NCERT Textbook: Unit 7 | English Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


Unit
7
You have read about Santosh Yadav, the youngest woman in the world to have 
conquered Mount Everest in 1992. You must have heard or read about Poorna, 
who at the age of 13 years 11 months, became the youngest girl in the world to 
have scaled the Mount Everest in 2014, with sheer determination and willpower. 
You would have also read about Maria Sharapova who bagged the Women’s 
Singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She was determined, tough, competitive, 
hard-working with unwavering desire. Both of them had big dreams from the 
very young age. 
1. Do you have the passion to do something other than your studies like 
these two icons have? (Be it music, dance, theatre, trekking, watersport, 
painting, football, cricket, etc.)
2.	 Do 	you	 find 	any	 difficulty 	 in	pursuing	your	passion?
3. Who gives you support and encouragement to go ahead with your passion?
L e t ’ s b eg i n Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage carefully. Based on your reading, 
answer the following questions in the space provided. 
Text I
On 	 3 	 Augu st 	 1996, 	 Leander	 Paes	 became 	 the	 first 	 Indian 	
to win an individual medal in 44 years when he defeated 
Fernando Meligeni of Brazil in an exciting match in the 
Centennial Olympic Games at Atlanta. Paes ranked 31 places 
below the Brazilian, played with gusto and determination 
against a player who has two ATP tour titles under his belt, 
and clinched the bronze medal. He was given a standing 
gusto: enjoyment and 
enthusiasm
Unit 7.indd   96 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Page 2


Unit
7
You have read about Santosh Yadav, the youngest woman in the world to have 
conquered Mount Everest in 1992. You must have heard or read about Poorna, 
who at the age of 13 years 11 months, became the youngest girl in the world to 
have scaled the Mount Everest in 2014, with sheer determination and willpower. 
You would have also read about Maria Sharapova who bagged the Women’s 
Singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She was determined, tough, competitive, 
hard-working with unwavering desire. Both of them had big dreams from the 
very young age. 
1. Do you have the passion to do something other than your studies like 
these two icons have? (Be it music, dance, theatre, trekking, watersport, 
painting, football, cricket, etc.)
2.	 Do 	you	 find 	any	 difficulty 	 in	pursuing	your	passion?
3. Who gives you support and encouragement to go ahead with your passion?
L e t ’ s b eg i n Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage carefully. Based on your reading, 
answer the following questions in the space provided. 
Text I
On 	 3 	 Augu st 	 1996, 	 Leander	 Paes	 became 	 the	 first 	 Indian 	
to win an individual medal in 44 years when he defeated 
Fernando Meligeni of Brazil in an exciting match in the 
Centennial Olympic Games at Atlanta. Paes ranked 31 places 
below the Brazilian, played with gusto and determination 
against a player who has two ATP tour titles under his belt, 
and clinched the bronze medal. He was given a standing 
gusto: enjoyment and 
enthusiasm
Unit 7.indd   96 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Unit 7 97
ovation when Paes raised his hand in triumph and said a 
silent prayer.
Leander’s father had won a bronze medal in the Munich 
Olympics 	1972 	as 	a 	member 	of 	the 	Indian 	hockey 	team. 	It 	is	
creditable to Leander Paes as he got it in an individual event.
Later he dedicated the medal to his coach and his 
doubles teammate. “They have helped me out and given 
me advice and kept me in good frame of mind. This medal 
doesn’t just show my efforts; it shows the efforts of the whole 
team.”
Paes was recognised as a prodigy by Vijay Amritraj in 
the ’80s. Even so, Paes’ true mentor has been Naresh Kumar, 
the 	 former 	 Indian 	 Davis 	 Cup 	 Captain.	 His	 incredible 	 Davis 	
Cup record speaks for itself. While it may be said that some 
of his Davis Cup victories were achieved because he was 
playing on his favourite surface, grass and enjoyed home 
support. But at Atlanta, Paes had none of these advantages 
except his coach, close family members and the expatriates. 
While Davis Cup victories bring in good cash rewards and 
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) points, there he 
was playing for just a medal. Paes explains it all when he 
says, 	 “When 	 I 	 am 	 playing	 for 	 my	 country 	 I	 don’t	 expect 	
anything.” That straightaway sets him apart.
