My Childhood MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This is an MCQ quiz for Class 9 English Language and Literature (Code 184), from Section C: Literature (Beehive Prose). The quiz focuses on the topic “My Childhood” by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, covering themes of autobiographical narrative, values, and important events. Please attempt all questions and click “Submit Quiz” to see your score and download the answer PDF.
About the Chapter: My Childhood
“My Childhood” is an extract from the autobiography “Wings of Fire” by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India. This chapter provides a glimpse into his early life in the island town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. It highlights the simplicity of his upbringing, the values instilled by his parents, the influence of his friends and teachers, and the seeds of scientific curiosity that were sown in his young mind. The narrative is a powerful example of how a humble beginning cannot stop a person from achieving greatness through hard work, perseverance, and strong values.
Key Themes and Values
- Religious Harmony and Secularism: Kalam describes the close friendship between his family (Muslim) and the family of the high priest of the Rameswaram temple (Hindu). His science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, a Brahmin, broke social barriers by inviting Kalam to his home for a meal. These instances showcase a society where different religions coexisted peacefully.
- Parental Influence: Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen, was a man of great wisdom and generosity, despite not having formal education. His mother, Ashiamma, was kind and a great support to her husband. They taught him the values of honesty, self-discipline, and faith in goodness.
- The Role of Teachers: Teachers like Sivasubramania Iyer played a crucial role in shaping Kalam’s outlook. He not only taught science but also imparted life lessons on breaking social barriers and aiming high.
- Hard Work and Humility: Young Kalam earned his first wages by helping his cousin distribute newspapers during the Second World War. This experience taught him the dignity of labour and self-reliance at an early age.
Important Events in Kalam’s Childhood
| Event | Significance |
|---|---|
| Helping cousin Samsuddin distribute newspapers | Earned his first wages; learned the value of hard work. |
| Friendship with Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan | Showcased the strong bond between children of different religious backgrounds. |
| The ‘new teacher’ incident | Highlighted the presence of social inequality, which was firmly challenged by Kalam’s father and Lakshmana Sastry. |
| Dining at his science teacher’s home | A powerful lesson against caste discrimination and a demonstration of social reform. |
| Getting permission to study in Ramanathapuram | Demonstrated his father’s wisdom in allowing him to pursue his ambitions, despite his mother’s initial hesitation. |
Quick Revision Points
- Birthplace: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
- Parents’ Names: Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma.
- Close Friends: Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan.
- First Job: Helping his cousin Samsuddin catch and distribute newspaper bundles.
- Influential Teacher: Sivasubramania Iyer, his science teacher.
- Father’s Quote: Quoted Khalil Gibran, saying children are not possessions but “the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.”
- Autobiography Name: Wings of Fire.
Practice Questions
1. What did Kalam’s father believe was more important than formal education and riches?
Answer: He believed in the importance of innate wisdom and true generosity of spirit.
2. Describe the incident with the new teacher at the Rameswaram Elementary School.
Answer: The new teacher, who had a strong sense of social hierarchy, could not tolerate a Muslim boy sitting with a Brahmin boy. He asked Kalam to sit on the back bench. This was rectified after Kalam’s father and Ramanadha Sastry’s father, Lakshmana Sastry, confronted the teacher.
3. How did Sivasubramania Iyer change his wife’s conservative attitude?
Answer: When his wife refused to serve Kalam in her kitchen, Iyer served Kalam with his own hands and sat down beside him to eat his meal. He then invited Kalam again for the next week, and this time his wife served Kalam herself, demonstrating a change of heart.
4. What was the impact of the Second World War on Rameswaram?
Answer: The war led to a sudden demand for tamarind seeds, which Kalam collected and sold. It also led to the suspension of the train halt at Rameswaram station, which created an opportunity for Kalam to earn his first wages by helping distribute newspapers.
5. What life lesson did Kalam learn from his father about ambition and family?
Answer: When Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram for higher studies, his father explained to his hesitant mother, using a quote about a seagull flying across the sun alone, that children must be allowed to follow their own paths and ambitions to grow.
