Class IX - English Sample Paper - 4 - Practice for Everyone

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Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

i. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.

ii. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.

iii. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section – A

Reading

I. Read the passage given below:

The Indian education system in the ancient times was truly world class, which attracted scholars from all over the world to come in search of knowledge. A guru was the most respected intellectual resource who truly earned that respect due to her/his calibre and value system. However, the current scenario of education, at least in terms of quality, value system and employability has been a cause of concern. Technology, particularly information technology, has been a game changer in the process, which calls for a complete re-engineering of educational process and system both in content and style of delivery. This has made access to knowledge very easy-Google and YouTube for example, can answer any query on any topic; anytime, anywhere; but it has also led to a side-effect due to which a student does not exercise her/ his mind to logically analyse, remember and resolve questions and quickly resort to these gadgets to look for a ready made answer.

There are no alternatives to transforming education system. Some strategical interventions are required like, expenditure on education must be seen as an investment in future of the nation rather than pursuing cost-centric approach. Nation’s future is created in classrooms. Hence, if we nurture education in all its segments, we are investing in the nation-building process. We should create conditions both economic and social; when the best of the society choose to join teaching and research as their preferred career options. An ideal teacher has to be academically brilliant; have inspiring communication skills and perceived as a person having a ‘role model’ value system, character, values and integrity. A teacher must co-create values in a learner in a collaborative manner. Such teachers will transform students to have not only great minds, but also equally matching mindsets.

Technology, with poor ethics and negative attitude can spell disaster. It is in the content that we should look at old Indian values, ethics and bring these contents at an early stage as possible. Finally, we need to search productively visionary, passionate and committed academic leaders to lead by setting examples.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(i) Information Technology has been named as……………..due to its easy accessibility.

View Answer

Ans. game changer

(ii) Which of the following is the side effect of using gadgets?

View Answer

Ans. students do not think logically

(iii) The writer is looking out for old Indian values and ethics because………………

(a) technology with poor ethics can cause disaster

(b) technology with negative attitude can cause disaster

(d) none of the above

View Answer

Ans. (c) Both (a) & (b)

(iv) Which of the following information about ancient Indian Education System is NOT TRUE?

(a) Ancient Indian education system was world class.

(b) It attracted scholars from all over the world.

(d) Scholars came to India in search of knowledge

View Answer

Ans. (c) A guru was not given much respect

(v) The current education system is a cause of concern because of it…………

(vi) What is the importance of investing in education?

(a) Transforming education system

(b) Nurture education

(d) Best of the society

View Answer

Ans. (c) Nation building process

(vii) How should an ideal teacher be?

(a) Academically brilliant.

(b) Inspiring communication skills.

(d) All of the above.

View Answer

Ans. (d) All of the above.

(viii) What transformation will the teachers bring about?

(a) Equally matching mind sets.

(b) Investing in education.

(d) Values and integrity.

View Answer

Ans. (a) Equally matching mind sets.

(ix) Choose a word from the passage which means ‘to reach a decision’.

View Answer

Ans. resolve

(x) The antonym of ‘modern’ in para 1 …………………

View Answer

Ans. ancient

II. Read the passage given below.

(1) A dabbawala is a person in Mumbai, whose job is carrying and delivering freshly made food from home in lunch boxes to office workers. They are formally known as MTBSA (Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association), but most people refer to them as the dabbawalas. The dabbawalas originated when India was under the British rule. Since many British people who came to India did not like the local food, a service was set up to bring lunch to their offices straight from their homes.

(2) Today, businessmen in modern Mumbai use this service and have become the main customers of the dabbawalas. By delivering to each employee his tiffin or lunch, the dabbawalas solve the problem for an estimated 200,000 people. They charge between 150 to 300, per dabba per month, depending on the location and collection time.

(3) They are an incredible team. They have a record of no strikes against management. They are always on time, even through the rainiest days on the planet. Their creativity and ingenuity have kept them alive. When telephones services were at a premium in India, the dabbawalas encouraged housewives to use their system to communicate with their spouses by placing little chits inside their boxes. The husbands enjoyed the chits as much as the food. Thus, the dabbawalas were able to “think outside the box” and broaden their capabilities given in a very limited infrastructure. Dabbawalas have also embraced technology. On March 25, 2006, the dabbawalas went online with www.mydabbawala.com. The dabbawalas have become icons of hard work and dedication. In fact, the 5,000 strong workforce (there are a handful of women) is so well known that Prince Charles paid them a visit during his recent trip to India. Several academic institutions regularly invite the dabbawala’s representatives for discussion, and to complement and enhance their academic content.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(i) Dabbawala’s job is………………and …………… freshly-made food from home to office workers.

