Class 9 English Communicative: CBSE Past Year Paper (SA-2) - 3 | Past Year Papers For Class 9

 Page 1


Summative Assessment-II 
English Communicative 
Class – IX 
Time allowed: 3 hours  Maximum Marks: 70 
General Instructions: 
The question paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. 
Section A: Reading 20 marks 
Section B: Writing and Grammar 25 marks 
Section C: Literature and Long Reading text 25 marks 
Attempt all questions. 
Section A 
(Reading: 20 marks) 
1. A. Read the passage given below and answer the questions / complete the sentences that
follow:            (5)
‘Communicative Competence’ refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different
circumstances. There are two ways of developing communicative competence in a language.
The first is acquisition which is similar to the way people develop the ability to use their
mother tongue. It is a natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually conscious
of acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the language to
communicate. In nontechnical terms, acquisition is ‘picking up’ a language spontaneously. It
may also be called ‘implicit’ learning.
On the other hand, the second means of developing communicative competence in a language
is learning that language formally. It refers to conscious knowledge of a language, knowing
the rules of language use, being aware of using them and being able to talk about them. In
non-technical terms, learning is to know consciously about a language. It may be described as
‘explicit’ learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and long lasting
than learning. Therefore, teachers these days encourage learners of a second language to
practice and experience the language in different situations where they are involved in
communicating with others. And that is exactly what the tasks in this book are designed to
do.
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What is implicit learning?
(ii) What are the ways to develop communicative competence in a language?
(iii) What do you mean by ‘language acquisition and language learning’?
(iv) What do we learn in the ‘explicit learning of langage’?
(v) What do you mean by the word ‘spontaneously'?
1. B. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (5) 
Page 2


Summative Assessment-II 
English Communicative 
Class – IX 
Time allowed: 3 hours  Maximum Marks: 70 
General Instructions: 
The question paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. 
Section A: Reading 20 marks 
Section B: Writing and Grammar 25 marks 
Section C: Literature and Long Reading text 25 marks 
Attempt all questions. 
Section A 
(Reading: 20 marks) 
1. A. Read the passage given below and answer the questions / complete the sentences that
follow:            (5)
‘Communicative Competence’ refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different
circumstances. There are two ways of developing communicative competence in a language.
The first is acquisition which is similar to the way people develop the ability to use their
mother tongue. It is a natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually conscious
of acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the language to
communicate. In nontechnical terms, acquisition is ‘picking up’ a language spontaneously. It
may also be called ‘implicit’ learning.
On the other hand, the second means of developing communicative competence in a language
is learning that language formally. It refers to conscious knowledge of a language, knowing
the rules of language use, being aware of using them and being able to talk about them. In
non-technical terms, learning is to know consciously about a language. It may be described as
‘explicit’ learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and long lasting
than learning. Therefore, teachers these days encourage learners of a second language to
practice and experience the language in different situations where they are involved in
communicating with others. And that is exactly what the tasks in this book are designed to
do.
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What is implicit learning?
(ii) What are the ways to develop communicative competence in a language?
(iii) What do you mean by ‘language acquisition and language learning’?
(iv) What do we learn in the ‘explicit learning of langage’?
(v) What do you mean by the word ‘spontaneously'?
1. B. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (5) 
I am what is best described as an arm-chair traveller. A paucity of funds means that I can 
hardly buy myself a decent travel guide, leave alone a full-fledged travel itinerary. Yet, like 
most parched souls in the scorching summer months and beyond, the dreams of distant hill 
refuges play a calming effect on fraught nerves. 
So, I sit with a worn out and tattered guidebook and surround myself with broad sheets of 
travel supplements brought out by the newspapers. While glancing longingly at 
advertisements and frowning at their prices I can come to the most obvious conclusion, so 
obvious in fact that I need not even mention it. Though my editor says that one does not need 
money to travel and admittedly I find that to be hugely encouraging. 
Others are, thankfully not so unfortunate. And before this piece begins to take the shape of a 
personal grievance at it all, there lies the silver lining in the shape of the aforementioned 
advertisements. One might not notice it in a single week but with the passage of time the 
mind becomes sharper and one recognises that most of the photographs in these 
advertisements are morphed. How otherwise would the same shot of the same hotel from 
the same angle have, in one week the image of a lofty mountain right behind it and on 
another, a cheerfully shimmering lake, or rolling plains. It used to baffle me but now no more. 
Answer the following questions: 
(i) Why does the writer call herself an ‘arm-chair traveller’? 
(ii) Why is the writer not able to travel? 
(iii) During the scorching summer months what does the writer dream of? 
