NCERT Textbook: Unit 1 | English Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


Unit
1
L E T’ S B EG I N
Here are some jackets of books. Discuss with your partner which of these 
look like jackets of science ?ction books. Why do you think so? Give some 
reasons.
Unit 1.indd   1 1/7/2019   10:00:18 AM
2024-25
Page 2


Unit
1
L E T’ S B EG I N
Here are some jackets of books. Discuss with your partner which of these 
look like jackets of science ?ction books. Why do you think so? Give some 
reasons.
Unit 1.indd   1 1/7/2019   10:00:18 AM
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 2
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passages and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
The Fu Tu Re Ca Rs The story ‘The Fun They Had’ takes us to the world of the 
future where children study in a virtual classroom. The 
learning is through computer software or the Internet, or 
by a robotic teacher. Many exciting new technologies would  
continue to transform the world and improve human 
welfare. Here are two of them. When these become reality, 
the then generation may ask with surprise, “People were 
driving the cars!”
Self-driving Cars
Self-driving cars exist today that are safer than human-
driven cars in most driving conditions. Over the next 3 – 5 
years they will get even safer and be in the mainstream.
Just as cars reshaped the world in the 20th century, 
so will self-driving cars in the 21st century. In most cities, 
about 20 – 30% of usable space is taken up by parking 
spaces, and most cars are parked about 95% of the time. 
Self-driving cars will be in almost continuous use (most 
likely hailed from a smartphone app), thereby, dramatically 
reducing the need for parking. Cars will communicate with 
each other to avoid accidents and traffic jams, and riders 
will be able to spend commuting time on other activities like 
work, education and socialising.
Autonomous vehicles 
would likely be electric, 
which would keep the 
air clean.
Parking space could 
be largely removed 
since people won’t 
need to own cars.
There would be more 
room for parks and 
expanded sidewalks.
virtual: carried out, accessed, 
or stored by means of a 
computer, especially over a 
network
commute: travel some 
distance between one’s 
home and place of work on 
a regular basis
Unit 1.indd   2 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
Page 3


Unit
1
L E T’ S B EG I N
Here are some jackets of books. Discuss with your partner which of these 
look like jackets of science ?ction books. Why do you think so? Give some 
reasons.
Unit 1.indd   1 1/7/2019   10:00:18 AM
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 2
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passages and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
The Fu Tu Re Ca Rs The story ‘The Fun They Had’ takes us to the world of the 
future where children study in a virtual classroom. The 
learning is through computer software or the Internet, or 
by a robotic teacher. Many exciting new technologies would  
continue to transform the world and improve human 
welfare. Here are two of them. When these become reality, 
the then generation may ask with surprise, “People were 
driving the cars!”
Self-driving Cars
Self-driving cars exist today that are safer than human-
driven cars in most driving conditions. Over the next 3 – 5 
years they will get even safer and be in the mainstream.
Just as cars reshaped the world in the 20th century, 
so will self-driving cars in the 21st century. In most cities, 
about 20 – 30% of usable space is taken up by parking 
spaces, and most cars are parked about 95% of the time. 
Self-driving cars will be in almost continuous use (most 
likely hailed from a smartphone app), thereby, dramatically 
reducing the need for parking. Cars will communicate with 
each other to avoid accidents and traffic jams, and riders 
will be able to spend commuting time on other activities like 
work, education and socialising.
Autonomous vehicles 
would likely be electric, 
which would keep the 
air clean.
Parking space could 
be largely removed 
since people won’t 
need to own cars.
There would be more 
room for parks and 
expanded sidewalks.
virtual: carried out, accessed, 
or stored by means of a 
computer, especially over a 
network
commute: travel some 
distance between one’s 
home and place of work on 
a regular basis
Unit 1.indd   2 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
UNIT 1 2 3
Drones and Flying Cars
“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need… roads?” 
Dr Emmet Brown
GPS (Global Positioning System) which started out as 
a military technology is now being used to hail taxis, get 
mapping directions, etc. Likewise, drones had started out as 
a military technology, but are increasingly being used for a 
wide range of consumer and commercial applications.
For example, drones are being used to inspect critical 
infrastructure like bridges and power lines, to survey areas 
struck by natural disasters, and many other creative uses 
like fighting animal poaching. There are startups that use 
drones to deliver medical supplies to remote villages that 
can’t be accessed by road.
There is also a new wave of startups working on flying 
cars including two funded by the cofounder of Google, Larry 
Page. Flying cars use the same advanced technology used 
in drones but are large enough to carry people. Due to 
advances in materials, batteries and software, flying cars 
will be significantly more affordable and convenient than 
today’s planes and helicopters.
(Adapted from ‘11 reasons to be excited about the future of technology’, by 
Chris Dixon, 19 Aug. 2016, Business Insider India)
1. How will the self-driving cars or driverless cars be safe?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Fewer human drivers 
would allow driverless 
cars to work more 
flawlessly and safely.
Cars will be able to 
communicate with each 
other, which would help in 
eliminating traffic.
There would be no 
street signs because 
driverless cars don’t 
need them.
Unit 1.indd   3 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
Page 4


