9

CBSE
Vol-1 & 2

Assignments in

ENGLISH PLUS
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
(Based on NCERT Textbook: BEEHIVE & MOMENTS and as per the latest CBSE Syllabus)

TEACHERS' HANDBOOK

(Progressive Educational Publishers)

Full Marks Pvt Ltd

New Delhi-110002
MRP: ` 80.00
(Inclusive of all taxes)
 CONTENTS
Volume - 1
SECTION A: READING
♦ Type - I : Factual Passages Assignments – 1 to 12 .......... 3 – 6
♦ Type - II : Discursive Passages Assignments – 1 to 12 .... 6 – 9
SECTION - B: WRITING & GRAMMAR
[As per the 2018-19 CBSE Syllabus Newly included topic]
♦ Descriptive paragraph (person/place/event) ............ 9 – 10
Part - I : Writing .............................................................. 9 – 25
♦ Integrated Exercise for Practice ................................. 11 – 16
• Composition-I ................................................................ 11
A. Diary Entry .............................................................. 11
B. Article ..................................................................... 12
• Composition-II............................................................... 14
Short Story ..................................................................... 14
♦ Assignments – 1 to 12 ................................................. 16 – 25
Part - II : Grammar ....................................................... 25 – 28
♦ Integrated Exercise for Practice ................................. 25 – 27
1. Cloze (Gap-Filling) ....................................................... 25
2. Editing Task (Error-Correction) .................................... 25
3. Editing Task (Omissions) .............................................. 26
4. Sentence Re-Ordering ................................................... 26
5. Sentence Transformation ............................................... 26
♦ Assignments – 1 to 12 ................................................. 27 – 28
  Note: Please note this Teachers’ Handbook contains the Solutions for the Assignments/ Diagnostic Test/ Unit Assignments
given in the book Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature - 9 published by Full Circle Education Pvt Ltd.
  © All rights reserved with the Author.
(ii)
Volume - 2
SECTION - C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS
Literature Reader — Beehive ....................................... 29 – 61
♦ Prose ........................................................................... 29 – 51
1. The Fun They Had ......................................................... 29
2. The Sound of Music ...................................................... 31
3. The Little Girl ................................................................ 33
4. A Truly Beautiful Mind ................................................. 35
5. The Snake and the Mirror .............................................. 37
6. My Childhood ............................................................... 39
7. Packing .......................................................................... 41
8. Reach for the Top .......................................................... 43
9. The Bond of Love ......................................................... 45
10. Kathmandu .................................................................... 47
11. If I Were You ................................................................. 49
♦ Poetry ......................................................................... 52 – 61
1. The Road Not Taken ...................................................... 52
2. Wind .............................................................................. 53
3. Rain on the Roof ........................................................... 53
4. The Lake Isle of Innisfree ............................................. 54
5. A Legend of the Northland ............................................ 55
6. No Men Are Foreign ..................................................... 56
7. The Duck and the Kangaroo .......................................... 57
8. On Killing a Tree ........................................................... 58
9. The Snake Trying .......................................................... 60
10. A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal ...................................... 60
Supplementary Reader — Moments ............................ 62 – 77
1. The Lost Child ............................................................... 62
2. The Adventures of Toto ................................................. 63
3. Iswaran the Storyteller .................................................. 65
4. In the Kingdom of Fools ............................................... 66
5. The Happy Prince .......................................................... 68
6. Weathering the Storm in Ersama ................................... 69
7. The Last Leaf ................................................................ 71
8. A House Is Not a Home ................................................. 72
9. The Accidental Tourist................................................... 74
10. The Beggar .................................................................... 75
Unit Assignments ........................................................... 77 – 80
Unit Assignments – 1 ............................................................ 77
Unit Assignments – 2 ............................................................ 78
Unit Assignments – 3 ............................................................ 79
Unit Assignments – 4 ............................................................ 79
 VOLUME - 1
SECTION - A: READING
Type - I : Factual Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1.1 (i) Bats come out at night to find food.
(ii) Many people used to think that bats had unusually
keen eyesight and could see by light too faint for
human eyes to detect.
(iii) Scientists have now discovered that a bat’s ability
to navigate depends not on its eyes, but on its ears
and vocal organs.
(iv) He found that the bats flew through the maze
without touching the threads. When he plugged
their ears, they became entangled in the threads.
He felt that bats used their ears rather than their
eyes to find their way in the dark.
(v) In 1920 a scientist suggested that the bats sent
out signals that were beyond the range of human
hearing.
(vi) The new electronic instrument showed that the
bats were uttering high-pitched cries, and that they
were constantly squeaking as they flew through a
maze of wires that had been set up in the dark.
(vii) When the scientists taped the bats’ mouth, they
found that the animals blundered badly.
(viii) Bats use echoes to locate things in the dark.
(ix) Found — detected.
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1.1 (i) Agriculture sector is important in India because
it sustains much of the rural population as well
as industrial sector and service sector. We can’t
imagine Indian economy without agriculture.
(ii) Since 1991 the Indian economy has been growing at
an average annual rate of around 6%, as compared
to 5.4% in the 1980s and 3.5% prior to that. This has
led to a growth in GDP and reduction in poverty.
(iii) According to the planning commission estimates,
the percentage of India’s population living below
poverty line has declined substantially from 51.3
per cent in 1977-78 to 26.1 per cent in 1999-2000.
(iv) The country needs large doses of infrastructure
additions such as roads and highways, power
plants and distribution of networks, airports and
ports in order to sustain rapid growth and attract
Foreign Direct Investments.
(v) Indian economy is one of the fastest growing
economies in the world.
3
(vi) Due to economic reforms and liberalisation Indian
economy grew at an average rate of around 6%.
(vii) The government is determined to improve the
condition of rural India where the major portion
of our population lives.
(viii) Proper infrastructure can attract Foreign Direct
Investment, which is required for economic
growth.
(ix) Inequalities — disparities.
ASSIGNMENT – 3
1.1 (i) A good night’s sleep can help one in stress
management. When one does not get enough sleep,
one becomes victim of more stress.
(ii) According to experts, deep sleep enables our
nervous system to function well. Without it,
we lose our ability to concentrate, remember or
analyse.
(iii) Proteins are essential for cell growth and repair of
damage caused due to stress. Thus, one is able to
manage stress more effectively.
(iv) Activity in the area of the brain that controls
emotions and social interactions lessens during
deep sleep. This helps people to be emotionally
and socially adept when awake.
(v) The study in Canada revealed that students
deprived of sleep after learning a complex logic
game showed a 30% learning deficit when tested
a week later compared with students not deprived
of sleep.
(vi) The common ailments found in insomniacs are
chest pain, arthritis, depression, etc.
(vii) Even temporary loss of sleep can affect our body’s
ability to break down carbohydrates, interfere with
the function of various harmones and worsens the
severity of diabetes and high blood pressure.
(viii) The author suggests the reader to sleep well to
avoid problems caused by not getting good sleep.
(ix) Sleeplessness — Insomnia.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1.1 (i) The Christmas tree is an evergreen tree, usually
a balsam or douglas fir decorated with lights and
ornaments. These people treated the wreaths and
garlands of this tree as a symbol of eternal life.
 (ii) The Christians decorate their houses and barns
with Christmas tree in the new year to scare away
the devil and to set up a tree for the birds flying
around this time.
(iii) The modern Christmas tree originated in West
Germany. The religious feast of Adam and Eve is
observed on 24th December.
(iv) Christmas pyramid is a triangular construction of
wood, with shelves to hold Christmas figurines,
candles and a star. By the 16th century the
Christmas pyramid and the paradise tree had
merged which gave the concept of modern
Christmas tree.
(v) The tree worship was common among the pagan
Europeans. They were converted to Christianity.
(vi) They were set up for birds in the new year. These
birds were flying around.
(vii) In the famous medieval play a fir tree was
hung with apples. It was the paradise tree and
symbolised the garden of Eden.
(viii) 24 December was celebrated as the religious feast
day of Adam and Eve. This practice was popular
in Germany.
(ix) Drive away — scare away.
ASSIGNMENT – 5
1.1 (i) The two activities of man which are closely
associated with energy generation are — rapid
industrialisation and modernisation of technology
from field to factories.
(ii) An increase in the average global temperature is
known as global warming.
(iii) Carbondioxide is the main greenhouse gas. The
source of this gas is from fossil fuel combustion
like coal, petroleum and natural gas.
(iv) Other greenhouse gases are methane (CH 2 ),
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrous oxide
(N2O).
(v) The sources of these gases are biomass
burning, fumes emitted from refrigeration and
airconditioning plants, industrial fumes etc.
(vi) The ever-rising temperature of the earth will
disturb its (earth’s) ecological balance, its normal
cyclic seasons, melting of polar ice caps and the
ultimate rise in sea level.
(vii) Melting of polar ice caps will be dangerous
for mankind because it will lead to widespread
flooding in coastal regions all over the world and
large part of world’s civilisation may disappear
beneath the sea.
(viii) Scientists are searching ways and means to fight
this impending danger under the guidance of
ICSU.
(ix) Vanish — disappear.
4 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
ASSIGNMENT – 6
1.1 (i) Safflower has inhibitory effects on hypertension
and many other diseases. It is anticholesterolemic,
purgative, diaphoretic, laxative, emmenagogue,
sedative and stimulant. It is good for skin.
(ii) It contains a higher percentage of essential
unsaturated fatty acids and a lower percentage of
saturated fatty acids than other edible vegetable
seed oils. It lowers the cholesterol.
(iii) • It is used to treat rashes and mild inflammation
of the skin.
• It is known to reduce fever by boosting the
immune system.
(iv) It was used to treat measles before the vaccination
was developed. It is a good supplement of
pharmaceutical harmones, especially in case of
women having irregular menstrual cycles.
(v) Lower cholesterol help reduce the risk of
cardiovascular diseases.
(vi) Safflower reduces fever by boosting up the
immune system.
(vii) Because it has a high quantity of linoleic acid
which functions as a natural moisturising agent.
(viii) It is used in ‘Macassar’ hair oil and Bombay sweet
oil.
(ix) Collected — accumulated.
ASSIGNMENT – 7
1.1 (i) The Indus Valley civilisation was probably ousted
by an invasion of Aryan people from the Iranian
plateau after about a thousand years.
(ii) Aryan people built towns and cities along the
Ganges plains. They spread their culture and made
Sanskrit language popular.
(iii) Buddhism became popular in southern and eastern
Asia.
(iv) • Chandragupta Maurya
• Ashoka
Chandragupta Maurya established the Magadha
kingdom and expanded its boundaries. Under
Ashoka, this empire reached its peak.
(v) Hunnish invasions in the 5th century led to the
downfall of the Gupta dynasty.
(vi) The powerful Sultanate of Delhi was established
by a Turkish Sultan, named Mahmud.
(vii) The Sikh religion came into existence in the 14th
century.
(viii) Babur laid the foundation of the Mughal empire.
His grandson Akbar extended it in northern India
and in the Deccan.
(ix) Attack — invasion.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1.1 (i) Clammy skin, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and
profuse sweating.
(ii) The victim is laid down by raising the feet 8 to 12
inches. His body is covered with cool, wet clothes.
He is given sips of salt water.
(iii) High body temperature; a rapid pulse; hot, dry
skin; and a blocked sweating mechanism.
(iv) The victim should be placed in a tub of cold water
or repeatedly sponged with cool water until his/
her temperature is sufficiently lowered.
(v) If a large amount of water and/or salt are lost by
way of sweating, heat exhaustion occurs.
(vi) Because it is an absolute life-threatening situation.
(vii) Body temperature may reach 106 º F or more than
this.
(viii) After heat stroke when the victim is chilled, the
temperature should not fall down below 102 º F.
(ix) Wipe out — eliminate.
ASSIGNMENT – 9
1.1 (i) After the collapse of communism in the former
Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the cold war
ended and several new nations emerged in the
world.
(ii) There are now 15 republics in place of the Soviet
Union. Czechoslovakia has split into two and
Germany has reunited.
(iii) In the Balkans and some of the former states of
the Soviet Union age-old hostilities between ethnic
groups have re-emerged in the form of outright
civil war.
(iv) The speed and degree of our exploitation of
global resources have increased dramatically and
threatened the very future of the planet.
(v) • The world is growing smaller.
• A truly global economy has been created.
(vi) We gather superficial information on a daily basis.
(vii) Despite having better forms of communications we
fail to gain insight into and understand different
customs, religions, languages and lifestyles of
many nations of the world.
(viii) ‘Impacts of Modern Communication’.
(ix) Broke into parts — fragmented.
ASSIGNMENT – 10
1.1 (i) Vegetarianism spreads across the world the
message of universal love and non-violence.
(ii) Leading a vegetarian lifestyle helps the animal
kingdom to coexist with man. The animals supply
milk, manure and energy. Such a lifestyle is
natural, multifaceted and helps self-preservation
in a healthy way.
Vol - 1 — Section - A: Reading
(iii) Lacto-vegetarians are those people who use dairy
products of the animal kingdom.
(iv) The Western science of food considers food
as something to sustain only the human body,
whereas the Indian science considers food as
something that sustains not only the body but also
maintains purity of heart, mind and soul.
(v) Food which is injurious to the mind is not
considered fit for consumption.
(vi) Indian food science gives importance to food that
increases the strength of body and its virility.
(vii) Non-vegetarian foods lack taste of their own
because these foods have to be seasoned with
ingredients from the vegetable kingdom to make
them tasty.
(viii) It is an old saying which means it is the food that
makes the man. To lead a healthy life, we should be
particular to the food we eat, its quality, quantity,
its timing and combination.
(ix) Support — sustain.
ASSIGNMENT – 11
1.1 (i) The term ‘Bhoodan’ means ‘donate land’.
(ii) His mission in life was to improve the condition
of the landless peasants.
(iii) He appealed to them to donate one-sixth of their
land for the landless families of the farmers.
(iv) In eighteen years he was able to collect 4-2 million
acres as land gifted from 6,00,000 donors. This
shows that his appeal had a tremendous response.
(v) Talks on the Gita is Vinoba Bhave’s best known
work. It is a collection of discourses which he
delivered to prisoners during his imprisonment in
British jails.
(vi) He was the favourite disciple of M.K. Gandhi. At
the age of 10 years he decided to remain unmarried
and serve the country.
(vii) The Bhoodan movement opened the way for many
land reforms. Ceiling on land was imposed finally.
(viii) It was started from Pochampalli, which is a village
in Andhra Pradesh.
(ix) Pledged — vowed.
ASSIGNMENT – 12
1.1 (i) Sewage is a watery mixture of all wastes that come
from various sources. It includes human wastes,
soapy and dirty water from sinks and bathrooms,
food scraps and other garbage washed down the
drains.
(ii) Two ways of disposing the sewage are — (i) it
can be stored in underground septic tanks until it
gets soaked into the soil, and (ii) it can be dumped
into rivers and oceans. The second method is not
a good option because it causes serious pollution.
5
 (iii) Under primary treatment level, the solid wastes
are removed and allowed to sink to the bottom of
a large tank. The liquid sewage is drained off the
top. The solid sewage is then collected from the
bottom and burnt.
(iv) Under secondary treatment level, the harmful
germs and the floating wastes are removed. The
sewage is then mixed with those bacteria that
breakdown the wastes into harmless products.
Type - II : Discursive Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1
2.1 (i) Swami Vivekananda used to shed tears because
of the poor condition of his countrymen. While
travelling to the cities of Europe he observed that
even the poor people were well-educated there and
led a life of comfort. But here in his own country a
vast section of people were illiterate and they were
bound to lead a very tough life.
(ii) The Irish colonists were downtrodden, haggard-
looking, destitute of all possessions at home and
penniless. They were wooden-headed. Their only
belongings included a stick and bundle of rags
hanging at the end of it. There was fright in their
steps and alarm in their eyes.
(iii) Right from his birth Pat was told that he was born
slave and would remain so. When he landed in
America, he was told that he was a man like them
and he could do everything.
(iv) The keynote of Veda and Vedanta is the Shradha
which emboldened Nachiketa to face Yama and
question him. Self-knowledge is important as it
helps one to free oneself from the bondage of
worldly existence.
(v) Education helps people gain freedom from the
bondage of worldly existence and bring prosperity
in life.
2.2 (i) hypnotised (ii) the shout going up
(iii) remedy
2.3 (i) Inherent (ii) Gradually
(iii) Spectacle
ASSIGNMENT – 2
2.1 (i) The farmer thought that it was the snake that
guarded his field. He was filled with regret for not
paying respect to it. One day he left a bowl of milk
near the ant hill in his field and went back to his
house. The next morning he found that there was
a gold coin in the bowl. So the farmer regarded the
snake as a deity.
(ii) One day the farmer’s son decided to take all the
gold coins hidden in the ant hill by killing the
6 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
(v) A single house generally produces hundreds of
gallons of sewage every day.
(vi) Sewage is generally stored in underground safety
tanks. Gradually it is soaked by soil and then can
be dumped into rivers or oceans.
(vii) The liquid sewage is poured into rivers.
(viii) Chlorine kills germs and other micro-organisms
present in water.
(ix) Deposit as rubbish — dump.
snake.
(iii) The farmer was a greedy man. His greed took the
life of his son. He also lost his friendship with the
snake.
(iv) One day the farmer went to a nearby city for
a few days and told his son to place the milk
bowl near the ant hill everyday. His son did the
same everyday to find a gold coin the next day.
Eventually he became greedy. He thought that
the ant hill must be full of gold coins which
he could take by killing the serpent. The next
day he stabbed the snake with a club. The
snake escaped and bit him. He was dead at
once.
(v) Because the farmer regarded the snake as a deity.
He also got a gold coin the next morning.
2.2 (i) under the shadow of a tree
(ii) gold (iii) sharp fangs
2.3 (i) Toil (ii) Guarding
(iii) Foolishness
ASSIGNMENT – 3
2.1 (i) Man is bestowed with the power of concentration.
He can learn things and can keep them in his
mind for a longer period of time. But animals
lack this power. They constantly forget what is
told them.
(ii) It means difference in power of concentration. A
child’s face would be the most beautiful face in the
world when everyone could concentrate his mind
on that same face.
(iii) A child loves lively music because the rapidity of
the notes gives the mind no chance to wander. A
man having great love for common music dislikes
classical music, because it is more complicated
and requires a greater degree of concentration to
follow it.
(iv) The trouble with the concentration is that we
do not control the mind, it controls us. When
someone speaks to us well upon a subject we like,
it becomes easy for our mind to concentrate upon
 what that person is saying.
(v) The animals forget what is told to them. They
cannot concentrate their mind on anything.
2.2 (i) concentration (ii) attracts
(iii) controls
2.3 (i) Degree (ii) Fastened
(iii) Trouble
ASSIGNMENT – 4
2.1 (i) In failures, people usually do not like to confess
their own faults and weaknesses. They try to
hold themselves faultless and lay the blame upon
somebody or something else, or even on bad
luck. When heads of families fail, they should ask
themselves, why it is that some persons manage a
family so well and others do not.
(ii) A man’s personality plays an important role in
his life. If he owns an impressive personality,
he gets success everywhere. It is the personality
of the man that is counted throughout his life.
One may be known for one’s high thoughts, but
what makes one different from others is one’s
personality.
(iii) The aim of education should be man-making in
the real sense of the term. It should make the man
grow naturally. It should sharpen his personality
and intellect.
(iv) The man who influences, who throws his magic,
as it were, upon his fellow-beings, has been called
‘a dynamo of power’. When that man is ready,
he can do anything and everything he likes; that
personality put upon anything will make it work.
Such a man influences his fellow-beings through
his outstanding personality.
(v) Men are made up of two-thirds of personality and
one-third of intellect.
2.2 (i) faultless (ii) thoughts
(iii) grow in their life
2.3 (i) Weaknesses (ii) Genuine
(iii) Dynamo
ASSIGNMENT – 5
2.1 (i) He sees there are a large number of beggars and
ash-smeared sadhus who are eager to receive
dakshina from the pilgrims. He also comes
across innumerable well-dressed men carrying
receipt books who are impatient to come to the
visitors and speak to them for donations for
unknown orphanages, gowshalas or for guru-
ka-langar. Pandas are also seen busy in money-
making.
(ii) The author has come to Haridwar to watch the
ritual of sunset worship. The sunset worship
is very interesting time. The author does not
Vol - 1 — Section - A: Reading
care the rainfall and goes to watch the sunset
aarti.
(iii) As soon as temple gong announces the start of
the ritual, priests come down the steps of the ghat
bearing large-branched oil-lamps and stand with
their feet in the river. They wave their clusters
of lamps in a circular motion touching their base
to the stream. Then begins the chanting which
resounds the whole atmosphere.
(iv) The author feels highly elated. The scene of the
ritual leaves hypnotizing effect on him. Although
he calls himself agnostic (atheist), very happily
he joins the people who raise the cry Bolo Bolo
Ganga Mata Ki Jai. His enthusiasm lasts so long
the bells tinkle.
(v) The author has a liking for the ritual of sunset
worship. Besides, he has immersed the ashes of
his grandfather here.
2.2 (i) unknown orphanages, gowshalas or for guru-ka-
langar.
(ii) hailstrom (iii) agnostic
2.3 (i) Accost (ii) Cluster
(iii) Reluctantly
ASSIGNMENT – 6
2.1 (i) The common opinion is that happiness involves
fun activities, good living and plenty of wealth.
But in reality happiness has no association with fun
activities or wealth. These are superfluous things.
Happiness is a stronger, deeper and more abiding
emotion.
(ii) Man’s ultimate goal should be attainment
of true happiness. But the way to attain this
happiness is not easy or smooth. It is, rather,
very tough and complicated. In such a situation
if one is determined to reach that goal, one
should be hard working. Happiness earned
through constant efforts gives real joy and it lasts
life long.
(iii) The sources of true happiness involve some
amount of pain. People usually avoid the very
endeavour that is the source of true happiness.
Difficult endeavours such as raising of children,
establishing worthwhile in life are some of the
sources of true happiness.
(iv) One who is engaged in some kind of work is
happy. ‘Work is worship’ is an old saying. Of
course, work holds the key to happiness as doing
something which increases confidence and self-
worth. It brings a feeling of satisfaction, of doing
something, of contributing.
(v) Money cannot give job satisfaction. Actually it
comes from the challenge of jobs.
7
2.2 (i) experience (ii) great happiness
(iii) to reach our goal
2.3 (i) Intangible (ii) Industrious
(iii) Satisfaction
ASSIGNMENT – 7
2.1 (i) The author felt small and inadequate in Muscat
because he found the city more beautiful and
lovable than Delhi, his home town. Fifteen
years ago, Muscat was a barren waste of stocky
mountains on which nothing grew. It was just like
a dusty waste land with extreme temperatures.
(ii) There came several changes in Muscat overtime.
Today, the city has broad highways running along
its extensive coast and into the interior. Potable
water distilled from the sea irrigates lawns, date-
palms and flowering bushes along the roads.
Where there were no trees to be seen for miles are
avenues of casuarina and gulmohur.
(iii) The author was suprised to find the spotless
cleanliness everywhere in Muscat. He found no
litter, no stains of paan spit anywhere. Besides,
the buildings were designed beautifully. The
mosques, homes and stadia all looked elegant. The
author didn’t see a single ugly building in Muscat.
These things inspired him to suggest a slogan
like that.
(iv) The Indian community manage most of the city’s
trade and commerce, run its schools and hospitals
and as labourers, raise new buildings, lay its
roads and maintain its greenery. They have earned
goodwill among Omanis.
(v) The author visited Muscat. He found that the
Indians were doing everything for the country.
2.2 (i) inadequate (ii) litter
(iii) property
2.3 (i) Inadequate (ii) Litter
(iii) Contribution
ASSIGNMENT – 8
2.1 (i) In his boyhood days Pasteur wanted to be a great
artist. But after his sixteenth year he stopped
wishing to be a great artist.
(ii) He viewed the fight against hydrophobia as a
battle. The sight of injured children moved him
greatly. He felt that he himself was suffering with
pain. And he decided to find its cure.
(iii) Pasteur used to say, “The more I contemplate the
mysteries of nature, the more my faith becomes like
that of a peasant”. He would reiterate to his pupils
his life’s principles: “work, never cease to work”.
(iv) On September 27, 1895, when someone leant over
his bed to offer him a cup of milk, he said sadly, “I
8 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
cannot”, and with a look of perfect resignation and
peace he fell asleep and never again opened his eyes.
(v) Vallery Radot was a great biographer the said that
Pasteur practised the Gospel virtues.
2.2 (i) his determination (ii) fathers
(iii) injured children
2.3 (i) Abandoned (ii) Ostentation
(iii) Contemplate
ASSIGNMENT – 9
2.1 (i) Tonga symbolised Delhi heritage. It also symbolised
tradition on the roads of the 21st century capital.
(ii) The Municipal Corporation decided to stop the
plying of tongas on the Delhi roads to ease traffic
congestion.
(iii) The decision of the Delhi Municipal Corporation
made all the tongawallahs unemployed. The plight
of these unemployed tongawallahs spurred Bhamini
Rautela-Pahwa and four friends to start a signature
campaign. She is critical of such a decision. She
says it is disrespect to a sacred thing. Tongas are
Delhi’s heritage and they should not be lost.
(iv) She suggests that the unemployed tongawallahs
should be educated so that they act as tour-guides.
Organisations like Itihaas and students can be
helpful in this regard.
(v) In Mumbai, there are Victoria tongas that ply on
Marine Drive and around the Gateway of India.
They provide immense joy to the tourists. In
Kolkata too the Victoria tonga plies round and
about the Victoria Memorial. It reminds the tourists
the days of the British Raj.
2.2 (i) magic and liveliness
(ii) spectacular (iii) ancestral identity
2.3 (i) Congestion (ii) Spectacular
(iii) Thrilling
ASSIGNMENT – 10
2.1 (i) Eating out leads to excessive calories, fat, sugar,
salt and unhealthy lifestyle.
(ii) According to the author, while eating out we
should prefer fish and chicken grill instead of the
fried ones to avoid oil and fat. We should always
try to avoid stomach upset.
(iii) Because they do not cause trouble to the stomach
and keep the body detoxified.
(iv) Vegetarians are suggested to have tandoori roti and
mixed vegetable for dinner.
(v) When we are on tour, we should avoid flour-based
food, fried foods and sugar in all forms.
2.2 (i) whole wheat grain
(ii) healthy and light (iii) a good dish
2.3 (i) Frequently (ii) Awkward
(iii) Appreciate
ASSIGNMENT – 11
2.1 (i) Man could fly, levitate, change his form at will.
He could take on a new identity and make himself
invisible. He could also enter any place and slip
away unnoticed.
(ii) Like the mythological era, the technological era
also does not defy belief. Man was able to change
his form at will and take on a new identify with
the help of social networking. He could also make
himself invisible during chat session. Besides, he
was enabled by hacking to enter any place and slip
away unnoticed.
(iii) In the technological era man had devised magical
mantras that could open locked doors. With the
help of google, he could search and locate things
in a second.
(iv) In the illogical era the past was a myth. Everything
related to the past was illogical.
(v) They gave human beings power. With the help of
this power they could see things at far off distances.
2.2 (i) the evolution of men
(ii) invisible (iii) Skype
2.3 (i) Progression (ii) Locate
(iii) Allowed
SECTION - B: WRITING & GRAMMAR
Part - I : Writing
[As per the 2018-19 CBSE Syllabus Newly included topic]
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
Under this head you may be asked to recount an event/
incident that you have experienced. It is a first person
account of the event or incident.
Format : Heading
Writer’s name and class
Language : Should be semi-formal. Try to be simple but
attractive and appealing. Avoid displaying
your linguistic ability
Hints : • factual information about incident/
experience • date, time, venue of the incident/
experience • sequence of actions/incidents
• reaction to the incident
1. Taking the information given below in the input,
develop it into a paragraph (100-150 words). You
can invent your own details.
Hints: story ‘The Fun They Had’—year 2157—no
separate buildings—no human teacher—no printed
books—e-books—TV screen—mechanical teacher—slot
to put homework— no fun & romance of old schools—
not same leanings.
ns.
A Future Schools
The story ‘The Fun They Had’ deals with the ‘schools’
that will function in the year 2157. They will have
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
ASSIGNMENT – 12
2.1 (i) We have won our freedom with great struggle and
sacrifice after centuries of servitude to the foreign
rule. So, we can’t take this freedom for granted and
we need to maintain and strengthen it.
(ii) The power of the youth can be mobilised to
strengthen our integrity and capacity to resist
aggression. They can help in safeguarding the twin
ideals of secularism and democracy.
(iii) Merely a desire of service is not enough. The desire
of serving the nation must be backed by the ability
to do so effectively.
(iv) We can defend our democracy from predatory
aggressors by being physically strong. Only being
with the muscles of iron and the nerves of steel we
can defend our nation.
(v) According to the author, our youths require a
heavy burst of idealism and energy. They have to
safeguard the nation and the ideals of democracy.
2.2 (i) to strength
(ii) secularism and democracy
(iii) the routine of adult life
2.3 (i) Huge (ii) Desire
(iii) Dimensions
no separate building. Only a bed-room will serve
the purpose. The teachers will not be living human
beings. There will be no printed books. They will
become irrelevant. TV screens will have millions
books on it. The mechanical teacher will have a slot
where homework and test papers will be put. Only
the punch-code language will be used. All students
will not learn the same thing. Hence, they will not
be able to help each other.. The mechanical teacher
will be adjusted according to the mental level of each
student. Without grand buildings and human teachers
the so called ‘schools’ in future will lose the fun and
romance of the good old schools.
2.
Taking the information given below in the input,
develop it into a paragraph (100-150 words). You
can invent your own details.
Hints: Einstein—migrated to USA in 1933—Nazi
in Germany—could make atom bomb—letter to
Roosevelt—warning of destruction-atom-bomb dropped
on Japanese cities —Einstein deeply shaken—advocated
a world government—against war—campaigned for
peace and democracy—a great scientist—a visionary
ns.
A Einstein Great Visionary-a World Citizen
Einstein had to leave Germany. The Nazis came to
power. He migrated to the limited States of America
9
 in 1933. Discovery of nuclear fission is Berlin shook
the World. The Nazis could develop an atom-bomb
that could cause utter loss of human lives and property.
The USA developed the atomic bomb and dropped it
one Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Einstein was
deeply shaken by the extent of destruction caused by
the bomb. He campaigned for peace and democracy.
He hated war and arms build-up. He advocated for the
formation of a world government. He was not only
a scientific genius but a great visionary. This world
citizen breathed his last in 1955.
3.
Taking the information given below in the input,
develop it into a paragraph (100-150 words). You
can invent your own details.
Hints: Bismillah learnt from uncle Ali Bux—Vishnu
temple of Benaras—Balaji and Mangla Maiya
temples on Ganga—favourite places for Bismillah—
selected for All India Radio (1938)—honour of
playing shehnai on 15th August 1947—‘Gung Uthi
Shehnai’ film—songs famous—performed in USA,
Canada etc.—Fond of Benaras—Symbol of India’s
composite culture—Awarded Bharat Ratna in 2001.
Ans. Bismillah Khan
Bismillah Khan was the greatest shehnai player India
has ever produced. He was fascinated by the ‘shehnai’
playing of his uncle at the Vishnu temple in Benaras.
He became his disciple. Balaji temple at the bank of
the holy Ganga was his favourite place. He played
shehnai there. Mangla Maiya temple also attracted
him. In 1938, he was selected for the All India Radio,
Lucknow. He was the most popular shehnai player on
radio. When India got independence on 15th of August
1947, Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet
the nation with his shehnai. Famous film directer Vijay
Bhat was so much impressed by him that he named
a film ‘Gunj Uthi Shehnai’. The song ‘Dil ka khilona
hai toot gaya’ became a nationwide superhit. Bismillah
Khan was recognised and honoured by many
countries. He gave his performances in the USA,
UK and at various places. He was totally devoted to
Benaras and the river Ganga. He missed them when
he was abroad. Bismillah Khan was a symbol of rich
and composite culture of India. He was awarded the
highest civilian award the ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 2001.
4. Taking the information given below in the input,
develop it into a paragraph (100-150 words). You
can invent your own details.
Hints: The doctor—heard a dull thud—a fat
snake—wriggled over—landed on his shoulder—
didn’t jump, cry or tremble—snake coiled around
left arm—sat holding breath—remembered God,
his presence—pain in left arm—drained of all
strength—death lurked inches away—snake looked
10 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
into mirror—admiring own beauty—crept on to the
table—snake unwound and slithered out of doctor’s
lap—doctor, a man of flesh and blood again.
Ans. The Snake & the Mirror
The doctor heard a dull thud. He felt as if a rubber
tube had fallen on to the ground. No sooner did he
turn than he had the greatest shock of his life. A fat
snake wriggled over the back of the chair. It landed
on his shoulder. He didn’t jump. He didn’t tremble.
He did not cry either. There was no time to do any
such thing. The snake coiled round his left arm. Its
head was spread out. It was three or four inches away
from his face. The doctor remembered God and felt
His presence. He felt some pain in his left arm. It was
drained of all strength. The snake turned and looked
into the mirror and saw its reflection. Perhaps it was
admiring its beauty. The snake unwound itself from
the doctor’s arm. It crept on to the table and again
moved towards the mirror. Perhaps it wanted to enjoy
his reflection at close quarters. Then a dull thud again
and the snake disappeared at once the way it had
appeared. The doctor was a man of flesh and blood
again.
5. Taking the information given below in the input,
develop it into a paragraph (100-150 words). You
can invent your own details.
Hints: Months rolled on — Bruno — the bear cub
grown in size — fed well on porridge, meat, rice,
sweets — like Alsatians — sweet, mischievous —
playful—loved Kenneth’s wife — she loved him
too — obeyed commands — chained because of
tenants’ children — getting too big — sent to a zoo
— missed — Kenneth’s wife inconsolable — wept
and fretted.
Ans. Antics of Bruno
Bruno was like a spoiled child. He was well taken care
of. He was fed on porridge, vegetables, fruits, nuts,
sweet and meat. Months rolled on. The bear cub had
grown many times. He was equal to the Alsatians in
height and even outgrown them. Kenneth’s wife loved
Bruno and he was devoted to her. She had changed
his name from Bruno to Baba. He could do a lot of
tricks too. At the command, ‘ Baba wrestle’, or ‘ Baba
box’, he would tackle anyone who came forward for a
rough and tumble. Say ‘Baba hold gun’ and he would
point a stick at you. Ask him ‘Baba, where’s baby?
He would cradle affectionately a stump of wood. But
poor Bruno or Baba was kept to be chained most of
the time because of the safety of the tenants’ children.
He was getting too big to be kept at home. At last, was
packed off to a zoo in Mysore. Kenneth’s wife was
in consolable. She wept and fretted. For the first few
days she would not eat anything.
INTEGRATED EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE
COMPOSITION-I
A. Diary Entry
1. Monday, 10th December, 20××
10:30 p.m.
Today I was really shocked to know that our maid’s
three daughters don’t go to school but her only son is
a student of class 4. The daughters also work as maids
in households in our colony. Today one of them came
to my house in place of her mother as her mother was
sick. When I asked her if she goes to school, she very
innocently replied, “I don’t go, but my brother goes
to school”. She had no complaint for it as it was her
destiny to work like maid and her brother is destined
to go to school and be educated. This is the way our
society lives and work. It is a patriarchial set up.
Nobody wants to promote girls, allow them to move
freely. Even in this age we nurture this view. It is not
at all a good sign for society. We must change it and
promote female education to make a perfect society.
Females can do wonders if given opportunity.
Sanjana
2. Sunday, 20th December, 20×× proud to be his friend.
10:00 p.m.
I am a winner today. It is a very successful day for
me and I feel great. I could convince my parents who
had been against the wish of my younger brother who
wanted to join hockey. My parents were not ready to
allow him because they thought, it is a risky game.
My brother was very much inclined to join it as he
thought it very exciting. Whereas our parents thought
it outdated and dangerous. But I told my father that one
should always be given opportunity to choose one’s
career according to one’s interest and motivation. My
father wanted that my brother should take a government
job or run his own business. We argued everything and
finally my parents were convinced. They allowed my
younger brother to go for what he likes. Hurrah!
Bhargavi
3. Wednesday, 26th November, 20×× Rehan
10:00 p.m.
Today I had been to market at about 11 a.m. It was
the busiest hour. People were rushing for office.
Shopkeepers were in hurry to open their shops. Traffic
was heavy on road. Suddenly I was alarmed at a loud
screeching sound. I saw a speeding car stopped just
at a few meters away from me. It had hit an old man
who was crossing the road. The driver was a teenager
of about 18. He lost balance and got nervous. As it
was rush, he couldn’t escape. The old man was badly
injured and his head was profusely bleeding. I came
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
nearer and asked the mob to take the old man to nearby
hospital. Two young gentlemen helped me and we took
him to the nearest clinic. In the meantime the police
patrol van reached there and took the car and the driver
in its control. The boy who was driving the car had no
driving license. The police called his father, obviously
an influential personality. The father seemed to be not
repentant for this. I was shocked to see how people
have lost their conscience and promote such crimes.
Mayank
4. Saturday, 25th December, 20××
9:30 p.m.
Today I am very happy that I have got a new friend. He
is one of the best and talented students of school. He is
very humble and everyone appreciates his behaviour
and submissive nature. He is cooperative. He is always
ready to support weak students. Not only in study but
also in extra curricular activities, he takes part actively.
