My Childhood” by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Class 9 – UP Board)

My Childhood” by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Class 9 – UP Board) 

(B) Short Answer Type Questions

(30–40 words each)

1. Who were Abdul Kalam’s parents?
Abdul Kalam’s father was Jainulabdeen, a simple and honest boat owner in Rameswaram. His mother was Ashiamma, a kind and generous housewife. They were religious, hardworking and respected people in their locality.

2. What did Kalam’s father not possess, and what did he possess?
Kalam’s father did not possess much wealth or formal education. However, he possessed great wisdom, kindness, honesty and strong spiritual faith. He was a man of high principles and simple living.

3. As a child how was Kalam different from his parents?
Kalam had inherited qualities from his parents but he was more curious and ambitious. Unlike his father’s simple life, Kalam dreamed of achieving great things through education and hard work.

4. Where was his ancestral house, and how was it?
Kalam’s ancestral house was in Rameswaram. It was a large pucca house made of limestone and bricks. It was built in the middle of the Mosque Street and was a comfortable home.

5. According to Kalam, how was his childhood?
Kalam described his childhood as secure and happy. He grew up in a loving family, surrounded by good friends and supportive elders. He enjoyed harmony among people of different religions.

6. When did the Second World War break out? How old was Kalam then?
The Second World War broke out in 1939. At that time, Abdul Kalam was about eight years old.

7. There was a sudden demand for tamarind seeds. What did the boy do then?
When there was a sudden demand for tamarind seeds, Kalam collected them and sold them to a provision shop. In this way, he earned his first small income.

8. What was the first negative effect when something like a state of emergency was declared?
The first negative effect was the cancellation of train stops at Rameswaram station. Newspapers had to be thrown from moving trains, creating difficulties in distribution.

9. How did the boy Kalam earn his own money for the first time?
Kalam first earned money by collecting and selling tamarind seeds. Later, he helped his cousin Samsuddin distribute newspapers and earned money regularly.

10. What did he inherit from his mother and father?
From his father, Kalam inherited honesty, discipline and faith in God. From his mother, he inherited kindness, generosity and a caring nature.

11. Who were Kalam’s three close friends during his childhood?
Kalam’s three close friends were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivaprakasan. They belonged to orthodox Hindu families, yet they shared a strong bond of friendship.

12. What jobs did Aravindan and Sivaprakasan adopt?
Aravindan later started a transport business for pilgrims. Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.

13. How were idols of the Lord reached to the marriage site?
The idols of the Lord were taken to the marriage site in decorated boats across the sea. Kalam’s father helped in arranging the boats for the ceremony.

(C) Long Answer Type Questions

(About 60 words each)

1. Describe Abdul Kalam’s early life in your own words.
Abdul Kalam was born in a simple Muslim family in Rameswaram. His father was a boat owner and his mother was a kind housewife. Though the family was not rich, they were spiritually strong and honest. Kalam had a happy and secure childhood with good friends and religious harmony. He learned discipline, faith and hard work from his parents.

2. What happened when the new teacher arrived at the Rameswaram Elementary School? How was the problem solved?
When a new teacher joined the school, he asked Kalam to sit on the back bench because he was a Muslim and Ramanadha Sastry was a Brahmin. This hurt both boys. Ramanadha’s father, Lakshmana Sastry, strongly opposed this discrimination and advised the teacher to correct himself. The teacher realized his mistake and apologized.

3. Narrate Kalam’s two visits at Sivasubramania Iyer’s house.
Sivasubramania Iyer, Kalam’s science teacher, once invited him to dinner. His wife refused to serve Kalam because he was a Muslim, so Iyer himself served him. The next week, when Kalam visited again, Iyer’s wife served him food herself. It showed a positive change in her attitude.

4. What did Kalam’s family do during the annual Shri Sita Ram Kalyanam ceremony?
During the annual Shri Sita Ram Kalyanam ceremony, Kalam’s family helped in arranging boats to carry the idols of Lord Rama and Sita to the marriage site. Though they were Muslims, they participated with devotion, showing religious harmony and mutual respect.

A Truly Beautiful Mind – Class 9 English UP Board | Easy Summary, Author, Word Meanings & QNA

About the Lesson

“A Truly Beautiful Mind” is a biographical lesson about the great scientist Albert Einstein.
The lesson tells us about his childhood, education, personality, and achievements.

It shows that Einstein was not only intelligent but also a kind and peace-loving human being.
He believed in humanity, simplicity, and world peace.

The lesson teaches students that:

• Curiosity is very important for learning.
• Imagination is more powerful than rote learning.
• A great person is known not only for intelligence but also for kindness.

👨‍🏫 About the Author

The lesson is written by Patrick Pringle.

He was a writer who wrote biographies and historical pieces.
He explained the lives of famous personalities in a simple way.

In this lesson, he presents Einstein as:

• A great scientist
• A deep thinker
• A lover of peace and humanity

His writing style is easy, factual, and inspiring for students.

📖 Summary of the Lesson

Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879.
He did not speak fluently in childhood, so people thought he was slow.
But he was very curious and loved thinking deeply.

When he was six years old, he saw a compass.
This small instrument made him curious about invisible forces.
From that moment, his interest in science grew.

He did not like strict school discipline.
He preferred self-learning and creative thinking.
Later, he studied physics and mathematics in Switzerland.

Einstein discovered the Theory of Relativity.
This discovery changed the world of science.
He became world famous.

In 1921, he received the Nobel Prize for Physics.

Einstein was also a humanist.
He spoke against war and violence.
He supported peace and democracy.

When Hitler came to power in Germany, Einstein moved to the USA.
He spent his later life working for science and peace.

He died in 1955, but his ideas still inspire the world.

The lesson shows that Einstein had:

• A brilliant brain
• A simple life
• A peaceful heart

That is why he is called “A Truly Beautiful Mind.”

📚 50 Difficult Words with Pronunciation & Hindi Meaning

(Format: Word – Pronunciation – Hindi Meaning)

