NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 13 Villa for Sale are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 13 Villa for Sale.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Literature
Chapter	Chapter 13
Chapter Name	Villa for Sale
Number of Questions Solved	10
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 13 Villa for Sale

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 95)

Question 1.
If you could buy your dream house today what are some specific features you would want for your house? Write them in the bubbles below.

Answer
Various Answers

Question 2.
Discuss with your partner the similarities and in your dream house.
Answer
To be discussed with a partner at class level. Some hints are given below to enable a healthy discussion.
Houses of all may not conform to the physical features of an ideal house given above under 1. So students can discuss the difference on the following points :

• Similarities : rooms, sunlight, ventilation, electricity, gas, water, location, situation on roadside, telephone, drainage, park, etc.
• dissimilarities : location, direction of house, rooms, ventilation availabilities of bathrooms, drainage, electricity, water, telephone, access to road network, sanitation, park etc.

Students shall note that all don’t or may not have good or ideal houses. Some live in posh localities, some in semi-urban areas, while some in not-so-good houses. The above points can be the heads under which they can discuss the similarities and dissimilarities. They can add a few more features on their own.

Question 3.
Now, read the play.
Answer
Please read the play yourself.

Question 4.
Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play using the clues given in the box below. Remember that there are more clues than required.

Juliette, the owner of a Villa wants to (1) ………. it as she is in need of (2) …… Moreover, she is not in (3) …….. of the house. Jeanne and Gaston, a couple visit her with the aim of (4) ……… the Villa. While Jeanne is (5) ……… about buying, Gaston detests the idea as he does not want his (6) ……. in that house. Also, he finds the asking price of (7) ……. to be expensive. When Jeanne and Juliette go around the house, another customer (8) ……. and starts talking to Gaston (9) ……. him to be Juliette’s husband. Gaston (10) ……. a deal with the customer by which he is able to give (11) …… to the owner and (12) ……. one thousand francs for himself.
Answer

1. sell
2. money
3. favour
4. buying
5. enthusiastic
6. in-laws
7. 300 thousand francs
8. walks in
9. taking
10. strikes
11. 200 thousand francs
12. keep

Question 5.
Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Why does Jeanne want to buy a villa ? (V. Imp.)
2. Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa in the beginning ? (V. Imp.)
3. Mrs. Al Smith makes many statements about the French. Pick out any two and explain them.
4. Juliette says “ …….. now I have only one thought that is to get the wretched place off my hands.
   I would sacrifice it at any price”. Does she stick to her words ? Why /Why not ?
5. Who is better in business—Juliette or Gaston ? Why ?
6. Do you like/dislike Gaston ? Give your reasons.

Answer
1. Jeanne wants to buy a Villa because she doesn’t have a proper and commodious house. As per Gaston, she wants to buy the Villa for her parents and sister’s children to live in it. But it seems clear that she is not much impressed that a Villa has all the modern facilities like electricity, gas, water, telephone, drainage etc.

2. Gaston is not interested in buying the Villa in the beginning. It is because he doesn’t want that Jeanne’s parents and her sister’s children should live in it. He says he is not fond of her family. Then he can’t spare the money as he doesn’t want to pay for it.

3.

1. “You French people have a cute way of doing business’—
   It means that French people are clever as they don’t give all the information at a time. For instance, there is the board having Villa For Sale’ written on it. But it doesn’t have the price on it.
2. ‘Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on’—
   It means French people can’t decide on their own. But they depend on many people to arrive at decisions. She implies that French people are extrovert. They are dependent on others for decisions.

4. Yes, Juliette sticks to her words as far as selling is concerned. Luckily, things turn out to be in her favour. Gaston remains seated while she and Jeanne go upstairs. Mrs. Al Smith is in a hurry to buy the Villa. She comes. She strikes a deal with Gaston presuming him to be the houseowner. Gaston sells it at 3,00,000 francs and buys the Villa at 2,00,000 francs. Juliette doesn’t know it. But she is happy that the deal has occurred even though she wanted to sell it at 1,00,000 francs.

5. Seeing the situation given in the play we would say that Gaston is better in business. It is because he earns a neat 1,00,000 francs without investing even a single penny. It means business is simply making money by hook or (by) crook. However, the event given in the play is unlikely to occur in real-life situations. We can call it a shady deal not capable of holding good.

Juliette can also be said to be better in business on one premise. It is that she strikes a fair deal with Gaston, though it may be open to scrutiny. But she is better than Gaston as legally she is right. But Gaston will fall flat when the law shall take its own course in his case.

