NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Beehive
Chapter	Chapter 1
Chapter Name	The Fun They Had
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 10)

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Activity : Calculate how many years and months ahead from now Margie’s diary entry is.

Answer:
Margie’s diary entry is 13 days and 149 years ahead as on 4 May, 2008.

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How old are Margie and Tommy ?
2. What did Margie write in her diary ?
3. Had Margie ever seen a hook before ?
4. What things about the book did she find strange ?
5. What do you think a telebook is ?
6. Where was Margie’s school ? Did she have any classmates ?
7. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn ?

Answers

1. Margie was eleven and Tommy was thirteen years old.
2. She wrote in her diary : Today (17 May, 2157) Tommy found a real book’.
3. No, Margie had never seen a book before. If she had, she could not have written the sentence in her diary.
4. She found its yellow and wrinkled pages strange. She also found the words strange. It was so as they stood still instead of moving.
5. A telebook is a book meant only for television. It is what moves on a television screen having the qualities of a book.
6. Margie’s school was her own room. Her mechanical teacher (computer) was placed therein to teach her. She did not have any classmates.
7. Margie learnt Geography and Mathematics. Tommy learnt History and Mathematics.

II. Answer the following with reference to the story.
1. “I wouldn’t throw it away.”

1. Who says these words ?
2. What does ‘it’ refer to ?
3. What is it being compared with by the speaker ?

2. “Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”

1. Who does ‘they’ refer to ?
2. What does ‘regular’ mean here ?
3. What is it contrasted with ?

Answers
1. (i) Margie says it.
(ii) ‘It’ refers to the book.
(iii) It is being compared with the television screen or the telebook.
2. (i) ‘They’ refers to Tommy’s grandfather’s grandfather.
(ii) ‘Regular’ here means who is present daily and is never absent.
(iii) It is contrasted with a television teacher (mechanical teacher).

III. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).
1. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have ?
Or
Describe the teachers Margie and Tommy had. (CBSE)
2. Why did Margie’s mother send for the County Inspector ? (CBSE)
3. What did he do ?
4. Why was Margie doing badly in geography ? What did the County Inspector do to help her ? (CBSE)
5. What had once happened to Tommy’s teacher ? (CBSE)
6. Did Margie have regular days and hours for school ? If so, why ?
Or
Did Margie have regular days and hours for school ? Why or why not ? (CBSE)
7. How does Tommy describe the old kind of school ? (CBSE 2017)
8. How does he describe the old kind of teachers ?

Answers
1. They had mechanical teachers in the form of television or computer teachers. It was the year 2157. Science had replaced ‘men’ teachers with ‘computer’ teachers.

2. She sent for the County Inspector. Margie’s mechanical teacher had been giving trouble in its Geography sector. It had been too quick. Margie couldn’t follow it.

3. He visited Margie’s home. He took away the mechanical teacher. He set its Geography level equal to Margie’s mental level. It was there before Margie to learn from.

4. Margie had been doing badly because the Geography sector had been too quick for her to follow. Margie’s mental level was not in tune with it. The County Inspector came. He checked the mechanical teacher. Then he reset the mechanical teacher’s mental level equal to that of Margie.

5. The History sector of Tommy’s mechanical teacher had blanked out completely. So they took it away for nearly a month. Tommy relaxed for that period without any worry.

6. Yes, Margie had regular days and hours for school. It is clear in her mother’s calling her to ‘study’ then. Tommy had been to her house then.

7. He describes that they had a special building. All the kids went there. They learned the same thing. They helped each other in that. They laughed and shouted in the schoolyard. They sat together in the schoolroom. Thus, they had a great fun together.

8. He describes the old teachers by saying that they didn’t live in the house. They had a special building.. They went there. They gave the boys and girls homework. They asked them questions. They were human beings.

IV. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100-150 words).

1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms that Margie and Tommy have in the story ? (CBSE)
2. Why did Margie hate school ? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been fun ?
3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story ? Give reasons for your answer. (CBSE)

Answers
1. The main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms are that they are computers with screens. They are fixed in their schoolrooms. When there is time to study, both Tommy and Margie sit before them. Then they switch on them. Then their lessons appear on the screen.

These mechanical teachers have slots at appropriate places. They flash on their screens. Margie or Tommy inserts her/his homework into the slot. It is evaluated by them through punch code system. Then it is given back to them. By this they are assessed of their progress in their studies.

These mechanical teachers have subjects like Geography, Mathematics and History. The subjects are made equal to the mental levels of each and every child. Margie is doing bad in Geography because it is too fast. The County Inspector sets it right equal to Margie’s mental level.

2. Margie hated school because her ‘school’ was the mechanical teacher. It had been fixed in her schoolroom. She had to sit alone at the fixed time and do sums or learn things. Her hatred was more due to the Geography sector. It had gone too quick. Secondly, Margie’s mental level was not upto that mark. So she had been facing problems with Geography. The County Teacher set it right as per her mental level.

But behind her hatred was a valid reason. It was that she had no company of boys and girls of her age. Every boy and girl in her neighborhood studied like that, in their dwn studyrooms. There were no schools as there are today. She learnt about such schools. It increased her hatred for her mechanical teacher more and more.

3. Yes, it is true that schools today are more fun than the school in the story. This school is nothing but a computer with a screen and a slot. Its instructions flash on its screen. It asks what to do and what not to do. It also tells her how to put the homework. There is no human interaction.

But in the schools today, kids of the same age go to schools in neighborhood. They go to them laughing and shouting. They play together. They enjoy their stay at school. They go home together at the end of the day. They learn the same thing. Thus they can help one another on the homework. They can talk about it also. Thus they do not feel lonely and bored. They play together and enjoy the fun of being together.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
I. Adverbs
Read this sentence taken from the story :
They had once taken Tommy’s teacher away for nearly a month because the history sector had blanked out completely.
The word complete is an adjective. When you add, -ly to it, it becomes an adverb.
1. Find the sentenced in the lesson which have the adverbs given in the box below.

1. awfully
2. sorrowfully
3. completely
4. loftily
5. carefully
6. differently
7. quickly
8. nonchalantly

Answers
awfully … and it was awfully funny … (para 1)
sorrowfully … until her mother had shaken her head sorrowfully … (para 3)
completely … the history sector had blanked out completely (para 5)
loftily He added loftily … (para 6)
carefully … pronouncing the word carefully, … (para 6)
differently … each kid has to be taught differently. (para 8)
quickly I didn’t say I didn’t like it’, said Margie quickly. (para 8)
nonchalantly ‘May be’, he said nonchalantly. (para 9)

2. Now use these adverbs to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.

1. The report must be read ……… so that performance can be improved.
2. At the interview, Sameer answered our questions ………., shrugging his shoulders.
3. We all behave ……… when we are tired or hungry.
4. The teacher shook her head ……… when Ravi lied to her.
5. I …….. forgot about it.
6. When I complimented Revathi on her success, she just smiled ……. and turned away.
7. The President of the Company is ……. busy and will not be able to meet you.
8. I finished my work …… so that I could go out to play.

Answers

1. loftily
2. carefully
3. differently
4. sorrowfully
5. completely
6. nonchalantly
7. awfully
8. quickly

Remember:
An adverb describes action. You can form adverbs by adding -ly to adjectives.
Spelling Note : When an adjective ends in -y, the y changes to i when you add -ly to form an adverb.
For example : angr-y → angr-i-ly

3. Make adverbs from these adjectives.

1. angry ……
2. happy …..
3. merry …..
4. sleepy ……
5. easy ……
6. noisy ……
7. tidy ……
8. gloomy …….

Answers

1. angry – angrily
2. happy – happily
3. merry – merrily
4. sleepy – sleepily
5. easy – easily
6. noisy – noisily
7. tidy – tidily
8. gloomy – gloomily

II. If Not and Unless

• Imagine that Margie’s mother told her, ‘You’ll feel awful if you don’t finish your history lesson.”
• She could also say : ‘You’ll feel awful unless you finish your history lesson.”

Unless means if not. Sentences with unless or if not are negative conditional sentences.
Notice that these sentences have two parts. The part that begins with if not or unless tells us the condition. This part has a verb in the present tense (look at the verbs don’t finish, finish in the sentences above).
The other part of the sentence tells us about a possible result. It tells us what will happen (if something else doesn’t happen). The verb in this part of the sentence is in the future tense (you ’ll feel/you will feel).
Notice these two tenses again in the following examples :

Complete the following conditional sentences. Use the correct form of the verb.

