Their relationship was rooted in unwavering loyalty and emotional understanding.

252 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

252. In an examination focused on thematic analysis, students are expected to evaluate how certain themes evolve over time. What is the most effective method to evaluate this evolution?

253 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

253. What does the protagonist's sister's refusal to eat with Javni primarily highlight?

254 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

254. Why does Javni offer a lamb to the Goddess every three years?

255 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

255. (A) Javni's cheerful demeanor despite her hardships reflects her resilience and simplicity.
(R) She continues to smile and work diligently even though she faces adversity in her personal life.

256 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

256. (A) The protagonist's willingness to eat with Javni, a lower-caste woman, reflects his rejection of traditional caste norms.
(R) Caste hierarchies in the village are deeply tied to religious beliefs, making any deviation from them appear irreligious.

257 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

257. What does Sita imply when she says, "men can never understand us"?

258 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

258. What was the fate of Javni’s second brother-in-law?

259 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

259. Which statement best describes the difference between Ramu’s and his sister’s perspectives on folk religiosity?

260 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

260. (A) The elder brother-in-law was arrested because he had committed a crime along with his mistress.
(R) The women in the household blamed Javni for the arrest of her elder brother-in-law and mistreated her, calling her a "dirty widow."

261 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

261. Why does Sita say she could not live in the village without Javni?

262 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

262. (A) Sita refuses to eat with Javni despite calling her "Mother" and expressing deep affection, highlighting the conflict between emotional closeness and ritual distance.
(R) Caste-based restrictions force individuals to prioritize religious norms over personal bonds, revealing societal hypocrisy.

263 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

263. What was the main reason Javni's sister-in-law took away her children when she went to her brother’s house?

264 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

264. What does Sita mean when she says, "Without Javni I could never have lived in this damned place!"?

265 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

265. What contrast is evident in Javni’s behavior towards Ramu and her fear of supernatural elements?

266 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

266. Why do the villagers admire Ramappa?

267 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

267. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramappa when he half-seriously asks her?

268 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

268. Why does Sita say she would have died of fright without Javni?

269 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

269. (A) Regular practice of past year papers improves time management skills in exams.
(R) Solving past papers helps students identify frequently tested concepts and patterns.

270 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

270. How does the lamb serve as a symbol in Javni\'s vow to the Goddess Talakamma?

271 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

271. What does Javni offer to the Goddess Talakamma every three years for her protection and blessings?

272 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

272. What event marked the turning point in Javni’s life, leading her to flee her home?

273 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

273. How did colonial modernity primarily impact traditional village economies in India?

274 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

274. (A) Javni's husband was a kind man who never beat her and cooked for her when she fell sick.
(R) He washed clothes for the Maharaja when he visited.

275 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

275. Why does Sita refuse to let Javni eat inside the house?

276 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

276. How does Javni react upon seeing Ramu for the first time?

277 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

277. When asked why she eats alone in the dark, Javni responds, "What use?" What does this statement imply about her perception of her status?

278 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

278. (A) Javni refers to Ramappa and Brahmins as the "chosen ones" and emphasizes their ownership of the Vedas and twice-born status.
(R) This reflects her deep-seated belief in caste hierarchy and her subservient devotion to Brahmins as divine entities.

279 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

279. The sister relies heavily on Javni for emotional support during the brother-in-law's absence. How does this contrast with their relationship dynamics when he is present?

280 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

280. How does Javni's poverty influence her acts of devotion towards Goddess Talakamma?

281 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

281. How does the marketplace setting contribute to understanding Javni's devotion?

282 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

282. What does Sita imply when she says, "Without Javni I could never have lived in this damned place"?

283 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

283. Why does Javni warn Ramu not to go near the canal after sunset?

284 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

284. Why did Javni eat in the dark instead of lighting a lantern?

285 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

285. What does Javni mean when she calls Brahmins "twice-born"?

286 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

286. How is Javni described when she first meets Ramappa?

287 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

287. What does Javni standing "like a rock" till the cart reaches the other bank symbolize in the context of the farewell?

288 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

288. (A) Javni warns Ramappa to avoid the canal after sunset because she believes it is haunted by spirits.
(R) The villagers' fear of spirits stems from their deep-rooted cultural beliefs and reverence for supernatural entities like Goddess Talakamma.

289 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

289. How does the shallow river during their departure mirror the emotional state of the characters?

290 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

290. How does Javni's role as Sita's "only friend" influence Sita's ability to cope with her fears?

291 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

291. What is the significance of Javni offering a lamb to Goddess Talakamma every three years?

292 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

292. What was the birthplace of Javni?

293 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

293. Why does Sita value Javni's companionship more than male support during her husband's absences, despite the latter's practical utility?

294 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

294. What does Ramu's statement, "In contact with a heart like yours, who would not bloom into a god?" suggest about Javni?

295 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

295. What symbolized Rama and Sita's mutual affection after reuniting post-Sita's rescue?

296 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

296. What belief helped Javni endure mistreatment from her in-laws after her husband’s death?

297 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

297. Why does the brother justify offering the hut "for the peace of the spirit of my father" rather than out of kinship?

298 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

298. What is the significance of Javni offering a lamb to Goddess Talakamma every three years?

299 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

299. What justification does Ramu's sister give for not allowing Javni to eat with them in the hall?

300 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

300. (A) Javni is admired by the villagers for her kindness and strength.
(R) She saves money to buy gifts for her family and is willing to give her savings to Ramappa if asked.

301 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

301. What irony underlies Ramappa's jest about being reborn as a lamb for Javni to sacrifice?

302 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

302. How does Javni's physical appearance symbolize her life experiences?

303 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

303. The novel describes the arrival at Malkad as:

304 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

304. Why does Ramu refrain from weeping during the farewell?

305 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

305. (A) Javni's act of saving money to buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child reflects her selflessness despite extreme poverty.
(R) Javni earns only one rupee per month, yet she prioritizes the happiness of others over her own needs.

306 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

306. What does Sita’s introduction of Javni as "our new servant" reveal about their household dynamics?

307 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

307. Why did Javni consider ending her life after her brother-in-law was taken away by the policeman?

308 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

308. Why does the protagonist's brother initially refuse to provide her shelter?

309 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

309. (A) Javni sacrifices her lamb to Goddess Talakamma despite her affection for it because she believes the Goddess protects her and her loved ones.
(R) Javni credits Goddess Talakamma for her survival, her ability to bear a child, and the kindness she receives from her family.

310 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

310. For whom does Javni pray, as mentioned in the text?

311 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

311. How does Javni's sister-in-law treat her after she moves into the hut?

312 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

312. What was the reason the family had to wade through the river instead of taking the ferry?

313 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

313. What does Javni's plan to spend part of her sari savings on the child reveal about her character?

314 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

314. How does education help in dismantling caste prejudices?

315 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

315. (A) Sita considers Javni as someone who truly understands her fears and beliefs.
(R) Javni serves as a bridge between Sita and Ramu while providing emotional support to Sita.

316 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

316. (A) Javni saves her one rupee monthly earnings meticulously, sometimes receiving an extra anna or two from her mother for good work.
(R) She saves money to buy gifts for her brother's child.

317 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

317. Who provided solace to Javni during her suffering?

318 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

318. Why does the narrator struggle with the question, "Who was she?" regarding Javni?

319 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

319. (A) Sita believes she could not have survived in the difficult environment without Javni's presence and understanding.
(R) Javni provides emotional support to Sita by empathizing with her fears and beliefs, which Ramu fails to understand.

320 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

320. In which goddess did Javni find solace during her hardships?

321 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

321. (A) The brother’s offer of the hut by the garden door is primarily motivated by his genuine concern for Javni’s well-being.
(R) The brother justifies his offer by stating it is "for the peace of the spirit of my father," indicating his primary motive is familial duty rather than compassion.

322 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

322. What does Javni do with the money she saves up from her mother?

323 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

323. (A) Javni sacrifices a lamb every three years to the Goddess Talakamma because she believes it will bring prosperity to Ramappa.
(R) Javni firmly attributes all her blessings, including Ramappa's future success, to the grace of Goddess Talakamma.

324 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

324. Why does Javni insist on staying in the byre instead of the hall?

325 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

325. Why did Javni's brother initially refuse to help her?

326 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

326. What does the sister's statement "If my brother did not live, I should have died long ago" reveal about their relationship?

327 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

327. According to the passage, why does Sita object to Ramu's request to eat with Javni?

328 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

328. Why does Sita believe Ramu cannot understand her fears and beliefs?

329 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

329. (A) The themes of an exam focus on testing conceptual understanding.
(R) Because exams are designed to evaluate students' grasp of key concepts.

330 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

330. Why does the brother allow the protagonist to stay in the hut by the garden door?

331 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

331. Why is Javni's presence critical for Sita's survival in their environment, according to their dialogue?

332 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

332. (A) Javni's faith in Goddess Talakamma prevents her from taking her own life despite enduring severe humiliation and poverty.
(R) Javni believes that Goddess Talakamma would be angry with her if she committed suicide, which reflects her deep-rooted faith and moral strength.