He succeeds because of his willingness to take his 
chances, 	 swift	 reflexes 	 and 	 mental 	 strength, 	 and 	 the 	 fact 	
that he does not accept defeat easily.
(Source: http://www.jhs.ac.in/pdf/Cbse-qp/Grade-9/English/5.pdf)
1.	 Leander’s 	victory 	 at 	 Atlanta 	 is	significant 	because 	
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. His father’s Olympic triumph in 1972 was different 
from his own because it was
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
prodigy: a young person 
with exceptional qualities or 
abilities
expatriate: a person who 
lives outside their native 
country
Unit 7.indd   97 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Page 3


Unit
7
You have read about Santosh Yadav, the youngest woman in the world to have 
conquered Mount Everest in 1992. You must have heard or read about Poorna, 
who at the age of 13 years 11 months, became the youngest girl in the world to 
have scaled the Mount Everest in 2014, with sheer determination and willpower. 
You would have also read about Maria Sharapova who bagged the Women’s 
Singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She was determined, tough, competitive, 
hard-working with unwavering desire. Both of them had big dreams from the 
very young age. 
1. Do you have the passion to do something other than your studies like 
these two icons have? (Be it music, dance, theatre, trekking, watersport, 
painting, football, cricket, etc.)
2.	 Do 	you	 find 	any	 difficulty 	 in	pursuing	your	passion?
3. Who gives you support and encouragement to go ahead with your passion?
L e t ’ s b eg i n Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage carefully. Based on your reading, 
answer the following questions in the space provided. 
Text I
On 	 3 	 Augu st 	 1996, 	 Leander	 Paes	 became 	 the	 first 	 Indian 	
to win an individual medal in 44 years when he defeated 
Fernando Meligeni of Brazil in an exciting match in the 
Centennial Olympic Games at Atlanta. Paes ranked 31 places 
below the Brazilian, played with gusto and determination 
against a player who has two ATP tour titles under his belt, 
and clinched the bronze medal. He was given a standing 
gusto: enjoyment and 
enthusiasm
Unit 7.indd   96 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Unit 7 97
ovation when Paes raised his hand in triumph and said a 
silent prayer.
Leander’s father had won a bronze medal in the Munich 
Olympics 	1972 	as 	a 	member 	of 	the 	Indian 	hockey 	team. 	It 	is	
creditable to Leander Paes as he got it in an individual event.
Later he dedicated the medal to his coach and his 
doubles teammate. “They have helped me out and given 
me advice and kept me in good frame of mind. This medal 
doesn’t just show my efforts; it shows the efforts of the whole 
team.”
Paes was recognised as a prodigy by Vijay Amritraj in 
the ’80s. Even so, Paes’ true mentor has been Naresh Kumar, 
the 	 former 	 Indian 	 Davis 	 Cup 	 Captain.	 His	 incredible 	 Davis 	
Cup record speaks for itself. While it may be said that some 
of his Davis Cup victories were achieved because he was 
playing on his favourite surface, grass and enjoyed home 
support. But at Atlanta, Paes had none of these advantages 
except his coach, close family members and the expatriates. 
While Davis Cup victories bring in good cash rewards and 
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) points, there he 
was playing for just a medal. Paes explains it all when he 
says, 	 “When 	 I 	 am 	 playing	 for 	 my	 country 	 I	 don’t	 expect 	
anything.” That straightaway sets him apart.
He succeeds because of his willingness to take his 
chances, 	 swift	 reflexes 	 and 	 mental 	 strength, 	 and 	 the 	 fact 	
that he does not accept defeat easily.
