The Girl Who Can - ICSE Treasure Chest Questions & Answers | Solved Extracts

Section B: Context Questions

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

As far as I could see, there was only one problem. And it had nothing to do with what I knew Nana considered as 'problems', or what Maami thinks of as 'the problem'. Maami is my mother. Nana is my mother's mother. And they say I am seven years old. And my problem is that at this seven years of age, there are things I can think in my head, but which, maybe, I do not have the proper language to speak them out with. And that, I think is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at.

i) Who is referred to as 'I' in the extract? According to her, what was her grandmother's problem?

Ans: 'I' refers to the narrator of the story, Adjoa, a seven-year-old girl. According to Adjoa, her grandmother's problem was Adjoa's thin and long legs, which Nana believed were not suitable for supporting strong hips required for childbearing.

ii) What is her problem at the age of seven? Why is it a serious problem?

Ans: At the age of seven, Adjoa's problem is that she has many thoughts in her mind but does not have the proper language to express them clearly. It is a serious problem because whenever she tries to speak, people laugh at her, and she is forced to choose between remaining silent or being mocked.

iii) As described after the extract, how would Nana react when she would say something?

Ans: When Adjoa said something, Nana would first stop whatever she was doing and stare at her for a long time. She would then bend towards Adjoa and ask her to repeat what she had said. After Adjoa repeated it, Nana would either strictly warn her never to say such things again or burst out laughing, continuing to laugh until tears ran down her cheeks. Later, she would even repeat Adjoa's words to other adults, who would also laugh at her.

iv) How would Nana involve other people in her reaction?

Ans: Nana would involve other people by repeating Adjoa's words to them as soon as they came by. She did this to make sure she did not forget what Adjoa had said, and soon other grown-ups would join in, laughing and reacting loudly, turning it into a public mockery of Adjoa's words.

v) Explain briefly the significance of the girl-child being the narrator of the story.

Ans: The girl-child being the narrator is significant because it presents the story from a child's innocent and honest point of view. Through Adjoa's narration, the reader clearly understands how adult attitudes, gender bias, and traditional beliefs affect a young girl's mind. This narration makes the story more realistic and impactful, as it highlights the emotional confusion, sensitivity, and intelligence of a child living in a patriarchal society.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be
an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn't want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried. After all, they were my legs.... When I think back on it now, those two, Nana and my mother, must have been discussing my legs from the day I was born. What I am sure of is that when I came out of the land of sweet, soft silence into the world of noise and comprehension, the first topic I met was my legs.

i) Why does the narrator want to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry? What does it suggest about the narrator?

Ans: The narrator wants to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry because they keep arguing about her legs, which she feels is unnecessary. This suggests that the narrator is mature, sensitive, and understanding for her age, as she does not want her two favourite people to fight over something that does not bother her.

ii) Who are the narrator's two favourite people? What are their views on the issue?

Ans: The narrator's two favourite people are her grandmother Nana and her mother Maami. Nana believes that Adjoa's thin and long legs are a problem because they may not be suitable for childbearing, while Maami feels that the issue is unnecessary and does not agree with Nana's traditional views, though she mostly remains silent.

iii) Who are 'they' who would laugh at her and why?

Ans: 'They' refers to the grown-ups around Adjoa, including her grandmother and other adults. They would laugh at her because they found her serious thoughts and statements amusing, and treated her words as childish and funny instead of taking them seriously.

iv) Why does the narrator feel that her grandmother and mother would have been discussing her legs ever since she was born? What does it suggest about the two women?

Ans: The narrator feels that her grandmother and mother had been discussing her legs ever since she was born because her legs became the first and constant topic of concern from the moment she entered the world. This suggests that the two women were deeply influenced by social beliefs about a girl's body, with Nana holding traditional views and Maami being worried yet helpless, showing how strongly such ideas affected them.

v) Which figure of speech is used in the last two lines of the extract? Explain briefly the meaning of these lines.

