Class IX - English Practice Paper - 3 - Answers

Subject: English

Class IX

Time Allowed: 3 hours

Max. Marks: 80

General Instructions:

Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:

(i) Question paper comprises of three sections – A, B and C

(ii) Section A – Reading – 20 Marks

Section B – Writing Skill and Grammar – 20 Marks

Section C – Literature – 40 Marks

(iii) There are 13 questions in the question paper. All questions are compulsory.

(iv) Answer should be brief and to the point

(v) In addition to this, separate instructions are given with each part and question, wherever necessary.

(vi) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A- READING

1. Read the passage given below:

Do you remember any game from your school days that is closest to your heart even today! To me, my favourite one is Tug of War’. I’m sure many of you still like to play the game and have mesmerising memories of yesteryears related to the game.

These memories would definitely take you down the memory lane, to an activity of the school summer camp or an exercise organised by the gym instructor to test the physical and mental strength of the group or to an inter class activity. This game doesn’t need much equipment, a length of sturdy rope – i.e., at least 8 feet long, and masking tape. Another interesting fact is that this game is a proven ‘formula for fun’, it’s going to provide as much fun to two participants as it would provide in case there are more participants. It’s fun both for participants as well as for spectators. This ancient childhood game of strength and strategy is so involving that it surely gives one adrenaline rush! It’s also a fun game idea for friends and family reunions, birthday parties and school fetes. It’s popular among both the sexes as it is played by both men and women, and historically was part of the Olympic Games between 1900 and 1920.

The game is so popular that people belonging to all ages are aware of it and can visualise the game just on listening to the name of the game. The players are divided equally into two teams and both the teams pick up each end of the rope. A line known as the centre line is marked on the playing zone and the rope is placed in a manner that its centre mark should align the centre marked on the ground. The first member of each team stands at their respective marks made on either side of the rope at a distance of 4 m from the centre line. The players begin tugging the rope when the referee gives the signal to start the game. Each player of the two teams pulls backwards as hard as they can. The players apply their absolute force in order to pull the rope along with the members of opposition team to their side. The teams continue pulling until the centre of the rope, tape mark, crosses where the referee is standing. The game ends when the referee signals to end the game once one of the teams has successfully pulled past the centre. There are a couple while of ‘fouls’ to be avoided the game is on and those are – lowering one’s elbow below the knee level while pulling the rope and touching the ground for a longer period of time. Is the game Tug of War’ merely a test of physical strength. It may seem like a game where the stronger team wins, but Tug of War is more than just being a test of strength. Even before the begins, kids have game to flex their cognitive skills. The players should be given ample opportunities to try problem solving for instance, how to justify division of players based on their strength into two teams if the number of players is uneven

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that follow:

(i) What kind of surface is perfect for the game to be played on?

(a) Hard surface

(b) Concrete surface

(d) Rubber surface

View Answer

(c) Soft grassy surface

(i) Choose the correct statement:

(a) Stronger and heavier players are at an advantage in Tug of War.

(b) The lighter the players the more flexible they are for the game.

(d) This sport is meant to be played by fat bulky people

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(a) Stronger and heavier players are at an advantage in Tug of War.

(ii) Why should the signal of the referee be clear to the players?

(a) To win the game.

(b) To be fair to all the team members.

(d) To adhere to the rules of the game

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(d) To adhere to the rules of the game

(iv) What is the objective of the game?

(a) To inculcate the spirit of team work.

(b) To know the art of pulling the rope.

(d) To use the physical strength properly.

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(a) To inculcate the spirit of team work.

(v) The word ‘ample’ belongs to ____________ group.

