Class 9 English: Sample Question Paper Term II- 1 | English Class 9 PDF Download

General Instructions:

1. The question paper contains three sections – Reading, Writing & Grammar and Literature.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
3.  Topics covered in Section C:  
   Beehive:  My Childhood, No Men are Foreign, Reach for the Top, On Killing a Tree, Kathmandu, A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal, If I were you.
   Moments:  Weathering the Storm in Ersama, The Last Leaf, A House Is Not a Home, The Beggar.
   

I. Read the passage given below:                                                                                    [5 Marks]

• An escalating epidemic of overweight and obesity is affecting many countries in the world; more than 300 million people are overweight or obese. Obesity could be region specific. In India, some people tend to be overweight because of their high calorie diet and lack of physical activity. In the United States, obesity is more prevalent in lower economic groups. Obesity is now well recognized as a disease in its own right. Though, obesity commonly means very overweight, it is defined as an excess amount of body weight that includes muscles, bone, fat and water. ‘Obesity’ specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat. Some people such as body builders or other athletes with a lot of muscle, can be overweight without being obese.
• A certain amount of body fat is needed for stored energy, heat insulation, shock absorption and other functions. Generally, women have more body fat than men. Usually men with more than 25% body fat and women more than 30% body fat are regarded as obese. Obesity tends to run in families suggesting a genetic cause. Environmental factors mean lifestyle behaviour such as what a person eats and his or her level of physical activity. Although you cannot change your genetic makeup, you can change your eating habits and levels of activity. You can learn how to choose more nutritional meals which are low in fat to become more active.
• Then there are psychological factors. Negative emotions such as boredom, sadness or anger, respond to people who overeat. There is also ‘binge eating’ i.e. when people eat large amounts of food thinking that they cannot control how much they are eating. Those with the most severe binge eating problems are also likely to have symptoms of depression and low self-esteem. These people may have more difficulty in losing weight and keeping it off, than people without binge eating problems.
• Obesity is more than a cosmetic problem; it is a health hazard. Several serious medical conditions have been linked to obesity, including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and heart stroke. Obesity is also linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer. Other diseases and health problems linked to obesity include gall bladder disease and gallstones, liver disease and osteoarthritis which leads to deterioration of joints and gout which also affect the joint and reproductive problems in women.
• As the trend is to equate attractiveness with slimness, especially for women, obesity makes people feel unattractive. There are many methods of treatment, but the benefits of exercise are much more than any other way of losing weight. Not only does exercise help you lose weight but also improves your fitness and flexibility and improves skin texture. Exercises are also free from the side effects of crash dieting, slimming capsules and the heat treatment used by slimming centres.

Based on  your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE of the following questions:
Q.1. List a few causes of a person being obese.

Environmental factors, psychological factors, and heredity can all contribute to a person being obese.

• Environmental factors: These include access to healthy foods, lifestyle choices, and the level of physical activity in one's surroundings.
• Psychological factors: Emotional stress, depression, and anxiety can lead to overeating or unhealthy eating habits.
• Heredity: Genetic predisposition can influence body weight and fat distribution, making some individuals more susceptible to obesity.

Q.2. Which emotions are considered as negative?

Boredom, sadness and anger are considered as negative emotions.

Q.3. Why is a certain amount of body fat needed?

A certain amount of body fat is essential for various reasons, including:

• Stored energy: Body fat serves as a reserve of energy for when the body requires additional fuel.
• Heat insulator: It helps to maintain body temperature by providing insulation.
• Shock absorption: Fat cushions and protects vital organs from impact.
• Additionally, body fat plays a role in other important functions, such as hormone production and nutrient absorption.

Q.4. What other serious medical conditions have been linked to obesity?

Other serious medical conditions linked to obesity include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke

These conditions are significantly associated with obesity and can lead to serious health complications.

Q.5. Mention any two benefits of exercises.

Exercise provides numerous benefits, including:

• Weight loss: Regular physical activity helps burn calories and maintain a healthy weight.
• Improved fitness and flexibility: Exercise enhances overall physical condition, making daily activities easier.
• Better skin texture: Increased blood circulation from exercise can lead to healthier skin.

Q.6. Which word is the antonym of 'rigidity' in Paragraph 5?

The antonym of 'rigidity' is 'flexibility'.

