Unit 6 NCERT Solutions | English Class 9 PDF Download

Reading Comprehension

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow. 

TEXT I
I must have been about seven when my father left Porbandar for Rajkot to become a member of the Rajasthanik Court. There I was put into a primary school, and I can well recollect those days, including the names and other particulars of the teachers who taught me. As at Porbandar, so here, there is hardly anything to note about my studies. I could only have been a mediocre student. From this school I went to the suburban school and thence to high school, having already reached my twelfth year. I do not remember having ever told a lie, during this short period, either to my teachers or to my school-mates. However, I used to be very shy and avoided all company. My books and my lessons were my sole companions. To be at school at the stroke of the hour and to run back home as soon as the school closed—that was my daily habit. There is an incident which occurred at the examination during my first year at high school and which is worth recording. Mr Giles, the educational Inspector, had come on a visit of inspection. He had set us five words to write as a spelling exercise.
prompt: cause someone to take a course of action
One of the words was ‘Kettle’. I had misspelt it. The teacher tried to prompt me with the point of his boot, but I would not be prompted. It was beyond me to see that he wanted me to copy the spelling from my neighbour’s slate, for I had thought that the teacher was there to supervise us against copying. The result was that all the boys, except myself, were found to have spelt every word correctly. I could never learn the art of ‘copying’. Yet the incident did not in the least diminish my respect for my teacher. I was by nature, blind to the faults of elders. Later I came to know of many other failings of this teacher, but my regard for him remained the same. Two other incidents belonging to the same period have always clung to my memory. As a rule I had distaste for any reading beyond my school books. The daily lessons had to be done, because I disliked being taken to task by my teacher as much as I disliked deceiving him.
deceive: give a mistaken impression
Therefore I would do the lessons, but often without my mind in them. Thus, when even the lessons could not be done properly, there was of course no question of any extra reading. But somehow my eyes fell on a book purchased by my father. It was Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka. I read it with intense interest. One of the pictures I was shown was of Shravana carrying, by means of slings fitted for his shoulders, his blind parents on a pilgrimage. The book and the picture left an indelible impression on my mind.
indelible: not able to be forgotten

Q1:  Choose the correct option from the bracket and fill in the blanks.
(a) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a/an __________ student. ( average, poor, intelligent)
Ans: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a/an average student.

(b) As a boy, Mohandas used to be very  __________ and avoided all company. (timid, fearful, outspoken)
Ans: As a boy, Mohandas used to be very timid and avoided all company.

(c) The teacher tried to  __________ him with the point of his boot. (suggest, force, instruct)
Ans: The teacher tried to prompt him with the point of his boot.

(d) Young Mohandas  __________ any reading beyond his school books. (disliked, liked, hated)
Ans: Young Mohandas disliked any reading beyond his school books.

(e) He read Shravana Pitribhakti with  __________ interest. (great, least, little)
Ans: He read Shravana Pitribhakti with great interest.

Q2: Answer the following questions in brief. (30 words)
(a) Where did Mohandas complete his primary education?
Ans: Mohandas completed his primary education at Porbandar.

(b) Who were Mohandas Gandhi’s sole companions in his childhood?
Ans: Mohandas Gandhi’s sole companions in his childhood were his books and lessons.

(c) Which incident given in the passage reflects Mohandas’s honesty?
Ans: The incident that reflects Mohandas’s honesty is when he refused to copy the spelling of "Kettle" from his neighbor's slate despite the teacher's prompting.

(d) Which two things did Mohandas dislike the most?
Ans: The two things Mohandas disliked the most were being taken to task by his teacher and deceiving him.

(e) What did the picture of Shravana convey to Mohandas Gandhi?
Ans: The picture of Shravana conveyed to Mohandas Gandhi the importance of filial piety and devotion to parents.