(a) slight, bare, scant

(b) fruitful, generous, adequate

(d) None of the above

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(b) fruitful, generous, adequate

(vi) The masking tape is used to ___________

(a) mark the centre of the ground

(b) mark the centre of the ground

(d) cover the rope

View Answer

(c) mark the centre of the rope

(vii) The players are vulnerable to _____________

(a) offensive behaviour

(a) serious injuries

(d) All of the above

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(a) serious injuries

(viii) The game begins when __________

(a) the players start tugging the rope

(b) the referee signals to start

(d) the centre of the rope is aligned to the centre line

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(b) the referee signals to start

(ix) The term ‘foul’ here means ____________

(a) unwanted

(b) condition

(d) violation

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(d) violation

(x) Cognitive skills refer to ______________

(a) using physical strength to its fullest

(b) problem solving

(d) developing competitive spirit

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(b) problem solving

xi) _____________ helps children develop cognitive skills.

(a) Holding attention

(b) Playing various games

(b) Remembering and reasoning

(d) All of the above

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(d) All of the above

(xii) The term ‘yesteryears’ means ________________

(a) times gone by

(b) happy times

(d) times of impoverishment

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(a) times gone by

2. Read the passage given below:

Food habits vary across the globe though food sources remain the same. In olden times, people were either vegetarians or non-vegetarians. But now awareness about healthy food becomes the decisive factor for people to choose what they want to eat. People’s preference for different health foods has been increasing. There are different factors responsible to influence their choice of food. These are- exposure to different types of food, affordability for expensive food items, individual health-conscious quotient.

The pie charts given above provide a comparison of what makes up the diets of people in China, India, and the world in general. There are four different food categories given which are being consumed globally, made up of processed food, vegetables and fruits, animal sources, and nuts and seeds. These charts reveal some similarities and differences between the diets of Chinese, Indians, and the world as a whole

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that follow:

(i) Which of the following food categories is consumed the most worldwide?

(a) Processed foods

(b) Animal food

(d) Nuts and seeds

View Answer

(a) Processed foods

(ii) What do you understand by ‘processed foods’?

(a) Unhealthy foods

(b) A food that has high toxicity levels

(d) Foods with high sugar levels

View Answer

(c) A food that undergoes some alteration during preparation

(ii) Example of processed foods:

(a) Granolas and cereals

(b) Pasteurised milk

(d) All of the above

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(d) All of the above

(iv) People of _____________ is the most aware lot about the harms of processed foods?

(a) all across the globe

(b) China

(d) All of the above

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(b) China

(v) The consumption of animal food is maximum in

(a) China

(b) All over the world

(d) None of the above

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(c) India

(vi) Choose the correct statement

(a) Nuts and seeds have the highest sales in China.

(b) Indian people consume more nuts and seeds than Chinese people.

(d) People worldwide understand that eating nuts and seeds will help them lead a healthier life

View Answer

(a) Nuts and seeds have the highest sales in China.

(vii) What conclusion do you reach at about the consumption of processed foods all over ?

(a) People have adopted healthy eating habits.

(b) People are still inclined to consuming processed foods.

(d) People are aware about the harms of processed foods.

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(b) People are still inclined to consuming processed foods.

(viii) Vegetables and fruits are eaten least in ______________

(a) China

(b) the world

(d) None of the above

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(c) India

(ix) Exposure to different types of exotic food mainly depends on ___________

(a) where one resides, a town or a city

(b) if home delivery services are accessible

(d) irrigation facilities

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(a) where one resides, a town or a city

(x) Individual health-conscious quotient’ refers to_______________

(a) one’s health condition

(b) one’s knowledge about healthy life-style

(d) affordability to avail health services

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(c) one’s inclination about being healthy

(xi) The area of concern based on the consumption of ___________

(a) processed foods

(b) animal food

(d) nuts and seeds

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(d) nuts and seeds

(xii) What can be concluded about the eating patterns of people shown above?

(a) Chinese people have the healthiest food habits.

(b) Indian people love non-vegetarian food.

(d) None of the above

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(a) Chinese people have the healthiest food habits.

SECTION B- WRITING SKILL AND GRAMMAR

Do as directed. Each blank carries one mark.

3. Rewrite the following indirect speech converting it to the direct speech

i) Tina said to Mina

(a) Tina said to Mina, “She plays baseball with my friends.”