1. If I don’t go to Anu’s party tonight, ……
2. If you don’t telephone the hotel to order food, ……
3. Unless you promise to write back, I ……..
4. If she doesn’t play any games, …….
5. Unless that little bird flies away quickly, the cat ……

Answers

1. If I don’t go to Anu’s party tonight, she will be angry.
2. If you; don’t telephone the hotel to order food, you may go hungry.
3. Unless you promise to write back, I will stay here.
4. If she doesn’t play any games, she will be unhealthy.
5. Unless that little bird flies away quickly, the cat will catch it.

WRITING
A new revised volume of Isaac Asimov’s short stories has just been released. Order one set. Write a letter to the publisher, Mindfame Private Limited, 1632 AsafAli Road, New Delhi, requesting that a set be sent to you by Value Payable Post (VPP), and giving your address. Your letter will have the following parts.

• Addresses of the sender and receiver
• The salutation
• The body of the letter
• The closing phrases and signature

Note. These days commas are not used after “Dear Sir/Madam’ or Tours sincerely’ or in dates.

Answers
1212, Sector 14
Urban Estate
Gurgaon
Date : 15 April, 20xx
M/s. Mindfame Private Limited
1632, Asaf Ali Road
New Delhi

Dear Sir

I have come to know that you have just released a new revised volume of Isaac Asimov’s short stories. I hereby place an order for one set for the same. Kindly send it by Value Payable Post (VPP) at the address given above.

Yours sincerely .
Yashdev

SPEAKING
In groups of four discuss the following topic.
‘The Schools of the Future Will Have No Books and No Teachers !”
Your group can decide to speak for or against the motion. After this, each group will select a speaker to present its views to the entire class.
You may find the following phrases useful to present your argument in the debate.

• In my opinion …..
• I/we fail to understand why ……
• I wholeheartedly support/oppose the view that ….
• At the outset let me say …..
• I’d/we’d like to raise the issue of/argue against …..
• I should like to draw attention to …..
• My/our worthy opponent has submitted that …..
• On the contrary ……
• I firmly reject ……

Answers
Note: Students to do as desired. For a full speech they may expand the following points for and against the motion.
For the motion

1. Future to be exclusively scientifically and technologically more and more advanced.
2. Life to depend heavily on latest gadgetry.
3. New experiments in all fields including education.
4. Future schools to have no books, no teachers.
5. Concentration of mind more and more.
6. Knowledge widespread, more advanced.
7. Human teachers to be replaced by mechanical ones.
8. Each student’s mechanical teacher to be upgraded as per the mental calibre.
9. Individual talents to be sharpened to make him or her utility oriented.
10. An important step in scientific progress.

Against the motion

1. Future to be governed and controlled by scientific, electronic or technological gadgetry.
2. Human side of life totally absent.
3. All human beings like machine tools.
4. Interaction among them at human, social, emotional level to be negligible.
5. Schools and human teachers absent but their absence to be felt greatly.
6. Human beings’ growth at human level to be zero.
7. They would exist as human beings. But won’t know emotions of fellow-feeling, sympathy, pity, mercy, love, likes/dislikes.
8. These emotions very necessary for balanced growth of human personality.
9. So future bleak and bad for humans in such an age of science and technology.
10. ‘Old is Gold’ saying to be missed greatly.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 7 The Road Not Taken are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 7 The Road Not Taken.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Literature
Chapter	Chapter 7
Chapter Name	The Road Not Taken
Number of Questions Solved	13
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 7 The Road Not Taken

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 64)

Question 1.
Sometimes the choices we make have far-reaching consequences. Think about choices you make on a daily basis, and the importance of these choices.
Answer
Answers to this question may vary from student to student since the question involves personal liking or disliking. One sample answer is given below :

Choices	Importance/Results
eating hamburger/dosa, chaat Or home-made food	in terms of excessive calories-upset stomach, in-digestion more value in calories- sustaining health etc.
walking for short distances Or taking a taxi/auto-rickshaw	light exercise, toning up of the body avoiding light exercise, unnecessary expenses incurred, rash driving may result in accident

Note. Students may on their own add more such choices as given above.

Question 2.
Complete the web chart showing choices and decisions you may have to make in the next few years and the factors that affect these choices.
Answer

Explanation : First of all, the choice about the profession will have to be made. This choice is interconnected with studies. For example, if a medical profession is to be taken, one will have to study for that purpose in mind. Money is an important factor in today’s world. For it, one exercises choices of profession also.

Then comes the choice of marriage. After marriage, comes the important factor of how many children one would like to have. This choice, again, depends upon other factors like income, living facilities, standard of living etc. In fact, one has to make hundreds of choices in life. So the number of choices are infinite as one has to make choices almost every instant.

Note. This question has varied answers as it is highly subjective. We have given one possible way out. Students may, on their own, share their choices and decisions with their partners. They should see their subjective priorities.

Question 3.
Have you made choices that are acceptable and less ‘risky’ or have you followed the beaten track ? Why ?
Answer
Varied answers. The answer to this question is, again, connected with the question no. 2 preceding it. It is again full of probabilities. For example, if a student wishes to opt for a medical profession but has less competence, it will be ‘risky’. All those who put in a lot of labour, do not succeed. Then if they are in without exercising right choices, it may amount to follow a beaten track. They may face failures in the end.

Note. Students may discuss it among themselves with their peers keeping in mind all the choices available for different professions.

Question 4.
List common dilemmas that teenagers face involving the choice of one or more “roads.” Give examples of “roads” that you must travel (e.g. facing peer pressure, choosing friends, observing rules laid down by school and parents, acting on your own values).
Answer
Varied answers.
The common dilemmas could be :

1. choosing one’s apparels
2. one’s school/college/university for education/higher education
3. opting for different professions
4. food items, subjects, disciplines, books, friends etc.

Question 5.

1. Listen to a recording of the poem.
2. What choice did the poet have to make ?
3. if Did he regret his choice ? Why/why not ?

Answer

1. Do yourself.
2. The poet had to make a choice between the two roads. Both looked charming on that morning. He took one road thinking that he would walk on the other some other time. At last he made a choice for the road. It was due to various reasons for the choice. These were like, it was ‘fair’, it was ‘grassy’ and ‘wanted wear’.
3. The poet did regret his choice because he took the road which had been ‘travelled less’. He kept the first road ‘reserved’ for some other day thinking that one day he would walk on it. But he couldn’t exercise his choice. But he found that, that had made all the difference. His saying so shows his regret.

Question 6.
Read the poem silently.
Answer
No questions asked.

Question 7.
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following ques¬tions by ticking the correct choice.
(a) In the poem, a traveller comes to a fork in the road and needs to decide which way to go to continue his journey. Figuratively the choice of the road denotes _____

1. the tough choices people make (in choosing) the road of life.
2. the time wasted on deciding what to do.
3. life is like a forest.
4. one must travel a lot to realize his dreams.

(b) The poet writes, ‘Two roads diverged in a yellow wood.’ The word diverged means _____

1. appeared
2. curved
3. branched off
4. continued on

(c) The tone of the speaker in the first stanza is that of ______

1. excitement
2. anger
3. hesitation and thoughtfulness
4. sorrow

Answer
(a) 1
(b) 3
(c) 3

Question 8.
Answer the following questions :

1. Describe the two roads that the author comes across.
2. Which road does the speaker choose ? Why ? [V. Imp.]
3. Which road would you choose ? Why ?
4. Does the speaker seem happy about his decision ?
5. The poet says “I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” What is ‘the difference’ that the poet mentions ?

Answer
1. The two roads were covered with yellow leaves. One went in the undergrowth as far as the poet could see. The second was ‘fair’, ‘grassy and wanted wear’.
2. The speaker chooses the second road which had been less travelled by. It was ‘fair’, ‘grassy and wanted wear’. Also not many people had walked on it. Impliedly, it meant that the poet wanted to be a poet as not many had opted to be one.

3. I would choose the road i.e., profession, which is being taken up by less number of people, that is, (less travelled by). The reasons for this could be many. These are : its uncommon nature, its being adventurous. Its needing full-blooded involvement. I believe in ‘live dangerously’.

4. The speaker doesn’t seem happy about his choice. It is because he regrets to have taken up the second road. But it is after he has lived his life for some years. At this stage he looks into his past. Seeing that, he says that ‘this (his choice) has made all the difference’. It shows the speaker’s hesitation and ‘sighing’. But life is as such. We can’t derive hundred per cent contentment.

5. ‘The difference’ to me seems that the poet chose to be a poet. But he may have regretted it. Actually, one can’t retrace one’s steps taken up in life. One can’t start everything again. Instead, one prefers to go ahead and ahead rather than coming back on the starting point. Thus the choice one exercises in life makes all the ‘difference’ in one’s life.