He is champion in speech, debate, drama and in games
and sports. All teachers praise him. Today, he helped
me in preparing a project. I was puzzled as it was
not of my interest. But he made me feel very easy in
understanding it. He is helpful to all. The great thing
about him is his submissive and open nature. I feel
Swati
5. Sunday, 9th January, 20××
9:00 p.m.
It was a very tough day for me. My father became very
serious due to chikungunya. I took him to a hospital,
but the doctor refused to admit him saying that there
was no bed. I tried in some other hospitals but none of
them accepted to admit him for the same reason. They
all advised to keep him at home and not to worry. But
his condition was deteriorating. Finally, I contacted one
of my friends whose father is the local MLA. He asked
one of the hospitals where I had already visited to get
my father admitted. To my surprise, the hospital not
only admitted him but also provided him quick service.
I really pity on the state of such affairs and think what
a common man can do where such a system prevails.
6. Thursday, 10th November, 20××
8:00 p.m.
Today, I took part in a cleanliness drive organised by
the Lion’s Club. We were a team of 10 students from
our school. We were taken to a nearby market area.
We cleaned the roads, streets and spread the message
of cleanliness. We educated the shopkeepers how they
should store the garbage so that the garbage pickers
can segregate the biodegradable and non-biodegradable
garbage. Most of the people don’t know it. Our
efforts were well appreciated by the people. The way
11
 we convinced them was also praised. Awareness to
cleanliness is more important than cleaning an area.
Cleanliness should be made a habit of our life.
Aryan
7. Monday, 28th November, 20××
9:00 p.m.
Today Yuva Cricket Club organised a tournament in
the Subhash Park Stadium. It was a 20-20 cricket
match. Eight teams from different cities were invited.
Some of the teams were very good and demonstrated
very high quality game. The team from Rampur and
the team from Azimabad came in the final. Suhail was
the captain of Rampur team and Rana was the captain
of Azimabad team. Suhail’s team performed well,
specially the captain himself played well, and scored
190 for 2 whereas Azimabad team scored 188 for 4.
Azimabad team also performed well. Rampur team
was the winner. The Cup was given by the Minister of
Sports and Culture.
Saurabh
8. Wednesday, 10th December, 20×× B. Article
8:30 p.m.
Red Cross Society organised a free health check
up camp in association with Samarpan, an NGO
of our locality. Some eminent doctors of different
branches like medicine, dental, dietician, nutrition,
ophthalmology and ENT participated in it. Hundreds
of local people came for check up. Basic check up
was done and tips for good health were taught to
them. Some of the visitors were advised to visit the
hospital. People felt that they need such camps from
time to time. Volunteers were rewarded by the district
administration.
Rupesh
9. Saturday, 15th July, 20×× give us lessons in coordination. Sportspersons become
09:30 p.m.
Today, it was an exciting day for me. I came back
to Delhi. I had accompanied my parents in a trip
to Mumbai. My elder brother is posted there. He
doesn’t get time to visit us. So we decided to go
there. We went by train but returned in a flight. It
was my first flight trip. I was mesmerised to see
the airport. After getting entry inside the airport,
we reached the check-in counter of the Jet Airways
flight services. We got the boarding pass and left
our baggage to be carried by the airlines. Then we
came to the gate designated for our flight. I was
very excited as I got the window seat. It was like
flying in sky. Sea view was fantastic. On the way, we
were provided food. It took around 2 hours to reach
Delhi.
Nikhil
12 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
10. Sunday, 9th November, 20××
09:00 p.m.
Today the whole school was mystified to see the
generosity of Robin. Robin who has a very bad
reputation in school appeared to be a very generous
one. Today, one of the maids working in school told
that her husband has been diagnosed of bone TB and
she has no money for his treatment. Robin was also
there and without any second thought he offered
to provide all his support to her. He immediately
took details of the hospital and reached there. He
deposited the required amount there and instructed
the hospital to inform him if anything more was
needed. It was all his savings from pocket money.
Nobody had ever thought of such a missionary
attitude of Robin. This act of Robin changed the
entire misconception about him in school. Even his
parents felt proud of this step. They too promised to
bear all expenses of hospital.
Priyanka
1. Value of Games
— Xyz
Games are as important as education. They make mind
and body sound. It is often said that a healthy mind lives
in a healthy body. Creativity and productivity can be
enhanced by making the students healthy. The students
can actively take part in all the activities if they have
no ailment. It is possible only when they play regularly.
Physical fitness makes the human beings active,
energetic, enthusiastic and decisive. They become
alert and accomplish all assignments. Those who are
unhealthy cannot enjoy life. ‘All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy’ is a popular saying. Team games
disciplined and supportive. A sportsman easily adjusts
himself even in trying circumstances. Victory and defeat
must not be given importance. What is important is team
work and persistent efforts to grow. Games have our life
skills. They are necessary for all round development.
They develop team spirit. It is unfortunate that most of
the parents do not allow children to play. They force
them to study round the clock. Such parents should
change their mind-set and encourage children to devote
some time in playing some type of games.
2. Air Pollution
— Xyz
The major problems of environment are recognised as
global climatic change, ozone depletion, water pollution,
air pollution, deforestation and resource degradation.
About 23 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide is released in
the air by burning fossil fuels. This has aggravated the
 problem of air pollution. Air borne particulate materials
contain both solid and liquid particles such as dust,
sprays, mist and smoke. Smoke is emitted by chemical
and paper factories, brick kilns, refineries and smelting
plants. Toxic gas leaks can be very hazardous with long-
term effects. Vehicular sources also pollute air to a great
extent. We must not forget that air pollution adversely
affects human health, animals, plants, buildings and the
atmosphere as a whole.
Air pollution can be minimised by adopting some
preventive methods. Use of public transport should
be encouraged. Smoke can be reduced by using oil or
gas instead of coal in factories. The industries are to
comply with such emission and effluent standards as
may be notified in a time-bound manner.
3. Trees are Good Friends of Humanity
— Xyz
Trees are essential for life. They play a major role in
enhancing the quality of environment. The more are the
trees, the more healthy environment we will get. Hence,
afforestation is essential to keep our environment fresh
and lively. Lack of trees makes the air impure. It is
unfortunate that we never pay serious attention to the
need of afforestation. We cut trees recklessly for our
selfish purposes. We have become so selfish that we
always think about our immediate benefits but never
think about our coming generation. It is high time
to check the felling of trees. There is need to spread
awareness among people. We should plant more and
more trees for the sake of our own life. Deforestation
will endanger the very existence of mankind. We should
not forget that trees are more than friends. They give us
numerous things and support us like good friends. We
can’t imagine our life sans trees. Hence, we too should
adopt friendly attitude towards trees and increase their
number by planting more and more trees.
4. The Role of Youth in Realising the Dreams of
Dr. A.P.J Kalam
— Xyz
Dr. Abdul Kalam’s speech on “Youth Dynamics and the
Nation” underscores the role of the youth in shaping
the destiny of a country. He presents his vision of an
empowered, self-sufficient India that shines in its full
glory. The path to this glorious future can be paved by
the youth of the nation. Dr. Kalam emphasised that
qualities like knowledge, creativity, righteousness and
courage help us retain our integrity. So, we should
pursue these qualities to realise the dream of Dr.
Kalam. Young minds hold abundant possibilities and
potentials. We need to unlock it with knowledge and
creativity. But our means to achieve this must be honest
and just. Our righteousness and courage will pave our
way to bear all the responsibilities. The more we will
be responsible and dutiful, the more the country will
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
prosper. The youth of the country should fight for equal
rights. They should work for empowering the masses.
Their active involvement in social issues will make
them responsible citizens of the country. There is also
a need of equal participation of women in all fields.
5. Saving Our Earth is the
Crucial Challenge for Us
— Xyz
Our country is progressing fast. We can see growth
in almost all fields. Fast urbanisation gives way
to industrialisation. But at the same time growing
population at an alarming rate has also increased our
needs and requirements. To meet these needs and
requirements we exploit our natural resources. This has
posed problems such as deforestation, environmental
degradation, depletion of ozone layer, global warming,
etc. In such a situation saving our earth is the crucial
challenge for all of us. It is high time to be alert. We
should not be greedy and selfish. We must use natural
resources judiciously for the sake of our earth. We
should believe in sustainable development and think
about the younger generation. Measures like population
control, afforestation, rainwater harvesting, pollution
control will help us save our earth.
6. Our Country Needs to
Check Poaching of Wild Animals
— Xyz
The forest is the home for wildlife. It is an integral
part of the ecosystem. But human beings influence this
ecosystem through their selfish acts. They utilise the
vegetation and wildlife. The greed of human beings
leads to over utilisation of these resources. They cut
trees and kill the animals which results in ecological
imbalance. Every species has a role to play in the
ecosystem. But our greed and selfishness have crossed
all the limits. There are several species which are
endangered and some have become extinct. The main
causes are hunting by greedy hunters for commercial
purposes. Rare species are being killed fast. It is high
time to take action. Our government should check
poaching of wild animals. This will help in maintaining
balance in the ecosystem.
7. Self-Awareness
— Xyz
Self-awareness is important for self development.
The more we know about ourselves, the more we will
prosper in life. Knowing our strengths and weaknesses
will help us in a number of ways. If we are aware of
our strengths, we can easily assess our capacity to do
something and with or without the support from others.
It gives us a sense of well being and we are able to
learn new skills and develop assets, thereby developing
our confidence. Slowly and steadily we become able
13
 to accept challenges of life boldly. Not only this, we
also become able to help others in their difficulties by
boosting up their morale. If it is important to know
our strengths, it is equally important to know our
weaknesses. It helps us in accepting our limitations and
developing a willingness to take help when offered and
enabling us to overcome our deficits. In this way, we
can be able to develop our skills and qualities.
One must realise one’s potential. It helps one to tackle
tough phases of life in a more amicable way. One
should be fully aware of one’s likes, dislikes, feelings,
emotions, choices, values and attitude towards life.
8. Computers are a Boon for Children
— Xyz
We are living in the age of technology. Everything has
been changed in a new perspective. Everything has been
transformed due to the advancement of technology and
development of science. Computer is one such invention
that has completely transformed our living. Our life now
has become a slave of computer. Computer responds
to our need very fast. Computer can manage anything
anytime. Children can learn a lot in just a click. They can
search any solution using internet. They can get broader
knowledge through it. Any difficult mathematical
problem, scientific queries, astronomical questions can
be solved without any strain. Computer has become the
most important need in their life. Hence, we can’t deny
the fact that computer is a boon to children and also to
the new age human being.
9. The Mounting Pressure on Students
— Xyz
Our education system has become a complete mess. Every
day, there is a new experiment. Surveys are conducted,
policies are mend and then amended too. Students are
compelled to study a lot of subjects under different
schemes. There are different modes of evaluation. A
few years back a new CCE scheme was introduced. The
periodic tests in the form of Summative Assessment and
Formative Assessment were put in practice. Students as
well as the teachers got confused. As a result, in place
of putting no burden on students a lot of burden was put
over them. Expectation of parents and teachers is always
high. So students suffer under pressure. If they fail to
do better, they attempt suicide too. It is all due to the
pressure. It must be checked and a uniform fool proof
education system must be enacted. Otherwise it will spoil
the children’s future instead of giving them new life.
10. Way to Promote Reading
— Nirmal
Reading habit is not inborn. But it is developed among
children simultaneously as they grow. This habit must
be maintained because it develops their thought and
approach towards life. If they go through various topics of
14 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
diverse background it will inculcate scientific approach in
their thought. Their working style of any problem will be
a little bit different from other people. But nowadays there
is a steep decline in reading habits among children. One
of the major causes of this sort of decline is television.
They devote their precious time on television and they
watch the programme which is of no use in their life. It
just affects their impressionable and imaginative mind.
So the children must be inspired towards reading. If it is
developed properly their future will be bright.
COMPOSITION-II
• Short Story
1. Rohit Falls Down While Flying Kite
Rohit is fond of flying kites. One day while he was
standing on one of the roof of his house and flying a
kite, his legs slipped and he fell down. It was his luck
that he was stuck in a small tree which was adjacent to
his house. He began crying. Some of his neighbours
gathered there. His elder brother climbed on the tree
and helped him come down. Rohit had got some
injuries over some part of his body. He had also got
some cuts which were bleeding. He was taken to the
hospital. The doctor dressed up his cuts and he was
asked to remain in the hospital for two days. Rohit’s
father was very angry. He asked Rohit to promise not
to fly kites so negligently in future. Rohit was ashamed
as he did not obey his parents who repeatedly warned
him against flying kites carelessly.
2. Rohit Drives Rash
Early in the morning, there was a call from my uncle.
My father became upset as my uncle has informed him
that my cousin Rohit has met with an accident. My
father wanted to go to the hospital where Rohit was
admitted. I also accompanied him. When we reached
there we found uncle, aunty and my another cousin
were standing outside the emergency ward. My uncle
told my father that Rohit was coming back from his
college on his bike at high speed. Suddenly on a turning
point a car hit him from behind. His bike dashed with
the divider and he fell down. He was badly injured and
the bike was also damaged. People gathered there and
one of them took Rohit to hospital. They also informed
the police and a case was registered against the car
driver. However, the situation was out of danger.
3. Late for Final Exam
It was the day of my math’s final exam. I was very upset
as I was a bit late. I missed the school bus. It added to
my worries as it was raining too. It was very difficult for
me to reach school. But anyhow I had to go to school.
I came back home and requested my elder brother to
drop me to school. But he didn’t know how to drive
a car and to go on bike was not possible. Finally he
suggested me to get a taxi. I tried to book a taxi through
 my mobile App but I found there was no taxi available.
In the meantime one of my brother’s friend came to
meet him. I requested him to drop me. He helped me
reach the school on time. I got entry and took my math
exam. I was a little bit nervous but I could do fairly.
4. Outcome of Rash Driving
One day while I was returning from the school, I
saw a huge crowd on the middle of the road. I rushed
towards the crowd and shocked to see a major road
accident that had taken place between a truck and a
van. The van was fully packed and some passengers
were standing. In spite of that it was plying at a very
high speed. All of a sudden a truck came from the
other side and within seconds it collided with the
speeding van. There occurred a great hue and cry.
The drivers of both the vehicles ran away for fear of
public wrath. Some passengers had bleeding injuries.
The two of them were unfortunate who died before
getting medical help. All the injured passengers were
immediately taken to a nearby hospital. It was really a
bad day. I had never seen such an accident. It haunted
me for a long time.
5. My House is Burgled
When I entered my house, I saw the household items
scattered on the floor. I was sure that my house has been
burgled. I immediately informed the police and they
reached there. They started investigation. They made
a list of missing items. They took photographs of the
objects and other state of the room. They also took the
fingerprints on the door-handles, windows, tables, etc.
They also asked for the CCTV footage. It was through
the CCTV footage they could notice some suspicious
persons. Next day they released the photos of those
suspicious persons. Three days later I was informed
that the burglars were arrested and were put behind
the bars. Some of my missing objects were recovered
but not all. The police were prompt enough to do their
duty.
6. My Friend’s Mother Had Stroke
I was sitting at the window seat in the train and talking
to my friend and said him something which I couldn’t
hear. My friend appeared to be restless. I couldn’t
understand what had happened. I asked my friend
the reason. But without answering he followed that
strange man. I was not known to that man. I suspected
something wrong. Though my train was just to start, I
couldn’t restrain myself getting down fast and followed
my friend. By that time my friend along with that
strange man had gone out of the gate. I saw them sitting
in the car and going out. I also took a taxi and followed
them. I reached my friend’s house. I saw my friend was
already there and an ambulance was standing outside.
After coming out I came to know that my friend’s
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
mother had stroke. However she was taken to the
hospital in the ambulance. We all went there. She was
admitted in the ICU and the doctors advised us not to
disturb her. It all happened so quickly that I couldn’t
understand and my journey was halted. We don’t know
what will happen.
7. Don’t Yield to Your Greed
One day a little fish saw a fly floating under water.
His mouth watered out of greed. He couldn’t resist his
temptation and decided to go for the fly. But his mother
warned him not to go. She said, “It is only a bait to
hide a hook. So, my dear child, don’t go after it.” The
little fish was curious to know whether his mother was
right. Hence, he went near the fly disobeying her. He
played round about the fly looking at it with watered
mouth. Suddenly he gave a little pluck at the fly just to
prove that there was no hook there. As it was destined,
the hook stuck through his gill. Now, the little fish was
helpless. The more he tried to get free, the more did the
hook go through his gill. Ultimately he died struggling
hard to save his life. If he had obeyed his mother, he
would not have lost his life. He was punished for
disobeying his mother.
8. A Lover Donated His Eyes to His Beloved
There was a blind girl who hated herself just because
she was blind. She hated everyone except her loving
boyfriend. The boy also loved her and was always there
by her side. One day the blind girl said if she could only
see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. Days
passed on as usual. One fine day, someone donated her
a pair of eyes. She was extremely happy. Now she could
see everything including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend
asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you
marry me?”.
The girl was shocked when she saw her boyfriend
was blind too. She refused to marry him. The boy got
disheartened and walked away in tears. Later he wrote
a letter to her advising her to take care of his eyes.
9. The Emperor’s Flowerpot
A Japanese Emperor possessed a set of twenty
flowerpots. Since it was a rare collection of its kind,
he felt proud of it.
One day it so happened that one of his courtiers broke
a flowerpot by mistake. The Emperor lost his temper
and instantly passed death sentence to him. An old man
came to know about it. He thought to do something to
save the ill-fated courtier. He went to the Emperor’s
court and saw that the courtier was about to be put
to death. Very cordially he said to the Emperor, “I
know that art of repairing a broken flowerpot. Once I
have repaired it, it will appear to be original. So, first
you see my art and then put the man to death”. The
Emperor agreed and told the old man to show his art
15
 without a moment’s delay. He also promised to pay him
handsome amount.
What happened the next moment was really shocking.
Instead of repairing, the old man broke all the nineteen
flowerpots with his stick. The Emperor’s anger reached
its peak. He cried out, “You old man, what have you
done?” The old man boldly replied, “Each of these
flowerpots would have taken one human life. So, I
broke them all in one go. Now you can give death
sentence to only one man, and that is me”.
The Emperor was pleased to hear the old man. He
forgave him as well as the courtier.
10. Smith: A Good Natured Boy
Smith was a good-natured boy of fifteen. He was kind
to all and always helped the needy. His good behaviour
and helping attitude won the heart of all. Everyone who
know him appreciated him whole-heartedly. One day it
so happened that he fell into a river and was about to be
drowned as no one was there to save him. He felt quite
helpless. He was trying his best but all in vain; only a
miracle could save him. And that miracle happened by
the grace of God. Suddenly weather changed and strong
winds began to blow. As a result of which a strong
wave emerged that pushed Smith to the side of the
river. Smith took some time to regain consciousness.
He thanked God from the core of his heart.
11. A Dove and A Bee
It was a hot summer day. A bee felt thirsty. It flew to a
stream to drink water. By chance it fell into the stream.
Since the current was very strong, the bee was washed
away. It was quite helpless to save itself.
Sitting on the branch of a tree a dove was watching all
this. She was very kind and so she decided to save the
life of the little bee. She plucked a leaf and dropped it
near the bee. The bee mounted on it. Soon its wings
dried and it flew away. A few days later a hunter came
there. He targeted the dove. Luckily the bee saw it. It
came to dove’s help. It flew to the hunter. It stung him
on his hand. The hunter lost concentration and failed
to shoot the dove. In between the dove flew away. She
thanked the bee for the help
12. The Elephant and The Tailor
A king had an elephant. He was daily taken to a canal for
a bath. There was a tailor’s shop on the way. The tailor
was a gentleman. The elephant stopped at his shop and
the tailor gave him something to eat. This continued
for a long time. One day the tailor had a quarrel with
one of his customers. So he was in a bad mood. The
elephant arrived there as usual and put in his trunk to
take something. The tailor pricked his trunk with a sharp
needle. The elephant felt pain. He withdrew his trunk
and went away. The elephant filled his trunk with muddy
water. On his way back he threw it into the tailor’s
16 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
shop. The tailor soon understood why the elephant had
behaved so rudely. But it was too late.
13. The Stag is Proud of his Beautiful Horns
It was a hot summer day. A stag went to a pool to drink
water. While drinking, his eyes fell on his reflection
in the water. He felt proud to have beautiful horns.
Soon afterwards he looked at his legs which appeared
so ugly. He felt gloomy and disheartened. “My horns
are so beautiful but why are my legs so ugly?” the
stag said to himself. “I wish my legs were as beautiful
as my horns!” again he said to himself. Suddenly the
stag heard the bark of the hounds. Seeing his life in
danger he ran fast. But all of a sudden his beautiful
horns got stuck in the bushes. He tried his best to get
his horns free but couldn’t do so. His ugly legs were
ready to help him but his beautiful horns became the
cause of his death. The stag could do nothing except
standing helplessly at the same spot. As it was destined
the hounds reached there soon and pounced upon him.
They killed him and devoured him in no time.
14. The Selfish Dog and the Ox
A dog was sleeping in a manger filled with hay.
Suddenly he was awakened when an ox started braying.
The ox was tired and hungry from working in the filed.
But the dog would not let the ox get near the manger
and snarled and snapped as if it were filled with the
best of meat and bones, all for himself.
The ox got terrified. Soon a farmer came in. He noticed
the dog’s activities. He decided to teach the dog a
lesson. He seized a stick and drove him out of the stable
with many a blow for his selfish behaviour.
15. Reckless Driving
Today I visited a place in the Civil Lines area where
an accident took place last night on Friday. During the
last 24 hours, 3 persons have been killed in different
road accidents in Delhi. One of them was a 43-year
old person who was crushed down by an unknown
vehicle. He died instantly on the spot. In another
accident, a Darjeeling based young man was hit badly
by a speeding Scorpio. He had come to Delhi in search
of job. It was very pathetic to see these spots. Reckless
driving has become a general trend in Delhi. Many of
the motorists and bikers don’t follow the traffic rules
and speed limits. Despite many efforts of the traffic
police, accidents occur frequently. There is a need to
enforce stricter rules.
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. Monday, 10th July, 20××
10:00 pm
Today morning my friend Ramesh called me and
informed that there was a burglary in his house the
previous night. I immediately rushed to him. There I
 found everything was scattered. Ramesh had informed
the police and so the police had arrived with a search
team. Ramesh told the police that the burglars entered
the house at about midnight. They had entered the
house by cutting the window pane of the back door.
They frantically searched the entire house. They also
broke the lock of the almirah case and took away
cash and valuables. The burglars had overpowered
the family members. They were armed with guns.
So, nobody could catch them. Police made the list of
missing things and recorded other details. They also
collected the finger prints on the doors and almirah.
They have assured to solve the case very soon.
Saurabh
Or
Deepa’s Performance in Summer Olympics
— Xyz
Deepa Karmakar won the hearts of everyone watching
the Summer Olympics this year. The 23-year-old from
Tripura, the first woman gymnast from India to qualify
for the Olympics, didn’t win a medal, but she has been
ranked an impressive fourth position in the women’s
vault finals in Rio de Janeiro on August 14th. American
Simone Biles took the top prize with a final score of
15.966. So far, India is yet to win any medals in this
year’s Olympics. Karmakar received a final score of
15.066 for executing one of the most dangerous feats
in gymnastic, the Produnova vault. This move, named
after Russia’s Elena Produnova, who first performed
it in 1999, has been performed successfully by only
five people in the world. Deepa Karmakar is one of
them. It’s considered one of the riskiest routines in
the sport, often referred to as the “vault of death.” It
is one of the most glorious moments for India and we
must feel pride for having Deepa, an Indian. But that
doesn’t scare Karmakar who spent years preparing
for this day. She began her training at the age of six,
unfazed by the flat feet she was born with. In the years
leading up to her stellar performance in Rio, Karmakar
racked up a total of 77 medals in various domestic
and international competitions, including a bronze at
the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. All that
hard work has paid off though, as India now has a new
sporting legend.
2. A Young Biker Hits a Child
It was Sunday. I was solving some ticklish mathematical
problems. Suddenly I heard a noise in the street. I
rushed to the spot and found that an accident had
happened. A biker had hit a child. The child was playing
on the road. As the bike came there the child rushed
from one side of the road to another side and the bike
hit him. The biker was a boy of about 16 years. He
was a new to driving and so could not control the bike.
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
The child was badly injured and so was taken to the
hospital immediately. The biker’s father also reached
the spot and was very demoralised for allowing his son
to drive at this age. However, he agreed to bear the cost
of treatment of the injured child. Parents should be alert
not to allow young children to drive.
Or
Raju Disobeys his Parents
Raju is an 8-year-old child of my neighbourhood. He
is sportive by nature and very naughty. He is a little
bit careless. So his mother is always alert about him.
Everyday there happens something that makes her
annoyed. Last week there was a fair in the village. Raju
was eager to visit it. He asked his mother but she did not
agree. Raju tried much but for no outcome. Finally he
decided to go to the fair without informing his mother.
So one day along with his friends he went to the fair. But
after sometimes he was lost. In the evening his friends
came back home. They tried to find Raju but failed.
They informed his mother. His mother went to the fair
and informed the police and the security. After a long
search Raju was found. He was very nervous because
he had lost his way. He was very sorry and promised
his mother never to disobey her. Children should not
disobey their parents as they are not their enemies.
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1. Tuesday, 20th November, 20××
10:00 p.m.
It was my 10th day in my new school in this city.
Recently my father was transferred to this city. So, I
had to shift here and got admission in Modern Convent.
It is one of the prestigious schools of Delhi, located in
the Preet Vihar of East Delhi district. I was very upset
to see the big school in such a big city, as previously I
was in Rohtak, a district in Haryana. It was not as big
as Delhi. But soon I found this school very friendly.
Teachers are very good. My classmates are also very
good and helpful. They are always ready to help me.
Just in a week, I have made many friends. A nice
experience. I liked my new school very much.
Aparna
Or
Mother Teresa
— Xyz
Mother Teresa was one who came to India to serve
in a convent in a remote area of Bengal. She was
pained to see the condition of the people living in a
slum area behind the convent building. She started
visiting that poor area and was deeply pained to see
their living. She later left the convent and established
her Mission of Charity and dedicated her life to the
17
 service of humanity. She helped the ailing people who
were discarded by their own family. They became the
members of Mother Teresa’s family. So Mother was
seen as a prophet of God by all those who got shelter
in her house. There are a lot of stories of her miracles.
She was not a magician but people saw her actions as
miracle. She has recently been established as Saint. I
think service to humanity is the greatest real worship.
All others are just a show off. Mother Teresa-like
people are the real Gods on earth.
2. Rahul Gets a Sister
Rahul while travelling in metro comes across a middle-
aged woman and gets busy in talking with her. The
woman resembled her elder sister who died last year
in an accident. Raju was very close with his sister as
there was a big gap of age and therefore his sister was
motherly to him. In fact, Raju was brought up by that
sister. She was married in the same city. So, Raju spent
most of the time with her. While talking to that lady Raju
revealed it to her. Raju told her that his sister’s death
was the biggest shock for him. For years, he couldn’t
pacify himself. The lady was very impressed with Raju’s
behaviour. So, she assured Raju that he can think her
like that sister. Raju was excited to get his sister back.
They are now very intimate with each other.
Or
Two Friends meet a Tiger
Two friend, Raman and Sarthak, were passing through
a dense forest. Suddenly they heard a loud roar of a
tiger. They were afraid. They began trying safe place
to hide. But there was no such hiding place. In the
meantime, they saw the tiger coming nearer to them.
Suddenly Sarthak found a tree and he climbed on
it. But Raman couldn’t climb in hurry. He applied
his trick. He thought to lie down on ground posing
lifeless. The tiger came there and found Raman there.
The tiger circled the lying Raman and thinking him
lifeless went away. After that Sarthak came down. He
was amazed to see how tiger left him. Sarthak asked
what the tiger do with him. Raman replied, “The tiger
went around me and became my friend. He has given
me an advice to beware of the friends who leave you
in danger.” Sarthak was ashamed. He said sorry and
promised that he will never leave him in any danger.
ASSIGNMENT – 3
1. Friday, 9th July, 20×× 2. Don’t let your Minor Child Drive
8:00 pm
It was a very exciting and memorable day for me today.
I had a chance to visit Rashtrapati Bhawan along with
the school team. What a marvellous place! The grand
building, the sprawling park, many rare plants, a lot
of varieties of flowers, and so many herbal medicinal
18 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
plants- all make this premise worth-seeing place. Till
a few days back, this was beyond the reach of public
but now it has been allowed that public can visit it. Its
structure is unique. It was built on the Raisina Hills area
and is still the most secure place. There are huge rooms,
dining hall, library hall etc. The structure mesmerises
the visitors. It is really a grand palace and still reminds
us the imperial living.
Neha
Or
Self Medication May Kill
— Xyz
It has become a habit of people taking medicine without
the prescription of physicians. A recent case is from my
area where two brothers took some medicine bought
from the medical shop without consulting a proper
doctor. They were affected by severe allergy and were
rushed to hospital on time so that their lives were saved.
What does it tell us? If we can take any medicine on
our own why should there be doctors and pharmacies?
We need to think with in to avoid such disasters.
Medicine is prescribed to cure or fight infections,
prevent such severe infections and to save ourselves,
from fever and diseases. Physicians, or doctors, have
undergone a long period of study and training to treat
people with such infections after proper diagnosis and
dialogue with the patients. They understand the history
of the patient’s health and the problems. But what we do
when we have get fever we just go to any pharmacist,
get some medicine and take it without even reading
what the medicine contains. This causes trouble. How
can we avoid this problem? Also not all medicine suits
everyone. We need to know what we are allergic to and
not all fevers need to be treated with same medicine.
We need to take some rest and cure by disciplining out
routines.
We, as students, should be aware of what to do and not
to depend upon the temperature of the season. When
we get fever or any symptoms of any disease, better
to consult with a doctor and have our body thoroughly
diagnosed and checked for any ailment. Taking the
medicine prescribed by the doctor ensures that we take
genuine medicine. Pharmacist also should be cautious
not to sell any medicine without prescription. Beware,
self medication can be dangerous.
Suddenly a car hit the divider and overturned. It was
driven at a great speed. The driver was of a tender
age. The traffic was busy. A rickshaw came before the
car and just at the same time a biker tried to overtake
the car. So, the novice driver got nervous and hit the
divider. The car’s speed was so fast that it couldn’t be
 controlled. While overturning, it hit another car and a
vegetable vendor’s cart. Several vehicles were hit and
damaged. Many passers-by were injured. The driver
was caught. The police reached the spot and took
the driver in custody. He was charged with driving
without valid licence and rash driving. His father was
also arrested for allowing a minor to drive which is
punishable crime now.
Or
Two Friends Find a Bag
It was a holiday. Two friends Raju and David planned
to visit the market. It was busy hours. They were
walking with pleasure. Suddenly Raju found a bag.
He was excited. He lifted the bag and cried, “I got
something”. The bag was heavy. He opened it. There
were some valuable items and some cash. David
said, “It is not only you but I too, means we both
have got the bag”. In the meantime the police van
arrived there. One policeman came out and caught
Raju because he was holding the bag. Seeing David
silent Raju said, “It is not I but we have got the bag”,
and he reminded David to say as he had told earlier.
However, the police took away the bag and freed the
boys. The bag was earlier reported to be lost and the
police was searching for it.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1. Monday, 10th July, 20×× teaching and learning in school, examination would not
10:00 pm
Varanasi is a holy city. It is famous for its religious
values. The sprawling river Ganga adds to its beauty.
Today I was very happy to get a chance of boat riding
in the Ganges. I was in a group of ten students from my
class. A teacher was also with us. We started at 10:00
a.m. We visited several ghats and several other temples
along the river. We were very excited when we came in
the middle of the Ganges. It was very nice to see water
all around us. We also experienced how to row a boat.
Then we came back, after having lunch in a restaurant.
Rohit
Or
The Trauma of Examination
— Xyz
Examination has become a troublesome problem for
most of the students as every student becomes tensed of
examination as she moves to high school. Examination
is necessary and essential for knowing one’s level of
learning in comparison to other students in the class.
But the development in the recent years has made
school more and more examination centric and learning
is becoming much stressed and burdensome. We can
notice students committing suicide when the board
result is announced. This is a dangerous trend.
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
Teachers and students in school should aim at learning
without burden and learning has to be seen as an
enjoyable activity, not a stressful exercise as it happens
today. The reasons for this undesirable problem are many.
First and the foremost is the heavy syllabus and textbook
which compels teachers to complete in a hurry and test
every one chapter or a concept once it is completed.
Students who have no say in the way the schools plan and
conduct their classes and examinations have to undergo
the burden of writing many examinations. Second is the
parents’ pressure on the school and students. Parents
expect that students should perform very well and get
into premier institutions. This increases the burden on
students who are naturally different from one another.
Third is the students themselves somehow want to get
very high percentage of marks in order to be successful,
they feel otherwise they can’t do anything in life. This
is a wrong notion.
How can we overcome the problem of burden of
examinations? We need a plan to solve the issue from
the point of view of teachers, students and parents.
One possible solution is coming together of these
three along with the curriculum and textbook writers.
We need to ask the question, ‘Do we need too many
examinations?’ Examinations are not always a tool
to measure how much has been learnt. Project work,
assignment and class room presentation can be part
of the examination. If such ways should adopted for
be a burden for students.
2. Grandmother is Left Alone
My grandmother slipped in the washroom during my
tuition hour. When I came back I knocked at the door
but there was no response. I was worried. I tried to see
from windows and back door but there was no trace of
grandmother. Then I peeped through the ventilator of
washroom and saw her lying on the floor unconscious.
She might have slipped on the wet floor. I was getting
nervous what to do. Then I came out and called the
security guard. I told him everything. He managed
to call a carpenter who cut the door. Thereafter they
helped me getting my grandmother out. Thank God
she had got no injury. Then I decided never to leave
her alone in the house.
Or
Late for Final Exam
It was the day of my math’s final exam. I was very
upset as I was a bit late. I missed the school bus. It
added to my worries as it was raining too. It was very
difficult for me to reach school. But anyhow I had to
go to school. I came back home and requested my
elder brother to drop me to school. But he didn’t know
how to drive a car and to go on bike was not possible.
Finally he suggested me to get a taxi. I tried to book a
19
 taxi through my mobile App but I found there was no
taxi available. In the meantime one of my brother’s
friend came to meet him. I requested him to drop me.
He helped me reach the school on time. I got entry
and took my math exam. I was a little bit nervous but
I could do fairly.
ASSIGNMENT – 5
1. Friday, 5th September, 20×× A Boy Snatches a Chain
8:00 pm
Today it rained heavily the whole day. The rain caused
water-logging in several parts of Delhi. Roads were
over-flooded. At many places roads caved in. It caused
a mess. Traffic almost halted all around Delhi city.
The most affected areas were Aurobindo Marg, Lajpat
Nagar, Vikas Marg, Lodhi Road etc. People had faced
very critical situation as they were completely stuck
in the jam. A fifteen-minute drive took almost five-six
hours. It shows the poor drain management and poor
preparation for rainy season by the MCD. I was also
caught in this jam. We felt helpless and cursed the
government.
Akshita
Or
ASSIGNMENT – 6
Deforestation: A Threat to Our Life
— Xyz
Our country is making progress. We see growth in every
field. Fast urbanisation gives way to industrialisation.
On the other hand the population of our country is also
growing fast. So in order to meet the requirement of
growing population, we are destroying our forest areas.
But we forget that the forest is a part of the ecosystem.
If we destroy or disturb any of the components of the
ecosystem our life is put in danger. Due to deforestation
we see global warming, depletion of ozone layer, dry
monsoon, cloud burst, unnatural rains or floods, etc.
These many instances of recent disasters like floods
in Uttarakhand, earthquake in Nepal. It is high time
to think over these problems. Otherwise it would be
beyond our control and our life would be doomed.
2. Building Demolition Caused Loss
of Lives and Property
A newly built four-storeyed house collapsed in our
neighbourhood. As we heard the explosive sound, we
rushed to the scene. We saw people crying. There was
crowd from the neighbouring areas. Some people were
trying to get the injured out from the debris. Although
it was a newly-built building and many families had
started residing in it. It was not sure how many people
were there at the time of the collapse. Someone
informed the police and the Fire Brigade. The Fire
Brigade team started evacuating people. Debris was
being cleared with great caution. After many attempts
20 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
till morning twenty people were evacuated. Some of
them were in a very critical condition. They were
sent to hospital. Search was still going on. The police
has registered a case of fraud and cheating against the
builder. The charge of using inappropriate and sub-
standard material was also added in the complaint.
Or
Last evening I was in the market. Suddenly there was
some noise. A lady was shouting pakado! pakado!!
People were alerted and turned to her. Just at that
time another lady was crossing the road. The lady
told the people that she had seen a boy running
away in a certain direction. Some people ran in
that direction. A boy was running fast. Suddenly
someone caught hold of him and brought him to the
lady. He had snatched a gold chain from her neck.
Some people began beating him. In the meantime
police picket van arrived there and the situation was
brought under control. The boy was arrested. But
the lady decided to leave him. She forgave him but
warned him not to do it again. The boy felt ashamed
and promised not to repeat it.
1. Sunday, 2nd October, 20××
8:00 pm
Today morning along with a group of twenty students
from my school I visited a slum colony. It is just a few
metres away from my school at the back side. It was the
occasion of cleaning the colony area as we were observing
the Swachhata Abhiyan organised by my school. We took
equipments like brooms, spades, big dustbins, etc. Three
teachers also accompanied us. We reached and started
collecting waste materials and garbage at one place. Then
we swept the road. We also put cover on some open drains.
