Here we have presented Class 9 English NCERT book words and expressions Chapter 5 solutions. Have a look to increase your English language knowledge.
Reading Comprehension
Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow.
Text I
The Miraculous Escape
I had been very wealthy and prosperous and was leading a very comfortable life. I had all the worldly pleasure with me. But soon I became bored of my idle life. The urge to go on a voyage became stronger and stronger day by day. It haunted me like anything. So one day I bored a ship and went trading from island to island with other merchants.
When we started, the fourth weather day of the voyage, our ship was caught in a terrific/terrible continued for several days and drove us near an island. The captain of the ship was reluctant to cast anchor at the port as it was a much dreaded place.
The violent waves of the sea had exhausted us. We were all tired and hungry so we went in search of food and water. We were fortune enough to find fruit trees and a stream of fresh and cool water which gave us strength and energy and relieved us from hunger. It had started getting dark. As we were tired we went to
sleep but were soon startled by a rustling noise which came from a very long and huge python like serpent gliding swiftly towards us. We ran to save our lives but the serpent was quick enough to swallow one of my companions. We kept running till we had covered a good enough distance from the serpent. We felt a bit relieved but at the same time sad as we had lost a friend of ours. We took shelter on the top of a tree and thought ourselves to be safe. But we were mistaken for we had hardly slept a little
time when we heard a hissing sound which alarmed and frightened us. Coiling itself round the tree, the serpent reached my other companion who was positioned somewhat lower than me on the tree. It swallowed him and went away. Terror stricken I clung to the branch of the tree tightly and I did not know when I fell asleep. It was daylight when I awoke. I climbed down. It seemed to me that I had no courage left. It took me no time to realise that if I would not think of a way to escape soon, I would be a dead man. It was just a matter of time when I would also be swallowed like my two other companions. The instinct to prevent one’s life is greater than any fear or frustration. I thought I should spare no means to save myself. I collected a lot of dry wood and bushes and tied them into a bundle with reeds. I arranged them in a circular structure round the tree and tied some of them with the branches of the tree. In this way I made a tent like structure in which I sat after dusk and securely tied from within. I had the satisfaction that whatever I could do I did it to prevent myself. This time when the serpent arrived he crept round the tree but he could not penetrate the defensive structure I had made around me. It just sat and waited the whole night like a cat that waits for the mouse to emerge out of its hole. At dawn the serpent crept back but I dared not come out of my fortress. I lay there half dead and almost suffocated. When the Sun began to shine, I came out of my wooden fortress. I was so desperate that I ran towards the seashore. When I was about to jump into the sea, I saw a ship sailing at some distance. I shouted wildly, I took off my shirt and waved it too, which attracted the sailors on the ship and a rescue boat was immediately sent for me. This was my miraculous escape from the deadly serpent. (Source: Anonymous) Discuss what effect did the story have an you? What would you have done, if you were in the narrator’s place? Does it teach you how to save yourself from danger? Now based on your reading of the story, answer the questions that follow.
You may read the story again.
1. What made the narrator go on a voyage?
(a) He was rich and satisfied with his life.
(b) He felt bored of his life.
(c) He had urge to go on a voyage.
(d) He was adventurous.
2. How did the narrator and his friend feed themselves?
(a) They ate fish.
(b) They could not find anything to eat.
(c) They ate fruits to survive.
(d) They ate the food they had brought with themselves.
3. The narrator and his companions were on the tree. The serpent sawallowed his companions but not the narrator. why?
4. How did the narrator save himself from the serpent?
5. Find the words in the story which mean the nearest to the words given below.
(a) rich (First para) ____________________________________________________
(b) moved (Second para) _______________________________________________
(c) tired (Third para) _______________________________________________________
(d) scared (Fifth para) ______________________________________________________
(e) urge (Fifth para) ________________________________________________________
6. Now find words in the story which mean the opposite of the given words.
(a) poor (First para) __________________________________________________________
(b) weak (Third para) _________________________________________________________
(c) enforce (Third para) _________________________________________________________
(d) insecurely (Sixth para) ______________________________________________________
(e) offensive (Sixth para) ________________________________________________________
Answers:
1. What made the narrator go on a voyage?
(b) He felt bored of his life.
2. How did the narrator and his friend feed themselves?
(c) They ate fruits to survive.
3. The narrator and his companions were on the tree. The serpent swallowed his companions but not the narrator. Why?
The narrator was positioned higher up on the tree than his companions, which made it harder for the serpent to reach him. Additionally, the narrator had created a defensive structure around himself, which protected him from the serpent.
