Class Test: 01- Class 9-solution

1.“I would not throw it away” is said by Tommy.

2. The mechanical teacher has slots at the appropriate place.

3. Robert Frost is an American Poet.

4. “A yellow wood” indicates a forest at the time of Autumn.

5. ‘Daunting’ means frightening.

6. Evelyn was 16+ when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.

7. Bismillah Khan said, “I missed the unique Mattha of Dumraon.

8. On 15 August 1947 Bismillah khan poured Raag Kafi from the Red Fort.

9. The wind makes strong fire roar and flourish.

10. “The little girl” is written by Katherine Mansfield.

11. “Hue and Cry” means angry protest.

12. In “To regards and darling dreamers” the poetic device is alliteration.

13. ‘Bliss’ means perfect happiness.

14. Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933.

15. ‘Throngs’  indicates a large crowd.

16. The kind-hearted person tried to soothe the lost child.

17. ‘Hefty’ means strong and broad.

18. Grandmother fussed when grandfather brought a bird or animal.

19. Grandfather gave Nana a slap across her haunches.

20. Just after stuffing himself with pulao, Toto threw a plate at grandmother.

A Legend of the Northland: ncert solution Class 9

Thinking about the Poem. Page-67

I.1 Which country or countries do you think “The Northland” refers to?

Ans:  ‘The Northland’ refers to the land (country or countries) which is situated in the region of The North Pole.

2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?

Ans: Saint peter asked the lady for a cake. The lady answered positively but behaved in a very negative way. She made a cake for the saint but reduced the quantity of the dough again and again. It is because she did not want to give a cake that could satisfy the saint.

3. How did he punish her?

Ans:  Saint Peter was disgusted with the selfish behavior of the woman and cursed the lady to be turned into a woodpecker. Consequently, she turned into a woodpecker and started boring hard and dry wood for her food and shelter.

4. How does the woodpecker get her food?

Ans: The woodpecker gets her food by boring hard and dry woods.

5. Do you think the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?

Ans: If the lady had known who Saint Peter really was, she would not have been so ungenerous. It is because of fear. She would have given him a thin cake to protect her from the curse.

6. Is this a true story? Which part of the poem do you feel is the most important?

Ans: No. It is not a true story. The poet clearly expresses his views regarding the story by stating that he himself does not believe it to be true. Still, it provides a good lesson to the listeners. I think the most important part of this poem is stanza twelve. It is because it indicates the consequences of an ungenerous attitude.

7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

Ans: A legend is a story that is passed from one generation to the other. It is considered to be a fictitious one. This poem is not a fact but a poetic fiction. This is why it is called a legend. The poet himself does not believe this story to be true.

A Truly beautiful Mind: ncert solution Class 9

Thinking about the Text- Page 50, 51

1. Here are some headings for paragraphs in the text. Write the number(s) of paragraph(s) for each title against the headings. The first one is done for you.

(i) Einstein’s equation    - 9

(ii)Einstein meets his future wife – 7

(iii) The making of a violinist -3

(iv) Mileva and Einstein’s mother -10

(v) A letter that launched the arms race – 15

(vi) A desk drawer full of ideas – 8

(viii) Marriage and divorce – 11

2. Who had these opinions about Einstein?

(i) He was boring. – Einstein’s playmates

(ii)He was stupid and would never succeed in life. – His headmaster.

(iii) he was a freak.  -  His mother.

3. Explain what the reasons for the following are.

(i) Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good.

Ans: He was unable to bear the regimentation of school.

         He was not interested in all the subjects taught in the school.

         He was against being punished.

(ii) Einstein wanted to study Switzerland rather than in Munich.

Ans: He was left alone with his relatives in Munich because his parents departed for Milan. He convinced his parents successfully about his studies to be continued in Switzerland.

(iii)Einstein saw Mileva as an ally.

Ans: Einstein found everything that he wanted to see in Mileva. It is because she was a very intelligent girl who could assist him in his studies as well as his scientific mission.

(iv) What do these tell you about Einstein?