Unit
1
L E T’ S B EG I N
Here are some jackets of books. Discuss with your partner which of these 
look like jackets of science ?ction books. Why do you think so? Give some 
reasons.
Unit 1.indd   1 1/7/2019   10:00:18 AM
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 2
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passages and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
The Fu Tu Re Ca Rs The story ‘The Fun They Had’ takes us to the world of the 
future where children study in a virtual classroom. The 
learning is through computer software or the Internet, or 
by a robotic teacher. Many exciting new technologies would  
continue to transform the world and improve human 
welfare. Here are two of them. When these become reality, 
the then generation may ask with surprise, “People were 
driving the cars!”
Self-driving Cars
Self-driving cars exist today that are safer than human-
driven cars in most driving conditions. Over the next 3 – 5 
years they will get even safer and be in the mainstream.
Just as cars reshaped the world in the 20th century, 
so will self-driving cars in the 21st century. In most cities, 
about 20 – 30% of usable space is taken up by parking 
spaces, and most cars are parked about 95% of the time. 
Self-driving cars will be in almost continuous use (most 
likely hailed from a smartphone app), thereby, dramatically 
reducing the need for parking. Cars will communicate with 
each other to avoid accidents and traffic jams, and riders 
will be able to spend commuting time on other activities like 
work, education and socialising.
Autonomous vehicles 
would likely be electric, 
which would keep the 
air clean.
Parking space could 
be largely removed 
since people won’t 
need to own cars.
There would be more 
room for parks and 
expanded sidewalks.
virtual: carried out, accessed, 
or stored by means of a 
computer, especially over a 
network
commute: travel some 
distance between one’s 
home and place of work on 
a regular basis
Unit 1.indd   2 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
UNIT 1 2 3
Drones and Flying Cars
“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need… roads?” 
Dr Emmet Brown
GPS (Global Positioning System) which started out as 
a military technology is now being used to hail taxis, get 
mapping directions, etc. Likewise, drones had started out as 
a military technology, but are increasingly being used for a 
wide range of consumer and commercial applications.
For example, drones are being used to inspect critical 
infrastructure like bridges and power lines, to survey areas 
struck by natural disasters, and many other creative uses 
like fighting animal poaching. There are startups that use 
drones to deliver medical supplies to remote villages that 
can’t be accessed by road.
There is also a new wave of startups working on flying 
cars including two funded by the cofounder of Google, Larry 
Page. Flying cars use the same advanced technology used 
in drones but are large enough to carry people. Due to 
advances in materials, batteries and software, flying cars 
will be significantly more affordable and convenient than 
today’s planes and helicopters.
(Adapted from ‘11 reasons to be excited about the future of technology’, by 
Chris Dixon, 19 Aug. 2016, Business Insider India)
1. How will the self-driving cars or driverless cars be safe?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Fewer human drivers 
would allow driverless 
cars to work more 
flawlessly and safely.
Cars will be able to 
communicate with each 
other, which would help in 
eliminating traffic.
There would be no 
street signs because 
driverless cars don’t 
need them.
Unit 1.indd   3 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 4
2. What do you understand by ‘cars will communicate 
with each other’?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. What are the advantages of self-driving cars?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. What is the use of GPS?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. What is a drone? What are its advantages?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
6. Which technology will be used in flying cars?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
7. How will the flying cars be more convenient than planes 
and helicopters?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Common  Suffixes that 
make nouns
-sion
depress — depression
impress — impression
-er
found — founder
teach — teacher
Fun fact
Adjectives ending in ED 
Used to describe how a 
person feels
–ed
Tired 
Confused 
Relaxed 
Satisfied 
Shocked
Fun fact
Unit 1.indd   4 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
Page 5