6. We have some mixed feelings about Gaston. He is a specimen of meanness, greediness, cleverness, craftiness, dishonesty. He can’t be defended as a good person. So we have utter dislike for him. First, he is non-cooperative and uncaring for his wife. He is cruel in his behaviour towards Jeanne. He shows his meanness in telling his hatred for her parents. He has spent her dowry and has grown fat on it. He is a cheater and an impostor in striking a deal with Mrs. Al Smith. He proves heavy on her due to his greed, craftiness and black villainy. How shrewdly he has made 1,00,000 francs without spending a single penny ! It is something that defines him!

Question 6.
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options:
(A) But the sign has been hanging on the gate for over a month now and I am beginning to be afraid that the day I bought it was when I was the real fool.
(а) Why is Juliette disappointed ?

1. she is unable to get a role of cook in the films.
2. her maid is leaving as she has got a role in the films.
3. she is unable to find a suitable buyer for her villa.
4. Gaston is offering a very low price for the villa.

(b) Why does she call herself a fool ?

1. she has decided to sell her villa.
2. there are no buyers for the villa.
3. she had bought the villa for more than it was worth.
4. the villa was too close to the film studios.

(B) ‘But your parents would take possession of it, every year from the beginning of spring until the end of September. What’s more they would bring the whole tribe of your sister’s children with them.’
(a) What does Gaston mean by ‘take possession’ ?

1. her parents would stay with them for a long time.
2. Juliette’s sister has many children.
3. Gaston does not like children.
4. Juliette’s sister’s children are badly behaved.,

(C) ‘While you were upstairs, I have been thinking a lot about your Papa and Mamma.’
(a) What is the discrepancy between what Gaston said earlier and what he says now ?

1. Earlier he did not want Juliette’s parents to stay with them but now he is showing concern for them.
2. Earlier he wanted Juliette’s parents to stay with them but now he does not want them to come over.
3. Earlier he wanted to buy a house for them but now he wants them to come and stay in their villa.
4. Earlier he stayed in Juliette’s parents’ villa but now he wants them to stay with him and Juliette.

(b) What does the above statement reveal about Gaston’s character ?

1. he is selfish.
2. he is an opportunist.
3. he is a caring person.
4. he is a hypocrite.

Answer
(A) (a) 3
(b) 2
(B) (a) 1
(C) (a) 1
(b) 2

Question 7.
Select words from the box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines. You may take the words from the box given on the next page.


Answer

LISTENING TASK
Question 8.
Listen carefully to the description of a Villa on sale. Based on the information, draw the sketch of the Villa being described.
Answer
Please draw the sketch of the Villa yourself.

Question 9.
You are JEANNE. After coming home you realize that the Villa was not actually bought and your husband has fooled both you and the landlady of the Villa. You are filled with rage, disgust and helplessness because of your husband’s betrayal. Write your feelings in the form of a diary entry.
Answer
20 August, 20 ……                                                                             8.30 pm
I think this is the saddest day of my life! I find that my husband has not only befooled me but has also cheated me and the landlady Mrs. Juliette. Her Villa was on sale for a modest amount. It was nicely situated and had a very beautiful location. It was at a stone’s throw from Joinville, the French Hollywood. So its location was strategic and ideal. It could be the best place to live in. So I liked it but my husband refused buying it. When I asked him that he had grown fat on my dowry, he showed his cruelty to me.

He said that he had spent that long ago. But I know he had made a fortune on it. Then he developed hatred and contempt for my parents. How stupid of him! He is greedy, cruel and dishonest. How craftily he sold Mrs. Juliette’s Villa to one Mrs. Al Smith for 3,00,000 francs! He posed before her that he was the Villa owner. Strangely, he bought the same from her for 2,00,000 francs. Thus without spending a penny from his side, he made 1,0,000 francs deceiving Mrs. Juliette. I am ashamed of such a greedy, cruel and mean person. I hate him to (from) the core of my heart. I will never forgive him. I’ll see what I should do to deal with such a crooked person.
Jeanne

Question 10.
Now dramatise the play. Form groups of eight to ten students. Within each group, you will need to choose

• a director, who will be overall incharge of the group’s presentation.
• the cast, to play the various parts.
• someone to be in charge of costumes.
• someone to be in charge of props.
• a prompter.

