NCERT Textbook: Unit 8 | English Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


Unit
8
L e t ’ s b eg i n ‘Kathmandu’ is an excerpt from the travelogue Heaven Lake written by 
Vikram Seth. The travelogue is an account of his travel from China, Tibet 
and Kathmandu to India. Vikram Seth beautifully describes the natural 
landscape, cultural richness and diversity among people from region to 
region.
Do you know?
A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world 
to be recognised as a living entity with the legal status of a 
person after a 170-year battle by the local Maori people.
The nation’s parliament passed a bill to allow Whanganui 
River— known by the Maoris as Te Awa Tupua— to represent 
its own interests and advocate on its own behalf.
This is a unique judgement for sustaining the health and 
well-being of the river.
(Source: Adapted from The Guardian International Edition,  
16 March 2017)
1. Collect information on similar judgements being 
taken in the context of river Ganga, and discuss  
in class.
2. Talk about the condition of Bagmati river in  
Kathmandu written by Vikram Seth.
Unit 8.indd   112 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Page 2


Unit
8
L e t ’ s b eg i n ‘Kathmandu’ is an excerpt from the travelogue Heaven Lake written by 
Vikram Seth. The travelogue is an account of his travel from China, Tibet 
and Kathmandu to India. Vikram Seth beautifully describes the natural 
landscape, cultural richness and diversity among people from region to 
region.
Do you know?
A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world 
to be recognised as a living entity with the legal status of a 
person after a 170-year battle by the local Maori people.
The nation’s parliament passed a bill to allow Whanganui 
River— known by the Maoris as Te Awa Tupua— to represent 
its own interests and advocate on its own behalf.
This is a unique judgement for sustaining the health and 
well-being of the river.
(Source: Adapted from The Guardian International Edition,  
16 March 2017)
1. Collect information on similar judgements being 
taken in the context of river Ganga, and discuss  
in class.
2. Talk about the condition of Bagmati river in  
Kathmandu written by Vikram Seth.
Unit 8.indd   112 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Unit 8 113
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
When we think of tourism, we think primarily of people who 
are visiting a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends 
and relatives, taking a vacation, and having a good time. They 
may spend their leisure time engaging in various sports, 
sunbathing, talking, singing, taking rides, touring, reading 
or simply enjoying further. We may include in our definition 
of tourism people who are participating in a convention, 
a business conference, or some other kind of business or 
professional activity. Those who are taking a study tour under 
an expert guide or doing some kind of scientific research or 
study are also doing tourism. These visitors use all forms of 
transportation from hiking in a wilderness park to flying in 
a jet to an exciting city. Transportation can include taking a 
chairlift up a Colorado mountainside or standing at the rail 
of a cruise ship looking across the blue Caribbean. Whether 
people travel by one of these means or by car, motor coach 
camper, train, motorbike or bicycle, they are taking a trip 
and thus are engaging in tourism.
(Adapted from Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies by  
Charles R. Goeldner and J.R. Brent Ritchie, p. 4)
1. Tourism is about taking a tour
(a) to  a place under an expert guide
(b) for hiking in remote places
(c) for visiting a place for sightseeing
(d) All of the above
2. By ‘hiking in wilderness’ the author means
(a) taking a long distance walk in abandoned areas
(b) walk in the forest areas
(c) marathon in uninhabited areas
(d) sprinting in abandoned, uninhabited areas
3.  A cruise ship is
(a) a large ship that carries people on voyages of 
pleasure.
Costs an arm and a leg
Very expensive
It’s a piece of cake
It’s easy
Fun fact
chairlift: a series of chairs 
hanging from a moving 
cable, for carrying people up 
and down a mountain
Unit 8.indd   113 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Page 3


Unit
8
L e t ’ s b eg i n ‘Kathmandu’ is an excerpt from the travelogue Heaven Lake written by 
Vikram Seth. The travelogue is an account of his travel from China, Tibet 
and Kathmandu to India. Vikram Seth beautifully describes the natural 
landscape, cultural richness and diversity among people from region to 
region.
Do you know?
A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world 
to be recognised as a living entity with the legal status of a 
person after a 170-year battle by the local Maori people.
The nation’s parliament passed a bill to allow Whanganui 
River— known by the Maoris as Te Awa Tupua— to represent 
its own interests and advocate on its own behalf.
This is a unique judgement for sustaining the health and 
well-being of the river.