333 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

333. What does Javni mean when she calls Ramappa's family "a family of gods"?

334 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

334. How did Sita emotionally cope during her captivity in Lanka?

335 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

335. How much does Javni earn per month, and what does this reveal about her economic condition?

336 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

336. What does Javni standing "like a rock" at the riverbank symbolize?

337 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

337. What is the primary reason someone might seek shelter in a hut near a garden door?

338 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

338. Why do the villagers admire Ramappa?

339 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

339. What is the primary emotion associated with devotion?

340 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

340. What does Ramu symbolize in the context of modern education challenging caste-based discrimination?

341 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

341. How does Sita describe her relationship with Javni in the given passage?

342 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

342. Why might Javni repeat villagers' praises of her beloved's looks?

343 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

343. How did Javni’s brother initially react when she sought refuge at his home?

344 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

344. Which of the following actions demonstrates emotional support?

345 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

345. (A) The protagonist's brother allows her to stay in a hut by the garden door primarily out of compassion for her situation.
(R) The protagonist's brother believes her presence will bring misfortune, so he restricts her to the hut to protect his family.

346 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

346. (A) The narrator feels a sense of peace and comfort upon returning to Malkad after his time in the city.
(R) The narrator enjoys hot coffee and solitude, which contribute to his feeling of contentment.

347 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

347. How does Ramu's sister feel about him, according to Javni?

348 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

348. Why does Sita say that men cannot understand women, based on the given text?

349 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

349. How does Sita introduce Javni to the protagonist?

350 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

350. For whom does Javni offer a lamb to the Goddess Talakamma?

351 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

351. Why does Sita cry during the farewell?

352 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

352. (A) Ramu argues that caste-based discrimination in eating practices is irrational and unjust.
(R) Ramu believes that all individuals, regardless of caste, deserve equal treatment and dignity.

353 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

353. (A) Javni's emotional breakdown during the farewell reflects her deep attachment to Sita and the narrator’s family, symbolizing the universal human fear of abandonment.
(R) Javni’s repeated pleas for remembrance highlight her socio-economic vulnerability and dependence on the family for emotional and material support.

354 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

354. What is Ramu's argument against Sita's refusal to let Javni eat inside the house?

355 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

355. Which technique helps improve focus during exams?

356 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

356. Why does Javni save mangoes and cakes given by her mother?

357 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

357. Despite facing humiliation and poverty, why does Javni continue to serve Sita’s family?

358 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

358. What does the narrator's sister primarily discuss with him upon his arrival?

359 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

359. In the passage, why does Javni refuse to eat in the hall with Ramappa?

360 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

360. How did Javni's husband die?

361 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

361. According to Javni, what makes eating with someone from a lower caste problematic?

362 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

362. (A) Ramappa asks Javni to adopt him half-seriously, highlighting his rejection of Brahmin superiority.
(R) Javni refuses to adopt Ramappa because she believes Brahmins are gods and cannot be adopted by lower castes.

363 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

363. How does Javni react when the Master (Ramappa’s brother-in-law) enters the scene?

364 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

364. (A) Ramu jokes about being adopted by Javni so that he can work for her and provide food.
(R) Javni insists that Ramu is a Brahmin, claiming that Brahmins are not meant to work.

365 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

365. How does Javni react upon seeing the narrator?

366 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

366. What is Javni's reasoning for not needing to see what she eats?

367 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

367. (A) Ramu's inability to weep despite feeling heavy-hearted reflects his internalized societal norms.

(R) The text suggests that being "too civilised" restricts emotional expression.

368 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

368. What does the pipal tree symbolize in this context?

369 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

369. If a person builds a hut near a garden after being rejected by their brother, what emotion are they most likely feeling?

370 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

370. (A) Javni is allowed to stay in the hut by the garden door because Ramappa pitied her plight.
(R) Javni's brother granted her shelter only after she promised never to quarrel with anyone.

371 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

371. What role does gossip play in the relationship between Sita and Javni?

372 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

372. (A) Javni was subjected to abuse and mistreatment by her sisters-in-law after her elder brother-in-law was imprisoned.
(R) Javni was held responsible for the misfortune that befell her family, particularly her brother-in-law’s imprisonment.

373 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

373. What does Javni's hesitant approach and whispered admiration symbolize about her relationship with the narrator?

374 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

374. How did movements like Ramu's revolt influence modern caste reforms in India?

375 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

375. What does the hut by the garden door primarily symbolize in Javni’s story?

376 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

376. What was the primary reason Javni's husband died?

377 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

377. What does Javni's statement, "Mother was kind to me, kind as a veritable goddess," reveal about her relationship with Sita?

378 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

378. What was Javni's monthly earnings, which she saved diligently?

379 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

379. How did the narrator feel about Javni’s emotions during their departure?

380 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

380. What was Ramappa's reaction to Javni eating separately due to caste discrimination?

381 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

381. (A) Sita believes Javni understands her fears and beliefs because Javni shares a similar emotional and spiritual perspective as a woman.
(R) Sita feels that men like Ramu cannot comprehend her fears and beliefs due to their differing perspectives on spirituality and emotional connection.

382 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

382. (A) Javni's mother was always busy with childbirths because she was a hereditary midwife.
(R) There were childbirths almost every day in one village or the other.

383 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

383. How did Javni describe her relationship with her brother Ramappa?

384 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

384. Despite the extreme hostility from her community, what small comfort did Javni find in her miserable life?

385 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

385. What role does Javni play in Sita's life according to the passage?

386 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

386. How does Javni demonstrate her devotion to her family?

387 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

387. Why does Javni refuse to come near Ramappa when called?

388 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

388. What was the primary reason Javni did not commit suicide despite her suffering after her husband’s death?

389 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

389. What does Ramu’s insistence on Javni lighting a lantern while eating symbolize?

390 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

390. What does Javni offer to the Goddess as part of her devotion?

391 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

391. Why did Javni hesitate to end her life by jumping into the river despite her immense suffering?

392 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

392. What does Javni's persistent weeping and repetition of "Mother, Mother, O Mother!" most strongly indicate about her relationship with the narrator's sister?

393 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

393. (A) Ramu feels a sense of comfort and freedom after arriving at his sister's house in Malkad.
(R) The hot coffee and the opportunity to rest help him relax after his long journey.

394 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

394. Which theme is primarily highlighted through the protagonist's plea for shelter and the brother’s response?

395 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

395. What was the primary occupation of Javni's father?

396 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

396. How is the economic disparity between Javni and the protagonist highlighted in the story?

397 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

397. (A) Javni's weeping throughout the farewell scene shows her deep emotional attachment to the family.
(R) Javni had formed a strong bond with the family, especially the mother, who treated her kindly like a goddess.

398 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

398. (A) Themes in literature often reflect societal values.
(R) Because literature is a mirror of society.

399 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

399. (A) Javni refuses to adopt Ramappa because she perceives him as a divine figure due to his Brahmin identity.
(R) Javni considers Brahmins as "chosen ones" and believes serving them is her religious duty.

400 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

400. What does Javni say to Ramappa that reflects her deep affection for him?

401 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

401. (A) Bhakti saints emphasized unconditional devotion to God as the path to salvation.
(R) Devotion fosters a deep emotional connection that surpasses ritualistic practices.

402 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

402. (A) Javni insists on staying in the byre because she does not want to dirty the hall.
(R) She believes lighting a lantern is unnecessary as it provides no benefit.

403 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

403. (A) Ramu falls asleep soon after arriving at his sister's house because he is exhausted from the journey.
(R) The hot coffee that Ramu drinks makes him drowsy and helps him relax, leading to his sleep.

404 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

404. Why might Malkad be considered important in the story?

405 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

405. What does Ramappa jokingly suggest to Javni to challenge caste norms?

406 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

406. What was the name of Javni's husband who died due to a snake bite?

407 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

407. Which of the following best describes Javni's initial demeanor upon entering the room?

408 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

408. The concept of *Sanskritization*, introduced by M.N. Srinivas, primarily refers to:

409 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

409. What condition does the brother impose before allowing the protagonist to stay in the hut by the garden door?

410 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

410. In the narrative, how does Javni represent traditional village beliefs?

411 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

411. (A) Sita's objection to eating with Javni is solely based on personal dislike rather than caste-based religious norms.

(R) Sita explicitly states that affection does not require one to be irreligious, indicating her adherence to caste-based religious prohibitions.

412 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

412. Why does Javni refuse to eat in the hall despite Ramu’s insistence?

413 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

413. (A) Javni continues to save mangoes and cakes for her brother’s child even though she is forbidden to touch him.
(R) She prioritizes the child’s happiness despite her poverty and family's hatred.

414 / 868

Category: Javni’s Acceptance

414. What does Javni's statement, "You are the 'chosen ones'" imply about her perception of Brahmins in society?

415 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

415. How does Javni contribute to Sita’s ability to cope with her environment?

416 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

416. (A) The bond between Lord Rama and Sita exemplifies mutual respect and emotional interdependence.
(R) Sita’s unwavering devotion complemented Rama’s sense of duty, fostering deep affection.

417 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

417. What does Javni’s decision to sacrifice the lamb reveal about her relationship with the child and Ramappa?

418 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

418. Why does Ramu’s sister accuse him of being \textit{"irreligious"} for dining with Javni, despite his argument \textit{"Are they not like us?"}?

419 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

419. According to Javni, why should Ramappa avoid going near the canal after sunset?

420 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

420. (A) Javni saves mangoes and cakes for her brother's child despite facing hostility from her sister-in-law.
(R) The child is the only one in the family who loves Javni unconditionally.