Within your groups, do ensure that you

• read both scenes, not just your part within one scene if you are acting.
• discuss and agree on the stage directions.
• read and discuss characterization.
• hold regular rehearsals before the actual presentation.

STAGING
The stage can be very simple, with exits on either side representing doors to the outside and to the rest of the house respectively.
Answer
All these directions are to be followed while staging the play at class level. This staging is teacher-centric, that is, mainly because of him. So he should ensure that the spirit of the play is properly displayed through acting, dialogue, facial expressions, dresses, ages, body language, etc.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 13 Villa for Sale help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 13 Villa for Sale, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

Money Madness Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 9 The Accidental Tourist are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 9 The Accidental Tourist.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Moments
Chapter	Chapter 9
Chapter Name	The Accidental Tourist
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 9 The Accidental Tourist

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 60)

Think About It

Question 1.
Bill Bryson says, 7 am, in short, easily confused’. What examples has he given to justify this ?
Answer:
Bill Bryson gives many examples to prove this. He can’t find out the lavatory in a cinema. He goes to look for it. But he ends standing in a small street. Then he forgets his room number in a hotel. He asks the reception about it. So he is confused.

Question 2.
What happens when the zip on his carry-on bag gives way ?
Answer:
The contents of the bag came out. These were a tin of pipe tobacco, magazines, passport, English money, film etc. They spread over an area. It was about the size of a tennis court. Hundreds of documents came flying. The author was surprised.

Question 3.
Why is his finger bleeding ? What is his wife’s reaction ?
Answer:
His finger bled because he got it injured. He pulled the zip forcefully and got a deep wound. Blood came out in plenty. His wife looked at him in wonder and anger. She said that she couldn’t believe he did that for a living.

Question 4.
How does Bill Bryson end up in a ‘crash position’ in the aircraft ? (CBSE)
Answer:
Once on an aeroplane Bill Bryson leaned to tie his shoelace. But then someone threw his seat back. He was knocked and pinned in a crash position. He had to catch the leg of the man sitting next to him. Then he managed to free himself.

Question 5.
Why are his teeth and gums navy blue ?
Answer:
Once the author was flying. He was writing his thoughts. The end tip of his pen was in his mouth. He was sucking it. He started talking to a lady. She was sitting on the next seat. The pen leaked. It had covered his mouth, chin, tongue, teeth and gums with navy blue ink.

Question 6.
Bill Bryson ‘ached to be suave’. Is he successful in his mission ? List his ‘unsuave’ ways.
Answer:
Bill Bryson wanted to be suave. But he couldn’t. He would rise from a dinner table shaking greatly. He would get in a car leaving his coat hanging outside. He would sit on chewing gum, ice cream, cough syrup or motor oil.

Question 7.
Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, ‘Take the lids off the food for Daddy’ ?
Answer:
Bill Bryson’s wife would say this to the children because he won’t do things nicely. If he cut the meat, it would fly off onto the lap of somebody. He won’t open the lids of the food in the aeroplane. It would also fly off to trouble other passengers.

Question 8.
What is the significance of the title ?
Answer:
The title is significant. It has ‘Accidental’ in it. It means ‘full of accidents’ or ‘by chance’. The author causes many ‘accidents’ while flying in the aeroplanes. There are many ‘accidents’ given in the story. So the title is significant. It is because it is related to this subject matter.

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

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 8 A House is not a Home are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 8 A House is not a Home.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Moments
Chapter	Chapter 8
Chapter Name	A House is not a Home
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 8 A House is not a Home

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 54)

Think About It

Question 1.
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon ? What is his mother’s reaction ? What does she do ?
Answer:
One Sunday afternoon the author saw smoke coming in through the ceiling. His mother and he ran out into the front yard. His mother carried a small metal box. It had important documents. Then she ran into the house to get her husband’s pictures and letters.

Question 2.
Why does he break down in tears after the fire ? (CBSE)
Answer:
The author’s pet cat was nowhere to be found. He also cried. He was suffering loss in the absence of his cat. He loved her dearly. Therefore, he broke down in tears.

Question 3.
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school ? Which words show his fear and insecurity ?
Or
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in the school ? (A House is Not a Home) (CBSE)
Answer:
The author felt remorse the next day in school. His clothes looked strange. He had no books or homework. His backpack was gone. He felt that he was going to be an outcast and a geek. He was full of fear and insecurity. He wanted to die. The words are : “weird’, ‘outcast’, ‘geek’ etc.