(iv) While glancing at the advertisement in newspaper what does the author conclude? 
(v) What does the word ‘scorching’ mean? 
2. OTBA (10) 
Section – B 
(Writing and Grammar: 25 Marks) 
3. Read the following extract and write an article for your school magazine on the ‘Delights and
Usefulness of Walking’ in 120-150 words.       (5)
Walking has its own delights. Sadly, in India, walking is associated with deprivation and
poverty. “If you have a car, why walk?” asked the professor, reviving up his fiat for the few
metres from his house to the college building. Pavement dwellers and pedestrians get second
class treatment.
4. Complete the story that begins with the following statement in not more than 150-200
words.            (10)
Cowherds of Gokul worshipped Indra – Lord Krishna made cowherds worshipped
Goverdhan instead of Indra – Indra got furious – caused heavy rain and flood – cried for help
– Krishna lifted mount Goverdhan – all Gokul cowherds saved themselves under it
5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones
given.            (3)
The old man remained dreaming (i) _______ the sun. His kite shop (ii) _______ gone, the
premises (iii) _______ been sold (iv) _______ years ago to (v) _______ junk dealer. But he still (vi)
_______ kites for his own amusement.
(a) in   (b) on   (c) at   (d) to
Page 3


Summative Assessment-II 
English Communicative 
Class – IX 
Time allowed: 3 hours  Maximum Marks: 70 
General Instructions: 
The question paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. 
Section A: Reading 20 marks 
Section B: Writing and Grammar 25 marks 
Section C: Literature and Long Reading text 25 marks 
Attempt all questions. 
Section A 
(Reading: 20 marks) 
1. A. Read the passage given below and answer the questions / complete the sentences that
follow:            (5)
‘Communicative Competence’ refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different
circumstances. There are two ways of developing communicative competence in a language.
The first is acquisition which is similar to the way people develop the ability to use their
mother tongue. It is a natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually conscious
of acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the language to
communicate. In nontechnical terms, acquisition is ‘picking up’ a language spontaneously. It
may also be called ‘implicit’ learning.
On the other hand, the second means of developing communicative competence in a language
is learning that language formally. It refers to conscious knowledge of a language, knowing
the rules of language use, being aware of using them and being able to talk about them. In
non-technical terms, learning is to know consciously about a language. It may be described as
‘explicit’ learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and long lasting
than learning. Therefore, teachers these days encourage learners of a second language to
practice and experience the language in different situations where they are involved in
communicating with others. And that is exactly what the tasks in this book are designed to
do.
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What is implicit learning?
(ii) What are the ways to develop communicative competence in a language?
(iii) What do you mean by ‘language acquisition and language learning’?
(iv) What do we learn in the ‘explicit learning of langage’?
(v) What do you mean by the word ‘spontaneously'?
1. B. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (5) 
I am what is best described as an arm-chair traveller. A paucity of funds means that I can 
hardly buy myself a decent travel guide, leave alone a full-fledged travel itinerary. Yet, like 
most parched souls in the scorching summer months and beyond, the dreams of distant hill 
refuges play a calming effect on fraught nerves. 
So, I sit with a worn out and tattered guidebook and surround myself with broad sheets of 
travel supplements brought out by the newspapers. While glancing longingly at 
advertisements and frowning at their prices I can come to the most obvious conclusion, so 
obvious in fact that I need not even mention it. Though my editor says that one does not need 
money to travel and admittedly I find that to be hugely encouraging. 
Others are, thankfully not so unfortunate. And before this piece begins to take the shape of a 
personal grievance at it all, there lies the silver lining in the shape of the aforementioned 
advertisements. One might not notice it in a single week but with the passage of time the 
mind becomes sharper and one recognises that most of the photographs in these 
advertisements are morphed. How otherwise would the same shot of the same hotel from 
the same angle have, in one week the image of a lofty mountain right behind it and on 
another, a cheerfully shimmering lake, or rolling plains. It used to baffle me but now no more. 
Answer the following questions: 
(i) Why does the writer call herself an ‘arm-chair traveller’? 
(ii) Why is the writer not able to travel? 
(iii) During the scorching summer months what does the writer dream of? 
(iv) While glancing at the advertisement in newspaper what does the author conclude? 
(v) What does the word ‘scorching’ mean? 
2. OTBA (10) 
Section – B 
(Writing and Grammar: 25 Marks) 
3. Read the following extract and write an article for your school magazine on the ‘Delights and
Usefulness of Walking’ in 120-150 words.       (5)
Walking has its own delights. Sadly, in India, walking is associated with deprivation and
poverty. “If you have a car, why walk?” asked the professor, reviving up his fiat for the few
metres from his house to the college building. Pavement dwellers and pedestrians get second
class treatment.
