Class 10 English Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

10std English Question and Answer Karnataka State Board Syllabus

Class 10 English Chapter 4

Dr.B.R. Ambedkar 

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Comprehension I: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Question 1:
Ambedkar spent most of his life by ____
Answer:
reading books

Question 2:
Pick out the word in the first paragraph which means ‘a quality that makes a person or a thing different from another.’
Answer:
Trait

Question 3:
How did the Fourteenth Amendment of the American Constitution benefit Black Americans?
Answer:
The Fourteenth Amendment of the American Constitution granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to Black Americans, ensuring their legal rights and freedom.

Question 4:
What did Mahatma Phule work for?
Answer:
Mahatma Phule worked for social equality, women’s education, and the upliftment of the oppressed classes.

Question 5:
Mookanayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, and Samata were ______
a) Voice mails
b) Newspapers
c) Political parties
Answer:
b) Newspapers

Question 6:
Gandhiji termed the depressed classes as ______
Answer:
Harijan

Comprehension II: Share Your Responses Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Question 1:
The draft is a banking term. How is the word used in the context of this lesson?
Answer:
In this lesson, the word ‘Draft’ means ‘prepare’ or ‘write.’ The Drafting Committee was responsible for writing the Constitution of India.

Question 2:
Dr. Ambedkar was not a member of the Congress party. Yet, he was made the chairman of the drafting committee. Why?
Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar was made the chairman of the drafting committee because of his deep understanding of law, governance, and social justice. His expertise, vision, and commitment to equality made him the ideal person to draft the Indian Constitution.

Question 3:
He raised it ‘brick by brick.’ In this context, what was raised?
Answer:
In this context, “brick by brick” refers to how Dr. Ambedkar meticulously built the framework of the Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution by studying examples from other nations and considering the unique needs of Indian society.

Question 4:
Who were the other notable members of the drafting committee?
Answer:
The other notable members of the drafting committee were Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer, K.M. Munshi, and N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, among others.

Question 5:
Ambedkar had ‘rare gifts.’ What were they? Can you think of your own ‘gifts’? Share them with your class.
Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar possessed rare gifts such as the ability to simplify complex legal concepts, tactfulness, frankness, and immense patience.
(For personal reflection, you can mention your talents, such as communication skills, creativity, problem-solving, etc.)

Question 6:
The Constitution is a fundamental document to both the ruler and the ruled. How?
Answer:
The Constitution is a fundamental document for both the ruler and the ruled as it defines the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of government and safeguards citizens’ rights. It ensures justice, equality, and democracy in governance.

Comprehension III: Share Your Responses Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Question 1:
Nehru chose Ambedkar as the Law Minister for three reasons. What are they? (Paragraph 7)

Answer:
The three reasons why Nehru chose Dr Ambedkar as the Law Minister are:
1. His expertise in law and legislation.
2. His vision for social justice.
3. His dedication to fighting against social injustice.

Question 2:
Are you aware of the facilities provided by the Social Welfare Department? Mention any two.

Answer:
Yes, the Social Welfare Department works to ensure the welfare and upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), the differently-abled, and other marginalized groups. Two of the many schemes provided by the department are:
1. National Overseas Scholarship for SC/ST students to pursue higher education abroad.
2. Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC students to help them prepare for competitive exams.

Question 3:
After independence, members of the Scheduled Castes have found doors opened to them. How?

Answer:
Since independence, members of the Scheduled Castes have gained access to greater opportunities in various fields. No legal barriers restrict their self-expression or advancement. They can pursue higher education, enter public services, and hold prestigious positions at both the state and central levels. Many have successfully served as judges, ambassadors, governors, and other key officials, proving their capabilities in positions of responsibility.

Question 4:
All people should be given equal opportunities to prove themselves. How are the members of the Scheduled Castes proving themselves?

Answer:
All people, including members of the Scheduled Castes, should be given equal opportunities to prove themselves. Today, there are no legal restrictions on their self-expression or advancement. They are enrolling in higher education institutions, entering public services, and holding key positions in governance and administration. Through their hard work and achievements, they continue to demonstrate their capabilities in various fields.

Question 5:
Babasaheb Ambedkar considers public agitation in free India as unconstitutional. Why?

Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar believed that public agitation in a democratic and free India was unconstitutional because the right to rebel is only valid against a government that does not function with the consent of the people, such as a dictatorship. In a democracy, people have legal and institutional mechanisms to voice their grievances. Moreover, public agitations often lead to violence, loss of lives, and destruction of public property, which is harmful to society.