(Source: Adapted from The Guardian International Edition,  
16 March 2017)
1. Collect information on similar judgements being 
taken in the context of river Ganga, and discuss  
in class.
2. Talk about the condition of Bagmati river in  
Kathmandu written by Vikram Seth.
Unit 8.indd   112 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Unit 8 113
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
When we think of tourism, we think primarily of people who 
are visiting a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends 
and relatives, taking a vacation, and having a good time. They 
may spend their leisure time engaging in various sports, 
sunbathing, talking, singing, taking rides, touring, reading 
or simply enjoying further. We may include in our definition 
of tourism people who are participating in a convention, 
a business conference, or some other kind of business or 
professional activity. Those who are taking a study tour under 
an expert guide or doing some kind of scientific research or 
study are also doing tourism. These visitors use all forms of 
transportation from hiking in a wilderness park to flying in 
a jet to an exciting city. Transportation can include taking a 
chairlift up a Colorado mountainside or standing at the rail 
of a cruise ship looking across the blue Caribbean. Whether 
people travel by one of these means or by car, motor coach 
camper, train, motorbike or bicycle, they are taking a trip 
and thus are engaging in tourism.
(Adapted from Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies by  
Charles R. Goeldner and J.R. Brent Ritchie, p. 4)
1. Tourism is about taking a tour
(a) to  a place under an expert guide
(b) for hiking in remote places
(c) for visiting a place for sightseeing
(d) All of the above
2. By ‘hiking in wilderness’ the author means
(a) taking a long distance walk in abandoned areas
(b) walk in the forest areas
(c) marathon in uninhabited areas
(d) sprinting in abandoned, uninhabited areas
3.  A cruise ship is
(a) a large ship that carries people on voyages of 
pleasure.
Costs an arm and a leg
Very expensive
It’s a piece of cake
It’s easy
Fun fact
chairlift: a series of chairs 
hanging from a moving 
cable, for carrying people up 
and down a mountain
Unit 8.indd   113 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 114
(b) a big ship that carries people and goods on special 
mission.
(c) a large watercraft for carrying passengers from one 
point to another.
(d) a large ship that carries mail, goods and first aid 
facilities.
4. What all activities do tourists engage in? 
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. What are the forms of transportation tourists use for 
visiting places?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Read the excerpt and answer the following questions.
Text II
Following is an excerpt from the travelogue, The Innocents 
Abroad by Mark Twain. 
A little after noon on that distinguished Saturday 
I reached the ship and went on board. All was bustle 
and confusion. The pier was crowded with carriages and 
men; passengers were arriving and hurrying on board; 
the vessel’s decks were encumbered with trunks and 
valises; groups of excursionists, arrayed in unattractive 
traveling costumes, were moping about in a drizzling 
rain and looking as droopy and woebegone as so many 
molting chickens. The gallant flag was up, but it was 
under the spell, too, and hung limp and disheartened by 
the mast. Altogether, it was the bluest, bluest spectacle! 
pier: a long structure built 
in the sea and joined to the 
land at one end
woebegone: very sad or 
miserable
Spelling errors
It’s “commitment”, not 
“comittment”.
It’s “independence”, not 
“Independance”.
Fun fact
Unit 8.indd   114 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Page 4


Unit
8
L e t ’ s b eg i n ‘Kathmandu’ is an excerpt from the travelogue Heaven Lake written by 
Vikram Seth. The travelogue is an account of his travel from China, Tibet 
and Kathmandu to India. Vikram Seth beautifully describes the natural 
landscape, cultural richness and diversity among people from region to 
region.
Do you know?
A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world 
to be recognised as a living entity with the legal status of a 
person after a 170-year battle by the local Maori people.
The nation’s parliament passed a bill to allow Whanganui 
River— known by the Maoris as Te Awa Tupua— to represent 
its own interests and advocate on its own behalf.
This is a unique judgement for sustaining the health and 
well-being of the river.
(Source: Adapted from The Guardian International Edition,  
16 March 2017)
1. Collect information on similar judgements being 
taken in the context of river Ganga, and discuss  
in class.
2. Talk about the condition of Bagmati river in  
Kathmandu written by Vikram Seth.
