Chapter 16-I Must Know the Truth

Chapter 16-I Must Know the Truth

Multiple Choice

Aradhana in the story, I Must Know the Truth appeared at the stage rather late. Why did she delay her appearance?

• Aradhana was delayed in appearing on the stage because when she got to know that she was an adopted child she was shocked and confused for a while. She left the makeup room in pain and hate and fled towards the parking lot and took some time to think about what she had found out.

• Aradhana was delayed in appearing on the stage because when she got to know that she was an adopted child she was shocked and confused for a while. =

• Aradhana was delayed in appearing on the stage because fled towards the parking lot and took some time to think about what she had found out.

Multiple Choice

How did Aradhana hear the truth?

• Aradhana heard the truth when her mother was talking about it to Dadima in front of her in the makeup room.

• Aradhana heard the truth when Aunt Pramela was talking about it to her mother front of her in the makeup room.

• Aradhana heard the truth when Aunt Pramela was talking about it to Dadima in front of her in the makeup room.

Multiple Choice

What gift had Aradhana’s parents got for her? Why did they want to give it to her at the School Annual Day Function?

• Aradhana’s parents gave her a necklace. They wanted to give it to her on the School Annual Day Function because it was her 18th birthday.

• Aradhana’s parents gave her a necklace. They wanted to give it to her on the School Annual Day Function because they were proud of her and also, it was a more appropriate occasion.

• Aradhana’s parents gave her a necklace. They wanted to give it to her on the School Annual Day Function because they were proud of her and also because it was a more appropriate occasion.

Shortly before the annual dance show of the Kamala Devi School of Dance and music commenced, I slipped backstage once more and hugged her. “See what you’ve done,” wailed my sister. “You’ve crushed the flowers in my hair.” She patted her hair back into place and arranged the pleats of her Bharatnatyam dress.

“Oh! You look great,” I told her. “In fact you look very beautiful.” My sister did

not believe me. She turned towards the mirror and stared at herself. Our eyes met.

“You are beautiful,” whispered my sister, “even without the flowers, ornaments

and all this,” and she brushed down her silken dress. “You are so.............”.

Multiple Choice

Who hugged the dancer?

• her mother

• her aunt

• her aunt

• her younger sister

I know what she was going to say— “Fair, Fair.” I felt anger rise inside me. Fair! As if that was all that mattered, mattered most, more than a good figure, a chiseled face, more than the beauty that lies within. I knew I wasn’t as beautiful as she

was, with her fine, regular features, and I wasn’t even half as talented as her. How

did it matter if she was darker than me?

“Look,” I said, “You are great and beautiful; you’ll prove it today.”

Aradhana smiled and said, “You better leave now Simmi, keep fingers crossed.”

Multiple Choice

Which of these qualities is not important in a dancer?

• a good figure

• fine features

• a fair complexion

• a talent for dancing

Open Ended

Why did Aradhana think she was not beautiful? Do you agree with her?

As I turned to leave I saw Dadima and Aunt Pramela making their way through the

crowd of excited girls.

“Aunt Pramela”, my sister rolled up her eyes in mock horror, “If it isn’t a bad omen!”

“Come on, Aradhana,” I chuckled, “Don’t be mean. Smile, smile Bharatnatyam style. That shouldn’t be difficult for you.”

My grandmother who suffered from rheumatism waddled towards my sister. My

mother appeared from behind her and said in her ambassador's voice, “Look who is here to wish you, Aradhana.” She gave her sister one of her best smiles. My mother looks ten years younger when she smiles. She adjusted Aradhana’s blouse and patted her on the shoulders, “Grandfather has come too. He’s sitting in the front row. And so has your Father, —— ah, how forgetful of me.” She held my sister at arm’s length and said gently. “We are so proud of you Aradhana, my

dear, that you have been selected to inaugurate the Annual Show of your school.

Father and I have something very special for you at this important event. We

wanted to give it to you on your eighteenth birthday next month, but we thought

today was a more appropriate occasion. We want you to wear it today.” She turned to me and said, “Run Simmi, get it from father!”

Open Ended

Who was she not particularly keen to meet? Pick out words from the text in support of your answer.

Multiple Choice

Why were Aradhana’s family members proud of her?

• Aradhana’s family members were proud of her because she had been selected to inaugurate the Annual Show of the Kamala Devi Dance School.

• Aradhana’s family members were proud of her because she was beautiful

• Aradhana’s family members were proud of her because she was so talented.

Multiple Choice

For how many years had Aradhana been with her adopted parents?

• 21 years

• 18 jyears

• 17 years

“What mummy?” I asked, puzzled. “What have you brought for Aradhana?”

“Never mind,” my mother sighed, “I’ll get it myself. You help grandmother and

aunt Pramela back to their seats.”

“Move back,” protested Grandma, “I haven’t even had time to look at Aradhana

properly. I haven’t exchanged a single word with her. Let me look at you child.”

She regarded my sister tenderly, “You look wonderful. And what a good figure

you have. Don’t neglect it, dear, like I did.”

“No,” Aradhana smiled politely.

“You are a real young lady, that’s what you are. Soon we’ll have to start looking

for a suitable match for you.”

“Dadima please,” Aradhana threw an embarrassed glance around her.

“Time is flying,” sighed Grandma, and turning to aunt Pramela she asked, “isn’t it,

Pramela?”

“It certainly is,” my aunt nodded. “It seems it was just yesterday when Sunita brought her home. How skinny she was, skinny and dark.”

I gasped and stared aghast at Aunt Pramela. How on earth could she say such hurting words in front of Aradhana? Didn’t she know how touchy she was about dark complexion? And why did she have to hang on it today of all days?

“Hush, Pramela,” my grandmother’s voice had an edge now. “Do keep quiet.” Then seizing aunt Pramela’s elbow she pulled her away, whispering fiercely all the time.

I looked at Aradhana. The bruised look in her eyes hurt me immensely. I groped for her hand and squeezed it. “Forget her she’s mad and mean and miserable.” My sister gave a small laugh which sounded more like a cry.

Open Ended

What fact related to Aradhana’s life disturbed her? Why did she feel that way? How did she convey it to others?

Multiple Choice

What is the truth Aradhana wanted to find out? What did she actually discover?

• Aradhana wanted to find out whether she was adopted or not. She discovered that what Aunt Pramela had said was true.

• Aradhana wanted to find out whether what Grandma had said was true or not. She discovered that Aunt Pramela was right.

• Aradhana wanted to find out whether she was adopted or not. She discovered that in spite of being an adopted child, she was loved and cared for by her family.