(b) Tina said to Mina, “I plays baseball with my friends.”

(d) Tina said to Mina, “She plays baseball with her friends.”

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(c) Tina said to Mina, “I play baseball with my friends.”

(ii) The boy said to the girl.

(a) The boy said to the girl, “He has fallen down the stairs.”

(b) The boy said to the girl, “I fell down the stairs.”

(d) The boy said to the girl, “He falls down the stairs.”

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(b) The boy said to the girl, “I fell down the stairs.”

(iii) Peter said to Sally

(a) Peter said to Sally, “I would call her the next day.”

(b) Peter said to Sally, “He will call her the next day.”

(d) Peter said to Sally, “I will call you tomorrow.”

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(d) Peter said to Sally, “I will call you tomorrow.”

4. Find the error in each line of the following passage that has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction against each line of the passage. The first one has been done.

Incorrect Correction

The times has changed. Today’s e.g. has have

generation prefers to be in the nuclear family (a)__________ ___________

where there is no strings attached. (b) __________ ___________

Theirs motto remains to (c) __________ ___________

fend for themselves. (d) __________ ___________

View Answer

Ans. Incorrect Correction

(a) the a

(b) is are

(c) theirs their

5. Attempt any four parts of the six given below:

(i) Choose the correct option to transform the given statement to an exclamatory sentence:

Hina was surprised to see me.

(a) Hina was very surprised to see me!

(b) How surprised was Hina to see me!

(d) How surprised Hina was to see me!

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(d) How surprised Hina was to see me!

(ii) Which one of the following is correct?

(a) The teacher gave the pupil some advice.

(b) The teacher gave the pupil an advice.

(d) The teacher gave the pupil many advice.

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(a) The teacher gave the pupil some advice.

(iii) _____________ _____________ books got wet as you left them on the bench in the garden.

(a) Few, yours

(b) Your, some

(d) Both, my

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(c) All, your

(iv) My father ____________ speak six foreign languages.

(a) can

(b) must

(d) ought to

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(a) can

(v) ___________ you like to join me for coffee?

(a) Could

(b) Would

(d) Should

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(b) Would

(vi) The cat or the rats __________ making noise at the roof.

(a) is

(b) are

(d) would be

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(b) are

6. Attempt any one of the two given below

Some moments in life always occupy a special place in one’s memory. As an individual this is your belief and such a moment occurred when you watched a live stand-up comedy show. The event always brings smile to your face. Remembering it, like you always do, you decided to describe the event for others to know about it.

Describe the event in your own words following the word limit of 100-120 words.

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Ans. The event that I am going to describe now is indeed the best ever I have attended in my life so far. I got a couple of tickets for a stand-up comedy show going to be hosted by my office. Having personal liking for stand-up comedy shows I found it to be an opportunity for myself. As I had an extra ticket, so I offered my younger brother to accompany me and he happily agreed. We arrived at the venue in time to avoid any delay. The line to get into the show was quite long but we were lucky as the show was sponsored by my office so we were given priority for a smooth entry.

The weather was just perfect to enjoy the show and night full of laughter with friends and colleagues. The arrangement seemed to be good as everyone got comfortable seats and then entered the standup comedian and the place was filled with excited screaming, people cheering up for the artist. All of a sudden, the lights were turned off and green, yellow and red fluorescent lights from the stage started lashing and illuminating the hall. In the middle of the bright lights, the show started and the whole hall echoed with loud laughs and giggles. Food was also served in one corner of the hall and it was managed so well that people were eating and enjoying the show simultaneously without disturbing the atmosphere.

This was one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences in my life. I still remember the night full of fun and frolic and this is what makes me remember the event with fondness and broad smile on my face.

I have always been close to old people as their affection attracts me towards them. My liking became even stronger when I met my friend’s grandmother and the way she took could of me left me pondering upon the fact how old people could be so selfless.

Describe your friend’s grandmother in 100-120 words.