Question 9.
Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
Answer
The rhyme scheme of the poem is : a b a a b.

Question 10.
Fill in the blanks to complete the following paragraph that gives the theme of the poem. Use the w.ords given in the box below :
decision   sorry   foresee        choices    pleasant     direction
fork          trail     rewarding    chance    wonder       both

The poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is about the ____ that one makes in life. It tells about a man who comes to a ____ in the road he is travelling upon. He feels ____ that he can not travel ____ paths as he must choose one. Frost uses this fork in the road to represent a point in the man’s life where he has to choose the ____ he wishes to take in life. As he thinks about his ____ he looks down one path as far as he can see trying to ____ what life will be like if he walks that path. He then gazes at the other and decides the outcome of going down that path would be just as ____ At this point he concludes that the ____ that has been less travelled on would be more ____ when he reaches the end of it. The man then decides that he will save the other path for another day, even though he knows that one path leads to another and that he won’t get a ____ to go back. The man then says that he will be telling this story with a sigh someday in the future suggesting that he will ____ what life would have been like if he had chosen the more walked path even though the path he chose has made all the difference.
Answer
The poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is about the choices that one makes in life. It tells about a man who comes to a fork in the road he is travelling upon. He feels sorry that he can not travel both paths as he must choose one. Frost uses this fork in the road to represent a point in the man’s life where he has to choose the trail he wishes to take in life. As he thinks about his decision he looks down one path as far as he can see trying to foresee what life will be like if he walks that path.

He then gazes at the other and decides the outcome of going down that path would be just as rewarding (pleasant). At this point he concludes that the direction that has been less travelled on would be more pleasant (rewarding) when he reaches the end of it. The man then decides that he will save the other path for another day, even though he knows that one path leads to another and that he won’t get a chance to go back. The man then says that he will be telling this story with a “sigh” someday in the future suggesting that he will wonder what life would have been like if he had chosen the more walked path even though the path he chose has made all the difference.

Question 11.
Roads are fascinating as metaphors for life, change, journeys, partings, adventure, etc., or simply as roads. This is probably why they, and all their attendant images, have permeated art, literature and song. In the poem Frost uses the fork in the road as a metaphor for the choices we make in life. Thus the roads are, in fact, two alternative ways of life. What other nouns could be used to represent life ?

• River
• ______

Answers

• modes of transport
• life partners
• schools
• professions
• jobs
• places for residence
• friends
• vehicles etc.

Question 12.
In groups of six, select, write the script of and present a skit that demonstrates the decision making and conflict resolution. Follow the steps given below :

• choices to be made
• options to be considered
• the influence of others
• the decisions/actions taken
• the immediate and future consequences of the decision.

Answer
Meant for class level under the guidance of the teacher.

Question 13.
‘The Road Not Taken’ is a biographical poem. Therefore, some persohal bio-graphical information is relevant to the deeper understanding of the poem we have read. Complete the following worksheet about Robert Frost.

1. What “momentous decision” was made by Frost in 1912 ?
2. How old was he when took this decision ?
3. Why was it so difficult to make this decision ? Think and give more than one reason.
4. Was the “road” Frost had taken easy “to travel” ?
5. Do you think he wrote “The Road Not Taken” before sailing from the USA to England or after ? Can you quote a line or two from the poem that can support your answer ?
6. Do you think Frost finally became popular in America as a poet ?

Answer

1. Robert Frost was almost 40 in 1912 and had only a few poems published. So he sold his farm and used an annuity from his grandfather to go to England. There he concentrated on writing poetry. This was his ‘momentous decision’.
2. He was 38 at that time when he had to make this decision.
3. It was difficult to make this decision because he had passed the major portion of his life. Then the profession of a poet could not be called ‘rewarding’. Thirdly, whatever he had had then, he had to sell it. So in a way, he was without any solid ground to take this decision.
4. Personally I think the ‘road’ Frost had taken was not easy ‘to travel’. It is due to many factors that determine the success of this profession.
5. I think Frost wrote ‘The Road Not Taken’ after sailing from the USA to England. The lines are : ‘I shall be telling this with a sigh
   ……… and I
   I took the one less travelled by,
   And that has made all the difference’.
6. Yes, Frost became a public figure. In 1950 the U.S. Senate felicitated him on his seventy-fifth birthday. It was in recognition of his being a popular poet.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 7 The Road Not Taken help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 7 The Road Not Taken, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

The Farmer’s Wife Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 4 Keeping it from Harold are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 4 Keeping it from Harold.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Literature
Chapter	Chapter 4
Chapter Name	Keeping it from Harold
Number of Questions Solved	9
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 4 Keeping it from Harold

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 28)

Question 1.
Before you read “Keeping It From, Harold”, the teacher will encourage you to answer or discuss the following:

1. What are the different weight categories in Boxing ?
2. Have you ever heard the song whose lyrics go like …. “He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee” ? Who does ‘he’ refer to ? He is also known as ‘The Greatest’ boxer of all time. What was his original name ? How many times did he win the World Heavyweight Belt ?
3. Find out from your friend if he!she watches WWE and who is his/her favourite wrestler. Also find out why he/she likes this wrestler.
4. Discuss with your friend as to why these wrestlers have such a large fan following. Has the perception of people changed over the century with respect to those who fight in the ring ?

Answer
1. The different weight categories in Boxing are the following :
1. Light Fly                46 to 48 kgs
2. Fly                         48 to 51 kgs
3. Bantam                 51 to 54 kgs
4. Feather                 54 to 57 kgs
5. Light                     57 to 60 kgs
6. Light Welter         60 to 63.5 kgs
7. Welter                  64 to 71 kgs
8. Middle                 71 to 75 kgs
9. Light Heavy         75 to 81 kgs
10. Heavy                81 to 91 kgs
11. Super Heavy     above 91 kgs

1. Yes, I have heard this song. It is all about the world Heavy Weight Champion in Boxing Cassius Clay alias Muhammad Ali.
His original name is Cassius Clay.
He won the World Heavyweight Belt three times.

2. I have talked about WWE with my friend. His favourite wrestler is ‘The Great Khali’. He is the first Indian who has made it to the Heavyweight Wrestling Entertainment after rising from humble roots. (His original name is Dalip Singh Rana. He hails from Himachal Pradesh in India).

4. For discussion with a friend. Some points relating to WWF and fan following are given below :
These wrestlers have a large fan following because of

• natural instincts to see traditional games like boxing, wrestling, kabaddi, etc.
• adventure, suspense and romance involved
• excitement as to who will win
• natural interest in sports
• seeing body building display
• wonder as to how such boxers and wrestlers maintain themselves fit and agile
• sheer entertainment involved

5. The perception of people has changed over the century with respect to these fighters in the ring for better. It is more due to the fact that these world boxers have become the star celebrities. It has been because of their personal endeavours, honest means and beliefs in sports and games. In the modern times boxing, wrestling, kabaddi, etc, have attracted more and more people. Boxing as a game has reached the villages now. It is now coupled with body building. Millions of aspirants are now attracted to it all over the world.

Question 2.
Now read the story :
Answer
For students to read the story.

Question 3.
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.
(a) Mrs Bramble was a proud woman because ____

1. she was the wife of a famous boxer.
2. she had motivated her husband.
3. she was a good housewife.
4. she was the mother of a child prodigy.

(b) “The very naming of Harold had caused a sacrifice on his part.” The writer’s tone here is ____

1. admiring
2. assertive
3. satirical
4. gentle.

(c) Harold had defied the laws of heredity by _____

1. becoming a sportsperson.
2. being good at academics.
3. being well-built and muscular.
4. respecting his parents.

(d) Harold felt that he was deprived of the respect that his classmates would give him as _____

1. they did not know his father was the famous boxer, ‘Young Porky’.
2. his hero, Jimmy Murphy had not won the wrestling match.
3. he had not got Phil Scott’s autograph.
4. Sid Simpson had lost the Lonsdale belt.

Answer
(a) 4
(b) 3
(c) 2
(d) 1

Question 4.
Answer the following questions :

1. What was strange about the manner in which Mrs. Bramble addressed her son ? What did he feel about it ?
2. Why was it necessary to keep Harold’s father’s profession a secret from him ? [V. Imp.]
3. When Mr. Bramble came to know that he was to become a father what were some of the names he decided upon ? Why ?
4. Describe Mr. Bramble as he has been described in the story.
5. Why was Mrs. Bramble upset when she came to hear that Bill had decided not to fight ?
6. Who was Jerry Fisher ? What did he say to try and convince Bill to change his mind ?
7. How did Harold come to know that his father was a boxer ? (CBSE March 2012) [V. Imp.]
8. Why was Harold upset that his father had not told him about his true identity ? Give two reasons.
   [V. Imp.]
9. Do you agree with Harold’s parents’ decision of hiding from him the fact that his father was a boxer ? Why / Why not ?

