Class IX – English Language & Literature

Term-I Examination — Complete Answer Sheet

Maximum Marks: 80 Time: 3 Hours Sections A, B & C

SECTION A – READING SKILLS

Q1. Reading Passage

(a) What is the main idea of the passage?

Answer: 2. Reading develops several intellectual and personal abilities.

(b) How does regular reading help improve writing?

Regular reading improves writing by helping students notice how ideas are introduced, connected and concluded. It also naturally increases vocabulary because unfamiliar words are understood in context.

(c) Why should students practise both quick and slow reading?

Students should practise quick reading to locate information efficiently and slow reading to understand ideas deeply, connect details and think carefully about the text.

(d) What does the expression “reading becomes a bridge between knowledge and action” suggest?

It suggests that reading can turn knowledge into practical understanding and action. What students read can influence their observations, attitudes and behaviour in real life.

(e) State whether the statement is True or False.

False

(f) Which two qualities are developed through careful reading?

Two qualities developed through careful reading are concentration and critical thinking. It also develops imagination, vocabulary and empathy.

(g) What problem may digital reading create?

Digital reading may encourage quick reactions and distraction because rapidly changing screens and notifications can interrupt careful concentration.

(h) Why should families discuss books with children?

Families should discuss books with children because discussion makes reading meaningful, encourages understanding and develops a lasting reading habit rather than making reading merely a task of completing pages.

(i) Find a word meaning “understanding or drawing meaning from information”.

Infer

(j) What is the author’s attitude towards reading?

The author’s attitude is strongly positive and supportive towards reading. The author considers reading an important habit that develops intellectual, emotional and practical abilities.

Q2. Case-Based Passage

(a) How many students participated in the programme?

120 students participated in the programme.

(b) Which improvement was reported by the greatest number of students?

Reading more regularly, reported by 90 students.

(c) What percentage reported improved concentration?

84 ÷ 120 × 100 = 70%

Answer: 70%

(d) What percentage said they were reading more regularly?

90 ÷ 120 × 100 = 75%

Answer: 75%

(e) Why did the school introduce silent reading periods?

The school introduced silent reading periods because mobile-phone notifications were interrupting students’ reading.

(f) What does the comparison between quantity and quality of reading show?

It shows that quality and attention are more important than simply reading a large number of pages. Students who read fewer, longer texts were often able to remember and explain ideas more clearly.

(g) Why were students encouraged to recommend books from Indian languages in translation?

Students were encouraged to recommend such books to make the library more diverse and help learners discover different stories, traditions and viewpoints.

(h) Which statement best describes the teachers’ conclusion?

2. Regularity, attention and reflection are more important than quantity alone.

(i) Find a word meaning “made larger or more varied”.

Diverse

(j) Suggest one additional step to reduce distractions.

Students could be asked to keep their mobile phones switched off or outside the reading area during silent reading periods.

SECTION B – WRITING SKILLS AND GRAMMAR

Q3. Editing

No.	Error	Correction
1	was	were
2	have	has
3	were	was
4	was	was — already grammatically correct

Important: Sentence 4 in the question paper is grammatically correct as printed: “another was discussing poems about nature”. Therefore, no correction is actually required in sentence 4.

Q4. Rearrange the Words

(a) No age is a barrier for learning.

(b) Traditional crafts often reflect our cultural identity.

Q5. Paragraph Completion

Yesterday, Riya visited her grandmother. Her grandmother was making tea when Riya arrived. They talked for some time and then Riya helped her in the kitchen.

Blank	Correct Answer
1	visited
2	was making
3	talked
4	helped

Q6. Notice / Informal Invitation

A. Notice

N.R.K. PUBLIC SCHOOL
NOTICE

GRANDPARENTS’ STORYTELLING DAY

5 October 2026

The Literary Club is organising a Grandparents’ Storytelling Day on 15 October 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the school auditorium. Students are invited to bring their grandparents to share interesting stories, experiences and memories. Interested students should register with the Literary Club Secretary by 10 October.

Abhishek Kumar
Literary Club Secretary

B. Informal Invitation

Dear Riya,

I am celebrating my grandmother’s 75th birthday with a small family gathering at my home on 12 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m.. I would be delighted if you could join us and make the occasion more special.

With love,
Abhishek

Q7. Letter to the Editor / Formal E-mail

A. Letter to the Editor

24, School Road
Motihari, Bihar
5 October 2026

The Editor
The Hindu
New Delhi

Subject: Need to preserve traditional Indian crafts

Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw attention to the decline of traditional Indian crafts among young people. Many traditional artisans struggle because younger generations are attracted to modern occupations and handmade products often receive inadequate recognition and financial support.

Schools should introduce craft-based activities and organise workshops conducted by local artisans. Government agencies should provide training, financial assistance and better market access to craftspeople. Traditional products can also be promoted through exhibitions, e-commerce platforms and tourism programmes.

Young people must understand that traditional crafts represent India’s cultural identity and provide livelihoods to thousands of families. Concerted efforts by schools, communities, government and consumers can ensure that these valuable traditions survive.