Unit 8.indd   112 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Unit 8 113
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
When we think of tourism, we think primarily of people who 
are visiting a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends 
and relatives, taking a vacation, and having a good time. They 
may spend their leisure time engaging in various sports, 
sunbathing, talking, singing, taking rides, touring, reading 
or simply enjoying further. We may include in our definition 
of tourism people who are participating in a convention, 
a business conference, or some other kind of business or 
professional activity. Those who are taking a study tour under 
an expert guide or doing some kind of scientific research or 
study are also doing tourism. These visitors use all forms of 
transportation from hiking in a wilderness park to flying in 
a jet to an exciting city. Transportation can include taking a 
chairlift up a Colorado mountainside or standing at the rail 
of a cruise ship looking across the blue Caribbean. Whether 
people travel by one of these means or by car, motor coach 
camper, train, motorbike or bicycle, they are taking a trip 
and thus are engaging in tourism.
(Adapted from Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies by  
Charles R. Goeldner and J.R. Brent Ritchie, p. 4)
1. Tourism is about taking a tour
(a) to  a place under an expert guide
(b) for hiking in remote places
(c) for visiting a place for sightseeing
(d) All of the above
2. By ‘hiking in wilderness’ the author means
(a) taking a long distance walk in abandoned areas
(b) walk in the forest areas
(c) marathon in uninhabited areas
(d) sprinting in abandoned, uninhabited areas
3.  A cruise ship is
(a) a large ship that carries people on voyages of 
pleasure.
Costs an arm and a leg
Very expensive
It’s a piece of cake
It’s easy
Fun fact
chairlift: a series of chairs 
hanging from a moving 
cable, for carrying people up 
and down a mountain
Unit 8.indd   113 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 114
(b) a big ship that carries people and goods on special 
mission.
(c) a large watercraft for carrying passengers from one 
point to another.
(d) a large ship that carries mail, goods and first aid 
facilities.
4. What all activities do tourists engage in? 
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. What are the forms of transportation tourists use for 
visiting places?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Read the excerpt and answer the following questions.
Text II
Following is an excerpt from the travelogue, The Innocents 
Abroad by Mark Twain. 
A little after noon on that distinguished Saturday 
I reached the ship and went on board. All was bustle 
and confusion. The pier was crowded with carriages and 
men; passengers were arriving and hurrying on board; 
the vessel’s decks were encumbered with trunks and 
valises; groups of excursionists, arrayed in unattractive 
traveling costumes, were moping about in a drizzling 
rain and looking as droopy and woebegone as so many 
molting chickens. The gallant flag was up, but it was 
under the spell, too, and hung limp and disheartened by 
the mast. Altogether, it was the bluest, bluest spectacle! 
pier: a long structure built 
in the sea and joined to the 
land at one end
woebegone: very sad or 
miserable
Spelling errors
It’s “commitment”, not 
“comittment”.
It’s “independence”, not 
“Independance”.
Fun fact
Unit 8.indd   114 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Unit 8 114 115
It was a pleasure excursion—there was no gainsaying 
that, because the program said so—it was so nominated 
in the bond—but it surely hadn’t the general aspect  
of one.
1. Why is Saturday described as that distinguished 
Saturday?
(a) because the much awaited Saturday has come 
when the voyage has to start.
(b) because Saturday was a holiday.
(c) because it is on Saturday that people were allowed 
to board the ship.
(d) because it is in the afternoon on Saturday that ship 
would start the voyage. 
2. Who are excursionists?
(a) They are the research students.
(b) They are pilgrims.
(c) They are musicians.
(d) They are tourists on a leisure trip.
3. What was the mood of the people on the ship?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
4. What was the author looking forward to?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
You can’t judge a book by 
its cover
Don’t base your opinion of 
something (or someone) on 
the way it looks. 
Fun fact
Hit the nail on  
the head
Get something exactly right
Fun fact
Do something at the  
drop of a hat
Do something without having 
planned beforehand
Fun fact
Unit 8.indd   115 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Page 5


Unit
8
L e t ’ s b eg i n ‘Kathmandu’ is an excerpt from the travelogue Heaven Lake written by 
Vikram Seth. The travelogue is an account of his travel from China, Tibet 
and Kathmandu to India. Vikram Seth beautifully describes the natural 
landscape, cultural richness and diversity among people from region to 
region.
Do you know?
A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world 
to be recognised as a living entity with the legal status of a 
person after a 170-year battle by the local Maori people.
The nation’s parliament passed a bill to allow Whanganui 
River— known by the Maoris as Te Awa Tupua— to represent 
its own interests and advocate on its own behalf.
This is a unique judgement for sustaining the health and 
well-being of the river.
(Source: Adapted from The Guardian International Edition,  
16 March 2017)
1. Collect information on similar judgements being 
taken in the context of river Ganga, and discuss  
in class.