Ans: These everything tells us about Einstein that he wanted to get a good companion who would support and assist in his work of research. The activities of Einstein showed that he would go far ahead in the world of science. Ultimately he reached his goal, but he was not pleased with the consequences of his invention.

4. What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why?

Ans: Einstein called his desk drawer ‘ bureau of theoretical physics’. He said it because he was trying to develop and prove his scientific thoughts. He used to make his documentation on separate papers and keep them in the drawer.

5. Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt?

Ans: Franklin Roosevelt the then President of the U.S.A. was unaware of the facts and theories of Einstein which could be misused by the Nazis. The Nazis by using the new theory of atomic power could destroy the world. Einstein’s concern regarding the consequences of using the atom bomb compelled him to write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt.

6. How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Ans: A massive destruction was caused by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both the big cities of Japan were destroyed by atom bombs. He was completely shaken by the actions of Franklin Roosevelt. He was very much anxious because his letter was not in any way taken under consideration. So, he wrote a public missive to United Nations to form a world government to protect the world from any further destruction.

7. Why does the world remember Einstein as a “world citizen”?

Ans: Einstein did not want his theories to be used for destruction. But he failed to stop it. The consequences of using atom bombs were unbearable for him. So, he was involved in politics striving for peace and harmony which he wanted to be maintained all over the world. His recommendations about the end of arms build-up were greatly appreciated by socio-political thinkers. This is the reason why he is remembered as a “world citizen”.

8. Here are some facts from Einstein’s life. Arrange them in chronological order.

Ans: 1. Einstein is born in the German city of Ulm.

2. Einstein attends a high school in Munich.

3. Einstein’s family moves to Milan.

4. Tires of school’s regimentation Einstein withdraws from school.

5. Einstein joins a University in Zurich where he meets Mileva.

6. He works in a patent office as a technical expert.

7. Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity.

8. He provides a new interpretation of the center of gravitation.

9. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

10. When Hitler comes to power, Einstein leaves Germany for the United States.

11. Einstein writes a letter to U.S. President  Franklin. D. Roosevelt and warns him against Germany's building an atomic bomb.

12. Einstein died.

The Rain on the Roof: ncert solution Class 9

Thinking  about  the Poem Page-42

I.1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.

(i) Humid shadows

Ans: ‘Humid shadows’  means,  clouds full of moisture (humidity).

(ii)starry spheres

Ans: ‘Starry spheres’ means, the spheres which are concerned with stars. These spheres indicate here ‘sky’.

(iii) What a bliss

Ans: A bliss indicates a perfect pleasure, which is here created by the rain.

(iv) A thousand dreamy fancies Into busy being start.

Ans: It means a thousand dream-like imaginations are generated in the mind of the poet during rainfall.

(v) A thousand recollections weave their air-thread into woof

Ans: A thousand memories are created in the poet’s mind. They jointly turn into a woof.

2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?

Ans: The poet likes to remember the affectionate presence of his mother when it rains.

3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the ‘darling dreamers’ he refers to?

Ans: The single major memory, that comes to the poet, is his mother. The children who remember their mother as the poet does, are the darling dreamers.

4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?

Ans: I don’t think the poet is a child. I am sure that the poet is an adult or grown-up. His mother is not alive and so, he remembers so much.

II.1. When you were a child, did your mother tuck you in; as the poets did?

Ans: Yes, my mother used to tuck me in when I was a child, as the poet’s mother did. She used to be very anxious about my well-being.

2. Do you like rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described in the poem?

Ans: Yes, I like rain. I walk in the rain for the time being to enjoy the rain. I like to stay at my home (basically in my room) when it rains steadily or heavily to view the gradual changes of nature.

3. Does everybody have a cozy bed to live in when it rains? Look around you and describe how different kinds of people or animals spend time, seek shelter, etc. during rain.

Ans: No, everybody does not have a cozy bed to live in when it rains. When I look around me, I find so many persons and animals taking shelter under the roof or tree during rain. I have seen people in the villages taking shelter at the temples or the schools. So is the case with animals. They also take shelter under the roof or try to get inside the rooms. Dogs and goats are seen doing the same during rain.