(Source: http://www.jhs.ac.in/pdf/Cbse-qp/Grade-9/English/5.pdf)
1.	 Leander’s 	victory 	 at 	 Atlanta 	 is	significant 	because 	
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. His father’s Olympic triumph in 1972 was different 
from his own because it was
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
prodigy: a young person 
with exceptional qualities or 
abilities
expatriate: a person who 
lives outside their native 
country
Unit 7.indd   97 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 98
3. Leander gave credit to his coach and his teammate in 
doubles for his victory. How did they help him?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4.	 If	 you 	 are	 required 	 to	 sum 	 up	 Leander’s	 qualities 	 as	 a 	
player, which one would you like to highlight and why?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
5.	 In	 India,	 while 	 registering 	 his	 victories 	 in 	 Davis	 Cup	
one could say that he won because
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
6. At Atlanta he won because 
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Read the following poem and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text II
Whe Re the m ind is Without Fea R
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards  
       perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Commonly misspelt 
words
Incorrect  Correct
Posession  Possession
Recieve  Receive
Seperate  Separate
Supercede Supersede
Threshhold Threshold
Unforseen  Unforeseen
Fun fact
Unit 7.indd   98 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Page 4


Unit
7
You have read about Santosh Yadav, the youngest woman in the world to have 
conquered Mount Everest in 1992. You must have heard or read about Poorna, 
who at the age of 13 years 11 months, became the youngest girl in the world to 
have scaled the Mount Everest in 2014, with sheer determination and willpower. 
You would have also read about Maria Sharapova who bagged the Women’s 
Singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She was determined, tough, competitive, 
hard-working with unwavering desire. Both of them had big dreams from the 
very young age. 
1. Do you have the passion to do something other than your studies like 
these two icons have? (Be it music, dance, theatre, trekking, watersport, 
painting, football, cricket, etc.)
2.	 Do 	you	 find 	any	 difficulty 	 in	pursuing	your	passion?
3. Who gives you support and encouragement to go ahead with your passion?
L e t ’ s b eg i n Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage carefully. Based on your reading, 
answer the following questions in the space provided. 
Text I
On 	 3 	 Augu st 	 1996, 	 Leander	 Paes	 became 	 the	 first 	 Indian 	
to win an individual medal in 44 years when he defeated 
Fernando Meligeni of Brazil in an exciting match in the 
Centennial Olympic Games at Atlanta. Paes ranked 31 places 
below the Brazilian, played with gusto and determination 
against a player who has two ATP tour titles under his belt, 
and clinched the bronze medal. He was given a standing 
gusto: enjoyment and 
enthusiasm
Unit 7.indd   96 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Unit 7 97
ovation when Paes raised his hand in triumph and said a 
silent prayer.
Leander’s father had won a bronze medal in the Munich 
Olympics 	1972 	as 	a 	member 	of 	the 	Indian 	hockey 	team. 	It 	is	
creditable to Leander Paes as he got it in an individual event.
Later he dedicated the medal to his coach and his 
doubles teammate. “They have helped me out and given 
me advice and kept me in good frame of mind. This medal 
doesn’t just show my efforts; it shows the efforts of the whole 
team.”
Paes was recognised as a prodigy by Vijay Amritraj in 
the ’80s. Even so, Paes’ true mentor has been Naresh Kumar, 
the 	 former 	 Indian 	 Davis 	 Cup 	 Captain.	 His	 incredible 	 Davis 	
Cup record speaks for itself. While it may be said that some 
of his Davis Cup victories were achieved because he was 
playing on his favourite surface, grass and enjoyed home 
support. But at Atlanta, Paes had none of these advantages 
except his coach, close family members and the expatriates. 
While Davis Cup victories bring in good cash rewards and 
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) points, there he 
was playing for just a medal. Paes explains it all when he 
says, 	 “When 	 I 	 am 	 playing	 for 	 my	 country 	 I	 don’t	 expect 	
anything.” That straightaway sets him apart.
He succeeds because of his willingness to take his 
chances, 	 swift	 reflexes 	 and 	 mental 	 strength, 	 and 	 the 	 fact 	
that he does not accept defeat easily.