2. Talk about the condition of Bagmati river in  
Kathmandu written by Vikram Seth.
Unit 8.indd   112 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Unit 8 113
Reading Comp Rehension Read the following passage and answer the questions that 
follow.
Text I
When we think of tourism, we think primarily of people who 
are visiting a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends 
and relatives, taking a vacation, and having a good time. They 
may spend their leisure time engaging in various sports, 
sunbathing, talking, singing, taking rides, touring, reading 
or simply enjoying further. We may include in our definition 
of tourism people who are participating in a convention, 
a business conference, or some other kind of business or 
professional activity. Those who are taking a study tour under 
an expert guide or doing some kind of scientific research or 
study are also doing tourism. These visitors use all forms of 
transportation from hiking in a wilderness park to flying in 
a jet to an exciting city. Transportation can include taking a 
chairlift up a Colorado mountainside or standing at the rail 
of a cruise ship looking across the blue Caribbean. Whether 
people travel by one of these means or by car, motor coach 
camper, train, motorbike or bicycle, they are taking a trip 
and thus are engaging in tourism.
(Adapted from Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies by  
Charles R. Goeldner and J.R. Brent Ritchie, p. 4)
1. Tourism is about taking a tour
(a) to  a place under an expert guide
(b) for hiking in remote places
(c) for visiting a place for sightseeing
(d) All of the above
2. By ‘hiking in wilderness’ the author means
(a) taking a long distance walk in abandoned areas
(b) walk in the forest areas
(c) marathon in uninhabited areas
(d) sprinting in abandoned, uninhabited areas
3.  A cruise ship is
(a) a large ship that carries people on voyages of 
pleasure.
Costs an arm and a leg
Very expensive
It’s a piece of cake
It’s easy
Fun fact
chairlift: a series of chairs 
hanging from a moving 
cable, for carrying people up 
and down a mountain
Unit 8.indd   113 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 114
(b) a big ship that carries people and goods on special 
mission.
(c) a large watercraft for carrying passengers from one 
point to another.
(d) a large ship that carries mail, goods and first aid 
facilities.
4. What all activities do tourists engage in? 
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. What are the forms of transportation tourists use for 
visiting places?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Read the excerpt and answer the following questions.
Text II
Following is an excerpt from the travelogue, The Innocents 
Abroad by Mark Twain. 
A little after noon on that distinguished Saturday 
I reached the ship and went on board. All was bustle 
and confusion. The pier was crowded with carriages and 
men; passengers were arriving and hurrying on board; 
the vessel’s decks were encumbered with trunks and 
valises; groups of excursionists, arrayed in unattractive 
traveling costumes, were moping about in a drizzling 
rain and looking as droopy and woebegone as so many 
molting chickens. The gallant flag was up, but it was 
under the spell, too, and hung limp and disheartened by 
the mast. Altogether, it was the bluest, bluest spectacle! 
pier: a long structure built 
in the sea and joined to the 
land at one end
woebegone: very sad or 
miserable
Spelling errors
It’s “commitment”, not 
“comittment”.
It’s “independence”, not 
“Independance”.
Fun fact
Unit 8.indd   114 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
Unit 8 114 115
It was a pleasure excursion—there was no gainsaying 
that, because the program said so—it was so nominated 
in the bond—but it surely hadn’t the general aspect  
of one.
1. Why is Saturday described as that distinguished 
Saturday?
(a) because the much awaited Saturday has come 
when the voyage has to start.
(b) because Saturday was a holiday.
(c) because it is on Saturday that people were allowed 
to board the ship.
(d) because it is in the afternoon on Saturday that ship 
would start the voyage. 
2. Who are excursionists?
(a) They are the research students.
(b) They are pilgrims.
(c) They are musicians.
(d) They are tourists on a leisure trip.
3. What was the mood of the people on the ship?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
4. What was the author looking forward to?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
You can’t judge a book by 
its cover
Don’t base your opinion of 
something (or someone) on 
the way it looks. 
Fun fact
Hit the nail on  
the head
Get something exactly right
Fun fact
Do something at the  
drop of a hat
Do something without having 
planned beforehand
Fun fact
Unit 8.indd   115 20-02-2023   09:28:31
2024-25
 Words and Expr Essions 1 116
5. Match the words/phrases in Column A with pictures in 
Column B.
Column A Column B
Pier                                                
deck
carriage
valise
mast
Unit 8.indd   116 20-02-2023   09:28:33
2024-25