The Little Girl: ncert solution - Class 9

Thinking about the Text (page 38)

1. Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B

        A

1. fear or terror

2. glad sense of relief

3. a "funny" feeling perhaps of understanding              B

(i) father comes into her room to give her a goodbye kiss

(ii) noise of the carriage grows fainter

(iii) father comes home

(iv) speaking to father

(v) going to bed when alone at home

 (vi) father comforts her and falls asleep

(vii) father stretched out on the sofa, snoring

Ans:  1.  - (iii) father comes home

           2. - (ii) noise of the carriage grows fainter

           3. - (iv) speaking to father 

II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?

Ans: Her father is very strict in his activities, uses harsh statements, and did not treat her as a good father treats with his children lovingly.

2. Who were the people in Kezia's family?

Ans: There are four members in Kezia's family. They are Kezia herself, her father, mother, and grandmother.

3. What was Kezia's father's routine

(i) before going to his office?

Ans: Before going to his office his work was to offer her a kiss without showing any affection.

(ii) after coming back from his office?

Ans:: After coming back from his office his first work was to order Kezia to provide the newspaper and tea.

(iii) on Sundays?

Ans: On Sundays, he used to lay on the sofa stretching out. He used to sleep snoring for a little longer.

4. In what ways did Kezia's grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?

Ans: Kezia,s grandmother wanted her to gift something on her father's birthday so that he could be pleased with her. So she advised her to make a pin-cushion to gift him.

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.

1. Kezia's effort to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?

Ans: Kezia's effort to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. Whenever her father would come home he used to ask her to put off his shoes and ask her if she was a good girl. She would answer in a different way, it seemed she was not bold enough to answer the questions. She stutters in answering those questions. When her father would take rest she would stare at him a little longer. These activities of Kezia were not likely for her father at all.

Kezia was preparing a pin-cushion to gift her father on his birthday. She prepared the gift with the papers which were very important for her father. When her father wanted to get the paper he came to know the gifted episode and consequently he got angry at Kezia.

2. Kezia decides that there are "different kinds of fathers". What kind of father was Mr. Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia's father?

Ans: It is true that there are different kinds of fathers. Kezia has seen the affection and treatment of fathers in her neighborhood. So she decides that there are different kinds of fathers. Macdonald shows his affection to his children always. He plays and runs along with them whenever he needs to do that. His children love him very much. They hand on to his pockets and he loves the activities and attitudes of children.

Kezia's father does not like to play with her. He is fond of scolding her. She does not get any opportunity to laugh with her father. She never plays and runs with her father or vice - versa.

3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?

Ans:  Kezia was very much afraid of her father. One day she dreamt a fearful dream. She saw that a butcher approached her with a knife. She cried bitterly but she saw her father was standing there. Now she was made up completely.

Once when her father was very tired he asked Kezia to rub her feet against his leg to make them warm, Kezia did it very well. She now understood that her father had to do better than before to be a good father. She accepted that her father had a big heart.

Thinking about Language

1. Look at the following sentence.

There was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter…

Here, glad means happy about something.

Glad, happy, delighted, thrilled, and overjoyed are synonyms (words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning.) However, they express happiness in certain ways.

Read the sentences below.

She was glad when the meeting was over.

The chief guest was pleased to announce the name of the winner

1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.

(i) She was thrilled by the news of her brother-------(very pleased)

(ii) I was delighted to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)

(iii) She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy)

(iv) The coach was pleased with the performance. (satisfied about)

(v) She was very happy with her results. (happy about something that has happened)

2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence.

He was so big – his hands and his neck, especially his mouth……

Here, a big means large in size.

Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.

(i)You are a big girl now. older

(ii)Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career. most important

(iii)Their project is full of big ideas. very important

(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country. popular

(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeskar. great

(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater. remarkable

(vii)What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear. large-hearted

Writing

Has your life been different from or similar to that of Kezia when you were a child? Has your perception of your parents changed now? Do you find any change in your parents’ behavior vis-a-vis yours? Who has become more understanding? What steps would you like to take to build a relationship based on understanding? Write three or four paragraphs (150-200 words) discussing these issues from your own experience.