Answer.
1. Mrs. Bramble felt amazed that she should have brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world. He was so different from other children. He was a model of behaviour and hence admirable. She had never expected that being the wife of a professional boxer she would mother such a gifted child. So she took a special care for Harold. She treated him as ‘a baby’ still. However, she felt jarred at being addressed like that.

2. It was necessary because Bramble and his wife felt more than obliged to be the parents of a gifted child. Bramble was a professional boxer and he should have children with such traits. But Harold’s being a prodigy was something that caused some sort of complex in them. They were doting parents. So they took a great care that Harold shouldn’t know his father’s profession.

3. Bramble thought that if he had a boy, he would name him as John, after John L. Sullivan. If they had a girl, she should be named Marie, after Miss Marie Lloyd. These personalities were celebrated ones. So Bramble wanted to name his child after them.

4. Mr. Bramble has been described as the mildest and most obliging of men. He was persuasive, a thorough gentleman and a doting father. He has a sacrificing nature. He yielded to all due to his soft and genial nature. This is seen in his changing his decision of fighting the boxing bout. He had decided to give up earlier.

5. Mrs. Bramble got upset because that would mean no money. So she was more upset because of money. She told him that Bramble had borrowed enough money from her. She hoped that she would get that back after Bramble fought the boxing bout and won. This money would ensure a good start of Harold’s life.

6. Jerry Fisher was the trainer at the White Hart. He was training Bramble to fight his boxing bout next Monday. He did everything possible to convince Bill to change his mind. He was not afraid of anybody. He even told Harold about his being a professional
boxer. He compelled Bramble not to give up. When Bramble asserted his decision of giving up, Jerry Fisher’s eyes had tears in them.

7. Harold came to know that his father was a boxer from Fisher. Fisher told him that his father was a fighting man, known to all the heads as a “Young Porky’. Harold’s mother and his maternal uncle Percy Stokes didn’t want it.

8. Harold was upset that his father had not told him about his true identity. First, Bramble was a man of muscle power whereas Harold was a man of intellect. Harold was a prodigy. Bramble had developed a kind of inferiority complex. Secondly, he had lately been a practiser of shady deeds. These two reasons kept him from telling Harold of being a professional boxer.

9. I agree with Harold’s parents’ decision of hiding from him this fact. Actually, Bramble was the mildest and most obliging of men. He had a sacrificing nature. Being such a man it was natural for him to prove his being a doting father. So whatever he did he did for the good of his son.

Question 5.
The sequence of events has been jumbled up. Rearrange them and complete the given flowchart.

1. Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
2. Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
3. Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
4. Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
5. Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
6. Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.
7. Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
8. Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
9. Harold is alone with his mother in their home.

Answer
The proper sequence of events would be as follows :
9 → 5 → 8 → 1 → 7 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 6
9. Harold is alone with his mother in their home.
↓
5. Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
↓
8. Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
↓
1. Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
↓
7. Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill has decided not to fight.
↓
4. Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
↓
3. Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.’
↓
2. Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
↓
6. Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.

Question 6.
Choose extracts from the story that illustrate the characters of these people in it.

Person	Extracts from the story	What this tells us about their characters
Mrs Bramble	(Para 12) “Bill we must keep it from Harold”.	She was not honest and open with her son ; concerned mother
Mr Bramble	(Para 33)
Percy	(Para 109)
Jerry Fisher	(Para 110)

Answer

Person	Extracts from the story	What this tells us about their characters
Mrs Bramble	(Para 12) “Bill we must keep it from Harold”.	She was not honest and open with her son ; concerned mother
Mr. Bramble	(Para 33)	She doesn’t understand the meaning of this statement; a simple-minded woman
Percy	(Para 109)	Percy Stokes advises the use of wisdom and understanding; is submissive but far-sighted
Jerry Fisher	(Para 110)	Jerry Fisher is not afraid of calling a spade a spade ; a down-right earthly man ; doesn’t fear anything; so a fearless, confident and expert trainer

LISTENING TASK
Question 7.
The teacher will ask the students to answer these questions based on an interview given by the legendary WWE wrestler, Kane to Chris Carle of IGN. The students are to listen to the interview.

1. What were the video games that Kane liked playing earlier and which games later ?
2. Who was Kane’s favourite wrestler when he was first getting into wrestling and who were some of the other wrestlers who influenced him into taking up wrestling ?
3. How according to Kane had the WWE changed in the past ten years ?
4. Does Kane prefer performing with the mask or without the mask ?
5. Why does Kane wrestle these days even though he has accomplished almost everything ?
6. What is your impression of Kane as a person after you have heard this interview ?

Answer

1. Kane liked playing Halo 2 and Ghost Recon earlier. Later he liked to play THQ’s Raw vs. Smachdown 2006.
2. Hulk Hogan. There were others also who influenced hiin into taking up wrestling. They were : Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Rio Flair, Four Horsemen. Undertaker was his favourite.
3. According to Kane the WWE had become a product of television. It had become stronger. The format of the show had also changed due to the competition from the formerly WCW. Also business had grown manifold.
4. Kane prefers performing without the mask because he is unlimited in what he can do. However, with the mask he relies on body language.
5. Kane wrestles these days for two things : one, for fun and two, for entertaining his fans.
6. My impression about Kane is good. He is a wrestler in the true sense and a man of principles. Secondly, he has a warm respect for his fans. He is always ready for their entertainment.

WRITING TASK
Question 8.
Many people are of the opinion that violent, physical sports such as boxing, kick boxing and wrestling, to name a few should be banned while others think otherwise. Express your opinion on the topic by either writing in favour of banning these sports or against banning them. While writing, you should also include the rebuttal to your questions. Try not to go beyond 200 words.
Answer

Physical sports should be banned (in favour)

Physical sports should at once be banned. Physical sports are the sports where muscle power is the most important. In fact, it is the only power that is required in these sports. These are boxing, wrestling, kick boxing etc. This means that in such sports gripping, catching the opponent’s body and handling it to one’s advantage are the main things. Then both the participants aim at winning the game. It is quite possible that beyond a certain level the participants forget that it is sport only. In that event they may turn into enemies and harm each other. This, therefore, becomes very dangerous for either of the two.

Also it is quite possible that they may cross the decencies of these sports and go for the neck of each other. Thus such sports tend to end into serious injuries which may lead to death. I am, therefore, of this opinion that such sports involving physical contact of two or more persons is not at all desirable. Secondly, since such sports involve pure raw physical power, the opponents or the participants do anything to win physically. In doing so, they cross or tend to cross all the principles governing the sports or games. Such persons don’t see reason. But they can simply be animals beyond certain degrees. And in that case these sports become no sports but revengeful bouts. So I personally feel that these physical sports should at once be banned.

Against the motion

Physical sports like boxing, kick boxing and wrestling, involve the use of muscle power. That’s why, they are called physical sports. They are like other sports. They therefore, don’t involve any risk or danger to the person of the participants in principle. Many people are of the opinion that these sports should be banned because they tend to result’ in bloody fights. This fact is offset by the truth that the grappling opponents have to observe the rules of the game. Then there are spectators in the form of large crowds, together with the referees manning them. So the chance of getting the participants wild and out-of-control can’t be possible.

Then the participants are conscious of their future careers in these sports. They don’t put their careers at stake. Secondly, I would say that such sports have been played since ages, say from 3rd millennium. Homer’s Iliad contains the first detailed account of a boxing fight. So their utility and entertaining aspects can’t be ruled out. The next point is that the participants have their sporting career in their mind. They are governed by this fully while playing these. If they commit something unlawful or go against the rules of the sports, their sporting careers are liable to be ruined. Seeing these it is desirable that these physical sports are not banned.

Question 9.
A large part of the story is composed of conversation between the characters. Can you convert it into a play and in groups, present your version of the play before the class ? Before that, decide on the members of cast, minimum props required and also the costumes.
Answer
This is mainly a dramatic activity to be undertaken at classroom level. The following guidelines shall be of much use in performing this activity :

1. Members of Cast : The members of the cast are to be Bramble, Mrs. Bramble, Jerry Fisher, Percy Stokes, and Harold.
2. Minimum Props : The entire activity takes place in Bramble’s house. So minimum props are required. A humble house with modest props shall serve the purpose.
3. Costumes/ dialogues/ make up etc : The costumes shouldn’t be out of tune and rhythm with what is given in the story. These are to be as per the characters being played. Their proper make up needs to be carried out as per different situations. Dialogues to be used are or may be picked verbatim from the story as these appear. What is important are the facial expressions, gait, manners of walking, looking, exchanging the dialogues, etc. These need to be practised and-rehearsed by the characters to give out a real effect and tenor of the play.