Question 4.
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story ? Where was the cat after the fire ? Who brings it back and how ?
Answer:
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. This is seen in the author’s weeping and crying. After the fire the cat had run away a mile away. A woman saw it. The author’s telephone number was on its collar. She telephoned the author and delivered the cat to him.

Question 5.
What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally ? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life ?
Or
What gesture of his schoolmates touched the author’s heart in ‘A House is Not a Home ? (CBSE)
Answer:
The schoolmates collected notebooks, clothes, tops and sweatsuits for him. People met him and showed concern. These actions changed the author’s understanding of life and people. This all touched him emotionally. He made many friends that day.

Question 6.
What is the meaning of ‘My cat was back and so was I’ ? Had the author gone anywhere ? Why does he say that he is also back ?
Or
What did the author mean by “my cat was back and so was I” ? (CBSE)
Answer:
The meaning is that his cat came back. He felt that he came to the earlier phase of life. In it he had lots of friends and had no worry. He had not gone anywhere. But he felt lonely in the change at his new school. He says so because now he has many friends. Also he does not feel lonely.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 8 A House is not a Home help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 8 A House is not a Home, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Literature
Chapter	Chapter 14
Chapter Name	Bishop’s Candlesticks
Number of Questions Solved	12
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 112)

Discuss in groups :
Question 1.
What would you do in the following situations ? Give reasons for your answer

• If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger’s pocket.
• If you found a wallet on the road.
• If you ‘were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
• If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
• If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child’s pen.

Answer
For discussion. Various answers. One viewpoint is given below :

• I would raise a cry so that the thief is arrested.
• I would return it to whom it belongs.
• I will first go to her. I will ask her why she is doing all that instead of informing the police.
• I will advise my friend against what he is doing.
• I shall snub the thief and tell him to be a good boy.

Question 2.
Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the roles of

• The child caught stealing
• The child she/he stole from
• The teacher
• The headmaster
• The witnesses

Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. Should the child be punished ? Or should she/he be counselled ?
Answer
Mainly for role play at the class level under the guidance of the class teacher. Some basic help in the form of the following hints/points would be of immense assistance.

• The basic aim should be on the reformation of the thief.
• We should hate the theft, not the thief.
• We should help the convict to be a reformed person.
• Conditions to sustain his reformed status must be maintained.
• Love has no substitute. It can work wonders even on hard-core criminals. But it is not practised. The iron rules of law must not be for increasing more criminals. But these should be to convert them into more gentlemen. True human values like mercy, pity, love, compassion, sympathy etc, should be practised and relied on for change of heart for the better.
• Basic needs or compulsions turn gentlemen into thieves or convicts or criminals. These must be looked into afresh. Also their bad aspects must be dropped. Fairness must prevail at any cost, though it is difficult.

Question 3.
Read the play as a whole class with different children reading different parts.
Answer
Please read the play yourself.

Question 4.
Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play in pairs.
The play deals with a _____ and _____ Bishop who is always ready to lend a _____ hand to anyone in distress. A _____ breaks into the Bishop’s house and is _____ and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop some what _____ the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he _____ them, and runs away. However, he is _____ and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a _____ The convict is _____ by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.
Answer
The play deals with a convict and a Bishop who is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. A convict/thief breaks into the Bishop’s house and is given food and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat changes the heart of the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them, and runs away. However, he is caught and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift given to him. The convict is converted by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

Question 5.
(a) Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words

Answer

• kind-hearted = cruel, unkind
• suspicious = unsuspicious
• cunning = simple-hearted, clever
• unscrupulous = scrupulous
• sympathetic = unsympathetic
• caring = careless
• forgiving = unforgiving
• understanding = inconsiderate
• sentimental = stern
• benevolent = hard-hearted
• innocent = guilty
• protective = unprotective
• credulous = incredulous
• penitent = unrepentant
• concerned = unconcerned
• generous = miserly
• clever = innocent, cunning
• honourable = dishonourable
• stern = sentimental
• pious = impious
• wild = civilized
• brutal = kind-hearted
• trusting = untrusting
• embittered = sweet

(b) Select words from the above box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines from the play.



Question 6.
Answer the following questions briefly

1. Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars ? Why / Why not ?
2. Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick ?
3. Who was Jeanette ? What was the cause of her death ? (V. Imp.)
4. The convict says, “Iam too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement ?
5. Why was the convict sent to prison ? What was the punishment given to him ? (V. Imp.)
6. Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified ? Why /Why not ? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris ?
7. Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him ? (V. Imp.)