View Answer

Ans. carrying, delivering

(ii) The employees of MTBSA are known as:

View Answer

Ans. dabbawalas

(iii) The dabbawalas started their services during…………….

(a) modern times

(b) British rule

(d) None of these

View Answer

Ans. (b) British rule

(iv) They provide services to nearly as many as…………. people.

(a) 2 thousand

(b) 2 lakh

(d) 20 lakh

View Answer

Ans. (b) 2 lakh

(vi) Dabbawalas are appreciated for their…………..thinking.

View Answer

Ans. out of the box

(vii) The working of dabbawalas is a ……….. in.. management and organisation.

View Answer

Ans. lesson

(viii) The dabbawalas have become icons of

(a) hard work

(b) dedication

(d) None of the above

View Answer

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b)

(ix) How long does it take for a dabba to reach office from home?

(a) 3-31⁄2 hours

(b) 4 hours

(d) 5 hours

View Answer

Ans. (a) 3-31⁄2 hours

(x) The return journey of dabbas start at……………

(a) 9:30 a.m.

(b) 10:30 a.m

(d) 1:30 p.m.

View Answer

Ans. (d) 1:30 p.m.

SECTION – B

GRAMMAR & WRITING

III. 1. Read the dialogue and complete the following passage by filling in appropriate words.

(A) Wife: Our son picks up money wherever I hide it.

Husband: Hide it in his books. He will never find it there.

Wife: Yes. You are right A worried wife told her husband that (a)…………… wherever she hid it. Her husband advised her (b)………….because (c) ………… The wife responded to her husband (d)…….. and said that he was right.

(a) (A) their son picked up money

(B) their son has picked up money

(D) their son had picked up money

View Answer

Ans. (A) their son picked up money

(b) (A) to hide the money in her books

(B) to hide the money in his books

(D) to hide the money in this books

View Answer

Ans. (B) to hide the money in his books

(B) he should never find it there

(D) he had never found it there

View Answer

Ans. (C) he would never find it there

(d) (A) in affirmative

(B) in affirmatively

(D) in yes

View Answer

Ans. (A) in affirmative

2. Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the following passage:

Mount Abu ….(i)….(be) the only hill station of Rajasthan, which is very popular in that region. According to the legend, it… (ii)…. (be) the home of Saint Vashishta who …. (iii)…. the four powerful Rajput tribes. Maharaja of Sirohi had given it on rent to the British Government who used it as the headquarters for the Resident of Rajputana situated at the Nakki Lake. It is known as a place that increases joy.

(i) (a) was

(b) is

(d) has been

View Answer

Ans. (b) is

(ii) (a) is

(b) were

(d) had been

View Answer

Ans. (c) was

(iii) (a) creating

(b) create

(d) created

View Answer

Ans. (d) created

3. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank is given. Write the incorrect word and correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as given in the example.

Error Correction

It is bad to has food stuck between your teeth e.g. has have for a long time.

This is because food attract germs and (a)……….. ……………

germs produce acid. This hurts our teeth and gums. (b)…………. …………..

Floss helps to remove the food (c)……….. …………..

that gets stuck between your tooth. (d) …………. …………..

View Answer

Ans. (a) attract attracts

In present tense, ‘s/es’ used with V1, if the subject is singular of IIIrd person.

(b) our your

The passage is in imperative tone, i.e., the object ‘you’ is being addressed. So ‘our’ should be replaced by ‘your’

(c) Floss Flossing

‘Flossing’ is a process of teeth getting being flossed-by someone (to remove bacteria, resting between teeth)

(d) tooth teeth

The preposition between used when there are two subjects. ‘So……between your teeth’ is the correct usage.

IV. 1. Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words:

(A) With the help of the given clues, write a short description of A.R. Rahman :

Born: January 6, 1966, Chennai, Tamil Nadu rises to success as A.R. Rahman, music director and singer

Family: loses father at an early age, mother’s indulgence great

Trained Under : Master Dhanraj, Ilaiyaraaja

Education: graduates in Western classical music from Trinity College of Music

Significant Year: 1992-sets up a recording studio; file career begins

Achievements: Awards

✦ fourteen Film fare, four National Film, two Grammy, two Academy etc.

