Half Yearly Class 9 English Set 3 | English Class 9 PDF Download

Time Allowed: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1.  This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2.  The question paper contains THREE sections:

• Section A: Reading Skills
• Section B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
• Section C: Literature Textbook

3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A

Q1. Read the text given below: [10 Marks]
The integration of financial literacy into school curricula is increasingly recognized as a critical component of preparing students for adulthood. Understanding concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt empowers young people to make in- formed financial decisions, fostering independence and long-term economic stability. Fi- nancial literacy education equips students with practical skills, such as creating a monthly budget or understanding interest rates, which are essential for navigating personal fi- nances. It also cultivates critical thinking, as students analyze financial scenarios, weigh risks, and evaluate options, such as choosing between a savings account and a stock investment. Beyond individual benefits, financial literacy contributes to societal well-being by reducing poverty, preventing debt accumulation, and promoting economic resilience. For instance, a student who understands the dangers of high-interest credit card debt is less likely to fall into financial traps. Moreover, financial education fosters a sense of responsibility, encouraging students to plan for future goals, such as higher education or homeownership, while avoiding impulsive spending driven by consumer culture.
Despite its importance, financial literacy faces significant barriers in schools. Many educational systems prioritize academic subjects like mathematics and science, leaving little room for practical life skills in the curriculum. Teachers often lack specialized training in financial education, making it challenging to deliver engaging and accurate lessons. Additionally, socioeconomic disparities mean that students from low-income backgrounds may have limited exposure to financial role models or resources, perpetuating cycles of financial mismanagement. The rise of digital financial tools, such as mobile banking apps and cryptocurrencies, adds complexity, as students must navigate both traditional and emerging financial systems. Misinformation from social media influencers promoting get-rich-quick schemes further complicates learning, leading some students to adopt risky financial behaviors. To address these challenges, schools can introduce dedicated financial literacy courses or integrate financial concepts into existing subjects, such as mathematics through budgeting exercises or social studies through economic policy discussions. Partnerships with local banks or financial advisors can provide workshops, simulations, or mentorship programs, offering real-world insights. Governments should invest in teacher training and develop standardized financial literacy modules to ensure consistency and quality. Community involvement is also vital, as parents can reinforce lessons by dis- cussing household budgets or savings goals with their children. Technology can enhance learning through interactive budgeting apps or online financial literacy games, making the subject accessible and engaging. By prioritizing financial literacy, schools can em- power students to take control of their financial futures, reducing economic inequality and building a generation of informed, responsible citizens capable of thriving in an in- creasingly complex financial landscape. Financial education is not just a skill; it is a foundation for personal empowerment and societal progress.
Answer the following questions based on the passage:
(i) List two benefits of financial literacy for students mentioned in the passage.   (1 mark)

(ii) Select the option that corresponds to the meaning of the sentence:  (1 mark)
Financial literacy fosters a sense of responsibility.
(a) It encourages impulsive spending.
(b) It promotes accountability in financial decisions.
(c) It focuses only on academic skills.
(d) It ignores economic planning.

(iii) Explain in about 40 words why financial literacy is challenging to implement in schools. (2 marks)

(iv) What is the writer’s tone in the line: By prioritizing financial literacy, schools can empower students to take control of their financial futures. Justify in about 40 words. (2 marks)

(v) The phrase ‘economic resilience’ in the passage refers to: (1 mark)
(a) The ability to withstand financial challenges.
(b) The growth of academic skills.
(c) The expansion of digital banking.
(d) The accumulation of debt.