Ans: The figure of speech used in the last two lines is a metaphor. The phrase "land of sweet, soft silence" refers to the mother's womb, while the "world of noise and comprehension" means the outside world after birth. These lines suggest that from the moment Adjoa was born, the first and constant concern of the adults was her legs, showing how early she became a subject of judgment.

III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

I knew from her voice that my mother was weeping inside. Nana never heard such inside weeping. Not that it would have stopped Nana even if she had heard it. Which always surprised me. Because, about almost everything else apart from my legs, Nana is such a good grown-up. In any case, what do I know about good grown-ups and bad grown-ups? How could Nana be a good grown-up when she carried on so about my legs? All I want to say is that I really like Nana except for that.

i) Why could the narrator feel that her mother was weeping from inside? Why could not her grandmother hear her daughter's inside weeping?

Ans: The narrator could feel that her mother was weeping from inside because of the sadness and pain reflected in her voice, even though she did not cry openly. Her grandmother could not hear her daughter's inside weeping because Maami did not express her emotions aloud, and Nana was insensitive and too rigid in her views about Adjoa's legs to notice her daughter's silent suffering.

ii) The narrator feels that her grandmother would not have stopped even if she had heard her mother's inside weeping. Why? What does it suggest about her grandmother and mother?

Ans: The narrator feels that her grandmother would not have stopped even if she had heard her mother's inside weeping because Nana was strongly fixed in her traditional beliefs about Adjoa's legs and refused to change her views. This suggests that Nana was rigid and insensitive, while Maami was emotional, sensitive, and silently suffering, unable to openly oppose her mother.

iii) Why does the narrator say that except for talking about her legs her grandmother is a 'good grown-up'? What does it suggest about the narrator?

Ans: The narrator says that except for talking about her legs, her grandmother is a 'good grown-up' because Nana is caring, responsible, and sensible in all other matters. This suggests that the narrator is mature, fair-minded, and understanding, as she is able to recognise her grandmother's good qualities despite disagreeing with her behaviour about the legs.

iv) What would the grandmother be discussing when she would bring in the narrator's father in her discussion? What does she admit about the man?

Ans: When the grandmother brought the narrator's father into the discussion, she would be criticising her daughter's choice of husband and linking Adjoa's spindly, thin legs to that marriage. She admits that the man is "one of God's children", showing her reluctant acceptance and humility, even though she continues to complain about Adjoa's legs.

v) State important characteristic traits of the narrator as revealed in this extract.

Ans: The extract reveals that the narrator is sensitive and observant, as she understands her mother's silent pain through her voice. She is also mature and fair-minded, since she is able to recognise her grandmother as a good grown-up despite disagreeing with her behaviour about her legs. In addition, the narrator appears thoughtful and emotionally intelligent, showing an ability to judge people with balance and understanding.

IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Sometimes, Nana would pull in something about my father. How, 'Looking at such a man, we have to be humble and admit that after all, God's children are many...'
How, 'After one's only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a grand daughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.'
The way she always added that bit about my father under her breath, she probably thought I didn't hear it. But I always heard it.

i) Why would the grandmother thank God? What does it suggest about her?

Ans: The grandmother would thank God because, after her only daughter insisted on marrying the man, the only problem she faced later was having a granddaughter with spindly, thin legs. This suggests that she was deeply traditional, judgmental, and critical, yet also religious and resigned, as she accepted the situation by placing her faith in God.

ii) What makes the narrator question her own viewpoint that her grandmother is a 'good grown-up'? What does the narrator finally think about her grandmother?

Ans: The narrator questions her own view that her grandmother is a good grown-up because Nana continually criticises her father and keeps complaining about her spindly legs, showing prejudice and insensitivity. Finally, the narrator feels that although she dislikes this behaviour, she still likes her grandmother, accepting her with her faults and recognising that she is good in most other matters.

iii) Describe the feelings of Adjoa's mother when she hears about her husband. What kind of relationship existed between Adjoa's mother and grandmother?