Ans: My life has been different from the life of Kezia. My father was a loving one who always ask for my well-being. Whenever he would come he would ask where I was. Until or unless he would get me he would not sit or take a rest. He used to ask me about my games and spots, about my participation and performance. Sometimes I would say I was defeated he would start laughing by saying that learning 'how to play is far better than winning a match.

Sometimes he would stop me from going from school by saying that studying every day is not essential. It is true that he would take me wherever he go when I was very young. He would show me circus, and magic very often. I can say that My father has a good understanding of the requirements of young children. Young children's first important thing is their playing. If children are not allowed to play they would not develop properly. Both mental and physical development depends on the opportunities provided by the parents.

Children study the attitudes of their parents with their behavior. If their behavior is very soft they feel it very well, if their behavior is harsh they are hurt by it.  Regarding the understanding of behavior, I want to say that my father is the same to same but I have changed myself to a limit. I honor and respect my father for his full support and for providing an opportunity to study properly. I have no issue with misunderstanding so everything is fine. I want to follow in the footsteps of my father who helps me on every step.

Wind: ncert solution - Class - 9

Thinking about the Poem

1. 1. What are the things the wind does in the first stanza?

Ans: The wind  (i) damages the shutters of the windows, (ii) disperses the papers, and (iii) disposes of the books kept on the shelf. It plucks the pages of the books.

2. Have you seen anybody winnow grain at home or in a paddy field? What is the word in your language for winnowing? What do people use for winnowing? (Give the word in your language, if you know them.)

Ans: India is a country of farmers. Indian farmers used natural wind for winnowing. People winnow grain at home or in a paddy field with the help of natural wind. This is called OSAUNI in my language.

3. What does the poet say the wing god winnows?

Ans: The wind god winnows the following.

(i) Homes, (ii) Doors, (iii) Wood, (iii) Rafters, (iv) bodies, (v) Lives and hearts.

4. What should we do to make friends with the wind?

Ans: We can make friends with the wind by joining the doors firmly, by practicing to firm the body, and by making the heart steadfast.

5. What do the last four lines of the poem mean to you?

Ans: The last four lines indicate that the wind creates troubles for the weak things and the weak people. If things and the people are strong enough, wind cannot make any harm. So we have to be brave and strong to face the power of the wind.

6. How does the poet speak to the wind  - in anger or with humor? You must also have seen or heard of the wind "crumbling lives". What is your response to this? Is it like the poets?

Ans: The poet is well prepared to face the wind. That is why he has suggested some measures. The poet speaks to the wind in a  humorous way. The poet wants to say that the wind harms only those things which are weak and those people who are not strong. It means it is quite clear that the poet has a challenging attitude towards the wind.

II. The poem you have just read is originally in Tamil. Do you know any such poem in your language?

Ans: Yes I know a poem which is in Hindi. HAWA HUN HAWA MAI BASANTI HAWA HUN.

The Sound of Music 2: ncert solution - Class - 9

Thinking about the Text (page 26)

iii. Answer these questions in 30-40 words.

1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

Ans: Aurangzeb did not like the sound of pungi at all. He thought pungi to be an unnecessary musical instrument that produced unpleasant and irritating sounds in his court. So he banned the playing of the pungi.

2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

Ans: A pipe of a natural hollow stem is used to make shehnai. It is bigger than pungi. Holes are made on the pipes so that they can produce different kinds of tunes. It is normally broader than pungi. It is like a flute which is played by opening and closing the holes made on it.

3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?

Ans: The place where shehnai was played traditionally was the Vishnu Temple of Varanasi. Ali Bux, maternal uncle of Bismillah Khan was fond of playing shehnai in the Vishnu Temple of Varanasi. Bismillah Khan was inspired by him and used to play the same in the temple of Mangala Maiya and Balaji. After he got some experience he started creating Raagas with fine tunes by playing on shehnai. Consequently, shehnai was completely changed.