1. Genius – jee-nyuhs – प्रतिभाशाली व्यक्ति
2. Relativity – rel-uh-tiv-i-tee – सापेक्षता
3. Physicist – fiz-i-sist – भौतिक वैज्ञानिक
4. Curious – kyoor-ee-uhs – जिज्ञासु
5. Compass – kum-puhs – दिशा सूचक यंत्र
6. Discipline – dis-uh-plin – अनुशासन
7. Imagination – ih-maj-uh-nay-shun – कल्पना
8. Brilliant – bril-yuhnt – प्रतिभाशाली
9. Discovery – dis-kuhv-uh-ree – खोज
10. Fame – faym – प्रसिद्धि
11. Nobel – noh-bel – नोबेल
12. Humanity – hyoo-man-i-tee – मानवता
13. Peace – pees – शांति
14. Violence – vahy-uh-luhns – हिंसा
15. Democracy – dih-mok-ruh-see – लोकतंत्र
16. Scientist – sahy-uhn-tist – वैज्ञानिक
17. Theory – thee-uh-ree – सिद्धांत
18. Education – ej-uh-kay-shun – शिक्षा
19. Patent – pat-uhnt – पेटेंट / अधिकार
20. Clerk – klark – लिपिक
21. Graduate – graj-oo-it – स्नातक
22. Intellectual – in-tuh-lek-choo-uhl – बौद्धिक
23. Philosophy – fi-los-uh-fee – दर्शनशास्त्र
24. Revolution – rev-uh-loo-shun – क्रांति
25. Influence – in-floo-uhns – प्रभाव
26. Lecture – lek-cher – व्याख्यान
27. Universe – yoo-nuh-vurs – ब्रह्मांड
28. Force – fors – बल
29. Energy – en-er-jee – ऊर्जा
30. Matter – mat-er – पदार्थ
31. Refugee – ref-yoo-jee – शरणार्थी
32. Freedom – free-duhm – स्वतंत्रता
33. Equality – ee-kwol-i-tee – समानता
34. Atomic – uh-tom-ik – परमाणु संबंधी
35. Weapon – wep-uhn – हथियार
36. Research – ri-surch – अनुसंधान
37. Institute – in-sti-tyoot – संस्थान
38. Professor – pruh-fes-er – प्रोफेसर
39. Achievement – uh-cheev-ment – उपलब्धि
40. Inspiration – in-spuh-ray-shun – प्रेरणा
41. Childhood – chahyld-hood – बचपन
42. Talent – tal-uhnt – प्रतिभा
43. Remarkable – ri-mark-uh-buhl – उल्लेखनीय
44. Contribution – kon-truh-byoo-shun – योगदान
45. Honor – on-er – सम्मान
46. Citizen – sit-uh-zuhn – नागरिक
47. Scientist – sahy-uhn-tist – वैज्ञानिक
48. Vision – vizh-uhn – दृष्टि
49. Humanity – hyoo-man-i-tee – मानवता
50. Legacy – leg-uh-see – विरासत

✅ (B) Short Answer Type Questions (30–40 words)

1. When and where was Albert Einstein born?

Albert Einstein was born on 14 March 1879 in the city of Ulm, Germany. He was born in a Jewish family and later became one of the greatest scientists in the world.

2. What caused Einstein's mother to think that he was a freak?

Einstein’s mother thought he was a freak because his head was much larger than normal at birth. She became worried about his appearance and slow development in early childhood.

3. Which physical inability did Einstein have even when he was two-and-a-half years old?

When Einstein was two-and-a-half years old, he could not speak properly. Even after he started speaking, he often repeated words again and again, which showed he had difficulty in speaking.

4. Why did his playmates call him “Brother Boring”?

Einstein’s playmates called him “Brother Boring” because he did not enjoy playing like other children. He was quiet, serious, and spent more time thinking and learning instead of having fun.

5. What did a headmaster once tell his father?

A headmaster once told Einstein’s father that Albert would never succeed in life. He thought Einstein was not good in studies and was not interested in school discipline.

6. How did Einstein perform at the Munich school?

Einstein did not like the strict system of the Munich school. He did not enjoy learning by memorizing. However, he was very good in mathematics and science and showed deep interest in knowledge.

7. What did Einstein hate about the school, and how old was he when he left?

Einstein hated the harsh discipline and boring teaching style of school. He disliked memorizing facts. He left school at the age of 15 because he wanted freedom in learning.

8. Why did Einstein want to continue his education in German-speaking Switzerland?

Einstein wanted to study in Switzerland because he liked its peaceful environment and modern education system. He wanted to avoid the strict rules of German schools and continue learning freely.

9. What do you know about Mileva Maric?

Mileva Maric was a Serbian girl and a student of physics. She met Einstein at university. Later, she became his wife. She was intelligent and helped Einstein during his early scientific career.

10. After graduating in 1900, what did Einstein do to earn money?

After graduating in 1900, Einstein could not find a teaching job. So, he worked as a clerk in the Swiss Patent Office in Bern. This job helped him earn money and continue research.

11. What was Einstein’s ‘Special Theory of Relativity’?

Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, published in 1905, explained that time and space are not fixed. It said that the speed of light is constant and energy and mass are related.

12. What brought proof that Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity was accurate?

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity was proved correct during a solar eclipse in 1919. Scientists observed that light from stars bent due to the sun’s gravity, confirming Einstein’s prediction.

13. When did Albert receive a Nobel Prize, and for what?

Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize in 1921. He was awarded for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which was an important discovery in the field of physics.

14. To whom did Einstein write letters?

Einstein wrote letters to many world leaders and organizations. He wrote one letter to the American President about nuclear weapons and his last letter to the United Nations for world peace.

15. Einstein turned to politics. What did he want?

Einstein wanted peace and a world free from war. He supported human rights and spoke against violence. He wished for international cooperation and worked for the safety of humanity.

✅ (C) Long Answer Type Questions (About 60 Words)

1. Describe Einstein’s early life in brief.

Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879. As a child, he was slow in speaking and seemed different from others. His mother worried about him. He was quiet and thoughtful. He loved mathematics and science from an early age. Though he faced problems in school, he later became a great scientist.

2. Throw light on Einstein’s student life.

Einstein’s student life was not very smooth. He did not like strict discipline and rote learning in school. Teachers thought he was weak, but he was brilliant in mathematics and physics. He left school at fifteen and later studied in Switzerland, where he developed a deep interest in scientific research.

3. Why was Einstein’s marriage with Mileva delayed? Whom did he marry after divorce?

Einstein loved Mileva Maric and wanted to marry her, but the marriage was delayed because his parents did not approve of her. Also, Einstein had no stable job at that time. Later, they married but got divorced. After the divorce, Einstein married his cousin Elsa Einstein.

4. Why did Einstein write letters to the American President and the United Nations?

Einstein wrote a letter to the American President to warn him about the danger of atomic bombs and nuclear weapons during World War II. His last letter was written to the United Nations, appealing for peace and global cooperation. He wanted the world to live without war and destruction.

The Little Girl by Katherine Mansfield – Summary, Theme, and Analysis, question and answers (UP Board Class 9 Prose)

  The Little Girl by Katherine Mansfield – Summary, Theme, and Analysis ,question and answers (UP Board Class 9 Prose)

Meta Description:
Read an easy and complete explanation of The Little Girl by Katherine Mansfield for UP Board Class 9 English Prose. Includes author bio, summary, theme, analysis, and word meanings in simple English.

About the Author: Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) was a famous short story writer from New Zealand. Her full name was Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp. She was one of the most important modern short story writers of the early 20th century. Mansfield’s stories are known for their deep emotions and realistic style.

She wrote about ordinary people, their feelings, and small moments of life. Her stories often show the beauty of relationships, sadness, and love. Some of her famous works include The Garden Party, Bliss, and The Doll’s House. She died at the age of 34 due to tuberculosis, but her writings still inspire readers all over the world.

About the Lesson: The Little Girl

The Little Girl is a touching story written by Katherine Mansfield. It shows the emotional journey of a little girl named Kezia who lives with her parents and grandmother. She loves her father but is very afraid of him because he is strict and serious. She feels that her father never shows love or care toward her.

Her grandmother tells her to try to talk with her father and understand him better. Once, Kezia decides to make a pincushion as a birthday gift for her father. She stitches it herself but makes a mistake—she fills it with some important papers from her father’s desk. When her father finds out, he becomes very angry and punishes her. Kezia cries a lot and feels that her father is a cruel man.