Make up should also go like that as per the situation, character etc. For instance, Harold should look like a studious boy, learned, wise, serious etc. Mr. Bramble should look like a submissive, yielding, caring and doting father. Equally, all other characters should appear likewise. They should enact their parts with truth, dedication and convincingness.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 4 Keeping it from Harold help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 4 Keeping it from Harold, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

An Old Woman Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Literature
Chapter	Chapter 3
Chapter Name	The Man Who Knew Too Much
Number of Questions Solved	9
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 22)

Question 1.
With your partner, discuss and narrate an incident about a person who likes to show off.
Check whether your classmates agree with you.
Answer
Mainly for class level. One such incident is given below :
Last year we had Preeti in our class. Now she has left the school. Preeti was very showy by nature. She belonged to a rich family and had, perhaps, inherited this trait. She always wanted to demonstrate that she was the ultimate genius. So she always spoke before the teacher spoke while teaching. She was snubbed many a time. But she never mended her habits of poking her nose in everybody’s affairs.

After a few months, a new English teacher came. He had a vast knowledge and was, in fact, a master of literature. He taught by precepts and examples. Preeti went on with her habits. One day out of irritation, he called Preeti to him. He then asked her to teach a particular portion of the textbook which had depth of thought. Preeti rose to teach but she fumbled horribly. The whole class roared with laughter and ridicule. This set at rest Preeti’s showing off for sometime.

Question 3.
The ‘Professor’ knew too much. How did he prove himself ? Fill up the space with suitable examples from the story, using the given clues :

1. about muzzle velocity : _____
2. after a thirty mile walk : _____
3. his salute on payday : ______
4. the loud sound of a high flying invisible aeroplane : _______
5. about hand grenades : _______
6. during cook house duties :. _______

Answer

1. He gave the exact speed of the bullet leaving the rifle after being fired.
2. He didn’t feel tired even after thirty mile walk. He would ask then if he could sing a song. It was to show off that thirty mile walk hadn’t tired him.
3. When he saw officers he would swing his arms to salute them. Then he would march to the canteen like a Guardsman.
4. He judged the aeroplane without looking at it and recognising its model or make. He told at once that it was a North American Harvard Trainer. Not only this. He also told its droning sound rose due to the airscrew.
5. One summer afternoon Corporal Turnbull was speaking on hand grenades. He told the squad that a grenade’s outside was divided up into a large number of fragments. It was to assist segmentation. Private Quelch at once spoke that these fragments were forty-four amazing the Corporal. This irritated the Corporal. But he controlled his irritation and asked him to deliver the lecture. Private Quelch delivered a fine lecture on hand grenades.
6. During cookhouse duties he made the three cooks stand against the wall. He then showed his disagreement with the peeling of potatoes. He told them that the method the potatoes were peeled caused much loss in their vitamin values.

Question 4.
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct options.
(a) Private Quelch was nick-named ‘Professor’ because of ____

1. his appearance.
2. his knowledge.
3. his habit of reading.
4. his habit of sermonising.

(b) One could hammer nails into Corporal Turnbull without his noticing it because ____

1. he was a strong and sturdy man.
2. he was oblivious to his surroundings.
3. he was a brave corporal.
4. he was used to it.

(c) The author and his friend Trower fled from the scene as _____

1. they had to catch a train.
2. they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge.
3. they felt they would have to lend a helping hand.
4. they did not want to meet the cooks.

Answer
(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) 2

Question 5.
Answer the following questions briefly :

1. What is a ‘nickname’ ? Can you suggest another one for Private Quelch ?
2. Private Quelch looked like a ‘Professor’ when the author first met him at the training depot. Why ?
   [V. Imp.]
3. What does the dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggest about him ?
4. How was Private Quelch’s knowledge exposed even further as the Sergeant’s classes went on ?
5. What did the Professor mean by “intelligent reading” ?
6. What were the Professor’s ambitions in the army ? [V. Imp.]
7. Did Private Quelch’s day to day practices take him closer towards his goal ? How can you make out ?
8. Describe Corporal Turnbull.
9. How did Private Quelch manage to anger the Corporal ? [V. Imp.]
10. Do you think Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties ?

Give reasons for your answer.
Answer
1. Nickname is actually a name given to a person seeing his most prominent character traits. For instance; if a person is skinny, lean and lanky and looks like a cartoon he could be nicknamed as Mr. Skinny, or Mr. Lanky or Mr. Scarecrow. The humorous side is also touched in nicknaming. Another name for Private Quelch could be Mr. Linku or Cheekucheek.

2. Private Quelch looked like a ‘Professor’ because of his being lean, lanky and stooping like most of the Professors. His horn-rimmed spectacles enhanced this image as a man of knowledge who had almost all facets of human knowledge.

3. This suggests that the Sergeant was very confident, harsh and a hard task master. Also he was very much confident of his trade.
4. The Sergeant didn’t bother about Private Quelch’s telling the exact muzzle speed. He had technical definitions of the parts of the rifle, its use and care etc, by heart. He told the Sergeant that it was all due to his intelligent reading.
5. By ‘intelligent reading’ the Professor meant that whatever one read one was to keep that in mind. One was to memorize and apply the knowledge in increasing it more.
6. The Professor wanted a commission in the army. But before that he would strive for various stripes, that is, decoration ribbons.

7. Yes, I think his day to day practices took him closer towards his goal. He wanted a commission in the army. His knowledge about things relating to it would prove a plus point in his attaining his goal of life. Then he remained physically untired even after thirty mile walk-off. These two things bring a man closer to his goal in the defence forces.

8. Corporal Turnbull was a young man with a serious nature. He was wise and practical. He couldn’t be trifled with. He was the hero of the squad. One summer afternoon he was talking about the segments of a hand grenade without telling how many these were. Private Quelch interrupted him saying these were forty-four. This shocked the Corporal and he tossed the hand grenade to the Professor. He asked him to deliver the lecture. When Private Quelch finished he thanked him.

9. Private Quelch angered the squad at many occasions. In recognising the aeroplane, he humbled the narrator and others. Then he cut a joke of presenting a song after a thirty-mile walk-off which had drained all. They could hardly speak due to tiredness. But he wasn’t. Finally, his commentary on peeling the potatoes that resulted in the loss of vitamin values angered the narrator. The narrator had to flee due to that.

10. I don’t think Private Quelch learnt a lesson in his cookhouse duties. If he had had such a sensitive nature he would have learnt it when the Sergeant posed questions to him. In a way, to poke one’s nose in all spheres had become Private Quelch’s habit. He never minded if he was belittled or made fun of. He only made the narrator flee because of his professional habits.

Question 6.
At first, Private Quelch was a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers. Support this observation with suitable examples from the story in about 100 words.
Answer
Yes, Private Quelch was a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers. It was due to his intelligence and knowledge. His knowledge covered all aspects of human life. He had read a large number of military or army manuals. He spoke with confidence and corrected the Sergeant when he told the muzzle speed. The Sergeant felt insulted. He directed more questions to Private Quelch. In answering to those questions Quelch raised his status in the eyes of his soldiers.

Then he remained untired even after walking thirty mile walk-off. He told the Sergeant that his knowledge was all due to intelligent reading. His lecture after Corporal Turnbull asked him to deliver won him glory. Then his recognition of the aeroplane by its droning sound raised his glory. Clearly, Private Quelch had a genuine aim to get a commission in the army. He rightly deserved it because of his vast knowledge about military discipline and physical fitness.

Question 7.
Private Quelch knew ‘too much’. Give reasons to prove that he was unable to win the admiration of his superior officers or his colleagues in about 100 words.
Answer
It is a fact that Private Quelch knew ‘too much’ about army things. But he lacked ability to win the hearts and admiration of his superior officers or colleagues. He had a vast knowledge of military affairs. He had a specific aim of getting a commission. But his knowledge, discipline, physical ability and other things were not everything to fulfil his goal. He had a serious weakness of character. He spoke but not at a right time and to right people.