421 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

421. Ramu dismisses the cost of oil as "nothing," while Javni emphasizes its value. What does this interaction highlight?

422 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

422. How does Javni’s sister-in-law contribute to her humiliation?

423 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

423. What do the villagers think of Ramu?

424 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

424. (A) The protagonist felt nervous upon arriving at Malkad because it was their first visit.
(R) First-time experiences in unfamiliar environments often evoke anxiety.

425 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

425. (A) Javni’s devotion to Sita is selfless, as she plans to use her savings for her brother’s child rather than herself.
(R) Sita treats Javni with maternal care, saving money for her and sharing village gossip, which highlights their deep emotional bond.

426 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

426. Who among the following was a prominent social reformer working for the upliftment of lower castes in India?

427 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

427. What does Javni do with the small amounts of money she saves despite her poverty?

428 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

428. What does Javni's refusal to move into the hall primarily reflect?

429 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

429. (A) Ramu does not cry during the farewell because he considers himself "too civilised" to weep.
(R) Despite not crying, Ramu feels heavy-hearted and acknowledges Javni as a "wonderful soul."

430 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

430. (A) Ramu’s protest against eating in the byre challenges caste norms of purity and pollution.
(R) The byre symbolizes caste segregation, which is reinforced through practices like separate eating spaces.

431 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

431. What does the "mechanical mastication of the rice" symbolize about Javni's life?

432 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

432. Why does Sita describe her living situation as "this damned place"?

433 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

433. Why does Javni continue to save treats for her brother’s child despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him?

434 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

434. (A) Javni was subjected to continuous verbal and physical abuse from her family and villagers after the jail scandal because she was perceived as a "dirty widow" and "witch."
(R) The villagers let their cattle ruin her fields, and her sisters-in-law spat on her due to deep-rooted superstitions and patriarchal oppression.

435 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

435. (A) Javni refuses to adopt another child because she believes her lamb is sufficient for her happiness and devotion to Goddess Talakamma.
(R) Javni\'{}s poverty and devotion make her content with minimal possessions, as she values the blessings of the Goddess more than material wealth.

436 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

436. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramappa despite their close bond?

437 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

437. How does Javni express her devotion to Ramu’s family?

438 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

438. (A) Sita believes dining with a lower-caste woman is irreligious because it violates caste norms.
(R) Caste-based discrimination is justified by religious texts, according to Sita.

439 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

439. What does Javni's statement, "In contact with a heart like yours, who would not bloom into a god?" reveal about her perception of Ramappa's family?

440 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

440. Which feature was central to pre-colonial Indian village social structure but declined under colonialism?

441 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

441. (A) Ramu insists that Javni should eat in the hall and light a lantern to see her food, despite caste norms.
(R) Ramu believes that Javni is "like us" and deserves equal treatment as any other person.

442 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

442. Despite being called names by her family, why does Javni save mangoes and cakes for the child?

443 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

443. (A) Javni's rapturous eyes indicate her deep emotional connection to the narrator despite her hardships.
(R) Her immediate acceptance of the narrator's potential as a Revenue Inspector shows she idealizes authority figures.

444 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

444. (A) Javni hides her face between her knees and murmurs, \textquoteleft How beautiful your brother is!\textquoteright because she is overwhelmed by Ramu's divine presence.
(R) The villagers collectively revere Ramu as a god-like figure, evident from their exclamations and whispers such as \textquoteleft a very god!\textquoteright and \textquoteleft The whole town is mad about him.\textquoteright

445 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

445. What is an effective strategy for exam preparation?

446 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

446. What does Javni promise to offer to Goddess Talakamma in exchange for the child's protection?

447 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

447. According to the given excerpts, why does Sita feel Javni understands her fears and beliefs?

448 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

448. How does the protagonist’s brother react when she arrives at his house?

449 / 868

Category: Saves treats for the four-year-old boy; despite being called a witch and forbidden to touch him, she still hides mangoes and cakes to give him.​

449. Why does Javni save mangoes and cakes for her brother's child despite being forbidden to touch him?

450 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

450. How does Javni express her devotion to Ramu when she first approaches him?

451 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

451. (A) Sita claims that men like Ramu can never understand the emotional world of women.
(R) Sita states that the gods worshipped by women are different from those worshipped by men, highlighting a fundamental difference in their perceptions.

452 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

452. (A) The farewell at the river highlights Javni's deep emotional suffering due to her abusive family.
(R) Javni stayed with her cruel husband and brother because she believed that familial bonds should never be broken despite the suffering.

453 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

453. In the context of Ramu’s revolt, what does his statement "I am not a Brahmin" signify about his stance on caste hierarchy?

454 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

454. According to the Brahmin superiority belief, who are considered the "twice-born"?

455 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

455. What was Javni’s father’s occupation during the summer?

456 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

456. Who was the only person in the family who showed affection towards Javni?

457 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

457. (A) Javni hesitated to enter the room because she saw Ramappa asleep.
(R) Javni had deep respect for Ramappa and didn't want to disturb him.

458 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

458. (A) Javni's hesitant behavior and reluctance to enter the house suggests her deep reverence for Ramappa, viewing him as a divine figure rather than an ordinary person.
(R) The text describes Javni gazing at Ramappa "as if I were a saint or the holy elephant" and walking "as if in a temple," indicating her spiritual awe.

459 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

459. (A) Javni's husband was a kind and caring man who never mistreated her.
(R) Her husband worked as a washerman for the Maharaja, which gave him a respectable position in society.

460 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

460. (A) Javni offers a lamb to Goddess Talakamma every three years as a vow.
(R) The lamb symbolizes her poverty, but she sacrifices it due to her unwavering faith in the Goddess's blessings.

461 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

461. Why did Javni’s sister-in-law forbid her from touching their children?

462 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

462. Why does the protagonist's sister-in-law take away her children?

463 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

463. (A) Sita believes that men cannot understand women's fears and beliefs.
(R) Women's spiritual outlook is deeply tied to their emotional experiences, which differs from men's practical and "irreligious" perspective.

464 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

464. Why did Javni continue living despite facing severe mistreatment after her husband's death?

465 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

465. What does Sita imply when she says, "Men, Ramu, can never understand us"?

466 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

466. In a hierarchical structure, authority typically flows:

467 / 868

Category: Sita cries; Ramu, “too civilised” to weep, still feels heavy-hearted, recognising Javni as “wonderful soul”.​

467. How does Ramu describe Javni as they part ways?

468 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

468. In what way does Javni’s act of offering a lamb to the Goddess for the sake of the child exemplify devotion and sacrifice?

469 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

469. (A) Sita's emotional reliance on Javni arises solely because she fears the remote village environment.
(R) Javni's understanding of Sita's fears and beliefs provides her with emotional support, making life bearable during her husband's absences.

470 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

470. In the passage, how does the woman justify her refusal to eat with Javni?

471 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

471. What does Javni propose playfully yet seriously in the conversation?

472 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

472. According to Sita, why does she believe men cannot understand women?

473 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

473. (A) Javni's husband died because he was bitten by a snake while washing clothes by the river.
(R) Washing clothes was one of his occupations, which he alternated with farming depending on the season.

474 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

474. How does Javni view Ramappa and his sister?

475 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

475. What was Javni's father's occupation during the summer season?

476 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

476. (A) Educated individuals like Ramu are more likely to question deep-rooted caste beliefs due to exposure to modern values.
(R) Modern education fosters critical thinking, which can lead individuals to challenge traditional societal norms.

477 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

477. According to Sita, why is eating with a lower-caste woman considered "irreligious"?

478 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

478. (A) Javni saves mangoes and cakes for her brother’s child despite her poverty
(R) She finds joy in small acts of kindness towards the child.

479 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

479. According to Sita, why does she feel particularly afraid when her husband is away?

480 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

480. Why did Javni run behind the cart when Sita's family was leaving?

481 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

481. How does Javni provide emotional support to Sita despite the latter's initial hostility?

482 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

482. How long had Ramu been away before arriving at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad?

483 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

483. What does loyalty typically signify in ethical behavior?

484 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

484. How does the description of the river and sky contribute to the mood of the passage?

485 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

485. (A) In the narrative, Javni hesitates to cross the threshold of Sita's house despite their deep emotional bond, reflecting the societal norms that enforce ritual distance.
(R) The threshold symbolizes the rigid caste boundaries that prevent Javni from fully integrating into the household, even though she shares a close relationship with Sita.

486 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

486. How does Javni view the hardships she faces in life?

487 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

487. How much does Javni earn in a month?

488 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

488. What is the primary reason Sita refuses to eat with Javni in the hall?

489 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

489. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramu despite her affection for him?

490 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

490. What quality of Javni impressed the village?

491 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

491. How does Javni’s belief in Goddess Talakamma influence her perception of events in her life?

492 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

492. Javni is currently 25 years old. Her father is 3 times as old as she was 5 years ago. How old is her father now?

493 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

493. The initial description of Malkad suggests that it is:

494 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

494. What does Javni’s reaction to her brother’s insults reveal about her emotional state?

495 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

495. How does Javni’s statement \textit{"What use?"} about eating in the dark reflect her internalization of caste norms?

496 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

496. How does Javni express her longing for love and acceptance?

497 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

497. What does Javni's act of following her beloved past the pipal tree symbolize?

498 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

498. (A) The brother allowed the widow to stay in the hut by the garden door only after she promised not to quarrel with anyone.
(R) The brother was concerned about maintaining peace for the spirit of his father.