In the second half we collected the people of the area
and taught them the lessons of cleaning, good habits and
healthy life. It was a part of our awareness programme.
People were very happy. We returned back at 5:00 p.m.
It was a very nice experience.
Karan
Or
How Important the Environment Is
— Xyz
We live in environment. We breathe in it and grow
within it. So our life depends upon it. It has become
the most vital topic of discussion these days. Its
prime reason is that it is getting polluted extremely
and so affecting our life badly. The rising pollution
is caused by fast increase in the number of vehicles,
industrialisation, growing townships, depletion of
forests. All these cause global warming. We also
 lack in waste management. Scanty rains cause global
warming. We are responsible for all these. In the race of
urbanisation, we forget that there is an eco-system and
a balance is maintained due to the equal distribution of
each and every element in environment. If we disturb
any of these it affects us and our life is in danger. We
must be alert to check the environmental degeneration,
or else we are doomed to die soon or live in pains.
2. Outcome of Rash Driving
One day while I was returning from the school, I
Rohan
saw a huge crowd on the middle of the road. I rushed
towards the crowd and shocked to see a major road
accident that had taken place between a truck and a van.
The van was fully packed and some passengers were
standing. In spite of that it was plying at a very high
speed. All of a sudden a truck came from the other side
and within seconds it collided with the speeding van.
There occurred a great hue and cry. The drivers of both
the vehicles ran away for fear of public wrath. Some
passengers had bleeding injuries. The two of them were
unfortunate who died before getting medical help. All
the injured passengers were immediately taken to a
nearby hospital. It was really a bad day. I had never
seen such an accident. If haunted me for a long time.
Or
My Friend’s Mother Had Stroke
I was sitting at the window seat in the train and talking
to my friend who told me something which I couldn’t
hear. My friend appeared to be restless. I couldn’t
understand what had happened. I asked my friend
the reason. But without answering he followed that
strange man. I was not known to that man. I suspected
something wrong. Though my train was just to start, I
couldn’t restrain myself getting down fast and followed
my friend. By that time my friend along with that
strange man had gone out of the gate. I saw them sitting
in the car and going out. I also took a taxi and followed
them. I reached my friend’s house. I saw my friend was
already there and an ambulance was standing outside.
After coming out I came to know that my friend’s
mother had a stroke. However she was taken to the
hospital in the ambulance. We all went there. She was
admitted in the ICU and the doctors advised us not to
disturb her. It all happened so quickly that I couldn’t
understand and my journey was halted. We don’t know
what will happen.
ASSIGNMENT – 7
1. Wednesday, 9th September, 20×× that something had happened. Later I came to know
9:00 pm
Yesterday a newly constructed four-storyed building in
my neighbourhood collapsed. There were sixteen flats,
four on each floor. It was no sure how many people
were there in the building at the time of accident.
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
People ran towards the building when they heard an
explosive sound. It was a very pathetic scene. Fire
Brigade was called. People were evacuated carefully.
Many were injured. Ten people were found dead on
the spot. Police registered a case and began searching
the builder who had already escaped. The building
collapsed due to the use of sub-standard materials. The
MCD officials were equally responsible for this tragic
incident.
Or
Mental Ability is Greater than Physical Ability
— Xyz
It is true that physical ability is prime requirement of a
human being. But sometimes we see even physically
disabled can do wonders. Its recent example is the
Para-Olympic Games 2016. It is a world game in
which only physically disabled men and women take
part. This year many Indians too brought laurels for
the nation. So, mental ability matters most. Our Prime
Minister has given a new name for physically disabled
men and women. He has said we should call them
Divyang i.e. magnificent body. Previously they were
called differently abled. By calling them Divyang the
Prime Minister intends to glorify their mental ability,
courage and their determination to win. Society must
recognise them and honour them.
2. My Cancelled Outing
Yesterday my father promised me to take me for
outings. A car was hired and programme was set. I
was very excited. Suddenly a phone call disturbed
everything. It was a call from my father’s elder brother
who lives in another town. He informed that his wife
had an heart-attack and her condition was very serious.
So we had to go there. There was no way to escape.
We cancelled the tour programme and diverted the car
to my uncle’s place. We directly reached the hospital.
My uncle was very upset. However, he got some relief
when he saw us. He had already informed his son who
is abroad. He will be arriving by the next flight. It
becomes very difficult for lonely parents to face such
situations.
Or
A Woman Steals Jewel
Today I visited a jewellery shop. There were some
policemen investigating the customers. It appeared
that two ladies entered the shop. They were looking
highly cultured and rich. They asked the staff to show
some jewellery. The salesman started showing them
different items. He was busy in taking the items from the
shelves and displaying on the counter one by one. In the
21
 meantime, one of the ladies slipped a gold bangle in her
purse. Then showing dislikes for the items they left the
shop. When the salesman arranged the jewellery boxes
he found one bangle missing. He searched everywhere
but he couldn’t find. Then he informed the manager
about the missing item. First the manager thought that
the staff had done wrong. So he called the police. The
police team asked everyone about the missing gold
bangle. But it was still traceless. Then the CCTV camera
footage was checked thoroughly and the real thief was
detected. The police traced out the ladies soon and
caught them. It was an embarrassment for them.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1. Sunday, 26th November, 20×× him why he had cheated them. The old man replied
9:00 p.m.
Today I was pained to see the failure of law and order in
our city. The anti-social elements are becoming smarter
and dare to do any unlawful deed even in the wee-hours.
I had to face it today when I went to a bank at about 11:00
a.m. It was peak business hour in the bank. Suddenly
some unruly young men with covered faces entered the
premises. They were armed with weapons, guns etc.
They began threatening the customers and asked them
to stand still and silent. They took the cash-counter
and the Manager’s cabin in their control. Everyone
was frightened. We were helpless and praying to God.
Suddenly we saw that a security guard pounced over the
criminal. As the criminal had never expected such an
attack he got nervous and fell down. The guard grabbed
the criminal tightly and asked him to surrender putting
him at his gunpoint. The other criminals got clueless
to handle the situation. So they had no way other than
surrendering. At last police reached and we were rescued.
I felt if we have courage we can do miracles.
Nisha
Or
Driving India Crazy
— Renu
Driving is no more a pleasure on Indian roads.
Death stalks on the roads of major metros of India.
Ironically, the capital of India has the dubious
distinction of causing maximum deaths on its
ASSIGNMENT – 9
roads. About two thousand people lost their lives
in accidents on the roads of Delhi. Bengaluru and
Chennai are gradually catching up with Delhi. 490
people in Mumbai, 223 in Ahmedabad and 148 people
died in road accidents in Kochi. Many persons may
not be as lucky as Sehshadri who has survived more
than 25 major accidents. The major cause of so many
road accidents is the lack of road culture in India.
People don’t follow the rules of the road. Rash and
drunken drivers are the merchants of death. Drinking
22 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
and driving has become the culture of the roads in
India. The condition of roads is far from satisfactory.
Pits and potholes cause many accidents. Haste and
overtaking ultimately result in accidents and deaths.
Better roads with adequate road signs and warnings
are the need of the hour.
2. Three Friends Dig the Earth to find Wealth
Three friends went out in search of wealth. They
happened to meet an old man. The old man told them
that he had buried a treasure under a tree. If they can,
they may take it. They were confused but finally
decided to dig the earth under the three. After three
days’ digging, they found nothing but they dug the
entire field. They came back to the old man and asked
patiently, “No my sons, I have not cheated you. As you
have laboured hard and dug the barren land, now the
field is ready for agriculture. You can sow the seeds of
a crop. After some time you will get crop which will
give you wealth.” The friends realised their mistake
and started doing hard labour in that field. After a few
years, they were the richest men of that area.
Or
Fingerprints Help the Police Catch Thieves
One day when I came back from school I saw a
huge gathering at the door of my house. I entered
my drawing-room and was shocked to see a scene
of confusion over my writing-desk. Now it was clear
that burglars had forced an entry in my absence. I
hurriedly went to fetch the porter from the basement
who telephoned the police. Then with the porter’s
assistance I began to search for intruders who might
be still lurking in my flat. We went through the rooms,
being careful not to touch nothing as we did not want
to hinder the police in their searching for fingerprints.
Then a police inspector arrived with a constable. I
told them of my discovery of the ransacked flat. The
inspector began to look for fingerprints, while the
constable checked how the burglars entered the flat.
Soon the inspector got the trace of fingerprints. After
a few days we came to know that the police caught the
burglars on the basis of their fingerprints.
1. Monday, 10th August, 20××
10:00 pm
It was a great day for me today. My school had
organised a Swachhata Abhiyan drive. The students
undertook cleaning the mohalla and the roads adjacent
to our school. A closing function was organised and
the Prime Minister was invited as the chief guest. The
Prime Minister reached on time and we welcomed
him. He explained the purpose of Swachhata Abhiyan
 launched by him. He emphasised the need of being
clean and keeping our country clean. Students were
awarded for their contributions in the programme. I
was also awarded for the best management. It was an
honour for us to meet the Prime Minister.
Himanshu
Or
Even a Child Can Teach
A Better Lesson of Humanity
— Xyz
Nowadays we often see that advertisements have taken
a new turn. Messages are conveyed mostly through
children. We see it in traffic awareness, dangers of
smoking, good hygiene, using toilets, Swachhata
mission, etc. It appears that children are more aware
and alert than the older generation. In a way conveying
message through children puts an emotional and moral
pressure on the violators of the rule. If one drives
carelessly a child reminds not to do so as the child
says someone is waiting for you. Similarly a child
reminds how smoking kills their future. The child asks
the older generation not defecate in the open as it is
unhygienic and pollutes the environment. This trend
has become very effective as the older generation
always thinks for the future of a child.
2. Work done in a Haste is often Waste
It was my examination day. I was very upset. It was
maths exam. I was getting late. In fact I woke up by
2 o’clock the previous night and practised the maths
problems. So I woke up very late in the morning. It
was around 7:00 am. My maths exam was to start at
8:00 am. It is about 40 minutes way to our school by
a bus. Hurriedly I brushed my teeth, took a bath and
after taking breakfast, I wore my school uniform. Now
it was 7:30. I was overanxious. I had no option but to
tell my elder brother to take out the father’s car and
take me to the school. My brother took out the car. I sat
with him. He drove the car at the speed of 80 km per
hour. As I was getting late, I told him to accelerate the
speed. He ran the car at 120 km per hour. Unfortunately
a few meters ahead a truck stopped on the road all of
a sudden. My brother applied the brake but our car hit
the truck. Consequently I got a fracture in my hand and
my brother was seriously injured. We were admitted to
a hospital. After a month we got well. Then we pledged
to be ready with much advance time and never drive
the car at so much speed.
Or
The School Bus Catches Fire
Today on the way to school my bus caught fire. All
the children began crying for help. The driver smelt
something unusual and stopped the bus immediately.
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
He asked the bus staff to check. The staff found the
fire caught in the CNG Kit and it began spreading.
The driver and the other staff informed the students
cautiously. They also asked them not to panic. The
students began crying. The driver and staff managed to
bring all the students out of the bus one by one safely.
By that time the fire had spread inside the bus. They had
already informed the Fire Brigade. The Fire Brigade
reached the spot and controlled the fire. Everyone was
safe. It was all due to alertness of the driver and his
staff.
ASSIGNMENT – 10
1. Wednesday, 20th November, 20××
9:00 p.m.
I had gone to attend a family function at Patna last
week. After attending this function I decided to visit
my previous school i.e., St. Michael’s Sr. Sec. School
where I had taken my education upto class V. I had
gone there after a gap of five years, but nothing had
changed. I met my old teachers and class-fellows. They
welcomed me with great enthusiasm. The teachers
asked me about my current school and my studies. I
spent sometime with some of my old class-fellows and
enjoyed past memories together.
Karan
Or
Education of the Girl Child is a Necessity
— Xyz
Our society has awakened now as girls’ education is
being given much importance. Most of us now think
that girls’ education is no less important than boys.
By educating a girl we educate the whole family.
Needless to say that an educated woman would be
more aware about her rights and she can also help
in checking the family size. An educated mother can
always bring positive influence on her child, because
during their early years, children are more close
to their mothers. Girls’ education is also important
for gender equality. Women constitute half of the
population. Their proper education can play a big role
in country’s development. Hence, girls’ parents should
shed their narrow mindedness and pay full attention to
their education. They should not discriminate against
their daughters.
2. Our Principal: Strict but Good
Our Principal is a strict disciplinarian. Still students
love him. He always wants welfare of the students. He
tries to make his school an ideal one and his students
all perfect. It is his efforts that our school is number
one in all fields. Every year there is hundred per cent
results of the school. This school is also champion
in cricket, football and other games and sports in the
23
 whole region. Teachers as well as students are very
punctual. Teaching is so perfect that no students get
any private tuition. Nor is any teacher allowed to
give tuition. There is also arrangement for remedial
classes for slow learners. Students of our school also
participate in social service and community works. It
is all due to our Principal. He himself takes classes of
moral science. Sometimes he becomes angry if anyone
breaks the rule. But he also listens to the problems of
every student very patiently.
Or
Punctual and Benevolent Grandmother
My grandmother is a social activist. She is more than
sixty. Even at this age she gets up at four and gets
ready. First she does some yoga and then after some gap
takes breakfast. After that she starts her journey of the
day. She visits some officer for the works of the local
people. She visits various welfare centres run by her
NGO. Most of the time she does not get rest. She comes
back home at around 4:00 p.m. Again in the evening
she becomes busy with the local helpless and needy
people. We wonder how she can manage everything
so well. But she says it is the secret of her healthy life.
She is fit and fine. It is her passion to help the needy. I
am proud of my grandmother.
ASSIGNMENT – 11
1. Monday, 10th November, 20×× and he told my mother something. My mother suddenly
11:00 pm
Sports Day was celebrated today in my school. Sakshi
Malik was the chief guest. We were very excited to
meet her. She is an Indian freestyle wrestler. She
recently won the bronze medal in the 58 kg category
at the 2016 Summer Olympic. She has become the first
Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the Olympic
and the fourth female Olympic medallist from the
country. She was very excited to share her experiences
about her training and about her ambitions with us. It
was really a very proud moment for us to have such a
great personality among us. She has proved that we can
achieve all success if we dedicate ourselves to our goal.
Her life is very inspiring. It became a very memorable
day for me and for many in our school.
Shreya
Or
The Role of Sports and Games in Our Life
— Xyz
Games and sports are important part of our lives.
That’s why most of the doctors advise us to do yoga,
exercise, playing games and sports, etc. to be fit. When
we don’t play games and sports, we really don’t know
how badly we are doing for our health. All work and no
24 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
play may lead to more obesity, insomnia, indigestion
of food and many other problems in our body. That’s
why we need to spare some time to devote to games
and sports. Playing in open gives us fresh air which
contains more oxygen than the air in a confined room
and improves our immunity. We also develop our
personality and acquire qualities such as leadership,
team-spirit, cooperation, etc. Games and sports also
instil in us a sense of responsibility.
2. A Fire Caused by Short-circuit
Last night there was a fire in the apartment opposite
my residence. The security guard rang the alarm at
midnight after seeing the fire. The fire had already
spread over three floors. There was a panic situation.
Fire Brigade was called immediately. The police also
reached the spot. People were crying and jumping out
of the windows. Many vehicles also caught fire. It was
detected that fire was caused due to the short-circuit
from an e-rickshaw which was put on charging. First
the fire spread in the parking area and then it went up.
Fire Brigade men rescued the residents safely. But some
of them were injured who were taken to hospital. The
police registered a case against the e-rickshaw owner.
Or
My Uncle Dies of a Stroke
Today early in the morning someone knocked at the
door. My mother opened the gate. Someone was there
began crying. All of us became very disturbed. We got
up and came to the door. We found Rakesh, a neighbour
of my maternal uncle there. He told us that my maternal
uncle has expired. He was in hospital under treatment.
Last week he had a stroke and the doctor advised him
to be put under observation. My mother was trying to
go there but she herself was not well. So my father
didn’t allow her. However we got prepared and started
for my maternal uncle’s house. Mother was annoyed
as we didn’t go there earlier.
ASSIGNMENT – 12
1. Tuesday, 08th August, 20××
10:00 pm
It’s a great day for me. Being a member of the hockey
team of my school, I got an opportunity to play for my
school today in an inter-school hockey tournament.
In the beginning I was a little bit nervous, but soon I
controlled myself. I played excellently and so did the
other players. As a result our team won. It was a matter
of great joy for us. We made our school proud. Our
Principal and teacher congratulated us heartily when
we came back to school with the trophy. I was feeling
greatly elated because it was my nice performance that
mattered a lot in our victory. So I was given a special
 prize by the Principal. My class teacher was so happy
that she gave me a hearty hug. My parents and my
sister too were very happy. My mother cooked delicious
dishes for me and my friends. We enjoyed a lot. It was
really a great day. I can never forget it.
Sakshi
Or
Let the Child Follow His Passion
— Xyz
There is a proverb “child is the father of the man”. It
means whatever a child learns in the beginning, keeps
lifelong. We can say — a man is just a transformation
of his childhood habits and lessons. So parents should
let the child do what he/she wants to do. Sometimes
parents try to make the child as per their own wishes.
But it is not healthy for a child. If a child wants to
study History, he must be allowed to do. If a child
has a passion for music, he should not be compelled
to play tennis. This message has been truly picturised
in the latest movie MS Dhoni — The Untold Story.
In this film Dhoni is interested in playing cricket,
but his father doesn’t like it and puts pressure on him
to do something to get a government job. However
when Dhoni gets a chance to play cricket he excels
in it and becomes a superstar of the cricket world.
All parents should take a lesson from this film. It is
very inspiring.
2. Eklavya Gives His Thumb to His Guru
In the epic Mahabharata, Drona or Dronacharya was
the royal preceptor of the Kauravas and Pandavas. He
was the master of advanced military arts, including the
divine weapons or astras.
Eklavya, the son of a poor hunter, wanted to learn
archery from him. One day he went to him and
requested him to teach him archery. Since Dronacharya
was the teacher of the royal family, he refused his
Part - II : Grammar
INTEGRATED EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE
1. CLOZE (Gap-Filling)
1. (a) (ii) who (b) (iii) for
(c) (iv) against (d) (ii) of
2. (a) (ii) has (b) (iii) the
(c) (iv) of (d) (i) is being done
3.  (a) (i) also known as (b) (iv) in
(c) (iii) the (d) (iii) covers
4.  (a) (iii) lifting (b) (ii) and
(c) (ii) due to (d) (ii) has
5. (a) (i) where (b) (i) of
(c) (i) from (d) (i) on
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
request. Eklavya in his heart had already accepted
Drona as his Guru. Over the following years, with
sincerity and practice, he learnt archery and became
better than the state princes at the art.
One day, Arjuna came to know about Eklavya’s
skill in archery. He went to Eklavya and asked him,
“Who taught you archery?” “Dronacharya”, said
Eklavya. Arjuna became furious. He went up to
Dronacharya and acknowledged him about Eklavya.
Dronacharya could not believe Eklavya welcomed
his Guru with great honour. He led both of them to
the statue he had made of Dronacharya. Eklavya had
practised archery over all the years, believing the
statue to be his Guru. Dronacharya was surprised.
He said, “Eklavya, you must give me some Guru
Dakshina. You must give me the thumb of your
right hand”. Although Eklavya knew that he could
not practise archery without his thumb, he gave it
to his Guru.
Or
My Friend is a Good Player
My friend is fond of cricket. Last week he
participated in an inter-school tournament. He was
elected the captain of the team. So this time he had
great responsibility in the team. First he had to
manage the team tactfully and fix the batting and
bowling order for the team members. After winning
the toss he decided to bat first. He himself was the
opener. He played very well and scored a century
by himself. His partner also played well and added
48 runs. It was a twenty-20 match. In all 20 overs
his team scored 180 runs. It was a huge score. His
bowlers also did very well and the other team could
score only 120 runs. It was all due to his skilful
management and decision of fixing the batting order.
His team was the winner and everyone applauded
him.
6. (a) (ii) when (b) (iii) and
(c) (i) in (d) (ii) to
7.  (a) (ii) be (b) (ii) to
(c) (ii) with (d) (iii) are
8.  (a) (iii) do (b) (ii) of
(c) (i) to (d) (ii) of
2. EDITING TASK (Error-Correction)
1. (a) and ... or (b) of ... to
(c) could ... can (d) is ... are
(e) when ... which
2. (a) are ... is (b) into ... in
(c) give ... giving (d) for ... to
(e) but ... and
25
 3.  (a) locate ... located (b) was ... is
(c) it ... its (d) liked ... like
(e) call ... called
4. (a) call ... called (b) the ... a
(c) has ... have (d) mostly ... most
(e) was ... is
5.  (a) achieved ... achieve (b) are ... is
(c) an ... the (d) would ... wouldn’t
(e) from ... by
6. (a) from .... to (b) but ... and
(c) to ... for (d) was ... is
(e) while ... and
7. (a) a ... an (b) less ... least
(c) have ... has (d) doing ... do
(e) and ... or
8. (a) is ... has (b) By ... During
(c) have ... has (d) to ... by
(e) to ... of
3. EDITING TASK (Omissions)
1. (a) ground in Delhi (b) Maidan means ground
(c) It was constructed (d) is a huge
(e) situated beside the
2. (a) physician and surgeon
(b) lived in the (c) he was a
(d) It was he (e) operation of the
3. (a) began to use (b) drawing to illustrate
(c) to provide amusement
(d) be called cartoons (e) series of drawings
4. (a) Constitution was prepared
(b) of the Constitutions
(c) countries Many good
(d) borrowed and included
(e) according to the
5. (a) Railways is now (b) covering the whole
(c) They are all (d) managed by the
(e) Board is also
6. (a) socialist was a (b) partition had dislocated
(c) life of the (d) country, the most
(e) that of the
7.  (a) consists of the (b) Himalayas in the
(c) and in southern (d) plains in the
(e) mountains in the
8. (a) is the process (b) individual to choose
(c) prepare for it (d) progress through it
(e) experience with regard
4. SENTENCE RE-ORDERING
1. (a) Most of us tend to worry about the risks we take
in life.
(b) Pure metals are chemical elements.
(c) This means that they cannot be broken down into
other substances.
26 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
(d) There are over a hundred chemical elements and
about 50 of these are metals.
2. (a) An elephant excels most other animals in
intelligence.
(b) A candidate in order to be elected as a President
must be a citizen of India.
(c) He must have completed the age of 35 years.
(d) He must be qualified for election as a member of
the Lok Sabha.
3. (a) For ten months Ravi Sir came to teach her.
(b) Most of India was forested in early historic times.
(c) Factors like grazing, clearing for cultivation, etc.
have reduced the forest area.
(d) We need to increase the forest area by afforestation.
4. (a) Hard work is a key to success.
(b) Football is a household name round the world these
days.
(c) It is one of the most entertaining games.
(d) Nobody is sure how the game originated.
5. (a) Water contained in an earthen pitcher becomes
cool in a few hours.
(b) The spleen lies in the left side of the body.
(c) It is the largest lymphatic gland in the human body.
(d) It plays a role in the development of immunity in
the body.
6. (a) Jaro started for work even earlier than morning
before.
(b) He carried with him the largest pitcher he owned.
(c) He intended first of all to go to the waterfall.
(d) On reaching there he found all his neighbours.
7. (a) On the occasion of Eid, there was a fair in our
village.
(b) Eid was celebrated only one day but the fair lasted
many days.
(c) Tradesman from far and wide came there with all
kinds of goods to sell.
(d) You could buy anything from a small pin to a big
buffalo.
5. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
1. (a) wanted to spend some time in leisure activities
(b) wouldn’t allow them unless they finished their
assignment
(c) were about to finish it
(d) to complete and submit it within 15 minutes.
2. (a) what she was doing
(b) she was knitting a sweater for her
(c) to let her try if she could knit also
(d) that she should first learn it
3. (a) what the matter was with her. She looked so sad
(b) that her sister was ill
(c) what the disease was
(d) that it was a case of typhoid
 4. (a) he had gone to watch an English play the previous
night
(b) he had thought so and enjoyed it a lot
(c) which play it was
(d) he had never seen it before
5. (a) whether it was tea or coffee
(b) what it tasted like
(c) it tasted like kerosene
(d) then it must be coffee
6. (a) where he was
(b) he was going
(c) when he would
(d) he couldn’t say
7. (a) why he had been absent all those days.
(b) he had gone to his aunt’s home
(c) he had not sent
(d) had spoken to the principal on phone.
8. (a) to show him the ticket
(b) he did not have a ticket
(c) he had boarded the train without a ticket
(d) it was the last southbound train that night
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. (a) (iii) an (b) (ii) from
(c) (ii) to (d) (ii) of
2. (a) cinema is 100
(b) film was pundalik
(c) directed by Nanabhai
(d) Toney and P.R. Tipnis
(e) lovers of Marathi
3. (a) Olive oil comes from olives, which grow on the
olive tree.
(b) It is used for many purposes since ancient times.
(c) Wealthy Greeks and Romans had the custom of
anointing the body with olive oil.
(d) Honesty is the best policy.
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1. (a) (ii) being (b) (i) for
(c) (ii) to (d) (i) by
2. (a) to ... of (b) in ... at
(c) to ... with (d) into ... in
(e) an ... the
3. (a) what had happened to him as he seemed worried.
(b) his daughter was very sick and he had asked his
boss for leave
(c) how his boss could be
(d) that they should not leave hope
ASSIGNMENT – 3
1. (a) (iii) have (b) (ii) in
(c) (ii) the (d) (i) we
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
2. (a) lead in organising (b) It was a
(c) in which 500 (d) object of spreading
(e) brotherhood among the
3. (a) Good men live for others like trees.
(b) Comets are strongly influenced by the gravitational
pull of the planets.
(c) Comets which appear at fairly regular intervals are
known as periodic comets.
(d) But some comets disappear forever.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1. (a) (ii) when (b) (i) by
(c) (iii) The (d) (iii) who
2. (a) and ... but (b) can ... could
(c) in ... to (d) his ... my
(e) feel ... felt
3. (a) if she had heard of the Bermuda triangle
(b) it is a stretch over the Atlantic Ocean where a
number of aircrafts and ships are said to have
(c) the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle remained
unsolved
(d) that it is a very big challenge for the scientists
ASSIGNMENT – 5
1. (a) (iv) who (b) (i) at
(c) (iii) the (d) (iv) to
2. (a) Most of us (b) light from the
(c) fungi and bacteria (d) settled on the
(e) skin produces a
3. (a) Wool wax from wool-bearing animals is called
lanolin when it is purified.
(b) It is used in some ointments, cosmetics, and soaps.
(c) More than 90 per cent of all commercial wax used
today is petroleum wax.
(d) Philosophy is the base of life.
ASSIGNMENT – 6
1. (a) (ii) in (b) (i) to
(c) (ii) an (d) (iv) but
2. (a) an ... the (b) was ... is
(c) to ... of (d) but ... and
(e) that ... which
3. (a) what brought him there
(b) his aunt was coming by the Patna Rajdhani Express
and he was there
(c) Then he would have to stay on for a long time
(d) trains are always late
ASSIGNMENT – 7
1. (a) (ii) to (b) (ii) have
(c) (iii) has been (d) (ii) through
27
 2. (a) collocations are alternative
(b) ways of expressing
(c) flexibility in its
(d) speaker with a
3. (a) I asked my father to buy me some crayons and
drawing paper.
(b) The very next day my room was full of the required
material.
(c) Day in and day out I kept drawing whenever I
found time.
(d) I now have a mini art room of my own at home.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1. (a) (iv) of (b) (i) is
(c) (iii) that (d) (ii) An
2. (a) for ... of (b) an ... a
(c) The ... A (d) causes ... cause
3. (a) where Netaji was born
(b) Netaji was born in Calcutta
(c) what she knew about him
(d) that she knew little about him
ASSIGNMENT – 9
1. (a) (ii) that (b) (i) called
(c) (iii) round (d) (i) of
2. (a) was a dense (b) softly through it
(c) on the bank (d) foot of the
(e) lived an ant
3. (a) The automobile was not dug out of the ground like
a nugget of gold.
(b) First of all men dreamed of a self-driven vehicle
to travel with comfort and speed.
(c) Some practical minded engineers worked day and
night to realize that dream.
(d) Thus the poet weaves around a golden dream and
scientists consolidate it.
28 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
ASSIGNMENT – 10
1. (a) (ii) to (b) (iii) apart
(c) (iv) over (d) (iii) causes
2. (a) India ... India’s (b) have ... has
(c) a ... the (d) while ... when
3. (a) that he had won
(b) it had been a very tough victory
(c) she was so happy on his success
(d) that he had been practising hard
ASSIGNMENT – 11
1. (a) (ii) was (b) (iv) for
(c) (ii) were (d) (i) had
2. (a) used to cover (b) faces with very
(c) still do it (d) practice of tattooing
(e) landscapes has gone
3. (a) These days ice cream is a very popular dessert.
(b) Earlier people used to have it only during the
summer.
(c) Now, it is consumed even in the winter.
(d) An elephant excels most other animals in
intelligence.
ASSIGNMENT – 12
1. (a) (iv) set out (b) (i) some
(c) (iv) after (f) (iii) is
2. (a) knew ... know (b) to ... of
(c) tries ... tried (d) a ... an
(e) for ... to
3. (a) when he would meet the doctor
(b) he would meet the doctor next evening
(c) there would be heavy traffic in the evening and he
might get late
(d) that he would use metro service the following day
 VOLUME - 2
SECTION - C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS
LITERATURE READER — BEEHIVE (PROSE)
1. The Fun They Had
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) It was right next to her bedroom.
(ii) Margie’s mother said that a teacher had to be
adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl.
(iii) Margie’s mother reminded her of her school.
(iv) Because she was interested in the book.
2. (i) Margie’s mechanical teacher was waiting for her
in the school room.
(ii) Margie’s mother said that little girls learned better
if they leaned at regular hours.
(iii) He was always punctual.
(iv) She learnt addition of proper fractions.
Short Answer Questions
1. Tommy found the ‘real book’ a waste as once read, it
did not seem interesting and useful. The words were
fixed on it and not any other thing can be printed on it.
2. Margie hated schooling by the mechanical teacher as
there was no fun in it. She was not able to perform well
in her Geography test. She could not catch up with the
fast speeding Geography teacher.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Margie hated school because she had a mechanical
teacher. It was in her house. She was supposed to
sit in that room alone to complete her home task or
assignments. The part Margie hated most was the slot
where she had to put homework and test papers.
She thought that the old schools must have been
fun because the students used to sit together in the
classroom. They enjoyed, laughed and shouted in the
schoolyard. Children needed company to enhance
their skills. If they are isolated, they get depressed and
dejected.
Or
No one can deny the role of modern technologies in
our life and in our studies. Nowadays education is
changing but schools without teachers and without
books are beyond imagination. Without teachers
teaching would not be good because no one would
be there to explain and to teach us well. No student
would like the environment, it would be like an office.
Teachers are very important for education. Teachers
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
not only teach us different subjects but they also teach
us to live in discipline and to live together. Teachers
resolve the students problem and doubt and if they
aren’t in schools the students don’t study enough. As
in the lesson Margie does not like her school. She finds
it tedious as she does not have opportunity to be with
other students and to do every work together. Modern
technologies can be taken as an aid to improve the
standard of studies but the schools without books and
teachers will never be preferred.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘She’ is referred to Margie.
(ii) Margie’s grandfather read in the old school.
(iii) Because children came laughing and shouting.
(iv) They helped one another with homework.
2. (i) It was about the teacher of old school.
(ii) They live in a special building.
(iii) All the kids learnt the same thing.
(iv) It was a special building.
Short Answer Questions
1. The country Inspector was the man who repaired the
mechanical teacher. He adjusted the level of the teacher
as per the child’s requirements and intelligence.
2. Tommy pronounced the word carefully because he
wanted to lay stress on the fact that the school was very
old and it was quite different from theirs.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Teachers play a very important role in the life of a
student. They not only provide bookish knowledge
but also inspire their student to live a meaningful and
successful life. They burn themselves like a candle
throughout their lives to remove the darkness and
ignorance from their student’s life. This can be done by
human teacher only. A mechanical teacher can provide
ample knowledge on various subjects but he/she can not
boost up their student to do something distinguished.
There is a single mechanical teacher having various
sectors geared up according to the level of the child.
There is no companion, no playground and no fun at all.
The teaching is mechanical and monotonous. Thus the
human teachers are better than the mechanical teachers
29 29
 in many ways. They know individually intellect of their
students which help them to guide them individually
according to the mental level of students.
Or
The ancient schools consisted of Gurukuls in which
the students stayed in the building with the guru. Then
with the change of time Gurukuls changed into schools.
Hence the teacher and the student have a formal
relationship. In these schools teachers are the human
beings and books are real ones made of paper. Now
with times modern generation is getting books replaced
by e-text and computers. The future generation would
envy when it comes to know about the old system of
education in which all the kids went to school together.
They studied together, played together. They could
have better innovative minds as they got a chance
to discuss things with each other. The old system of
education in which ‘man’ as a teacher could influence
his students by the charisma of his personality. Future
generation would utter what a fun the schools were long
long ago.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is referred to the Inspector.
(ii) She was Margie’s mother.
(iii) Because she wanted to get free from the teacher.
(iv) It was geared up little .
2. (i) They were printed on paper.
(ii) They were yellow and crinkly.
(iii) Because they stood still.
(iv) They were supposed to move like ones move on a
screen.
Short Answer Questions
1. Once Tommy’s teacher was away for about a month.
There was the history sector in the computer. So,
Tommy did not do his work in history.
2. Margie’s grandfather told her that in his time there were
real books with pages in it. The stories were printed on
the paper. It was awfully funny to read the words in the
book.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The old school had several characteristics — the
children went to a big building. The man worked as
a teacher and taught the boys and girls. The teacher
gave them homework. He also asked them questions.
They sat together and studied the same subject. In the
old school, children studied and played together. It was
quite opposite to the school talked about in the chapter.
Or
Margie and Tommy have mechanical teachers. They
need not go to school for getting a formal education.
The mechanical teacher is placed in one of the rooms
of the house and they can get the knowledge of various
30 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
subjects. They don’t have such classrooms where
students sit together. They study from the telebooks.
So they don’t require books and exercise books.
The examination system is very different. They do
homework in a different way. Margie has to write
them out in a punch code which she learnt when she
was six years old. So the system of their education is
technologically advanced and not based on printed
books.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘They’ are Margie and Tommy here.
(ii) Tommy found the real book.
(iii) Because they were printed on paper.
(iv) Because the real book was very old and lost shining
in the dust.
2. (i) ‘He’ is the country inspector here.
(ii) Because he is a computer mechanic.
(iii) He had to check if it was functioning properly.
(iv) The mechanic would not put the teacher together
again.
Short Answer Questions
1. He says that the old teachers did not live in the house.
They had a special building and all the kids went
there. They gave homework to students. They were not
mechanical teachers, but human beings.
2. The County Inspector was a little round man. He had
a box of tools with dials and wires. He was called to
adjust the mechanical teacher. The geography sector
had been geared a little too quick. And he slowed it
down to the average ten-year level.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The real book was an old book. It was quite different
from the e-book. Tommy was surprised when he had
seen the real book. It was very old and the words were
still. They were not moving. He was well aware that
the words of e-books move on the screen, and he can
see thousands of books on the computer screen. It was
a waste for him. So, he wanted to throw it away. But
when Margie saw the real book, she became curious to
know about it. Her grandfather often told her about the
schools of his days. So, she wanted to read this book
to know more about the old schools.
Or
The schools of that era are quite different from the
schools we have these days. They have a mechanical
teacher. So they do not go to school. The mechanical
teacher teach them all the subjects. A student could
learn sitting at home only. But schools of these days
have special buildings. Here boys and girls are taught
by teachers, who are human beings. The students enjoy
each other’s company. To Margie, all this appears to be
a fun which is completely missing in her school.
 2. The Sound of Music
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Evelyn confesses that she is something of
workaholic. She works harder than classical
musicians.
(ii) She gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals.
(iii) She gave classes to young musicians.
(iv) She was an inspiration for the deaf children.
2. (i) She was Evelyn Glennie.
(ii) She was nervous but excited.
(iii) She appeared a little younger than her age.
(iv) She was absolutely deaf.
Short Answer Questions
1. Evelyn sensed the sounds and vibrations of the music
by opening her mind and body to sense them. She felt
different notes through different parts of her body.
2. Though deaf, Evelyn was able to express music
beautifully as she could feel far more deeply than many
of us. That is why she expressed music so beautifully.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Life is not a bed of roses. It has many hurdles and
challenges. Those who face these hurdles with firm
determination and will power become winner. No
hurdle can defeat them in getting their target. Evelyn
who is deaf wanted to pursue her interest in music.
She made a clear vision and strong determination and
these are the secrets of her success. Her disability
could not stop her in getting her right on the top.
She is an inspiration to the handicapped because she
herself is deaf. Being handicapped, she has brought
percussion to the front of the orchestra. She created
history by scoring one of the highest marks in music
at the academy. The deaf children find a role model
in her. They feel that if Evelyn can do it, why they
can’t. She has given them an idea to progress in their
life.
Or
A determined and positive thinker breaks all the
barriers or hurdles in the path of his destination.
No failure can mar their confidence. Furthermore
it adds lustre in their confidence and one day their
determination blesses them with amazing feat. In the
story of Evelyn Glennie who lost her hearing power
but challenged her handicap and remained determined
to get her goal. She decided to make music her life.
She discovered that she could sense certain notes in
different parts of her body and by promoting these
senses she got wonderful feat in the field of music.