◆ Padma Bhushan in 2010

Contribution to Music: immense, national icon

View Answer

Ans.

A.R. Rahman

A. A.R. Rahman was born on 6 January 1966 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He lost his father at an early age. His mother’s great influence helped him a lot and he rose to success as A.R. Rahman, the music director and singer. He received his training from Master Dhanraj and Ilaiyaraaja. He graduated in western classical music from Trinity college of Music. Year 1992 was a significant year for him as he set up a recording studio and with that his film career began. He bagged many awards. His achievement include fourteen Film Fare awards, four National Film awards, two Grammy awards and two Academy awards, to name a few. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2010. He has contributed immensely to music and is known as the national icon.

(B) Your school recently celebrated its ‘Sports Day’. Give a brief account of celebrations in about 100- 120 words.

View Answer

Ans.

SPORTS DAY

The eighth Annual Sports Meet of our school was held on 9th and 10th December this year. The playground was cleaned and a big canopy was set up on one side for visitors and on the other side for participants. The students participated with full zeal and zest in more than fifty events which included races, shot put throws, long jump, gymnastics etc. There were some mock events also like sack race, spoon & chair race etc. The function was presided over by the District Magistrate. He gave away prizes to the winners. The titles of Best Boy and Best Girl were given to Anurag Jadon of XII A and Chhaya of XI C respectively. The sports day ended with a note of thanks from our principal. The next day was declared a holiday. A. Sunday, 20th June, 20XX

7:00 pm

2. Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words:

(A) Indian weddings are matchless in grandeur, glamour and luxury. They are also incomparable in wastage, extravagance and sheer display of money and wealth. Record your experience of such marriages in your diary.

View Answer

Ans.

Dear Diary,

They say that Indian weddings are matchless in glory, grandeur and glamour. In comparison, weddings in Europe and America pale into insignificance. The other side of the story is that Indian marriages are matchless in wastage, extravagance and vulgar display of money and wealth. Recently I happened to attend one such big marriage. About five thousand guests were invited to the ‘baraat’ or the wedding party. A township of stalls serving hundreds of dishes, drinks and sweets had come up on the sprawling lawns of a five-star hotel. The ceremony lasted till midnight. Even by a conservative estimate it was a show worth in crores. Surely this amount would have been sufficient to feed all the beggars and orphans of the city for months. It speaks volumes of disparity that has become the main feature of Indian society. A small minority grabs all the riches and wealth of the nation. The extravagance and vulgar display in Indian marriages are at the cost of the starving millions.

I hope that people understand the value of food! Good night diary!

Arpit

Using the following cue, develop an interesting story in 150 words. Give a title to your story.

(B) You wanted to see an IPL Cricket match in the stadium instead of TV. Your father did not allow you. You went to the stadium without telling your father. When you reached there, you found your father standing in the queue there.

View Answer

Ans.

The Only Time I lied

The IPL Season was on and I also wanted to watch the match in the stadium instead of TV. My father, a tough nut to crack, was not giving permission. All my friends were going and I gave into the temptation of going with them without telling my parents. We went to the stadium after telling my parents that we are all studying at a friend’s place. I was thrilled as I would be fulfilling a long cherished desire. We reached the stadium and got into a queue there. We were all laughing and chatting. Suddenly, the man in front of us turned around and of all the people on earth it had to be my father ! He had identified us by our voices and his face was expressionless. He bought tickets for all of us and we went to watch the match. The match was very exciting and my favourite team won, but all the excitement had gone. I went home with my father and on the way I started apologising and crying. My father very calmly kept his hand on my shoulder and told me that he had overheard our plan and that is why he had come there. I felt very sorry for having lied to him and decided I would never go against my parents’ wishes.

Section – C

Literature

V. 1. Read the extracts given below and attempt ANY ONE by answering the question that follow:

(A) ‘I used to be so lonely’, Maria Sharapova recalls, I missed my mother terribly. My father was working as much as he could to keep my tennis-training going. So, he couldn’t see me either”. ‘Because I was so young, I used to go to bed at 8 p.m. The other tennis pupils would come in at 11 p.m. and wake me up and order me to tidy up the room and clean it.’

‘Instead of letting that depress me, I became more quietly determined and mentally tough. I learnt how to take care of myself. I never thought of quitting because I knew what I wanted. When you come from nothing and you have nothing, then it makes you very hungry and determined… I would have put up with much more humiliation and insults than that to steadfastly pursue my dream.’