4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

Ans: The place where Bismillah Khan got a big break is Lucknow. He performed for All India Radio in 1938.

5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?

Ans: It was a very precious occasion when India was going to celebrate Independence Day on the 15th of August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the shehnai from the Red Fort in Delhi. This event was historic because the first Prime Minister of India along with Mahatma Gandhi witnessed his performance of Raag Kafi.

6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?

Ans: Bismillah khan was very fond of his soil and its natural beauty. He did not forget his native land even during his staying abroad. He likes Ganga, he loved Banaras and he loved mattha of Dumraon. The above-mentioned things and environment would never be availed in the U.S.A. and so he rejected the proposal of shehnai school in the U.S.A.

7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.

Ans:  It is true that Bismillah Khan loves India ans Banaras. He said that when he was in foreign he wanted to see his native land India. When he was in Mumbai he wanted to see Varanasi and the holy Ganga. He remembered the mattha of Dumraon.

Thinking about Language

I. Look at these sentences.

⦁ Evelyn was determined to live a normal life.

⦁ Evelyn manages to conceal her growing deafness from friends and teachers.

The italicized parts answer the questions: "What was Evelyn determined to do?" and "What did Evelyn manage to do?" They begin with a to-verb (to live, to conceal)

Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.

1. The school sports team hopes to win the match. (What does it hope to do?)

2. We all want to get success. ( What do we all want to do?)

3. They advised the hearing-impaired child's mother to get the child diagnosed. ( What did they advise her to do?)

4. The authorities permitted us to play indoor games. (What did the authorities permit us to do?)

5. A musician decided to perform better than before. (What did the musician decide to do?)

II. From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions and write them down. The number of paragraphs where you will find the words/phrases has been given for you in brackets.

1. the home of royal people (1) - the royal residence

2. the state of being alone (5) - solitude

3. a part which is absolutely necessary (2) - an indispensable component

4. to do something not done before (5) - improvise

5. without much effort (13) - effortlessly

6. quickly and in large quantities (9) - thick and - fast

III. Tick the right answer.

1. When something is revived, it (remains dead / lives again).

2. When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).

3. When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it / avoid it).

4. When we take to something, we find it (boring/interesting).

5. When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful / find it of no use).

6. When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time / for the second time).

7. When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/ no longer upsetting).

Writing

"If you work hard and know where you're going, you'll get there," says Evelyn Glennie.

You have now read about two musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Do you think that they both worked hard? Where did they want to 'go'? Answer these questions in two paragraphs, one on each of the two musicians.

Ans: Evelyn Glennie: Evelyn Glennie was very young when she became deaf. But she did not stop due to her deafness. She was able to see and follow the instruction of her teacher. She followed cent percent instructions of her teachers and got grand success in her life. Parts of her body were developed in a way that they became able to sense the tones and sounds of music. Whatever she wanted to achieve she achieved by working hard. She bagged most of the top awards after all.

Ustad Bismillah Khan:  Ustad Bismillah Khan was very fond of playing shehnai since his childhood. He was mostly inspired by his maternal uncle who used to play shehnai in the Vishnu Temple of Varanasi. He used to follow the uncle very keenly and interestingly. He started practicing shehnai sitting on the bank of the holy Ganga in solitude and got success in improvising new Raagas. He was honored around the world for his magnificent performance in shehnai and awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India.

The Sound of Music 1: ncert solution - Class 9

Thinking about the Text (page 20)

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?

Ans: Evelyn was almost seventeen when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.

2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Ans: Evelyn's mother noticed her deafness when she was eight. It was confirmed when she was eleven.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30-40 words).

1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?

Ans: Her potential was first noticed by a percussionist, Ron Forbes. He advised Evelyn to listen to the music in different ways. Two drums were tuned to produce different notes so that she could differentiate the tuned notes slightly. He got successful in his experiment and Evelyn answered him positively.

2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

Ans: She was an inspiration to the young musicians and handicapped. She was very much interested in music and concerts. She performs in hospitals and prisons freely.