His correcting the Sergeant about the muzzle velocity amounted to indiscipline. Then it irritated and hurt the Sergeant’s ego. Officers like the Sergeant and Corporal Turnbull could recommend his case for a commission because of their goodness and genuine human qualities. But Private Quelch spoiled his own case by knowing “too much” of everything. Finally, he made all his enemies by his immature ‘talkativeness’. The narrator naturally fled when Private Quelch talked of vitamin loss in the peeling of potatoes.

Question 8.

1. Write down the positive and negative traits of Private Quelch’s character instances from the story.
2. Now, share your notes with the class. Add details if you need to.
3. Attempt a character sketch of Private Quelch using your notes in about 100 words. [V. Imp.]

Answer
1.

Positive traits	Instances from the story
(i) intelligence	correcting muzzle’ velocity
(ii) untiredness	willing to sing a song even after 30-mile walk-off
(iii) hardworking in pursuit of his ambition	reading, marching, taking care of his fellow- trainers
(iv) mental and physical alertness	feeling fresh even after walking 30 miles, ready to sing a song thereafter

negative traits	Instances from the story
(i) indisciplined	correcting the Sergeant in his comment on the muzzle velocity
(ii) quick-witted	in his answer to the Sergeant when he asked if he had any training before
(iii) talkativeness and willingness to be number one in almost things	his lecturing to other trainers on every aspect of human knowledge
(iv) over-indulgence in the affairs of all	His saying “Thank you, sir !” when he was not needed. It was at the time when the narrator had cleaned his hut and the Orderly Officer had praised him.

2. Students to share these notes with other students at class level.
3. Private Quelch was, no doubt, intelligent more than required. He was specific and clear in his goal of life. He wanted to have a commission in the army. He had motivated himself towards attaining this goal. He was hardworking. He had read many training manuals to be perfect in his knowledge of military or army things. He had physical ability also.

This is clear in his being unexhausted even after a thirty-mile walk-off. Then his readiness to help and correct others almost to the point of selflessness made him a perfect military man. He had a large heart also as he didn’t mind when others made fun of him. But despite these plus points he had some negative points. These made him unwanted and hateful. For instance, his correcting the Sergeant in his muzzle speed and lecturing the cooks over the peeling of the potatoes made him undesirable and a man to avoid.

WRITING TASK
Question 9.
You are the ‘ProfessorWrite a diary entry after your first day at the cookhouse, describing the events that led to this assignment, also express your thoughts and feelings about the events of the day in about 175 words. [V. Imp.]
Answer
10th September, 2015 10.00 pm
I feel a bit excited at my nomination for permanent cookhouse duties. I think, I deserved it due to my intelligence and sincerity to the subject and devotion. Secondly, my readiness to help all and my vast knowledge shall enable me to achieve my goal. I shall surely earn a commission in the army.

I have already made myself known in the field of knowledge about almost all things. These relate to army, ammunition, enemy tactics etc. I have acquired all this knowledge by intelligent reading. This should be the level of knowledge for a person who wants a commission in the army. The Sergeant and Corporal Turnbull should feel proud of me due to my correcting them on the muzzle speed and hand grenades.

The platoon officer deserves all thanks to have given me the cookhouse duties. How I called the cooks to lecture them on preserving the nutritional values of the food items ! They were amazed at my knowledge and practical advice. I rightly told them how food could be cooked without wasting its nutritional value. I asked my fellow-soldiers about the food cooked under my directions. They all expressed their joy over its taste. But some expressed amazement.

I must thank Corporal Turnbull for putting me on cookhouse duties. When I told my soldier-fellows of it, I appeared very innocent. But I stood nominated by him, though they kept this as a joke for days together.

I am confident that I shall prove my worth with great dedication and devotion to my duties. All will be greatly benefited by my knowledge and expertise.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

Two Gentlemen of Verona Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Literature
Chapter	Chapter 1
Chapter Name	How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
Number of Questions Solved	10
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 3)

Question 1.
Write about the following memories or experiences. Share your views with the class.

1. A memorable holiday spent with your grandmother
2. A story told by your grandmother
3. The things you admire the most about your grandmother
4. The difference between your mother and your grandmother

Answer
1. Yes, I remember a memorable holiday, I spent with my grandmother last month. Our school was closed for autumn break. I directly went to my grandmother who lives in a village. When she saw me she burst out like a beautiful flower. She hugged me. Then she offered me certain delicacies like home-made halwa, puree and kheer. She took me to the temple in the evening.

She asked me to pray to the goddess for prosperity of all. During evening she narrated the stories of our scriptures, The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, and The Panchtantra. She advised me that man’s good deeds always remain with him and these make him great. Doing good deeds and helping the needy ensures contentment. She told me that God loves those who love their fellow-beings. I had never heard such things earlier. These had an indelible impression on me. I promised her to follow her advice in my life and actions.

2. Like all grandmothers my mother also told me a story. It was of two cats and a monkey. The two cats got a chapati from somewhere. They started fighting over the chapati. Both of them wanted more of it. But they couldn’t understand how this could be divided equally between the two. They decided to take external help to settle the issue. By chance a monkey came their way. They told the monkey about their problem. The monkey asked them to wait for a few minutes. He reappeared with a balance and asked the cats to give the chapati to him. He knowingly made two pieces of it- one bigger and the other smaller.

He then put these two pieces on both the sides of the balance. When he balanced them to weigh one side went upwards and the other remained low. He tore a major part of the piece of chapati from the piece which hung low and ate it up. This side got less weighty and when he balanced, it went up. He then took a major part of the other piece of the chapati. He did this two, three times. By that time the whole chapati stood eaten by him. This amazed the cats as there was nothing left of the chapati for them. They learnt a bitter lesson that they wouldn’t fight. Also they won’t believe in a clever and crafty external force.

3. There are many things I admire the most about my grandmother. These are : her simple and straightforward nature; her simple living; her regular working schedule ; her religious mind and regularity of daily life. It is like rising in the morning, taking a bath, praying and some light physical exercises etc. My grandmother is still agile and active. She does the domestic chores by herself. She takes very simple food and eats those things that are not harmful for health. She never takes fried food.

She never takes cold drinks and never eats street food. Then she helps the needy. She gives charities and attends sermons by the holy men. She has a great faith in holy scriptures. She recites holy prayers by herself while worshipping in her own temple. Thus my grandmother leads a pious, regular and disciplined life. Due to the qualities of head and heart, she is admired and respected by all.

4. Yes, there is much difference between my mother and my grandmother. It is not of temperament or disposition. But it is mainly of physical compulsions of life. My mother has most of the qualities of my grandmother. But she can’t exercise them due to her being in service. She is always short of time and is always in a hurry. However, she has a frugal mind and is very conscious of spending money.

She doesn’t give much in charities as she thinks that giving alms makes the beggars parasites. She can’t pray as she has to leave for her school in the early morning. Then she can’t narrate us stories like our grandmother does. She doesn’t believe in giving a long » rope to the children as she believes that this can spoil them. But my grandmother believes firmly in love and affection. She feels and says that these, together with moral values, can bring wonderful results.

Question 2.
Have you ever been on a trip to any place in India, where you didn’t know the language spoken locally ? How did you feel ? How did you manage to communicate ?
Answer
Yes, I went to Tamil Nadu last year. There I had to face a lot of problems due to the Tamil language. I didn’t know Tamil and they didn’t know Hindi or English. Where I got some educated men to talk to, the problem didn’t arise as I could speak English. But in the rural side near Chidambaram, I really faced a tough time. I felt completely isolated and aloof.

The rural people tried to understand me and I them but I remained non- communicative. However, I spoke some broken words and gesticulated about the things. For instance, I needed vegetarian food and closing my fingers took them towards my mouth. Then I gave out a cock-like sound indicating, I was vegetarian and didn’t take meat etc. They laughed but understood. Then they willingly helped me by showing me the way to a vegetarian hotel. It was altogether a funny incident.

Question 4.
Now that you have enjoyed reading the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option
(a) The grandmother could relate to the central character of the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ as …..

1. both were old and uneducated.
2. both had granddaughters who read to them.
3. both had a strong desire to visit Kashi.
4. both were determined to learn to read.

(b) Why did the women at the temple discuss the latest episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’ ?

1. to pass their time.
2. the writer, Triveni, was very popular.
3. they could relate with the protagonist of the serial.
4. women have a habit of discussing serials.

(c) The granddaughter found her grandmother in tears on her return as

1. the grandmother had been unable to read the story Kashi Yatre’ on her own.
2. the grandmother had felt lonely.
3. the grandmother wanted to accompany her granddaughter.
4. she was sad she could not visit Kashi.

(d) Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet ?

1. As a mark of respect to her teacher.
2. It was a custom in their family.
3. Girls should be respected.
4. She had read the story of Kashi Yatre’ to her.