Ans: When Adjoa's mother hears such remarks about her husband, she feels hurt, humiliated, and emotionally distressed, but weeps silently without openly reacting. This shows that the relationship between Adjoa's mother and grandmother was unequal and strained, marked by dominance and authority on Nana's part and submission, respect, and silent suffering on Maami's part, reflecting the traditional family hierarchy.

iv) Why does the grandmother hush up things about Adjoa's father? What does it reveal about her relationship with Adjoa?

Ans: The grandmother hushes up things about Adjoa's father by muttering them under her breath because she does not want to say them openly, knowing they are unkind and hurtful. This reveals that her relationship with Adjoa is not entirely harsh, as Nana assumes Adjoa will not hear or understand such remarks. At the same time, it shows a lack of sensitivity, since Adjoa does hear and is affected by her grandmother's words.

v) Describe briefly how Adjoa's grandmother serves as an agent of patriarchy.

Ans: Adjoa's grandmother serves as an agent of patriarchy by judging a girl's worth through her physical appearance, especially her legs, and by linking a woman's value to marriage and childbearing. She openly criticises her daughter's choice of husband while upholding traditional gender roles, showing bias against women and internalised patriarchal thinking, even though she herself is a woman.

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

In my eyes, all my friends have got legs that look like legs: but whether the legs have got meat on them to support the kind of hips that ... that I don't know.
According to the older boys and girls, the distance between our little village and the small town is about five kilometres. I don't know what five kilometres mean. They always complain about how long it is to walk to school and back. But to me, we live in our village, and walking those kilometres didn't matter. School is nice.

i) How does the narrator describe her friends' legs? What is she not sure about?

Ans: The narrator describes her friends' legs as normal legs that look like legs. She is not sure whether those legs have enough meat to support the kind of hips considered necessary for women, as she does not fully understand such adult concerns.

ii) The narrator says that she does not know how far is five kilometres? What does it suggest about her? Who are 'they' who complain about the distance?

Ans: The narrator says that she does not know how far five kilometres is because she is young, innocent, and unconcerned with measurements or distance. It suggests her childlike simplicity and carefree attitude. The word 'they' refers to the older boys and girls, who complain about the long distance they have to walk to school and back.

iii) The narrator says that she does not feel uncomfortable while walking five kilometres to school and back. What is suggested by the narrator's statement? How does she prove it at the end of the story?

Ans: The narrator's statement suggests that she is physically strong, energetic, and cheerful, and does not view walking long distances as a hardship. She proves this at the end of the story by winning races at the school sports meet, where her much-criticised thin legs become a source of strength, showing that they are capable and powerful.

iv) Explain two characteristic traits of the narrator that emerge from this extract.

Ans: Two characteristic traits of the narrator that emerge from this extract are innocence and physical resilience. She is innocent because she does not understand adult concerns about body shape or measurements, like distance. She is physically resilient and cheerful, as she does not feel tired or uncomfortable while walking long distances to school and enjoys it without complaint.

v) Explain briefly the change in the attitude of the narrator's grandmother by the end of the story? What brought about this change?

Ans: By the end of the story, the narrator's grandmother's attitude changes from constant criticism to pride and acceptance. She no longer sees Adjoa's spindly legs as a problem and feels proud of her achievement. This change is brought about when Adjoa wins races at the school sports meet, proving that the very legs Nana criticised are strong, useful, and capable, thereby challenging her traditional beliefs.

VI. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Nana would just laugh. 'Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.'
Running with our classmates on our small sports field and winning first place each time never seemed to be anything about which to tell anyone at home. This time it was difficult. I don't know how the teachers decided to let me run for the junior section of our school in the district games. But they did.
When I went home to tell my mother and Nana, they had not believed it at first. So Nana had taken it upon herself to go and 'ask into it properly'.

i) Why would Nana laugh? Why does she allow Adjoa to go to school?

