Literature and Literacy Review: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Bharat Our Land

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key characters, literary terms, binomials, idioms, and definitions from the story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' and the poem 'Bharat Our Land'.

Protagonist

The main character of a story or play, such as the old lady in the novel Kashi Yatre.

Ardent

A term meaning keen or having a strong, passionate desire, used to describe the grandmother's interest in the story.

Triveni

A popular writer in the Kannada language known for an easy-to-read style and stories dealing with complex psychological problems.

Kashi Yatre

A novel by Triveni appearing as a serial in the weekly magazine Karmaveera about an old lady's struggle to visit Varanasi.

Avva

The word for mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka, used by the narrator to address her grandmother.

Savouring

A term meaning enjoying something to the fullest, such as children enjoying their freedom during a wedding.

Immensely

A word meaning extremely, used to describe the narrator's love for her grandmother.

Taken aback

An expression meaning to be surprised by something unexpected, such as when the grandmother touched the narrator's feet.

Binomials

Expressions consisting of two words linked by a conjunction used in a fixed order, such as 'hide and seek' or 'on and off'.

Sink or swim

A binomial expression meaning to succeed or fail without any outside help.

Leaps and bounds

A binomial expression meaning to increase or develop very quickly.

Part and parcel

A binomial expression meaning to be a complete part of or belong to something.

Passed with flying colours

An idiom meaning an outstanding performance, used to describe the grandmother successfully reading the title of Kashi Yatre.

To draw a blank

An idiom related to learning that means to be unable to remember something.

To rack one's brain

An idiom related to learning that means to think very hard.

Past Perfect Tense

A verb tense used to indicate the earlier of two completed actions in the past, formed using 'had' plus a past participle.

Digital Literacy

The ability to use digital technology, protect information, and recognize scams or fake news online.

Financial Literacy

The ability to understand and effectively apply financial skills including management, budgeting, and investing.

Cultural Literacy

The awareness, understanding, and appreciation of a country’s diverse traditions, languages, and social practices.

Himavant

A name for the Himalayas, described by Subramania Bharati as the mighty mountain with no equal on earth.

Peerless

A term used frequently in the poem 'Bharat Our Land' meaning incomparable, unmatched, or having no equal.

Sanctified

To have been blessed, purified, or made holy, often attributed to the sages who lived in Bharat.

Auspicious

A term meaning favorable or fortunate, indicating that all good things are found in the land of Bharat.

Hoary antiquity

A phrase referring to ancient times or time immemorial regarding the history of Bharat.

Ode

A lyrical poem that expresses deep admiration, praise, or reverence for a subject using an elevated and formal style.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech involving extreme exaggeration to create a dramatic effect or highlight a point, not meant to be taken literally.

Allusion

A literary device where a writer makes an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, or cultural element, such as referencing the Buddha.