(Source: http://www.jhs.ac.in/pdf/Cbse-qp/Grade-9/English/5.pdf)
1.	 Leander’s 	victory 	 at 	 Atlanta 	 is	significant 	because 	
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. His father’s Olympic triumph in 1972 was different 
from his own because it was
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
prodigy: a young person 
with exceptional qualities or 
abilities
expatriate: a person who 
lives outside their native 
country
Unit 7.indd   97 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 98
3. Leander gave credit to his coach and his teammate in 
doubles for his victory. How did they help him?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4.	 If	 you 	 are	 required 	 to	 sum 	 up	 Leander’s	 qualities 	 as	 a 	
player, which one would you like to highlight and why?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
5.	 In	 India,	 while 	 registering 	 his	 victories 	 in 	 Davis	 Cup	
one could say that he won because
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
6. At Atlanta he won because 
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Read the following poem and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text II
Whe Re the m ind is Without Fea R
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards  
       perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Commonly misspelt 
words
Incorrect  Correct
Posession  Possession
Recieve  Receive
Seperate  Separate
Supercede Supersede
Threshhold Threshold
Unforseen  Unforeseen
Fun fact
Unit 7.indd   98 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Unit 7 99
Into 	 the	 dreary 	 desert	sand	 of 	dead	habits;
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into 	 ever-widening 	thought 	 and	action;
Into 	 that	 heaven	 of	 freedom,	 my	 Father, 	 let	 my 	 country	 
       awake 
   — Rabindranath Tagore
1. Given here are certain ideas from the poem “Where the 
mind 	 is	 without 	 fear”	 by	 Rabindranath	 Tagore.	 Identify 	
the lines from the poem that refer to these and write the 
lines in the space given below.
(a) Everybody should be able to learn.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(b)  There ought not be a division among people on the 
basis of caste, class, creed, religion or any other 
such basis.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(c)  People should be honest and speak out their heart.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(d)  Actions should stem from logic and not superstitions 
and beliefs, leading to progress.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(e)  People to be free of fear and oppression.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
Spelling Error
It is “calendar”, not 
“calender”.
Fun fact
Unit 7.indd   99 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Page 5


Unit
7
You have read about Santosh Yadav, the youngest woman in the world to have 
conquered Mount Everest in 1992. You must have heard or read about Poorna, 
who at the age of 13 years 11 months, became the youngest girl in the world to 
have scaled the Mount Everest in 2014, with sheer determination and willpower. 
You would have also read about Maria Sharapova who bagged the Women’s 
Singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She was determined, tough, competitive, 
hard-working with unwavering desire. Both of them had big dreams from the 
very young age. 
1. Do you have the passion to do something other than your studies like 
these two icons have? (Be it music, dance, theatre, trekking, watersport, 
painting, football, cricket, etc.)
2.	 Do 	you	 find 	any	 difficulty 	 in	pursuing	your	passion?
3. Who gives you support and encouragement to go ahead with your passion?
L e t ’ s b eg i n Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage carefully. Based on your reading, 
answer the following questions in the space provided. 
Text I
On 	 3 	 Augu st 	 1996, 	 Leander	 Paes	 became 	 the	 first 	 Indian 	
to win an individual medal in 44 years when he defeated 
Fernando Meligeni of Brazil in an exciting match in the 
Centennial Olympic Games at Atlanta. Paes ranked 31 places 
below the Brazilian, played with gusto and determination 
against a player who has two ATP tour titles under his belt, 
and clinched the bronze medal. He was given a standing 
gusto: enjoyment and 
enthusiasm
Unit 7.indd   96 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Unit 7 97
ovation when Paes raised his hand in triumph and said a 
silent prayer.
Leander’s father had won a bronze medal in the Munich 
Olympics 	1972 	as 	a 	member 	of 	the 	Indian 	hockey 	team. 	It 	is	
creditable to Leander Paes as he got it in an individual event.
Later he dedicated the medal to his coach and his 
doubles teammate. “They have helped me out and given 
me advice and kept me in good frame of mind. This medal 
doesn’t just show my efforts; it shows the efforts of the whole 
team.”
Paes was recognised as a prodigy by Vijay Amritraj in 
the ’80s. Even so, Paes’ true mentor has been Naresh Kumar, 
the 	 former 	 Indian 	 Davis 	 Cup 	 Captain.	 His	 incredible 	 Davis 	
Cup record speaks for itself. While it may be said that some 
of his Davis Cup victories were achieved because he was 
playing on his favourite surface, grass and enjoyed home 
support. But at Atlanta, Paes had none of these advantages 
except his coach, close family members and the expatriates. 