4. How did the narrator save himself from the serpent?
The narrator gathered dry wood and bushes, tied them into a bundle with reeds, and made a tent-like structure around the tree. He securely tied himself inside, preventing the serpent from reaching him. The serpent waited around the tree but could not penetrate the structure, and the narrator survived.
5. Find the words in the story which mean the nearest to the words given below: (a) rich (First para) – wealthy
(b) moved (Second para) – gliding
(c) tired (Third para) – exhausted
(d) scared (Fifth para) – frightened
(e) urge (Fifth para) – haunted
6. Now find words in the story which mean the opposite of the given words: (a) poor (First para) – wealthy
(b) weak (Third para) – strength
(c) enforce (Third para) – relieved
(d) insecurely (Sixth para) – securely
(e) offensive (Sixth para) – defensive
Vocabulary
1. The story of Miraculous Escape has a number of words which describe the narrator’s feeling of fear and getting tired of the journey. List the words of the two feelings and experiences.
| Fear | Getting tired |
| Terrific, | Exhausted |
2. Can you now add suffix which can mean or relate to the word ‘fear’? First one has been done for you.
| Fear | |
| (a) fearsome | (e) fear |
| (b) fear | (f) fear |
| (c) fear | (g) fear |
| (d) fear | (h) fear |
Answers:
1. Words describing the narrator’s feelings of fear and getting tired of the journey:Fear:
Exhausted
Tired
Weak
2. Relieved (after finding food and water)
Suffixes related to the word ‘fear’: (a) Fearsome
(b) Fearful
(c) Fearless
(d) Fearfully
(e) Fearfulness
(f) Feared
(g) Fearing
(h) Fearsome
Grammar
Reported Speech: Reported questions
1. You have learnt how to report questions from direct to indirect speech. Here is a paragraph with direct speech questions. Read them carefully and report into indirect speech. Rewrite the paragraph in the space given below.
Once an old man asked a young boy, “Who do you think are the most intelligent people?” The young man said in return, “Who do you think so?” The old man said, “How can sons and daughters be intelligent without learning from their parents?” The young man said, “How did you as a parent learn?” The old man said, “Why are you hijacking my question by asking me back?” The young man said, “Didn’t you know that you as a parent, now have learnt all the things on your own?” The old man said, “How do you say that we all learnt from others?” The young man said, “Why do you ask me about how to operate electronic gadget all the time?” The old man said, “Why can’t I ask you because I have paid for the gadget you use?”
2. Now here is a set sentences given in indirect speech Change them into direct speech.
| Indirect Speech | Direct Speech |
| (a) Romesh asked Lata whether she could go with for a picnic the next day. | (a) Romesh |
| (b) Lata replied why had he asked her question him. | (b) Lata |
| (c) Romesh asked Lata why she was questioning him. | (c) Romesh |
| (d) Lata replied there was no use visiting the place she had seen before. | (d) Lata |
| (e) Romesh asked Lata what was wrong in visiting the same place again for the place was not the same. | (e) Romesh |
Answers:
1. Indirect Speech:
Once an old man asked a young boy who he thought were the most intelligent people. The young man replied asking who he thought so. The old man replied that sons and daughters could not be intelligent without learning from their parents. The young man then asked how the old man, as a parent, had learned. The old man replied by asking why the young man was hijacking his question by asking him back. The young man remarked that didn’t the old man know that, as a parent, he had learned all things on his own. The old man responded by asking how the young man could say that they had all learned from others. The young man asked why the old man asked him about how to operate electronic gadgets all the time. The old man replied asking why he couldn’t ask, as he had paid for the gadgets the young man used.
2. Direct Speech:
(a) Romesh asked Lata, “Can you go with me for a picnic the next day?”
(b) Lata replied, “Why have you asked me this question?”
(c) Romesh asked Lata, “Why are you questioning me?”
(d) Lata replied, “There is no use in visiting the place I have seen before.”
(e) Romesh asked Lata, “What is wrong in visiting the same place again? The place is not the same.”
Editing
1. Some of the prepositions are incorrectly used in the following story. Correct them and read the story aloud. The rewrite the story in the space given below.
The Dog and His Bone
A hungry dog while searching about food found a bone. He picked it out and held it tightly in his mouth and ran out into the woods, to a safe place to enjoy it in ease. He growled and frowned at anyone who attempted to take it over. He chewed the bone for a very long time and this made him quite thirsty.
He came to a stream to quench his thirst. He trotted around the footbridge and happened to glance into the water. He saw his own reflection in the water. Thinking it was another dog with a bigger bone, he growled and scowled towards it. The reflection growled and scowled back. Being greedy by nature, he wanted that bone too. He snapped his sharp teeth at the image on the water. He barked at the other dog,
hoping to scare him into giving that bone. His own big bone fell with a splash, went over of sight, the moment he opened his mouth to bite!