One night, her mother falls sick and goes to the hospital with her grandmother. Kezia sleeps alone in her room and has a bad dream. She wakes up frightened and calls for her grandmother. Her father comes and takes her in his arms to comfort her. She feels safe and loved for the first time. Then she realizes that her father loves her very much, though he cannot express it.

This story teaches us that sometimes parents appear strict, but their love is always true and deep.

Summary of the Lesson

The Little Girl is a story of love, fear, and understanding. The main character Kezia is a small girl who feels afraid of her father because he always seems angry and serious. She avoids him and feels nervous when he is around.

Her grandmother tells her that she should speak to her father more often and make him happy. To surprise him, Kezia makes a gift—a pincushion—for his birthday. Unfortunately, she fills it with important papers from his table without knowing their value. Her father gets angry and punishes her harshly.

Kezia becomes very sad and starts thinking her father is heartless. But later, when her mother falls ill and her grandmother is away, she faces a nightmare. Her father comforts her with love and care. She realizes that her father is not cruel but a loving man who cannot show his feelings easily.

The story beautifully shows that love can exist even behind strict behavior. It also teaches children not to judge their parents too quickly. Sometimes, strictness is just another way of showing care.

Theme of the Lesson

The main theme of The Little Girl is love between parents and children. It also talks about fear, misunderstanding, and realization. The story shows that children may not always understand their parents’ actions. Parents can be strict, but their love is always hidden behind their discipline.

Another theme is emotional growth. Kezia changes from fear to understanding. She learns that her father truly loves her and that love is not always shown through words—it can be felt through care and protection.

Analysis of the Lesson

Katherine Mansfield uses very simple and emotional language in this story. The story reflects a real-life situation that happens in many families. Parents work hard and often appear serious, while children think they are unkind. The writer shows how small misunderstandings can create distance between family members.

Through Kezia’s experience, Mansfield teaches that love has many forms. The story’s ending gives a beautiful message—understanding and affection can make relationships stronger. The father’s act of kindness changes Kezia’s heart and helps her feel safe and loved.

This short story touches the heart because it is full of emotion and truth. It reminds readers that love is not always spoken—it can be felt in small acts of care and comfort.

Short answer with Questions

Q.1. Who was the little girl afraid of? When did she feel a glad sense of relief?
Ans- Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict and harsh. She felt a glad sense of relief when her father left home for office every morning.

Q.2. What orders did father give when he came back home in the evening?
Ans- When father came home in the evening, he ordered Kezia to take off his boots, bring him tea, and the newspaper. Everyone in the house tried to be quiet during that time.

Q.3. Who was ordered to take off his shoes?
Ans- Kezia, the little girl, was ordered by her father to take off his shoes when he came home from work every evening.

Q.4. “I d-d-don’t know, father.” Did Kezia always stutter?
Ans- No, Kezia did not always stutter. She stammered only when she talked to her father because she was afraid of him and could not speak properly out of fear.

Q.5. Which sentence in the story shows father was ‘so big’?
Ans- The sentence “He was so big – his hands and neck, especially his mouth when he yawned” shows that Kezia thought her father was very big and strong.

Q.6. Why did grandmother send Kezia down to the drawing-room on Sundays? What did she find there?
Ans- Grandmother sent Kezia to talk and spend time with her father on Sundays. But Kezia always found him sleeping on the sofa and felt lonely and afraid to disturb him.

Q.7. What did grandmother suggest Kezia for her father’s birthday?
Ans- Grandmother suggested that Kezia should make a pin-cushion as a birthday gift for her father. She wanted Kezia to show love and make him happy.

Q.8. What mistake did Kezia make when she was preparing ‘her surprise’?
Ans- Kezia filled the pin-cushion with papers she found on her mother’s table. Unfortunately, those papers were her father’s important speech notes, which made him very angry.

Q.9. How did father punish Kezia?
Ans- Kezia’s father punished her by beating her with a ruler on her hands. She cried bitterly and felt very scared and hurt by his harsh behavior.

Q.10. Grandmother hoped she will forget all about the punishment. Did she forget? How did she react when she saw her father next time?
Ans- No, Kezia did not forget the punishment. She trembled with fear whenever she saw her father and tried to hide behind the bed or her grandmother.

Q.11. How many children had Mr. Macdonald got? What were they doing when the girl peeped through a gap in the fence?
Ans- Mr. Macdonald had five children. When Kezia peeped through the fence, they were playing happily with their father. He was laughing, playing, and holding the baby in his arms.

Q.12. Which ‘the same old nightmare’ came to Kezia again?
Ans- The same old nightmare was about a big black thing with a long rope that came near her bed. It frightened her and made her scream in her sleep.

Q.13. He was not a butcher. He was a father. How did father console his daughter?
Ans- When Kezia had a nightmare, her father took her in his arms, comforted her, and let her sleep beside him. She realized then that he was not cruel but a loving father.

Q.14. Kezia’s attitude towards her father changed. What did she think about him?
Ans- Kezia understood that her father worked hard and loved her, though he could not show it. She thought he had a big heart and was kind in his own way.

Short answer with Questions

Q.1. Write in your words the incidents that show Kezia was afraid of her father.

Ans- Kezia was very afraid of her father because he always spoke to her harshly. She could not talk to him freely. She trembled when he called her. Once, when she tore the papers of his speech, he punished her with a ruler. She cried a lot and thought her father was cruel. His strict behavior made her scared of him all the time.

Q.2. When Kezia peeped through their neighbour’s house, what did she see? What image did she form about fathers?
Ans- Kezia saw the McDonald family sitting together happily. The father was playing with his children. They were laughing and enjoying together. Seeing this, Kezia thought all fathers were kind and loving. She felt sad that her father was not like Mr. McDonald. She wished her father could also be friendly and gentle like him. This made her feel that her father did not love her.

Q.3. Write the story of ‘The Little Girl’ in your own words.
Ans- The story is about a small girl named Kezia who was afraid of her strict father. He often scolded her for small mistakes. One day, she tore his important papers by mistake and was punished badly. She cried and thought her father did not love her. Later, when her mother was ill, her father took care of her at night. She then realized her father was not cruel but loving. She understood his true love.

Q.4. Give a brief character-sketch of Kezia.
Ans- Kezia was a sweet and innocent little girl. She was very sensitive and emotional. She loved her parents but was afraid of her father’s strict nature. She wanted love and care from him. Though she made mistakes, she never meant to hurt anyone. She was curious, observant, and full of feelings. At the end, she understood her father’s love and became close to him. Kezia represents the innocence of childhood and the desire for affection.