(f) Pick out five qualities and traits which young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had. One is done for you.
Ans: Five qualities and traits of young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi:

1. Absolutely non-judgemental
2. Honest
3. Shy
4. Diligent
5. Respectful

Q3: Locate words from the passage with similar meaning:
(a) reduce ________
Ans: diminish
(b) only one  ________
Ans: sole
(c) dupe  ________
Ans: deceive
(d) permanent effect  ________
Ans: indelible

TEXT II
Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi is an Indian American business executive. She is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsico. She is one among the world’s most powerful women. She delivered the following speech at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 14 December 2013. She was named one of the 25 Greatest Living Legends by NDTV, and was awarded by the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Read the speech delivered by Indra Nooyi and answer the questions that follow.
Mr President and NDTV, thank you very much for this incredible honour.
Malcom Gladwell in his book, Outliers says: “Who you are cannot be separated from where you came from.”
meritocracy: a ruling or influential class of educated or able people
I left India 35 years ago, went to the USA and had tremendous success in the meritocracy. But none of that could have happened if I would not have had wonderful upbringing very much here in India. So I have a lot to thank India for. Now my three lessons I would like to share with you.
First, please be a lifelong student. You know when we were kids, we used to ask questions like “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why the birds flying so high?” But for some reasons, as we get older, that curiosity goes away. And if we are happy with the knowledge we have, then we are actually going to atrophy. So, please remain a lifelong student, don’t lose that curiosity.
atrophy: gradual decline in effectiveness or vigour due to underuse or neglect
Second, whatever you do, throw yourself into it, throw your head, heart and hands into it. I look at my job not as a job, I look at it as a Calling, as a Passion and I don’t care about the hours, about the hardships, because to me everything is a joy. So whatever you do, please look upon it as a Calling, a Passion, not as a job, not as something temporary.
The third and the most important one, please help others rise. Greatness comes not from a position, but from helping build a future. All of us in position of power have an obligation to pull others up. You know, as I stand here today, I look at my responsibility not as accepting an honour, I look upon it as accepting a challenge and a responsibility, an obligation to actually make it possible for people who are younger to come up and achieve levels of greatness, so they too can be on the stage sometime in the future.

Q1: What has Malcom Gladwell said in his book, that Indra Nooyi is refering to in her speech?
Ans: Malcolm Gladwell said: "Who you are cannot be separated from where you came from."

Q2: What according to Indra Nooyi helped her achieve great success?
Ans: According to Indra Nooyi, her wonderful upbringing in India helped her achieve great success.

Q3: What is the first lesson that Indra Nooyi has talked about in her speech?
Ans: The first lesson Indra Nooyi talked about is to be a lifelong student and maintain curiosity.

Q4: What element should we have to be a lifelong student?
Ans: To be a lifelong student, we should have curiosity.

Q5: How does she look at her job?
Ans: She looks at her job as a Calling, a Passion, not just a job or something temporary.

Q6: What is her third lesson? Why is it important?
Ans: Her third lesson is to help others rise. It is important because greatness comes not from a position, but from helping build a future and making it possible for younger people to achieve greatness.

Q7: What obligation does she talk about in her speech?
Ans: She talks about the obligation of pulling others up and making it possible for younger people to achieve greatness.

Vocabulary

Q1: Make noun forms of the given words. One is done for you.
(a) know
Ans: knowledge

(b) accept
Ans: acceptance

(c) separate
Ans: separation

(d) oblige
Ans: obligation

(e) achieve
Ans: achievement

Q2: Take words from the box given below and match the words that go along with them. You may use some of the words more than once. 
Example: Communal-harmony

Ans: Combinations can include: 

• tune-system
• water-proof
• black-mail
• heart-felt
• kill-joy
• communal-harmony
• study-system, etc.

Q3: You would have come across some words from Indian languages used in the chapter ‘My Childhood’ in your textbook, Beehive.
Example: pucca.
Look up the dictionary in the English language and find ten words which are of Indian origin. Two are done for you:
Ans:
(a) Chutney
(b) Karma
(c) Bungalow
(d) Pajamas
(e) Jungle
(f) Thug
(g) Avatar
(h) Veranda
(i) Guru
(j) Yoga

Grammar 

Q1: Fill in the blanks to complete the process of washing clothes in a machine. Use passive form of the verbs given in brackets.
Dirty clothes are ________ (take) for washing. Clothes are _______ (separate) on the basis of texture, colour, etc., and ______ (make) into piles. Each pile is ______ (put) in the washing machine tub. Then detergent powder is _____ (add) and the required programme is _______ (set). Once the washing is over the clothes are _______ (remove) from the tub and ________ (hang) for drying.
Ans: 

• Dirty clothes are taken for washing.
• Clothes are separated on the basis of texture, colour, etc., and made into piles.
• Each pile is put in the washing machine tub.
• Then detergent powder is added and the required programme is set.
• Once the washing is over the clothes are removed from the tub and hung for drying.