499 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

499. Why did Javni plead with her mother?

500 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

500. How does Javni justify her inability to compare her love for Ramappa and her brother’s child?

501 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

501. How does Javni perceive Ramu in her devotional worldview?

502 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

502. (A) Sita refuses to eat with Javni because she believes it is irreligious to share a meal with a lower-caste woman.
(R) Sita's religious beliefs justify her refusal by stating that lower-caste individuals should not be asked to sit and eat with higher-caste people.

503 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

503. (A) Ramu's drowsiness and contentment upon arriving at Sita’s house indicate his relief from the hardships of city life.
(R) The hot coffee and peaceful environment of Malkad symbolize a stark contrast to the stressful urban setting Ramu experienced for nine months.

504 / 868

Category: Javni’s Acceptance

504. What does Javni plan to do with her savings apart from buying a sari for herself?

505 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

505. Despite being poor, what does Javni prioritize buying?

506 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

506. Why does Javni promise to offer a lamb to the Goddess, and how does this relate to the broader themes in Ramu’s protest?

507 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

507. Why does Javni not light a lantern while eating, according to the passage?

508 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

508. Why does the brother eventually offer the protagonist a hut by the garden door?

509 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

509. Why did Javni's husband die?

510 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

510. Why does Sita say she could not have lived in the "damned place" without Javni?

511 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

511. How does Javni perceive Ramu?

512 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

512. How did Javni's sister-in-law contribute to making her life miserable in their shared household?

513 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

513. How does Javni serve Sita during her loneliness?

514 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

514. What does Javni's act of saving money to buy gifts for her brother's child reveal about her character?

515 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

515. A student is preparing for an exam that has a focus on historical themes and critical analysis. The syllabus emphasizes understanding thematic connections across different periods. Which of the following strategies would best help the student identify and analyze these thematic connections effectively?

516 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

516. (A) Javni eats alone in the dark byre because she wants to save oil, which is a significant expense for her.
(R) Caste-based segregation is the primary reason why Javni eats separately from others.

517 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

517. What small comfort helped Javni endure the abuse from her family and villagers?

518 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

518. Why does Javni warn Ramu about going near the canal after sunset?

519 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

519. (A) Javni willingly sacrifices her savings for Ramappa if he asks, showing her selfless love for Sita's family.
(R) Javni loves her brother's child and saves money to buy gifts despite her poverty.

520 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

520. Sample Question 3

521 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

521. (A) Javni faced severe mistreatment from her husband's family after his death, including being called a "dirty widow" and spat upon.
(R) Javni contemplated suicide but chose not to due to her fear of angering Goddess Talakamma.

522 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

522. How does Ramu respond to Javni's refusal to eat in the hall?

523 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

523. Why does Javni hesitate to enter the room when she sees the narrator?

524 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

524. According to Javni, who protects her and grants blessings?

525 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

525. Which of the following best describes the atmosphere when arriving at Malkad for the first time?

526 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

526. What does the symbolic offering of the lamb to the Goddess Talakamma signify in the context of Javni’s life?

527 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

527. Why is the river crossing moment significant in the context of the story's emotional climax?

528 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

528. How does the narrative portray the use of religion in justifying caste discrimination?

529 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

529. A history exam includes a question about the impact of industrialization on social structures. What is the best way to approach answering this question thematically?

530 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

530. (A) Javni weeps during the departure because she fears permanent separation from the family.
(R) The narrator suppresses his tears because he feels too "civilized" to weep openly.

531 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

531. Why does Javni avoid going near the canal after sunset according to the passage?

532 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

532. Why does Javni plan to sacrifice the lamb to Goddess Talakamma?

533 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

533. What is Javni's initial reaction when she stands at the threshold?

534 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

534. The narrator's sister treats Javni as a confidante and friend, yet refuses to eat with her. What does this contradiction highlight?

535 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

535. What is the primary reason Ramu’s mother opposes eating with Javni?

536 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

536. (A) Javni's devotion to Ramu is purely based on his physical appearance and princely demeanor.

(R) The townspeople, including Javni, regard Ramu with awe and admiration, comparing him to a god.

537 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

537. How does Javni respond when Ramappa jokingly asks if she would adopt him?

538 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

538. Why is Javni confined to the byre despite her emotional significance to the family?

539 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

539. According to the sacred texts, what belief reinforces the Brahmin superiority in the hierarchical caste system?

540 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

540. (A) Javni was given a hut to stay in by her brother.
(R) Her brother allowed her shelter out of pity for her misfortune.

541 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

541. (A) Javni's grief is portrayed as deeper than the narrator's sister's sorrow because she has no power to change her circumstances.
(R) The narrator explicitly states that Javni was powerless and had been dreading their departure for a full week.

542 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

542. How does the protagonist perceive Javni's hesitation at the threshold when he is half-asleep?

543 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

543. Why does Javni eat in the dark byre near the cow instead of joining Ramu and his sister in the hall?

544 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

544. How does Javni’s statement, "Ramappa, how can I help but weep? Shall I ever see a family of gods like yours?" illustrate her loyalty and sacrifice?

545 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

545. (A) Javni hesitates to enter the room because she is shy and reverent.

(R) Javni's hesitant behavior and hiding her face indicate her respectful demeanor towards the narrator.

546 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

546. (A) Javni was treated cruelly by her husband and other family members, reflecting the harsh realities of her life.
(R) Her elder brother-in-law was a wicked man who spent his days playing cards and drinking, further adding to the household's dysfunction.

547 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

547. What reason does Javni give for her inability to afford oil for lighting?

548 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

548. (A) Javni hesitates at the threshold because she is shy and feels reverence towards the narrator.
(R) Javni's initial reluctance to approach is due to her widowhood and poverty, which make her hesitant around others.

549 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

549. Why did Javni’s family members call her a "witch" or "evil spirit"?

550 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

550. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramappa in their playful conversation?

551 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

551. What does Ramappa offer to do if Javni adopts him?

552 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

552. When Ramappa jokes about returning after years to ask for Javni’s service, how does she respond?

553 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

553. What is a common reason for discussing adoption in families?

554 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

554. What does the phrase "Our gods are not your gods" reveal about the broader theme of gender dynamics in the text?

555 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

555. Why did Javni's brother’s wife refuse to let her interact with their children?

556 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

556. Why was Javni weeping when the family was leaving Malkad?

557 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

557. Why did Javni\'s brother reluctantly allow her to stay in a hut by the garden door?

558 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

558. What does the sister-in-law call the protagonist that adds to her suffering?

559 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

559. How does Javni contribute to Sita’s survival in difficult times?

560 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

560. In the context of Javni’s behavior towards Ramu, which of the following best describes the villagers' perception of Ramu according to the syllabus?

561 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

561. Why does Javni secretly save mangoes and cakes?

562 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

562. (A) Javni gazes at the protagonist as if he were a saint or holy elephant because of her perception of his elevated status.
(R) The protagonist's arrival from the city and his sister's affectionate introduction create an impression of reverence in Javni's mind.

563 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

563. What does the protagonist ask for when seeking shelter from her brother?

564 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

564. Without Javni, Sita claims she could not have lived in her current situation. What does this reveal about the nature of their relationship?

565 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

565. How much does Javni earn in a month?

566 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

566. What does Ramappa jokingly suggest he might be reborn as if Javni does not adopt him?

567 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

567. (A) Javni was forbidden from touching the children in her household because she was considered an evil spirit.
(R) Javni secretly saved mangoes and cakes for a four-year-old boy who loved her despite the social stigma.

568 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

568. Why does Javni offer a lamb to Goddess Talakamma every three years?

569 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

569. Why did Javni’s brother initially refuse to let her stay with him after her husband's death?

570 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

570. What does Javni’s reaction to Ramappa reveal about her worldview?

571 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

571. How does Ramu react to his sister's argument about Javni eating separately?

572 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

572. Why does Javni avoid buying oil for her meals despite needing it?

573 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

573. What condition does the brother impose before allowing the protagonist to stay in the hut by the garden door?

574 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

574. What does Javni's statement "Ramappa, anyway, I cannot deny that a sister is a sister" reveal about her perspective on family bonds?

575 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

575. Which pair of elements from the passage best represents the contrast between urban and rural life?

576 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

576. (A) Sita refuses to eat with Javni because she believes it is irreligious to share meals with lower-caste individuals.
(R) Religious scriptures explicitly forbid Brahmins from eating with those of lower castes.

577 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

577. What does Javni’s willingness to give her savings to Ramu symbolize?

578 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

578. Which literary character is most commonly associated with unwavering devotion?

579 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

579. Why does Javni weep uncontrollably as the family leaves?

580 / 868

Category: Seeking Shelter

580. How does Javni’s sister-in-law react when she returns home?

581 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

581. (A) Sita believes that men like Ramu cannot understand the fears and beliefs of women due to the fundamental differences in their emotional and spiritual experiences.
(R) The text highlights how Javni serves as Sita's confidante, providing emotional support during her husband's absence, demonstrating the gendered divide in understanding emotions.

582 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

582. How did the narrator arrive in Malkad?

583 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

583. Which value is emphasized in Javni’s story of sacrifice?

584 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

584. Why does Javni refer to Ramu and Brahmins as "chosen ones" in the conversation?

585 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

585. If Javni was born in a year that is 15 less than twice the year her mother was born, and her mother was born in 1975, what is Javni's birth year?