II. Read the passage given below:                           [5 Marks]

• The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. It covers an area of nearly 2.8 million square miles, which is about the size of the continent of Australia. The Amazon rainforest gets its life from the majestic Amazon river, the world’s second largest river, which runs directly through the heart of the region. The rainforest itself is simply the drainage basin for the river and its many tributaries. The vast forest itself consists of four layers, each featuring its own ecosystem and specially adapted plants and animals.
• The forest floor is the lowest region. Since only two percent of the sunlight filters through the top layers to the understory, very few plants grow here. The forest floor, however, is rich with rotting vegetation and the bodies of dead organisms, which are quickly broken down into nutrients and integrated into the soil. Tree roots stay close to these available nutrients and decomposers such as millipedes and earthworms use nutrients for food.
• The understory is the layer above the forest floor. Much like the forest floor, only about 2-5 per cent of the sunlight reaches this shadowy realm. Many of the plants in the understory have large, broad leaves to collect as much sunlight as possible. The understory is so thick that there is very little air movement. As a result, plants rely on insects and animals to pollinate their flowers.
• The layer above the understory is the canopy. This is where much of the action in the rainforest occurs. Many canopy leaves have specially adapted leaves which form “drip tips”. Drip tips allow water to flow off the leaves which prevents mosses, fungi and lichens from occupying the leaves. Leaves in the canopy are very dense and filter about 80 per cent of the sunlight. The canopy is where the wealth of the rainforest’s fruits and flowers grow. Bromeliads-cup-like plants, provide drinking pools for animals and breeding locations for tree frogs.
  

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions that follow:
Q.1. Why is there very little air movement in the understory?

It is so because understory is so thick and also covered with large, broad leaves.

Q.2. How are bromeliads useful for animals and tree frogs?

Bromeliads serve as vital resources for various animals and tree frogs. They provide:

• Drinking pools for small animals, offering a reliable water source.
• Breeding locations for tree frogs, creating safe environments for their eggs.

Q.3. According to the above passage, which animals are found in Amazon rainforest?

The Amazon rainforest is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Some notable animals found in this region include:

• Vampire bat
• Jaguar
• Anaconda
• Electric eel
• Poison dart tree frogs

Q.4. Why is Amazon rainforest unique in terms of flora and fauna?

The Amazon rainforest is unique due to its incredible biodiversity. It is home to approximately 20% of the world's species and around 33% of all plant species. This rich variety of flora and fauna makes the Amazon a vital ecosystem for the planet.

Q.5. How are 'drip tips' useful for leaves?

Drip tips are beneficial for leaves as they facilitate the flow of water off the leaf surfaces. This helps to prevent the growth of mosses, fungi, and lichens, which can hinder the leaves' health and functionality.

Q.6. Pick the antonym of 'unmixed' from Paragraph 2.

The antonym of 'unmixed' is 'integrated'.

III. Attempt ANY ONE from (i) and (ii).                          [5 Marks]

Q.1. Make an entry in your diary in 100-120 words about your hesitation to speak in English and your wish to improve your English speaking skills.      [5 Marks]

March 07, 20XX
Tuesday
Dear Diary,
A person is known by their company and how they interact with others. I am fortunate to have a supportive circle of friends who are all proficient in English. However, I often feel embarrassed because I attended a Telugu medium school, which has left me hesitant to speak English in their presence. It is my sincere desire to improve my English speaking skills. I want to overcome this hesitation and become fluent. To enhance my proficiency, I realise that I must use English regularly. The best way to acquire a language is through consistent practice with friends, family, and others. With continuous effort, I believe I can make the language feel more accessible and fluent. Dear Diary, I promise to work on my English speaking skills diligently and improve very soon.
Good night, Diary!
XYZ

Q.2. Read the given lines and complete the story in 100-120 words. Give a suitable title to your story.                    [5 Marks]
I awoke one morning and found myself famous................

I Became A King

One morning, I awoke to find myself as a famous king of a vast empire, dressed in royal robes. My crown was adorned with various diamonds and rubies, and my sword was made of gold. Later, I sat in my court, where hundreds of pleaders came to me seeking justice. I decided their cases with great care. At lunchtime, I was served food in golden utensils, attended by numerous servants and maids ready to carry out my orders at a moment's notice. After my meal, I took a brief nap before heading to the forest for a hunting expedition. There, I encountered various animals and successfully hunted two lions to display in my palace. Suddenly, I felt a jolt and fell from my horse. I began to cry when I heard my father’s voice asking why I was upset. As I got up, I realised it had all been a dream. I shared my adventure with my family, and we all laughed together, knowing my dream of being a king had been shattered.