Answer
(Varied answers). One version is given below :
1. I think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal Bishop. An ideal Bishop is a man of God. He keeps the interests of his parishioners above his own. Secondly, real help is that help when it is rendered to a really needy person.

2. Persome is made of a different mind. She feels that the people pretend to be sick so that the Bishop may be near them.
3. Jeanette was the wife of the convict. She fell ill as she did not have food to eat. Her husband did not get any work. She died due to starvation.
4. By this he means to say that he has spent a long period of ten years in prison. So he has learnt a lot of tricks of the convicts. He can’t be cheated by any kind of softness of the heart.

5. The convict was sent to prison because he had stolen the food. He was beaten like a hound while in jail. He slept on the boards. He was given a number after taking his name. He was made to eat filth. He had had vermin on his body. He had turned into a wild beast. It is due to the ill-treatment by the police in jail.

6. I think the punishment was not at all justified. Such a horrible punishment is given to murderers or killers. The convict had stolen food. At the most he should have been fined or imprisoned for a brief spell and treated like a human being.
The convict is eager to reach Paris. It is because there he won’t be easily traced by the police. The police would be after him to arrest him again. It is because he has not yet completed his sentence. He has run away from jail.

7. The Bishop’s large-heartedness and kindness brought this change in him. He is now a gentleman and not a wild beast. So he asks the Bishop to bless him.

Question 7.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options.
(A) Monseigneur, the Bishop is a … ahem !
(a) Why does Persome not complete the sentence ?

1. she used to stammer while speaking.
2. she was about to praise the Bishop.
3. she did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.
4. she had a habit of passing such remarks.

(b) Why is she angry with the Bishop ?

1. the Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.
2. the Bishop has gone to visit Mere Gringoire.
3. he showed extra concern for Marie.
4. she disliked the Bishop.

(B) She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help.
(a) Who sent little Jean to the Bishop ?

1. Mere Gringoire
2. Marie
3. Persome
4. Marie’s mother.

(b) Why did she send Jean to the Bishop ?

1. so that he could pray for her.
2. as she knew that he was a generous person.
3. as she was a greedy woman.
4. as she was a poor woman.

(C) I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.
(a) The Bishop wanted to take Mere Gringoire in because ____.

1. she was sick.
2. she had no money.
3. she was unable to pay the rent of her house.
4. she was a close friend of Persome.

(b) Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire’s being taken in because____.

1. she did not want to help anyone.
2. she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop.
3. she was a self-centred person.
4. she would be put to a great deal of inconvenience.

Answer
(A) (a) 3
(b) 1
(B) (a) 1
(b) 2
(C) (a) 3
(b) 2

Question 8.
The term irony refers to a discrepancy, or disagreement, of some sort. The discrepancy can he between what someone says and what he or she really means or verbal irony. The discrepancy can be between a situation that one would logically anticipate or that would seem appropriate and the situation that actually develops or situational irony. The discrepancy can even be between the facts known to a character and the facts known to us, the readers or audience or dramatic irony.
Working in groups of four complete the following table. Find instances of irony from the play and justify them.

Answer
Students should understand very well the three kinds of irony described here in these pages. They should also find more on their own from the text.
It is ironic as in the beginning the convict was against the Bishop’s using kindly and conciliatory words. But now he himself asks him to bless him before he goes. This means, he himself means these words, though in the beginning he had not meant these.

Answer
First, the convict is against leaving the window or the door unshuttered. It is because he fears that he may be found out. But if the door has been barred, he could not have entered the house.

Answer
It is ironic because the Bishop doesn’t want to sell the candlesticks. For him they are a symbol of his mother’s love for him. But later he himself offers them to the convict.

Question 9.
Identify the situations which can he termed as the turning points in the convict’s life.
Answer
These situations are as follows :

1. Convict’s stealing to buy his wife food.
2. His being caught by the police and inhuman treatment meted out by the jail authorities.
3. His escape from the jail and meeting the Bishop.
4. His stealing the Bishop’s candlesticks.
5. His being caught and brought before the Bishop and the Bishop’s getting him free from the police sergeant.
6. Bishop’s advice and telling him the way to Paris.