Question 6:
Social discrimination still exists in India. Debate in the class.
Answer:
(This is a practical activity and should be conducted as a classroom discussion rather than a written response.)

Comprehension IV: Share Your Responses Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Question 1:
What were the opinions of the Buddha and Avvai regarding caste divisions?

Answer:
The Buddha classified people based on their character rather than caste, dividing them into:
1. The noble and wholesome people
2. The ignoble and unwholesome people
The Tamil poetess Avvai believed that people should be judged based on their generosity, stating:
1. The charitable, ones who give, are superior.
2. The misers, who do not give, are inferior.

Question 2:
The caste system in India is in a strong position because of _____. (Fill in the blank using the answer from paragraph 11.)
Answer:
Power structure

Question 3:
Why did the British magnify caste distinctions?
Answer:
The British rulers exaggerated caste distinctions to strengthen their control over India. They implemented the “Divide and Rule” policy, which deepened social divisions and prevented unity among Indians.

Question 4:
The word ‘hegemony’ means ______
a) distinction
b) control
c) strength
Answer:
b) Control

Question 5:
‘They brought about a veritable revolution in social thought.’
a) Who are ‘they’?
b) What ‘revolution’ is referred to here?
c) How did they bring about the revolution?

Answer:
a) ‘They’ refers to Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
b) The revolution refers to their rejection of the caste system and their efforts to promote the unity and equality of the Hindu community.
c) Gandhiji led the revolution by urging the higher castes to take responsibility for the upliftment of the depressed classes. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar empowered the oppressed by reminding them of their inherent rights to equality and dignity.

Question 6:
Why did Nehru describe Dr. Ambedkar as ‘a symbol of revolt’?

Answer:
Nehru described Dr. Ambedkar as ‘a symbol of revolt’ because he had the courage and determination to stand up for the rights of the oppressed classes. Ambedkar mobilized the depressed classes who had suffered for generations and fought for their equality and social justice. He also ensured that the higher castes did not become complacent, believing that mere constitutional amendments would solve all problems.

Think About The Text: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Question 1:
Ambedkar had a great thirst for books when he was a student. Explain.

Answer:
Ambedkar was an avid reader with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. His passion for books was so intense that he often prioritized buying books over fulfilling other personal needs. Two notable examples highlight his dedication: while studying in New York, he purchased around 2,000 old books, and during his visit to London for the Second Round Table Conference, he bought so many books that they had to be shipped to India in 32 boxes. Unlike others who might have been tempted to bring back foreign goods, Ambedkar’s sole interest lay in acquiring books, reflecting his deep commitment to learning.

Question 2:
How did the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Mahatma Phule influence Ambedkar?

Answer:
Ambedkar was deeply influenced by the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted freedom and equality to Black Americans. This inspired him to envision similar liberation for the oppressed classes in India. Additionally, Mahatma Phule’s efforts to create a classless society left a lasting impact on Ambedkar. These influences motivated him to champion the rights of the downtrodden and fight against caste-based discrimination in India.

Question 3:
There were great luminaries on the Drafting Committee. Dr. Ambedkar is remembered as the pilot. Give reasons.

Answer:
As the chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Constitution. He meticulously studied the constitutions of other nations and tailored their best practices to suit India’s needs. His ability to simplify complex legal concepts into understandable language for the common people set him apart. While other committee members contributed significantly, Ambedkar’s leadership, vision, and tireless efforts earned him the title of the “Pilot” of the Constitution.

Question 4:
Write a short note on Dr. Ambedkar’s idea/perception of the three pillars of the State.

Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar emphasized the importance of the three pillars of the State—the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. He believed that the jurisdiction of each should be clearly defined and free from legal obstacles. He also stressed the role of citizens in upholding the Constitution. According to him, the constitution must delineate the powers and responsibilities of these organs to ensure a balanced and functional democracy.

Question 5:
What are the significant observations of Dr. Ambedkar on the Constitution?

Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar viewed the Constitution as a foundational document that defines the powers and roles of the executive, legislature, and judiciary. He emphasized that its primary purpose is not only to establish these organs but also to limit their authority to prevent tyranny or oppression. He believed that the Constitution must safeguard citizens’ rights while ensuring a balance of power among the State’s institutions.

Question 6:
Nehru chose Dr. Ambedkar as the law minister. What might have prompted Nehru to do so?