When she was auditioned for the Royal Academy of
Music in London, she scored one of the highest marks
in the history of the Academy.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ is Ron Forbes here.
(ii) She realised it with the help of waist up.
(iii) She should realise the notes of music through her
body parts.
(iv) He encouraged Evelyn when other teachers
discouraged her.
2. (i) He was a percussionist.
(ii) He taught Evelyn to sense music through her body
parts.
(iii) She learnt to open her mind and body to sounds
and vibrations.
(iv) Her sheer determination and hard work helped her
rise in her field.
Short Answer Questions
1. Forbes played a crucial role in shaping Evelyn’s
musical talents. He asked her to sense the sounds and
vibrations through her different body parts. He tuned
two large drums to different notes and asked her to feel
the different notes and sounds.
2. Ron Forbes created Evelyn’s interest in music. She
never looked back from that point. By the time she
was sixteen she had decided to make music her life.
She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and
scored the highest marks in the history of the academy.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Evelyn was a deaf child. But she accepted her
challenges of life and got her potentiality recognised.
She became dedicated to music and worked day
and night. Then she was auditioned for the Royal
Academy of Music. There she scored the highest
marks. She performed free concerts in prisons and
hospitals. She had accomplished more than most
people twice her age. Hence, she proved that physical
disability is not a challenge if we have strong will
and devotion.
Or
Evelyn’s music teacher, Ron Forbes, was a great person.
He taught Evelyn how to feel music in the different
parts of the body. But it depends on our individual
interest. Her music teacher developed her deep interest
in music. Her deafness did not become obstacle in the
way of success. Obviously, her teacher played a great
role in her life. He inspired her to become a renowned
percussionist.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The sound produced through his instrument was
sonorous.
31
 (ii) The instrument was produced in Shah’s chamber
and it was made by a ‘Nai’ so it was named as
Shehnai.
(iii) The barber or nai played the instrument first.
(iv) With these holes, the instrument produced soft and
melodious sounds.
2. (i) He used to play gilli-danda and sing in the temple.
(ii) It was a big laddu given by local Maharaja.
(iii) A big laddu weighing 1.25 kg was selected for the
‘Bhojpuri Chaita’.
(iv) The Maharaj of Dumraon gave the first prize to
Bismillah Khan.
Short Answer Questions
1. Shehnai is different from Pungi. It is longer and broader
than Pungi. It is made of natural hollow stem. It has
seven holes in it. It is played by opening and closing
some of the holes.
2. With the opening of All India Radio in Lucknow in
1938, Bismillah Khan got a big break. He became an
often heard Shehnai player on Radio. When India got
independence on 15th August 1947, Bismillah Khan
became the first Indian to greet the nation with his
Shehnai.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Music is the voice of soul. It is sacred beyond the
religons. It is eternal and acts as source of insipiration
for everyone A musician never plays music for any
perticular religion. Bismillah Khan who belonged to
the muslim traditional community played shehnai
in temples. He was deeply attached with holy city
of Benaras and the holy river Ganga. The river
Ganga and its flowing water were the main source of
inspiration for him. He could never think of leaving
Benaras and holy river Ganga. Since his childhood he
was fond of music. As a five year old child he used
to visit Bihariji temple at Dumraon to sing Bhojpuri
Chaita. His love for music was so deeply influenced
by Benaras and Ganga that once a student from the
USA wanted him to head a shehnai school there. He
promised him to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras
in the USA by replicating the temple. But Bismillah
Khan refused saying that he couldn’t take the Ganga
there.
Or
Bismillah Khan teaches us a very remarkable lesson of
life. People make advancement in life by dint of hard
work and devotion. He was very interested in music
as he was born in a musician family. He used to sing
Chaita in the Biharji temple. When he was in Benaras,
he was greatly influenced by his maternal uncle, who
himself was a great Shehnai player. He copied his uncle
in the true spirit and practised Shehnai in the peaceful
environment of the Ganga. His hardwork and devotion
32 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
brought him good fruits. He was awarded the greatest
civilian award, the Bharat Ratna for his contribution
to music.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) He was Ustad Bismillah Khan.
(ii) He promised him to recreate the atmosphere of
Benaras in the U.S.A.
(iii) He never desired to leave the Ganga.
(iv) He always remembered Hindustan in the foreign
countries.
2. (i) A barber improved it.
(ii) It was played in the Shah’s chamber first.
(iii) Because it is played on wedding ceremony.
(iv) Because its sound is considered auspicious.
Short Answer Questions
1. Traditionally, the Shehnai was played only in temples
and marriages. It was confined to Royal palaces alone.
But Bismillah Khan changed it. He made it popular and
brought it on the classical stage.
2. Bismillah Khan played the Shehnai from the Red Fort
on 15th August 1947. It was a historic event because
he became the first Indian to greet the nation on the
occasion of first Independence Day. This programme
was attended by Nehru, the first Prime Minister and
many stalwarts of the nations.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Film director Vijay Bhatt heard Bismillah Khan at
a festival. He was so much impressed by Bismillah
Khan that he named a film after the instrument
‘Gunj Uthi Shehnai’. The film was a huge hit. One
of Bismillah Khan’s compositions “Dil ka khilona
toot gaya”, turned out to be very popular. Inspite
of his great success in the film world, Bismillah
Khan’s film music was limited to two. Vijay Bhatta’s
‘Gunj Uthi Shehnai’ and Vikram Srinivas’s ‘Sanadhi
Aparna’.
Or
Ustad Bismillah Khan was a great shehnai player. He
was born in a village of Bihar state. He belonged to
a family of professional musicians. He made shehnai
a famous musical instrument in the world. The
government of India gave him the greatest civilian
award – “Bharat Ratna”. He was a true patriot. He
never showed his desire to settle abroad when he was
offered several chances. Bismillah had great passion for
shenai. He took lessons from his maternal uncle Ali Bux
and practised hard on the peaceful banks of the river
Ganga. Infact his life is motivating for students. He
teaches them that human beings should give up narrow
mindness. They should take values from different
religions.
 3. The Little Girl
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The little girl was afraid of her father because he
was aggressive and always spoke loudly.
(ii) She felt a sense of relief when her father went to
his work.
(iii) The fainting noise of the carriage gave her a sense
of relief.
(iv) The little girl was obedient.
2. (i) She went to her mother’s bedroom because she
wanted something to stuff the pin cushion.
(ii) She discovered a great many sheets of fine paper
on the bed-table.
(iii) Because the great speech for the Port Authority
was missing.
(iv) She needed them to fill the pin-cushion.
Short Answer Questions
1. Before going to his office, Kezia’s father used to
visit her room. He would give her a casual kiss. She
responded with “Goodby, father.” Since she was afraid
of him, she always felt relieved after his departure.
2. Kezia was a normal girl but whenever she was in front
of her father she felt nervous. She would try hard to
speak words but would end up in stuttering. She was
too afraid of her father.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Fathers are not alike. Some play with their children
while others love and care for them. This love they
show to them by working hard and giving them all
facilities as well as instructions. Though they never
express their love but they have deep love for their
child. Kezia’s father belong to the second type. He did
not believe in showing off his affection for his daughter.
He believed in showing his love by making her future
more secure. When she tore his papers unknowingly,
he beat her harshly. But in the end we find him a very
loving and caring father. Thus it is true that every father
loves his child’s but the way of love is different from
one person to other. Most of the fathers live their dream
in their children. Their strictness is also a kind of their
love.
Or
No other one but fathers are the most caring person in a
child’s life. But as they belong to different professions,
different circumstances and different background so
they seem different to the children but in real all father
are alike. As in the story Kezia compared her father
with Macdonald. She found Mr. Macdonald a more
loving father than her father as he played with his
children. He used to run round and round the flower
beds laughing. Kezia’s father was just opposite to Mr.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
Macdonald. He never played with Kezia. He was very
strict and harsh with her. This made Kezia decide that
there are different kinds of fathers but later she realised
the love of her father and understood that the work and
circumstances have made her father different from
Mr. Macdonald. Thus we can say that fathers who
seem different are same from inside, a source of love,
inspiration and guidance for children.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) She wanted to tell her father that she tore papers
to stuff the pin-cushion.
(ii) The girl screamed and tried to hide herself under
the bed clothes.
(iii) Because she had wasted her father’s great speech.
(iv) She wanted to gift it to her father.
2. (i) Kezia saw a butcher, with a knife and a rope in his
hands.
(ii) He asked her to rub her feet against his legs to
make them warm.
(iii) She saw him in the nightmare.
(iv) He behaved with love and affection.
Short Answer Questions
1. Kezia’s grandmother advised her to make a pin-cushion
for her father on his birthday. She made it out of a
beautiful piece of yellow silk. She wanted something
to fill it with. She found some sheets of paper lying on
the bed table. She tore them up and filled in the pin
cushion.
2. Kezia wanted to give a pin-cushion to her father on his
birthday. She filled it with some papers. These papers
contained an important speech for the Port Authority.
When her father came to know about it, he punished
Kezia.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
While popular psychology typically focuses on the role
of mother in child rearing, fathers are also immensely
important in bringing up balanced, well adjusted and
happy children. Both have complementary parenting
styles and strengths to give children love, support and
guidance they need for healthy development. Fathers
in particular, influence a child’s emotional, social
and intellectual grounding. An activity involved and
reliable father helps to instill security and confidence in
his child. Father helps to promote independence and a
healthy view of the outside world and their children are
more likely to be sociable, friendly and popular with
their peers. In real father’s involvement in child rearing
enhances brain development and learning. In the lesson
Kezia does not like her father due to his strictness but
later she realises that her father is a great source of love
33
 and support for her. She finds him protective and calls
him the best father.
Or
Parents’ contribution in shaping and framing the life
of their kids cannot be compared with anything. The
values, courage, and virtues are all implanted by parents
at young age. The early years of man’s life is very
delicate, his future is made or marred at this age. For
cultivating good qualities, for making their kids better
than them, they have to chide, scold or show their
strictness but in reality a spring of love remains behind
it. As in the story ‘The little girl’ Kezia’s father appears
strict to her and she makes her opinion about him as a
strict and hard-hearted father but when she realises the
warmth of love she understands the love of her father.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Kezia’s father made a hue and cry in the house.
(ii) They were questioned to know about the great
speech.
(iii) She asked her about the speech in a polite manner.
(iv) She needed scraps to fill her father’s gift.
2. (i) ‘She’ is referred to Kezia.
(ii) She should make a pin-cushion and gift it to her
father on his birthday.
(iii) It was to fill the pin-cushion with stuff.
(iv) It symbolises her love and affection for her father.
Short Answer Questions
1. She stitched cotton cloth three sides and looked for the
things that could be stuffed into the stitched cloth. Soon
she found out many sheets of paper.
Actually they contained her father’s speech for the Port
Authority. She tore them into pieces and stuffed her
case. One day when her father looked for the papers,
he did not find them. After some time, he came to
know that Kezia had torn them into pieces to make a
pin-cushion. He got infuriated and beat her with a ruler.
2. Kezia was a sensitive little girl. Her grandmother
suggested her that she should present a pin-cushion as
a birthday gift for her father. She found nothing suitable
in the house which she could use to make a pin-cushion.
So she used her father’s papers for this purpose. She
tore them into pieces and stuffed the cushion with them.
When her father came to know about it, he felt very
much annoyed and beat her with a ruler. Thus Kezia’s
birthday present proved a disaster.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Parents are very fond of their children. They always
desire to see them on the top. If they punish them, it
does not mean that they want to hurt them. Kezia had
stuffed the pin-cushion with the papers that contained
important speech, which was a great damage for her
34 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
father. If her father beat her, he only wanted to teach
her that she should value the important things in life.
So his punishment had a lesson for Kezia and before
doing any work, she would think twice whether the
work that she was going to do was right or wrong.
Or
One day, when Kezia was kept indoors due to cold, her
grandmother suggested her to make a pin-cushion for
her father. She stitched three sides of the cushion and
went to her mother’s bedroom to look for scraps with
which she could fill the cushion. On the bed-table she
discovered a great many sheets of fine paper, gathered
them up, tore them into tiny pieces and stuffed her case
and then sewed up the fourth side.
That night there was a huge hue and cry in the house
because those papers were very important. It was a
great speech for the Port Authority. So her parents were
in search of those sheets. This was the reason that her
father got agitated and punished her with a ruler.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘You’ is Kezia the little girl here.
(ii) She is talking with her mother here.
(iii) She never stuttered with the other people.
(iv) Because she was afraid of him.
2. (i) ‘He’ is Kezia’s father here.
(ii) She made it to present her father on his birthday.
(iii) Because his great speech was missing.
(iv) She had great love for her father.
Short Answer Questions
1. Kezia had a horrible dream. She got frightened.
Her father caught up the child in his arms and lay
down beside her. She found that he was harder than
Grandmother, but it was a nice hardness. She thought
that he was working hard for the family’s comfort. So
she changed her opinion about her father.
2. Kezia expected that her father should play with her and
speak politely. She needed love and affection. She felt
alienated from the mainstream of life due to her father’s
behaviour.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Kezia was a very sensitive child. She got dejected
because of her father’s indifference towards her. She
needed attention and affection. The Macdonalds lived
next door to her house. They had five children. Looking
through a gap in the fence the little girl saw them
playing ‘tag’ in the evening. The father with the baby,
Mao, on his shoulders, two little girls hanging on to
his coat pockets ran round and round the flower beds,
brimming with laughter. Once she saw the boys turn
the hose on him—and he tried to catch them laughing
all the time. The incident made Kezia think that there
 were different sorts of fathers. She compared her life
to the lives of those children and found them fortunate
because they could spend time with their father.
Or
Kezia’s story is very touching. It shows that Kezia
misinterprets her parents’ attitude and behaviour
because of her innocence. She thinks that her father
does not love her. She concludes that he is rude and
arrogant. He punishes her with a ruler. Moreover,
he never plays with her and never spends time with
4. A Truly Beautiful Mind
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Albert Einstein’s parents left him with their
relatives when they had moved to Milan.
(ii) Mathematics was his favourite subject.
(iii) Because it was more liberal than Munich.
(iv) He was interested in Science but highly gifted in
Mathematics.
2. (i) Einstein became a university graduate in 1900 at
the age of 21.
(ii) Einstein was supposed to be assessing other
people’s invention but he was secretly developing
his own ideas.
(iii) It was the job of technical experts.
(iv) He assessed the other people’s inventions.
Short Answer Questions
1. Einstein knew that his invention would be misused.
He was deeply shaken by the extent of destruction
in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He immediately wrote a
letter to the U.N. and proposed the formation of a world
government.
2. Einstein is remembered as a world citizen because he
cared for the whole mankind. Using the popularity as a
renowned person, he campaigned for world peace and
democracy. People admired him for his good ideas.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Einstein was a great man of high calibre. Nobody can
deny his contribution in the scientific field. In the
year 1905, his famous paper called Special Theory
of Relativity was published. It specified that time
and distances are not absolute. He also established
a relation between energy and mass. He proved the
interchangeability of energy and mass that became the
basis of use of nuclear energy. Unfortunately, some
people used this energy destructively. Mass destruction
caused by bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki touched
his heart. He pioneered an agitation to end the arms
build up. He was against this destruction and atom
bombs. He dedicated rest of his life to fight against
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
her. But in the end of the story he shows his love and
affection towards Kezia when she is in dire need of
her father’s protection. He makes her feel comfortable
and lies beside her so that she may enjoy sound sleep
and she may not feel frightened due to a nightmare.
The author intends to say that parents never do wrong
with their children. They always think and act for the
wellness of their children. They persistently strive
hard for accumulating wealth to provide all the basic
necessities to their wards.
this enemy of humanity. Because of his tireless efforts
for the humanity he was considered both as a visionary
and a world citizen.
Or
In fact, Albert Einstein was a peculiar child. He was
unable to behave like other children. His thinking was
also different. He did not talk for about two and a half
year. Besides his head seemed too large and he uttered
everything twice.
Einstein did not prove a good student when he was
quite young. But he was interested in Physics. He was
also highly gifted in Mathematics. He worked as a
technical expert in the patent office in Bern. There he
was developing his own ideas in secret. He jokingly
called his desk the “bureau of theoretical physics.” In
1905, one of his famous papers was ‘Special Theory of
Relativity’. In 1919, his theory of gravity was proved
right. He was now called a scientific genius. He was
awarded Nobel Prize in 1921 for Physics.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Einstein got married in January 1903.
(ii) His married life was not a success. They divorced
in 1919.
(iii) Because she lost her intellectual ambition.
(iv) It was the years of constant fighting with his wife.
2. (i) Einstein emigrated to America in 1933, because
the Nazis came to power in Germany.
(ii) The American physicists were worried because
the German scientists had discovered the nuclear
fission in Berlin.
(iii) Because he knew that single bomb could destroy
the world.
(iv) The discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin was the
reason of his emigration.
Short Answer Questions
1. Einstein published his General Theory of Relativity in
the year 1915. His theory gave a new interpretation of
gravity. His theory was proved accurate in 1919.
35
 2. Einstein was a peace loving person. He feared that
Nazis could make an atom bomb and would use that
against the USA. He wrote a letter to the President
Roosevelt warning against the approaching threat.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Teachers and schools play an important role in the lives
of students. Neither teacher, nor school authorities
should underestimate a student because of his less
interest in any particular subject. On the other hand the
taste of the students must be identified and promoted to
get better performance. Albert Einstein as an unusual
child was quite good at studies but he was not interested
in learning dates in history because he did not find any
logic in that. This made a great difference between him
and his teacher. His headmaster thought that he would
never succeed in his life. He could not adjust himself
in the school and left it at the age of 15. He went to the
university in Zurich for higher education. He did his
graduation and became one of the leading scientists of
the world.
Or
Einstein was a scientific genius. When the Nazis
discovered the nuclear fission, the American scientists
feared that the Nazis could build an atomic bomb.
Einstein wrote a letter to the American President,
warning against the misuse of atomic power. Einstein
was shocked when America dropped an atom bomb
over Hiroshima. He joined politics and decided to
work for world peace and democracy. Being deeply
shaken by the extent of the destruction, he wrote a
public letter to the United States advocating for the
formation of a world government. He was against the
arms race.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) According to him, time and distance are not
absolute.
(ii) It was published in 1905.
(iii) He was twenty-six years old.
(iv) The most famous formula describing the
relationship between mass and energy followed
after this special theory.
2. (i) He worked over a decade in politics.
(ii) He agitated to end arms build up.
(iii) He proposed the formation of a world government.
(iv) He used his popularity for peace and democracy.
Short Answer Questions
1. Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office
the “bureau of theoretical physics”. Einstein was
actually developing his own ideas in a secret and his
drawer had all the evidences which could reveal the
secret.
36 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
2. During childhood, Einstein was sent to school. There he
failed to show any sign of progress in his studies. The
headmaster too had a poor opinion about him. He told
Einstein’s father that he would never make a success
at anything.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Albert Einstein was born on 14 March 1879 in the
German city of Ulm. At the age of two-and-a-half,
Einstein did not start speaking. When he finally did
learn to speak, he uttered everything twice. He did not
know what to do with other children and his playmates
called him “Brother Boring”. He loved mechanical toys.
Einstein did not get appreciation from his teachers. A
headmaster told his father he would not succeed in any
field. But he was a talented violinist and maintained
this skill throughout his life. When Einstein joined a
school in Munich, he did well in studies. But he hated
the school’s regimentation and left the school at the age
of 15. Einstein was highly gifted in Mathematics and
interested in Physics.
Or
Einstein did not prove a good student when he was
quite young. But he was interested in Physics. He was
also highly gifted in Mathematics. He worked as a
technical expert in the patent office in Bern. There he
was developing his own ideas in a secret. He jokingly
called his desk the “bureau of theoretical physics.” In
1905, one of his famous papers was ‘Special Theory of
Relativity’. In 1919, his theory of gravity was proved
right. He was now called a scientific genius. He was
awarded Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) He wanted to continue his education in Switzerland.
(ii) They were Physics and Mathematics.
(iii) He found school there more liberal than that of
Munich.
(iv) His moustache is compared with that of a walrus.
2. (i) ‘He’ is Einstein here.
(ii) As a professional he would not get success.
(iii) In high school in Munich, he scored good marks
in every subject.
(iv) Because he did not like strict discipline of high
school.
Short Answer Questions
1. When Einstein was two-and-a-half years old, he still
wasn’t talking. When he finally learnt to speak, he
spoke everything twice. His playmates called him
‘Brother Boring’. So Einstein played by himself much
of the time.
2. Albert wanted to marry Mileva right after finishing
his studies. But his mother was against it. She thought
 Mileva, who was three years older than Einstein, looked
too old for him. She was also bothered by Mileva’s
intelligence. Einstein’s mother said, “she is a book like
you.” So Einstein put the wedding off.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The Americans developed the atomic bomb in a secret
project and dropped on the two major cities of Japan
i.e. Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Einstein
knew the aftermaths of dropping the atomic bomb. So
he warned the American President Franklin Roosevelt
in 1939. But he did not heed his advice and decided to
devastate Japan and humanity at large. Einstein was a
scientist who wanted that science should be used for
the welfare of the society and not to destroy mankind.
Killing of human beings using the modern scientific
5. The Snake and the Mirror
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The narrator lived in a small rented house.
(ii) The sound of movements of rats was the familiar
sound in the room.
(iii) The narrator had just set up medical practice and
his income was not enough.
(iv) Because he had just started his profession.
2. (i) He was a bachelor.
(ii) According to the doctor, one is always tempted to
look into a mirror when it is near.
(iii) Because he was a great admirror of beauty.
(iv) He decided to make his presence felt as an
unmarried man.
Short Answer Questions
1. The doctor encountered the snake which had landed
on his shoulder. He was scared but showed a great
presence of mind. He neither jumped nor cried. He sat
on the chair holding his breath. His mind was active
though his body was still.
2. The snake left the doctor and sat in front of the mirror.
He looked into it. The doctor thought that the snake was
admiring his beauty. If it was a male snake, he might
be thinking of growing moustache. If it was a female,
it might be thinking about using eye shadow, mascara
or wearing vermilion on her forehead.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Life is full of hurdles. It is veiled. No one can tell about
the next moment. Everyone has to face threat or danger
in life but those who shows courage and presence of
mind easily come out of the danger. In the story ‘The
Snake and the Mirror’ it was doctor’s presence of mind
which helps him to save his life. The doctor was shocked
to find the snake coiling up on his arm. He was shocked
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
technology was considered as sin. So he felt moved
and that destruction shocked him. It made him write a
public missive to the United Nations.
Or
Einstein hated the regimented environment of his
school in Munich. He always argued with his teachers.
His mind was not made for the normal strict and
disciplined environment of a school. That is why he left
school to enjoy his independence. It shows like every
human being he also believes in the independence. He
wanted to study in Switzerland as he thinks there is less
stifling environment in Switzerland compared to that in
Munich. Einstein always liked to take his own decision
which is evident from his insistence on leaving Munich
for a better future.
but he knew that nothing like jumping, trembling or
crying would be of any use. He held his breath and sat
still like a stone. He felt God around him. His mind was
active but all other parts of the body were at a stand
still. He only moved after the snake had unwound itself
and had crept on to the table. He slowly got up without
disturbing the snake. The snake was busy in admiring
its own beauty. Then he ran out of the room. In this way
he avoided being bitten by the snake.
Or
A good story should have humour to entertain the
readers because it arouses interest of readers in the
story. In the story the ‘The Snake and the Mirror’, the
author has a great sense of humour. He creates humour
in the middle of a horrifying incident. He presents the
main characters of the story in a humourous way. He is
a learned doctor but his life style and thinking and the
way he presented himself before his friends are all full
of laughter. He shared the room with rats, his ideas to
read the snake’s mind and his detailed description of the
final insult, all these make it a great humourous story.
In this way we can say that the story writer should have
skill to add some humour in the story either tragic, full
of climax or on the basis of historical event.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The doctor was thinking about the snake.
(ii) The doctor found a snake on his shoulder.
(iii) He was sitting in front of the table.
(iv) Because there was no snake in the roof above.
2. (i) The doctor ran because he was afraid of the snake
that landed on his shoulder.
(ii) The doctor found that all his belongings were
stolen.
37
 (iii) Because a snake had fallen on his shoulder.
(iv) The thief left behind his vest.
Short Answer Questions
1. The doctor was unmarried. He was a great admirer of
beauty. He believed in making himself handsome while
looking into the mirror, he adjusted his hair many times.
He also decided to shave daily.
2. The next day when the doctor came back to his room
with some people to take his luggage away, he found
that some thief had cleaned his room completely but the
thief had left his vest behind. It was dirty. It appeared
that the thief had a better sense of cleanliness than the
doctor. The thief left the vest behind which was the
‘final insult’ for the doctor.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Most of the people lose their courage and get nervous
in difficult situations but those who use presence of
mind and a balanced behaviour in difficult situation
can make the situation in favour. In the story when
the doctor confronted with the snake he behaved in a
balanced way. He did not jump or tremble in fear. He
sat like a statue. He retained his presence of mind as
well as his sense of humour. Soon the snake unwound
itself from his arm. The doctor got up from the chair,
went out quietly and ran away to his friend’s house.
Thus his presence of mind saved his life from the snake.
Or
Generally animal and creatures are not as selfish as
human beings. These animals only want to live freely
without any restrictions or interference in their way of
living. Animals or creatures attack only when they find
that they are going to be attacked. In most cases humans
attack on animals for no purpose or fun. Animals only
lose their head and are compelled to harm humans
when they find their life in risk. In the story ‘The Snake
and the Mirror’ the snake enters the room of doctor. It
tightened itself around his arm but its intention was
not to harm the doctor. It crept and moved towards the
mirror. If doctor would have made some violent effort
to remove the snake, it might have harmed the doctor.
Thus it is true the animals harm others only when they
are harmed. In general the creatures like snakes are shy
and will simply leave if they are given chance.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is the narrator who is a young doctor.
(ii) Because he was young and unmarried.
(iii) He will shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
(iv) He would keep an attractive smile on his face.
2. (i) ‘I’ is the narrator here.
(ii) Because a thick snake was coiled around his arm.
(iii) It refers to a black cobra.
(iv) The speaker’s arm had drained of all strength.
38 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Short Answer Questions
1. The doctor took two decisions while he was looking
into the mirror. First, he would shave daily and grow
a thin moustache to look more handsome. Second, he
would always keep an attractive smile on his face.
2. When the snake landed on the doctor’s shoulder, he
didn’t jump or tremble. He didn’t even cry out. He
knew that at the slightest movement, the snake would
strike him. Because its head was spread and its head
was hardly three or four inches from his face. Then he
said, “Death lurked four inches away.”
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The doctor got terrified when the snake landed on his
shoulder. He remembered the Almighty and sat there
like a stone image in the flesh. He had pain in his left
arm. It was as if a rod of molten fire was powerfully
crushing his arm. The arm was beginning to be drained
of all the strength. He felt that his end was near. The
snake spread its head and its head was hardly three or
four inches from his face. So, the doctor got afraid of
the snake and prayed to God for his safety.
Or
The author uttered these words. He was right in using
these words. His financial condition was not sound. He
was living in a rented room and had no facility there.
He endured the company of rats. When the snake was
about to strike him, he thought about medicines. But
he did not have any medicine at home. So he cursed his
poverty and declared himself foolish for not keeping
any medicine. The house he was living in, was not
electrified. He had just set up medical practice and his
earnings were meagre. At first he did not heed the sound
in the room and took it casually. The fat snake wriggled
over the bank of the chair and landed on his shoulder.
It shows that the author acted in a stupid manner.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is the speaker here.
(ii) He would shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
(iii) Because he was a bachelor doctor.
(iv) He would also keep an attractive smile.
2. (i) It was a hot summer and there was no air.
(ii) He practised as a homeopathic doctor.
(iii) He was tempted to look his face in the mirror.
(iv) Because he was unmarried.
Short Answer Questions
1. The doctor got up from his chair and quietly went out
through the door. He reached the verandah, jumped into
the yard and ran as fast as he could. He kept on running
till he reached a friend’s house. There he smeared oil
all over himself and took a bath. He changed into fresh
clothes.
 2. When the snake landed on the doctor’s shoulder, he
didn’t jump or tremble. He didn’t even cry out. He
knew that at the slightest movement, the snake would
strike him. Because its head was spread and its head
was hardly three or four inches away from his face.
Then he said, “Death lurked four inches away.”
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author uttered these words. He was right in using
these words. His financial condition was not sound. He
was living in a rented room and had no facility there.
He endured the company of rats. When the snake was
about to strike him, he thought about medicines. But
he did not have any medicine at home. So he cursed his
poverty and declared himself foolish for not keeping
any medicine. The house he was living in, was not
electrified. He had just set up medical practice and his
6. My Childhood
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is Abdul Kalam here.
(ii) Speaker’s father was a simple man who avoided
inessential comforts.
(iii) His childhood was safe and secure. His father
provided him all the essential comforts.
(iv) His father avoided all inessential comforts and
luxuries.
2. (i) The speaker is Abdul Kalam.
(ii) He used to collect tamarind seeds.
(iii) His brother-in-law, Jalluluddin, told him stories of
war.
(iv) Because it was an isolated area.
Short Answer Questions
1. During the world war an emergency was declared. The
stoppage of trains at Rameshwaram was suspended. His
cousin Samsuddin needed a helping hand who would
catch the bundle at the station thrown from the train.
Abdul offered his help and earned his first wage.
2. Abdul’s parents were simple but full of wisdom. His
father avoided all inessential comforts and luxuries.
Abdul inherited honesty and self-discipline from his
father and faith in goodness and deep kindness from
his mother.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Schools or other educational institutes are the places
where students come from every religion. In schools or
institutions there are students whose motive is to gain
knowledge. There should be good relationship between
the students of different religions. Schools should be
places where minds are opened. The students should
have regard for the good values of every religion. The
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
earnings were meagre. At first he did not heed the sound
in the room and took it casually. The fat snake wriggled
over the bank of the chair and landed on his shoulder.
It shows that the author acted in a stupid manner. Thus
we can say that the words used by the author for himself
are justified.
Or
The doctor got terrified when the snake landed on his
shoulder. He remembered the Almighty and sat there
like a stone image in the flesh. He had pain in his left
arm. It was as if a rod of molten fire was powerfully
crushing his arm. The arm was beginning to be drained
of all the strength. He felt that his end was near. The
snake spread its head and its head was hardly three or
four inches away from his face. So, the doctor got afraid
of the snake and prayed to God for his safety.
school authorities or teachers should never support any
religion. In other words schools are the best places of
foundation of secularism. Students study, play, entertain
and learn different things from each other. There should
not be discrimination on the basis of caste or religion.
In the lesson Abdul Kalam and his friend were told
to sit on different benches because of their religions.
It was quite against the humanity. So such type of
discrimination should never be allowed in schools and
educational institutions.
Or
Parents play a vital role in making their child a good
human. They should provide good values which are
given in every religion. This non-religious way means
focusing on education without religious bias and in
corporating humanist and free thought values. The
parents should provide their child with the opportunity
to have love for learning and passion for discovering
new information from a secular point of view. In the
case of Abdul Kalam, his mother was a very kind and
sincere domestic lady. She filled Abdul with qualities
of life. Thus he inherited the qualities of faith in
goodness and deep kindness. At bed time she even
told the events from the ‘Ramayana’ and from the
life of the Prophet. It was due to his parents’ specific
characteristics, Abdul developed all the good qualities
of head and heart.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘My’ is Abdul Kalam here.
(ii) The newspapers had to be thrown out of the
moving train because of the suspension of train
halt at Rameswaram.
39
 (iii) Because it was his first work when he had earned
his own money.
(iv) The speaker feels pride in his first earning.
2. (i) His father’s virtues were honesty and self discipline.
(ii) All his three friends belonged to orthodox Brahmin
families.
(iii) They similarly inherited honesty and self-discipline
from their father.
(iv) He learnt goodness and deep kindness from her.
Short Answer Questions
1. His society and neighbours were all Hindus. His
friends, his elders, and his teachers were all orthodox
Hindus. He had his father, mother, his friend’s relatives
and his teachers around him. He was impressed with
all of them.
2. Kalam’s science teacher’s name was Sivasubramania
Iyer. He influenced Kalam with his broad outlook on
the problem of social differences based on religion. He
urged Kalam to fight this social evil.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The system under reference is the system of
discrimination on the basis of religion. The Indian
society suffered from narrow-mindedness. The poison
of social inequality and communal intolerance was
widespread. In some parts of the country the orthodox
Brahmins did not allow the Muslims to enter their
kitchen. They were served meal, if necessary, outside
only. Abdul Kalam’s science teacher, Sivasubramania
Iyer was a rebel by nature. He was deadly against the
prevalent system. When he invited Abdul Kalam to his
home, his wife refused to serve him food. But Iyer not
only served him food himself but also invited him next
week. He told Abdul Kalam that when one decides to
go against the social custom, one has to face numerous
problems. He proved that if one is determined to face
problems and change the system, one succeeds. He
convinced his wife, who served Abdul Kalam food the
next week.
Or
India is the land of many religions, castes and creeds.
Many festivals are celebrated here with pomp and
show, which gives India a multicolour look but
even after so much diversity India is full of unity.
Though people are aware about their castes yet
they share natural friendships and experiences. In
the lesson “My Childhood”, Kalam’s mother used
to tell him events from the ‘Ramayan’ and the life
of the Prophet. Even the parents hated the poison
of communalism. During the annual Shri Sitaram
Kalayanam ceremony Kalam’s family used to
arrange boats with a special platform for carrying
the idols of the Lord from temple to the marriage
site. The site was situated in the middle of the pond
called Rama Tirtha.
40 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ is the speaker’s science teacher.
(ii) His science teacher invited him.
(iii) She is an orthodox lady.
(iv) He was invited by his science teacher to have a
meal at home.
2. (i) He is Kalam’s father here.
(ii) He had to get his permission to leave Rameshwaram
for study.
(iii) The speaker wants to go to Ramanathapuram.
(iv) We should give respect to our parents.
Short Answer Questions
1. His mother was a noble and kindhearted woman. She
used to feed a large number of people. She had all the
attributes of a typical Indian mother.
2. The author describes his father as a wise and generous
person. He felt happy when he helped others. He didn’t
have much formal education and riches. He was a man
of confidence. He avoided inessential comforts and
luxuries. The author’s mother was a noble and kind-
hearted woman.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
One day when Kalam was in the fifth standard at the
Rameswaram Elementary School, a new teacher came
to his class. He could not endure a Hindu priest’s son
sitting with a Muslim boy. The author was asked to
sit on the back bench. He felt very sad and so did
Ramanadha Sastry. They communicated this matter to
their parents. Lakshmana Sastry summoned the teacher
and told him that he should not spread communalism
and the feelings of inequality. He bluntly asked the
teacher to apologise or quit the school and the island.
The teacher regretted his behaviour and changed his
attitude also.
Or
Abdul Kalam asked his father for permission to leave
Rameswaram and study at the district headquarters
in Ramanathapuram. His father did not get upset. He
said that he knew Kalam was to go away to grow. He
was a wise man and was aware of the harsh reality
of life. He knew a seagull crosses the sun alone and
without a nest. He was well acquainted with the fact
that life is not easy. We have to make tremendous
efforts to face the hardships of life. The sons and
daughters live their own lives as it is the dire need
of time.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is Abdul Kalam here.
(ii) He studied at the Rameswaram Elmentary school.
 (iii) Because he was wearing a cap.
(iv) He was his friend.
2. (i) ‘He’ is Sivasubramania Iyer here.
(ii) He invited the narrator to his home for a meal.
(iii) He was supposed to have his meal in the ritually
pure kitchen.
(iv) She was a conservative woman.
Short Answer Questions
1. The author describes his father as a wise and generous
person. He felt happy when he helped others. He didn’t
have much formal education and riches. He was a man
of confidence. He avoided inessential comforts and
luxuries.
The author’s mother was a noble and kind-hearted
woman. She used to feed a large number of people.
2. Sivasubramania Iyer was Kalam’s science teacher. He
invited him to have food at his house though his wife
was an orthodox Brahmin. He sat beside his teacher to
eat his meal. His teacher invited him to the meal the
next time also. He observed Kalam’s hesitation but told
him that such problems had to be faced once we decide
to change the system.
7. Packing
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is Jerome here.
(ii) It was the issue of packing.
(iii) The author would pack everything for them.
(iv) The speaker has a good knowledge of packing.
2. (i) ‘I’ is Jerome here.
(ii) His friends misunderstood his offer of help. They
made him work while he wanted to act as their
boss.
(iii) The author did not enjoy his packing work.
(iv) He was locking his legs on the table.
Short Answer Questions
1. Jerome offered his ability to pack with an intention to
superintend his friends. But George and Harris thought
that Jerome would do the entire job. They sat idle. It
irritated the narrator.
2. When Jerome offered to pack his real intention was
to supervise their work. He wanted to act as a boss
only. But his offer was misused by his friends who did
nothing but to spoil the things.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ is a way
of saying that it is easier to prevent an illness than
to treat it. Everyone has to face this or that ailment
but some people get aware in the beginning of any
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The narrator’s science teacher invited him to his home
for a meal. His wife was horrified at the idea of a
Muslim boy being invited to dine in her ritually pure
kitchen. She refused to serve him food in her kitchen.
Sivasubramania Iyer was not perturbed, nor did he get
angry with his wife. But he served him with his own
hands and sat down beside him to eat his meal. When
he visited his house the next week, he found that the
teacher’s wife had changed her notion about casteism.