While Davis Cup victories bring in good cash rewards and 
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) points, there he 
was playing for just a medal. Paes explains it all when he 
says, 	 “When 	 I 	 am 	 playing	 for 	 my	 country 	 I	 don’t	 expect 	
anything.” That straightaway sets him apart.
He succeeds because of his willingness to take his 
chances, 	 swift	 reflexes 	 and 	 mental 	 strength, 	 and 	 the 	 fact 	
that he does not accept defeat easily.
(Source: http://www.jhs.ac.in/pdf/Cbse-qp/Grade-9/English/5.pdf)
1.	 Leander’s 	victory 	 at 	 Atlanta 	 is	significant 	because 	
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. His father’s Olympic triumph in 1972 was different 
from his own because it was
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
prodigy: a young person 
with exceptional qualities or 
abilities
expatriate: a person who 
lives outside their native 
country
Unit 7.indd   97 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 98
3. Leander gave credit to his coach and his teammate in 
doubles for his victory. How did they help him?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4.	 If	 you 	 are	 required 	 to	 sum 	 up	 Leander’s	 qualities 	 as	 a 	
player, which one would you like to highlight and why?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
5.	 In	 India,	 while 	 registering 	 his	 victories 	 in 	 Davis	 Cup	
one could say that he won because
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
6. At Atlanta he won because 
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Read the following poem and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text II
Whe Re the m ind is Without Fea R
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards  
       perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Commonly misspelt 
words
Incorrect  Correct
Posession  Possession
Recieve  Receive
Seperate  Separate
Supercede Supersede
Threshhold Threshold
Unforseen  Unforeseen
Fun fact
Unit 7.indd   98 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
Unit 7 99
Into 	 the	 dreary 	 desert	sand	 of 	dead	habits;
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into 	 ever-widening 	thought 	 and	action;
Into 	 that	 heaven	 of	 freedom,	 my	 Father, 	 let	 my 	 country	 
       awake 
   — Rabindranath Tagore
1. Given here are certain ideas from the poem “Where the 
mind 	 is	 without 	 fear”	 by	 Rabindranath	 Tagore.	 Identify 	
the lines from the poem that refer to these and write the 
lines in the space given below.
(a) Everybody should be able to learn.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(b)  There ought not be a division among people on the 
basis of caste, class, creed, religion or any other 
such basis.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(c)  People should be honest and speak out their heart.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(d)  Actions should stem from logic and not superstitions 
and beliefs, leading to progress.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
(e)  People to be free of fear and oppression.
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________
Spelling Error
It is “calendar”, not 
“calender”.
Fun fact
Unit 7.indd   99 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 100
(f) The poet is addressing ________________ so that ____
 __________________________________________________
2. This poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore much 
before	 India	 attained	 freedom. 	 What,	 do	 you 	 think,	 is	
the	 significance 	 of	 these 	 lines 	 in 	 the 	 context	 of 	 his	 time?
 __________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________
 Vo Cabula Ry 1. Suggest a word for each sentence/phrase correctly. 
Refer	 to	 the	 chapter 	 ‘Reach	 for	 the 	 Top, 	 Part	 I’	 given	 in	
your textbook, Beehive. The paragraph numbers where 
these words are used, are given in brackets.  
(a) A state of happiness and satisfaction.
 _______________________________________________(2) 
(b) An action or way of behaving that is usual in 
tradition.______________________________________(3)
(c) A word or statement that expresses agreement or 
confirmation.__________________________________(5)
(d) The ability to withstand hardship or adversity.
 _______________________________________________(7)
(e) Final stage of something you’ve been working 
towards.______________________________________(7)
2. Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box. These 
words are taken from the chapter ‘Reach for the Top’ of 
your textbook, Beehive. You can refer to a dictionary to 
find 	out	the	 meanings	of	 these 	words. 		
prevails, 	 positive, 	 apology, 	 affluent, 	 expedition,	
culmination
(a)	 She	 wears	 expensive 	 dresses	 and	 jewellery.	 It	 seems	
she belongs to an__________________________family.
Every cloud has a silver 
lining.
There is some good hidden 
in bad things also. 
Fun fact
Unit 7.indd   100 20-02-2023   09:25:57
2024-25