NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English - Song of The Rain

TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)

Q1. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.
(a) The rain calls itself the ‘dotted silver threads’ as _____________.
(i) the shimmering drops fall one after the other.
(ii) it ties heaven and earth.
(iii) it dots the earth with shimmering water.
(iv) it decorates the fields.

Ans : (i) the shimmering drops fall one after the other.

(b) The tone and mood of the rain in the poem reflects: its _____________.
(i) love for the earth.
(ii) desire to take revenge.
(iii) merriment as it destroys.
(iv) desire to look beautiful.

Ans : (i) love for the earth.

(c) Choose the option that lists the examples of ‘elated’.
1. Asmi is convalescing from her ailment.
2. Gurdeep and Sanvi met each other after a decade.
3. Damehi heard the news that he had been nominated for an award.
4. Sohrab has witnessed a burglar in the dark.
(i) 1, 3
(ii) 2, 3
(iii) 3, 4
(iv) 1, 4
Ans. (ii) 2, 3

(d) Antithesis is a figure of speech which brings out a contrast in the ideas by placing opposing words, clauses or sentences within a parallel grammatical structure.
For example:
“To err is human; to forgive divine.” – Alexander Pope
Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.
Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.
From the following phrases in the poem, select the option that correctly lists the examples of Antithesis.
1. When I cry the hills laugh; When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
2. And between them I am a messenger of mercy.
3. When I bow, all things are elated.
4. The voice of thunder declares my arrival; The rainbow announces my departure.
5. I am dotted silver threads dropped from heaven
6. I touch gently at the windows with my Soft fingers
(i) 1, 3, 4, 6
(ii) 1, 3, 4
(iii) 1, 3, 4, 5
(iv) 1, 3, 5
Ans. (iii) 1, 3, 4, 5

Q2. Read the given extracts and answer the following questions by selecting the correct option.

(a) 

I am dotted silver threads dropped from heaven
By the gods. Nature then takes me,
to adorn Her fields and valleys.
I am beautiful pearls, plucked from the
Crown of Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn
To embellish the gardens.

i) Select the option that DOES NOT include a visual connected to the given lines.

A. Option i
B. Option ii
C. Option iii
D. Option iv
Ans. A. Option i

ii) Read the definitions given below:

Select the option that correctly includes examples of i) allusion and ii) alliteration from the extract.
A. i) Ishtar ii) daughter of Dawn
B. i) Dawn ii) dotted silver threads
C. i) Nature ii) pearls, plucked from the Crown
Ans. A. i) Ishtar ii) daughter of Dawn

(iii) Choose the option containing a statement that is NOT conveyed through the extract.
A. The rain calls itself the shimmering drops sent by gods.
B. The rain is the daughter of Dawn born to decorate the gardens.
C. Nature has adopted rain to decorate her fields and valleys.
D. The rain is beautiful pearls plucked from the crown of the goddess of fertility.
Ans. B. The rain is the daughter of Dawn born to decorate the gardens.

(iv) Ishtar is a Mesopotamian goddess and signifies diverse things in different cultures. Select which symbol of Ishtar is relevant in the extract with the most appropriate reason.
A. The poet utilized the symbol of ‘Love’ to represent Ishtar because the rain brings love and peace to the world.
B. Ishtar signifies ‘War’ as her power arises from her connection with storms.
C. Ishtar here represents ‘Fertility’ because she is responsible for all life and so is the relevance to the rain.
D. The poet meant to associate the symbol of ‘Beauty’ to Ishtar as the rain makes the world beautiful.
Ans. C. Ishtar here represents ‘Fertility’ because she is responsible for all life and so is the relevance to the rain.

(b) 

The voice of thunder declares my arrival;
The rainbow announces my departure.
I am like earthly life, which begins at
The feet of the mad elements and ends
Under the upraised wings of death.

i) The rain says, ‘I am like earthly life’. Select the option with the most suitable explanation of the expression.
A) The rain undergoes the same phases as that of earthly beings.
B) Most of the rain’s life is on the earth.
C) The fate of earthly life is dependent on the rain.
D) Rain has a concern for earthly life.
Ans. A) The rain undergoes the same phases as that of earthly beings.

ii) The tone and mood of the rain in the extract reflects _________.
A) its merriment as it destroys
B) rain’s desire to reach its destiny
C) its objective and realistic manner
D) the rain’s pride at its might
Ans. B) rain’s desire to reach its destiny

iii) Read statements 1 and 2 given below and choose the option that correctly assesses these statements.
1. Rainbow declares the rain’s parting.
2. Rainbow causes the end of the rain.
A) Both statements 1 and 2 are false.
B) Statement 1 is true but 2 is false.
C) Statement 1 is the reason for statement 2.
D) Statement 2 is the cause of statement 1.
Ans. B) Statement 1 is true but 2 is false.

Q3. Answer the following questions :

(a) Why is the rain divine?

Ans : Rain is divine, it comes straight from heaven. It is God’s best gift. Moreover, it is life-giving.

(b) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?

Ans : Rain beautifies and refreshes all surroundings. It spreads happiness all around and all objects of nature feel rejuvenated. It gives life and quenches the thirst of the dry
and barren earth. Rain spreads prosperity and joy in a million hearts.

(c) “When I cry the hills laugh;
 When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
 When I bow, all things are elated”.
 ‘Cry ‘humble’ and ‘bow’ indicate different intensity' with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context.

Ans : ‘Cry’ means thunder and when it reverberates, the hills echo like laughter. When the rain falls lightly, it is very pleasing to the flowers. When rain gives way to rainbow, it is a delight to behold for everyone.