She took him inside her kitchen and served him food
with her own hands.
Or
Abdul Kalam asked his father for permission to leave
Rameswaram and study at the district headquarters in
Ramanathapuram. His father did not get upset. He said
that he knew Kalam had to go away to grow. He was
a wise man and was aware of the harsh reality of life.
He knew a seagull crosses the sun alone and without a
nest. He was well acquainted with the fact that life is
not easy. We have to make tremendous efforts to face
the hardships of life. The sons and daughters live their
own lives as it is the dire need of time.
physical trouble and they prevent it while others who
do not have time to think before their simple ailment
become complex, have to face a long struggle to cure
their ailment. The same saying is fit in every aspect
of life. Any problem can be curbed in beginning.
In the story “Packing” all three friends think that
they are suffering from this or that ailment, so they
decide to bring a change in their routine by going on
a journey. Their way to get back their healthy attitude
towards life is justified as this is necessary to bring
some change in routined monotonous life to make
it happy.
Or
Everyone longs for more breathing space, fresh
stimuli, new ideas different perspectives not only
to get success but also to make more positive social
impact in the world. A journey provides one all these
pleasures as one has to go completely outside one’s
normal environment. One not only enjoys the nature
but also learns from individuals and context that one
would otherwise never get the chance to meet and
be a part of those learning which is often surprising.
One learns different cultures and bundle of things
from others during journey. Furthermore journey
provides us time for self reflection. In hectic routine
of life one never gets time to think about oneself.
Away from the routine environment one has ample
41
 time to know one self and to plan for the future. One
learns something unexpected and dynamic during
journey.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The author was looking for his tooth brush.
(ii) He found it inside the boot.
(iii) When he reopened his bag to search for his
tooth brush there was utter chaos. He had to get
everything out but did not find his tooth brush.
(iv) Packing is an art otherwise it creates choas.
2. (i) ‘I’ is Jerome here.
(ii) ‘They’ are George and Harris.
(iii) They are packing.
(iv) They were confused while packing.
Short Answer Questions
1. The author remarks that he can’t sit idle and see other
people slaving and working. He wanted to get up and
supervise his friends in packing. But his offer was taken
otherwise and his friends left the entire work of packing
to him.
2. George and Harris were not good packers. They were
nervous and excited. In excitement, they stepped on the
thing and messed up everything. Jerome tried to help
them when they got irritated.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Montmorency’s contribution to the packing cannot be
forgotten. His ambition in life was to disturb others
and be abused by them. He came and sat on things, just
when they were going to be packed and he put his leg
into the jam. He disturbed everything. He pretended the
lemons to be rats and got into the hamper and killed
three of them.
Montmorency wanted to be a perfect nuisance and
make people mad. If things are thrown at his head, he
feels his day has not been wasted. To get somebody
to stumble over him, and curse him steadily for an
hour was his highest aim and objective. When he got
succeeded in accomplishing it, his conceit became quite
unbearable.
Or
A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend is an oft
saying. Lazy friends most often remain burden as they
do not want to do any work and one has to do the whole
work for the sake of one’s friendship. In the story, the
author has two friends—Harris and George. They are
lazy. They irritate the writer who has volunteered to
pack for them. This service becomes a headache for
him. George and Harris are not only lazy but worst
packers also. Though Jerome makes a few minor
mistakes while packing. This is the reason why he likes
to pack and repack many times but ultimately it is he
who has finished packing in a better way.
42 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is Jerome here.
(ii) He wanted to boss packing.
(iii) He wanted Harris and George to work under his
direction.
(iv) He is a great packer.
2. (i) ‘They’ are George and Harris here.
(ii) ‘I’ is Jerome here.
(iii) How packing is done.
(iv) He waited patently.
Short Answer Questions
1. When Jerome told George and Harris to leave the job
of packing on him, they accepted his advice. George
put on pipe and sat over the easy-chair and Harris lit a
cigar. Now they were sitting idle and watching Jerome
packing the things which irritated Jerome.
2. After packing everything in the bag, the author realised
that he needed his toothbrush. So he reopened his bag.
He had to turn everything out of the bag to find it but
he could not find it. He held everything up and shook
it but still he could not find it. At last, he found it inside
a boot. Then he put all things back again one by one
into the bag.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author packed things into the bag and strapped
it. Now there remained some hampers (baskets) to be
packed. So George and Harris started packing them.
They had to pack plates, cups, kettles, bottles, jars,
pies, stoves, cakes, tomatoes, etc. into the hampers.
When they started packing, they broke a cup. Then
Harris packed the strawberry jam on top of a tomato
and squashed it. They picked up the tomato with
a teaspoon. Then George trod on the butter. They
stepped on things and put things behind them.
When they needed them, they could not find them.
Thereafter, they packed the pies at the bottom and
put heavy things on top and smashed the pies. They
upset salt over everything. And then they looked for
the butter on which Harris sat. They looked for the
butter all over the room before he found it on the back
of Harris.
Or
Volunteering sometimes causes a headache when the
person who are guided are not capable to follow the
indications. In the story, the author volunteered his
expertise in packing. He just wanted to act as a boss and
superintend them. But they sat leisurely and watched
the author doing their packing. It just irritated him as
he himself had to pack the things. In his irritation he
had made some mistakes and he had to pack and repack
the things many times. When he found Harris and
George made a lot of mess while packing, he himself
 had to pack the things. Thus it is true that volunteering
sometimes becomes a burden.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ is Montmorency here.
(ii) He sat on things ready for packing.
(iii) He got there in search of rats.
(iv) Harris landed him with the help of a frying-pan.
2. (i) They are George and Harris.
(ii) They tried to put it in the kettle.
(iii) Because it did not come out of the kettle.
(iv) Because he sat on it.
Short Answer Questions
1. After packing the things in the bag and hampers they
went to sleep. They were deciding on what time they
would wake up in the morning. In the meanwhile,
George slept on the floor. They placed a bath tub beside
George so that he could tumble into it on getting out in
the morning.
2. Montmorency was an ambitious dog. He always desired
to get in the way of others and get solved. When George
and Harris were packing he came and sat on things. He
pretended that lemons were rats. He quickly got into
the hamper to kill the rats. Unfortunately he had spoiled
three lemons.
8. Reach for the Top
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The girl was not contented due to the presence of
the traditional ways of life.
(ii) She wore shorts rather than traditional Indian
dresses.
(iii) She preferred to wear shorts to the traditional
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
clothes.
(iv) The correct and rational paths influence others for
change.
2. (i) It was the custom of the family that Santosh had
to go for her education in the local village school.
(ii) She was under pressure for marriage at the age of
sixteen.
(iii) They were landowners.
(iv) At the age of sixteen she faced the pressure of
marriage from her parents.
Short Answer Questions
1. In 1992 expeditions, she saw one climber lying dying
at the south pole. She tried her best to provide him
all possible help but she was unsuccessful. In another
event she saved Mohan Singh in the same condition.
She shared her oxygen with him.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author reopened the bag three times while packing
things in it. After packing the things. The author
thought that he had put all things into the bag but soon
after the packing Harris told him that he had forgotten
to pack his boots. So he reopened the bag and put the
boots into the bag and just was going to close it, then he
thought about his toothbrush. He again opened the bag
to find his toothbrush. And again he opened the bag to
look for his pouch. Finally, he completed his packing
at 10:05 pm.
Or
The three friends were getting ready to pack for their
camping trip. While packing and putting the boots
in, the narrator wondered whether he had packed his
toothbrush. Whenever he went on a journey, he was
always so obsessed about his toothbrush that it made
him miserable all the time. Once the narrator thought
that he hadn’t packed his toothbrush and woke up in
a cold perspiration and got out of his bed to hunt for
it. And, in the morning, he packed it before he had
used it. He had to unpack the bag again to take out
the toothbrush. Then he repacked the toothbrush and
forgot it. Then he had to rush upstairs for it at the last
moment and carry it to the railway station wrapped up
in his pocket handkerchief.
2. During her successful mission of 1992, Santosh Yadav
found herself to be the member of Indo-Nepalese
Women’s expedition. It was her strong will, concern for
others and other qualities that she joined the expedition
and conquered the Everest for a second time. She set
a record as the only woman to have conquered the
Everest twice.
Girls are blessed with courage, patience and
determination. If they are given chance they prove
themselves in every field. I am in favour of the
statement that if girls like Santosh Yadav are allowed
to go to school in village, it will bring a change
in the society. Girls are talented and if they get an
opportunity, they can excel in all the fields. Overall
an educated girl can educate the entire family. It is
time that girl’s power must be identified and it must
be promoted by all means. In India there are many
social customs like early marriage, looking after
household chores, social insecurity etc. which do not
allow them to get proper education in rural areas. Girls
are expected to lead a traditional life. These social
taboos must be eradicated to get a Santosh Yadav in
every family.
43
 Or
Life is not a bed of roses. In every step one has to
struggle for making his or her place. Those who are
determined and optimist are rewarded with wonderful
feat. Santosh Yadav was quite determined to choose her
correct path. She knew what she had to do. Born in a
traditional family, she had to face many difficulties and
oppositions from her own family. Her parents wanted
her to get married at the age of sixteen. She firmly
opposed it and warned that she would never get married
unless she got proper education. She went to Delhi and
got herself enrolled without her father’s permission.
Her firm determination and hard work put her on the
top of the world.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Santosh joined the Maharani College in Jaipur after
her high school.
(ii) She saw the villagers going up the hills and
suddenly vanishing after a while.
(iii) It is in Jaipur.
(iv) They encouraged her to take up climbing.
2. (i) ‘I’ is Santosh Yadav here.
(ii) The semester in Jaipur was to end in April but it
ended on 19th May.
(iii) She did not go to her house lest she should be late
even her parents might disagree with her.
(iv) Because she joined the training without his
permission.
Short Answer Questions
1. Santosh Yadav’s name was recorded in the record book
both the times because – firstly she was the youngest
woman to scale the Everest and secondly, she was the
only woman to scale it twice.
2. Santosh at Kasturba hostel was inspired to join
mountaineers while watching them to take to climbing.
She thus went to Uttarkashi to join the course at
Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. She
got herself enrolled at Uttarkashi.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Santosh went on expedition every year. Her climbing
skills matured rapidly. She developed a remarkable
resistance to cold and the altitude. She had an iron will,
physical endurance and a wonderful mental toughness.
She also had the qualities of hard work and sincerity.
When she was hardly twenty years of age, she scaled
Mt. Everest. Her climbing skills, physical fitness and
mental strength impressed her seniors.
Or
Santosh passed the high school examination and went to
Jaipur. She joined Maharani college and got a room in
Kasturba Hostel. Santosh used to watch villagers from
44 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
her room, going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after
a while. One day she decided to check it out herself.
She found nobody except a few mountaineers. She
asked if she could join them. To her pleasant surprise,
they answered in the affirmative and motivated
her to take to climbing. Then there was no looking
back for this determined girl. She saved money and
enrolled in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of
Mountaineering.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Maria had to leave for the United States at the age
of nine.
(ii) Yuri was her father.
(iii) She was sent to the U.S. to get training in tennis.
(iv) Her mother suffered a heart wrenching two year
separation for her.
2. (i) Her pronunciation indicates American accent.
(ii) She says that she belongs to Russia and has
Russian citizenship.
(iii) In Russia she was born in Siberia.
(iv) She has deep love for her country.
Short Answer Questions
1. Maria Sharapova was sent to the U.S.A. for tennis
training when she was hardly ten. She knew that her
tennis excellence would come at a price.
2. Maria Sharapova was a girl with strict mental toughness
and determination. Her competitive edge would begin
before she attained the age of nine years. She had not
celebrated her tenth birthday when she was to go to
the United States of America for her tennis training.
Her sacrifice, determination and tolerance helped her
to reach the pinnacle.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
One can fill colours in one’s dream with hard work
but hard work without firm determination cannot
bring fruit according to one’s expectation. We can see
this in the story of Maria Sharapova. When she was
only nine years old, she had to live alone in the U.S.A.
She was the youngest player and was constantly
humiliated by fellow players. But Maria never gave
up. Her strong determination made her mentally
tough. It was her determination which blessed her
with number one position in women’s tennis on 22
August, 2005. It was not an easy journey for her. She
had a life full of struggle and sacrifices. She suffered
from insults and humiliation from her fellow players.
But all this made her mentally tough and she became
more determined with clear vision to succeed in her
life.
Or
If one has to live it is quite impossible to detach the
values of her own land. In other words, somewhere
 the imprints of our motherland remain alive. Maria
Sharapova is a Russian citizen. She belonged to a poor
family of Siberia. Her father recognised her potential
in tennis and sent her to Florida for training. She was
determined to acquire excellence in tennis. She paid
the price for it by living alone without her mother and
bearing insults and humiliation at the hands of fellow
students. She was only non-American in the camp. She
acquired mental and physical toughness. She is highly
competitive and is not sentimental at all. She loves
singing, dancing; reading and wearing sophisticated
clothes. She is proud of being Russian.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Maria is fond of fashion and singing.
(ii) She loves pancakes with chocolate spread over and
fizzy orange drinks.
(iii) She reads novels written by him.
(iv) Like teenagers she also likes fashions, singing and
dancing.
2. (i) These are (i) her unwavering desire to succeed
(ii) readiness to sacrifice.
(ii) Maria says that tennis is a business and a sport.
(iii) Her talent, unwavering desire to succeed and
readiness to sacrifice lifted her to top of the world.
(iv) According to her, money is the biggest motivation
but the most important thing is to become number
one in the world.
Short Answer Questions
1. Her tennis pupils used to order Maria to tidy up the
room. She did not take it to heart but became mentally
tough and determined. She learnt caring herself and
never thought of quitting. She said, “When you come
from nothing and you have nothing then it makes you
very hungry and determined.”
9. The Bond of Love
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The rats and mice had entered the library. So, he
had put down poison.
(ii) Bruno could not stand on his feet. It was a case of
paralysis.
(iii) The writer rushed to the residence of the vet.
(iv) He took him to the vet’s residence because he had
eaten poison.
2. (i) ‘You’ is the speaker here.
(ii) ‘His’ refers to the vet here.
(iii) The cub seemed to be suffering from paralysis.
(iv) He ate it in the library.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
2. Maria belonged to a middle-class family. Her father
Yuri was not well-off. He had to work as much as he
could to keep Maria’s tennis training going on. But
he could not see her either. Her mother Yelena had to
stay in Siberia because of visa restrictions. Two years
separation from Yelena troubled Maria very much. It
was her father who launched her on the path to success
and stardom.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Maria took just four years as a professional to reach
the pinnacle in women’s tennis. She had not yet
celebrated her tenth birthday, when she was sent
to the U.S.A. for training. The trip to Florida with
her father launched her on the path to success and
stardom. She had to bear a two-year separation from her
mother.
It is her mental toughness, determination and sacrifice,
which helped her to pursue her dreams. These are the
real keys of her bagging the Ladies Singles crown at
Wimbledon in 2004. Then she ran like a meteoric star
and rose to the world’s number one position in the next
year.
Or
Maria was packed off to train in the United States.
She had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday. That
trip to Florida with her father Yuri launched her on
the path to success and stardom. But it required a
heart wrenching two-year separation from her mother
Yelena. Her mother was forced to stay back in Siberia
because of visa restrictions. She terribly missed her
mother. But she did not feel depressed. She became
more determined and mentally tough. She learnt how
to take care of herself. She used to say that when one
comes with nothing and has nothing, then it makes one
very hungry and determined. In this way her alienation
became a boon for her.
Short Answer Questions
1. On the first occasion, Bruno ate Barium carbonate
which was kept in the kitchen to kill rats. He was
paralysed and had to be taken to a vet.
On the second occasion, he drank engine oil. However,
the engine oil did not have any ill effect on him.
2. Yes, Bruno was a loving and playful pet. He entertained
everyone by his tricks. But he had grown in size and
was getting too big to be kept at home. He could be
dangerous for children. He was always kept in chains.
So it was decided that he should be sent to the zoo.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Yes the company of an animal can give undiluted
pleasure to a human being. The author captured a
45
 baby bear from a sugarcane field. His wife named it
‘Bruno’. It was lovingly called ‘Baba’ by her. The cub
became friendly even with dogs and the children. Bruno
became a source of delight for the entire family of the
author. Baba entertained them by his tricks and playful
activities. He developed an emotional attachment with
the wife of the author. When he was sent to the zoo,
he missed her and did not eat for many days. She wept
and fretted and ultimately she brought him back. They
were constant source of pleasure for each other. In our
surrounding we notice so many people who are deeply
attached with their pets and they can’t imagine to live
without their pet and the pet also seems quite concerned
to the owner.
Or
Animals know love well. Though they cannot speak
they express their love in their own way. Being sensitive
the animals also feel the pleasure of love and the pains
of separation. In the story, ‘The Bond of Love’, the
relationship between the bear and author’s wife proves
it. Bruno, the bear, was loved by the author’s family.
He was equally attached to them. When he grows up in
the author’s family he is sent away to a zoo. In the zoo,
‘Baba’ or ‘Bruno’ looked sad and refused to eat. When
the author’s wife visited the zoo after a gap of three
months, he recognised her and expressed his pleasure
by standing on his head. Thus, we see that animals also
respond to love and separation like human beings.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘We’ refers to the speaker, his wife and son.
(ii) The lady was inconsolable because Baba had been
sent to zoo. She had utmost affection for him.
(iii) In order to console herself, she wrote a number of
letters to the curator about Baba.
(iv) Baba was sent to the Mysore zoo.
2. (i) The friends visiting Mysore were urged to see Baba
at the zoo.
(ii) She forcefully said that she must see Baba. Either
the author should accompany her or she would go
there herself.
(iii) He had become very thin and sad.
(iv) She was implatient to visit the zoo and see Baba.
Short Answer Questions
1. Bruno had grown in size. It was too difficult to keep
him in the house. So it was decided that Bruno would
be sent away to the zoo at Mysore. A letter was written
to the curator who agreed to the proposal. Thus, Bruno
was finally sent to Mysore.
2. The author’s wife went to see Bruno at the zoo in
Mysore. When she was a few yards away from his cage,
he recognised her. Baba howled with happiness. She
also ran towards him and patted him within the cage.
46 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author’s wife missed him greatly. She was
inconsolable. She wept and fretted. For the first few
days she would not eat anything. Then she wrote a
number of letters to the curator. For three months
the author managed to restrain his wife from visiting
Mysore. But one day she said that she would go to
see Baba by bus. So the author took her by car. She
nourished the bear like her son. Her motherly affection
forced her to meet Baba. And Baba also reciprocated
the same feelings. They kept sitting together in the
cage for three hours. She gave him eatables and tea.
Undoubtedly, she felt sad and depressed when Baba
was transported to the zoo.
Or
The author took his wife to the zoo to see Baba. She sat
with Baba for three hours and gave him tea, lemonade,
cakes, ice creams, etc. Then, ‘closing time’ came and
they had to leave. His wife cried bitterly. Baba also
cried. The curator and the keepers felt depressed. She
requested the curator to return Baba to her. He felt
sorry and sent her to Bangalore to the Superintendent’s
bungalow. He permitted them to take Baba home. The
author engaged a squad of coolies for special work
in their compound. An island was made for Baba. It
was twenty feet long and fifteen feet wide and was
surrounded by a dry pit, or moat, six feet wide and
seven feet deep.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘She’ is the speaker’s wife.
(ii) Baba slept on a straw bed.
(iii) Baba means a small boy. She loved him like her
own son.
(iv) He could make it a gun and point it at someone.
2. (i) ‘He’ is the curator here.
(ii) Because he was getting too big to keep at home.
(iii) Because he was very big and the zoo was far away.
(iv) Because Baba cold be safe in the zoo.
Short Answer Questions
1. The narrator’s wife was inconsolable after the bear
was sent to the zoo. She wept and fretted. For the first
few days she would not eat a thing. Baba too could not
bear separation from the narrator’s wife as both were
attached to each other very much. So, he too fretted
and refused food too
2. Some coolies were engaged to make an island for Baba
in the author’s compound. It was twenty feet long and
fifteen feet wide. It was surrounded by a moat, six feet
wide and seven feet deep. A wooden box was provided
in which Baba could sleep at night. Straw was placed
inside to keep him warm.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Bruno was a baby bear. But he soon took to drinking
milk from a bottle. He ate porridge, made from some
ingredients, vegetables, fruits, nuts, meat (especially
pork), curry, and rice regardless of condiments and
chillies, bread, eggs, chocolates, sweets, pudding, ice-
creams, etc. As for drink : milk, tea, coffee, lime juice,
aerated water, buttermilk, beer, alcoholic liquor and,
in fact, anything liquid. He relished everything that a
human being enjoys to eat. He did not leave any eatable
that the mortals eat.
Or
The bear, Bruno, was very dear to the author’s wife.
They spent many hours together and loved each
others company. But when he had grown very big
and heavy, he was dangerous. He was very playful
and mischievous. There were small children of the
tenants’ family. So they had to chain him most of the
time. The author felt that he was depriving Bruno
of his natural freedom. So he decided to send him
to a zoo. But his wife could not bear his separation.
The author consoled her for three months, but at last
he took her to the zoo. On seeing her Baba howled
with happiness. They spent many hours together. She
wanted to take him back to home. She requested the
superintendent who allowed her. It shows that she had
real love for the bear.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is the narrator here.
(ii) Bruno is the tame bear.
(iii) Bruno drank poison kept in the library for killing
rats and mice.
(iv) He injected him to decrease the effect of poison.
2. (i) The zoo was in Mysore.
(ii) Because he was missing the narrator’s wife and
his family.
(iii) She requested her husband’s friend to know about
Bruno.
(iv) The narrator himself took her to the zoo.
10. Kathmandu
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The fight takes place between the two monkeys.
(ii) A basket of withered flowers and leaves is dropped
into the river from a balcony.
(iii) We throw even faded flowers into them.
(iv) When the temple emerges completely, the goddess
inside will escape and the kaliyug will end on the
earth.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
Short Answer Questions
1. The narrator’s wife was inconsolable after the bear
was sent to the zoo. She wept and fretted. For the first
few days she would not eat a thing. Baba too could not
bear separation from the narrator’s wife as both were
attached to each other very much. So, he too fretted
and refused food.
2. Some coolies were engaged to make an island for Baba
in the author’s compound. It was twenty feet long and
fifteen feet wide. It was surrounded by a moat, six feet
wide and seven feet deep. A wooden box was provided
in which Baba could sleep at night. Straw was placed
inside to keep him warm.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
‘The Bond of Love’ is a story of emotional bonding
between a woman and a bear. The author’s wife had
pet bear called Bruno. She loved him deeply. She put a
coloured ribbon around his neck. She cooked a variety
of dishes for him. He also performed many playful
tricks which gave pleasure to her. They enjoyed each
other’s company. When the bear grew big in size, he
was dangerous for children in the house. The author
decided to send him to the zoo. His departure was
very painful for the author’s wife. Finally she asked
her husband to visit Baba in the zoo. Both of them felt
relieved on meeting. They spend many hours together.
So we can say that ‘Love is Mutual.’
Or
The bear, Bruno, was very dear to the author’s wife.
They spent many hours together and loved each
other’s company. But when he had grown very big
and heavy, he was dangerous. He was very playful and
mischievous. There were small children of the tenants’
family. So they had to chain him most of the time. The
author felt that he was depriving Bruno of his natural
freedom. So he decided to send him to a zoo. But his
wife could not bear his separation. The author consoled
her for three months, but at last he took her to the zoo.
On seeing her Baba howled with happiness. They spent
many hours together. She wanted to take him back
home. She requested the superintendent who allowed
her. It shows that she had real love for the bear.
2. (i) There is a peaceful atmosphere inside the shrine,
but the atmosphere in the streets around is noisy.
(ii) Most of these shops are owned by Tibetan
immigrants.
(iii) He saw it in Kathmandu.
(iv) They are famous for felt bags, Tibetan prints and
silver jewellery.
Short Answer Questions
1. The priests only allow the Hindus to enter the
Pashupatinath temple and the westerners are not
47
 allowed to enter it. They do struggle for entrance but
they are not allowed. They wear saffron clothes but the
shrine is especially for the Hindus. One has to convince
the policemen of being the Hindu.
2. The Pashupatinath temple is a place of great activity.
Here flows the holy river Bagmati. One can see the
corpse being cremated there. The washermen remain
busy in their work and the children enjoy bathing.
The worshippers drop flowers and leave as a mark of
respect.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Holy rivers are more polluted than common rivers.
These are polluted by human beings as the corpses
are cremated on its bank. People take bath into them
as it is considered ultimate ‘punya’. Children and
animals take bath in them and devotees throw flowers
and used garland in it. All these activities pollute the
river Bagmati. It is the only holy river in Kathmandu,
which is also polluted like holy rivers of India. It is
a superstitious belief that cremation on the side of
holy river is the way for salvation. People must be
made aware to keep these rivers safe from pollution.
Government must also take some strict steps to save
these holy rivers. There must be a blanket ban on
cremation or throwing dead bodies in these rivers.
Or
Thousands of devotees visit the temples every
day. Their devotion attracts them to visit these
holy shrines but there remains a lot of confusion
and chaos around the temples. The beggars are a
menace. It becomes difficult for a devotee to pass
the long lines of beggars without giving them some
alms. In Kathmandu there was an atmosphere of
utter confusion. At the Pashupatinath temple, there
were large crowds of devotees. The different sounds
were creating bedlam. Besides it, all the beggars
were creating menace and troubling the visitors.
Such type of confusing noise is quiet common in the
surrounding of temples in India.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is the speaker here.
(ii) From Kathmandu he decides to come back to
Delhi.
(iii) He will travel by bus, train and boat.
(iv) Because he immediately wanted to come back
home.
2. (i) ‘I’ is referred to the speaker.
(ii) The writer finds it difficult to turn him away from
the square because he is charmed by the flute.
(iii) The writer says that the sound of flute music is the
most universal and most particular.
(iv) He found different cultures have their own flutes.
48 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Short Answer Questions
1. It is the Buddhist shrine of Kathmandu. There is a sense
of stillness though the shops have a roaring business.
The Tibetans sell their felt bags, silver jewellery and
Tibetan prints.
2. The bazaar of Kathmandu is vivid, religious and
mercenary. There are flower decorated deities in the
narrow streets. Hawkers, flute sellers, shops having
western cosmetics, film rolls and Nepalese antiques
throng into the place.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author first visits the Pashupatinath Temple. There
he notices too much clamour. He sees a number of
priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys,
pigeons and dogs roam through the ground. There are
so many people at the temple that some people trying
to get the priest’s attention are pushed aside by the
elbows of others. Besides, he sees Westerners seeking
permission from the policeman to enter the temple.
But the policeman does not allow them to enter it by
saying to them that only Hindus are allowed to enter
the temple. Moreover, a fight breaks out between two
monkeys. One chases the other who jumps onto a
shivalinga and then runs screaming around the temples
and down the river Bagmati. Thus, the author finds
noisy environment at the temple and that is why he
calls the atmosphere febrile confusion.
Or
Baudhnath stupa has a sense of stillness. It is not
crowded. People don’t make hue and cry there. The
hawkers don’t disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the
temple. So the author calls it a haven of quietness.
The author decided to go home because he was too
exhausted and home-sick. He travelled a lot and now,
he got tired so he entered a Nepal Airlines Office and
bought a ticket for the next day.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ is the speaker here.
(ii) The author is being so much affected by a few
phrases played on the flute.
(iii) On the previous occasion, the author did not notice
any few familiar phrases played on the flute.
(iv) He likes tunes of the Hindustani flute very much.
2. (i) ‘He’ is the flute seller here.
(ii) He looks at the flute seller in a corner of the square.
(iii) The flute seller could play flutes easily.
(iv) He was playing and selling flutes for years.
Short Answer Questions
1. Vikram Seth considers the flute music as the most
universal and the most particular of sounds. All the
cultures of the world have their own flutes which
 weave their own associations. The flute draws us into
the commonalty of all mankind.
2. The flute seller is standing in a corner near the hotel.
In his hand there is a pole with an attachment at the
top from which fifty or sixty flutes protrude in all
directions, like quills of a porcupine. He plays slowly,
meditatively without excessive display. He does not
shout out his wares.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Holy rivers are more polluted than common rivers.
These are polluted by human beings as the corpses
are cremated on its bank. People take bath into
them as it is considered ultimate ‘punya’. Children
and animals take bath in these and devotees throw
flowers and used garland in it. All these activities
pollute the river Bagmati. It is the only holy river in
Kathmandu, which is also polluted like holy rivers
of India. It is a superstitious belief that cremation
on the side of holy river is the way for salvation.
People must be made aware to keep these rivers safe
from pollution. Government must also take some
strict steps to save these holy rivers. There must be
a blanket ban on cremation or throwing dead bodies
in these rivers.
Or
The author says that Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary,
religious, with small shrines to flower-adorned deities
along the narrowest and busiest streets. There are fruit
sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops selling
western cosmetics, film rolls and chocolate or copper
utensils and Nepalese antiques. Film songs blare out
from the radios, car horns sound, bicycle bells ring,
stray cows roam around, vendors shout out their wares.
The author buys a corn-on-the-cob roasted in a charcoal
brazier on the pavement. He also buys Coca Cola and
orange drink.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ is the flute seller here.
(ii) Because the sale of his flute is incidental.
(iii) Sometimes he talks with the fruit seller.
(iv) He is leading the same pattern of life.
2. (i) He is standing near the Pashupatinath temple.
(ii) The goddess dwells in the small shrine.
11. If I Were You
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The intruder is a sympathetic audience here.
(ii) Gerrard was a playwright. When the Intruder
entered his cottage and wanted to know about
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
(iii) The Kaliyug is addressed as the evil period in the
above line.
(iv) They are old offerings and faded.
Short Answer Questions
1. The author notes that the flute seller was not at
all bothered about selling his wares. He was more
engrossed in playing his flutes and sometimes
talking with fellow vendors. The sale was incidental
for him.
2. The narrator describes Kathmandu as vivid, mercenary,
religious and crowded place. While the temples, bazaars
and streets are noisy and in chaos, the Buddhist shrine
is comparatively peaceful. The hawkers and shops fill
the streets. The rivers and temples have been described
casually without attaching any religious reverence to
these.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The Budhist shrine of Kathmandu is surrounded by the
busy streets. Many Tibetans have opened their shops.
They sell different items in these shops. We can buy
felt bags, silver jewellery, antiques, etc. in these road
side shops. The immense white dome of the shrine is
encircled by these busy shops. Still the place enjoys the
sense of stillness. The peace of this place is compared
to the heaven of quietness. It seems heaven dwells here.
On the other hand the half-immersed shrine on the bank
of the river Bagmati reveals local belief. According to
some tradition when the shrine emerges completely, the
goddess inside will escape completely and evil period
of Kaliyug on earth will end. Thus, this shrine holds
myth of Hindu religion.
Or
Kathmandu is beautiful, simple and religious city.
It is important both as a religious place and a centre
of tourism. It has narrow and busy streets with small
shrines with flower adorned deities. One can see the
streets hawkers of post cards, shop selling western
cosmetics, film rolls and chocolate or copper utensils
and Nepalese antiques. Film song blare out from
radios, car horn sounds, bicycle bells ring, stray cows
roam around, vendors shout out theirs wares. The
Pashupatinath temple is meant only for Hindus. Around
this temple there is atmosphere of chaos. On the other
hand the Buddhist Shrine is a place of serenity. All these
things make it the attraction of tourists.
him Gerrard read the situation that his life was in
danger. So he told that he lived alone to suit his
story.
(iii) He wanted to know about Gerrard.
(iv) Because he was not interested in the story.
2. (i) ‘You’ is the intruder here.
49
 (ii) The Intruder has taken the trouble to collect
information about Gerrard.
(iii) The Intruder has used his brain to break into
Gerrard’s cottage.
(iv) Because he tried to hid his identity.
Short Answer Questions
1. When the Intruder got into the cottage Gerrard he
was standing near the divan and was packing his
things in a travelling bag. He had just put down the
telephone receiver. He turned quickly when he heard
the Intruder’s bumping into the table.
2. He was of medium size. He was just like Gerrard. There
was revolver in one of his hands. He was dressed in an
overcoat and a soft hat. His appearance revealed him
to be a thief.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Cleverness is good feature to live a happy life but over
cleverness brings endless miseries. So one should avoid
befooling others by over cleverness as in the play the
Intruder had killed a policeman. He was chased by the
police like a haunted rat. One day he saw Gerrard who
looked like him. He also heard that he lived a lonely
life and hardly anybody knew about him. He studied
his expressions, movement and style. The Intruder
broke into Gerrard’s lonely cottage. He wanted to kill
him and live as Gerrard to avoid being arrested. He
wanted to take his identity and dodge the police. But
Gerrard told him that he too was a murderer and the
police was expected soon. The Intruder was convinced
and agreed to escape with Gerrard. But Gerrard cleverly
trapped him in a cupboard and handed him to police.
Thus overcleverness of the Intruder brought miseries
for his entire life.
Or
We should not lose our calm and pace of mind in crises.
It will support us to overcome our misery. The play ‘If
I Were You’ clearly shows how Gerrard saved his life.
He also helped the police to arrest the dreaded criminal.
It was all due to his calm. On seeing the criminal with
a gun pointing at him an ordinary man might have
become completely nervous. But Gerrard behaved as
if nothing had happened. He treated the criminal as if
he was a guest. This confidence impressed the criminal.
The Intruder kept talking which gave Gerrard time
to act. He also got valuable information to trap the
criminal. Therefore, it is important to maintain one’s
calm in a moment of crisis.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The Intruder was specialised in jewel robbery.
(ii) Gerrard is annoyed to know that the intruder
intends to stay with him.
(iii) Jewels in the wild Essex was rare.
(iv) Because he would find some time in the house.
50 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
2. (i) The police is chasing the intruder.
(ii) The intruder will be able to escape the police and
lead a normal life.
(iii) The intruder ’s plan is to kill Gerrard and
impersonate him to lead a normal life.
(iv) He desired to have freedom.
Short Answer Questions
1. The Intruder asked Gerrard to keep his hands up. He
commanded him to keep calm. He also asked Gerrard
to answer a few questions. He made Gerrard sit in a
chair.
2. The Intruder asked Gerrard about the number of people
visiting the cottage, his complete name, his knowledge
of driving etc. He wanted to know each and every
aspect of Gerrard’s life.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The intruder was a criminal. He had killed a policeman.
Police was chasing him like a hunted rat. Mr. Gerrard
resembled him. He too lived a lonely life and very few
people knew him. Intruder wanted to kill him and take
on his identity. He learned his expressions, movement
and style. He broke into Gerrard’s lonely cottage. He
wanted to kill him and live as Gerrand to dodge the
police and others. But Gerrard outwitted the intruder.
He told him that he was also a murderer and the police
was against him. The intruder was convinced and
agreed to help Gerrard. But Gerrard cleverly trapped
him in a cupboard and handed him to the police.
Or
Gerrard is a playwright. He terms the situation
melodramatic and melodrama is a genre of drama.
Another instance is Gerard’s calling himself a
sympathetic audience. He also points out that in most
melodramas the villain is foolish enough to delay his
killing long enough to be frustrated and hangs on to
reminding the intruder that he was luckier than most
melodramatic villains. Referring to the contents of his
bag, he mentions that they were disguise outfit and false
moustaches.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) It is extremely interesting to pose like Gerrard by
killing him.
(ii) The Intruder has not got enough knowledge about
Gerrard, so he is not very intelligent.
(iii) If he is not careful, his clothes will let him down.
(iv) Because they are decorative and similar in size.
2. (i) ‘You’ refer to the Intruder.
(ii) The big surprise is that Gerrand is also a murderer.
(iii) Because he assured the Intruder that he himself is
a criminal and the police is after him.
(iv) Because he thought that he could take Gerrard’s
identity.
Short Answer Questions
1. The Intruder’s plan was to kill Gerrard and then
impersonate him. He wanted to become Vincent
Charles Gerrard, live like him and keep his trade of
jewels robbery going on behind the mask of a gentle
person.
2. Gerrard was an intelligent person. He immediately
understood his plan. He told him that his plan would not
successful. He would not be able to save himself from
the law. He would be arrested even after impersonating
as Gerrard because he himself was a criminal and was
being chased by the police.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The intruder has murdered a policeman. The police
are after him. He wants to save himself from the
clutches of the police. So he needs a safe place for
this purpose. He enters Gerrard’s cottage for killing
him. So that his identity can be used. He wants to lead
his life as Gerrard. So it is essential for him to know
about the people who visit that place. Gerrard tells
him that only few people take the trouble to visit him.
There is the baker and greengrocer and the milkman.
Gerrard tells him about everyone. He responds
positively because the Intruder has threatened to kill
him. He wishes to do everything with meticulous
planning and adopt Gerrard’s identity without any
problems.
Or
The intruder enters Gerrard’s cottage and interacts
with him. Gerrard talks with him without any fear.
The intruder asks him to tell about his car and the
people who visit that place. Gerrard tells him that he
has a car and informs him that few people come here
to see him. Then Gerrard asks him to tell something
about him. He tells that he has murdered a cop and
wants a safe place to live in. He also tells that his
speciality is jewel robbery. But Gerrard says that
there are few jewels in the wilds of Essex. They
also talk about clothes and their fittings. Gerrard
tells him that he will not get anything after killing
him as he is also wanted. But ultimately Gerrard
gets rid of the intruder because of his presence of
mind.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Gerrard is the speaker here.
(ii) He means that if the Intruder kills him, still he
cannot escape death.
(iii) The Intruder took him as a mystery man.