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Ans. Today I feel that I’m one of the most fortunate of those youngsters who are blessed to have elders love and affection in their lives. I lost my grandparents when I was very young, hence I always felt deprived of their love. When my friend used to talk about his grandmother, I always felt jealous. During a long weekend we planned to visit her.

As expected, I was received with a warm welcome. Her personality is charming and has a positive aura. Her sweet nature and politeness really impressed me. She is 78 years old but I found her too energetic for her age. She cooked all meals for us especially taking care of my preferences. She also kept us occupied the whole day. She lives alone but the way she had organised everything surprised me. She took care of my every need with a smile on her face.

In the evening, she took me for a walk and shared with me the achievements of her youth. She keeps herself active and one hour of her daily routine is dedicated towards social work. It was a real pleasure to meet such a selfless person who will always be admired. I wish for her happy and healthy life ahead.

7. Attempt any one of the following:

You are Parul living in Delhi. You went to meet your brother, an Army officer, to Kashmir. It was your first journey by air. Write a diary entry in 100-120 words sharing your experience.

View Answer

Ans. December 2, 20..

Thursday, 8:45 p.m.

Dear Diary

I’m so excited today as I’m seeing you after a gap of one week as I was away to Kashmir to see my brother. I’m back and today I am going to share with you my first air travel experience as I chose to travel by air. As it was my first experience, I was a bit nervous. Fortunately, I didn’t experience any problem while taking off so the journey started off well.

Last Saturday we boarded the massive aircraft, the very sight of this huge machinery made me more excited to board the plane. Elegant crew members were there at the entrance to greet us. And also to help me locate my seat. A while later, a welcome drink was served which made me feel even more special. I was extremely happy as I got the window seat as I wanted to have the outside view while flying.

The scenery outside was so picturesque that if I were a poet, I would have composed a poem. I was enjoying every moment of my journey. Then the air hostess came and served some snacks. After about two hours, we landed at the airport. Before landing at the airport, the glorious mountains seemed like welcoming me at the most beautiful place on the earth. My brother was there at the airport to receive me. It was a wonderful experience and I literally fell in love with travel amid the clouds and am looking forward too many more such experiences.

Parul

Develop a story in about 100-120 words based on the hints given below:

View Answer

Ans. A poor boy named Amar was the only child of his parents. He had limited resources as his parents used to struggle everyday to earn livelihood. Amar was a very intelligent boy and in the quest of knowledge he tried taking admission in the best schools of the city. Due to his economic status, he got admission in an evening school. With the passage of time, Amar compromised with the fact that he had to have his own footing studying in the evening school. As the years went by, Amar’s passion for knowledge kept increasing and he won many accolades to his name. One of the evenings while walking down to school he saw a banner on the roadside promoting about a science quiz which was open to all. He decided to gather more information about the same. Fulfilling all the requirements for the quiz, his name got included in the contestants’ list. He put in his best efforts to be the winner of the quiz and it’s been rightly said, “Where there is a will, there’s a way.” His name was announced as the winner of the competition. Each school of the city wanted him to be a part of their institution. But he was determined to stay in the same school and keep working hard. Possessing a great scientific temperament, he grew to be one of the greatest scientists of the country who has been invited by the most affluent schools not only of the city, but of the country.

SECTION C-LITERATURE

8. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one, by answering the questions that follow:

On the page headed 17 May 2157, she wrote, Today Tommy found a real book!” t was a very old book. Margie’s grand/father once said that when he was a little boy his grandfather told him that there was a time when all stories were printed on paper.

(i) Who does ‘she’ refer to in the above lines?

(a) Tommy

(b) Margie

(d) The robotic teacher

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(b) Margie

(ii) With whom the speaker shared this information?

(a) With Margie’s grandfather

(b) With Margie

(d) With the teacher

View Answer

(c) With the diary

(ii) The term ‘real book’ refers to __________

(a) a book printed on paper

(b) a book on a screen

(d) a futuristic book

View Answer

(a) a book printed on paper

(iv) When is the story set?