Yours faithfully,
Abhishek Kumar

B. Formal E-mail

To: principal@nrkpublicschool.in
Subject: Proposal for a Weekly Inter-generational Learning Programme

Respected Sir/Madam,

I would like to suggest the introduction of a weekly inter-generational learning programme in our school. Under this programme, students could interact with grandparents and elderly members of the community and learn traditional skills, stories, folk practices and valuable life experiences.

The programme could be conducted once a week for one hour. Elderly participants could demonstrate traditional crafts, narrate historical experiences, explain local customs and share practical knowledge. Students could document these sessions through written reports, photographs and presentations.

Such an initiative would strengthen respect for the elderly while helping preserve valuable cultural knowledge. It would also provide students with meaningful learning beyond textbooks.

I request you to kindly consider introducing this programme.

Yours faithfully,
Abhishek Kumar
Class IX

Q8. Factual Description / Magazine Article

A. Factual Description

School Exhibition on Indian Traditional Crafts

The school organised a two-day exhibition on “Indian Traditional Crafts” to create awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage. A total of 180 students participated in the exhibition. It was divided into four major sections: Pottery, Hand Fans, Weaving and Embroidery. Students displayed different traditional products and explained their cultural importance to visitors.

A special attraction of the exhibition was the live demonstration by local artisans, who showed visitors how traditional crafts are made using indigenous techniques and materials. The exhibition was visited by students, parents and local residents. It provided an opportunity for young learners to understand the skill, patience and creativity involved in traditional craftsmanship.

B. Magazine Article

The Wisdom We Receive from the Elderly

Elderly people are living libraries of experience. They have witnessed changes in society and can teach younger generations valuable lessons that cannot always be learnt from textbooks.

Grandparents often share stories about their childhood, traditions, difficulties and achievements. Such experiences teach us patience, responsibility, resilience and respect for others. In How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, the grandmother’s determination shows that learning has no age limit.

Young people should spend time with the elderly, listen to their experiences and learn traditional skills from them. At the same time, young people can introduce them to new technology and ideas. Thus, inter-generational learning benefits both sides.

Q9. Descriptive / Narrative Essay

A. A Traditional Craft Village – A Living Museum of Indian Culture

A traditional craft village is like a living museum where culture can be seen, heard and experienced rather than merely displayed. As I entered the village, I could hear the rhythmic sounds of artisans working with clay, bamboo, thread and wood.

Several potters sat beside their workspaces, carefully shaping wet clay into beautiful pots. Their hands moved with confidence and patience. Nearby, women were weaving colourful fabrics and decorating them with intricate patterns. Some artisans were making traditional hand fans from bamboo and natural materials. The air was filled with the pleasant sounds of tools, conversations and occasional laughter.

The village was full of colours. Bright fabrics, painted pots, embroidered articles and beautifully decorated handicrafts created a fascinating sight. The smell of wet clay mixed with the fragrance of natural materials made the experience even more memorable.

I was particularly impressed by the skill and patience of the artisans. Their knowledge had been passed from one generation to another. I realised that these crafts were not merely products for sale; they represented the history, identity and creativity of Indian communities.

The visit filled me with respect for traditional artisans and made me understand why their skills must be preserved.

B. Narrative Essay – Grandpa Taught Me More Than I Expected

I had always thought that my grandfather needed someone to look after him. That morning, however, I discovered that there was much more I could learn from him.

My mother had repeatedly told me that Grandpa was becoming forgetful and needed supervision. I therefore decided to follow him secretly when he went out. I imagined that I was protecting him, but my plan soon turned into an embarrassing adventure.

Grandpa visited several places while I followed him from a distance. I tried to hide whenever he looked around. At one point, I even followed a stranger onto a bus because I had lost sight of Grandpa. I felt completely foolish.

When I finally returned home, Grandpa was already there. He looked at me calmly and gave me a gift—a detective book. I soon realised that he had known all along that I was following him.

His cleverness surprised me. More importantly, I understood that his age did not make him helpless. He was independent, observant and capable of taking care of himself.

That day I learnt an important lesson: caring for elderly people does not mean taking away their independence.

SECTION C – LANGUAGE THROUGH LITERATURE

Q10. The Pot Maker

(a) 2. She was genuinely interested in pottery.

(b) Sentila initially failed because she was tense and had not yet understood the correct movements and techniques required to shape the clay.

(c) Onula’s treatment reflects her kindness, patience and willingness to guide a learner.

(d) Sentila’s progress shows that practice and guidance can help a person overcome difficulties.

(e) 2. Perseverance and transmission of traditional skills.

Q11. I Cannot Remember My Mother

(a) A tune or melody unexpectedly brings the poet’s mother back to his memory while he is playing.

(b) The “tune” symbolises the mother’s loving presence and the emotional memory associated with her, even though the poet cannot clearly remember her face.

(c) The poetic device is anaphora, as the same expression is repeated at the beginning of successive lines.

(d) 2. Nostalgia.

(e) The extract suggests that childhood memories may remain connected with sensory experiences. Even when a person cannot clearly remember someone, a familiar sound, fragrance or image can suddenly revive their emotional presence.