III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100-150 words).

1. How does Evelyn hear music?

Ans: Evelyn does not hear music through her ears because she is deaf. But it is true that she hears the music. She feels the vibration of music from the waist up and down. Her different parts of the body are adapted to sense the vibrations of the music and drums. So is the case with her brain. her brain has become so sensitive that it can sense sound and vibration like a normal human brain.

It seems she has develops every part of her body in a way that even her cheekbones, her hair have also been adapted to sense music very well. She says that she can feel even the resonance moving through her body.

The Road not Taken: ncert solution - class 9

I. 1. Where does the traveler find himself? What problem does he face?

Ans: The traveler finds himself standing at a junction intersected by two roads. He faces a great problem with the decision he has to take.  He is in a state of confusion about the selection of the road on which he will start traveling.

  2. Discuss what these phrases mean to you.

 (i) a yellow wood

Ans: The phrase ''yellow wood' indicates autumnal forest.

 (ii) it was grassy and wanted wear

Ans: The phrase "it was grassy and wanted wear" means the road is full of grass because people did not travel much more on the road, and so the road wants the people to tread on.

(iii) the passing there

Ans: The Phrase "passing there" indicates the treading on the road which looks the same as the first one

 (iv) leaves no step had trodden black

Ans: The phrase "leaves no step had trodden black" indicates that the leaves on the road seem to lay as usual. It means people did not tread on the road. That is why leaves are unchanged.

 (v) how way leads on to way

Ans: The phrase "how way leads on to way" indicates that a way or road leads to another way or road. It also indicates how a road leads a traveler to another road.

  3. Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them

(i) in stanzas two and three?

Ans: There is no difference between the two roads in stanzas two and three because they were not trodden over. The leaves on the road were unchanged.

 (ii) in the last two lines of the poem?

Ans: Last two lines of the poem provide a great message to the learners about the decision taken by the poet which has changed his life. He wants to convey that one should be very keen and careful in making decision in his life.

  4. What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, does the poet regret his choice or accept it?)

Ans: The last two lines indicate the theme of the poem. The poet wants to convey that one should take his decision and be on the same. It means decision should be very strong based on individual's strength. Once the decision is taken should never be turned down. One must think again and again before taking decision. One must assess the obstacles on the way to success. We must not underestimate the obstacles created on the way to our progress and development. Let us suppose, someone wants to achieve spiritual enlightenment, and strives for eleven years and at last he does not achieve the goal. Now he wants to be an engineer. He wants to join the school. We must keep in mind that he has already spent eleven years achieving spiritual enlightenment which will never come back. So before making decision it is essential to assess every thing properly along with the person's ability and capability.

II. 1. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)?

Ans: Yes, I had to make a difficult choice when I was in class viii. It was 8,O' clock in the morning, our History teacher entered the class gloomily, and did not respond to our greets. We were shocked to see him sad. We wanted to ask him why he was sad, but instead of doing so, every student was staring at him anticipating him to disclose the reasons. After sometimes he said that someone was murdered and his body was taken away by the criminals. The spot of incident was just three KM far from our school and on the way to my home. I, the then was a day scholar, so I had to leave my school for my home. I was habituated to come to school on my own without any escort. When our Principal announced that the school would be dismissed just after the third period, I had to find the way out of it. After all, I started my journey along with my friends who were afraid of the incident. I made them bold and said we were innocent ones so no harm would be made. Ultimately we got our destination.

2. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have been, or do you accept the reality?

Ans: Whenever I make choices I think a lot before I come to the conclusion. I try to assess the situation also. As I expressed my aforesaid experience, I got information that police have escorted the spot, we started moving from school. I accept the reality and that is why I don't want to take any decision without thinking over properly.

The Fun They Had : ncert solution- class 9

Thinking about the Text.

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How old are Margie and Tommy?

Ans: Margie and Tommy are eleven and thirteen years old respectively.

2. What did Margie write in her diary?

Ans: Margie wrote in her diary, “Today Tommy found a real book”.

3. Had Margie ever seen a book before?

Ans:  Margie had not seen a book ever before.