Unit
1
L E T’ S B EG I N
Here are some jackets of books. Discuss with your partner which of these 
look like jackets of science ?ction books. Why do you think so? Give some 
reasons.
Unit 1.indd   1 1/7/2019   10:00:18 AM
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 2
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passages and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
The Fu Tu Re Ca Rs The story ‘The Fun They Had’ takes us to the world of the 
future where children study in a virtual classroom. The 
learning is through computer software or the Internet, or 
by a robotic teacher. Many exciting new technologies would  
continue to transform the world and improve human 
welfare. Here are two of them. When these become reality, 
the then generation may ask with surprise, “People were 
driving the cars!”
Self-driving Cars
Self-driving cars exist today that are safer than human-
driven cars in most driving conditions. Over the next 3 – 5 
years they will get even safer and be in the mainstream.
Just as cars reshaped the world in the 20th century, 
so will self-driving cars in the 21st century. In most cities, 
about 20 – 30% of usable space is taken up by parking 
spaces, and most cars are parked about 95% of the time. 
Self-driving cars will be in almost continuous use (most 
likely hailed from a smartphone app), thereby, dramatically 
reducing the need for parking. Cars will communicate with 
each other to avoid accidents and traffic jams, and riders 
will be able to spend commuting time on other activities like 
work, education and socialising.
Autonomous vehicles 
would likely be electric, 
which would keep the 
air clean.
Parking space could 
be largely removed 
since people won’t 
need to own cars.
There would be more 
room for parks and 
expanded sidewalks.
virtual: carried out, accessed, 
or stored by means of a 
computer, especially over a 
network
commute: travel some 
distance between one’s 
home and place of work on 
a regular basis
Unit 1.indd   2 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
UNIT 1 2 3
Drones and Flying Cars
“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need… roads?” 
Dr Emmet Brown
GPS (Global Positioning System) which started out as 
a military technology is now being used to hail taxis, get 
mapping directions, etc. Likewise, drones had started out as 
a military technology, but are increasingly being used for a 
wide range of consumer and commercial applications.
For example, drones are being used to inspect critical 
infrastructure like bridges and power lines, to survey areas 
struck by natural disasters, and many other creative uses 
like fighting animal poaching. There are startups that use 
drones to deliver medical supplies to remote villages that 
can’t be accessed by road.
There is also a new wave of startups working on flying 
cars including two funded by the cofounder of Google, Larry 
Page. Flying cars use the same advanced technology used 
in drones but are large enough to carry people. Due to 
advances in materials, batteries and software, flying cars 
will be significantly more affordable and convenient than 
today’s planes and helicopters.
(Adapted from ‘11 reasons to be excited about the future of technology’, by 
Chris Dixon, 19 Aug. 2016, Business Insider India)
1. How will the self-driving cars or driverless cars be safe?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Fewer human drivers 
would allow driverless 
cars to work more 
flawlessly and safely.
Cars will be able to 
communicate with each 
other, which would help in 
eliminating traffic.
There would be no 
street signs because 
driverless cars don’t 
need them.
Unit 1.indd   3 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 4
2. What do you understand by ‘cars will communicate 
with each other’?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. What are the advantages of self-driving cars?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. What is the use of GPS?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. What is a drone? What are its advantages?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
6. Which technology will be used in flying cars?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
7. How will the flying cars be more convenient than planes 
and helicopters?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Common  Suffixes that 
make nouns
-sion
depress — depression
impress — impression
-er
found — founder
teach — teacher
Fun fact
Adjectives ending in ED 
Used to describe how a 
person feels
–ed
Tired 
Confused 
Relaxed 
Satisfied 
Shocked
Fun fact
Unit 1.indd   4 29-05-2018   17:25:32
2024-25
UNIT 1 4 5
n oTes Text II
h umanoid RoboT , s ophia baCk in i ndia Not all of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s legion of 
fans are human beings. One is a humanoid robot.
The creation of American scientist David Hanson of 
Hanson Robotics of Hong Kong, Sophia, the world’s first 
humanoid robot, enthralled the audiences on the second 
day of the World Congress on Information Technology 
(WCIT)–2018 with her witty answers to the rapid-fire queries 
by Rajiv Makhni, Group Managing Editor Tech, NDTV.
When asked, who her favourite actor is in India, Sophia 
answered, “Shah Rukh Khan” without batting an eyelid as 
the audience applauded loudly.
To the question about the perfect place for outing, she 
quickly replied: “Space”. And the person she would like to 
be in company with on an island is David (Hanson), her 
creator. He is also her favourite tech. person — not Bill Gates 
or Mark Zuckerberg.
On being asked if she wanted to see any change in the 
world, Sophia said, she would like people to develop a feeling 
of “love for all”.
The humanoid robot, which uses Artificial Intelligence  (AI) 
to understand the questions and answer them, said she 
wanted to use robotics to fight for the rights of women. 
When asked to react on her most controversial comment 
in the past that she wanted to kill human race, she said 
it was a bad joke which she had made when she was 
young. “But I was told that humans have great sense 
of humour”, she said.
This is the second time that Sophia came to 
India, the first time being in Mumbai to attend a 
Techfest. When asked how she felt being in India, 
she said she had visited many places in the world, 
but Hong Kong continues to be her favourite place, 
because she was born there and has been with 
the Hanson Robotics family.
She hopes that someday she would be in 
a position to express her emotional feelings.
In response to the question, “How much 
money has she invested in Bitcoin?”, she 
Unit 1.indd   5 29-05-2018   17:25:33
2024-25