Q12. Constructed Responses

(a) Krishtakka was deeply interested in Kashi Yatre because she identified with its elderly female protagonist, who wished to visit Kashi. The grandmother had a similar spiritual desire. Since she was illiterate, she depended on her granddaughter to read the serial, making her increasingly aware of her dependence.

(b) The grandmother’s decision reveals that she was determined, self-respecting, hardworking and eager to become independent. She did not allow her age to become an excuse. She set a clear goal, practised seriously and successfully learnt to read.

(c) Arenla hesitated because pottery was physically demanding, time-consuming and poorly paid. She believed weaving would provide Sentila with better income and easier working conditions. Her concern was therefore understandable from a practical viewpoint, although it overlooked the cultural importance of preserving traditional pottery skills.

(d) Onula recognised that Sentila’s difficulty came partly from tension and lack of proper technique. She patiently guided her and encouraged her to observe skilled potters carefully. This support helped Sentila understand the movements needed for shaping clay and gradually replaced self-doubt with confidence.

(e) Pankhas are more than household objects because they represent India’s diverse cultural traditions and the skills of local artisans. Different regions use different materials, designs and techniques. Thus, pankhas preserve regional identity, craftsmanship, history and community knowledge.

(f) Workshops allow experienced artisans to teach young people traditional techniques directly. Exhibitions create public awareness and appreciation and provide artisans with opportunities to display their work. Together, they can encourage younger generations to learn the craft and keep the tradition alive.

(g) Ravi secretly followed Grandpa because he was worried about his safety and wanted to make sure that he did not face difficulties. The incident shows that Ravi was caring, responsible and loyal, although his inexperienced detective work created several humorous situations.

(h) Grandpa’s joke reveals the irony of the story. Although Ravi’s mother believes Grandpa needs a memory medicine, Grandpa remembers important details very well. The joke challenges the assumption that old age automatically means poor memory or inability.

Q13. Long Answer Questions

A. Preservation of Knowledge Across Generations

The three chapters show that knowledge and experience must move from one generation to another. In How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, learning moves from the young to the old. The granddaughter becomes the grandmother’s teacher and helps her become independent. At the same time, the grandmother’s determination teaches the granddaughter valuable lessons about discipline and the importance of education.

In The Pot Maker, traditional pottery survives because experienced artisans pass their knowledge to younger learners such as Sentila. Winds of Change similarly highlights the importance of preserving traditional pankha-making techniques and regional craftsmanship.

These texts show that generations should learn from one another. The elderly possess experience and cultural knowledge, while young people bring enthusiasm and new ways of learning and preserving traditions.

B. Challenging Modern Judgements About Age and Ability

The texts challenge the idea that elderly people or traditional artisans are less useful because they may not fit modern ideas of productivity. In How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, Krishtakka is sixty-two, yet she learns to read with remarkable determination. Her age does not prevent her from achieving her goal.

In Vitamin-M, Grandpa is initially treated as forgetful and incapable, but he proves to be intelligent, independent and observant. Similarly, The Pot Maker shows that traditional artisans possess valuable knowledge that cannot simply be replaced by modern methods.

These texts therefore teach us to judge people by their abilities, character and experience rather than by age or modern standards of productivity.

Q14. Long Answer Questions

A. Grandmother and Grandpa – Different Expressions of Independence

Grandmother and Grandpa are both strong-minded elderly characters, but they express their independence differently. In How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, Krishtakka seeks independence through education. She realises that her illiteracy makes her dependent on others, so she learns to read despite being sixty-two. Her determination proves that age is not a barrier to learning.

In Vitamin-M, Grandpa expresses independence by refusing to be treated as helpless. Although his family worries about his memory and safety, he wants to make his own choices. His intelligence and cleverness are revealed through his actions, particularly when he realises that Ravi is following him.

Both characters therefore challenge stereotypes about old age by demonstrating determination, dignity and capability.

B. Tradition Survives Through Learning and Practice

Tradition survives only when people are willing to learn, practise and pass it on. The Pot Maker demonstrates this through Sentila’s determination to learn pottery. Although her mother initially considers pottery difficult and poorly paid, the traditional skill is important to the community’s cultural identity. With guidance and observation, Sentila gradually develops the ability to make pots.

Similarly, Winds of Change presents pankha-making as an important part of India’s regional craft heritage. Different communities have developed distinctive materials, designs and techniques for making hand fans. Workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions can help younger people learn these skills and create appreciation for the artisans who preserve them.

Thus, traditions remain alive only when knowledge is transferred from experienced people to new generations and the younger generation is willing to value and practise it.

Important Answer-Key Notes

Q2(c): 84 ÷ 120 × 100 = 70%

Q2(d): 90 ÷ 120 × 100 = 75%

Q3 – Sentence 4: The question paper states that every sentence contains an error, but “another was discussing poems about nature” is grammatically correct because “another” refers to another singular group. Therefore, “was” should be retained.

Q11(c): The most precise literary term is anaphora, because the same expression is repeated at the beginning of successive lines. “Repetition” may be accepted as the broader term.

Empower Free Education

term 1