Ans: Nana would laugh because she believed that Adjoa's spindly legs were useless for traditional roles, especially childbearing. She allows Adjoa to go to school because she feels that a girl with such legs is better suited for education, showing her traditional mindset and low expectations, while indirectly accepting schooling as an alternative.

ii) Why does Adjoa not tell anybody at home about her running on the sports field and winning all the competitions? Why does she say that this time it was different?

Ans: Adjoa does not tell anyone at home about her running and winning on the sports field because it was never considered important or valued by her family, especially Nana, who was only concerned about her legs. She says that this time it was different because she had been selected to represent her school in the district games, which was a serious and official achievement that could not be ignored.

iii) How does Adjoa's mother and grandmother react to the news about her being selected as a runner for the district games? How does her grandmother check the truth about the news?

Ans: Adjoa's mother and grandmother do not believe the news at first and are surprised by her selection for the district games. Nana reacts by taking charge and decides to verify the truth herself. She goes to the school to enquire directly from the teachers, showing her authoritative nature and need for confirmation.

iv) How does Adjoa's mother react after her grandmother verified that Adjoa was indeed one of her school's runners?

Ans: After Nana verifies that Adjoa is indeed one of the school's runners, Maami is shocked and deeply surprised. She opens her mouth as if to speak, but then falls silent on seeing Nana's expression. Though she says nothing, her silence reflects quiet pride, relief, and inner satisfaction, as Adjoa's achievement finally challenges the long-held belief that her legs were a "problem".

v) Explain briefly what all Nana did on getting the news of Adjoa's selection for district sports meet and why?

Ans: On getting the news of Adjoa's selection for the district sports meet, Nana went to the school to enquire and confirm the truth. After verifying it, she became actively involved and took charge of the situation because she wanted to be sure that the information was correct and also because she began to recognise the importance of Adjoa's achievement, which challenged her earlier beliefs about Adjoa's legs.

VII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself.
When we arrived in our village, she entered our compound to show the cup to my mother before going to give it back to the Headmaster.
Oh, Grown-ups are so strange. Nana is right now carrying me on her knee, and crying softly.

i) What was the 'gleaming cup'? Why did she carry it on her back?

Ans: The "gleaming cup" was the trophy awarded to Adjoa for being the best all-rounder junior athlete at the district sports meet. Nana carried it on her back like a precious baby because she felt great pride and joy, treating the trophy as something very valuable, as it symbolised Adjoa's success and proved the strength of her much-criticised legs.

ii) With whom has the narrator compared the gleaming cup? Why?

Ans: The narrator compares the gleaming cup to a baby because Nana carries it on her back the same way babies and other precious things are carried. This comparison highlights how valuable and dear the trophy had become to Nana, showing her pride in Adjoa's achievement.

iii) Why did she want to show the cup to the narrator's mother? How did she react to it?

Ans: Nana wanted to show the cup to the narrator's mother to share her pride and happiness over Adjoa's achievement. On seeing the cup, Adjoa's mother became emotional and was unable to speak, showing her silent joy, pride, and relief at her daughter's success.

iv) Why did the grandmother cry softly? What does it suggest about her?

Ans: The grandmother cried softly because she was overcome with emotion and pride on realising that Adjoa's much-criticised legs had brought honour and success. This suggests that Nana had undergone an emotional change, feeling regret for her earlier harsh judgments and showing love, acceptance, and humility towards her granddaughter.

v) Explain how did the three women in the story feel when Adjoa won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete.

Ans: When Adjoa won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete, the three women reacted differently yet emotionally. Nana felt proud and overwhelmed, carrying the trophy like a precious baby and crying softly, showing a change in her attitude. Maami felt silent joy and deep relief, unable to express her happiness in words. Adjoa herself felt surprised but quietly happy, seeing her achievement finally recognised and