Q2: Passive Voice- Expand the News Headlines into three to four sentences of a short article. Use passive voice wherever it is required.
Ans:
(a) Mumbai flooded with rain water
Yesterday, Mumbai was hit by incessant rain. The city is flooded with rain water now. Water is being pumped out from the roads. The residents are requested by the Municipal Corporation to remain indoors.

(b) The fire caused by crackers
A fire was caused by crackers. The authorities are investigating the incident. Residents are advised to stay away from the affected area.

(c) Bank robbed in broad daylight
A bank was robbed in broad daylight. The robbers managed to escape with a large sum of money. The police are currently searching for the suspects.

(d) Taxes lowered for some commodities
Taxes have been lowered for some commodities. This decision was made to ease the financial burden on the citizens. The new tax rates will be effective from next month.

Q3: Phrasal Verb- In the lesson ‘My Childhood’ in your textbook, Beehive, the phrasal verb ‘break out’ is used by combining a verb (break) with a preposition (out) denoting the meaning ‘to begin’. Many more phrasal verbs can be formed with the same verb ‘break’ joining with other prepositions. They are-Now, replace the underlined words with a phrasal verb from the list given above using the correct form.  
(a) The passengers were troubled when the bus stopped due to engine failure.
Ans: The passengers were troubled when the bus broke down due to engine failure.

(b) Neha’s relationship with Rohan came to an end over a very silly matter.
Ans: Neha’s relationship with Rohan broke up over a very silly matter.

(c) The burglar in spite of all security, entered Mr Khan’s house and took away all valuables.
Ans: The burglar, in spite of all security, broke into Mr Khan’s house and took away all valuables.

(d) The child attempted to leave the mother’s grasp, but she held fast.
Ans: The child attempted to break away from the mother’s grasp, but she held fast.

(e) The new director desired to discard the age-old practices in the office.
Ans: The new director desired to break away from the age-old practices in the office.

Editing

Q1: Use capital letters, full-stops, commas and inverted commas wherever necessary in the following story. Some words are also wrongly spelt. Check the spelling errors and correct them.
once the Fairies of the Trees set out to choose their dwelling places some were wise in making their choices and some were foolis
the wise fairies shunned the trees that stood alone in the open fields, and settld in a thick forest. but the foolish ones said, Why should we crowd together in a forest Let us go and live in lonely trees near villages, where humans will bring us gifts.
One night a greate tempest swept over the countri the lonely trees were blown down, and  the foolis fairys became homeless; but the great, dense forest resisted the fury of the storm. The wise fairies said to the foolish ones Peopl should stand together like a dense forest. It is only the solitary tree, growing unprotekted in the open field that is overthrown by a silly thing like a storm
Write the corrected story here.
Ans: 
The story for correct punctuation and spelling:
Once, the Fairies of the Trees set out to choose their dwelling places. Some were wise in making their choices and some were foolish. The wise fairies shunned the trees that stood alone in the open fields, and settled in a thick forest. But the foolish ones said, "Why should we crowd together in a forest? Let us go and live in lonely trees near villages, where humans will bring us gifts."

One night, a great tempest swept over the country. The lonely trees were blown down, and the foolish fairies became homeless; but the great, dense forest resisted the fury of the storm. The wise fairies said to the foolish ones, "People should stand together like a dense forest. It is only the solitary tree, growing unprotected in the open field, that is overthrown by a silly thing like a storm."