(iv) The Intruder liked his loneliness.
2. (i) Gerrard is the speaker here.
(ii) He is calling his associates for rehearsal.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
(iii) He will put his dealing with the Intruder in the next
play.
(iv) The sergeant is his friend.
Short Answer Questions
1. The Intruder’s entry is really highly melodramatic. He
enters silently with a revolver in his hand. He is dressed
in an overcoat and a soft hat. He bumps against the
table. He threatens Gerrard not to be oversmart. He
would made Gerrard not to be oversmart. He would
make Gerrard crawl. He asks Gerrard to sit down and
not to be very funny with him.
2. Gerrard thinks that the Intruder has taken a lot of trouble
in knowing so much about him. Gerrard is right. The
Intruder was a murderer. The policemen were after him.
He didn’t want himself to be exposed so soon. He aim
was to kill Gerrard and adopt his identity to deceive
the police.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The Intruder had made a fool-proof plan. He had a
criminal past. He was a robber and an expert in jewel-
robbery. He had an encounter with the police. In the
encounter he had killed a policeman. The policeman
was after him. He was hunted like a rat. The cunning
Intruder thought of a unique and smart plan. He
made a forced entry into Gerrard’s cottage. He had
already taken a lot of trouble in knowing about him.
He wanted to kill him and take on his identity. By
doing so he could gain his freedom. He came to Essex
to hide himself from the eyes of the police. Gerrard
proves rather smarter than the Intruder. He cooks
a false story. He tells the Intruder that he himself
was a murderer. He will gain nothing by murdering
Gerrard as Gerrard himself was a murderer. Taking
on his identity will serve no purpose. He will be
hanged to death in either case. He will be hanged to
death even as Vincent Charles Gerrard. It confuses
the Intruder. Gerrard takes control of the situation.
He makes the Intruder step into a cupboard and locks
it from outside. The police is called and the Intruder
is arrested.
Or
The intruder has murdered a policeman. The police are
after him. He wants to save himself from the clutches
of the police. So he needs a safe place for this purpose.
He enters Gerrard’s cottage for killing him. So that
his identity can be used. He wants to lead his life as
Gerrard. So it is essential for him to know about the
people who visit that place. Gerrard tells him that
only few people take the trouble to visit him. There is
the baker and greengrocer and the milkman. Gerrard
tells him about everyone. He responds positively
because the intruder threatened to him. He wishes to
do everything with meticulous planning and adopt
Gerrard’s identity without any problems.
51
 LITERATURE READER — BEEHIVE (POETRY)
1. The Road Not Taken
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The road diverged in the old forest.
(ii) The poet has feelings of regret.
(iii) The poet feels sorry because he could not take both
the roads.
(iv) The yellow wood stands for the season of autumn.
2. (i) The other stands for the road.
(ii) The poet chose the road less travelled by.
(iii) He chose it because it was covered with grass and
less travelled.
(iv) The road was full of grass and very few people
had travelled on it.
Short Answer Questions
1. He would tell about his exploring the unknown way
with a sigh. He wanted to say that it would decide his
future. If his future would be below expectations, he
would be unhappy.
2. Choosing the correct way means that the result would
also be good. ‘Well begun is half done’. If the choice
of the road was correct it would make his future good
otherwise it could spoil his future.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Bad decision affects one’s life badly. Actually our
success depends on the decision which we take at
present. If our decision is wrong, we have to repent
for it because it ruins the countless happy moments of
life. Our failure creates disappointment and we forget
the essence of life. In a sense, it can be said that one
bad decision spoils our life.
Or
Good decisions have a great deal of significance. They
bring success, wealth and happiness in our life. A
successful person has several friends and they support
him/her in every possible manner. Besides, the common
people take a very important lesson with regard to
how decisions should be taken in life. Therefore, good
decisions work as the source of inspiration for those
who try to achieve success in life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The first two lines stand for the roads.
(ii) The poet decided to take the road which was less
trodden.
(iii) The poet doubted if he could ever come back to
same road.
52 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
(iv) The poet is doubtful whether he would ever come
back to the first road.
2. (i) The poet thinks whether his choice is right or
wrong but it would be permanent.
(ii) The poet will say about the decision that he had
taken and its impact on his life.
(iii) He wanted to do something new and challenging
in his life.
(iv) He thinks that in the future he will come to know
whether his choice is right or wrong.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet uses the simple terms in a symbolic way.
He uses the ‘roads’ in place of choices or methods or
opportunities.
2. The poet tells us to be courageous and brave to take up
the unexplored ways. He tells us that our future depends
on our correct choice. If we choose the right path today
we would be achiever and if the wrong path is chosen,
we would have to face failure.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The speaker of this poem is Robert Frost himself.
He is thinking about a career decision he made many
years ago. He had to make a choice between seeking
a secure profession which would enable him to live in
comfort or to devote him to poetry and live a simple
life close to nature. The same as in the poem many
of us don't know whether to trust our instincts and go
ahead with the pursuit of our dreams. Frost chose to
devote his life to his poetry. The poet does not appear
to regret the choice he made, but he sounds wistful
in the last as if he wishes he knew what his alternate
life would have been like if he had taken the other
road.
Or
One should live in the present and not in the past.
This philosophy of life is the key to attaining success.
Life is not a bed of roses. Its hurdles are to be crossed
bravely. One must not feel nervous and get dejected
in the trying circumstances. On some instances, one
needs to be confident about the choice he/she makes
to be successful in life. He/she should try to become
strong from the very beginning. Only the strong people
can take positive decisions like the poet. In the poem
the poet was strong at heart and took some positive
decision which made his life successful. The poet
wants us to be successful in our life. He is our well
wisher.
 2. Wind
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The stanza highlights the destructive aspect of the
wind.
(ii) The poet asks the wind to blow softly.
(iii) Personification
(iv) The wind tore the pages of the books.
2. (i) The wind is very clever.
(ii) ‘You’ in the first line refers to the wind.
(iii) The poet calls the wind clever because it makes
fun of weaklings.
(iv) The wind crushes the non-living objects.
Short Answer Questions
1. In the poem the poet describes the friendly and calm
form of wind. In this form, it helps persons and things.
It calms and soothes the mankind.
2. The wind does not like the weak things and persons. It
does not behave in a friendly way. It destroys the weak
things as it does with the crumbling houses, doors etc.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The poem ‘Wind’ is full of moral lessons. The poet
has poured out his heart in the present poem. He says
that people must be strong at heart because only the
weak at heart are troubled by difficulties. Here, wind
symbolises difficulties which has power to devastate
life on the earth. But if the people are strong at heart,
they face the challenges thrown out by difficulties.
They struggle and at last, come out with flying colours.
Or
According to the poet, the wind is very powerful. It
has power to break the shutters of the windows, scatter
the papers and throw the books down the shelf. When
it blows violently, it brings the clouds. It mocks at the
weak and destroys their homes. The weak persons are
really helpless before the wind.
But the poet is quite hopeful. He thinks that when the
people build strong houses, they can challenge the
wind. Actually the poet suggests the people that they
should be strong at heart because the weak persons can
not face the challenges of life. Only the people with
strong hearts have the courage to face the challenges
of life.
3. Rain on the Roof
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) All the stars have become invisible because they
have been covered by clouds.
(ii) The humid shadows stand for rain.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ in the first line is referred to the wind.
(ii) It means that we should make ourselves strong to
face the problems of our life.
(iii) The stanza conveys that if we are weak, problems
will overpower us.
(iv) The poem is ‘Wind’ written by Subramania Bharati.
2. (i) The poet wants us to make ourselves stronger.
(ii) We can make the wind friendly by making
ourselves stronger.
(iii) Wind is friendly only with the strong ones.
(iv) It makes the strong fire roar and flourish.
Short Answer Questions
1. It behaves like a friend with the strong ones. It cannot
destroy them. So it accepts their might and stops
troubling them. Rather it increases their strength by
contributing its own.
2 The poet praises the wind God. Nature is supposed
to be God and is praised so that it may not bring any
destruction or calamity. Therefore, the poet praises the
wind God.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
When we have friendship with the strong, we learn
several new things. We learn that we may become
strong when we fight with difficulties. The people
say that if we are strong, the wind may be our friend.
Because the wind likes strong friends. So, if we desire
to have the strong to be our friends, we have to show
courage. This is the main reason that the poet talks
about the steadfast heart in the poem.
Or
The poet wants to make people strong at heart. His desire
is that they should be bold enough to face the challenges
of life. When we have strong houses, we can protect
ourselves from the angry wind. In the same manner when
we are strong at heart we can face the challenges of life.
Only the weak persons are defeated by the problems of
life. Similarly the poet wants that people should face the
challenges of life and make their life happy. His thought
shows that he is really a great humanist. His heart is filled
with compassion for mankind.
(iii) The poet is in the mood of happiness.
(iv) The darkness weeps in the form of rainy tears.
2. (i) Taking rest in his bed in the cottage is a bliss for
the poet.
(ii) The poet is lying on bed in his cottage.
53
 (iii) He likes to listen the soft music of the rain.
(iv) The sound of raindrops can make him recover from
his melancholic mood.
Short Answer Questions
1. While listening to the pattering of the rain, the poet
dreamed of several fancies. The poet was lost in old
recollection. He dreamed of his mother who paid
attention to her children before leaving them in the
morning. The poet felt as if her mother was looking at
him in a loving manner.
2. The central idea or theme of the poem “Rain on the
Roof” is that the pattering of the soft rain on the roof
gives the poet solace and he is lost in many fancies.
He dreams of his mother who loved him dearly. The
rain provides him great happiness.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The sound of rain is pleasing to the ear. When we hear
this sound, we forget everything. We find ourselves in
the world of fancies. We remember the sweet memories
of the past in a peaceful heart. Of course, we are unable
to forget such moments of life. We must take this lesson
from the rain and create peace in the mind of people by
our behaviour.
Or
No, everybody is not so fortunate to have a cosy bed
to lie in when it rains. There are some people who
live at the railway platforms and bus terminal. They
don’t have even bed sheet, what to talk of comfortable
beds.
There are so many animals which don’t have any shelter
and tremble under the dark sky in the rainy season.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) In this stanza the poet describes his first memory.
(ii) The poet’s mother comes in his memory.
4. The Lake Isle of Innisfree
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The poet wants to go to Innisfree.
(ii) He is fed with the busy and stressful life in a city
and hence he wants to go to Innisfree located near
the southern shore of Lough Gill where he can live
his quiet and peaceful life.
(iii) He wants to build a small cabin of clay and wattles
and plant some leaves. He also wants to have a
beehive.
(iv) The poem is ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ written
by William Butler Yeats.
2. (i) The poet wants to live in the lap of nature to attain
peace and happiness.
54 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
(iii) He remembers from in his childhood his mother
used to look down upon him.
(iv) His mother used to look down upon him as he was
sleeping and dreaming by late morning
2. (i) The poet feels his mother’s fond look on him.
(ii) ‘Her’ is referred to poet’s mother here.
(iii) ‘Refrain’ refers to the sound of rain.
(iv) The repetitive rhythm of the raindrops reminds his
old memories.
Short Answer Questions
1. Old recollections appear in the poet’s mind. The
memory of his mother gives him solace. The pattering of
soft rain on the roof echoes dreamy fancies in the poet’s
heart like the nature’s sadness in the form of tears of
rain. The pattering of raindrops causes melody of nature
which brings feelings of happiness to the poet’s mind.
2. Lying in his bed, the poet likes listening to the music
of the rain on the roof of his cottage. The memory of
his mother pleases the poet most. It gives him inner
satisfaction.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
When we remember the sweet moments of life, we
forget every pain. Riches have no meaning. We can
feel pleasure even in a cottage. In fact, when there is
no peace in our heart, we cannot lead a peaceful life.
Sweet moments refresh our brain and fill us with new
energy. So, the sweet moments of life are the treasure
of energy for us.
Or
Yes, my mother used to tuck me in when I was a child.
Whenever I said that I could not do some work, she
embraced me and took me in her lap to get that work
done. She used to feel sad and dejected if I was involved
in mischieves. Mothers are great in the world. Their
love is immortal because it always charges our life in
their absence.
(ii) The midnight glimmers with glow worms and
twinkling stars.
(iii) The peace will come from the songs sung by
cricket.
(iv) As per the poet, the noon at the Lake Isle of
Innisfree is like a purple glow.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet W.B. Yeats deeply longs for peace in the
natural surroundings. Innisfree is a lake Isle. The poet
had spent a lot of time there as a boy. He seems to be fed
up with the hectic and noisy city life. Now he wants to
go to Innisfree to live in the lap of nature. He will enjoy
the water playing in the lake. The humming of bees and
their beehives would please him. The sum and substance
is that nature provides us peace and happiness.
 2. The poet W.B. Yeats visualises the nature round the
clock. In the morning, the cricket sings to welcome
him. The noon shines in a purple colour while in the
evenings he enjoys the flying linnets. The midnight
has a glimmering effect with the presence of twinkling
stars. In this way, the nature completes its circle in four
stages.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Nature has great healing power. When we sit in the lap of
nature, we forget our sorrows. Our mind becomes fresh
and we start our days with new energy. Besides, nature
fills new hopes in human beings. For this, as human
beings, our friendship with nature is quite essential.
Or
City life is fast and hectic. People can be seen busy
with their daily routines. Lots of people live in the city.
There are schools, colleges and offices. Students find
good opportunity of education and make their career.
When they complete their education they can find
jobs in these offices. Besides, people get recreation
from different sources. There are cinema halls and
theaters in cities. People in great number can be seen
at these places. They want to give the same life to their
children. They get their children married in the cities
and create relatives. They have liking for the showy
life of city. So they like to live in these cities with their
family.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘There’ refers to Innisfree.
(ii) The midnight glimmers with glow worms and
twinkling stars.
(iii) A linnet is kind of bird which is pretty small.
(iv) In the evening the poet watches the flying linnets
in the sky.
2. (i) The poet decides that he will go to Innisfree as
soon as possible.
5. A Legend of the Northland
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The poetess says that days are short and nights are
long in the Northland.
(ii) The people find it difficult to sleep the whole long
nights.
(iii) They like to sledge with their reindeer.
(iv) Children look like bear cubs after wearing furry
coats.
2. (i) ‘She’ in the stanza stands for a little woman.
(ii) She was a greedy woman and did not want to give
a big piece to Saint Peter.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
(ii) He hears the lapping sound of the lake water day
and night.
(iii) The poet will stand on the roadway or on the
pavements to hear the sound of lake water.
(iv) ab ab
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet wants to make the surroundings natural. So he
wants to grow nine rows of ‘beans’ and a ‘hive’ for the
honeybees. The humming of honeybees will provide
him peace and happiness.
2. The poet is actually fed up with the hectic and noisy
city life. He wants a peaceful place where he can live
joyfully. He imagines of such a place where he will live
according to his dreams and desires. He wants to live
near the natural surroundings away from the artificial
life of the world. He does not like showy life of the
world. He wants a peaceful and joyful life of his own.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
‘Go back to nature’ is the message of this poem. This
poem teaches us that we should build a cabin in a
solitary place and enjoy nature. Nature has magical
power. Obviously, nature unfolds itself in a solitary
place and allows us to enjoy its music. We must take
this immortal lesson from this poem.
Or
Frustration kills our life. We forget to enjoy our life.
When we feel frustrated, we should go to some picnic
spots with our friends or family. We should try to
select some place which may be near or in the lap of
nature, and some stream may flow through the place.
We should eat, play, walk and sleep in the lap of
nature. Swimming and boating will further enhance our
happiness. We shall forget frustration and our life will
be full of fresh energy. When we come back home, we
may start a new innings of life. We should not forget
that frustration is our greatest enemy. It can spoil our
life and family. Therefore frustration should not be
allowed to develop in our life.
(iii) It means the woman is greedy
(iv) Because it looked to her too large.
Short Answer Questions
1. A legend is a tale which is told by people to people
for a long time. It is a traditional story. It contains
messages. The poem is a legend because it teaches us
to be generous unlike the old woman.
2. A woman was busy baking cakes when St. Peter
chanced to come to her door. He was hungry and tired.
He asked the woman to give him a cake to eat. The
woman made a small cake but it seemed to be big. She
did not give it to St. Peter. She made another small cake
but again it looked big. So she did not give it too. St.
55
 Peter became angry. He said that she was not fit to be
human as she was selfish. He changed her into a bird
who had to search for food whole day.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
This poem teaches us that true happiness lies in
sharing things with the persons who are in need. If we
are greedy, we cannot have happiness in our life. On
the other hand our charitable nature makes us think
about pains and sorrows suffered by the other people.
The charitable people have many friends and they are
always connected with one another with a strong bond
of sentiments. But the greedy people have hardly any
friends and they often live alone in the world.
Or
True satisfaction lies in sharing things with others.
Peace and satisfaction are the two sides of a coin. If
there is satisfaction in our life, peace is bound to come
in our life. However greed spoils both. If we are greedy,
we cannot get satisfaction as well as peace in our life.
In the poem, the old lady was greedy and she failed to
give cake to the saint. If she had satisfaction, she would
certainly have shown honour and regard to the saint.
So, in the case of this little lady it can be said that her
greed had spoiled her peace and satisfaction.
Actually, saints try to create such societies in which all
the people shall be treated with equality and greed will
have no room in them. With the help of teachings, they
desire to bring down heaven on the earth.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) She was greedy and she wanted to bake a very
small cake. So she took a small scrap of dough.
(ii) Her cake was as thin as wafer.
(iii) No, she didn’t give this cake to Saint Peter.
(iv) She thought it so large that she could not give it to
Saint Peter.
6. No Men Are Foreign
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) James Kirkup
(ii) We should not distinguish men simply on the basis
that they hail from separate countries.
(iii) We will lie in earth after death.
(iv) A single body breathes beneath all uniforms.
2. (i) We can win others by love.
(ii) ‘They’ in the stanza refers to foreigners.
(iii) We can win our opponents by love.
(iv) It can be recognised and understood that life is
common everywhere.
56 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
2. (i) ‘You’ in the first line is a little woman, who was
greedy.
(ii) The listener was punished with a curse to turn into
a bird.
(iii) Repetition
(iv) After the curse the woman turned into a woodpecker.
Short Answer Questions
1. The woman wanted to give a small cake to the saint.
All the small cakes looked very big to her. So she did
not give them to the Saint and put them on the shelf.
2. Saint Peter asks an old lady for a cake. She was
selfish and greedy and did not give any cake to the
hungry saint. It made the saint angry. He turned the
lady into a bird. It keeps searching for her food the
whole day.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Saints are wise people. They have gained heavenly
power. Riches make no sense for them, for which
people often hanker. They need only food to survive in
this world. They travel to far-off lands and give people
moral lessons. They lead a pious life and try not to
commit any sin. They shower love and affection on
their fellow human beings. They give up everything
in this world and lead a saintly life.
Or
A holy man is known for his wisdom. He teaches moral
lessons to the people whether they are liberal or greedy.
All are equal in his eyes. In the present story Saint Peter
is a holy man. He is also famous for his preaching. He
has preached and travelled a lot. So, he is hungry. He
asks the lady for some food but she does not share her
food with him. Finally, the saint becomes angry and
curses her. In fact, he should have shown some mercy
and the example of his wisdom with the power of his
wisdom he could influence the woman and get some
food. Therefore, it is appropriate to say that a holy man
should not curse the lady.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet suggests that all people on earth are the
same. They breathe, eat and walk in the same way.
They all are aware of the sun, air and water. They all
love peace and hate war. They have similar eyes the
poet says.
No men are foreign and no countries strange;
we all have a common entity of being humans.
2. In the poem ‘No Men Are Foreign’, the poet asks us
to remember that under all uniforms, a single body
breathes like ours. We all walk on the same land. We
all live and work in the same away.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
It is true that many people have been telling us to
live harmoniously since long. We never follow their
message. We also know it that our greed to get more
wealth and power cannot give us peaceful life. But
some deep-rooted evils in our society make us draw a
distinction between people. We know that all customs
and conventions have been made by people. God
has made all people equal. But we make differences
between people for our selfish motives. We start to hate
even our family members due to our ego to be more
powerful. By doing so, we at last harm ourselves. We
become the objects of hate for society. In society people
dislike selfish people.
So before going to hurt other’s feeling, first of all we
should think whether doing such act with others are
justified by other people or society. We should learn to
live with others as brothers. We should learn to tolerate,
forgive and compromise. Only in this way, our life
would be happy and peaceful.
Or
Sometimes some selfish people instigate the innocent
to harm others. They do it for their own benefit. The
common or ordinary man does not understand their tricks
and starts hating his fellow human beings. They tell them
to cause riots. The poet says that one should not follow
anybody’s advice without brooding over it. The poet
repeatedly says that there is no difference in them and the
foreigners. The people of the entire world are the same.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) James Kirkup
(ii) We are often told to hate our fellow beings who
are like our own brothers.
(iii) To fight with weapons.
(iv) The aftermaths of hatred are violence, communal
disharmony and inhuman behaviour.
2. (i) We define the earth through hate.
7. The Duck and the Kangaroo
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The Duck praises Kangaroo about the way he hops.
(ii) The Duck found its life boring in the pond.
(iii) The Duck wishes to copy the quality of the hopping
of Kangaroo.
(iv) The Duck longs to go out in the world to enjoy the
beauty of nature.
2. (i) The Duck asked the Kangaroo to play with her.
(ii) Names of places.
(iii) The Duck promises a party to the Kangaroo.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
(ii) The poet compares wars with hells. There is fire
and smoke in wars as well as in hell.
(iii) When wars occur between two countries not only
soldiers but also many commoner are killed.
(iv) No country should wage war on any country
because the world is a family.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet does not believe in narrow patriotism. He says
human beings are equal. All the men are like us. They
wake up and sleep equally. Love is common and can
win all. There is no difference among the nations.
2. The poet says that all live and suffer the same. The
human body is the same everywhere. All are aware of
sun, air and water. All prosper when there is peace. All
starve when there is war. War destroys everyone equally.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Everyone is responsible for war. If we start hating our
brethren, we will become the cause of tension. And
the tension is converted into war one day. So nobody
should hate and despise anyone. Our biased and
impolite behaviour towards the fellow human beings
becomes the cause of unnecessary wars.
Or
We all are alike. We have same body structure. All of us
need air to breathe, sun to get sunlight and warmth and
water for many purposes. Our daily routine is also almost
the same. We get up in the morning, take a bathe, have
breakfast and go to work or school. All of us long for
love. We all sleep at night and wake up in the morning.
When our needs and feelings are the same, then we
should treat all people equally. We should not look
down upon anybody on the basis of his/her colour,
caste, region or gender. We should treat everyone as
our brother and sister.
Unfortunately, some self-centred people fight with
others and try to hurt them. They think that others have
harmed them. They are also our brothers. If they make
any mistake, we should forgive them or compromise
with them.
(iv) The Duck wants to go to the Dee and the Jelly
Bo Lee and over the land and sea sitting on
Kangaroo’s back.
Short Answer Questions
1. The Duck lived in a small pond. She wanted to see the
world around. She requested the Kangaroo to give her
a ride on his back.
2. The Duck wanted to see the world around. She
suggested that she would visit the ‘Dee’ and the ‘Jelly
Bo Lee’. She promised the Kangaroo that she would
sit on the tail and say nothing but quack.
57
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
It is absolutely true that our politeness and humility
compels others to accept our request. As we read in the
poem that the Duck politely requests the Kangaroo to
make her visit the beautiful world and the Kangaroo
accepts her request. So, if we want to get our work done
by others, we have to be polite and humble to them.
We cannot get any work done forcefully. If we force
someone to do some work, he/she would do that work
reluctantly and hence the work would not be perfect.
So, we should always request somebody politely to get
our work done. But remember, if someone does our
work, we should feel grateful to him/her and be ready
to help him/her as well.
Or
Mr. Sharma is a clerk in a bank. I call him uncle. His
daughter was studying in Class-10. Then I was studying
in Delhi University and had opted for mathematics.
As far as my performance is concerned I have been
a brilliant student. I have always secured above 90%
marks. Besides, I have taught a good number of
students and they have performed better in their exams.
Now they are studying in some good colleges and some
of them have chosen the engineering course. As the
income of my uncle is meagre he politely requested
me to teach his daughter. I became impressed with his
manner and assured him that I would teach mathematics
to his daughter. I had taught her for three months and
charged nothing. I completed and revised her course.
Above all I prepared her thoroughly. As a result, she
secured more than 98% marks in the examination.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The Duck thought over how to keep his feet dry.
(ii) The Duck planned to keep himself warm by
smoking a cigar.
(iii) ab ab cc dd
(iv) The Duck wanted to keep himself warm so that he
could enjoy the company of the Kangaroo.
2. (i) The Duck sat steady on the Kangaroo while
moving round.
(ii) The Kangaroo asked Duck to pay a price.
(iii) They took three rounds of the whole world.
(iv) They were feeling very happy while moving round.
8. On Killing a Tree
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The tree’s root becomes firm in the earth and it
rises on the earth very slowly and the roots cannot
be pulled out completely.
58 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Short Answer Questions
1. The Kangaroo said that he required some thought. He
had an objection. The Duck’s feet were wet and cold. He
might get sick. But he agreed to give her a ride on his tail.
2. The Duck bought four pairs of worsted socks. She
also bought a cloak to protect her from the cold. She
promised to smoke a cigar every day. She would follow
his directions.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
My friend Ravi is a poor boy. But he is a brilliant
student. I have developed good dealings with him. Once
he decided to go on a historical tour. He selected Agra
because he wanted to see the Taj Mahal. He had saved
some money but he had no good clothes. Moreover
he had no relatives in Agra who could provide him
accommodation. As I frequently go on tours, once I
was going to Agra. I decided to take Ravi along with
me. My uncle lives in Agra and he has built a big
house in this Taj City. I took Ravi to Agra and stayed
at my uncle’s house. Ravi visited the Taj Mahal and the
other historical places of importance. He also visited
Fatehpur Sikkri and saw the Punch Mahal. He enjoyed
the tour very much. We stayed two days in Agra and
came back home. The experiences of Agra and Fatehpur
Sikkri in still fresh in Ravi’s mind.
Or
Sweetness, politeness and obedience are heavenly
virtues. They give human beings extra-ordinary power
to win the hearts of others. The Duck was a small
creature. She had little wet and cold feet and body.
She was helpless to go round the beautiful world.
But she was sure that the Kangaroo would help him.
Actually she wanted to go round the world sitting on
the Kangaroo’s back. On the other hand the Kangaroo
had some objections to give her ride on his back. Her
wet and cold feet was the greatest objection. The Duck
assured the Kangaroo that she had managed some
worsted socks which would protect his body. She
also said the she would light a cigar for smoking. The
Kangaroo would get warmth and her cold and wet feet
would never create any problems for the Kangaroo. As
the Duck had sweetness in her behaviour, her politeness
very much impressed the Kangaroo. As a result the
Kangaroo gave her a ride on its tail. Therefore with the
help of sweetness, obedience and politeness the Duck
was able to solve her problems.
(ii) A simple job of knife cannot kill a tree because it
has grown and become very strong consuming the
earth.
(iii) Leprous skin.
(iv) A tree becomes so strong by nourishing itself on
 the nutrients found in the earth with years of water,
sunlight and air.
2. (i) The hack of a knife or an axe may inflict pain on
a tree but cannot kill it.
(ii) Curled and green.
(iii) Twigs
(iv) The skin of a tree from which a juicy substance is
coming out.
Short Answer Questions
1. No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree. It is
firmly held by the earth and its roots are safe. The
tree is too strong to be killed by a simple jab of the
knife.
2. The tree has grown to its full size by consuming
the earth, feeding upon its crust, absorbing years of
light, air and water. Consuming, rising, feeding and
absorbing are the words suggestive of its life and
activity.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Trees go on living for long number of years. There
are some trees in the Amazon forest which are said
to be more than five hundred years old. We may
take some lesson from them to spread our roots deep
inside the earth. There had been some great people
of yesteryears who still live in our memories. They
had spread their roots inside our consciousness and
as a result refused to die. The hidden root gives
all the sustenance to a tree. One needs to snap this
source of life to kill a tree. Like trees, the great men
have also built their life. Although they are no more
in the world, their deeds are alive.
Or
Trees have great importance in our life. They teach
us that life is made for others. They bear fruits for
others and provide shelter to them. All creatures are
equal in their eyes. Besides, trees take several years
to become fully grown up. When they are full-grown
trees, they enhance the beauty of nature. But we are
recklessly cutting down trees for our selfish needs. We
have to check this useless cutting of trees. We have to
make strict rules and protect them. The government
should also come forward in this regard. The forest
should be declared protected areas and people must be
encouraged to plant trees. They should be made aware
how trees are valuable for human beings. On the other
hand, we should organise ourselves in some groups or
associations and catch the people found cutting down
trees. Moreover, everybody should develop love for
trees.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) To kill a tree its roots must be pulled out.
(ii) Root
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
(iii) By ‘earth-cave’ the poet means the point deep
inside the earth where the root is attached.
(iv) Anchoring earth means the trees get its support
and stability from earth.
2. (i) On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel.
(ii) Killing of a Tree.
(iii) It is scorched and choked after it is pulled out.
(iv) It is killed after weathering.
Short Answer Questions
1. Anchoring earth implies that the trees are held secure
with the help of the roots in the earth. So long as the
roots are firmly held by the earth, the tree is safe and
cannot be killed by a simple jab of a knife.
2. There are two stages of killing a tree. First, the tree
should be pulled out entirely. Its roots are to be
exposed to the sun and the air. Secondly, the roots are
to be scorched in the sun. When the roots are scorched,
these turn brown, hard and withered. The tree is finally
killed.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
People have several requirements which can be
fulfilled by trees. They get wood for fire and furniture
from trees. They get various kinds of medicine and
fruits. The tribal people are completely dependent
on trees, but they never cut them. But the common
people cut trees as they have no alternatives. But they
should not cut down trees and spoil the beauty of
nature. Moreover they should discover other sources
to fulfil their needs. They should be encouraged to
use steel sheets in their doors and windows. The tribal
people should be given every support to decrease
their dependence on trees. They should be made
responsible to protect trees in their areas and plant
more trees. Besides people should be made aware of
the environmental problems which is created after
cutting down trees. We have to protect trees at any
cost.
Or
Trees are the beauty of nature. They give food and
shelter to wild animals. The various kinds of birds
make their nests in the trees and trees protect them as
parents. The tribal people are absolutely dependent
on trees. They get wood for their houses and firewood
from trees. A major part of their food supply also
comes from trees. Besides, trees hold soil together
and protect it from being washed away by rain
water. Their leaves make soil fertile. In our time the
importance of trees is increased. We use several parts
of trees in our houses. We are completely dependent
on trees for our furniture. We make medicine from the
leaves, barks and roots of trees. We also get several
types of fruits from trees. So trees are very important
for us.
59
 9. The Snake Trying
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The stick is to kill the snake.
(ii) He is scared of the stick.
(iii) It moves in sudden curves.
(iv) The way it curves in the water is quite remarkable.
2. (i) ‘He’ is here referred to the snake.
(ii) He is going to hide amongst the reeds.
(iii) The poet does not wish to hurt the snake because
the snake is harmless.
(iv) The poet entreats the man with the stick to let the
snake escape.
Short Answer Questions
1. The snake is trying to escape from a stroke. It is being
chased by someone with a stick.
2. The poet sees beauty in the snake. For him, it is not a
harmful snake. He wishes that it should not be hurt by
the stick. It should go over the water into the reeds to
hide without being hurt.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The man thinks that the snake is poisonous and hence it
is better to kill it. He chases the snake with a stick. The
snake is trying to escape at a great pace so that the man
cannot reach and kill it. The movement of the snake is
very graceful and elegant. The snake does not stick to
one straight path but winds its way in and out of the
path. At last, the snake floats over the water and hides
itself into the green reeds. Thus, the snake protects itself
from being killed by men.
Or
Generally people think that snakes are poisonous
creatures. The snake bite cannot be cured. There
are countless people in the world,who met death
immediately after snake bite. When the earning hand of
any family is bitten by a poisonous make like a black
cobra, his entire family is ruined. His little kids are
forced to suffer in the world. In such a situation people
have decided that they must kill the snakes as soon as
they are seen. They do not want their children to suffer
in the world after their death. Life is precious. People
never want to meet death by snake bites. Ultimately we
have to protect our precious life and for this purpose,
snakes have to be killed at once if they are seen.
10. A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Here ‘I’ refers to the poet.
(ii) The poem is ‘A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal’ and
the poet is William Wordsworth.
60 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The snake lies on the sand
(ii) The snake runs away to the reeds because it wanted
to save its life.
(iii) The snake vanishes in the ripples among the reeds.
(iv) The reeds look small and green.
2. (i) Here ‘he’ refers to the snake.
(ii) He looks very beautiful and graceful.
(iii) It tries to escape from the stroke because it would
kill him.
(iv) The poem is ‘The Snake Trying’ and the poet is
William Wrightson Ross.
Short Answer Questions
1. The snake was lying along the sand when someone
saw it. The person chased it with a stick. The snake
glided away through water. It looked beautiful and
graceful.
2. The poet loves the animals. He conveys the message
that we should love them. We should not kill the
animals and other creatures of God, especially when
they are not harmful.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
I agree with this statement that a snake does not bite a
man, unless it feels that a man is going to kill it. But
people are of the opinion that all snakes are poisonous
and it is their nature to bite a man. So, they want to kill
it.
Or
Some snakes are poisonous and their bites can kill
human beings. But all the snakes are not poisonous.
There are several kinds of snakes which are free of
poison. Their bite has no power to bring any damage
to human beings. If they bite them it is in their self-
defence. They feel that people will kill them when
they are seen. Moreover, they have no legs and feet
for self-defence. Only their poison can save its life
from the killers. So, it is a matter of life protection —
who kills first? Besides, snakes are very shy. When
they see anyone, they immediately want to vacate
the place. Still people run after them with sticks to
kill them. However, the snakes try to save their life
by biting the person in self-defence.
(iii) The slumber has sealed poet’s spirit.
(iv) Here ‘slumber’ means death of the poet’s beloved.
2. (i) ‘She’ is the poet’s beloved.
(ii) She breathed her last and had no motion like a
thing.
 (iii) Because she was dead.
(iv) ‘Earthly years’ here refers to the ‘passage of time’.
Short Answer Questions
1. This line has been taken from the poem ‘A Slumber
Did My spirit Seal’ written by W. Wordsworth.
2. The poet was very sad on his beloved’s death. He
was shocked. But the sleep brought peace to his
mind. He realised that his beloved had become a
part of nature and would always remain around
him.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
It is true that nothing belongs to us permanently because
one day we have to leave all the things on the earth.
Nevertheless, people crave for more wealth, fame,
knowledge, beauty and even commit crime, because
this is human nature. We cannot separate ourselves
from such things. If we give up our greed to have more
and more, the world would be a much better place to
live in. People would not go to extremes to achieve
something.
Or
When man dies he only leaves this body and
becomes part of nature. His presence can be felt in
nature. After death, his soul is merged with nature.
We know that our life is temporary on this earth.
During our life span we develop love and affection
with our beloved ones. But when they meet pre-
mature death, our heart pains a lot. The separation
from the departed one becomes unbearable for
us. The moments of happy days passed with them
rings in our heart and we want to see them again.
Sometimes we dive deep down into mourning
because the pain of separation and loss tortures
our heart. We forget the reality of life that human
beings are not permanent on the earth. When they
die, their memory is left behind to pain our heart.
In this situation, some absolute separation from the
departed soul is impossible.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) She lacks motion and force because she is no
longer alive now.
(ii) Both ideas are associated with positive human
action.
(iii) She is not able to hear because she met her
death.
(iv) She passed away and hence now her sense organs
do not function.
2. (i) The poet’s beloved rolled round in earth’s diurnal
course.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
(ii) It implies the earth’s daily routine on its axis.
(iii) She lost her life and has been absorbed into
nature.
(iv) These things are an important part of the universe
and nature.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet wants to convey the idea that death separates
our loved ones from us but they always remain around
us in the form of nature. We should not be grief stricken
at the death.
2. She is dead and has become a part of nature. Time will
have no effect on her. She will grow no more. She has
no motion and no force. She has become a part of time
itself. Time will not affect her.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
My father was an ideal person. He was a true
nationalist. He was my source of inspiration, guide
and philosopher. I have learnt good values of life
from him only. Whenever I was in some problem, I
often took his suggestion which was very effective.
If the age of sixty-five he was full of hopes and
stamina. He could work more than ten hours at a
stretch. Observing his body structure and character
I was of the opinion that he was beyond death and
time. I know that we are not permanent on this
earth. Someday we have to leave this place. With
regard to my father, my love and deep attachment
with him never allows me think on this point. But
everything changed suddenly. His sudden death
shocked me and I am unable to bear this separation.
He has become part of nature because our soul is
immortal. Still, the sweet moments lived with him
torture our heart.
Or
I like Dr. Sharma most. He was our class teacher
and taught English. He also encouraged the students
for good work. Whenever we had any problems, we
visited him and took his suggestion. Now he has
got his retirement. His wife died around five years
before. Now he is alone in the world. His house is
very big but there is no one to take care of him. I
frequently visit his house and make arrangements
for his cooking. I have appointed a male cook who
cooks for him and washes his clothes. Once in a
month I take him to the family doctor for medical
check up. I buy medicines for him and often ask
him about his health. I also work with him in the
garden. We have developed a good garden in his
house where he sits in the evening and chat with
neighbours. Dr. Sharma never feels alone in my
company.
