Madam Rides the Bus — Grammar Exercises
Two grammar exercises based on real NCERT sentences from this chapter. Practise the editing and gap-filling formats tested in CBSE Section B.
Exercise 1Editing / Error Correction
The sentence below has one grammatical error. Find the incorrect word and write the correction.
Show Answer & Explanation
In 'there was/were' constructions, the verb agrees with the real subject that follows it. The real subject here is 'a girl' (singular). Singular subject → 'was'. 'There was a girl.' 'There were girls' (plural) would use 'were'. The word 'there' is not the subject — it is an expletive that postpones the real subject.
Exercise 2Gap Filling
Choose the option that best fills the blank in the sentence below.
Show Answer & Explanation
The NCERT text specifically says Valli stood in the 'front doorway' — not a window, garden, or balcony. The doorway gave her a full view of the street, which is why she found it entertaining. This detail establishes her character: she explores the world from a fixed vantage point before she takes the bus ride.
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