2. Rearrange each of the words to make sentences. Use appropriate punctuation marks.
(a) when I gave her, the bad news, she turned pale
(b) become rotten, as it has, the apple, don’t eat
(c) great friends, last quarrel, after their, they became
(d) first and only novel, after her, got a prize, she became famous
Answers:
1. Corrected Story:
The Dog and His Bone
A hungry dog, while searching for food, found a bone. He picked it up and held it tightly in his mouth and ran into the woods to a safe place to enjoy it in peace. He growled and frowned at anyone who attempted to take it away. He chewed the bone for a very long time, which made him quite thirsty.
He came to a stream to quench his thirst. He trotted around the footbridge and happened to glance into the water. He saw his own reflection in the water. Thinking it was another dog with a bigger bone, he growled and scowled at it. The reflection growled and scowled back. Being greedy by nature, he wanted that bone too. He snapped his sharp teeth at the image in the water. He barked at the other dog, hoping to scare him into giving up that bone. His own big bone fell with a splash and went out of sight the moment he opened his mouth to bite!
2. Rearranged Sentences:
(a) When I gave her the bad news, she turned pale.
(b) Don’t eat the apple as it has become rotten.
(c) After their last quarrel, they became great friends.
(d) She became famous after her first and only novel got a prize.
Listening
How brave are you? Take a minute to think over this question. There are people who risk their lives to save someone’s life from danger. Here is a child who dared and saved lives. Let us listen to the story of a braveheart.
The Brave Hearts
On October 26, 2009, Jhalaram’s hut in the village Sarneshwar in Rajasthan, suddenly caught fire. His two
daughters, aged two-and-a-half years and one year, as well as ten goats were in the hut at that time.
Shrawan Kumar, a six-year old boy, was playing in his house at a distance of about 200 feet. Seeing smoke coming out from Jhalaram’s house, he ran towards it. He saw the children sitting on a cot and screaming for help, and the goats caught in the flames. Shrawan entered the house, lifted the younger child in
one arm and pulling the older one by the hand, brought them out safely. He took them to his house, then ran to inform his father and the children’s father. The elders rushed to the site. But by that time, the goats
had died and the household belongings had been destroyed in the fire. It was Shrawan Kumar’s daring act that saved the lives of the two children.
(Shrawan Kumar, 6 years old, Sarneshwar, Rajasthan)
(Source: Children’s World, May 2012)
Your teacher will read out the story. Listen to the story carefully and answer the questions below. You may ask the teacher to read out the story more than once.
1. Where is the village of Sarneshwar?
2. Whose hut had caught fire?
3. Who all were there in the hut when it caught fire?
4. Why did Shrawan run towards Jhalaram’s house?
5. How did Shrawan save the two children?
6. What happened to the goats?
Answers:
1. The village of Sarneshwar is in Rajasthan.
2. Jhalaram’s hut had caught fire.
3. The two daughters of Jhalaram, aged two-and-a-half years and one year, as well as ten goats, were in the hut when it caught fire.
4. Shrawan ran towards Jhalaram’s house because he saw smoke coming out from it.
5. Shrawan saved the two children by entering the house, lifting the younger child in one arm, and pulling the older one by the hand, bringing them out safely.
6. The goats died in the fire.
Speaking
Imagine yourself as the narrator in the story ‘The Miraculous Escape’ and describe your experience during your voyage. Jot down the points you want to speak on. Then narrate your experience to your partner. You may begin like this:
I have been thinking of going on a voyage. And here came the opportunity to sail on a ship! I enjoyed the bule sea, the silence all around, amazing sunrise for a week. Then suddenly one day……
Your Points:
Answers:
1. Introduction to the Voyage:
Mention how you had been thinking about going on a voyage for a long time.
Explain how you finally got the opportunity to sail on a ship and began your journey.
2. The Beauty of the Sea:
Describe the peacefulness and beauty of the blue sea around you.
Mention the serene atmosphere and amazing sunrises you witnessed during the first week of the voyage.
3. The Storm:
Explain how, suddenly, your ship was caught in a terrible storm after the fourth day.
Describe how the storm lasted for several days, exhausting everyone and pushing the ship near a dreaded island.
4. The Search for Food and Water:
Talk about how, after the storm, you and your companions were extremely tired and hungry.
Mention how you found fruit trees and fresh water, which gave you strength and relief from hunger.
5. The Serpent Encounter:
Describe the terrifying moment when you were startled by the sound of a huge serpent.
Explain how the serpent swallowed one of your companions and how you managed to escape, only to face another danger.
6. The Danger on the Tree:
Narrate how you took shelter in a tree, but the serpent followed you and swallowed another of your companions.