Question 10.
The convict is the product of the society he lived in, both in terms of the suffering that led him to steal a loaf of bread, as well as the excessive sentence he received as punishment for his “crime”. He was imprisoned for stealing money to buy food for his sick wife, this filled him with despair, hopelessness, bitterness and anger at the injustice of it all.
Conduct a debate in the class (in groups) on the following topic. Instruction for conducting a debate (and the use of appropriate language) are given in the unit ‘Children’ of the Main Course Book.
‘Criminals are wicked and deserve punishment’
Answer
Meant for debate at class level. Some points for and against the motion given below may be helpful.

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Criminals are like wild beasts knowing no mercy or compassion.	Taking one’s life is unpardonable, as, one can’t give one life.
Have no chance of reformation even if given opportunities.	Various avenues for reformation may be used.
Deserve severest punishment to teach others against repetition of such non-human crimes.	Love, pardon, mercy, pity—greatest human virtues to change the heart, even of a hardcore criminal.
Severest physical punishments given to them in Gulf countries, support this view.	Such examples in plenty in history. Crime to be hated, not the criminals

Question 11.
The convict goes to Paris, sells the silver candlesticks and starts a business. The business prospers and he starts a reformatory for ex-convicts. He writes a letter to the Bishop telling him of this reformatory and seeks his blessings.
As the convict, Jean Valjean, write the letter to the Bishop.
Answer
Jean Valjean Reformatory Paris
23 April, 20 …
Venerable father

You’ll be amazed to receive this letter from an ex-convict. It was a turning point in my life when I met you. You are the noblest soul I have met so far. I lack words to express my overwhelming sense of gratitude to you. You have rightly helped me with your cherished candlesticks.

I sold the candlesticks and started a reformatory for ex-convicts. I introduced various trades in it. It was to make the ex-convicts work and earn money for their needs. They would then live with dignity. The focus of this reformatory is to make the ex-convicts real human beings. So we focused on real Christian or human virtues. These are mercy, pity, peace, fellow¬feeling, cooperation, genuine sympathy etc. We also intended to make them earn money through various trades. We arranged for weekly moral preachings. These lectures were delivered by great men. The reformatory has now become famous all over the world for its values.

I am glad to say that we have maintained an alumni of this reformatory. The Govt, has also sanctioned a huge grant for the rehabilitation of the ex-convicts.

We would really be glad to honour you on the reformatory’s annual function. I shall write next time more about it.
Seeking your blessings
I remain
Yours sincerely
Jean Valjean

Question 12.
The play is based on an incident in novelist victor Hugo’s ‘Les Miserables.’ You may want to read the novel to get a better idea of the socio-economic conditions of the times and how people lived. Another novel that may interest you is Charles Dickens ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’
Divide yourselves into two groups in the class and read a book each. Later you may want to share your views of the book each group selected. Select an incident from the novel to dramatise and present before the class.
Answer
Mainly meant for discussion at class level. One group may cover Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Miserables’. The other group should cover Charles Dickens’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’.

Of A Tale of Two Cities

The socio-economic conditions are almost the same as given in ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’. In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ the theme centres on Manette’s spiritual renewal after 18 months’ imprisonment. It comes through Lucy’s love that enables Manette’s ‘rebirth’. This shows that sacrifice is necessary to achieve happiness. Likewise, Carton’s transformation into a man of moral worth is a kind of commentary. It is on the bitter aspects of life. These are revealed in the convict’s treatment meted out to him in jail in ‘The Bishop’s’Candlesticks’.

Thus the socio-economic conditions are: grim poverty, inequality, unequal opportunities, rule of the thumb and the stick, loss of freedom and autocracy, unfair trial, maladministration of police, etc.

An incident from the novel to be dramatised

The year is now 1780. Charles Darnay stands accused of treason against the English crown. A lawyer named Stryver using long and difficult words pleads Darnay’s case. But it is not until his drunk, good-for-nothing colleague, Syden Carton, assists him that the court acquits Darnay. Carton clinches his argument by pointing out that he himself bears a strange resemblance to the defendant. It weakens the prosecution’s case for unmistakably identifying Darnay as the spy, the authorities spotted.
This Scene can be enacted by the students with proper props and directions.

Of Les Miserables

After 19 years on the chain gang, Jean Valjean finds that the ticket of leave he must display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the Bishop of Digne treats him kindly. Valjean is embittered by years of hardship. He repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police. He is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him. Valjean decides to start his new life anew.