586 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

586. What does Javni save her earnings for?

587 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

587. Why is Ramappa shocked when he learns about Javni’s earnings? How does this moment reflect broader societal issues?

588 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

588. What does Javni ask while weeping at Ramu and Sita's departure?

589 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

589. What happens when the narrator hears the door creak behind him?

590 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

590. Why does Javni eat without oil?

591 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

591. (A) Javni's brother provides her the hut by the garden door primarily out of compassion for her suffering.
(R) The hut serves as a means to maintain family honor by isolating Javni from the household.

592 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

592. What was the brother's initial reaction when his sister asked for shelter?

593 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

593. Why does Javni offer a lamb to the Goddess Talakamma?

594 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

594. Why do villagers, including Javni, warn Ramappa not to go out after sunset?

595 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

595. What role does Javni play in Sita’s life during her brother’s absence?

596 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

596. (A) Javni compared Ramu to a divine incarnation because of his appearance and demeanor.
(R) The villagers collectively admired Ramu, as seen through various comments praising him.

597 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

597. Who keeps Javni’s earnings?

598 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

598. What is the most likely reason for hesitation before the first meeting in Malkad?

599 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

599. Who introduces Javni to the narrator?

600 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

600. What reason does Javni give for not using a lamp while eating in the byre?

601 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

601. What condition did Javni's brother set before allowing her to stay in the hut by the garden door?

602 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

602. (A) Javni wept because she feared being forgotten by Sita and her family, who treated her kindly.
(R) Javni considered Sita's family as "gods" due to their kindness and generosity towards her.

603 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

603. (A) The Earth revolves around the Sun.
(R) The Earth completes one revolution around the Sun in approximately 365 days.

604 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

604. (A) Javni's devotion to Ramu stems from her perception of him as a divine or royal figure, which is evident in her worshipful behavior and the way others admire him.
(R) The villagers' collective admiration for Ramu reflects their belief in his elevated status, reinforcing Javni’s devotion.

605 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

605. (A) The brother's initial refusal to provide shelter was primarily due to his deep-seated hatred for his sister.
(R) The brother’s final concession of a hut by the garden door was motivated solely by compassion for his sister’s plight.

606 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

606. How did the protagonist's sister-in-law react when she saw her at their home?

607 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

607. (A) Ramu's persistence in the adoption joke despite Javni's refusal highlights his rejection of the Brahmin's sacred status as emphasized in the Vedas.
(R) Javni dismisses Ramu's adoption request by reaffirming his Brahmin identity and divine role, showing her strict adherence to hierarchical social norms.

608 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

608. In the scene described, why does the narrator wonder, "Who was she?" about Javni?

609 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

609. Javni’s monthly earnings were one rupee, and she occasionally received an extra anna or two from her mother for good work. If 16 annas make one rupee, what percentage of her total possible savings (assuming she saves all her earnings) would an additional two annas represent?

610 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

610. How does Javni’s belief in Goddess Talakamma influence her outlook on life despite her suffering?

611 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

611. What does Javni's response to Ramappa ("If you should, I would give it to you") reveal about her character?

612 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

612. Why does Javni insist that Ramappa must become a Revenue Inspector?

613 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

613. What reason does the brother give for allowing the protagonist to stay in the hut by the garden door?

614 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

614. Why did Javni refuse to buy oil for her meals despite its affordability being equivalent to two days of her earnings?

615 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

615. If Javni earns one rupee a month, and an anna is $\frac{1}{16}$ of a rupee, how many days would it take for her to save enough money for a sari costing 4 rupees, assuming Sita adds one extra anna every month to her savings?

616 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

616. Who occasionally adds to Javni's savings when she works well?

617 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

617. What does Javni aim to save money for?

618 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

618. Why does Ramu react with disgust toward Sita’s refusal to eat with Javni?

619 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

619. What does Javni admire about the man in the village?

620 / 868

Category: Javni’s Acceptance

620. Why does Javni emphasize the phrase, "A sister is a sister" in her conversation with Ramappa?

621 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

621. Why is adhering to syllabus important while generating exam questions?

622 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

622. What does Javni’s sorrow at Ramappa’s family's departure highlight?

623 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

623. Why does Javni continue to care for her brother’s child despite her hardships?

624 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

624. Without a defined syllabus on Devotion and Hierarchy, what should be done next?

625 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

625. Why does Ramappa's sister refuse to eat with Javni?

626 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

626. What does Javni’s brother mean when he says, “You will not get a morsel of rice from me”?

627 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

627. What was the primary reason Javni considered drowning herself but ultimately refrained from doing so?

628 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

628. (A) Sita’s statement *"They are of the lower class, and you cannot ask them to sit and eat with you"* reflects a rigid caste hierarchy that forbids inter-caste dining.
(R) The concept of *"irreligious"* behavior is used to justify caste norms, as seen when Sita claims eating with lower-caste individuals violates religious principles.

629 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

629. What does Javni's appearance and demeanor suggest about her character?

630 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

630. What emotion did Javni primarily display during the farewell at the river?

631 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

631. Who was the only person in Javni’s family who showed kindness toward her?

632 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

632. What condition does Javni's brother impose when allowing her to stay in the hut by the garden door?

633 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

633. How did Javni find solace despite her hardships?

634 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

634. (A) Ramu calls Sita "inhuman" for her discriminatory practices towards Javni.
(R) Ramu believes that Javni and others of the lower caste are "like us" and should be treated equally in matters like eating together.

635 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

635. Why does Javni plan to save money despite her poverty?

636 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

636. How does Javni treat her brother’s child despite being called a witch by others?

637 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

637. What is the significance of Javni referring to Ramu and Brahmins as "chosen ones"?

638 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

638. Why does Javni refer to herself as a "servant or slave" during the adoption conversation with Ramappa?

639 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

639. (A) The sister-in-law calls her a witch and forbids her from touching the child.
(R) The little boy still runs to her because she saves mangoes and cakes for him.

640 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

640. What was the brother's primary reason for initially refusing Javni shelter, and what condition did he impose when he finally relented?

641 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

641. How many siblings did Javni have?

642 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

642. What did Ramu enjoy upon arrival that felt like "nectar" after his journey?

643 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

643. (A) In many epics, characters display devotion by sacrificing personal desires for a greater cause.
(R) Devotion often involves prioritizing values like duty and loyalty over individual happiness.

644 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

644. (A) Javni’s insistence on staying in the byre and her refusal to eat oil reflect her internalized caste-based oppression.
(R) Her economic condition, earning only one rupee a month, forces her to prioritize survival over dignity, reinforcing her acceptance of systemic oppression.

645 / 868

Category: Colonial Modernity vs Village Tradition

645. What was a major contradiction between colonial education policies and traditional village knowledge systems?

646 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

646. What was the primary reason Javni's husband was considered kind and affectionate toward her?

647 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

647. (A) Javni lived a life of extreme poverty, earning only one rupee a month.
(R) She saved her earnings meticulously to buy a sari and something for her brother’s child.

648 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

648. In certain cultures where spouses share deep emotional bonds but sleep separately, what is the primary anthropological interpretation of this practice?

649 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

649. What was one of the reasons Javni did not drown herself despite her suffering?

650 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

650. What contrast is highlighted between Ramu and the villagers' perception of him?

651 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

651. (A) Javni had a difficult life due to her abusive family members.
(R) Her elder brother-in-law was taken away by the police, and she was mistreated by her sister-in-law.

652 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

652. What is the irony in Ramu’s proposal to be adopted by Javni, given the cultural expectation that Brahmins should not be adopted by lower castes?

653 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

653. (A) Javni considered drowning herself in the river but stopped each time due to her fear of Goddess Talakamma, indicating her internal conflict between despair and religious devotion.
(R) In traditional societies, widows often face severe social stigma, which can lead them to contemplate extreme measures like suicide.

654 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

654. Why was Javni's elder brother-in-law taken away by the policeman?

655 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

655. (A) Javni eats alone in the dark byre due to her inability to afford oil for lighting.
(R) She earns only one rupee a month, making an anna for oil a significant expense.

656 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

656. (A) Javni refers to Ramappa and Brahmins as the "chosen ones" and owners of the Vedas.
(R) She sees herself as their servant and slave, reinforcing the hierarchical relationship between them.

657 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

657. (A) The arrival at Malkad was significant in the story.
(R) It marked the first meeting between the main characters.

658 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

658. Which profession was Javni's father associated with?

659 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

659. What was a common form of caste discrimination in traditional Indian society regarding eating practices?

660 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

660. Where did Javni recount watching for him?

661 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

661. What was the reaction of Ramappa's sister when he suggested eating with Javni?

662 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

662. (A) Javni’s decision to sacrifice the lamb at the Durga festival highlights her deep devotion to Goddess Talakamma, despite her poverty and social ostracization.
(R) Javni believes that sacrificing the lamb will ensure the protection and prosperity of Ramappa, demonstrating her unconditional love for him.

663 / 868

Category: Arrival at Malkad and First Meeting

663. (A) Javni treats the narrator with reverence as if he were a saint because she perceives him as a divine figure.
(R) The narrator reflects that Javni's devotion stems from her admiration for his character and kindness.