Answer:
Nehru’s decision to appoint Dr. Ambedkar as India’s first law minister was driven by Ambedkar’s exceptional expertise in law and legislation. His visionary approach to social justice, coupled with his successful campaigns against caste discrimination, made him the ideal candidate. Ambedkar’s profound understanding of legal frameworks and his commitment to equality aligned perfectly with the needs of the newly independent nation.

Question 7:
What made Dr. Ambedkar describe the methods of civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and Satyagraha as the “grammar of anarchy”?

Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar criticized civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and Satyagraha as unconstitutional methods of achieving social justice. He believed that public agitations outside the framework of the constitution could lead to chaos and disorder. According to him, these methods, though effective in certain contexts, undermined the rule of law and could be seen as the “grammar of anarchy.”

Question 8:
How did Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi try to wipe out caste discrimination in India?

Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi approached the eradication of caste discrimination from different but complementary perspectives. Gandhi appealed to the moral conscience of the upper castes, urging them to fulfil their duties toward the oppressed. In contrast, Ambedkar focused on empowering the oppressed to demand their rights to equality and justice. Together, their efforts created a unified movement against caste discrimination, laying the foundation for a more egalitarian
India.

Question 9.
Discuss with your friends and complete the web chart given below

Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Answer:
1. Voracious Reader and Collector of Books
2. First Law Minister of India
3. Symbol of Social Upliftment and Resistance
4. Chairman of the Drafting Committee
5. Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution

Enrich Your Vocabulary

Task 1: Read the following paragraph and replace the underlined words appropriately with the words given below in brackets.

Children have special qualities. They can think and imagine in creative ways and can understand new things much better than their elders. But just by new ideas, nothing happens. Their ideas must have inborn strengths and stand the test of time. They should not become 74self-satisfied with their first steps of success. [complacent, conceive, trait, perceive, inherent]

Task 2. Use the words given in brackets in sentences of your own.
Words for underlined
1. traits
2. conceive
3. perceive
4. inherent
5. complacent

Own Sentences
1. This dog has an excellent trait of detecting scents.
2. The cat conceived and gave birth to three kittens.
3. The children perceived the German words very well.
4. Patriotism should be an inherent quality of soldiers.
5. I have done my job with complete complacency.

Listen And Comprehend

Task 1: Answer These Questions Orally

Question 1:
What information is Shreya giving her father?
Answer:
Shreya is informing her father that she wants to give a speech on Republic Day.

Question 2:
Is her father encouraging or discouraging her?
Answer:
Her father is encouraging her.

Question 3:
What does the father tell her about what a constitution is?
Answer:
Her father tells her that the Constitution is a set of rules and regulations that all people living in India must follow.

Question 4:
Should everybody obey the Constitution? How do you know?
Answer:
Yes, everybody should obey the Constitution because it ensures justice, equality, and rights for all citizens, maintaining law and order in the country.

Speak well, Expressing gratitude

(A boy goes to a bookshop to buy a book on folktales. The dialogue is given below

Book Seller                :        Good afternoon, gentlemen. What can I do for
                                              you?
Sharieff                      :        Good afternoon, I’d like to buy some books on
                                              national leaders.
Book Seller                       On national leaders? Sure, sir. If you don’t mind,
                                              please have a look at the fourth almirah on your
                                              right.
Sharieff                     :         (after going through some titles)
                                              Could you take them out, please?
Book Seller                       Of course (he takes them out and hands them
                                              over to Sharieff)
Sharieff                             Thank you. Ah! I need these three books. Will
                                              you please gift-wrap them?
Book Seller               :         With pleasure. (he does so)
Sharieff                     :         How much should I pay?
Book Seller                       We allow a 10% rebate.
Sharieff                     :         That’s very nice of you. So, I have to pay ₹240.
Book Seller                       Yes. We also give you a diary as a gift.
Sharieff                     :         Thank you very much. (he pays the money.)
Book Seller               :         You’re welcome. (hands over the books and
                                              the gift)

These are the terms used to express gratitude.
Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Read And Respond

Task 1 : Read the poem. Note that every line of the poem is either suggestive or evocative, that is, capable of making the readers imagine some pictures in mind. These poetic expressions are given in column ‘A’. Read the poem carefully, read the expressions, and find out the line that evokes or suggests the pictures. Write the line number in column ‘B’. One example is given.

These are the terms used to express gratitude.

Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Answer:
2
4
6
1
3
5

Self-assessment

Read the statement and put a tick mark in the appropriate box.

Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Practise writing:

Task 1. Imagine you are booking a ticket to visit Mumbai. Give your personal details in the reservation requisition form furnished below:

Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Learn grammar through communication

Task 1. Here are some sentences. Combine them using the linkers given in brackets. One is done for you. e.g. It rained heavily. We reached home in time. (though) Though it rained heavily, we reached home in time.

1. There is a shortage of water. Some people are wasting it unthinkingly. (although)
2. There was heavy traffic. We were delayed. (since)
3. The students played for an hour. They attended to their studies later on. (and then)
4. We expected a difficult question paper. The questions asked in the examination were easy. (but)
5. The flight was delayed. The weather was cloudy. (as)
6. The student scored fewer marks. He had not studied properly. (Because)

Answer:
1. Although there is a shortage of water, some people are wasting it unthinkingly.
2. Since there was heavy traffic, we were delayed.
3. The students played for an hour and then attended to their studies.
4. We expected a difficult question paper, but the questions asked in the examination were easy.
5. As the weather was cloudy, the flight was delayed.
6. The student scored fewer marks because he had not studied properly.

Look at the words given below. The words are split. Read them aloud.

1. con-so-nant
2. fa-ther
3. co-llege
4. pa-per
5. con-ver-sa-tion
6. lit-tle
A part of a word with a vowel sound is a Syllable. Of course, there are some exceptions like little.

Answer:
Yes! Each of these words is divided into syllables, which are the units of pronunciation containing a vowel sound. Here’s a breakdown:
1. con-so-nant → 3 syllables
2. fa-ther → 2 syllables
3. co-llege → 2 syllables
4. pa-per → 2 syllables
5. con-ver-sa-tion → 4 syllables
6. lit-tle → 2 syllables (though the second syllable is a soft or reduced sound)

Task 1 : Refer to a dictionary and split the following words into their syllables :

1. probability
2. determination
3. accept
4. canteen
5. again
6. conscience
7. idea
8. reflection

Answer:
1. probability → prob-a-bil-i-ty (5 syllables)
2. determination → de-ter-mi-na-tion (5 syllables)
3. accept → ac-cept (2 syllables)
4. canteen → can-teen (2 syllables)
5. again → a-gain (2 syllables)
6. conscience → con-science (2 syllables)
7. idea → i-de-a (3 syllables)
8. reflection → re-flec-tion (3 syllables)

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Summary

Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Class 10 English 2nd Lan Chapter 4: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s love for books was evident throughout his life. He purchased 2,000 books in New York and brought back 32 boxes of books from London during the Second Round Table Conference, even sacrificing his daily needs for knowledge. While in the U.S., he was influenced by the 14th Amendment, which granted freedom to Black Americans, and he drew parallels to the struggles of India’s Depressed Classes.

Inspired by Mahatma Phule’s work for a classless society and women’s upliftment, Ambedkar dedicated his life to improving conditions for marginalized communities. He launched newspapers like Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, and Samata, giving voice to the oppressed.

He also established the Hitakarini Sabha and the Independent Labour Party, advocating for social change. Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi worked toward social reforms and referred to the Depressed Classes as Harijans. In 1935, under the Government of India Act, Ambedkar was elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly, where he made significant contributions to debates.

Despite not being a member of the Congress, Ambedkar’s foresight and leadership earned him the position of Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Indian Constitution. He meticulously built the Constitution, incorporating global experiences and societal needs, with contributions from legal experts like Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, K.M. Munshi, and N.

Gopalaswami Ayyangar. His deep understanding of the legislature, executive, and judiciary ensured a balance of power, preventing injustice and authoritarian rule.

Recognizing his legal expertise and commitment to social justice, Jawaharlal Nehru appointed Ambedkar as India’s first Law Minister. His efforts opened opportunities for Scheduled Castes in government and judiciary roles, yet social discrimination persists. Ambedkar championed constitutional methods for social reform, opposing civil disobedience and satyagraha in a democratic nation.

Ambedkar and Gandhi both opposed caste-based discrimination, advocating unity. While the British exploited caste divisions through their “Divide and Rule” policy, these leaders worked toward equality. Nehru described Ambedkar as a “symbol of revolt” in Parliament after his passing in December 1956, acknowledging his perseverance. His dream of Samata (equality) remains a goal for future generations.

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