4. Complete the story that begins with the following statement in not more than 150-200
words.            (10)
Cowherds of Gokul worshipped Indra – Lord Krishna made cowherds worshipped
Goverdhan instead of Indra – Indra got furious – caused heavy rain and flood – cried for help
– Krishna lifted mount Goverdhan – all Gokul cowherds saved themselves under it
5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones
given.            (3)
The old man remained dreaming (i) _______ the sun. His kite shop (ii) _______ gone, the
premises (iii) _______ been sold (iv) _______ years ago to (v) _______ junk dealer. But he still (vi)
_______ kites for his own amusement.
(a) in   (b) on   (c) at   (d) to
(a) had (b) was (c) were (d) is 
(a) having (b) after (c) had (d) have 
(a) a few (b) many (c) the few (d) a little 
(a) a (b) the  (c) at  (d) on 
(a) makes (b) has made (c) had made (d) made 
6. The following passages have not been edited. There is an error in each of the lines against
which a blank is given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the space provided.
(4) 
Incorrect Correct 
In a country as vast of ours, keeping e.g. of as 
a eye on every child is a Herculean  (a) _________ _________ 
task. Many children are still employing (b) _________ _________ 
in factories while its childhood goes unnoticed. (c) _________ _________ 
They washed utensils when they should  (d) _________ _________ 
play with dolls and get married. 
7. Read the conversation between two friends and complete the paragraph given below. Write
the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole
sentences.           (3)
Joice: When is your aunt visiting you?
Mary: She is planning to come in September.
Joice: Wouldn't our exams have started by then?
Mary: That’s true. I’ve called her and requested her to come only after my exams.
Joice asked Mary (a) _______ Mary replied that (b) _______ Joice enquired, (c) _______ by then.
Section – C 
(Literature and Long Reading Text – 25 Marks) 
8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:   (3)
“Men are very clumsy”, said she. “I know you were on every train. I thought you were going
to speak to me, and I’m glad you didn’t.”
(a) Who is she talking to and when?
(b) How had she been chased?
(c) What do you mean by ‘clumsy’?
9. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:      (8)
(a) ‘I am the sigh of the sea.’ Explain.
(b) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures ailments of the
clouds?
(c) Why was it necessary to keep Harold's father's profession a secret from him?
(d) Who was John A. Pescud? What was his profession?
10. Imagine you are Bill Bramble. You lead a tense life, hiding the truth of your profession from
Harold, but when he came to know the truth, he was hurt and at the same time happy. Write
your feelings in the form of a diary entry.       (4)
Or 
Page 4


Summative Assessment-II 
English Communicative 
Class – IX 
Time allowed: 3 hours  Maximum Marks: 70 
General Instructions: 
The question paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. 
Section A: Reading 20 marks 
Section B: Writing and Grammar 25 marks 
Section C: Literature and Long Reading text 25 marks 
Attempt all questions. 
Section A 
(Reading: 20 marks) 
1. A. Read the passage given below and answer the questions / complete the sentences that
follow:            (5)
‘Communicative Competence’ refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different
circumstances. There are two ways of developing communicative competence in a language.
The first is acquisition which is similar to the way people develop the ability to use their
mother tongue. It is a natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually conscious
of acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the language to
communicate. In nontechnical terms, acquisition is ‘picking up’ a language spontaneously. It
may also be called ‘implicit’ learning.
On the other hand, the second means of developing communicative competence in a language
is learning that language formally. It refers to conscious knowledge of a language, knowing
the rules of language use, being aware of using them and being able to talk about them. In
non-technical terms, learning is to know consciously about a language. It may be described as
‘explicit’ learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and long lasting
than learning. Therefore, teachers these days encourage learners of a second language to
practice and experience the language in different situations where they are involved in
communicating with others. And that is exactly what the tasks in this book are designed to
do.
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What is implicit learning?
(ii) What are the ways to develop communicative competence in a language?
(iii) What do you mean by ‘language acquisition and language learning’?
(iv) What do we learn in the ‘explicit learning of langage’?
(v) What do you mean by the word ‘spontaneously'?
1. B. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (5) 
I am what is best described as an arm-chair traveller. A paucity of funds means that I can 
hardly buy myself a decent travel guide, leave alone a full-fledged travel itinerary. Yet, like 
most parched souls in the scorching summer months and beyond, the dreams of distant hill 
refuges play a calming effect on fraught nerves. 