664 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

664. What is Javni’s reaction when Ramu leaves the village?

665 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

665. What is the primary reason for Javni's brother rejecting her initial request for shelter?

666 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

666. If Sita faces a difficult choice between personal well-being and familial duties, how can mutual affection guide supportive actions?

667 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

667. (A) Sita declared that she could not have lived in the village without Javni.
(R) Javni also expressed that she could not have lived without Sita, referring to her as "Mother."

668 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

668. Sample Question 1

669 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

669. What motivates Javni’s offer to adopt Ramappa?

670 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

670. (A) Sita heavily relies on Javni for emotional support in her husband's absence.

(R) The Revenue Inspector's frequent and prolonged absences make Sita feel isolated, and Javni provides companionship and understanding that men cannot offer.

671 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

671. (A) Ramu’s assertion of not being a Brahmin and his offer to be adopted by Javni highlights his rejection of caste-based hierarchies.
(R) The sacred texts like the Vedas explicitly prohibit Brahmins from engaging in manual labor or accepting a lower-caste person as their guardian.

672 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

672. Why does Sita believe that men, like Ramu, cannot understand her fears and beliefs?

673 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

673. How does Javni express her devotion to Ramu?

674 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

674. What role does Javni play in reinforcing the emotional bond between Sita and Ramu, based on her declaration?

675 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

675. (A) Ramappa's proposal to be adopted by Javni reflects his rejection of the Brahmin identity imposed on him.
(R) Javni refuses to adopt Ramappa because she views Brahmins as gods and believes they cannot be adopted by lower castes.

676 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

676. Why did Javni initially hesitate to seek refuge with her brother after her husband's death?

677 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

677. (A) Educated, modern Ramu's rejection of caste-based discrimination highlights a conflict between progressive values and traditional folk religiosity.
(R) Folk religiosity often reinforces caste hierarchies by attributing divine sanction to them.

678 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

678. Why does Sita refuse to let Javni eat inside the house?

679 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

679. In Javni's life story, what was the primary reason she hesitated to commit suicide despite her unbearable suffering?

680 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

680. How does the narrator's reaction to Javni's behavior reflect his attitude towards Malkad and its people?

681 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

681. How did Javni’s husband die?

682 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

682. (A) Javni believes that Goddess Talakamma is responsible for her survival, the child's love, and Sita's kindness.
(R) She offers a lamb to the Goddess as a vow for protection and prosperity.

683 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

683. Why might the protagonist describe Javni's gaze as if he were "a saint or holy elephant"?

684 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

684. (A) Sita claims she could not have survived in her current living conditions without Javni's presence.
(R) Javni provides emotional support and understands Sita's fears and beliefs, which her brother Ramu cannot.

685 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

685. Why does the narrator wonder, "Who was she?" as the cart moves away?

686 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

686. (A) Javni's brother allowed her to stay in the hut by the garden door because he felt pity for her.
(R) Her brother believed that allowing her shelter would bring misfortune to his family.

687 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

687. Why was Javni so emotional when Sita's family was leaving the village?

688 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

688. How does Javni's family treat her, and what exception does she mention?

689 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

689. (A) In the text, Javni believes Brahmins are the "chosen ones" and above others in the social hierarchy.
(R) The sacred texts like the Vedas are believed to belong exclusively to Brahmins, reinforcing their superior status.

690 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

690. Sita's statement "men can never understand us" primarily reflects which of the following aspects of her relationship with Javni?

691 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

691. What does Ramappa\'s joke about adopting Javni reveal about their relationship?

692 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Adoption Joke

692. What does Javni call Ramu due to his Brahmin status?

693 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

693. What condition did the protagonist's brother set before allowing her to stay in the hut?

694 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

694. Why does Javni's brother initially refuse to give her even a morsel of rice?

695 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

695. Why does Javni accept the hut by the garden door despite her sister-in-law's hostility and verbal abuse?

696 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

696. Why was Javni weeping when the narrator's family was leaving?

697 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

697. (A) Javni calls Ramu and Brahmins the “chosen ones” and claims they are owners of the Vedas and twice-born.
(R) She sees herself as their servant and slave, reflecting traditional hierarchical devotion.

698 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

698. How does Javni’s relationship with Sita influence her role in the household?

699 / 868

Category: Javni’s Acceptance

699. (A) Javni is willing to give her savings to Ramappa if he asks for it because she respects and admires him deeply.
(R) Javni considers Ramappa as a god or superior being who deserves her loyalty and devotion.

700 / 868

Category: Conditional Shelter

700. How does the hut by the garden door function as a symbol in the narrative?

701 / 868

Category: Devotion, Loyalty and Sacrifice

701. What does Javni's declaration "Everything is hers. O Great Goddess Talakamma, give everybody good health and long life and all progeny!" reveal about her devotion and loyalty?

702 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

702. According to Sita, why can men not understand women's fears and beliefs?

703 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

703. What does Javni plan to buy with her savings?

704 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

704. According to Javni, how does Sita feel about her brother, Ramappa?

705 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

705. What does the protagonist assume when he hears the door creak behind him?

706 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

706. (A) Javni's husband was a good man who cared for her and never beat her.
(R) He washed clothes for the Maharaja and belonged to a family of three brothers and two sisters.

707 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

707. (A) The narrator's wonder about Javni's identity at the end of the passage suggests a deep emotional disconnect despite their close relationship.
(R) Javni's continuous weeping and expressions of servitude towards the narrator's family highlight her lower social status and financial dependence.

708 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

708. How does the narrator describe his arrival in Malkad?

709 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

709. What does Javni’s willingness to sacrifice her savings (\$1 rupee and 12 annas) for Ramu signify?

710 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

710. (A) Javni plans to sacrifice the lamb to Goddess Talakamma at the Durga festival because she believes the Goddess will protect her and those she loves.
(R) Javni owes a lamb every three years to the Goddess as part of her devotion.

711 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

711. Why does the protagonist's brother initially refuse to give her shelter?

712 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

712. What role does the Brahmin play in the described social hierarchy?

713 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

713. (A) Javni warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset because she believes in the supernatural and wants to protect him from harm.
(R) Javni’s superstitious beliefs are deeply rooted in her devotional worldview, which is evident from her reverence for the protagonist’s family as incarnations of gods.

714 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

714. Why does Ramu call Sita "inhuman" during their argument?

715 / 868

Category: Brahmin Superiority Belief

715. (A) Javni refers to Ramappa as a "chosen one" and a "god," indicating her belief in Brahmin superiority.
(R) The Vedas are claimed to belong exclusively to Brahmins, reinforcing their divine status.

716 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

716. Why does the protagonist's sister separate her affection for Javni from caste norms?

717 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

717. What was the primary reason Javni's sister-in-law treated her harshly?

718 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

718. How does the river crossing symbolize the emotional departure in the story?

719 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

719. What is the traditional hierarchical order of the Varna system in Hinduism?

720 / 868

Category: Javni declares Sita loves Ramu as her own child; Sita feels Javni understands her fears and beliefs.

720. According to the passage, how does Sita feel about Javni's presence in her life?

721 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

721. Why does Javni refuse to adopt Ramappa?

722 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

722. (A) Javni's devotion to Sita is evident from her constant presence and emotional support during Ramu's absences.
(R) Javni understands Sita's fears and beliefs, which helps her provide the necessary companionship that Sita values deeply.

723 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

723. How does the narrator feel after arriving at Malkad and resting with a cup of coffee?

724 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

724. Why do the villagers admire Javni according to the passage?

725 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

725. How does Javni react when Ramu insists she eats with them?

726 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

726. How does Javni describe her relationship with Sita?

727 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

727. What does Javni's interaction with the little boy reveal about her desire for emotional connection?

728 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

728. What is Ramu’s opinion about caste-based eating practices?

729 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

729. What was the primary reason Javni's sisters-in-law treated her cruelly after her husband's death?

730 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

730. Why did Javni hesitate to commit suicide despite her suffering?

731 / 868

Category: Javni’s Life Story

731. (A) Javni's husband died after being bitten by a snake while washing clothes.
(R) Javni faced severe hardships from her in-laws after her husband's death.

732 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

732. What did Javni plan to do with the money she saved from working well at home?

733 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

733. (A) Jayni’s reverence for the narrator stems from her perception of him as a holy figure, which aligns with her peasant upbringing and superstitions.
(R) Jayni refuses to come near the narrator and insists he must become a big man like the Revenue Inspector because she is intimidated by his urban education and appearance.

734 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

734. Why does Sita believe that men cannot understand women's fears and beliefs as expressed in the text?

735 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

735. What does Javni reveal about her economic condition when discussing why she eats in the byre?

736 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

736. What does Sita assure Javni as they part ways?

737 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

737. What was Javni's primary motivation for his sacrifices?

738 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

738. Which goddess did Javni believe watched over her despite her hardships?

739 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

739. Why does the brother allow the widow to stay in the hut by the garden door after initially refusing her shelter?

740 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

740. (A) Javni follows Ramappa past the pipal tree despite its ominous history because of her deep devotion to him.
(R) The pipal tree symbolizes fear, but Javni's unwavering loyalty overshadows this fear.

741 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

741. What does the "hut by the garden door" symbolize in the context of Javni's situation?

742 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

742. What does Javni’s story primarily highlight about her character, considering her meagre earnings and harsh treatment by her family?