Listening 

Given below is an extract from Malala Yousafzai’s speech at the UN General Assembly on 12 July 2013.
Malala Yousafzai is a young Pakistani girl who was shot at by the Taliban because she wanted to study. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her struggle for the right of all children to education.
The teacher or one of your classmates will read out the extract. Answer all the questions after listening to the extract.
Honourable UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon, respected President of the General Assembly Vuk Jeremic,  honourable UN envoy for global education Mr Gordon Brown, respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters: Assalamu alaikum.
Today it is an honour for me to be speaking again after a long time. Being here with such honourable people is a great moment in my life and it is an honour for me that today I am wearing a shawl of late Benazir Bhutto. I don’t know where to begin my speech. I don’t know what people would be expecting me to say, but first of all thank you to God for whom we all are equal and thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery and new life. I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. I have received thousands of good-wish cards and gifts from all over the world. Thank you to all of them. Thank you to the children whose innocent words encouraged me. Thank you to my elders whose prayers strengthened me. I would like to thank my nurses, doctors and the staff of the hospitals in Pakistan and the UK and the UAE government who have helped me to get better and recover my strength.
There are hundreds of human rights activists and social Notes workers who are not only speaking for their rights, but who are struggling to achieve their goal of peace, education and equality. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured. I am just one of them. So here I stand, one girl among many. I speak not for myself, but so those without a voice can be heard. Those who have fought for their rights ...Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated. ... the compassion I have learned from Mohamed, the Prophet of Mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. This the legacy of change I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learned from Gandhi, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learned from my father and from my mother. This is what my soul is telling me: be peaceful and love everyone ... Thank you.

Q1: Why did the Taliban shoot Malala?
Ans: The Taliban shot Malala because she wanted to study.

Q2: Why was Malala awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
Ans: Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle for the right of all children to education.

Q3: Who all did Malala thank in her speech and why?
Ans: Malala thanked God, everyone who prayed for her recovery, the children who encouraged her, the elders whose prayers strengthened her, her nurses, doctors, and the staff of the hospitals in Pakistan and the UK, and the UAE government for helping her recover.

Q4: What are the activists and social workers struggling for?
Ans: Activists and social workers are struggling for peace, education, and equality.

Q5: What rights did she talk about in her speech? Write (Right) the right answers.
(a) right to live in peace
Ans: Right

(b) right to be treated with dignity
Ans: Right

(c) right to have a safe home
Ans: Wrong

(d) right to equality of opportunity
Ans: Right

(e) right to fight for self
Ans: Wrong
(f) right to be educated
Ans: Right

Q6: From whom did Malala learn
(a) compassion
Ans: from Mohamed, Jesus Christ, and Lord Buddha

(b) the philosophy of non-violence
Ans: the philosophy of non-violence: from Gandhi, Bacha Khan, and Mother Teresa
(c) forgiveness
Ans: from her father and mother

Speaking

Q1: Prepare five slips with the following words written on them. The class will be divided into 4 groups. Each group will be asked to pick up a slip and discuss the topic for 5 minutes. Finally, one representative from the group will make a brief presentation on the topic.
1. ancestral house
2. secure childhood
3. primary school
4. social barriers
5. communal harmony
Some words given in the box below may be helpful. You can use any other words that are appropriate to the topic.

Ans: 
Ancestral house

• Words to help: ancient, tradition, large

Secure childhood

• Words to help: upbringing, emotional

Primary school

• Words to help: system, ancient

Social barriers

• Words to help: inequality, co-existence

Communal harmony

• Words to help: co-existence, friendship

Writing

Q1: In 2010, the United Nations declared Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s birthday (15th October) as World Students’ Day. Write an article on the importance of the youth/ young students in the making of a New India. (120–150 words)
Ans: 
The Role of Youth in Building a New India
Youth are the backbone of any nation, and in the context of New India, their role becomes even more crucial. Young students, with their innovative minds and unbridled energy, are the torchbearers of progress and change. They possess the power to drive social, economic, and technological advancements, essential for the nation's development.
Education plays a vital role in shaping the youth, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to face global challenges. The youth's active participation in community services and political arenas can lead to a more inclusive and democratic society. Moreover, their commitment to sustainable practices ensures the preservation of resources for future generations.
In essence, the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the catalysts of today's transformation. Their vision, courage, and actions are pivotal in the making of a prosperous and progressive New India.