(vi) In sets a-e below, identify two sets of antonyms. (1 mark)
(a) empower and weaken
(b) stability and instability
(c) promote and encourage
(d) responsibility and carelessness
(e) access and availability
Options:
(i) a and b
(ii) b and d
(iii) c and e
(iv) a and d

(vii)  Complete the sentence appropriately:  Schools can promote financial literacy by ____. (1 mark)

(viii)  Complete the following sentence:  Misinformation from social media can lead to ____. (1 mark)

Q2. Read the passage given below: [10 Marks]
The practice of mindfulness in schools is gaining traction as a powerful tool for en- hancing students’ mental health, focus, and emotional well-being. Mindfulness, which involves being fully present and aware in the moment, helps students manage stress, im- prove concentration, and develop emotional resilience. Activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or guided reflection enable students to calm their minds, reducing anxiety and enhancing their ability to cope with academic and personal challenges. For example, a short mindfulness session before a test can help students clear their thoughts and perform better. Mindfulness also fosters empathy and compassion, as students learn to understand their own emotions and those of others, improving relationships with peers and teachers. In educational settings, mindfulness programs create a positive classroom environment, encouraging attentiveness and reducing disruptive behavior. However, im- plementing mindfulness in schools faces obstacles, including limited teacher training and skepticism about its effectiveness. The academic curriculum is often packed, leaving little time for mindfulness practices, and some parents may view it as unrelated to traditional education. Additionally, students from high-stress environments may find it difficult to engage without proper support. To overcome these barriers, schools can offer professional development for teachers, equipping them with skills to lead mindfulness sessions. Inte- grating mindfulness into daily routines, such as starting the day with a brief meditation, can make it a seamless part of school life. Partnerships with mental health organiza- tions can provide resources and expertise, while parental engagement through workshops can build support. Technology, such as mindfulness apps or online guided meditations, can make the practice accessible and appealing to students. By prioritizing mindfulness, schools can nurture students who are mentally balanced, emotionally intelligent, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges, fostering a culture of well-being that benefits both individuals and the broader community.
Answer the following questions based on the passage:

(i) Infer one reason why mindfulness is challenging to implement in schools. (1 mark)

(ii) Select the appropriate option to complete the following sentence: Mindfulness helps students develop: (1 mark)
1. Emotional resilience
2. Academic stress
3. Concentration
4. Isolation
5. Empathy
(a) 1, 3, 5
(b) 2, 4
(c) 1, 2, 3
(d) 3, 4, 5

(iii) Analyze in about 40 words how mindfulness benefits students’ classroom perfor- mance. (2 marks)

(iv) Give two reasons why mindfulness is important for students. (2 marks)

(v) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from the passage:  (1 mark)
mindfulness : empathy : : exercise : ____ (Clue: Just as mindfulness fosters empathy, exercise fosters something.)

(vi) Mindfulness enhances ____ by helping students manage stress. (1 mark)

(vii)  Complete the following sentence: Schools can encourage mindfulness by ____. (1 mark)

(viii)  Select the appropriate option to complete the following sentence:  (1 mark)
Limited teacher training leads to:
(a) Increased mindfulness practices
(b) Challenges in implementing mindfulness
(c) Better student focus
(d) More academic success

Section B

Q3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed: [10 Marks]
(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket:   (1 mark)
They ____ (play) football yesterday.

(ii) Identify the error and supply the correction for the following: The boy run fast in the race.   (1 mark)
Use the given format for your response:

(iii) Maya shared some plans with Anil.  Report Anil’s question:  Wil l you attend the art exhibition? (1 mark)

(iv) A student asked a teacher about a project. Report the student’s question: Can we submit the project next week? (1 mark)

(v) There are ____ apples in the basket. (1 mark)
(a) much/many
(b) some/any
(c) every/no
(d) few/little

(vi) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line: She dance gracefully at the event. (1 mark)

(vii)  Can I borrow your notebook for the class? Select the correct modal: (1 mark)
(a) can
(b) might
(c) may
(d) should

(viii) He ____ a picture at the art exhibition last Saturday. (1 mark)
(a) paints
(b) painted
(c) was painting
(d) is painting

(ix) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete a line from a notice:  (1 mark)
All students ____ participate in the cultural fest.
(a) could
(b) must
(c) will
(d) may

(x) Complete the line from a story by filling the blank with the correct option:  (1 mark)
The river ____ gently, / Carrying leaves to the sea.
(a) flows, carries
(b) flowed, carried
(c) had flowed, carrying
(d) flows, carrying 

(xi) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option:  (1 mark)
Reading books ____ knowledge and creativity.
(a) is enhancing
(b) enhances
(c) enhance
(d) will enhance

(xii) Neither the pen nor the pencil ____ on the desk. (1 mark)
(a) is
(b) are
(c) were
(d) was

Q4. Write a descriptive paragraph in about 100-120 words on “A Visit to a Historical Monument”. [5 Marks]
OR
Write a descriptive paragraph in about 100-120 words describing your favorite book.