(i) Maria Sharapova was alone because………

(a) her mother couldn’t come due to visa problems

(b) father was busy in his work

(d) none of these

View Answer

Ans. (c) both (a) & (b)

(ii) What did the other tennis players order her?

(a) Tidy up the room

(b) Clear the room

(d) Both (a) and (b)

View Answer

Ans. (d) Both (a) and (b)

(iii) The word from the passage that means the same as ‘aim ať.

(a) determined

(b) quitting

(d) wanted

View Answer

Ans. (c) pursue

(iv) Which of the following is true about Maria?

(a) All tennis pupils were friendly with Maria.

(b) Maria was determined and mentally tough.

(d) Maria belonged to a rich family.

View Answer

Ans. (b) Maria was determined and mentally tough.

(v) The word which means the same as ‘to make someone lose respect of oneself’ is………

(a) steadfastly

(b) humiliation

(d) hungry

View Answer

Ans. (b) humiliation

(B) After school, we went home and told our respective parents about the incident. Lakshmana Sa summoned the teacher and in our presence, told the teacher that he should not spread the po of social inequality and communal intolerance in the minds to innocent children. He bluntly as the teacher to either apologise or quit the school and the island. Not only did the teacher regret behaviour, but the strong sense of conviction Lakshmana Sastry conveyed ultimately reformed young teacher.

(i) What brought about a change in the teacher?

(a) His inner self.

(b) Student’s behaviour.

(d) His apology.

View Answer

Ans. (c) Strong sense of conviction conveyed by Lakshmana Sastry.

(ii) The speaker lived in a society which was……………..

(a) insecure

(b) truly secular

(d) none of the above

View Answer

Ans. (b) truly secular

(iii) What was the reaction of the teacher?

(a) He regretted his behaviour

(b) He was happy

(d) He was annoyed

View Answer

Ans. (a) He regretted his behaviour

(iv) The word/phrase in the passage which means ‘strong opinion or belief’ is …………

(a) intolerance

(b) bluntly

(d) apologize

View Answer

Ans. (c) conviction

(v) Choose the option which meaning the same as ‘called’.

(a) conviction

(b) summoned

(d) conveyed

View Answer

Ans. (b) summoned

2. Read the extracts given below and attempt ANY ONE by answering the questions that follow:

(A) It is the human earth that we defile.

Out hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence

of air that is everywhere our own,

Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.

(i) What does the work ‘defile’ mean?

(a) damage

(b) spoil

(d) all of these

View Answer

Ans. (d) all of these

(ii) How do we humiliate the Mother Earth?

(a) By polluting

(b) By fighting

(d) By hatred

View Answer

Ans. (c) By killing one another

(iii) When is the earth defiled?

(a) When people fight

(b) When people use abusive language

(d) When people hate one another

View Answer

Ans. (d) When people hate one another

(iv) Name the poet.

(a) Coates Kinney

(b) James Kirkup

(d) Phoebe Cary

View Answer

Ans. (b) James Kirkup

(v) The antonym of ‘guilt in the above lines is…..

(a) defile

(b) fire

(d) innocence

View Answer

Ans. (d) innocence

(B) So hack and chop

But this alone won’t do it.

Not so much pain will do it

The bleeding bark will heal

And from close to the ground

Will rise curled green twigs.

(i) Name the poet.

(a) Edward Lear

(b) James Kirkup

(d) WWE Ross

View Answer

Ans. (c) Gieve Patel

(ii) What does bleeding bark’ mean?

(a) bleeding tree

(b) chopped bark

(d) None of the above

View Answer

Ans. (b) chopped bark

(iii) After hacking and chopping a tree, it will………….

(a) die

(b) not bleed

(d) stand as such

View Answer

Ans. (c) begin to grow again

(iv) The poetic device used in line 4 is

(a) alliteration

(b) assonance

(d) simile

View Answer

Ans. (a) alliteration

(v) The word which means the same as ‘a rough cut or blow’ in these lines. …………..

(a) chop

(b) bark

(d) hack

View Answer

Ans. (d) hack

VI. 1. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.

(i) Do you think that the poem, ‘Rain on the Roof’, is lauding the healing power of the rain?

View Answer

Ans. The poet is appreciating rain, especially when he hears it from a cosy bed in a lovely cottage. The rain and its sound have resurrected the fondest memory of the poet’s mother in his mind. As the rain continues, the poet tries to recollect all that caused him pain, yet at the same time lifted his spirits.

(ii) Briefly describe one major theme of the poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree.