Answer
(a) (i)
(b) (ii)
(c) (i)
(d) (i)

Question 5.
Answer the following questions briefly

1. What made Triveni a popular writer ?
2. Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story ?
3. Pick out two sentences which state that the grandmother was desperate to know what happened in the story.
4. Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read ? How ?
5. Which of the following traits would be relevant to the character of the narrator’s grandmother ?
   1. determined
   2. selfish
   3. emotional
   4. mean

Give reasons for your choice.
Answer
1. The story of the heroine in Kashi Yatre, her desire to visit Kashi and the Indianness in her writings made Triveni a popular writer. The simple themes, social, moral and cultural values appeal to the hearts of all the readers. Then these are connected with life of the common people. These add to this popularity. Finally, the universality and psychological aspects of the themes made her very popular.

2. The grandmother depended on her granddaughter to know the story because she was illiterate and the granddaughter was literate. The grandmother couldn’t read anything of the serial on her own. In fact her granddaughter used to read the story for her.

3. The two sentences are :

1. Many times, I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing they could understand what was written.
2. If only I was educated enough.

4. Yes, the grandmother could succeed. She made her granddaughter teach her by her humble pleadings and the necessity of the situation. Her determination and humility made her learn the alphabet. She was able to accomplish her desire to read the novel due to her determination and will power.

5. 1, 3 .

• The grandmother was simply desperate to read the serial on her own. This egged her on to start learning the Kannada alphabet. Finally she was able to read due to her determination and willpower.
• She was highly emotional also. This showed her simplicity of heart and desperate willingness to learn. Tears in her eyes and her smiling even though her granddaughter making fun of her bore good results. Her granddaughter became her teacher. Due to that she learnt the Kannada alphabet quickly.

Question 6.
Here are some direct quotations from the story. Identify the speaker and write what each quotation suggests about the speaker. You can use the adjectives given in the box and may also add your own.

amiable, tender, gentle, sympathetic, understanding, determined, diligent, kind, concerned, systematic, wise, helpful, enthusiastic, selfish, cruel, humble, religious, prudent


Answer

*The italicised adjectives given above are from our own side, as desired.

LISTENING TASK
Question 7.
Now you are going to listen to the story of a young girl about a special day.
(a) Based on your listening of the story complete the boxes given below.

Answer
The children did the following for the old people :

1. They blew balloons and hung them around the hall of the Old Age Home they visited.
2. They cut out Chart Papers.
3. They wrote quotes on them.
4. They drew pictures on them.
5. They then stuck them on the wall.
6. They bought a big cake for them.
7. They cut the nice big Cake they took with them and distributed its pieces among the inmates of the Old Age Home.
8. They sang songs for them and conversed with them.

(b) List any three feelings of the old people in this story.

1. ______
2. _____
3. _____

Answer
The following are the three feelings of the old people in this story :

1. feelings of loneliness
2. of insecurity
3. of missing their children and grandchildren

(c) Complete the following :

1. We can make our grandparents happy by______
2. We can avoid constructing more and more Old Age Homes by______

Answer

1. … sitting with them, sharing their experiences and helping them physically/giving them company.
2. visiting them frequently and/or by keeping them with us as important members of the family.

Question 8.
After having read the story, you realise the anguish of the illiterate adults. You want to make your friends aware of it and contribute something in bringing about a change in the lives of the illiterate adults. Deliver a speech in the morning assembly at your school about the Importance of Adult Education and ways to implement it.

Read the following to make your speech effective :
The introduction of a speech is like the nose of an airplane. The nose sets the course and leads the plane off in a specific direction. A good introduction sets the direction of your speech by

• getting the attention of your audience
• introducing your topic
• stating your central idea or purpose
• briefly identifying the main points
• making your audience eager to hear what you have to say

Answer
Worthy Principal, teachers and fellow-students
Today I, Pradeep, of class IX, stands before you to deliver a speech on the Importance of Adult Education and ways to implement it.- Well, at the outset, I would say that illiterates are liable to be cheated everywhere. They have to be dependent on others for knowing things around them. They are branded as ‘illiterates’ and treated in a hateful way.

They can’t maintain their accounts and can easily be deceived, cheated and befooled. They are discriminated against. They can’t join the mainstream of social life. Their knowledge about what is happening around them is minimal. So they feel handicapped to take part in matters requiring far-sightedness, wisdom and maturity. The importance of Adult Education is seen in the fact that the illiterates get a sense of fulfilment in being literate. They can take advantages of various schemes of the govt, meant for their social, economic and moral uplift.

You’ll agree with me that we as students can render a yeoman’s service in educating these adult illiterates. We can hold Literacy Camps in villages and tell them the advantages of being literate. Literate women can bring a drastic change in their lives. Being literate they can read material on childcare, health and hygiene, and other areas of human knowledge and activity.

They can progress in all fields of human life and raise themselves up in all spheres. They can learn a lot about latest techniques of farming, need for personal hygiene and importance of cleanliness, hygiene, family planning etc. Being literate they can decide what is good or bad for them. We should, therefore, convince the adult illiterates to join the literacy classes whenever they are held.
Thank you very much.

WRITING TASK
Question 9.
You are the grandmother. How did you feel when your granddaughter gave you the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ ? Write your feelings in your diary.
To make your diary entry interesting, read the following information about what is a diary entry.
A diary entry is a purely personal piece of writing. The writer expresses his/her thoughts and feelings. Reactions to incidents are generally poured out in a diary. Hence expressions that are emotionally charged are used.
For example – When you are happy about something, you could start like this—
8th July 20xx, Wednesday             8 pm
Today I am very happy as …………..
Answer
8th July 20xx, Wednesday 8 pm
Today I am very happy to have been gifted with Triveni’s novel Kashi Yatre. I just fell in love with the grand old lady who is the central figure in this novel and identified myself with her. Actually the serialisation of this novel in the Kannada weekly Karmaveera raised in me the desire of knowing more and more about her. I, too, was once drawn towards a feeling of visiting Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara as the ultimatepunya. I fully supported this old lady in having given all her saving to the orphan girl. She rightly thought it was more an action of punya than visiting Kashi. I, too, could have done the same thing. This help was more punya. This orphan girl couldn’t marry her lover, whom she loved passionately due to poverty. Thus the old lady as the heroine of the novel proved more appreciative because of her qualities of head and heart.

I shall cherish this novel more because it enabled me to be literate. Actually with this novel more sweet memories are intertwined. These are like how I developed fascination for the heroine and how my own granddaughter became my teacher. The craving to know more about the old lady simply motivated me to be literate. Now I can read any novel. I shall keep this Kashi Yatre as my holy book. May my granddaughter live long ! Grandmother

Question 10.
Here is a story about Swami and his grandmother. After reading the excerpt, change it into a conversation between Swami and his Grandmother.
Answer
Swami : Oh, Granny ! You don’t know what a great fellow Rajam is. He has a large heart and is very wise and far-sighted. For instance, he had some sort of enmity with Mani. But he soon became his friend, even though he has a police dress.
Granny : Is it ? Why should he want a police dress ?
Swami : His father is the Police Superintendent and commands over all policemen here.
Granny : Then his office must be tremendous. Swami, your grandfather was a powerful sub-magistrate. Before him his office even the police force and the fiercest dacoits would tremble.
Swami : This is o.k. Granny. Enough of your stories. Now listen. I want to tell you something about Rajam. Do you know how many marks Rajam gets in arithmetic ?
Granny : Does he get all the marks, child ?
Swami : No silly. He gets ninety marks out of one hundred.
Granny : You too must try and get marks like him. You know, Swami, your grandfather used to frighten the examiners with his answers sometimes. He took one tenth of the time that others took to answer the question. And then answers would be so correct that the teachers would give two hundred marks sometimes.
Swami : Oh, enough, Granny ! You relate unnecessary stories. Please listen about Rajam.
Granny : Alright.
Swami : Now listen. Rajam’s father was camping in a forest with his son. Two tigers came upon them suddenly, one knocking his father from behind. The other began chasing Rajam but he took shelter behind a bush and shot that dead with his gun …. Granny, are you asleep ?

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

Water Question and Answers

Oru Manushyan Question and Answers

Class 11 English Chapter 3 Poem NCERT Solutions The Laburnum Top Free PDF Download

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English

The Laburnum Top Find Out

Question 1.
What laburnum is called in your language.
Answer:
In Hindi, the Laburnum tree is called the amaltaas tree.

Question 2.
Which local bird is like the goldfinch.
Answer:
The local bird similar to the goldfinch is called Indian Lutino Ringneck.