Q5. Write a diary entry in about 100-120 words about a day when you learned something new. [5 Marks]
OR
Write a story in about 100-120 words based on the given clues: One morning, I found an old key in my backyard…

Section C

Q6.  Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given:
i.  Prose Extract: [5 Marks]
He was a bril liant man, but his ideas were often misunderstood.  People thought he was odd because he loved to play the violin and think deeply.

(a) Who is the ‘he’ referred to in the extract? (1 mark)

(b) Why did people find the man’s behavior unusual?  Answer in about 40 words.  (2 marks)

(c) Which of the following is NOT true about the man? (1 mark) 
(i) He was brilliant.
(ii) His ideas were always accepted.
(iii) He enjoyed playing the violin.
(iv) He was a deep thinker.

(d) What does the phrase ‘often misunderstood’ suggest about the man’s ideas?  (1 mark)
OR
ii.  Poetry Extract: [5 Marks]
Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; / Taking me back down the vista of years…
(a) What is the woman doing in the poem? (1 mark)

(b) How does the poet convey the effect of the woman’s singing? Answer in about 40 words. (2 marks)

(c) Identify the poetic device used in the line down the vista of years. (1 mark)
(i) Metaphor
(ii) Simile
(iii) Alliteration
(iv) Personification

(d) What does the phrase ‘vista of years’ suggest about the speaker’s memories?  (1 mark)

Q7.  Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given:
i.  Poetry Extract: [5 Marks]
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow…

(a) Where does the speaker seek peace in the poem? (1 mark)

(b) How does the poet describe the process of finding peace? Answer in about 40 words. (2 marks)

(c) Identify the poetic device used in the line peace comes dropping slow.  (1 mark)
(i) Metaphor
(ii) Simile
(iii) Personification
(iv) Alliteration

(d) What does the phrase ‘dropping slow’ suggest about peace? (1 mark)

OR

ii.  Prose Extract: [5 Marks]
Iswaran would narrate his stories with such vivid details that Mahendra would listen, completely engrossed.

(a) Who is Iswaran in the extract? (1 mark)

(b) How did Iswaran’s storytelling affect Mahendra?  Answer in about 40 words.  (2 marks)

(c) Which of the following is NOT true about Iswaran’s stories? (1 mark)
(i) They were vivid.
(ii) They captivated Mahendra.
(iii) They were always factual.
(iv) They were narrated with detail.

(d) What does the phrase ‘completely engrossed’ suggest about Mahendra’s reaction? (1 mark)

Q8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions in about 40-50 words: [4 x 3 = 12 Marks]

(i) How does the narrator compare the old schooling system to the mechanical teacher?
(ii) How did the scientist’s unique thinking lead to his achievements?
(iii) How does the girl’s perception of her father change over time?
(iv) What obstacles does the musician overcome to pursue her passion?
(v) Describe the poet’s emotions when reflecting on the wind’s power.

Q9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in about 40-50 words: [2 x 3 = 6 Marks]
(i) How does the boy’s experience at the fair shape his understanding of his parents? 
(ii) How does Toto’s mischief affect the family’s routine?
(iii) What makes the kingdom’s justice system flawed?

Q10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 100-120 words: [6 Marks]
(i) Discuss how the scientist’s determination helped him overcome societal challenges.
(ii) Analyze the theme of nature in the poem about seeking peace on an island.

Q11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 100-120 words: [6 Marks]
(i) How does Iswaran’s storytelling influence Mahendra’s view of the world?
(ii) How does the kingdom’s unusual system lead to unexpected consequences?

​You can access the solutions to this Half Yearly here.