(a) In past

(b) In future

(d) In present

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(c) In the year 2157

(v) Choose the one that relates to books in Margie’s grandfather’s times.

(a) Books depicting beautiful illustrations

(b) Book comprising of fables

(d) The ‘real book’

View Answer

Most of the teachers discouraged her but percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential. He began by tuning two large drums to different notes. “Don’t listen through your ears,” he would say, “try to sense it some other way.” Says Evelyn, “Suddenly I realised I could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from the waist down.” Forbes repeated the exercise, and soon Evelyn discovered that she could sense certain notes in different parts of her body. “I had learnt to open my mind and body to sounds and vibrations.” The rest was sheer determination and hard work.

(i) Evelyn’s teachers discouraged her ___________

(a) as the teachers didn’t like her

(b) as they found it impossible for someone with complete deafness to become a musician

(d) as they knew about the complexities involved in learning music

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(b) as they found it impossible for someone with complete deafness to become a musician

(i) Ron Forbes identified ____________

(a) Evelyn’s stubbornness

(b) Evelyn’s undying spirit

(d) Evelyn’s approach towards life

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(c) Evelyn’s calibre in music

(ii) What was “the other way” suggested by Ron to Evelyn to listen to music?

(a) Using an apparatus to aid hearing.

(b) To touch the notes and feel them.

(d) To get involved in music.

View Answer

(c) To sense the music through other body parts.

(iv) Evelyn’s success was achieved with _________________

(a) sheer determination

(b) hard work

(d) All of the above

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(d) All of the above

(v) Which of the following statements is not true with reference to the extract?

(a) Evelyn was doubtful if she would be able to differentiate between higher and lower notes.

(b) Ron encouraged Evelyn as he identified her potential.

(d) Evelyn’s teachers were not in favour of her continuing to play music.

View Answer

(a) Evelyn was doubtful if she would be able to differentiate between higher and lower notes.

9. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one, by answering the questions that follow:

Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign

Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes

Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon

Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.

(i) The poet emphasises upon _______________

(a) differences among people from different land

(b) humans across the globe are alike

(d) varied perception of people

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(b) humans across the globe are alike

(i) ____________ Seth is the poet of the poem.

(a) James Kirkup

(b) Vikram

(d) Douglas James

View Answer

(a) James Kirkup

(ii) Here the word ‘uniforms’ refers to ______________

(a) different attire people wear

(b) different bodies

(d) soldiers of different countries wearing different uniforms

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(d) soldiers of different countries wearing different uniforms

(iv) The phrase ‘no countries foreign’ advocates the perception of _____________

(a) humans should live together

(b) irrelevance of erecting borders between countries

(d) same landforms of various countries

View Answer

(b) irrelevance of erecting borders between countries

(v) T am a citizen, not of Athens and Greece, but of the world.’ Who said these words?

(a) William Shakespeare

(b) James Kirkup

(d) Socrates

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(d) Socrates

Now in memory comes my mother,

As she used in years agone,

To regard the darling dreamers

Ere she left them till the dawn:

O!I feel her fond look on me

As I list to this refrain

Which is played upon the shingles

By the patter of the rain.

(i) The poet’s mother is ___________

(a) alive in the past

(b) alive in the poet’s memories

(d) in another city

View Answer

(b) alive in the poet’s memories

(ii) The present poem is written by _____________

(a) Coates Kinney

(b) Robert Frost

(d) Douglas James

View Answer

(a) Coates Kinney

(iii) The memories of the past are refreshed by ___________

(a) the sadness of the raindrops

(b) darling dreamers

(d) starry spheres

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(c) pitter-patter of the soft rain

(iv) The word ‘shingles’ means __________

(a) rectangular wooden tiles used on roofs

(b) the loud sound

(d) the memories of the past

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(a) rectangular wooden tiles used on roofs

(v) The phrase ‘darling dreamers’ used the poetic device of _____________

(a) onomatopoeia

(b) imager

(d) alliteration

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(d) alliteration

10. Attempt any three out of the given four questions in about 40-50 words:

(a) Why was the ‘holy man’ surprised? What does it represent about the general perception of the people?