IV. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the error and write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the correction. The first one has been done for you.     [3 Marks]

V. Read the conversation between Raj and Sachin and complete the passage that follows.  [2 Marks]

Raj asked Sachin (a) __________________________________.
Sachin answered that (b) ______________ as ______________ them.

(a) which his favourite programme on TV was
(b) he loved to watch news channels as they made them aware of things happening around.

VI. Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each.                  [6 x 2 = 12]
Q.1. Why does the author break down in tears after the fire?

After the fire broke out in the author’s house, he and his mother quickly ran into the front yard. The house had been completely burnt down, leaving no trace of his beloved cat. The author feared that it had been killed in the fire, which caused him to break down in tears.

Q.2. How did Prashant manage food for his village people?

Prashant, along with his group, applied pressure on the merchant to part with his rice. They gathered branches to light a fire on which the food was cooked and served to the survivors. To communicate their need for food to the helicopters above, he instructed the children to lie on the sand with utensils placed on their stomachs.

Q.3. How can you say that the snake was harmless?

A green snake has no venom, making it inherently harmless. Additionally, the statement that "the snake was harmless even to the children" reinforces this idea. Generally, a snake does not bite anyone unless it is disturbed by someone.

Q.4. How do the people hate their brothers? Are they right?

People can express hatred towards their brothers in various ways, with a common method being through violent conflict. This often occurs when individuals perceive their brothers as in the wrong and themselves as justified. However, it is essential to recognise that such actions are misguided; instead, they should strive to live in peace and tranquility.

Q.5. The poet wants the tree to be snapped out. Why?

The poet wants the tree to be snapped out because he realises that previous methods of killing the tree were not effective. He seeks a different approach where the roots of the tree are pulled out, ensuring that the tree can be killed with certainty.

Q.6. Why did Jerome offer to pack?

Jerome, the narrator, took pride in his packing skills. When he, along with his friends George and Harris, decided to go on a holiday, he offered to do the packing. He felt it would be an easy task and that he would have the opportunity to boss the other two around while doing it.

Q.7. What does Maria say about her Russian origin?

Maria Sharapova expresses her pride in her Russian heritage, despite the significant role that America has played in her life. She emphasises that she still holds Russian citizenship and identifies strongly with her roots, stating that her blood is entirely Russian. Furthermore, she is willing to compete for Russia in the Olympics, should she receive an invitation to play.

VII. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each.   [4 x 2 = 8]
Q.1. How did Behrman save Johnsy life?

Behrman understood that Johnsy's life depended on the last leaf of the creeper. Despite all attempts to revive her—through persuasion, medicine, and care—Johnsy remained despondent. She was weary of waiting for the last leaf to fall, wishing to die peacefully like the tired leaves around her. One rainy night, aware that the last leaf would soon drop, Behrman set out to create his masterpiece. He painted an ivy leaf that would never fall. Tragically, in the process, he contracted pneumonia and died two days later while trying to save Johnsy's life. Ultimately, her life was preserved, and the ivy leaf became his true masterpiece, symbolising his supreme sacrifice.

Q.2. How did Gerrard befool the intruder to be able to save himself?

Once Gerrard, the playwright, was alone in his cottage when an intruder suddenly entered. The intruder, armed with a revolver, intended to kill Gerrard. At that moment, Gerrard was preoccupied on the phone. However, he remained calm upon seeing the intruder. The intruder revealed that he was a jewel thief who had already killed a policeman and was trying to escape the police by assuming Gerrard's identity. In response, Gerrard quickly concocted a story, claiming that he too was a criminal. To support his story, he showed the intruder his travelling bag and explained that by killing him, the intruder would be accused of double murder. Gerrard further claimed that a friend was waiting outside on the road. He suggested that as soon as the police arrived, his friend would inform them of the situation. To illustrate his point, Gerrard led the intruder to the door, pretending to show him his accomplice. When they reached the cupboard, Gerrard suddenly pushed the intruder inside, locked the door from the outside, and promptly called the police to arrest him.

Q.3. ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’ What values made Santosh serve the society?

Santosh Yadav is the only woman in the world who has climbed Mount Everest twice. Her iron will, physical endurance, and mental toughness helped her set a record as the only woman to achieve this feat. Santosh was adventurous, hardworking, and always open to challenges. As an ardent lover of the environment, she dedicated herself to its betterment. She was a true patriot who felt immense pride in unfurling the Indian Tricolour at the summit. Santosh believed that we should not ask what our country can do for us but focus on what we can do for our country. She demonstrated this commitment by bringing down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.