English — Language and Literature (184) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Diary Entry
Date: ___

Dear Diary,

Today I did something that shocked everyone — I refused to marry Bishamber Nath. Yes, I, Bholi — the stammering fool, the dumb cow — found my voice at last.

I heard my parents say that I was witless and ugly, that no decent man would have me. So they agreed to give me to a greedy old man who demanded five thousand rupees just because my face bears pock-marks. Pitaji placed his izzat at Bishamber's feet and wept — all for a man who only wanted money!

At that moment my teacher's words rang in my mind: "Put the fear out of your heart." I flung that garland into the sacred fire. I will not be sold. I am educated now. I will serve my parents and teach in my school. That is enough for me.

Sulekha

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Source: Bholi, Chapter 8, First Flight (CBSE Class 10)

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What examiners look for in a diary entry:

• First-person voice with emotional authenticity — write as Bholi/Sulekha, not about her.
• Specific references from the text: the ₹5000 demand, parents calling her a "dumb cow," the garland flung into the fire, the teacher's influence — these show reading comprehension and earn marks.
• Transformation arc: Show she moved from a fearful, neglected girl to a confident woman — this is the thematic core examiners want.
• Diary format: Date + salutation ("Dear Diary") + sign-off is expected and earns presentation marks.
• Stay within ~120–150 words. Do not pad with flowery sentences.