61
 SUPPLEMENTARY READER — MOMENTS
1. The Lost Child
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The child was fascinated by the fair. He was attracted
towards many things in the fair but he did not insist his
parents to buy any of them. He followed his parents in
the fair like an obedient child. Though he longed for
the things yet he did not express his desire before his
parents because he knew that his parents would not
allow him to get them.
2. The child was watching a roundabout in the fair. Men,
women and children were carried away in a whirling
motion. They shrieked and cried with dizzy laughter.
He also wanted to go on the roundabout.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Parents are the precious gift of God to a child. Nothing
can be more valuable than parents. They mould their
child into a true person with all means, love and
strictness. The story ‘Lost Child’ highlights a child’s
love for his parents. The Child was very happy when he
was going to the fair with his parents. He wanted to buy
many things but his parents refused to buy them. He did
not complain for anything but when he was separated
from his parents, he started crying for them. Now all
these things lost charm for him. The man who rescued
him, offered everything but he refused. Now he wanted
nothing except his parents. This shows that parents are
the most precious and valuable in any child’s life.
Or
Childhood is the most innocent age of life. A child gets
fascinated by every attractive thing either that is useful
or useless. They feel pleasure on possessing the things
like toys but any sensible parents should deal his or
her child with love. As in life all the wishes can not
be fulfilled so the child must be taught to live without
so many things. On the other hand this is the happiest
period of life so their desires should not be ignored.
They feel happy and secured when they find their
parents fulfilling their demands. Overall it is the duty of
parents to make a balance, so that the child should not
feel neglected and should not grow haughty for things.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. While going to the fair, the child’s parents stopped
under the shade of a grove. They stopped there to rest
for a while.
2. His mother was a very kind lady. Her attitude was very
tender. Whenever the child wanted to buy something
she tried to divert his attention towards something else.
She did not scold him.
62 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
When the child realised that he had been separated
from his parents, he started crying. Tears rolled down
his cheeks. His face was full of fear. He was panicked
and ran here and there. His yellow turban got untied.
His clothes became muddy. He ran towards the shrine
in search of his parents. There was a thick crowd.
Before he could be trampled under their feet, a
kind-hearted person picked him up in his arms. He
asked him how he got there and where his parents
were. The child wept more bitterly and cried for his
parents.
Or
Initially, I will be under great fear and panic. But I will
try to find my parents with the help of others. I will
try to find a policeman and ask him to give me some
advice. He will take me to the control room so that an
announcement can be made in a loudspeakers. I will
give my address and the phone number of my parents
so that they can be located.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The child was very happy at the fair. He wanted to have
a toy. His father perhaps could not afford it. He looked
at him rudely and with anger. The child did not insist
and kept on moving.
2. The Juggler was playing a flute to a snake. The child
was attracted by the music and went towards him. He
knew that his parents would not like his standing there.
So he moved on.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Children are the beauty of our house. Without them
the picture of our house in incomplete. They are the
future of our house. While rearing them, parents have
to take every care. There is no limit to the demands
of children, good parents always try to fulfill them as
far as possible. Children like to visit fairs very much.
They want to enjoy things and go on a roundabout.
When parents take their children to the fair, they have
to take every care of them, otherwise their children
may get lost in the fair. If children are attracted by
any snake charmer or some beautiful scenes in the
fair, they should not allow their children to drift
away. Instead, they should always hold the hands of
children tightly in the fair. Moreover, children should
be allowed to eat only those things in the fair which
may not create problems for their health. While in
the fair, children should be given every opportunity
to enjoy it.
 Or
When our parents take us to a fair, we should always try
to follow their instructions. We should walk along with
them so that we may not get lost in the fair. Besides, we
must keep the mobile number and address of our house
in the pocket. If we are lost in the fair, we should not
eat things or sweets offered by other people because
they might belong to some thieves and criminals. If we
are lost in the fair, we should take help from the police.
Our parents have immense love for us. In the fair, we
should not pressurise our parents to buy unnecessary
things. Our act my humiliate our parents. It is our duty
keep them happy. We should not become a burden on
our parents. We should always keep in mind the hard
work they do for us.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. They refused the flute’s music to the child because they
considered it coarse music. The child suppressed his
feelings and kept on moving.
2. He met the kind-hearted person near the shrine. The
man saw the child in the crowd. He might have been
trampled underfoot. His shrieks invited the attention of
the kind man who lifted him.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The stranger was certainly a kind-hearted man. He
saved the child from being trampled under the feet.
He loved children very much. He lifted the lost child
in his lap and offered him all those things which the
2. The Adventures of Toto
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Grandmother usually quarrelled with Grandfather on
the issue of a pet. Whenever Grandfather brought some
new bird or animal Grandmother got furious at the very
mention of any new creature. To avoid this situation it
was decided to keep Toto’s presence a secret until she
was in a good mood.
2. Tot was transferred to a big cage. This cage was kept
in the servant’s quarters and a number of Grandfather’s
pets live in a friendly manner here. But Toto did not
allow any of his companions to sleep at night.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Some animals like dog are good pets and they are
sensible in many things but keeping a monkey as a
pet is not advisable. Monkeys are mischievous by
nature so they can create chaos and may harm the
children at home. They are fond of damaging the
things around them and it becomes quiet difficult
to attend a guest. In the story, grandfather who
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
child desired to have earlier. He also offered the child
to go on the roundabout. Obviously, such persons
are rare and their responsibility gets increased in the
fair. The stranger showed the love of parents in his
behaviour towards the lost child. He tried to assure
the child that he should not be afraid of anything in
the fair. He will find the parents and handover the
lost child to him. The stranger also knew that the
lost child could not live with his parents because he
was weeping bitterly for his parents. Still he tried to
make the lost child happy. With his kind behaviour
the stranger proved that everybody has immense love
for children.
Or
When we in the fair, there are many things which may
attract us. We may be attracted to sweets, toys and
several other things. The roundabout and the snake-
charmers may also influence us. We may also be
attracted to the kite shops and the shooting points. As
children, our needs have no limit. When we want to eat
or buy anything in the fair we should try to make clear
to our parents its importance. We should give them a
solid reason so that they may not make any excuse. But
we should often put our demands before our parents
in a polite manner. Our behaviour may not hurt their
feelings. Of our demands are meaningless to them, we
should not insist on them. Instead, we should look for
some other option. In all cases, we should approach to
our parents with love and affection so that they may
positively think over our demands.
was fond of animals, had many animals in his
private zoo and they were living at peace. The
arrival of new member, ‘Toto’ created a chaos not
only among animals but also in the whole house.
Toto was not an ordinary animal. He was a very
mischievous monkey. He became headache for the
family and at last grandfather had to sell it back to
the real owner.
Or
Yes, I have a pet. It is a dog. It is also very mischievous
as Toto. Its name is Jacky. It was only a month old when
I brought it home. In the beginning it caused a lot of
problems for us but gradually it improved. We provided
him training also. It does not damage the object around
him. He plays with his toys only. He is very friendly
with our guests also. He can differentiate between
relatives and strangers. It is a faithful and caring animal.
When Jacky is there no intruder can dare enter the
house. He is very powerful. He is quite different from
Toto in the story which is not only mischievous but also
creator of chaos in the family.
63
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Toto was kept in a canvas kit-bag. The canvas was too
strong for him to bite. Toto wanted to escape. While
making efforts to get out, he occasionally rolled about
or jumped into the air. As he was inside the bag, the
onlookers could not see him. In this way the onlookers
on the Dehradun platform got attracted.
2. No doubt, Toto was mischievous. He kept creating
problems not only for animals but for the members
of the family also. The night Toto passed with Nana
was full of disturbance. When Grandfather visited the
stable he found Toto fastened on to Nana’s long ears
with his sharp little teeth. They could never become
friends.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Monkeys are naughty like a kid. They love to destroy
things. They feel pleasure in tearing things. They
are habitual of turning everything into rags. They
want to live freely on their will. So if someone tries
to check them, they get annoyed. In general sense
monkeys are not faithful animals. As in the story ‘The
Adventure of Toto’, Toto not only creates chaos in
the house but also annoys grandmother in different
manners. He breaks things and feels delighted in
teasing grandmother. Over all, he does not like to
live in the limitation. So he creates various troubles
for the family members.
Or
Yes, I have a pet. It is a dog. It is also very mischievous
but not as mischievous as Toto. Its name is Puffy. It
was only a month old when I brought it home. In
the beginning, it caused a lot of problems for us but
gradually it improved. We provided him training
also. It does not damage the objects around him. He
plays with his toys only. He is very friendly with our
guests also. He can differentiate between known and
strangers. When Puffy is there, no intruder can dare to
enter the house. He is very powerful. He is nowhere
similar to Toto. Thus it is true that a dog is a faithful
animal.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Toto seemed out of place with the tongo-driver. He
looked pretty also. Grandfather wanted to include him
in his pets. So, he decided to buy him.
2. It works as a third hand for the monkey. He can hang
on to the branches of trees with its help. Moreover with
it, he can reach upto a thing which is out of his hand’s
reach.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Grandfather had immense love for animals. He had
created a private Zoo in the house. In his zoo one could
64 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
see a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a tame squirrel and pet
goats. He took them special care when grandmother had
an aversion for pets. When Toto was brought home, his
arrival was kept a secret. Toto was a naughty monkey.
All the time he kept creating problems in the family.
Since the very day Toto entered the house, he started
damaging the household things. He pulled out the peg,
tore wall papers and the authors blazer. Moreover,
he never let other animals live in harmony with the
other pets. He proved to be an expensive deal. So,
grandfather was not right in keeping Toto in his private
zoo. Grandfather should also have kept in mind the
likes and dislikes of grandmother.
Or
Toto was an adventurous and mischievous monkey.
He enjoyed upsetting everything. He enjoyed a bath.
Once a large kettle containing water had been left on
the fire to prepare tea. Toto removed the lid and got into
the kettle. Soon the water began to boil. Grandmother
happened to come into the kitchen. She saw that Toto
stood in the kettle. She hauled him out of the kettle.
Actually grandmother saved his life, otherwise Toto
would have burnt himself alive.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Grandmother did not like the arrival of any new animal
or bird in the house. Grandfather wanted to avoid the
fuss. He waited for a favourable time to tell her. So, he
hid him.
2. They put Toto in the closet. They came back after a
few hours and found that Toto had pulled the peg out of
the wall. He had also cleared off the wallpaper, which
grandfather had decorated with.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Animals and men are the creations of God. They like
to live free life in the nature. Freedom is loved by
all. But these days many animals are kept in cages.
Although they are kept as pets, they lead the life of
slaves. People keep them as pets for entertainment
but their freedom is restricted. The life of these
animals is confined to the cages when they like to
walk, run and move freely in nature. God has created
natural habitats for them. Forests provide them
shelter and the running streams give them water to
drink. But when these animals are caged and given
not sufficient food to eat, sadness develops in their
life. Their hearts weeps for freedom. Therefore, it is
not reasonable to keep animals in cages and restrict
their freedom.
Or
Grandfather was a kind-hearted person. He was an
animal lover by choice. He had his own private zoo
in his house. He kept bringing home new animals that
 he liked. He was a fully determined person. He had
a lot of patience and took all things positively. When
he brought Toto, he felt satisfied. He wanted to keep
Toto with other animals. But Toto kept disturbing other
animals. Yet Grandfather transferred him frequently
3. Iswaran the Storyteller
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Mahendra worked as a junior supervisor in a ‘Supervisors
On Hire Firm’. His job sites kept on changing from
place to place as ordered by his head office. So, he had
to keep moving from place to place.
2. He was unmarried and had no family. He was simple
and led a simple life with no special needs. Thus, he
could adjust to any kind of odd conditions.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
A good storyteller has quality to put the readers in thrill.
He keeps the interest of the listener lively. He must
have good imagination and good skill. Iswaran had all
the good qualities of a good story teller. Iswaran is a
fascinating storyteller. He seems to be a good dramatist.
His story is full of great suspense and surprise. He
told his story in a dramatic manner. Instead of saying
uprooted tree, he would say that he saw huge bushy beast
lying across the road. He had an amazing capacity to
make stories. He always tried to introduce suspense and
surprise in the narration of the simplest incident. Thus
according to the text, Iswaran was a good story teller.
Or
Storytelling is an art. Only a person having good
imaginative skill and knowledge of changing small
incidents into a narrative story can be a perfect
storyteller. A story should have narrative style and thrill.
Its theme must seem like real. The stories are various
kinds but stories related to common and familiar theme
get popularity. A simple language, good imagination
and an effective plot make the story more interesting.
As in the text, Iswaran who is not much literate has
good skill to change small incidents into interesting
stories. So the stories which are vivid and are told in
unique style gets popularity. Suspense and surprise add
interest in the narration of even a story of simple plot.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. He cooked food for Mahendra, washed his clothes,
cleaned the house and talked to him at nights. He used
to tell him interesting stories and anecdotes and thus,
entertained him.
2. Iswaran often left the story unfinished to create a
curiosity in the listener about its end. He took the plea
that he has to warm and serve the dinner.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
from one place to another in order to make Toto adjust
with the other animals. He was a man of strong mind
and body. His taste made him a naturalist. He enjoyed
his life in the lap of nature. He treated his pet animals
as his family members.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Story-telling is an art. The story-teller must have grim
tone, suitable expression of face and dramatic gestures
of hands and body to leave a long lasting impact on
listeners. Stories can be made vivid by telling them
in a unique style. Though stories are a figment of
imagination but a perfect storyteller presents the facts.
A good story has suspense in small things and has a
surprise ending. Iswaran is a good story teller. He used
to read Tamil thrillers; it affected his behaviour. He used
to narrate a small incident in a detailed way. He created
suspense in small things and gave surprise endings. He
was expert in narrating stories in elaborate way.
Or
A well educated and well informed person would not
believe in the existence of the ghost but sometime the
fear of their heart and effect of horror tales and haunted
movies make them realise the existence of the ghost. Due
to psychological effect, the horrible scene could not get
out his mind and keeps on thinking about the existence
of ghost. When one is in deep thoughts in a certain field
the things related to the scene appear like real before our
eyes. The same is the story about ghost. In the story the
skilled story teller, Iswaran, makes his successful effort
to make Mahendra realise about the ghosts’ world and
he started to believe that the ghosts were for real and
decided to leave the place, taking it as haunted.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Iswaran controlled the wild elephant. He took a stick in
his hand, moved forward and with all his might, whacked
the elephant’s third toe nail. The elephant looked stunned
for a minute. Finally, it shivered and collapsed.
2. One full moon night, Mahendra heard the sound of
mourning and wailing near the window. He looked out
of his window. He saw a dark cloudy form clutching a
bundle. He thought it to be a female ghost. He sweated
and fell back on the pillow.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Iswaran had an inborn skill for story-telling. He would
add up suspense and surprise even to an ordinary
incident. Mahendra had no choice but listen to him
uncritically. Then he would jump to another incredible
story. When he was in the junior class, an elephant
got mad. It uprooted bushes and trees and caused a
65
 terrible destruction. When everyone was running helter-
skelter, he stepped forward with a stick. He hit it hard
on its third toenail. The beast shivered and collapsed.
A veterinary doctor had to take a long time to revive
the beast. Iswaran was highly inspired and copied the
popular Tamil thrillers in this art.
Or
Mahendra’s mind was influenced by the ghost story told
by Iswaran. Iswaran told Mahendra that the place was
a former burial ground and he had seen a female ghost.
Mahendra was influenced by this story and he too saw a
similar female ghost outside his window. This made him
leave the present house he was staying. It is very much
horrible that it was only a figment of his imagination
and there was no real ghost. So he must have confirmed
himself that he did really saw a ghost before vacating
his place. Mahendra felt frightened and ran to his office.
Further, he decided to leave the haunted place at once. It
was his art of telling story which helped him to convince
Mahendra that he should believe in the ghosts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Iswaran was a good storyteller. He was fond of reading
books on thrill and mystery. He used to tell various
stories to Mahendra. His stories were full of suspense,
horror and adventures. He compared things with
something imaginative.
2. One day, Mahendra interrupted Iswaran from telling a
useless story. He scolded him badly. So, he expected
him to be angry for some days. But Iswaran did not
mind that and was before him as usual the next day.
4. In the Kingdom of Fools
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Everything was upside down in the story “In the
Kingdom of Fools”. The guru and his disciple found
that people slept in daytime and worked during the
nights. Everything, whether rice or banana cost the
same. Any disobedience was punished.
2. The guru knew that the behaviour of fools is
unpredictable. They could be in danger anytime. He
decides to leave the kingdom at once. But the disciple
did not realise the danger. He realises his mistake when
the king ordered his execution without any reason.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
It is always risky to live among the fools as one never
knows what a fool has in his mind. He can create any
trouble for himself as well as for others. The guru in
the story tells his disciple, “They are all fools. They
won’t last very long and you can’t tell what they will
do to you next. Their behavior is not predictable”. The
66 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Iswaran was an obedient person. He was Mahendra’s
cook. He was very caring and hardworking. He did all
the jobs such as cooking meal, washing clothes and
chatting with Mahendra at night. He obeyed his master
with full dedication. So, he was an asset to Mahendra.
Any ideal servant should take every care of his master.
He should keep his master satisfied in every way. As
Mahendra was unmarried he was leading a lonely life.
There was not anyone in the house who could give
him company. Only Iswaran was in his house. Only
he was his guide and friend. He was the source of
entertainment for him. Thus, he was really an ideal
servant of his master.
Or
Since our childhood we hear about the stories of ghost.
Sometimes we become frightened and fall asleep
quickly. The other time we think about the action of
ghosts. As children we believe in the reality of ghosts.
We become confident that ghosts exist in the world and
become afraid of dark even and if we see any horrible
sight. Our belief in ghosts deepens further. In the story,
Iswaran told Mahendra that he had seen a female ghost
one day. He further told him that the ghost appeared
off and on at midnight during the full moon. The ghost
seemed an ugly creature with thick hair and a shriveled
face and it gave the impression of a skeleton holding a
foetus in its arms. Although Mahendra called Iswaran
a crazy fellow, he was frightened inside. However, at
night he conjured up the ghost and started shivering.
Thus, his belief in ghosts deepened and he decided to
leave the place at once.
disciple did not follow the advice of his guru and was
in trouble. The king, the most foolish creature of the
kingdom, had a unique way of judgment. He did not
apply his mind when deciding cases. At last with the
wisdom of the guru the disciple was saved and the king
became victim of his own foolishness and died.
Or
A Guru is always a well wisher of his disciple. The
disciple who does not obey his guru falls in misery while
those who follow the path told by Guru live a happy and
healthy life. In the story the disciple did not obey his
Guru and so was in trouble. If he had followed his Guru
and left the kingdom he would not have been in trouble.
He was greedy and decided to remain in the kingdom
because everything was so cheap there. He used to eat
to his fill and became fat. One day he fell into trouble
as he was chosen to be executed due to his fatness. The
Guru was a wise man. He was right in his predictions.
And his predictions came true. It was he who came on
his call and saved his life with his wisdom.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. In the story “In the Kingdom of Fools”, the people
used to work at night and sleep during the sunlight.
The day was considered to be the night and the night
was considered to be the day. This was followed not
only by the human beings but by the animals too.
2. The guru advised his disciple to leave the kingdom of
fools as soon as possible. He said that one could never
anticipate the next move of the fools. The guru was a
wise man. He was right in his prediction.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
One never knows what a fool has in his mind. The guru
tells his disciple, “They are all fools.” They won’t last
very long and you can’t tell what they’ll do to you next.
Their behaviour is not predictable. The disciple did not
follow the advice of guru and was in trouble. The king, the
most foolish creature of the kingdom, had a unique way
of judgement. He did not apply his mind when deciding
cases. He became victim of his own foolishness and died.
The story gives us a lesson we should not be easy going
in our life. The fruit of hard struggle is always sweet.
Or
One who removes the darkness of our ignorance and
gives the light of knowledge is called a guru. Guru is
the person who guides us to take right path. So, one who
gives us knowledge is sacred and deserves the highest
respect. Those who obey their guru and follow the guided
path face no trouble. The teacher plays the greatest
enabling role by helping one to cultivate and refine the
use of one’s thinking ability. Knowledge provided by the
teacher helps one to mould one’s character. In the story
“In the Kingdom of Fools” it was the guru who guided
his disciple about impending danger in that kingdom of
fools and when the disciple fell into trouble, he realised
his mistake and remembered his guru. The guru came
forward and saved his life with his wit.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The disciple was a food freak. He found the food very
cheap there. He ate his fill everyday and grew fat like
a street side bull. The cost of everything was only one
daddu. He could buy anything for one daddu.
2. The trial was made about the death of a thief who
died while coming out of a house. The wall was very
old and collapsed on him. The king wanted to fix the
responsibility on a person responsible for his death.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The disciple was arrested and was to be executed soon.
At that moment he recalled the words of his Guru and
prayed to save his life. The Guru was a divine figure
and heard the prayer. He reached there at once and
created a drama. They started quarrelling for the stake.
They expressed their willingness to choose the stake
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
before the other. On seeing this situation the king got
confused and could not decide what to do. On being
asked, the Guru told that whoever chose the stake
first would become the king in the next birth and the
second would become the minister. Both the king and
the minister were tempted and chose the stake one by
one. In this way the Guru could save his disciple.
Or
Everything was cheap in the Kingdom of Fools. The
disciple had a liking for food. He was tempted by the
cheap food. So, he decided to stay in that kingdom. It
was not a good idea to stay there for a long time as one
could be in danger any time because of the unpredictable
behaviour of fools. The king ordered him to be executed.
But as soon as he was taken to the stake, the stake did
not fit him. It was important to test the stake for first
time. Hence, the king ordered that a person should be
found who could fit the stake. The king’s men caught
the disciple and found him fit for the stake. The disciple
had become healthy due to overeating. The king ordered
him to be executed. But his Guru saved him. It was
such a situation which none could imagine in real life.
It becomes quite clear that living in such a kingdom is
dangerous. Anything could happen here.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. The guru told the king that the stake of God of justice
whoever died first would be reborn as the king of that
country. And whoever died next would be the minister.
2. After the death of the king and his minister, the people
found guru and his disciple. They were impressed with
their intellectual capacity and wisdom. They made them
king and minister respectively.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
In the Kingdom of Fools everything looked odd. The
disciple was arrested in place of the rich merchant. He
was to be executed soon but the disciple started praying.
The guru reached there and made a plan to save the
disciple’s life. The king and his minister became the
victims of this plan and got themselves executed. Now
there was no king in the kingdom. The throne was vacant.
People wanted that a wise person should become the king.
After the death of the king and the disciple the people
were impressed by the wisdom and power of the Guru.
They thought that if the Guru and his disciple became the
king and the minister, there would be peace all around.
So the people chose to crown the Guru and his disciple.
Or
The owner of the house i.e. the merchant, the bricklayer,
the dancing girl and the goldsmith were tried in the
king’s court. They all were tried because the thief died
when the wall of merchant’s house had collapsed.
The merchant was tried for building a weak wall. The
bricklayer was tried for doing his work carelessly. The
67
 dancing girl was tried for disturbing the concentration
of the bricklayer. The goldsmith was blamed for making
the dancing girl walk up and down to his house a dozen
times. The merchant’s dead father was held responsible
for making the wall weak. But according to the king
5. The Happy Prince
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The statue was covered all over with the leaves of fine
gold. Two bright sapphires were fixed in place of eyes,
and the heart was made of lead. A large ruby was fixed
in his sword hilt.
2. When the Prince was alive, he lived in a palace. The
prince lived happily and knew no sorrow. Even the
courtiers called him the happy prince. So, he did not
know what tears were.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Righteousness always plays an important role in life.
The case may be individual, a family, a state or a nation.
The money power and pelf can, of course, provide the
comforts and luxuries of life. But these can not provide
mental satisfaction and spiritual contentment. All religious
and spiritual leaders advise mankind to shun the path of
vice and to follow the right path. It is only when a nation
cares for its poor, nurses its old and feeble, looks after its
downtrodden and weaker sections of society. The nation
rises to meteoric heights when it follows the right path.
Righteousness bless a man with the heights of satisfaction
and happiness. In the story, “The Happy Prince” the prince
reaches the heights of heaven with his fellow companion
swallow by the means of righteousness.
Or
Society is the place whose protection is the chief concern
of all individuals. In society we find people suffering from
all kinds of ills like poverty, hunger, starvation, diseases
and natural calamities. The students can play an active
role for protecting the society. The students can take up
such tasks as educating the poor kids and even adults.
Those deprived of education can be taught basics of
learning. The students can be a great help in popularizing
concepts such as hygiene as well as sanitation. People
should be taught significance of cleanliness. Apart from
this, moral values can be imparted. Short stories based on
honesty, truth discipline etc. can be popularized through
them. Thus students can be a great bridge between the
haves and have-nots. Students can make such a society
which may have no sorrow and no misery.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. The prince wanted the swallow to pick out the ruby
from his sword-hilt and take it to the poor seamstress.
68 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
the rich merchant was the real culprit because he had
inherited both sins and riches of his father. He escaped
the punishment because he was too thin to fit the stake.
Then, the disciple was brought to the place of execution
because he had grown too fat.
2. He was a young playwright. He was leaning over a desk
covered with papers. His hair was brown and crisp and
his lips were red. He had large and dreamy eyes. He
was trying to finish a play for the theatre. But he was
feeling cold as there was no firewood, and hunger had
made him faint. So, he could not finish the play.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Goodness is for ever. The happy prince had goodness
for all. He was moved by the widespread poverty and
misery. He gave his eyes, his gold and jewels to the
poor. When the swallow died at his feet, his heart was
broken into two. The statue of happy prince was no
longer useful and beautiful. It was pulled down. When
the statue was melted in a furnace, the leaden heart did
not melt because goodness can never be destroyed. The
prince and the swallow both were rewarded by the God
by providing them place in heaven.
Or
The two most precious things in the city were the leaden
heart of the happy prince and the dead swallow. The
happy prince had sacrificed these to serve the suffering
humanity and help the poor. The swallow fulfilled
the wishes of the happy prince. He sacrificed his self
interest of going to Egypt. He carried gold and jewels
to the suffering people. He remained with the prince in
the bad weather also. He died at the prince’s feet. So,
the angel was right when it took the leaden heart of the
prince and the dead swallow to Heaven.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The courtiers call the prince the “Happy Prince” because
he lived in the palace where sorrow was not allowed to
enter. He was brought up in a luxurious surroundings.
He could now see the reality of life from that height. He
could see the misery of poor and their pitiable condition.
2. The Happy Prince had become totally blind. The
swallow was impressed with his charity and kindness.
He had sacrified everything for good cause of helping
the poor in their needs. The swallow loved the prince
and could not leave him in that state. He decided not
to go to Egypt. He remained there till his last breath.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Yes, good deeds are ever rewarding. In other words,
good deeds always pay in one’s life. It is true that
mortal life is meant to decay and death and good deeds
make one immortal. In life we get utmost contentment
 and inner pleasure by doing some charitable act or by
helping others. In the story ‘The Happy Prince’, both
the happy prince and the swallow were rewarded for
their good deeds by God. They found a permanent
place in heaven. The swallow will sing forever in the
garden of paradise and the happy prince will live in
the city of gold. Thus the story teaches us to live a
meaningful life by helping those who are in need.
Or
There is fun, happiness and thrill in buying things
for ourselves and enjoying life on your own but the
happiness got from making others happy is far greater
and deeper than any happiness. We can get them by
doing things just for ourselves. There is a Chinese
proverb, “Fragrance clings to the hand that gives
roses”. The fragrance of happiness clings to the heart
that spread happiness to others. In the story happy
prince could not see the misery of people. He lived a
comfortable life inside the palace and never saw the
misery and ugliness of the people around him but in the
form of statue when he witnessed the pathetic condition
of the poor he sacrificed all to serve the suffering
humanity and got an everlasting happiness in heaven.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Happy Prince’s leaden heart did not melt in the furnace.
It was thrown away. The angels considered the leaden
heart the most precious thing in the city. They took it
to the heaven.
2. God rewarded the happy prince and the swallow by
giving them a place in heaven. The swallow will sing
6. Weathering the Storm in Ersama
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. In the evening when Prashant was at his friend’s house
a dark and menacing storm gathered. Winds started
blowing with great speed. Heavy and continuous rains
filled the darkness. Ancient trees were uprooted and
crushed to death. The angry water rushed in his friend’s
house, neck deep.
2. When the super cyclone hit coastal Orissa, Prashant was
at his friend’s house with neck deep water. They spent
two days on the roof of the house and lived on tender
coconuts of those two trees which had fallen on the roof.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Nature’s fury turns up things down in no time. It is very
destructive. The beautiful houses and gardens turn into a
virtual graveyard. It makes an irreparable loss of life and
property. During natural calamity, immediate needs are
housing, food, shelter and emotional support. During the
devastation caused by the super cyclone, Prashant, a boy
of only nineteen years showed courage and bravery. He
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
forever in the garden of paradise and the happy prince
will live in the city of gold.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
This is a strange world. It presents shocking contrasts.
Nothing succeeds like success here. So long you are
powerful and strong you are respected and obeyed.
In this dazzling world of wealth and riches, human
feelings have no relevance. The statue of the Happy
Prince was installed at the highest column in the most
important square of the city. It was gilded all over with
fine gold. His eyes had two bright sapphires and a large
red ruby glowed on his sword hilt. He was a symbol of
power, beauty and grandeur. The moment he lost his
gold, sapphires and the grand ruby, he became very
ordinary, ugly and useless. He was to be pulled down
and melted in a furnace. The Mayor and the Town
Counsellors are cruel and selfish.
Or
Undoubtedly, the swallow was a nice bird. He wanted
to go to Egypt with his friends. At first when he rests
between the feet of the Happy Prince, he had no feeling
of helping others. His quality becomes obvious when
we notice tears in his eyes on seeing the Happy Prince’s
heart aching. He discharges his duty with full loyalty
and obedience. When he starts living with the Prince,
he becomes more sympathetic towards others. He has
a deep sense of service. He helps the seamstress by
bringing her a ruby and fanned the sick boy with his
wings. He helps the playwright and the match girl too.
He rejected his idea to go to Egypt when the Happy
Prince became blind. In the end he died and fell down
at his feet.
inspired the cyclone victims and mobilised the women to
work. He tried to resettle the orphans and widows with
the help of government. He became a ray of hope for
the grief striken victims of Orissa. As a very resourceful
person, he did what he could do for the children, women
and other victims. Such zealous and courageous person
can help the victims of natural calamity.
Or
Human is a social animal. Despite food and other common
needs, he cannot live without company and love of his
near or dear ones. In adversity or crises, it is noticed
that they come forward to help one another without any
previous ill-feeling for one another. Adversity or crises
brings people together. There is a bond of humanity. The
victims of cyclone in Erasma helped one another. They
worked together during this resettlement. They took care
of orphans and widows. Prashant managed to unite them
and work for one another. Thus in the hour of grief the
people of the community joined their hands under the
leadership of Prashant. They came forward to help one
another. Prashant brought the survivors together and
69
 formed a youth task force. The youth took the charge
and volunteered themselves for cleaning the shelters of
filth, urine and vomit.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. When Prashant reached his village, his heart turned
cold. Houses had been washed away. Only roofs were
lying on the ground. The belongings were mixed up and
twisted. The tree branches appeared above water. His
maternal grandmother was the first woman Prashant
saw in the crowd at the Red Cross shelter.
2. Prashant had gone to block headquarters of Ersama on
27th October, 1994. He had gone there to spend a day
with a friend. Ersama is a small town in coastal Orissa.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
On reaching his village, Prashant found deplorable
conditions all around him. He had leadership qualities
so he took the initiative to rehabilitate people. He
made a team of young volunteers and cleaned urine,
filth, vomit and floating carcasses. His team was fully
dedicated to serve others. He persuaded grief-stricken
women to look after children. In this way he became
a ray of hope for all. Undoubtedly, Prashant is a good
leader. He has all the qualities of a leader. He has a
special quality of taking initiatives. His vision is quite
clear. He faces adverse circumstances courageously.
He is a source of energy for others and has great
motivational power. I think that youth is power. This
power can be used to assist society during natural
disasters. Whatever job is assigned to the youth in such
circumstances they perform their duty with full spirit.
Or
The scene after storm and heavy rain was quite tragic.
There were dead bodies and uprooted trees all around.
A brown sheet of water covered everything. There
was water everywhere. The rain ceased after two days
but water could be seen as far as the eyes could gaze.
Because of heavy rain there was little hope for the
betterment of the flood victims. Prashant tackled all
these problems very carefully. First of all he owned the
responsibility of a leader of the group. He organized
a group of youths and elders that compelled merchant
to part with the good quota of the rice. They collected
wood, cooked rice and fed the people. Then he arranged
a team of youth to clean the surroundings of the shelter.
They looked after the wounded. He persuaded women
to look after the orphans. To bring people out of their
grief he organized games for the children. For the same
reason he convinced women to work for food. He
became the prime example of courage and compassion.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Prashant found that a large number of children had
70 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
been orphaned. He brought them together and put up
a polythene shelter for them. He organised cricket
matches for children. Prashant tried to set up their
children in new foster families made up of childless
widows and children.
2. A military helicopter dropped some parcels but it didn’t
return. The youth task force of the village asked the
children to lie in the sand with empty utensils on their
stomach. They were successful in telling the helicopters
that they were hungry. So the helicopter dropped
regular food and other supplies to them.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Prashant became a leader of the village. He sent a
delegation to the merchant and got the full quota of
rice for the people taking shelter in the shed. Then he
organised a team of volunteers to clean the shelter. On
the fifth day of the camp, one military helicopter dropped
food packets but did not return again. Then the youth
task force was set up. The group deputed the children
to lie on the floor. They had the empty utensils on their
stomachs. By that they were able to communicate to the
passing helicopters that they were hungry. Finally the
helicopters dropped good quantity of food there.
Or
After the devastation the shelter was established. It was
established at Kalikuda. Around 2500 people were there.
The whole atmosphere was grimy. The people survived
on green coconuts. The men, the women and the children
looked helpless. They were filled with fear and groaning
for the dead. Prashant took the initiative and organised
many groups. They could succeed in their efforts and
got rice to eat. They got relief packages sent through
helicopters. There was filth, vomit, urine. The floating
carcasses could be seen all around. Life seemed slow
here. The people there passed their time in gossiping
and performing several activities. The situation of the
shelter showed the clear picture of suffering humanity.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Prashant had deep sympathy for the flood victims.
He could not tolerate the deplorable condition of the
women and children. He decided to get them engaged,
So, he persuaded the women to work in the food for
work programme. He made special arrangement for the
children to keep them busy.
2. Super cyclone in Orissa in October, 1999 proved
very devastating. Heavy and incessant rain filled the
darkness. Ancient trees were uprooted and crashed to
the earth. People and houses were washed away.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
After two days when the rain ceased and the rain water
began to recede slowly, Prashant decided to visit his
village. He had to face many difficulties on his way.
He equipped himself with a long stick and started his
journey. The village was 18 kilometres away from this
 place. He kept moving ahead through the swollen flood
waters. He used his stick to estimate the depth of the
water. When he reached the village his heart went cold
on seeing the little pieces of roofs floating in the water.
After a while he could see his grandmother. She rushed
and hugged him. Later on, the other members of his
family were found in the Red Cross Shelter.
Or
Ersama is a small town in coastal Orissa which is
eighteen kilometres from his village. When the cyclone
hit the coastal Orissa, Prashant was in Ersama. The
cyclone continued for 36 hours. It brought down all the
7. The Last Leaf
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Sue and Johnsy were two young artists. Their economic
condition was not good. They were strugglers. They
lived in the artists colony. They shared a small flat.
2. Johnsy was emotionally disturbed. She developed a
belief that she would die with the fall of the last leaf
on the creeper. She started counting the leaves. In fact,
she had an attack of depression too.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
A friend plays a very important role in one’s life. A
true friend supports one in every step. Friend is the
person who stands with you in happiness or crises. In
the story ‘Last Leaf” when Johnsy was suffering from
Pneumonia she was not getting well because she was
the victim of negative feeling. She attached her life to
the falling of leaves from a creeper outside the window.
She had thought she would die the moment when the
last leaf of the creeper falls. Sue tried her best to cheer
her up when she learns Johnsy’s foolish belief. She
shared her concern with Behrman. Behrman went out
on a rainy night and painted a leaf on the ivy, which
looked like a real leaf. Sue helped Johnsy to recover.
She gave her a lot of courage. In real she was a kind
girl and a friend indeed.
Or
Firm determination and strong will power are the tools
of success in life. A person who has firm determination
and strong will power can never feel depressed on
small losses in life and the God blesses such a person
with success. In the story, The Last Leaf, it is the
determination and strong will power that helps a
patient Johnsy to recover fast. Johnsy who felt dejected
and depressed had lost the will to live. Medicine was
ineffective. She thought that she would die with the fall
of the last leaf on the ivy. But Behrman and Sue brought
her out of this fanciful idea and convinced her that there
was no relationship between her life and the falling of
leaf. Gradually with the efforts of Sue and Behrman
she regained will power and thus her willingness to
live saved her.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
houses and huge old trees. Prashant had to spend two
days at Ersama. He was worried about his family. He
started for his village. He covered eighteen kilometres
of distance to his village through the waist-deep water,
he had to push away many human bodies and carcasses
of animals. Eventually, Prashant reached his village.
His heart went cold. He thought his family could not
have survived the catastrophe. He was happy to see his
family safe in the Red Cross camp. Prashant decided to
come forward and arrange food and medicine for the
victims. He formed a group of youth and elders to help
the flood victims.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. When Behrman came to know about Johnsy’s belief
regarding the fall of leaves, he saw the creeper and
realised that the last leaf was sure to fall. He said
nothing. He decided to do something to save her life.