4. What things about the book did she find strange?

Ans: The things about the book she found strange were the words printed on the book and staying still. There was no movement in the words. She thought words should be moved automatically but they were quite different from the words of her modern books.

5. What do you think a telebook is?

Ans: A telebook consists of millions of different books. It displays the chapters according to the desires of the learners. The words of the books move in accordance with desirable speed. It does not have pages like today’s books. The content and the lesson with their words are displayed on the screen.

6. Where was Margie's school? Did she have any classmates?

Ans: Margie’s school was at her home. She did not have any classmates as we find in modern schools and educational institutes.

7. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?

Ans: Margie and Tommy learned geography, history, and arithmetic.

II. Answer the following with reference to the story.

1. "I wouldn't throw it away."

(i) Who says these words?

Ans: Tommy says these words.

(ii) What does 'it' refer to?

Ans:  ‘It’ refers to the television screen or a telebook.

(iii) What is it being compared with by the speaker?

Ans: It is being compared with the real book by the speaker.

2. "Sure they had a teacher, but it was not a regular teacher. It was a man."

(i) Who does 'they' refer to?

Ans: ‘They’ refer to the students or the learners.

(ii) What does 'regular' mean here?

Ans:- ‘Regular’ means the mechanical teacher here, but not the teacher as a man.

(iii)What is it contrasted with?

Ans: The mechanical teacher is contrasted with the earlier or old kind of teacher who used to be a man.

III. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

1. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have?

Ans: Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers. The teacher had a special screen to display the text and the words. The words of the books are used to move in accordance with the desired speed of the learners. Sometimes the words used to be moving very fast which was not convenient for the students. They used to be fixed on a particular place set for them.

2. Why did Margie's mother send for the County Inspector?

Ans: Margie’s mother sent for the County Inspector because Margie’s mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography and she had been performing unsatisfactorily. Its geography sector was geared up a little more. The County Inspector was able to slow it down so that Margie would be comfortable and convenient with her teacher.

3. What did he do?

Ans:  He slowed down the geography sector of the mechanical teacher. The Inspector was pleased after he did his work and patted Margie’s head. He said that he had set to an average ten-year level.

4. Why was Margie doing badly in geography? What did the County Inspector do to help her?

Ans: Margie was doing badly in geography because her mechanical teacher was geared up a little fast. It had been giving her test after test which she was not able to compete. The County Inspector slowed it down to an average ten-year level.

5. What had once happened to Tommy's teacher?

Ans: The history sector of Tommy’s teacher was once blacked out completely.

 6. Did Margie have regular days and hours for school? If so why?

Ans: Yes, Margie had regular days and hours for school. She had to attend school at a certain time every day except Saturday and Sunday. This is because her mother said that little girls learn better if they learn at regular hours.

7. How does Tommy describe the old kind of school?

Ans: Tommy said that the old kind of school was centuries ago. They had teachers as men. They did not live in the houses but they had special buildings where the learners used to go.

8. How does he describe the old kind of teachers?

Ans: Tommy said the old kind of teachers were men. They did not live in the house but in the special building where kids used to go. The teachers were not required to be adjusted.

IV. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100-150 words).

1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms that Margie and Tommy have in the story?

Ans: Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers which were quite different from the real teachers. As we know teachers are men and women but their teachers were machines. They were fixed on a particular place at their homes where they had to go regularly except Saturday and Sunday. Their teachers used to display words of the books on the screen which were moving in accordance with their desirable pace.

They did not have classmates with them during their studies. It was a monotonous schoolroom. They did not have any opportunities to interact with their classmates. Sometimes their mechanical teachers were very fast and so they performed badly. They calculate in no time. A student is not allowed to keep pace with the lesson. When it was adjusted and readjusted it worked conveniently.

2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been fun?

Ans: Margi hated school because her school did not have fun which could please her. She was not in any way satisfied by the working procedures of her mechanical teacher. Her teacher sometimes used to give her test after test so fast that she could not work out properly. Her mother had to call the County Inspector to slow down the speed of the teacher. She did not have classmates to make fun with them. She was to sit in front of her teacher and she did not have any opportunities to talk to the teacher or with her classmates.