743 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

743. Why does Javni continue to save mangoes and cakes for her nephew despite being called a witch?

744 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

744. What is Ramu's attitude toward Javni eating alone in the byre?

745 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

745. Under what condition does the brother allow the protagonist to stay in the hut by the garden door?

746 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

746. (A) Javni admires Ramappa and believes he will become a successful man like the Revenue Inspector.
(R) The villagers praise Ramappa's beauty and compare him to a god.

747 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

747. Under what condition does Javni's brother finally agree to provide her shelter?

748 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

748. (A) Javni’s decision to live with only a lamb for companionship instead of adopting a child reflects her acceptance of societal ostracism.
(R) The repeated abuse and accusations of witchcraft made Javni believe she was unworthy of human companionship.

749 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

749. How does Javni view Ramu and Brahmins in the conversation?

750 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

750. Why does Javni plan to sacrifice the lamb to Goddess Talakamma?

751 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

751. (A) Javni was financially dependent on the narrator's family.
(R) She wept continuously for a week before their departure because she feared losing her only source of support.

752 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

752. (A) Javni could not afford to buy oil for cooking because it cost two days of her earnings.
(R) Javni earned only one rupee per month, which was insufficient to meet even her basic needs.

753 / 868

Category: Sharp contrast between emotional closeness and ritual distance (eating, sleeping, status).​

753. In many traditional societies, married couples demonstrate sharp contrasts between emotional intimacy and physical separation during rituals. What does this paradox primarily reflect about social relationships?

754 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

754. How did Javni react when she first saw Ramu?

755 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

755. Why is empathy important in a relationship?

756 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

756. How does Sita’s lament about men’s inability to understand women’s fears and religious beliefs reflect the thematic contrast in the syllabus?

757 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

757. Why did Javni's brother eventually allow her to stay in the hut, and how did his wife react to this decision?

758 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

758. What does Javni's reaction to Ramappa’s joke about becoming a Revenue Inspector reveal about her character?

759 / 868

Category: Caste, Eating Practices and Ramu’s Protest

759. (A) Ramu's protest against caste-based eating practices highlights the deep-rooted socio-economic disparities in society.
(R) Javni's acceptance of her low wages and subservient position reflects the internalization of caste hierarchy and economic exploitation.

760 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

760. (A) Javni’s extreme poverty forced her to prioritize her own needs over the well-being of others, including her brother’s child.
(R) Despite her meager earnings, Javni expressed a desire to use her savings to buy something for her brother’s child, demonstrating her selflessness.

761 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

761. (A) Javni's suffering was exacerbated by the fact that all three brothers-in-law contributed to her misery either directly or indirectly.
(R) Each of the brothers-in-law had a different role in tormenting Javni: the eldest through his drunkard behavior, the second being her dead husband who left her vulnerable, and the youngest through his violent actions and association with a concubine.

762 / 868

Category: Emotional Parting

762. What does Javni's persistent weeping and following the cart reveal about her emotional state during the farewell?

763 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

763. (A) Javni's tears and sorrow at the departure indicate her deep emotional bond with the narrator’s family.
(R) Javni had been penniless but found solace in serving the narrator’s family, whom she regarded as godlike.

764 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

764. What condition did the brother impose before giving his sister the hut by the garden door?

765 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

765. Why does Ramu call Sita "inhuman"?

766 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

766. What does Javni's behavior and dialogue reveal about her perception of Ramu?

767 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

767. What is the primary reason for Ramu's internal conflict as described in the narrative?

768 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

768. What does Javni find in Sita’s presence that provides her solace and companionship?

769 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

769. Why did Javni hesitate to enter the room initially?

770 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

770. Why does Javni weep continuously for a week before the family leaves Malkad?

771 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

771. What contrast does the narrative highlight between women and men regarding spirituality and practicality?

772 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

772. How did Javni’s elder sister-in-law treat her after the death of her husband?

773 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

773. (A) Ramu protested against caste discrimination because he believed in equality.

(R) Caste-based discrimination violates fundamental human rights.

774 / 868

Category: Love for Brother’s Child

774. (A) Javni prioritizes saving mangoes and cakes for her brother's child over satisfying her own hunger, despite living in extreme poverty.
(R) Her love for the child is so deep that she willingly sacrifices her own basic needs to ensure the child’s happiness.

775 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

775. (A) Javni weeps and begs Sita not to forget her as the cart leaves the village.
(R) Javni had a deep emotional bond with Sita's family, who treated her with kindness and respect.

776 / 868

Category: Abuse and Ostracism

776. What symbolic role did the little boy play in Javni’s life amidst her ostracism?

777 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

777. (A) Javni wanted to drown herself in the river but feared the wrath of Goddess Talakamma.
(R) Javni believed that ending her life would anger the goddess, which prevented her from committing suicide.

778 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

778. What prevents the protagonist from committing suicide despite facing severe mistreatment?

779 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

779. How much does Javni earn in two days?

780 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

780. (A) Ramu argues that eating with Javni, a lower-caste woman, is not irreligious but humane.
(R) Ramu believes caste-based practices are inhuman and contradict the principles of equality.

781 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

781. Which aspect of the narrator's experience in Malkad highlights the contrast between urban and rural life?

782 / 868

Category: The Door and the Shy Visitor

782. How does the narrator feel upon arriving at Malkad?

783 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

783. Why did Javni hesitate to enter the house when she first arrived?

784 / 868

Category: Fear of Spirits

784. (A) Javni warns Ramappa not to go out after sunset because she believes spirits roam the canal area.
(R) The villagers, including Javni, have a deep-rooted fear of spirits which is evident from their warnings and beliefs.

785 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

785. Sample Question 2

786 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

786. What was the relationship between Javni and the wicked elder brother mentioned in the story?

787 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

787. (A) The narrator's reaction to Javni touching his feet reflects discomfort with hierarchical traditions.
(R) The narrator questions social norms and expresses empathy towards Javni's situation later in the passage.

788 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

788. How many siblings did Javni have during childhood?

789 / 868

Category: Born in Kotehalli; father farmer and washerman; mother hereditary midwife, always busy with births.​

789. Where was Javni born?

790 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

790. What does Javni beg Sita not to do as the cart leaves?

791 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

791. How did Javni's brother react when he first saw her?

792 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

792. (A) The poem "Farewell at the River" is written by William Wordsworth.
(R) William Wordsworth is known for his romantic poetry that often describes nature.

793 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

793. What does the hut by the garden door symbolize in the story?

794 / 868

Category: Two years later, cart leaves village; Javni runs behind, weeping, begging Sita not to forget her.​

794. How does Javni feel when the cart leaves the village?

795 / 868

Category: New servant: about forty, wrinkled, widowed, with fallen hair and breasts, broad forehead of pain but “rapturous eyes”.

795. (A) Javni's response to the narrator's joke about becoming a Revenue Inspector shows her deep faith in his potential.
(R) Javni believes the narrator must become a Revenue Inspector due to his learning and beauty, as she says, "With your learning and beauty you cannot be anything else."

796 / 868

Category: Mutual Affection

796. How did Sita show her emotional support for Rama during his exile?

797 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

797. Why does Ramu's sister argue that Javni cannot eat with them?

798 / 868

Category: Half-seriously asks Javni to adopt him; she laughs, says he is a god and she cannot adopt him; he jokes he might be reborn as a lamb she will sacrifice.​

798. What does Ramappa's joke about being reborn as a lamb signify in the context of his conversation with Javni?

799 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

799. Which of the following best describes a key theme often emphasized in examination settings?

800 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

800. (A) Javni insists on eating in the byre because she believes it is her rightful place due to her caste.
(R) Javni explains that oil is too expensive, costing an anna per bottle, which lasts only a week, while she earns just one rupee per month.

801 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

801. What does the mention of "an anna representing two days of labor" reveal about Javni’s economic reality?

802 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

802. What significant place did Javni follow him past?

803 / 868

Category: Sister-in-law still insults her daily, forbids her touching the child as “witch”; but the boy still runs to her.

803. How does the sister-in-law react when the child visits the protagonist?

804 / 868

Category: Sita’s Caste Objections

804. What is the primary reason Sita objects to eating with Javni?

805 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

805. Why did the brother finally agree to let his sister stay in the hut by the garden door?

806 / 868

Category: Three brothers-in-law: one drunk and imprisoned, another her dead husband, the youngest violent and living with a concubine.​

806. Why did Javni contemplate suicide but ultimately refrain from it?

807 / 868

Category: Ramu arrives at his sister Sita’s house in Malkad after nine months in the city; enjoys hot coffee and rest.​

807. What does Sita's repeated reference to Ramu as "my child" and Javni's ecstatic admiration for him collectively suggest about their relationship dynamics?

808 / 868

Category: Women’s World vs Men’s World

808. Despite societal rejection, what becomes a source of joy for Javni?

809 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

809. What does the narrator's reaction to Javni's presence primarily reveal about his character?

810 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

810. Why did the family have to wade through the river instead of using the ferry?

811 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

811. How do the villagers generally perceive Ramu?

812 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

812. (A) Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside the house because she believes it is irreligious to dine with a lower-caste woman.
(R) Caste norms dictate that eating with lower-caste individuals is prohibited in their religion.

813 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

813. How does Javni contribute to village affairs?

814 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

814. Why does Sita say she could not live in the "damned place" without Javni?

815 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

815. (A) Sita believes that men cannot understand the sacred and mysterious aspects of women's spiritual world.
(R) Women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, irreligious outlook.