View Answer

Ans. The major theme in The Lake Isle of Innisfree, is nature versus civilisation. What we value in life is often the exact opposite of what civilisation brings with it. Nature allows us to explore the various forms of life but, civilisation has set certain rules we have to abide by.

(iii) We hate our brothers and begin to harm them as well as ourselves. How?

View Answer

Ans. It is a common tendency of people that they hate their brothers. We should always remember whenever we do any wrong to our brothers, we begin to define our spirit and soul. By doing so, we also harm ourselves. We betray and criticise ourselves. The major harm that we do to undergo is that our character is lost.

(iv) How did Evelyn’s deafness come to light?

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Ans. At the age of 8 when her name was announced to play on piano, she did not respond. At the age of 11, her marks deteriorated. The headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist and her hearing impairment was discovered.

(v) What should we do to make friends with the wind?

View Answer

Ans. Wind, literally, can be our friend. Wind is a phenomenon which teaches us how to be strong. Our friends always teach us to be strong and determined. In times of need, wind wants us to face our obstacles. Hence, we have to be strong when there are obstacles in our life so that we don’t get beaten up by them.

2. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.

(i) Why did the author’s grandfather decide to buy Toto?

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Ans. The author’s grandfather was an animal lover and took pity on toto as it was kept tied to a feeding through. Toto looked out of place and he decided to bring it to his private zoo. He was much impressed by Toto.

(ii) Why did the Guru want that he and his disciple should die first?

View Answer

Ans. The king had ordered the execution of the rich merchant. Since the rich merchant could not be executed, the disciple was chosen to fit the stake. The disciple’s Guru had a vision and saw everything. In order to save his disciple, the Guru hatched a plan.

(iii) How does Iswaran describe the story of the elephant? Does it appear to be plausible?

View Answer

Ans. Iswaran narrated that one day, an elephant went mad, stamping on bushes, breaking fences, smashing fruit stalls, mud pots and clothes. He even entered a school ground breaking through the brick wall. Iswaran, who was in the junior class, whacked its third toe nail with a rod and it collapsed. No, the story does not appear to be plausible.

3. Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words:

A. What qualities did Santosh Yadav possess as a mountaineer? Support your answer with examples.

View Answer

Ans. Santosh had firm determination and the positive spirit to achieve her goal. She was adventurous in nature and had a lot of physical endurance and mental toughness which helped her to climb Mt. Everest twice. Her remarkable resistance to cold and altitude, hard work and sincerity helped her to scale Mt. Everest just at the age of twenty. Her concern for others and desire to work together with them, found her a special place in the hearts of fellow climbers. As a mountaineer, she was concerned about its cleanliness as she brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

B. What were the circumstances that forced Kezia to change her opinion about her father?

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Ans. When her mother was hospitalised, her grandmother went to stay with her. Kezia used to sleep alone at night. She was so scared that she started shouting at night. She had nightmares and trembled a lot with fear. Then her father came to her room and took her into his arms to comfort her. She felt secure with her father near her. Then, she realised that her father was busy with work and had no time to play. She even realised that her father loved her but didn’t have the art of expressing it. Thus, her attitude towards her father changed from negative to positive.

4. Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words:

A. Difficult situations mark the development or certain qualities in us. Explain with reference to the story The Lost Child.

View Answer

Ans. It is true that difficult situations mark the development of certain qualities in us. What we require is that we must have courage in our heart, trust over ourself and tolerance. It comes to be true as in the story “The Lost Child”. Before separation, the child was very happy and excited at the fair. He was fascinated with all the things that were displayed at the stalls. He wanted to have all the things like his favourite toys, sweets, flowers etc., but after separation, the boy just wanted to be with his parents. When another man wanted to feed him sweets, he denies and says that he needs only his parents. He takes him to every other place which the child had desired earlier but, he denies and only wants to meet his parents. In this way, It is seen that certain qualities develop in difficult situations.

B. Why did the Happy Prince want to part with all the gold, precious stones he has?

View Answer

Ans. The Happy Prince viewed misery and suffering in his city after his death. He was greatly moved and wanted to help the needy. He saw the pale faces of hungry children and realised the pain of homeless people. He decided to help and shower happiness in their lives and tried to improve their living conditions. The Happy Prince felt he could change the lives of the poor people with whatever he had. He sacrificed himself for the sake of poor and needy people. He decided to part with all his gold and precious stones for them.

Class IX – English Sample Paper – 4