Difficult Words and Their Meanings

Word	Meaning (English)	Meaning (Hindi)
Afraid	Scared	डरना
Strict	Severe	सख्त
Encouraged	Motivated	प्रोत्साहित किया
Punished	Penalized	दंडित किया
Nightmare	Bad dream	डरावना सपना
Mistake	Error	गलती
Stitch	Sew	सिलना
Cushion	Soft pillow	गद्दी
Realize	Understand	समझना
Cruel	Unkind	निर्दयी
Tremble	Shake	कांपना
Forgive	Pardon	माफ करना
Comfort	Soothe	सांत्वना देना
Arms	Embrace	बाहें
Hospital	Clinic	अस्पताल
Fear	Terror	भय
Expression	Feeling	अभिव्यक्ति
Relationship	Bond	संबंध
Innocent	Pure	मासूम
Tenderness	Softness	कोमलता
Emotion	Feeling	भावना
Protect	Defend	बचाना
Lonely	Alone	अकेला
Angry	Mad	गुस्सा
Proud	Arrogant	घमंडी
Serious	Grave	गंभीर
Shy	Timid	शर्मीला
Punishment	Penalty	सजा
Surprised	Amazed	आश्चर्यचकित
Whisper	Speak softly	फुसफुसाना
Decision	Choice	निर्णय
Pain	Hurt	दर्द
Feelings	Emotions	भावनाएँ
Distance	Gap	दूरी
Gentle	Kind	नम्र
Heart	Soul	हृदय
Shadow	Dark shape	परछाई
Respect	Honour	सम्मान
Lesson	Teaching	सबक
Moral	Value	नैतिकता
Safe	Protected	सुरक्षित
Scold	Rebuke	डांटना
Cry	Weep	रोना
Understand	Know	समझना
Night	Dark time	रात
Love	Affection	प्यार
Show	Express	दिखाना
Real	True	असली
Warm	Comforting	गर्माहट
Hurt	Pain	चोट
Look	See	देखना
Shout	Yell	चिल्लाना
Child	Kid	बच्चा
Room	Chamber	कमरा
Voice	Sound	आवाज़
Eyes	Vision	आँखें
Hope	Expectation	आशा
Smile	Grin	मुस्कान
Close	Near	पास
Friend	Companion	दोस्त
Family	Relatives	परिवार
Work	Job	काम
Table	Desk	मेज
Paper	Sheet	कागज़
Important	Valuable	महत्वपूर्ण
Learn	Study	सीखना
Time	Moment	समय
Feeling	Emotion	भावना
Alone	Isolated	अकेला
Wrong	Incorrect	गलत
Think	Imagine	सोचना
Laugh	Smile	हँसना
Happy	Glad	खुश
Dark	Dim	अंधेरा
Hold	Grip	पकड़ना
Mother	Mom	माँ
Father	Dad	पिता
Grandmother	Granny	दादी
House	Home	घर
Crying	Weeping	रोना
Forgiven	Excused	माफ़ किया
Pillow	Cushion	तकिया
Blanket	Cover	कंबल
Tears	Drops	आँसू
Loving	Caring	स्नेही
Strong	Powerful	मज़बूत
Gentle	Soft	कोमल
Sweet	Pleasant	मीठा
Thought	Idea	विचार
Calm	Peaceful	शांत
Hug	Embrace	गले लगाना
Bright	Shiny	उज्ज्वल
Warmth	Comfort	गर्माहट
Care	Concern	देखभाल

Conclusion

Katherine Mansfield’s The Little Girl is a moving story that teaches an important lesson about love, fear, and understanding between parents and children. It shows that sometimes, strict behavior hides deep affection. The story ends with a positive message of love and emotional connection in family life. It is a heartwarming lesson for every student to learn about love beyond words.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Who was the little girl afraid of? When did she feel a glad sense of relief?

2. What orders did father give when he came back home in the evening?

3. Who was ordered to take off his shoes?

4. “I d-d-don’t know, father.” Did Kezia always stutter?

5. Which sentence in the story shows father was ‘so big’?

6. Why did grandmother send Kezia down to the drawing-room on Sundays? What did she find there?

7. What did grandmother suggest Kezia for her father’s birthday?

8. What mistake did Kezia make when she was preparing ‘her surprise’?

9. How did father punish Kezia?

10. Grandmother hoped she will forget all about the punishment. Did she forget? How did she react when she saw her father next time?

11. How many children had Mr. Macdonald got? What were they doing when the girl peeped through a gap in the fence?

12. Which ‘the same old nightmare’ came to Kezia again?

13. He was not a butcher. He was a father. How did father console his daughter?

14. Kezia’s attitude towards her father changed. What did she think about him?

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Write in your words the incidents that show Kezia was afraid of her father.

2. When Kezia peeped through their neighbour’s house, what did she see? What image did she form about fathers?

3. Write the story of ‘The Little Girl’ in your o

wn words.

4. Give a brief character-sketch of Kezia.

Wind by Subramania Bharati – Summary, Explanation, Translation & Poetic Devices , Central Idea of the Poem (Class 9 UP Board)

Wind by Subramania Bharati – Summary, Explanation, Translation & Poetic Devices ,Central Idea of the Poem (Class 9 UP Board)

Meta Description:
Explore the poem “Wind” by Subramania Bharati for Class 9 UP Board. Learn about the poet, poem summary, Hindi translation, difficult word meanings, theme, poetic devices, and analysis in simple and easy English.

About the Author – Subramania Bharati

Subramania Bharati (1882–1921) was a famous Indian poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer from Tamil Nadu. He was also known as “Mahakavi Bharathiyar.” His poems are full of energy, courage, and inspiration. He believed in equality, liberty, and women’s empowerment. Bharati used poetry to awaken the spirit of independence and self-confidence in people. His works reflect his deep love for the nation and his belief in the power of nature and humanity.

About the Poem – Wind

The poem “Wind” by Subramania Bharati is one of his most popular and inspiring works. The poem describes the power of wind, both as a natural force and as a symbol of difficulties in life. The poet asks the wind to come softly and not destroy things. However, later he realizes that wind always blows strongly and destroys weak things. It breaks the weak houses, doors, rafters, and windows. The poet uses wind as a symbol of challenges and says that only strong people can face difficulties bravely.

Text of the Poem – Wind by Subramania Bharati

Wind, come softly.
Don’t break the shutters of the windows.
Don’t scatter the papers.
Don’t throw down the books on the shelf.

There, look what you did — you threw them all down.
You tore the pages of the books.
You brought rain again.
You are very clever at poking fun at weaklings.

Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,
crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,
crumbling hearts —
the wind god winnows and crushes them all.

He won’t do what you tell him.
So, come, let’s build strong homes,
let’s join the doors firmly.

Practice to firm the body.
Make the heart steadfast.
Do this, and the wind will be friends with us.

The wind blows out weak fires.
He makes strong fires roar and flourish.
His friendship is good.
We praise him every day.

Hindi Translation of the Poem – Wind (हिन्दी अनुवाद)

हवा, धीरे चलो।
खिड़कियों के पर्दे मत तोड़ो।
कागज़ मत उड़ाओ।
रैक पर रखी किताबें नीचे मत गिराओ।

देखो, तुमने क्या किया — सारी किताबें गिरा दीं।
पन्ने फाड़ दिए।
फिर से बारिश ला दी।
तुम कमज़ोरों का मज़ाक उड़ाने में बहुत चतुर हो।

कमज़ोर घर, टूटे दरवाज़े, गिरते हुए खंभे,
सड़ी लकड़ियाँ, कमज़ोर शरीर, टूटी ज़िंदगियाँ,
टूटे दिल — सबको हवा का देवता उड़ा देता है।

वह तुम्हारी नहीं सुनता।
इसलिए आओ, मजबूत घर बनाएं,
दरवाजों को कसकर जोड़ें।

शरीर को मजबूत बनाओ,
दिल को दृढ़ बनाओ।
अगर हम ऐसा करेंगे तो हवा हमारी मित्र बन जाएगी।

हवा कमजोर आग को बुझा देती है,
पर मजबूत आग को और तेज़ जलाती है।
उसकी मित्रता अच्छी है।
हम उसकी रोज़ प्रशंसा करते हैं।

Difficult Words and Their Meanings

Word	Meaning	Hindi Meaning
Shutters	Wooden or metal covers for windows	खिड़की के पट
Scatter	Spread or throw in different directions	बिखेरना
Poking fun	Making fun or teasing	मज़ाक उड़ाना
Frail	Weak	कमजोर
Crumbling	Breaking into small pieces	टूटना या गिरना
Winnows	To separate or blow away	उड़ाना
Steadfast	Firm and determined	दृढ़
Flourish	To grow or develop strongly	फलना-फूलना
Weaklings	People who are not strong	कमजोर व्यक्ति
Roar	To make a loud, powerful sound	गरजना

Summary of the Poem – Wind

The poem “Wind” teaches us a beautiful lesson about strength and courage. The poet begins by asking the wind to come softly and not to destroy things. But the wind does not listen. It blows violently and breaks weak houses, doors, and books.