An incident from the novel that can be dramatised

Jean Valjean spends nineteen years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape. He is finally released. But his past keeps haunting him. At Digne, he is refused shelter for the night. Only the saintly Bishop, Monseigneur Myriel, welcomes him. Valjean repays his host’s hospitality by stealing his silverware. When the police brings him back, the Bishop protects him by pretending that the silverware is a gift to him. With a pious lie, he convinces him that the convict has promised to reform. After one more theft, Jean Valjean does indeed repent. Under the name of M. Madeleine he starts a factory. Thereof, he brings prosperity to the town of Montrevil.

Students as two different groups :
Group A
Students who have read ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
Group B
Students who have read ‘Les Miserables’
Some points for sharing common or different views

• Socio-economic conditions grim
• Wide gaps between the rulers and the ruled
• Grim poverty, especially at the lower level of the society
• Maladministration
• Corruption
• Nepotism
• Autocratic tendencies of the rulers
• Unfair treatment meted out to the undertrials
• Voice of Truth quelled
• General well-being of people ignored

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 The Last Leaf are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 The Last Leaf.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Moments
Chapter	Chapter 7
Chapter Name	The Last Leaf
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 The Last Leaf

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 48)

Think About It

Question 1.
What is Johnsy’s illness ? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live ?
Or
How could Johnsy’s life be saved ? (CBSE)
Answer:
Johnsy’s illness is purely psychological. She has got a silly thought. She would die with the fall of the last leaf on the ivy creeper. No medicine can cure this kind of disease. Only a strong will-power can cure. In her case it is her willingness to live that can cure her.

Question 2.
Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among the teenagers ?
Answer:
I think that the feeling of depression which Johnsy has is common among the teenagers. But it depends on the situations of life. If the teenagers have got Johnsy’s conditions, they may have this feeling. If they live in a family and are strong-willed, this depression may not be in them.

Question 3.
Behrman has a dream. What is it ? Does it come true ?
Answer:
Behrman has a dream. It is that he wants to paint a masterpiece. He is an old man and a painter. But so far he has not been successful to paint this. But in Johnsy’s illness, he paints this masterpiece in the leaf. However, he dies in doing so.

Question 4.
What is Behrman’s masterpiece ? What makes Sue say so ?
Answer:
Behrman’s masterpiece is the painted leaf on the wall. It has saved Johnsy’s life, though it cost him his own life. After looking at it, Johnsy gets a willingness to live. She is all right now. This makes Sue say that Behrman at last painted his masterpiece in that ‘leaf. It’ was a masterpiece in the sense also that it had saved Johnsy’s life.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 The Last Leaf help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 The Last Leaf, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6 Weathering the Storm in Ersama are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6 Weathering the Storm in Ersama.

Board	CBSE
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Moments
Chapter	Chapter 6
Chapter Name	Weathering the Storm in Ersama
Category	NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6 Weathering the Storm in Ersama

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 42)

Think About It

Question 1.
What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa ?
Or
Describe the aftermath of the devastating super cyclone. (CBSE 2017)
Answer.
The super cyclone uprooted the trees. It had also destroyed all crops and the buildings. The water entered the houses and fields. There was water and water everywhere. Strong winds blew. They beat the houses with great fury. It rained and rained continuously.

Question 2.
How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village ?
Or
How did Prashant, a teenager, help the people of his village ? (CBSE)
Or
How did Prashant help the villagers ? (CBSE)
Answer.
Prashant is a teenager. He brings a large number of orphan children together. He puts up a polythene sheet shelter for them. He asks women of his village to look after them. He lays the children on the sand with utensils on their stomachs. The helicopters see them. Then they throw food items.

Question 3.
How have the people of the community helped one another ? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days ?
Answer.
The people of the community help one another through cooperation. They gather together the orphan children. They build a polythene shelter for them. Men secure food and materials for the shelter. Women work in the food-for-work programme of the Non-Government Organisation.

Question 4.
Why do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows ? What alternatives do they consider ?
Answer.
Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows. They feel that in them the children would grow without love. Women will suffer from stigma and loneliness. These would be bad for their proper and normal growth. They feel that orphans should be resettled in their own community itself.

Question 5.
Do you think Prashant is a good leader ? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities ?
Answer.
I think that Prashant is a good leader. He organises all together to face the super cyclone’s ruin. He becomes a kind of saviour for these cyclone-hit people of Ersama. I also think that young people can surely get together. They can help people during natural calamities like Prashant.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6 Weathering the Storm in Ersama help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6 Weathering the Storm in Ersama, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.