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Ans. The holy man who rendered blessings on Santosh’s mother got surprised as the grandmother of the unborn child told him that they did not want a son. They already had five sons, what they wanted was to be blessed with a gifted child. Her reaction was in total contrast with the prevalent thinking of the people of Indian society who regarded the birth of a son as a blessing.

(b) Who is the Intruder and what does he want?

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Ans. The Intruder is a criminal who is shown to enter Gerrard’s cottage in the opening scene with some ill-thoughts. With these thoughts in his mind, he wants to kill Gerrard and steal his identity as he looked similar to Gerrard. He has to succeed in his mission to escape the police, get freedom and have a peaceful life forever. To have a seamless execution of his plan, he starts questioning Gerrard to know about his life inside-out.

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Ans. Maria wished to achieve number one position in women’s tennis. This was her childhood dream and to make this dream turn into reality she worked with perseverance and made lot of sacrifices. Her talent, unwavering desire to succeed and readiness to sacrifice lifted her to the top of the world of tennis. At the age of nine, she left for the USA to train herself for tennis. To be away from her mother for two years was heart-wrenching for her and she learnt that tennis excellence would only come at a price.

(d) What is poet’s perception about trees in the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’?

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Ans. The poet compares trees with human beings and emphasises that they are alike as trees and human beings both are living beings. He sensitises the reader about the existence of trees. He reinforces the belief that trees should not be cut because destroying trees is just like killing a human being. Trees give out sap when cut as humans bleed when they are attacked or get hurt. The poet wants humans to be concerned about the pain being hurled at trees. A tree meets its brutal end when it is uprooted completely off the earth.

11. Attempt any three out of the given four questions in about 40-50 words:

(a) What were the doctor’s observations about Johnsy’s health condition? How much do you agree with his perception?

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Ans. The doctor had been visiting Johnsy every day for checking her up regularly. But to his dismay, there was no improvement in her condition. He told Sue that Johnsy apparently had lost her will to live as she felt that she wasn’t going to get well. Even medicines wouldn’t help her lest she revived her will to live.

I completely agree with the doctor’s perception that it’s a patient’s will to recover and survive more than regular medication. One’s will to live is very important for recovering from an illness.

(b) Why did the swallow get drenched?

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Ans. The statue of The Happy Prince was weeping and its tears drenched the swallow. The statue of the Happy Prince was weeping as it had been erected high up from where he could see all the ugliness and misery of the city. When he had been alive, he had not known any sorrow as he lived in the palace where sorrows and miseries were not allowed to enter, however now he has seen people suffering. Even though he now has a heart of lead, he could still feel the pain, which made him cry.

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Ans. The lies told by Lushkoff disgusted Sergei. He was disgusted at his untruthfulness because he had seen him at Sadovya Street pretending that he was an expelled student in need of money, and now he claimed to be a village schoolmaster who had lost his place due to intrigues at the school. Sergei got furious and his anger made Lushkoff admit about his lies. He got embarrassed at having been trapped by his own words in front of Sergei and said so that his past was tainted and scarred and no one would trust him and offer any job had he been open about it. He wanted to prove that given an opportunity, he could lead a sincere life too.

(d) What do you think of the character-portrayal of the boy in “The Lost Child”?

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Ans. The child accompanies his parents to a village-fair and his longings and desires go haywire when he reaches the fair. He is happy and excited and wants everything displayed over there. He’s the true portrayal of a child possessing an overwhelming spirit who gets tempted to see joyous surroundings, the colourful toys and scrumptious sweets. His fascinations are overthrown by the calling of an obedient child who feels insecure and lost on finding himself alone in the crowd.

12. Answer any one out of the following in 100-120 words

Lakshmana Sastry’s portrayal is an example to be followed for the prejudiced minds. Comment.