Through this, the poet tells us that life is full of challenges like the strong wind. These challenges test our strength and determination. Weak people easily give up, just like weak houses that fall in strong wind. But strong people stand firm and face difficulties bravely.

The poet advises us to make ourselves strong in body, heart, and mind. When we become strong, even the wind (problems) becomes our friend. The poem ends with a positive message — the wind destroys the weak fire but makes the strong fire burn brighter. In the same way, difficulties destroy weak people but make strong people even stronger.

Central Idea of the Poem – Wind

The poem “Wind” by Subramania Bharati gives a powerful message about facing challenges with courage and strength. The wind symbolizes the difficulties of life that test our inner power. Weak people are destroyed by troubles, but strong people face them bravely and grow stronger. The poet advises us to build strength in body and mind so that hardships become our friends instead of enemies. The poem inspires self-confidence and determination.

Theme of the Poem

1. Strength and Courage:
   The poem teaches that strength of character helps us face challenges boldly.

2. Symbol of Wind:
   Wind is a symbol of life’s difficulties and struggles.

3. Friendship with Nature:
   The poet believes that if we become strong, nature (wind) will be friendly with us.

4. Moral Message:
   Weak people are destroyed by hardships, but strong people grow stronger through them.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

Poetic Device	Example	Explanation
Personification	“Wind, come softly”	Wind is treated as a living being.
Alliteration	“Frail, crumbling houses”	Repetition of the ‘c’ sound.
Anaphora	“Crumbling houses, crumbling doors…”	Repetition of words for emphasis.
Metaphor	“The wind god winnows them all”	Wind compared to a god who separates strong from weak.
Symbolism	Wind symbolizes difficulties and challenges.
Imagery	“He makes strong fires roar and flourish”	Creates a strong visual image.

Analysis of the Poem

“Wind” is not only a poem about the natural force of wind but also about the strength of human spirit. Subramania Bharati beautifully connects the physical power of the wind with the emotional and moral power of human beings.

The poet shows that weak structures fall, but strong ones stand tall. Similarly, weak people fail when life becomes hard, but strong people remain steady. The wind becomes a friend to those who are firm and determined.

The message is very clear — we should build inner strength to face the challenges of life. Hardships are not meant to break us but to make us stronger. Bharati’s poem gives us a lesson in self-confidence, courage, and determination.

Conclusion

Subramania Bharati’s poem “Wind” inspires us to face the storms of life with courage. It teaches that strength of mind and heart helps us overcome difficulties. The poet’s message is timeless — “Don’t ask life to be easy; make yourself strong enough to handle it.”

The poem ends with hope and positivity. Just like the wind helps strong fires burn brighter, challenges help strong people shine brighter in life.

The Little Girl- from Class 9 English, Summary in English, Short and long answer with question

Introduction

“The Little Girl” is a short story written by Katherine Mansfield.
It is part of the Class 9 English curriculum in many schools.
The story talks about the relationship between a little girl named Kezia and her father.
At first, Kezia is afraid of her father.
She feels that her father is strict, cold, and unkind.
However, as the story moves forward, Kezia’s thoughts about her father change.
She starts to understand that her father is loving and caring, even if he does not show it openly.
The story is simple, but it touches the heart.
It shows how misunderstandings can happen between parents and children.
It also teaches that love is not always shown in soft words or gentle actions.

Summary

Kezia is a small girl who lives with her parents and grandmother.
She is very scared of her father.
Whenever he comes home from work, Kezia becomes nervous.
She feels he is too serious and never smiles.
She also thinks that he does not care for her.
Kezia’s grandmother understands her feelings.
One day, the grandmother tells Kezia to make a gift for her father’s birthday.
Kezia decides to make a pin-cushion.
She works hard to make it.
For the stuffing, she takes some papers from her mother’s bedroom.
She does not know that those papers are important.
The papers were a speech for her father’s office work.
When her father finds out, he gets very angry.
He punishes Kezia with a ruler on her hands.
This makes Kezia more afraid of him.

A few days later, Kezia’s mother becomes sick and has to go to the hospital.
Her grandmother goes with her to help.
Kezia is left at home with her father.
That night, Kezia has a nightmare.
She wakes up crying.
Her father comes to her room.
He takes her in his arms and lets her sleep beside him.
He comforts her and makes her feel safe.
For the first time, Kezia feels her father’s warmth and love.
She realizes that her father works very hard for the family.
She understands that he loves her, even if he is not very expressive.
From that day, Kezia is no longer afraid of her father.

Theme

The main theme of “The Little Girl” is the change in the relationship between a child and her parent.
It shows how love can be hidden under strict behavior.
The story also talks about misunderstandings in families.
Sometimes children think their parents do not love them because they are strict.
In reality, parents may express love in different ways.
Another theme is the importance of communication.
If Kezia had known her father’s feelings earlier, she would not have feared him.
The story also tells us that parents work hard for their children’s happiness.
Love does not always come in the form of soft words or sweet gestures.
Sometimes it is in the sacrifices and duties done quietly.

Analysis

Katherine Mansfield uses simple events to tell a deep emotional story.
She shows how a child’s thoughts can be shaped by small incidents.
At the start, Kezia’s father is shown as a strict man.
He speaks less and works hard.
He expects discipline and obedience.
From a child’s point of view, this looks like coldness.
The author makes us see the father through Kezia’s eyes.
We feel her fear when she hears his footsteps.
We also understand her nervousness when she talks to him.

The turning point of the story is the night of the nightmare.
When the father takes Kezia in his arms, the tone of the story changes.
This moment shows that behind his strict face, there is a caring heart.
He comforts her without using many words.
This shows that love is not always expressed by speaking.
It can be shown by actions and presence.

The story also highlights the gap between generations.
Parents often focus on responsibilities, while children look for affection and playfulness.
If there is no open communication, misunderstandings grow.
In the story, the father works hard all day, so he is tired in the evening.
He cannot spend much time playing with Kezia.
This makes her feel unwanted.
Only after she spends a night close to him does she see the truth.

The author’s style is simple but powerful.
She uses small details, like the sewing of the pin-cushion or the sound of the father’s footsteps, to make the story real.
The emotions are shown naturally, without heavy words.
This makes the story easy to read and easy to feel.

