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A character arc is the… (English 2024 2/4/1 Q11b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2024, set 2/4/1 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2024: question 11(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2024, paper 2/4/1, section C, question 11(b), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q11(b) · 6 marks · Long answerCompetency-basedBholi

A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of his/her experiences, challenges and interactions with other characters. In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of Bholi in K.A. Abbas's 'Bholi'.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2024 board paper, set 2/4/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Divide the answer into beginning, turning point and end.

Hint 2

Think about what changed Bholi: her teacher and school.

Hint 3

End with how she shows courage at the wedding.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. Introduction: Bholi begins as a simple, neglected and timid girl and ends as a confident, educated woman, which is a clear character arc.

    1 mark

  2. Early stage: She suffered a head injury and smallpox as a child, which left pock marks on her face and made her stammer. Her parents neglected her, and she was scared of school.

    2 marks

  3. Turning point: Her teacher spoke kindly to her and encouraged her. She worked hard, learnt to read and write, and slowly gained confidence.

    1 mark

  4. Final stage: On her wedding day she boldly refused to marry the greedy Bishamber, who demanded dowry. She promised her parents she would take care of them by taking a job as a teacher at the school.

    2 marks

  5. Conclusion: Bholi was educated in the true sense, with self-respect and courage.

Answer: Bholi grows from a timid, stammering, neglected girl into a bold, confident, self-reliant woman through education and her teacher's support.

Where the marks are

  • Introduction to the arc (1 mark)
  • Early timid state with details (2 marks)
  • Change through the teacher's support and education (1 mark)
  • Bold refusal of dowry and decision to support parents (2 marks)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Bholi (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Bholi, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2024 board paper, set 2/4/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.