The old kind of school was far better than her modern school. The schools were situated in a particular place and made for a large number of students where they used to go and study sitting together. The teacher used to go there or stay there to teach the kids. The kids used to make fun with their classmates and get opportunities to interact with them. She thought that the old kind of school must have fun.

3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans: I must agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story. The schools today have some special teachers for each and every subject. Teachers are specialists in their subjects. They stay in the school where kids or students go to study. They teach and facilitate the children and the learners by talking and demonstrating properly. A large number of students go there and study their subjects. Whenever they need to interact, they can do this. But this is not the case with Margie’s mechanical teacher.

 Margie’s teacher can give her lesson very fast which sometimes becomes almost impossible for the students to deal with. In schools, today children are provided special time to think properly in case they face any problem in understanding or thinking. Schools today are more fun because kids go and study their subjects sitting together in the same classroom. They leave school at the same time. They get ample opportunities to talk and clear their concepts regarding any topic they learn in the classroom.

Thinking about Language

1. Adverbs

Read this sentence taken from the story:

They had once taken Tommy's teacher away for nearly a month because the history sector had blanked out completely.

The word complete is an adjective. When you add - ly to it, it becomes an adverb.

1. Find the sentences in the lesson which have the adverbs given in the box below.

awfully   sorrowfully   completely   loftily

carefully   differently   quickly   nonchalantly

Ans: They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way there were supposed to --- on a screen, you know. the mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography and she had been doing worse and worse until her mother shook her head sorrowfully and sent for the County Inspector. They had once taken Tommy's teacher away for nearly a month because the history sector had blanked out completely.

 He added loftily, pronouncing the word carefully, "Centuries ago."

 He added loftily, pronouncing the word carefully, "Centuries ago."

"But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid as to be taught differently."

"I didn't say I didn't like it," Margie said quickly.

"Maybe," he said nonchalantly.

2. Now use these adverbs to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.

(i) The report must be read carefully so that performance can be improved.

(ii) At the interview, Sameer answered our questions loftily shrugging his shoulders.

(iii) We all behave differently when we are tired or hungry.

(iv) The teacher shook her head sorrowfully when Ravi lied to her.

(v) I completely forgot about it.

(vi) When I complimented Revathi on her success, she just smiled nonchalantly and turned away.

(vii) The President of the Company is awfully busy and will not be able to meet you.

(viii) I finished my work quickly so that I could go out to play.

3. Make adverbs from these adjectives.

(i) angry  angrily   (ii) happy    happily   (iii) merry    merrily (iv) sleepy   sleepily (v) easy   easily  (vi) noisy   noisily (vii) tidy   tidily  (viii) gloomy   gloomily

ii. If Not and Unless

Imagine what Margie’s mother told her. “You will feel awful if you don’t finish your history lesson.”

She could also say: “You will feel awful unless you finish your history lesson,”

Unless means if not. Sentences with unless or if not are negative conditional sentences.

Notice that these sentences have two parts. The part that begins with if not or unless tells us the condition. This part has a verb in the present tense (look at the verbs don’t finish, finish in the sentences above).

The other part of the sentence tells us about a possible result. It tells us what will happen (if something else doesn’t happen). The verb in this part of the sentence is in the future tense (you’ll feel/ you will feel).

Now notice these two tenses again in the following examples.

   Future Tense                   Present Tense

There won’t be any books left unless we preserve them.

You won’t learn your lessons if you don’t study regularly.

Tommy will have an accident unless he drives more slowly.

 Complete the following conditional sentences. Use the correct form of the verb.

1.       If I don’t go to Anu’s party tonight, she will get angry.

2.       If you don’t telephone the hotel to order food, you will not have your meal today.

3.       Unless you promise to write back, I will never write to you.

4.       If she doesn’t play any games, she will remain unhealthy.

5.       Unless that little bird flies away quickly, the cat will catch it.