Conclusion

“The Little Girl” is a touching story about love, fear, and understanding.
It teaches that sometimes we misjudge people based on how they act on the outside.
It also reminds parents to express their love clearly, so children feel safe and cared for.
For children, the story shows that parents may be strict because they want the best for them.
Once love is understood, fear disappears.
Katherine Mansfield’s gentle storytelling makes this lesson memorable.

Short Answer type question 

1. When did she feel a glad sense of relief?

Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict and spoke loudly. She felt a glad sense of relief when her father went to the office, and the house became quiet and peaceful again.

2. What orders did ‘father’ give when he came back home in the evening?

When father came home in the evening, he ordered tea to be brought quickly. He asked Kezia to come near him and ordered her to speak clearly. His voice was loud and commanding.

3. Who was ordered to take off his shoes?

Father was ordered by Kezia’s grandmother to take off his shoes. Grandmother did not like dirt in the house and always reminded father to remove his shoes before entering.

4. “I d-d-don’t know, father.” Did Kezia always stutter?

No, Kezia did not always stutter. She stuttered only when she was afraid or nervous. She felt scared in front of her father, so her fear made her stammer.

5. Which sentence in the story shows father was ‘so big’?

The sentence that shows father was very big is when Kezia says that he had huge hands, big boots, and a large voice. To her, he looked like a giant.

6. Why did grandmother send Kezia down to the drawing-room on Sundays? What did she find there?

Grandmother sent Kezia to the drawing-room on Sundays to talk to her father. There, Kezia found her father resting on the sofa, reading newspaper, and she felt scared to disturb him.

7. What did grandmother suggest Kezia for her father’s birthday?

Grandmother suggested that Kezia should make a pin-cushion for her father’s birthday. She wanted Kezia to prepare something with her own hands as a loving and thoughtful gift.

8. What mistake did Kezia make when she was preparing her ‘surprise’?

Kezia cut important papers from her father’s speech to fill the pin-cushion. She did not know their value. This mistake made her father very angry and led to her punishment.

9. How did father punish Kezia?

Father punished Kezia by beating her with a ruler on her little hands. He was very angry and did not listen to her explanation. This punishment made Kezia cry badly.

10. Did Kezia forget the punishment? How did she react when she saw her father next time?

No, Kezia did not forget the punishment. When she saw her father again, she felt afraid and avoided him. Her fear increased, and she could not speak freely in front of him.

11. How many children had Mr Macdonald got? What were they doing?

Mr Macdonald had five children. When Kezia peeped through the fence, she saw them playing happily with their father. They were laughing, running, and enjoying their time together.

12. Which “the same old nightmare” came to Kezia again?

The same old nightmare was about a fearful figure coming closer to her bed. She imagined a giant-like person with knife and rope. This nightmare showed her deep fear of her father.

13. How did father console his daughter?

Father consoled Kezia by taking her into his arms when she had a nightmare. He spoke gently, covered her warmly, and allowed her to sleep beside him, showing his love and care.

14. Kezia’s attitude towards her father changed. What did she think about him?

Kezia’s attitude changed after that night. She understood that her father was not cruel but loving. She realized that he worked hard for the family and truly cared for her.

Long answer type question 

1. Incidents that show Kezia was afraid of her father

Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict and spoke loudly. She stammered in front of him. She feared his big voice and heavy footsteps. She felt nervous when he called her. When he punished her for tearing papers, her fear became stronger.

2. What Kezia saw at neighbour’s house and her idea about fathers

When Kezia peeped into Mr Macdonald’s house, she saw him playing happily with his children. He laughed and enjoyed with them. From this, Kezia felt that all fathers were not strict. She thought fathers could be kind, loving, and friendly too.

3. Story of “The Little Girl” in your own words

The story is about Kezia, a small girl afraid of her strict father. She stammered before him. She made a pin-cushion for his birthday but tore his papers by mistake and was punished. One night, father comforted her during a nightmare. Kezia then understood his love and care.

4. Brief character-sketch of Kezia

Kezia was a sensitive, innocent, and loving girl. She was afraid of her strict father and stammered in fear. She loved her father and wanted to please him. After understanding his kindness, her fear ended, and she became more confident and happy.

The Adventures of Toto – Summary, Themes and Analysis

The Adventures of Toto – Summary, Themes and Analysis

Introduction

“The Adventures of Toto” is a short and interesting story written by Ruskin Bond. Ruskin Bond is a very famous Indian author. He writes simple and beautiful stories that talk about life, nature, and relationships. His writing is loved by readers of all ages because it feels real and close to life.

This story comes from his collection The Grandfather’s Private Zoo. It tells us about a pet monkey named Toto and the trouble he causes in the house. Even though Toto is very naughty, he is also very smart and full of energy. Through this story, Bond shows us the fun, chaos, and challenges that come when we keep animals as pets.

The story is full of humor and light moments. It makes us smile while also teaching us a lesson.

Summary

The story begins when the narrator’s grandfather buys a monkey named Toto from a tonga-driver. Grandfather wanted to keep Toto in his private zoo. He paid five rupees for Toto.

Toto was a very cute monkey. He had bright eyes full of mischief. He had pearly white teeth. He had dry little fingers and a long tail. He used his tail almost like a hand.

At first, Toto was kept in a little closet. He was tied there so that he would not create trouble. But Toto was a clever monkey. He tore the wallpaper of the wall. He also tore the narrator’s blazer into pieces. Grandfather realized that Toto could not be kept tied like that. So he was given a room with the family donkey, Nana.

Toto and Nana never became friends. One day, Toto bit Nana. Nana got scared and tried to pull away. Toto enjoyed troubling the donkey.

Grandfather often traveled. Once he had to go to Saharanpur. He decided to take Toto with him. He kept Toto in a big black canvas bag so that no one could see him. The bag was strong and Toto could not get out. He only moved a little inside the bag.

At the railway station, Toto’s bag was very heavy and moving. The ticket collector noticed the bag and asked to see what was inside. Grandfather showed him Toto. The ticket collector charged three rupees for taking the monkey on the train. Grandfather was unhappy but had to pay.

Toto was very mischievous at home. One day he put himself into a kettle of water in the kitchen. The water was for boiling tea. At first the water was warm and Toto enjoyed sitting in it. Then the water started getting hot. Toto jumped in and out of the kettle because it was very hot. When grandmother saw him, she pulled him out to save him.

Toto also tore clothes, destroyed dishes, and broke things in the house. He never let anything remain safe.

Finally, the family understood that Toto was too mischievous to keep as a pet. Grandfather sold him back to the same tonga-driver from whom he had bought him.

Themes

1. Mischief and Fun

The main theme of the story is mischief. Toto’s playful nature creates many funny situations. His naughty acts bring laughter but also create a lot of trouble.

2. Human-Animal Bond

The story also talks about the bond between humans and animals. Grandfather loved animals and wanted to give Toto a home. But the story shows that wild animals cannot always live easily with humans.

3. Responsibility of Pet Ownership

The story gives a simple lesson that keeping pets is a responsibility. It is not easy to take care of animals, especially if they are very active and wild.

4. Humor in Everyday Life

Ruskin Bond adds humor to simple events. The whole story is told in a funny and light way. It shows how simple incidents can make life interesting.