Talk about your fear and how you clung tightly to the tree, too scared to move.
7. The Escape Plan:
Describe how you decided to act fast and built a makeshift shelter with dry wood and bushes to protect yourself from the serpent.
Mention how you waited inside the shelter while the serpent circled the tree, unable to break through your defense.
8. The Rescue:
Explain how, after spending the whole night in fear, you saw a ship sailing in the distance the next day.
Talk about how you shouted and waved to attract attention, leading to your rescue.
9. Conclusion:
Reflect on how you felt after your miraculous escape and what you learned from this terrifying experience.
“I have been thinking of going on a voyage. And here came the opportunity to sail on a ship! I enjoyed the blue sea, the silence all around, and amazing sunrises for a week. Then, suddenly one day, our ship was caught in a terrible storm. The storm lasted for days, pushing us near a dreaded island. After the storm passed, we searched for food and water. While we were resting, a huge serpent attacked, swallowing one of my companions. In the panic, we climbed a tree, but it followed us. I had to think quickly and built a shelter to protect myself from the serpent. The next morning, I saw a ship in the distance. I waved and shouted for help, and they rescued me! That was my miraculous escape from danger.”
Project
1. The stories of ‘The Snake and the Mirror’ and ‘The Miraculous Escape’ show how people face danger and are scared of animals. As children, many of us fear stray dogs. Both adults and children are scared of snakes. Fear exists in most of us. Some fears have bases and others do not. Let us conduct a survey of what people fear about. You may follow the guidelines given below.
Form groups of four, and select an area for your survey. It may be your classmates, teachers or people in your neighborhood.
Develop a questionnaire to collect information about the fears people have. You may have at least eight to ten question.
Decide how many people you will ask the questions for the survey.
Ask people the questions.
Write their opinions in tabular form.
Now write the first draft of the report.
You may add graphic representations of the information and the data
collected.
Edit and write the report to make it final.
Present it in a report form to the class.
You can also make a PowerPoint presentation
Answers:
Step 1: Form Groups
- Form a group of four students. Assign specific roles (e.g., questionnaire creator, survey conductor, data collector, report writer).
Step 2: Select an Area for Your Survey
- You can conduct the survey among your classmates, teachers, or people in your neighborhood. Decide on the target group based on convenience.
Step 3: Develop a Questionnaire
- Create a set of questions that will help you understand people’s fears. Below are some sample questions to get you started:
- What is your biggest fear?
- Do you fear animals (e.g., dogs, snakes, insects)? If yes, which one?
- Do you fear the dark?
- Are you afraid of heights?
- Are you scared of public speaking?
- Do you fear specific situations (e.g., exams, traveling)?
- Have you ever been in a dangerous situation that caused fear? Describe it.
- Do you think some fears are irrational?
- What do you do when you are scared?
- Do you think fears can be overcome? How?
Step 4: Decide on the Number of People for the Survey
- Select at least 15–20 people for a meaningful sample. Ensure a diverse range of ages, genders, and backgrounds for your survey.
Step 5: Ask People the Questions
- Go around your school or neighborhood and ask the selected people the questions. Note down their responses in a clear and organized manner.
Step 6: Record the Data in Tabular Form
- Create a table to organize the data you have collected. For example:
| Person | Biggest Fear | Fears Animals | Fear of Heights | Fear of Public Speaking | Fears Situations | Reaction to Fear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Person 1 | Snakes | Yes (Snakes) | Yes | No | Exams | Avoids it |
| Person 2 | Darkness | Yes (Dogs) | No | Yes | None | Faces it |
| Person 3 | Failure | Yes (Spiders) | Yes | Yes | Public Speaking | Runs away |
Step 7: Write the First Draft of the Report
Introduction:
- Introduce the topic of fear and its significance.
- Mention the objective of the survey and the method you used (questions, target group).
Data Analysis:
- Describe the findings from the survey.
- Present patterns, common fears, and any surprising results.
- Include any notable differences in the data (e.g., gender-based differences in fear).
Conclusions:
- Sum up the key findings.
- Discuss how fear influences people differently.
- Add suggestions or thoughts on overcoming certain fears.
Step 8: Graphic Representations
- To make the report visually appealing, use graphs or charts to represent the data (e.g., bar charts showing the most common fears, pie charts for specific animal fears, etc.).
Step 9: Edit and Finalize the Report
- After writing the first draft, revise the report for clarity and coherence.
- Make sure the language is appropriate and the report flows logically.
Step 10: PowerPoint Presentation
- Create a PowerPoint presentation summarizing your report. Include:
- Introduction
- Key survey questions and responses (with visuals)
- Data interpretation
- Conclusion
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