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Ans. In Indian social set-up, it’s a common phenomenon to find prejudiced minds who play with the emotions of people in the name of religion. Some people love to highlight the differences among themselves and ensure to enforce them rigidly and stermly. The young teacher who joined the Rameshwaram Elementary School and taught Kalam’s class, the fifth standard, rightly represents the class of such people. He tries to separate the Hindu Brahman boy, Ramanadha Sastry and Abdul Kalam, who was a Muslim. The new teacher is unable to digest the harmonious bond between a Hindu and a Muslim boy and tries to build a wall of communal intolerance between them. Both the young boys look utterly downcast by this new arrangement of sitting where the boy wearing a sacred thread is seated in the front and the boy wearing a cap is made to sit at the back. The boys complain to their respective parents and Lakshamana Sastry summons the new teacher and scolds the teacher for spreading social inequality and communal intolerance in the minds of innocent children. The teacher is further asked either to apologise or to quit. The strong sense of conviction Lakshamana Sastry conveys reforms the teacher.

Justify the title of the poem ‘On Killing A Tree’

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Ans. The title of the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’ clearly shows Gieve Patel’s concern for nature. The tree is man’s benevolent friend that provides so much to human beings and such benefactors are destroyed for man’s cruelty and greed. In a gloomy tone, the poet narrates the whole process of killing a tree. A sudden blow of knife, hacking and chopping cannot destroy a tree. The tree gets healed at the point it’s been cut and then the process of regrowth starts. A tree symbolises strength as it consumes nutrition from the soil and energy from the sunlight. The natural resources like air and water keep feeding the tree to make it even stronger and sturdier. It has to be uprooted from the earth to eradicate it permanently. Then the roots are exposed in the sun and air for scorching, choking and withering. Finally, the task of killing a tree is accomplished after a long process of torture and pain. The mankind is reckless and ruthless and selfish. It’s ironical that we cut trees thoughtlessly just to fulfil our own selfish motives. The deeper meaning of the poem conveys us to be sensitive towards nature as we are the ones who get benefitted with the bounty of nature. In process of killing a tree we kill ourselves. Hence the title is crisp, clear and appropriate.

13. Answer any one out of the given two question in about 100-120 words: Do you feel that the author had an aversion towards high school in general?

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Ans. For the author, going to the high school was like entering a new phase of life where everything was unfamiliar and strange. The author didn’t find any connection with any person or thing at his new school. He experienced a feeling of awkwardness and alienation as if he was going to start afresh in life. He was groping into dark as he felt totally isolated. He missed his old friends who were all admitted to different high schools. The thought of his old teachers would make him feel so sad that he would visit them often. It was just a new experience for him like it happens with most of us. The previous year at the junior high school, he enjoyed having at the senior most level and the very next year it was a strange feeling of being unknown amidst the unfamiliar surroundings. It Was not aversion that made him feel terrible about his new school, but a sense of estrangement that held him back from being connected to the new people and this new experience in his life.

What is the moral of the story ‘In the Kingdom of Fools’?

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Ans. The story is a Kannada folktale about a kingdom who was run by fools and idiots. The king and the minister are all foolish and have their own idiosyncrasies to manage the running of the kingdom. The lesson has few important messages to be conveyed to the reader fraternity. The first message is to keep a distance from foolish people in order to maintain sanity and prevent suffering in life. The guru, in the story, understands that the kingdom is run by the fools, being wise he left the place immediately. The second message is that fools can be handled by onily extremely wise people. There is no place for logic in the world of fools. The guru does not argue or reason the innocence of his disciple. Rather he traps the king and the minister with a wise plan by flattering the king and managing to convince him that the new stake was lucky. By doing so he not only saves the life of his disciple but also makes the kingdom get rid of the foolish king and his silly minister. Moreover, it is to be remembered not to be greedy ever in life. The disciple gets lured by the cheap prices as all commodities cost the same, a duddu. He gets himself into a scrape through his love of food.

Class IX – English Practice Paper – 3 – Answers