Analysis

Ruskin Bond writes in a very simple and clear style. His language is easy to read. The story has a lot of small details that make the scenes come alive.

The character of Toto is the main attraction. Toto is full of life. He is curious, bold, and clever. He is like a little child who wants to explore everything. He does not like to stay tied.

The narrator’s grandfather is also an interesting character. He is kind-hearted and loves animals. Even though Toto troubles everyone, grandfather never scolds him much. He tries to protect him, like when he hides Toto in a bag.

The humor in the story comes from Toto’s behavior. For example, the scene at the railway station, where the ticket collector charges fare for the monkey, is very funny. Another humorous moment is when Toto tries to sit in hot water.

The story also gives a gentle message. It tells us that animals are happiest in their own environment. Wild animals, no matter how cute, may not be suitable as pets. The family finally realizes this and decides to give Toto away.

This story is also a picture of a simple Indian household. The story shows life in a small town, where keeping animals like monkeys and donkeys was normal.

The language of the story is very friendly. It is not serious or heavy. The tone is playful and happy.

Conclusion

“The Adventures of Toto” is a very interesting and funny story. It shows how a little monkey can change the daily life of a family. The story is full of humor, small incidents, and lovely descriptions.

Ruskin Bond, through this story, gives us a joyful picture of childhood, love for animals, and the small troubles that come with it. It is a story that can be enjoyed by children as well as adults.

The story finally teaches us that animals need love and care. But at the same time, we must also understand their nature and their needs. Not all animals can be kept as pets.

This story is a wonderful example of Ruskin Bond’s ability to make simple stories full of charm. It makes us laugh, it makes us think, and it leaves a happy feeling in our hearts.

The Sound of Music- class 9 questions and answers( UP Board)

The Sound of Music- class 9 questions and answers( UP Board)

 Short Answer Type Questions

Q. 1. Where was pungi banned? Who banned it?
Ans- Pungi was banned in the royal court. It was banned by Emperor Aurangzeb because he did not like its sound. He thought the sound of pungi was too loud and unpleasant.

Q. 2. What did most of the people think about pungi when it was banned?
Ans-Most people thought pungi was a rough and unpleasant musical instrument. They believed it could not be used for good or soft music, and that is why it was not liked by many.

Q. 3. What changes did the barber make to transform pungi into shehnai?
Ans-The barber made a longer and wider pipe than the pungi. He added more holes in it to improve the sound. This new instrument created sweet music and was later called the shehnai.

Q. 4. How was the reformed musical instrument known as shehnai?
Ans-The new instrument was played in the king’s court by a barber. It was named “shehnai” — “sheh” means royal and “nai” means barber. It made sweet sounds and was used in royal events.

Q. 5. Till recently where was it used? Who does the credit go to bring it onto the classical stage?
Ans-Shehnai was mostly used in temples and weddings. It was not seen on the classical music stage before. The credit for making it popular in classical music goes to Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Q. 6. How did five-year-old Bismillah spend his days in Dumraon?
Ans-Little Bismillah Khan played with friends in Dumraon. He also went to the Bihariji temple and sang the Bhojpuri “Chaita.” He was very fond of music from a young age.

Q. 7. What do you know about Bismillah Khan, his father and his grandfather?
Ans-Bismillah Khan belonged to a family of musicians. His father and grandfather were shehnai players in the royal court of kings. He learned music from them and became a great musician.

Q. 8. When did Bismillah Khan watch someone practising the shehnai first? Who this someone was?
Ans-Bismillah Khan saw his uncle Ali Bux playing the shehnai in a temple when he was very young. Ali Bux became his first music teacher and guided him in shehnai.

Q. 9. Who or what inspired Bismillah to improvise and invent raagas?
Ans-The flowing water of the Ganga River inspired Bismillah Khan to create new raagas. He felt peace and divine music in the sound of water and used that feeling in his shehnai music.

Q. 10. How was he associated with the radio?
Ans-Bismillah Khan was the first Indian shehnai player to perform on All India Radio in 1938. After that, his shehnai became famous all over the country through the radio.

Q. 11. How did 15 August, 1947 become a memorable day for Bismillah Khan?
Ans-On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played shehnai at Red Fort during India’s first Independence Day. It was a proud moment for him and for the whole country.

Q. 12. What happened when Bismillah made his first trip to Afghanistan?
Ans-When Bismillah Khan went to Afghanistan, the king gave him rich gifts. The people loved his music. A famous Afghan musician even said that only Bismillah’s music could make the shehnai sing.

Q. 13. Which National awards were conferred on Bismillah Khan?
Ans-Bismillah Khan received many national awards like the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna. He was respected all over India for his contribution to music.

Q. 14. When was he awarded Bharat Ratna award what advice did Bismillah Khan give to parents?
Ans-Bismillah Khan got the Bharat Ratna in 2001. He advised parents to teach their children music because music brings peace and joy. He said music should be a part of every child's life.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Give a brief description of Bismillah Khan's early life.
Ans-Bismillah Khan was born in 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar. His family had a strong music background. As a child, he was deeply interested in music and learned to play the shehnai from his uncle, Ali Bux. He often practiced near the River Ganga and in temples, which helped shape his love for music and devotion.

Q2. What do you know about Bismillah Khan's awards and recognition?
Ans-Bismillah Khan received many top awards for his music. He got the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. In 2001, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. These awards showed his great contribution to Indian classical music and how much he was respected across the country and the world.

Q3. Bismillah Khan loved India, Benaras and Dumraon. Do you agree?
Ans-Yes, Bismillah Khan truly loved India, especially Benaras and Dumraon. Even though he traveled abroad, he always missed his hometowns. He said he couldn’t live without the Ganga and the smell of Benaras. He refused to settle in any foreign country, as his heart was always with India and the places where he grew up.

Q4. How was Bismillah Khan associated with films, and why did he give up films?
Ans- Bismillah Khan played the shehnai in a few films, including Goonj Uthi Shehnai. But he didn’t continue with films because he didn’t like the world of cinema. He believed music was pure and sacred. He didn’t want to mix it with commercial work. He felt peace in classical music, not in film music.

Prose Class 9th Short/Long Answer Type Questions

 

Short Answer Type Questions (30–40 words)

Q1. Where was the slight girl seen? How old was she and why was she ‘nervous yet excited’?

Ans:
The slight girl was seen at the music audition hall. She was about twelve years old. She felt nervous because it was a big moment for her, and excited because she was getting a chance to show her talent.

Q2. What challenges did ‘this aspiring musician’ face? Was her challenge bigger or smaller than most?

Ans:
The aspiring musician faced physical and emotional challenges. She was differently-abled and had to struggle more than others. Her challenge was bigger than most because she had to work harder to follow her dreams.

Q3. When was it first noticed that there was something wrong with the girl? Who discovered it?

Ans:
It was first noticed when the girl started walking late and struggled with balance. Her parents discovered the problem and later doctors confirmed that she had a medical condition that affected her movement.

Q4. ‘For quite a while…’ says Isabel. What did she manage to conceal for quite a while?

Ans:
Isabel managed to conceal her physical weakness for quite a while. She did not want people to treat her differently, so she hid her condition and tried to act like other normal children.

Q5. What was discovered when Evelyn was eleven?