So, I sit with a worn out and tattered guidebook and surround myself with broad sheets of 
travel supplements brought out by the newspapers. While glancing longingly at 
advertisements and frowning at their prices I can come to the most obvious conclusion, so 
obvious in fact that I need not even mention it. Though my editor says that one does not need 
money to travel and admittedly I find that to be hugely encouraging. 
Others are, thankfully not so unfortunate. And before this piece begins to take the shape of a 
personal grievance at it all, there lies the silver lining in the shape of the aforementioned 
advertisements. One might not notice it in a single week but with the passage of time the 
mind becomes sharper and one recognises that most of the photographs in these 
advertisements are morphed. How otherwise would the same shot of the same hotel from 
the same angle have, in one week the image of a lofty mountain right behind it and on 
another, a cheerfully shimmering lake, or rolling plains. It used to baffle me but now no more. 
Answer the following questions: 
(i) Why does the writer call herself an ‘arm-chair traveller’? 
(ii) Why is the writer not able to travel? 
(iii) During the scorching summer months what does the writer dream of? 
(iv) While glancing at the advertisement in newspaper what does the author conclude? 
(v) What does the word ‘scorching’ mean? 
2. OTBA (10) 
Section – B 
(Writing and Grammar: 25 Marks) 
3. Read the following extract and write an article for your school magazine on the ‘Delights and
Usefulness of Walking’ in 120-150 words.       (5)
Walking has its own delights. Sadly, in India, walking is associated with deprivation and
poverty. “If you have a car, why walk?” asked the professor, reviving up his fiat for the few
metres from his house to the college building. Pavement dwellers and pedestrians get second
class treatment.
4. Complete the story that begins with the following statement in not more than 150-200
words.            (10)
Cowherds of Gokul worshipped Indra – Lord Krishna made cowherds worshipped
Goverdhan instead of Indra – Indra got furious – caused heavy rain and flood – cried for help
– Krishna lifted mount Goverdhan – all Gokul cowherds saved themselves under it
5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones
given.            (3)
The old man remained dreaming (i) _______ the sun. His kite shop (ii) _______ gone, the
premises (iii) _______ been sold (iv) _______ years ago to (v) _______ junk dealer. But he still (vi)
_______ kites for his own amusement.
(a) in   (b) on   (c) at   (d) to
(a) had (b) was (c) were (d) is 
(a) having (b) after (c) had (d) have 
(a) a few (b) many (c) the few (d) a little 
(a) a (b) the  (c) at  (d) on 
(a) makes (b) has made (c) had made (d) made 
6. The following passages have not been edited. There is an error in each of the lines against
which a blank is given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the space provided.
(4) 
Incorrect Correct 
In a country as vast of ours, keeping e.g. of as 
a eye on every child is a Herculean  (a) _________ _________ 
task. Many children are still employing (b) _________ _________ 
in factories while its childhood goes unnoticed. (c) _________ _________ 
They washed utensils when they should  (d) _________ _________ 
play with dolls and get married. 
7. Read the conversation between two friends and complete the paragraph given below. Write
the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole
sentences.           (3)
Joice: When is your aunt visiting you?
Mary: She is planning to come in September.
Joice: Wouldn't our exams have started by then?
Mary: That’s true. I’ve called her and requested her to come only after my exams.
Joice asked Mary (a) _______ Mary replied that (b) _______ Joice enquired, (c) _______ by then.
Section – C 
(Literature and Long Reading Text – 25 Marks) 
8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:   (3)
“Men are very clumsy”, said she. “I know you were on every train. I thought you were going
to speak to me, and I’m glad you didn’t.”
(a) Who is she talking to and when?
(b) How had she been chased?
(c) What do you mean by ‘clumsy’?
9. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:      (8)
(a) ‘I am the sigh of the sea.’ Explain.
(b) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures ailments of the
clouds?
(c) Why was it necessary to keep Harold's father's profession a secret from him?
(d) Who was John A. Pescud? What was his profession?
10. Imagine you are Bill Bramble. You lead a tense life, hiding the truth of your profession from
Harold, but when he came to know the truth, he was hurt and at the same time happy. Write
your feelings in the form of a diary entry.       (4)
Or 
You are Marie. You return home and write a letter describing the events of the day, 
highlighting the attitude of both of your employees. 
11. A. Describe the flying island into which Gulliver landed after he was left drifting on the sea.
(10) 
Or 
Develop a character sketch of the chief of the Houyhnhnms. 
11. B. What led to the abandoning of their boat by the three friends - George, Harris and the
narrator - in the last leg of their trip?       (10)
Or 
The narrator in ‘Three Men in a Boat’ can act as a very good guide to the tourists. Discuss.