2. Behrman was an old artist. He knew that the last leaf
was sure to fall that night. He decided to paint a leaf on
the wall. It was a stormy night. It was raining heavily.
But Behrman completed the job. He fell to pneumonia
and died.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The doctor said that she would not recover unless she
had a wish to live. It seemed to the doctor that Johnsy
had no willingness to live in the state of depression. In
such a state no medicine could save her life. So, the
doctor advised Sue to try her best to take her friend out
of that state. Behrman had a dream to paint a masterpiece
in his life. He kept waiting for the opportunity to give it
a practical shape. Yes, he could materialize his dream
when he painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.
Or
Sue and Johnsy were good friends. Both of them were
artists. They loved each other and shared the same
room. One day, Johnsy fell ill. She was suffering from
pneumonia. She believed that she would die with the
falling of the last leaf on the ivy creeper. Sue looked
after her like a mother. She tried to instill in her a
desire to live a happy life. She kept whistling in order
to make her happy and break her calmness. When her
condition started deteriorating she became anxious and
informed Behrman about her condition. Behrman took
it seriously. He painted the leaf on the wall to save her
life. So, Sue succeeds in saving her life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Behrman was an old artist of sixty years. While painting
the leaf on the wall, he was completely drenched. He
fell to pneumonia and died. But before his death, he was
successful in fulfilling his dream of making a masterpiece.
2. Johnsy had lost charm in life due to pneumonia. She
71
 thought that when last leaf fell, she would die. Behrman
finally painted the masterpiece. The leaf painted by him
saved Johnsy’s life. As the last leaf did not fall, Johnsy
got the will to live.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The story reveals Behrman’s sacrifice. He was a poor
old artist. He had a dream to paint a masterpiece. Once
Johnsy fell ill and established a bond of her life with the
ivy leaves. One day, Sue found her whispering this. Sue
looked after Johnsy and she informed Behrman about
her condition. It was a stormy night and there was a
single leaf on the creeper. Behrman thought that the
leaf would fall that stormy night. So he decided to paint
the leaf on the wall. He painted the leaf so beautifully
that it looked natural. But he got pneumonia that night
and died two days after his painting. Hence, this story
becomes the story of supreme sacrifice.
Or
Johnsy was a young girl and lived with one of her friends.
They were artists. She was suffering from pneumonia.
Her friend Sue looked after her. She loved her very much.
The doctor kept visiting Johnsy and had regular check-
up. But there was no improvement in her condition.
Her condition went from bad to worse. Both the doctor
and Sue were worried. Later on, it was found that she
was depressed. In that state of mind she lost her interest
in everything. She kept lying calm gazing through the
window. She did not like to live and suffered from the
misconception that she would die. The doctor said that
she would not recover unless she had a wish to live. It
seemed to the doctor that Johnsy had no willingness to
live in the state of depression. In such a state no medicine
could save her life. So, the doctor advised Sue to try her
best to take her friend out of that state.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Johnsy had developed a superstition that she would die
8. A House Is Not a Home
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. It was blowing cold on that Sunday afternoon. And the
author was doing homework at the dining table. His
mother was fuelling the fire at the fire place to keep
the room warm.
2. When the fire broke almost the entire house was burnt.
The author realised that cat was nowhere to be found.
It was clear that the cat might have been injured due
to fire or run away due to fear.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
People in one’s surroundings are sometimes indifferent
and less co-operative. They keep busy in their own
business but they are truly known in one’s hardship
when they come forward to support whole-heartedly to
72 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
with the fall of the last leaf. Actually a severe attack of
pneumonia had left her mind morbid. When she saw
the last leaf surviving the windy wet night, her will to
live revived. It made her realise that it was really a sin
to want to die.
2. Behrman was a sixty years old painter. He lived on the
ground floor of the building. His only dream in life was
to paint a masterpiece. His dream was fulfilled when
he painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Johnsy was a young girl and lived with one of her
friends. They were artists. She was suffering from
pneumonia. Her friend Sue looked after her. She loved
her very much. The doctor kept visiting Johnsy and had
regular check-up. But there was no improvement in
her condition. Her condition went from bad to worse.
Both the doctor and Sue were worried. Later on, it was
found that she was depressed. In that state of mind she
lost her interest in everything. She kept lying calm
gazing through the window. She did not like to live
and suffered from the misconception that she would die
with the last leaf of the creeper. They tried to convince
her, but in vain. She had lost her will to live. In this
mental condition, only God could save her.
Or
Johnsy was seriously ill with pneumonia. She was
highly depressed and lay in bed looking vacantly out
of the window. She would keep watching for hours the
creeper up the opposite wall shedding its leaves. She
would count the number of leaves left on the creeper.
She was obssessed with a foolish superstition. She
would die with the fall of the last leaf. The doctor said
that she would not recover unless she had a wish to live.
It seemed to the doctor that Johnsy had no willingness
to live in the state of depression. In such a state no
medicine could save her life. So, the doctor advised
Sue to try her best to take her friend out of that state.
the sufferer. In the story ‘A House is not a Home’, the
author felt uncomfortable in the new school because he
was not familiar with the school environment, teachers
and classmates. When he lost each and everything
in fire, he felt insecure and in this harsh time his
schoolmates introduced themselves to him. They all
contributed and gifted him school supplies. As everyone
was aware of his plight, all the teachers knew about his
hardship. Thus the sympathy and co-operation in school
comforted him. Now his opinion changed about his new
school and he started making friends.
Or
Animals are part and parcel of our life. In many ways
we depend on animals. In many cases we are deeply
attached with them. We keep pet which become part of
our life. We feel depressed on their separation. The cat
 and the narrator were very fond of each other. She was
never far from him. He had rescued her when she was a
kitten. The cat used to play with him every morning. She
climbed up the robe and crawled into his pocket to fall
asleep. After the fire accident, the cat went missing. The
very thought of her death made the narrator cry. He kept
on searching for her. The author was feeling dejected.
One day, a woman brought the cat back to him. He held
her close and cried into that beautiful orange fur. The cat
also purred happily. Thus we can say that in many cases,
we love animals more than our human fellows.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Next day author went to school in an embarrassed
situation. He was not in school uniform. He looked
weird in his clothes. He had neither books nor bag. He
felt as if he was an outcast and wanted to die.
2. When the house caught fire narrator and his mother were
in the house. Zan’s mother ran out of the house carrying
a small metal box full of important documents. She again
ran back to bring back father’s pictures and letters.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author’s friends played a vital role in rebuilding his
life. He was a fatherless boy. His mother looked after
him. He had a cat with him and he loved her very much.
When his house caught fire, he lost everything. He, in
his new school, did not feel good. He kept visiting his
old school and teachers. His life had become dull. He
had lost all hopes to live. When he visited his new school
the next day, he found the atmosphere strange. His new
friends provided him with all the necessary items. They
invited him to their homes. All this contributed a lot for
the author. He lost the feelings of isolation, dejection
and insecurity. He started leading a happy life again.
Or
The author loved his cat very much. He lost his cat
when his house caught fire. He tried to find the cat but
did not get her. After a month, a woman came to him
with his cat. He could not believe it. He grabbed his cat
and started jumping. The wonderful woman somehow
handed over his cat to him. She tried her best to find
the owner of the cat. On seeing the collar and the phone
number written on it, she decided that the cat was
loved and missed. She was a good lady. She realized
the feeling of the owner of the cat. The author called
her wonderful as getting his cat back was no less than
a wonder for him. Really, she did a noble deed.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. He had a pet cat which was his constant companion and
source of entertainment. He was fond of her and could
never think of living away from her. He had a special
bond with her because he had rescued her when she
was a small kitten.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
2. The author loved his mother too much. He saw his
mother running into the burning house. He emotionally
charged out trying to follow her. The firemen stopped
him forcefully, otherwise he would have jumped into
fire. He could have lost his life.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Zan is a school boy who moves from Junior school
to High School. He finds some initial problems in
adjusting to the life in the new school. Unfortunately,
his house gets burned down in a fire and he is in deep
trouble. But his schoolmates help him out by providing
everything to him. A neighbour also greatly increases
his joy by helping him to find his lost cat. So the
narrator manages to become happy again after facing
lot of troubles. The affection he got from many people
touched him. He was able to get rid of his insecurity
and open up to others. A new chapter opened in his life.
Or
Only if happiness, warmth and comfort is present in a
house we can call it a home. The house of narrator, a
teenage boy, get burned down and the family moves into
another accommodation. There is a great sense of loss
to the boy. He also loses his pet cat which he loved so
much. So the boy feels the loss of his home. The narrator
still missed his pet cat. After a month when he and his
friend were watching his house rebuilt, a lady came with
his cat. The noble lady took great pains and found the
owner. She brought happiness back to the narrator. Now
the feeling of loss and tragedy had gone. He no longer
wanted to die. He was grateful to life, his new friends
and the kind lady. He regained interest in life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. His new friends in the new school and the kindness
of the lady, who returned his cat, helped the author
in getting rid of his feelings of loss and tragedy. He
regained confidence. Now he wanted to live happily
in his new home.
2. The fire tragedy changed the author’s life. He was so
depressed that he did not want to grow up and wanted
to die. But his reunion with his cat, his new friends in
the school and his new house made his house ‘a home’
where he could live.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author was full of remorse as he was left with
nothing. He didn’t have proper dress and study material.
He had no backpack. He had the feeling of insecurity.
All things appeared strange to him. He was shocked
deeply and seemed frustrated. The words uttered by
him “Was I destined to be an outcast and a geek all my
life? I didn’t want to grow up, change or have to handle
life, if it was to going to be this way. I just wanted to
curl up and die” reveal his fear and insecurity. His
schoolmates bought up school supplies, notebooks,
73
 all kinds of different clothes for the author in order to
help him. It was a matter of surprise and too difficult to
believe for him. He got emotional satisfaction. People
who had never spoken, introduced themselves one by
one. All things seemed new and created his interest in
life. Now, he had all the things whatever he used to
have. He started enjoying his life as usual.
Or
Life without love is not life. Human relationship is
based on love. The title itself indicates it clearly that
a house is not a home without love. The author had
to face adverse circumstances in his life. He was a
9. The Accidental Tourist
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The author was going on a weeklong trip to England,
with his family by air. When they were checking in at
Logan airport in Boston, the author tried to open his
bag forcefully. The side of the bag flew open and all
his important items fell out in the open. Newspaper
cuttings, tobacco packet, passport, money, etc. rained
out over an area about the size of a tennis court.
2. The author tried to open his carry bag to find out his
discount card. The zip got jammed. He tried to open it
and got a long deep cut in his finger. It started bleeding.
His wife looked at him with an expression of wonder.
She remarked, “I can’t believe you do this for a living”.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
A story without humour seems dull and boring, Humour
gives it popularity. The story ‘Accidental Tourist’ is full
of humour in which we experience Bill’s acts when he
went looking for laboratory, he landed up in alley. It is a
sight to watch all the articles such as newspaper cutting,
tin of tobacco, pipe, magazines, passport, English money.
The next moment blood is gushing out of his finger. The
author’s catastophe is when he spills cold drink on the lap
of lady, sitting next to him in the aeroplane. It is funny
to find that ink had leaked from his pen and his mouth,
chin, tongue, teeth and gums were striking navy blue.
Imagine the whole family putting up hoods up when
daddy is opening the lid. So the full story is of humour
and the readers get full entertainment while reading it.
Or
One must be well-behaved, well mannered and full
of confidence to maintain one’s image in gathering. A
confusing person due to lack of confidence becomes
laughing stock in many situations. As in the story the
author Bill Bryson is always desirous to project himself
as a well behaved, well mannered person, a person full
of confidence but in doing so, all the time, he commits
funny mistakes. He is a frequent flyer but forgets to use
frequent flyer card issued by airways. He forgets to tie
74 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
fatherless boy. He led a satisfactory life with his old
friends and teachers. But when he changed his school,
he could not adjust himself in the new environment.
He felt himself alienated. Later on his house caught fire
and he lost all the things including his cat. He started
feeling dejected and isolated. Life had no interest for
him any more. He started building a new house. But it
was not a home, as a house is a home only when there
is love and happiness. The author did not have any
attachment to the new house. His reunion with his cat,
his new friends and the new house made his house a
home.
shoe laces, he scatters his soft drink on co-passenger. He
put the end of his pen into his mouth and begins sucking
and gets his mouth, tongue, teeth and gums strained in
navy blue colour. The author is very intelligent. He is a
man of letters. He is a well known and renowned writer
but his tendency of forgetfulness and lack of confidence
bring him in the situation of embarrassment.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Bill Bryson leaned over to tie shoe laces. Just at the
moment, someone in the seat ahead of him pushed his
seat back into full recline. He was hit badly and found
himself pinned helplessly in the crash position. He
could get out of this position only by clawing the leg
of the passenger sitting in front of him.
2. Bill Bryson was writing some important thoughts in a
notebook. In between he was sucking on the end of his
pen. He fell into conversation with an attractive lady.
He amused the lady for more than twenty minutes. He
did not realise that his pen had leaked. When he retired
to the lavatory, he found his teeth and gums navy blue.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
The author had a dream as he always wanted to
accumulate the frequent flyer miles. But he could not
succeed because of his carelessness. He had been issued
a card indicating the distance. But he never finds his card
on time. This frustrated him on many instances. Once he
locked his card in the bag and then he tried to open the
bag his finger stuck in the zip and it started bleeding. All
the material from the bag spread here and there. Other
time when he planned to fly one lakh miles a year, he
could accumulate only 212 air miles in the year. When
he was going to Australia he could not use his card as it
has his name ‘W. Bryson’ and ticket was in the name of
‘B. Bryson’. By this way his dream remained unfulfilled.
Or
The author had faced many bad experiences but he did
not consider them worst. His worst experience was
when he tried to write something in a note book. He was
 sucking on the end of his pen. He got involved in talking
with a lady and could not notice the leakage in the pen.
He kept amusing her for about 20 minutes. When he
visited lavatory, he found his mouth, chin, tongue, teeth
and gums navy blue. He became very much confused
and wanted to mend his habits. The author considered
it worst as he could not open his mouth even to talk for
many days. One can easily imagine how critical the
condition was. He wanted to do all jobs properly. He
took precautions to avoid any accident.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The author was a confused person. He used to forget
things frequently. While staying in a hotel, he used to
forget his room number. He had to return to the hotel
desk frequently to ask what his room number was.
2. When the author tried to open his bag, the zip got
jammed. He pulled it harder. It broke and the bag
opened abruptly. It had newspaper cuttings, tin of pipe
tobacco, magazines, passport, money, films, etc. which
rained down from the bag.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Once he found himself helplessly in the crash position
when he leaned over to tie his shoe laces and someone
in the seat ahead of him threw his seat back into full
recline. On another occasion, he knocked soft drinks
into the lap of a lady sitting beside him. The worst
experience he had was when he got his mouth, chin,
gums and tongue blue coloured. He was writing some
thoughts on a sheet of paper. He fell into conversation
with a lady sitting next to him. He had put his pen in
his mouth. It leaked and his mouth was covered with
ink. He did not realise it until he went to the lavatory.
The narrator was so fed up with his eating habits that
he preferred not to eat while on board a plane.
Or
Bill Bryson was an accidental tourist. He tried to do all
things properly. But he could not do so and got easily
confused. Whenever he travelled by air he did one or
the other mischief. His memory was not sharp. He
forgot soon and returned to the hotel desk frequently
just to ask his room number. He tried to take precautions
while taking meal but it also proved to be a mistake.
10. The Beggar
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Lushkoff was a middle aged poor man. He belonged to
the Russian choir but was sacked from his job due to his
drinking habits. To get some money he pretended to be
a school teacher who had lost his job due to conspiracy.
He also pretended to be a student expelled from the
school for no guilt of his.
Vol - 2 — Section - C: Literature Textbooks
He could not avoid making mistakes. He stopped eating
or drinking on a plane. He tried to mend his habits. He
wanted to be civilised and polite but God did not allow
him to be so. He was not capable of getting the benefits
offered by different airlines. He had to face frustration
many times. He could not find lavatory easily.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. While opening the bag, the zip got jammed. He tried to
open it forcefully. His finger got a sharp cut and started
bleeding. When he saw blood coming out of the finger,
he started crying “my finger, my finger”.
2. The author always does a mischief while eating or
drinking in a flight. He had faced many awkward and
embarrassing situations while on flight. So now he does
not eat or drink while travelling alone.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Bill Bryson, the narrator, is a clumsy man who finds
it hard to do even simple things, especially while he is
travelling. He is neither able to zip his bag properly nor
he is able to remember the room number of his hotel.
Once he spilled soft drink on a woman sitting next to
him, in an airplane. He is also not able to use discount
cards. He is constantly filled with wonder at the number
of things other people do without any evident difficulty.
The narrator finds it very hard to carry on life in the real
world. To him, travelling is a challenging thing which
he cannot do smoothly.
Or
The narrator felt problems while travelling with his
family. He never had a peaceful journey. He shared his
experience in this regard. At Logan Airport in Boston he
tried to get his card out of the bag. But he found the zip
jammed. He made every effort to pull it again and again.
At last, the zip gave way and all his things lay scattered
on the floor. He got confused. At another time on an
aeroplane he leaned forward to lace up his shoes. As soon
as he moved forward the fellow traveller threw his seat
back. He described how he got his teeth navy blue. His
wife knew his habits so she asked her children to take the
lids off the food for daddy. She knew his particular style.
So, the narrator thought of not eating or drinking while
travelling with his family. So his wife tells him this.
2. Olga knew that Lushkoff won’t work so she felt pity
for his sad expression. She sat down opposite to him
and weep. She would rebuke him. Then she would chop
the wood for him. At last, Lushkoff’s heart changed.
He stopped drinking and became a nice man.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Yes, it is true that compassion and pity can bring
positive changes in human being. Olga came to know
75
 about the condition of Lushkoff. She understood that
he was a victim of his bad habits and circumstances.
She helped him by working in his place. This brought
a positive change in Lushkoff who became a good and
successful person in life. In general life, a convict can
be made a true human by love and compassion. When
he gets love and compassion from others, it arouses
a feeling in his heart to improve and become a good
man and this makes him realise his mistakes. By self-
introspection, he finds that the path he has chosen is not
a path of true human and gradually he starts to modify
himself as a true human. A convict who is not improved
by harsh punishment can easily be improved by loving
and sympathetic attitude towards him.
Or
Begging is a curse in our society. Giving alms to a
young and lazy person is not to help him. By giving
work than giving alms he can made to lead a decent life.
In the story, Sergei was a kind and noble man. He found
Lushkoff begging. He offered him the task of chopping
wood. Sergei did not have any other work to offer him
at that time. But Lushkoff was not fit for the physical
labour. His health was very poor. Olga, a kind hearted
lady helped Lushkoff much by working in his place.
He was deeply inspired by Olga and left drinking. He
regained his confidence and self-respect. This brought
a positive change in Lushkoff who became a good and
successful person in life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Sergei is moved into another house. He asked Lushkoff
to pack and haul the furniture. But Lushkoff hardly
touched the furniture. He looked sad, silent and gloomy.
He walked behind the wagons hanging his head.
He also shivered in cold. So the carters made fun of
Lushkoff for his idleness, weakness and fancy overcoat.
2. Olga treated Lushkoff in the beginning very badly.
She called him drunkard and rebuked him for his
expressions. She would look into his face and weep.
Then she would chop the wood for him. She did this
all to set Lushkoff on a right path.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Lushkoff was a middle-aged man and belonged to
the Russian choir. He was not a born beggar. He was
sacked from the choir because of his drinking habits.
He became a beggar by choice as he did not like to
work hard at that stage. Sergei played very important
role in improving the condition of the beggar. It was
because of Sergei that Lushkoff could earn thirty five
roubles a month. He offered him the job to chop wood
at his home. Later on he sent him to one of his friends
to do the job of copying. Lushkoff was highly obliged
to Sergei because now he was a notary because of him.
76 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
Or
Sergei is an advocate. He comes across Lushkoff on the
streets begging for money. Lushkoff asks for money by
telling lies and Sergei speaks sternly with him. Still, he
is ready to give work to the beggar so that the beggar
can live a respectful life. He agreed to chop wood
because of pride and shame and he had been trapped
by his own words. So he had no other way but to accept
Sergei’s offer. Later Sergei provides a better job to
Lushkoff. So, we find that he has a very helpful nature.
After a few years he again meets Luchkoff and feels
happy for him as Lushkoff is now in a good position
in life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The beggar told Sergei when he met him that he was
a hungry man. He had nothing to eat. He had been a
village school teacher for 8 years. He requested him to
have pity on him.
2. The beggar told Sergei that he had an offer of a job in
the province of Kaluga. But he had no money to go
there. He further said that he felt ashamed of asking.
But he did so because of adverse circumstances.
Sergei had seen him earlier. Then he had told him that
he was an expelled student. So he got angry with him
and threatened to call the police.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Lushkoff was a middle aged man. His way of begging
was different from others. He pretended sometimes to
be a teacher and sometimes a student. He belonged to
the Russian Choir. He was single. He had been expelled
from the group due to his drinking habit. He did not like
to work hard as he had lost his strength and stamina. He
became a beggar by choice. He was wearing a tattered
overcoat and big shoes. There were red spots on his
cheeks. He told lies in order to fill his empty stomach.
If he had told the truth, none would have helped him.
He changed his ways and became a notary in the end.
Sergei and Olga helped him to improve his condition.
Or
Lushkoff was a beggar. He pretended to be a teacher
and sometimes a student. He used to tell lies and got
the people’s support. One day Sergei caught his lie and
brought him to his house. He asked him to chop the
wood. But Lushkoff did not like to do that job. When
Olga saw him she glared at him angrily. She shoved him
aside with her elbow. She was in anger and unlocked
the shed moving ahead. Olga treated Lushkoff like
a son. She kept scolding him for his bad habits. She
wanted to improve his condition. She did his work
and gave him money. Lushkoff started respecting her.
He accepted her advice and became a successful man
again.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Lushkoff thanked Sergei greatly. He said that if he
didn’t come to him, he would still have been calling
himself a teacher or a student. He said that by coming
to him he had taken himself out of the pit. He expressed
his sincere thanks to Olga.
2. When Sergei met Lushkoff for the first time, Lushkoff
was wearing ragged clothes. Sergei took him to
Olga who made him work. After two years, Sergei is
surprised to find Lushkoff working for a notary for 35
roubles a month. This makes Sergei very happy and
calls him his ‘god son’.
Value-Based Long Answer Questions
Lushkoff was a beggar. He pretended to be a teacher
and sometimes a student. He used to tell lies and got
the people’s support. One day Sergei caught his lie and
brought him to his house. He asked him to chop the
wood. But Lushkoff did not like to do that job. When
Olga saw him she glared at him angrily. She shoved him
Unit Assignments
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. (a) (i) The poet left the first road thinking that he
would use it on some other day.
(ii) The two roads represent two different options
of life.
(iii) The poet was aware how one way leads to
another.
(iv) The poet would go so far on the first road that
he doubted if he would ever come back to walk
on another one.
Or
(b) (i) ‘I’ is the speaker here.
(ii) Because the snake might bite him.
(iii) Because a thick black cobra was coiled around
it.
(iv) It is referred to the ‘black cobra’ here.
2. (i) The lost child loses interest in the things he had
wanted earlier because he got lost in the fair. He
is panic-stricken for being lost. Now he first wants
his parents. He is afraid and feels unsafe.
(ii) Behrman had a dream to paint a masterpiece in
his life. He kept waiting for the opportunity to
give it a practical shape. Yes, he could materialize
his dream when he painted the last leaf of the ivy
creeper.
(iii) The poet suggests that all people on earth are the
same. They breathe, eat and walk in the same way.
They all are aware of the sun, air and water. They
all love peace and hate war. They have similar eyes
that wake up after sleep:
Vol - 1 & 2 — Unit Assignments
aside with her elbow. She was in anger and unlocked
the shed moving ahead. Olga treated Lushkoff like
a son. She kept scolding him for his bad habits. She
wanted to improve his condition. She did his work
and gave him money. Lushkoff started respecting her.
He accepted her advice and became a successful man
again.
Or
In the story when Sergei threatened the beggar, he
exposed himself. He told the reality about his life. He
was neither a teacher nor a student. All that was not true
about him. He was a singer in a Russian Choir. He had
been expelled from the choir because of his drinking
habits. Sergei asks Olga to provide work to the beggar
Luskoff. She is very kind and affectionate to the beggar.
Seeing that the beggar is not strong enough to cut wood,
she herself cuts the wood for him. She helps Lushkoff to
get payment for it. Though she is outwardly rude to the
beggar, she has much kindness and affection for him.
She plays an important role in bringing back Lushkoff
to mainstream life. She is a very good person.
No men are foreign and no countries strange;
we all have a common entity of being humans.
(iv) According to Evelyn, music pours through
every part of her body. It tingles in the skin, her
cheekbones and even her hair. When she plays
the xylophone, she can feel the sound passing up
the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against
the drums, she can feel resonances flowing into
her body. On a wooden platform she removes her
shoes so that the vibrations pass through her bare
feet and up into her body.
(v) Jerome tried his best to find the toothbrush. He
unpacked the bag but could not find it. He put the
things back one by one, and held everything up
and shook it. At last, he found it inside a boot.
(vi) The County Inspector was a little round man. He
had a box of tools with dials and wires. He was
called to adjust the mechanical teacher to improve
Margie’s performance. The geography sector had
been geared a little too quick. And he slowed it
down to the average ten-year level.
3. (i) The Intruder has murdered a policeman. The police
are after him. He wants to save himself from the
clutches of the police. So he needs a safe place
for this purpose. He enters Gerrard’s cottage for
killing him. So that his identity can be used. He
wants to lead his life as Gerrard. So it is essential
for him to know about the people who visit that
place. Gerrard tells him that only few people take
the trouble to visit him. There is the baker and
greengrocer and the milkman. Gerrard tells him
77
 about everyone. He responds positively because
the Intruder threatened to kill him. He wishes to
do everything with meticulous planning and adopt
Gerrard’s identity without any problems.
(ii) When we are alive on this earth, we are full of
vigour and energy. We are involved in various
activities. We are affected by emotions like
sadness, worries, anger, happiness etc. The poet’s
beloved lived a life of vigour when she was alive.
But now she is no more and is trapped beneath the
surface of the earth and a part of non-living things
like trees, rocks and stones. She has no sensory
perceptions and rotates along with the earth.
(iii) Bismillah Khan teaches us a very remarkable
lesson of life. People make advancement in life
by dint of hard work and devotion. He was very
interested in music as he was born in the family
of musician. He used to sing Chaita in the Biharji
temple. When he was in Benaras, he was greatly
influenced by his maternal uncle Ali Bux, who was
a great Shehnai player. He copied his uncle in the
true spirit and practised Shehnai in the peaceful
environment of the Ganga. His hard work and
devotion brought him good fruits. He was awarded
the greatest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 2
1. (a) (i) He feels the fondness of his mother.
(ii) The constant sound of rain.
(iii) The falling rain drops cause the patter.
(iv) His mother showed affection.
Or
(b) (i) ‘He’ is Albert Einstein here.
(ii) It is referred to Albert Einstein.
(iii) He stayed with relatives.
(iv) The woman could get degrees from this
university.
2. (i) Grandmother usually quarrelled with Grandfather
on the issue of a pet. Whenever Grandfather
brought some new bird or animal Grandmother got
furious at the very mention of any new creature. To
avoid this situation it was decided to keep Toto’s
presence a secret until she was in a good mood.
(ii) The title is quite significant. After going through
the whole story it becomes quite vivid that Bill
Bryson is The Accidental Tourist. There are various
such examples which prove the appropriateness of
the title. The title itself suggests about the various
strange and accidental experiences of the author.
(iii) When we take arms against each other, we defile
the earth. Wars cause enormous suffering without
yielding any result.
(iv) She was afraid of her father because of his rude
and harsh behaviour. He never interacted with her
78 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook
politely and humbly. He always kept ordering her
to do one thing or the other. He even beat her.
(v) Vikram Seth is fascinated by the music of the
flute. There is no culture which does not have its
flute. The reed flute of Japan, the deep bansuri
of Hindustani classical music, breathy flutes of
South America and the high-pitched Chinese flutes
are some of the examples. Each has its specific-
fingering and compass. Its motive force is living
breath. Hearing any flute seems to be drawn into
the ‘Commonality of all mankind.’
(vi) The poet’s beloved is dead and a dead thing
becomes immortal. It is a universally accepted
fact that immortality is not affected by time or the
physical world. She cannot hear or see. She has
gone beyond the physical world. She is beyond the
touch of earthly years now. She has become a part
of nature’s diurnal course.
3. (i) The author’s wife missed him greatly. She was
inconsolable. She wept and fretted. For the first
few days she would not eat a thing. Then she
wrote a number of letters to the curator. For three
months the author managed to restrain his wife
from visiting Mysore. But one day she said that she
would go to see Baba by bus. So the author took
her by car. She nourished the bear like her son. Her
motherly affection forced her to meet Baba. And
Baba also reciprocated the same feelings. They kept
sitting together in the cage for three hours. She gave
him eatables and tea. Undoubtedly, she felt sad and
depressed when Baba was transported to the zoo.
(ii) The king in the Kingdom of Fools was so foolish
that he made the people follow an abnormal
routine. He made people work during the night and
sleep during the day. When a crime was brought
to his notice, he was not able to solve it. He made
the investigation so complicated that he decided
to pass the death sentence on himself. He was not
able to properly think for himself and take proper
decisions. The guru, being an intelligent man, was
able to easily trick the king and rescue his disciple
who was ordered to be killed by the foolish king.
(iii) Einstein was a great man of high caliber. Nobody
can deny his contribution in the scientific field.
In the year 1905, his famous theories came with
Special Theory of Relativity. It specified that
time and distances are not absolute. He also
established a relation between energy and mass.
He proved the interchange ability of energy and
mass that became the basis of use of nuclear
energy. Unfortunately, some people used this
energy destructively. Mass destruction caused by
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki touched his
heart. He pioneered to end up the arms buildup.
 He was against this destruction and atom bombs.
He dedicated rest of his life to fight against this
enemy of humanity. Because of his tireless efforts
for the humanity he was considered both as a
visionary and a world citizen.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 3
1. (a) (i) A tree needs sunlight, water and air to grow
well.
(ii) It gets its food from the crust of the earth.
(iii) The phrase ‘leprous hide’ means disfigured
and irregular bark of a tree.
(iv) Leaves and branches sprout out of it.
Or
(b) (i) ‘Him’ is Bismillah Khan here.
(ii) His uncle Ali Bux was a Shehnai player.
(iii) He was motivated to put his best efforts.
(iv) The river Ganga inspired him to improve and
invent some unique raagas.
2. (i) Iswaran did not give proper beginning to his
stories. He was also in the habit of leaving the
story incomplete in between. He prepared the
background of the ghost story by saying ‘he saw
a human skull lying on the path’. After this he told
the ghost story.
(ii) First of all, he organised a group of people to get
rice from the merchant to help the victims. He
organised a team of young volunteers. The team
did its best to clean the surrounding area and the
shelter. Prashant proved to be a good leader that
time.
(iii) Saint Peter was a holy man. He used to preach
people. For his preaching he often made long
journey. During the course of his journey,
sometimes, he did not take food and water.
Besides, he had to observe fasts also. Fasts and
journey were the essential part of his life. Hence,
he was tired and hungry.
(iv) Maria’s talent, her unwavering desire to succeed
and readiness to sacrifice have lifted her to the top
of the world. Few would grudge her the riches she
is now reaping. She says that, money apart, the
most important thing is to become number one in
the world. That’s the dream that kept her going.
(v) Gerrard was a playwright. He was clever and quick
witted. During conversation with the Intruder, he
tried several times to know about the personal life
of the Intruder. He wanted to know about the name
and personal life. But the Intruder always kept his
identity in a secret.
(vi) It happened all of a sudden. A fat snake landed over
his shoulder. He didn’t jump. He didn’t tremble.
He didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any
such thing. He sat there holding his breath. He
Vol - 1 & 2 — Unit Assignments
remembered God and felt his presence in his heart.
The weight of the snake was draining all strength
from his arm.
3. (i) During the Second Word War in 1939, India was
forced to join the Allied Forces. Because of this
a state of emergency was declared and the trains
halt at Rameswaram station was suspended. The
newspaper also came by the train. Now their
bundles had to be thrown out from the moving
train between Rameswaram and Dhanuskodi.
Abdul Kalam’s cousin was a newspaper distributor
in Rameswaram. Now he needed a helping hand
to collect the bundles. He found Abdul Kalam
suitable hand for this job. Abdul Kalam accepted
the job and earned his ‘First wage’. He felt very
proud on earning his own money for the first time.
He got lots of encouragement.
(ii) Man is a social animal. One becomes antisocial
when he does not get proper environment.
Sometimes circumstances too compel us to
choose a wrong path. Man is part and parcel of
society. In our society, people from all spheres
of life lead their lives peacefully. In this story it
is the contribution of the society that improved
the condition of Lushkoff. Good and bad people
are always there. There have been great social
reformers. They sacrificed their lives for the
betterment of humanity. Even in recent times
the noble people are involved in the public
welfare deeds. They work with the sole motive of
reforming those who have deviated from the right
path.
(iii) ‘A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend’ is
an old saying. Lazy friends most often remain
burden as they do not want to do any work and
one has to do the whole work for the sake of
one’s friendship. In the story, the author has two
friends—Harris and George. They are lazy. They
irritate the writer who has volunteered to pack for
them. This service becomes a headache for him.
George and Harris are not only lazy but worst
packers also. Though Jerome makes a few minor
mistakes while packing. This is the reason why he
likes to pack and repack many times but ultimately
it is he who has finished packing in a better way.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 4
1. (a) (i) The young woman is now trapped beneath the
surface of the earth.
(ii) She rolls with earth as the earth keeps on
moving.
(iii) The poet lists rocks, stones and trees in the last
line.
(iv) The poet means to say that all living and non-
living things move with the earth.
79
 Or
(b) (i) ‘I’ is Gerrard here.
(ii) Because the Intruder shows some sympathy
towards Gerrard.
(iii) Because they are similar. Nobody will come
to know that they are two persons.
(iv) He is sarcastic here.
2. (i) Sue was a true friend and tried her best to divert
her attention and make her happy. She tried to
create her interest in various things so as to take
her friend out of depression. She talked about
clothes, fashions and painting and kept whistling
while working on the drawing board.
(ii) Sergei played very important role in improving the
condition of the beggar. It was because of Sergei
that Lushkoff could earn thirty five roubles a
month. He offered him the job to chop wood at his
home. Later on he sent him to one of his friends to
do the job of copying. Lushkoff was highly obliged
to Sergei because now he was a notary because of
him.
(iii) The poet wishes that the snake should be allowed
to go. It should not be killed by man. Someone
is pursuing the snake with a stick, to hit and kill
the snake. The poet wants it to escape as it is a
harmless snake.
(iv) Tommy says that the old schools were different.
They had a special building and all the kids went
there to study. They laughed and shouted in the
schoolyard. They enjoyed time together and
learned lessons together in a classroom.
(v) Although he was a doctor, his earnings were
meagre. He was practising medicines. He was
not popular among the people. Besides, he was
unmarried at that time. Therefore he lived in a
rented room.
(vi) Baba was getting too big to keep at home. Because
of the tenants’ children’s safety, poor Baba or
Bruno had to be kept chained most of the time.
The narrator, his friends and his son advised the
narrator’s wife to give Baba to the zoo at Mysore.
After some weeks of such advice she at last
consented. Before she could change her mind,
Baba was packed off to the zoo.
3. (i) The best deed to do is to serve humanity. The
Happy Prince could see the sufferings of the people
and wanted to help them. But he was not able to
help others in his immobile condition. In order to
help the humanity he requests the swallow to stay
with him. The swallow decides to stay with him.
The Happy Prince and the swallow helped the
suffering people as much as they could. The Happy
Prince gave away all precious stones engraved
on his body to help others. On the other hand the
swallow sacrificed his life in the service of others.
He was obedient to the Happy Prince till his death.
It should be our aim to help the suffering people
who are in dire need of help.
(ii) The story is really humorous and funny. Jerome’s
episode of packing, Harris’s and George’s way of
packing and Montmorency’s contribution have
made the story funny and interesting. Jerome
was confused about his toothbrush and found it
in a boot. The incident of butter makes the reader
laugh. George treads on the butter and it sticks to
his slipper. Later he put it on the chair. Harris sits on
the chair and it sticks to his coat. They squash the
tomatoes by putting the strawberry jam on them.
Montmorency’s pretention for the lemons to be
rats is also fascinating and funny. These incidents
are described in an orderly and perfect way.
(iii) The intruder enters Gerrard’s cottage and interacts
with him. Gerrard talks with him without any fear.
The intruder asks him to tell about his car and the
people who visit that place. Gerrard tells him that he
has a car and informs him that few people come here
to see him. Then Gerrard asks him to tell something
about him. He tells that he has murdered a cop and
wants a safe place to live in. He also tells that his
specialty is jewel robbery. But Gerrard says that
there are few jewels in the wilds of Essex. They also
talk about clothes and their fittings. Gerrard tells him
that he will not get anything after killing him as he
is also wanted. But ultimately Gerrard gets rid of the
intruder because of his presence of mind.

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80 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 9 Teacher’s Handbook