The Laburnum Top Think It Out

Question 1.
What do you notice about the beginning and the ending of the poem?
Answer:
The thing similar in the beginning and the ending of the poem is that the Laburnum tree is still and silent on both occasions.

Question 2.
To what is the bird’s movement compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
Answer:
The bird’s (goldfinch’s) movement is compared to that of a lizard. The basis of the comparison is that the goldfinch’s movement is sudden and abrupt, which is quite similar to the movement of a lizard.

Question 3.
Why is the image of the engine evoked by the poet?
Answer:
The poet evokes the image of the engine as it is the source of energy for a machine. The poet compares the bird with an engine as she is the source of energy for the machine i.e. the nest where the chicks are resting.

Question 4.
What do you like the most about the poem?
Answer:
I like the description of the Laburnum tree laden with yellow flowers. Apart from this, I also like the arrival of the goldfinch which changes the silent tree into one full of noise . and activity.

Question 5.
What does the phrase “her barred face identity mask” mean?
Answer:
The Laburnum tree has flowers that fall like bars and, when the bird sits behind the flowers, the shadow of the flowers on her face looks like she is wearing a mask that has bars on it. Thus, ‘barred’ is actually an adjective for the flowers and has been transferred and applied to the bird. –

The Laburnum Top Extract based Questions and Answers (2 Marks)

I. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.
The Laburnum top is silent, quite still In the afternoon yellow September sunlight, A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.
Question 1.
What does ‘Laburnum top’ mean here?
(a) It means the top part of any tree
(b) It means the top part of the Laburnum tree
(c) It means the top part of a fictional tree
(d) It does not mean anything
Answer:
(b) It means the top part of the Laburnum tree

Question 2.
What has happened to the tree?
(a) The tree is being worshipped
(b) The tree has been cut down
(c) The leaves of the tree have turned purple and are falling down
(d) The leaves of the tree have turned yellow and its seeds falling down
Answer:
(d) The leaves of the tree have turned yellow and its seeds are falling down

Question 3.
Find a word from the extract which is the antonym of ‘noisy’.
(a) Quiet
(b) Quite
(c) Hush
(d) Silent
Answer:
(d) Silent

II. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.
Then sleek as a lizard, and alert, and abrupt,
She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up
Of chitterings and a tremor of wings, and trilling
The whole tree trembles and thrills.
Question 1.
Who is ‘she’ in the second line ? Where does she enter?
(a) She is the baby goldfinch who enters the thickness of the Laburnum tree
(b) ‘She’ is a squirrel who enters the thickness of the Laburnum tree
(c) ‘She’ is a lizard who enters the thickness of the Laburnum tree
(d) ‘She’ is the mother goldfinch who enters the thickenss of the Laburnum tree
Answer:
(d) ‘She’ is the mother goldfinch who enters the thickenss of the Laburnum tree

Question 2.
What does ‘machine’ refer to in the extract?
(a) If refers to the machine used to drill a hole in the tree
(b) It refers to the machine used to cut the tree
(c) It refers to the nest of the goldfinch where its young ones are staying
(d) It refers to the nest of the squirrel
Answer:
(c) It refers to the nest of the goldfinch where its young ones are staying

Question 3.
Find a word from the extract which is the synonym of ‘entire’.
(a) Abrupt
(b) Hole
(c) Whole
(d) Tremor
Answer:
(c) Whole

III. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.
Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings She launches away, towards the infinite
And the Laburnum subsides to empty.
Question 1.
What does ‘launches’mean in the extract?
(a) It means sleeping
(b) It means flying
(c) It means diving
(d) It means fluttering
Answer:
(b) It means flying

Question 2.
What effect does the last line create?
(a) It creates the contrast between the liveliness of the tree and its silence
(b) It creates the contrast between the change of seasons
(c) It creates an opportunity to plant more Laburnum trees
(d) It creates the scene for the arrival of new bird species on the tree
Answer:
(a) It creates the contrast between the liveliness of the tree and its silence

Question 3.
……….from the extract means the same as ‘strange’ and ‘mysterious’.
(a) Delicate
(b) Odd
(c) Infinite
(d) Eerie
Answer:
(d) Eerie

The Laburnum Top Short Questions and Answers (2 Marks)

Question 1.
Why is the poem named ‘The Laburnum Top’?
Answer:
The poem has been named ‘The Laburnum Top’ because the top of the Laburnum tree has been described in detail in the poem. It is on the top of the Laburnum tree that the nest of the goldfinch is located and where all the activity takes place when the goldfinch visits the nest.

Question 2.
What is the significance of ‘yellow’ in the poem?
Answer:
The flowers of the Laburnum tree and its leaves (in autumn) both are yellow in colour. Apart from this, the goldfinch’s feathers are also yellow in colour. The poem highlights the high security that the mother bird (goldfinch) ensures for her babies and the colour yellow helps in camouflaging the babies. Hence they escape being noticed by any predator.

Question 3.
How is the tree transformed during the bird’s visit?
Answer:
After the goldfinch arrives on the tree, the silent and still Laburnum tree suddenly starts trembling and moving. The whole tree comes to life as the chicks of the goldfinch make a lot of noise as they chitter and trill on seeing their mother.

Question 4.
To what is the movement of the goldfinch compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
Answer:
The movement of the goldfinch is compared to that of a lizard. The basis of the comparison is the sleek, alert and sudden movements of a lizard. The goldfinch makes similar kind of movements when it arrives on the Laburnum .tree to avoid being noticed by any predator.

Question 5.
‘Then sleek as a lizard and alert and abrupt, She enters the thickness’. Explain the given line.
Answer:
The lizard is a quick moving animal. It is also very alert and its movements are sudden. In the given line, the arrival of the goldfinch on the Laburnum tree is described. The poet describes its movements as alert and sudden just like that of a lizard. This is done to avoid getting the attention of the predators.

Question 6.
What is the engine of the machine? What is its fuel?
Answer:
The goldfinch has been called the engine of her family. Just as the engine starts up the machine, the goldfinch’s arrival in the nest has suddenly started the machine i.e. the young ones in the nest have started making noise. The fuel of the engine is the food that the goldfinch brings for her chicks.

Question 7.
How does the Laburnum ensure security for the nestlings?
Answer:
According to popular belief, the bark and the seeds of the Laburnum tree are poisonous. So, predators normally do not come near the tree. Apart from this, its yellow flowers and yellowing leaves in the autumn season complemented by the yellow coloured feathers of the goldfinch help in camouflaging the nestlings from the predators.

Question 8.
Explain the line, ‘And the Laburnum subsides to empty’.
Answer:
This is the last line of the poem. It describes that with the departure of the goldfinch from the Laburnum tree, it falls silent. The tree was noisy and lively when the goldfinch came to feed its chicks, but it reverts to its earlier self after its departure from the tree.

The Laburnum Top Long Questions and Answers (6 Marks)

Question 1.
The arrival of the goldfinch on the Laburnum top brings about a change in the poem. How do you interpret this change? Is change good or bad in life?
Answer:
At the start of the poem, the top of the Laburnum tree in the poem is silent and still. There is hardly any activity on it as the sunlight falls on it on a September afternoon. However, with the arrival of the goldfinch, it suddenly becomes a place of feverish activity. The silence of the place is broken by the twittering and chirruping of the chicks and the goldfinch.

I think that the change brought about by the arrival of the goldfinch on the Laburnum top is good, as it breaks the monotony. The tree becomes alive and lively with the movement of the goldfinch and the twitterings and chirrupings of the chicks.

Change can be good or bad in life depending on a situation. However, the fact is that change is the only constant in life. So, even if a change is bad, we have to accept it and move on in life.

Question 2.
What values do you learn from the goldfinch in the poem ‘The ‘Laburnum Top?
Answer:
The goldfinch has its nest on the top of the Laburnum tree in the poem, ‘The Laburnum Top’. Her chicks stay in the nest while she (the mother goldfinch) keeps going out at regular intervals to get food to feed her chicks. This shows her caring nature and highlights the values of motherly care and affection of a mother towards her offspring.

The other aspect of the goldfinch that is captured in the poem is its movement. She arrives at the Laburnum top in a sudden manner and is very much alert to her surroundings. The poet has compared her movement with the sleek movement of a lizard. However, there is a reason for her moving like this (in an alert and sudden manner). She is moving in this manner so as to avoid getting noticed by any predator. She does not want any predator to know that her chicks are resting in her nest on the Laburnum top as then the predators may kill them or harm them. The values of safety and security for her offspring is highlighted in this act of the goldfinch.

The Art of Weaving Question and Answers