816 / 868

Category: At night Javni comes to sleep at their house but eats alone in the dark byre on the floor, near the cow.​

816. How much does Javni earn per month?

817 / 868

Category: Credits Talakamma for her survival, the child’s love, Sita’s kindness; prays for Ramu’s success, health and riches.​

817. Whom does Javni credit for her survival, the child's love, and Sita's kindness in the given context?

818 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

818. How did Javni’s living conditions reflect the societal treatment of widows in her community?

819 / 868

Category: Half-asleep, he hears the door creak; a figure hesitates at the threshold until Sita calls her in as “Javni”.​

819. What did Ramappa hear that made him aware of someone at the door?

820 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion and Village Admiration

820. (A) Empty
(R) Empty

821 / 868

Category: Ramu’s Revolt

821. What was a likely reason for Ramu's protest against caste-based eating restrictions?

822 / 868

Category: Sita’s Dependence on Javni

822. What does Sita mean when she says, "\Without Javni I could never have lived in this damned place!\""?

823 / 868

Category: At the Cauvery crossing, Javni sits on a rock under a huge pipal tree, tiny against river and sky as cart moves away; narrator wonders, “Who was she?”​

823. What does the pipal tree symbolize in the scene where Javni sits under it?

824 / 868

Category: Caste and Social Inequality

824. (A) Javni, belonging to a lower caste, is denied the basic dignity of eating with the upper-caste family.
(R) The sister justifies this by saying, "They are of the lower class, and you cannot ask them to sit and eat with you."

825 / 868

Category: Relationship with Sita and Emotional Support

825. What was the primary reason Lord Rama decided to exile Sita after rescuing her from Lanka?

826 / 868

Category: Javni insists on staying in the byre, not dirtying the hall; says oil is too expensive and life has always been like this.

826. Ramu’s sister claims eating with a lower-caste woman is "irreligious." How does Ramu counter this argument?

827 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

827. In the narrative, why is Javni adamant about sacrificing the lamb to Goddess Talakamma despite Ramappa's reluctance?

828 / 868

Category: Ramu argues they are “like us”, calls Sita “inhuman”; goes to sit with Javni in the byre, urges her to eat in the hall and light a lantern.​

828. How does Sita describe her relationship with Javni despite caste differences?

829 / 868

Category: She recounts watching for him at the marketplace, following him past the pipal tree where a man hanged himself, and repeating villagers’ praises of his looks.​

829. (A) Javni's unwavering devotion to Ramappa is evidenced by her willingness to follow him past the feared pipal tree despite its dark history of a man hanging himself there.
(R) The villagers' praises of Ramappa's beauty strengthened Javni's admiration for him, making her fearless in expressing her devotion.

830 / 868

Category: Educated, modern Ramu’s moral questioning against deep-rooted caste beliefs and folk religiosity.

830. What aspect of folk religiosity often conflicts with modern ethical reasoning?

831 / 868

Category: Sita says “men can never understand us”; women’s gods and fears differ from men’s practical, “irreligious” outlook.​

831. (A) Sita believes that men cannot comprehend the emotional and spiritual experiences of women because their gods and fears are fundamentally different.
(R) Javni provides emotional support to Sita, reinforcing the idea that women share a unique understanding of each other’s struggles due to their shared spiritual and emotional perspectives.

832 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

832. How does the narrator's statement "In contact with a heart like yours, who would not bloom into a god?" contrast with Javni's continued weeping?

833 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

833. Why did Javni hesitate to commit suicide despite her suffering?

834 / 868

Category: Calls Ramu and Brahmins “chosen ones”, owners of Vedas, twice-born; sees herself as their servant and slave.​

834. What is the primary reason Javni declines the playful adoption proposal by Ramu?

835 / 868

Category: Awe of Ramu

835. What does Sita imply when she says that men cannot understand women like her and Javni?

836 / 868

Category: Lamb for Talakamma

836. How does Ramappa respond to Javni’s devotion to Goddess Talakamma?

837 / 868

Category: Warns Ramu about ghosts near the canal after sunset; shows her superstitious, devotional worldview.

837. How does Javni react when she first meets Ramappa?

838 / 868

Category: Javni’s unwavering service, love for Sita’s family and her brother’s child despite humiliation and poverty.​

838. Why did Javni not commit suicide despite facing humiliation from the women in her household?

839 / 868

Category: Javni approaches slowly, sits shyly by a sack of rice, gazes at Ramu “like a saint or holy elephant”; calls him “prince” and “god”.​

839. How does Javni’s devotion reflect the village’s collective admiration for Ramu?

840 / 868

Category: Meagre Wages and Savings

840. (A) Javni saves her meagre wage of one rupee per month primarily to buy a sari for herself and something for her brother's child.
(R) Despite being treated with contempt by her brother and sister-in-law, Javni's love for her brother's child remains unwavering.

841 / 868

Category: Javni’s Devotion to Goddess

841. (A) Javni believes Goddess Talakamma is the cause of both her blessings and misfortunes.
(R) She sees all events, whether good or bad, as part of divine will.

842 / 868

Category: Birth and Family Background

842. (A) Javni was born in a royal family.
(R) Historical records indicate that Javni's upbringing involved significant cultural and educational privileges.

843 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

843. (A) Javni's husband was a good and affectionate man who never beat her.
(R) He washed clothes for the Maharaja when he came here.

844 / 868

Category: Town’s Reaction to Ramu

844. How did the villagers initially react to Ramu?

845 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

845. What did the narrator joke about becoming to have Javni as his servant?

846 / 868

Category: Devotion, Hierarchy and “Adoption” Conversation

846. Why is a lamb offered to the Goddess Talakamma in the given context?

847 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

847. How does the narrator feel during his first moments in Malkad?

848 / 868

Category: Has a lamb for the child to play with; plans to sacrifice it to Goddess Talakamma at Durga festival, believing the Goddess protects her and those she loves.​

848. How often does Javni owe a lamb to Goddess Talakamma?

849 / 868

Category: Earns one rupee a month (an anna in two days); never takes it herself; Sita keeps it, adding annas sometimes so she can one day buy a sari and gifts for her brother’s child.​

849. (A) Javni willingly sacrifices her earnings for others.
(R) She earns one rupee each month but never uses it for herself.

850 / 868

Category: Introduction of Javni

850. What is the narrator's initial assumption about the figure at the door?

851 / 868

Category: Sita refuses to let Javni eat inside, citing caste and religion; calls dining with lower caste “irreligious”.​

851. (A) Sita's refusal to let Javni eat inside the house is justified by her adherence to religious traditions.
(R) Sita believes that dining with a lower caste woman violates religious norms and is therefore "irreligious."

852 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

852. How did Javni’s husband die?

853 / 868

Category: Married at 18 to a kind washerman in Malkad who washed clothes for the Maharaja; he dies of snakebite by the river despite magical cures.​

853. Why did Javni run away from her husband's family after his death?

854 / 868

Category: Departure from Malkad

854. How does Javni refer to the narrator's sister?

855 / 868

Category: Themes and Exam Focus

855. Which of the following is a common theme in literature?

856 / 868

Category: Javni’s Poverty and Sacrifice

856. How did Javni respond when asked if she would give her savings to Ramappa?

857 / 868

Category: Marriage and Widowhood

857. What was Javni's husband's occupation before his death?

858 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

858. Why did Javni refuse Ramappa’s suggestion to adopt a child?

859 / 868

Category: In-Laws and Social Stigma

859. Why did Javni's sister-in-law forbid her from touching their children?

860 / 868

Category: Narrator’s Return

860. How did the narrator feel upon arriving at Malkad after his cycle ride?

861 / 868

Category: Sita confesses she could not live in the “damned place” without Javni, especially when her husband (Revenue Inspector) tours remote villages.​

861. What does Javni do to keep Sita engaged during her husband's absence?

862 / 868

Category: Continued Humiliation

862. (A) The protagonist's confinement to the hut by the garden door symbolizes her complete acceptance and integration into the household.
(R) The hut serves as a physical manifestation of her marginalization, reflecting the societal oppression faced by widows.

863 / 868

Category: Farewell at the River

863. How did the narrator's sister react to Javni's sorrow?

864 / 868

Category: Brother initially refuses even a morsel of rice; finally, for his father’s spirit, gives her a hut by the garden door on condition she “never quarrel”.​

864. (A) The brother initially refuses to provide the widow even a morsel of rice because he believes she carries misfortune with her.
(R) The brother eventually grants her a hut by the garden door solely for the peace of his father’s spirit, not out of compassion.

865 / 868

Category: Fleeing in-law abuse, she goes to her brother; his wife curses and calls her evil.​

865. (A) The protagonist's brother reluctantly allows her to stay in the hut by the garden door to honor their father’s spirit.
(R) The brother believes that allowing her shelter will bring misfortune upon his household.

866 / 868

Category: Brother’s Rejection and Hut by the Garden Door

866. (A) Javni's brother reluctantly allowed her to stay in the hut by the garden door because of his father's spirit.
(R) Javni's brother had genuine sympathy for her situation as a widow.

867 / 868

Category: After jail scandal, villagers spit at them, let cattle ruin their fields; sisters-in-law call her “dirty widow”, “witch”, and spit on her.​

867. What did the villagers do to Javni after the jail scandal?

868 / 868

Category: Eating in the Byre

868. What is the primary reason Javni gives for not lighting a lantern while eating in the byre?

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