जब एवलिन ग्यारह वर्ष की थी तो क्या पता चला?
Ans. When Evelyn was eleven, it was discovered that she had lost her hearing ability completely.
जब एवलिन ग्यारह वर्ष की थी, तो पता चला कि वह पूरी तरह से सुनने में असमर्थ हो गई है।

Q6. When did Evelyn decide 'she wanted to play it'? What did she want to play?
एवलिन ने कब फैसला किया कि वह इसे बजाना चाहती है? वह क्या बजाना चाहती थी?
Ans. Evelyn decided to play the xylophone when she saw a girl playing it. She wanted to become a percussionist.
एवलिन ने तब ठान लिया कि वह ज़ायलोफोन बजाएगी जब उसने एक लड़की को इसे बजाते देखा। वह तालवाद्य वादक बनना चाहती थी।

Q7. What was Ron Forbes's advice to her?
रॉन फोर्ब्स की उसे क्या सलाह थी?
Ans. Ron Forbes advised her to feel the music through her body parts instead of hearing it through her ears.
रॉन फोर्ब्स ने उसे सलाह दी कि वह अपने शरीर के हिस्सों से संगीत को महसूस करे, न कि कानों से सुने।

Q8. What did Evelyn audition for, and what was its result?
एवलिन ने किसका स्वर-परीक्षण दिया और इसका क्या परिणाम हुआ?
Ans. Evelyn auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and got the highest marks.
एवलिन ने रॉयल अकैडमी ऑफ म्यूजिक के लिए ऑडिशन दिया और सबसे अधिक अंक प्राप्त किए।

Q9. Which two additional languages did she manage to learn?
उसने कौन-सी दो अतिरिक्त भाषाएँ सीखीं?
Ans. She managed to learn French and basic Japanese.
उसने फ्रेंच और जापानी भाषा सीखी।

Q10. What happens when she removes her shoes on a wooden platform?
जब वह अपने जूते लकड़ी के चबूतरे पर उतारती है तो क्या होता है?
Ans. She can feel the vibrations of the music flowing through her feet and legs.
वह अपने पैरों और टांगों के माध्यम से संगीत की तरंगों को महसूस कर सकती है।

Q11. What award was Evelyn presented in 1991?
सन् 1991 में एवलिन को कौन-सा पुरस्कार दिया गया?
Ans. Evelyn was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Soloist of the Year Award in 1991.
1991 में एवलिन को रॉयल फिलहारमोनिक सोसाइटी का 'सोलोइस्ट ऑफ द ईयर' पुरस्कार दिया गया।

Q12. Who has Evelyn given inspiration to? What do people say who look to her?
एवलिन ने किसको प्रेरणा दी है? जो लोग उसे देखते हैं वे क्या कहते हैं?
Ans. Evelyn has inspired disabled people. People say that if she can do it, so can they.
एवलिन ने विकलांग लोगों को प्रेरणा दी है। लोग कहते हैं – "अगर वह कर सकती है, तो हम भी कर सकते हैं।"

📝 Long Answer Type Questions (60 words approx.)

Q1. When do we come to know about the girl for the first time? Describe her, and say where and for what she was going?
हमें लड़की के बारे में पहली बार कब पता चलता है? उसका वर्णन कीजिए तथा बताइए कि वह कहां और क्यों जा रही थी?
Ans. We come to know about Evelyn Glennie when she is going to the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is a young, determined, and talented girl who cannot hear but is passionate about music. She was going there to take admission and prove her talent.

Q2. Who spotted her (Evelyn’s) potential? What did he do to help her?
उसकी [एवलिन की] संभाव्यता को किसने पहचाना? उसने उसकी सहायता के लिए क्या किया?
Ans. Ron Forbes, a percussionist, spotted Evelyn’s talent. He advised her to sense music through parts of her body. He helped her understand how to feel vibrations instead of hearing sounds, which changed her life.

Q3. Describe Evelyn’s achievements as a percussionist.
तालवादक के रूप में एवलिन की उपलब्धियों का वर्णन कीजिए।
Ans. Evelyn became a world-famous percussionist. She could play more than 100 instruments. She toured different countries and performed in prestigious concerts. She also won many awards, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award. Despite her disability, she achieved great success through hard work.

Q4. How does Evelyn hear music?
एवलिन संगीत कैसे सुनती है?
Ans. Evelyn hears music through vibrations. She removes her shoes and feels the music through her feet, body, and skin. She uses her sense of touch to experience sounds. This unique method helps her play instruments and connect with music deeply.

Full Text - The Sound of Music by Deborah Cowley

Full Text - The Sound of Music by Deborah Cowley

About the Author – Deborah Cowley

Deborah Cowley is a well-known Canadian author, journalist, and broadcaster who has contributed to numerous magazines, newspapers, and radio programs. She is recognized for her ability to tell inspiring stories of real people who have made a significant impact on society. Her writing often reflects human resilience and achievements in the face of adversity. In The Sound of Music, she captures the extraordinary journey of Evelyn Glennie with sensitivity, detail, and admiration, showcasing how inner strength and determination can break even the toughest barriers.

About the Lesson – The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is a biographical account of Evelyn Glennie, a world-famous percussionist who achieved greatness despite being profoundly deaf. The lesson follows her journey from childhood, when her deafness began to develop, through the challenges she faced in her education and musical training, to her eventual success on the global stage.

The story highlights Evelyn's unshakable determination, innovative learning techniques, and her inspirational achievements. With the help of supportive mentors and her ability to "feel" music through vibrations, Evelyn overcame her disability and redefined how music is experienced.

The lesson teaches students about:

• Perseverance in the face of adversity

• The power of self-belief

• Breaking stereotypes and limitations

• The importance of support and mentorship

It is a tribute to the human spirit and a reminder that physical limitations need not be barriers to success.

THE TEXT

1. RUSH hour crowds jostle for position on the underground train platform. A slight girl, looking younger than her seventeen years, was nervous yet excited as she felt the vibrations of the approaching train. It was her first day at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and daunting enough for any teenager fresh from a Scottish farm. But this aspiring musician faced a bigger challenge than most: she was profoundly deaf.

2. Evelyn Glennie’s loss of hearing had been gradual. Her mother remembers noticing something was wrong when the eight-year-old Evelyn was waiting to play the piano. “They called her name and she didn’t move. I suddenly realised she hadn’t heard,” says Isabel Glennie. For quite a while Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from friends and teachers. But by the time she was eleven her marks had deteriorated and her headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist. It was then discovered that her hearing was severely impaired as a result of gradual nerve damage. They were advised that she should be fitted with hearing aids and sent to a school for the deaf. “Everything suddenly looked black,” says Evelyn.

3. But Evelyn was not going to give up. She was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music. One day she noticed a girl playing a xylophone and decided that she wanted to play it too. Most of the teachers discouraged her but percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential. He began by tuning two large drums to different notes. “Don’t listen through your ears,” he would say, “try to sense it some other way.” Says Evelyn, “Suddenly I realised I could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from the waist down.” Forbes repeated the exercise, and soon Evelyn discovered that she could sense certain notes in different parts of her body. “I had learnt to open my mind and body to sounds and vibrations.” The rest was sheer determination and hard work.

4. She never looked back from that point onwards. She toured the United Kingdom with a youth orchestra and by the time she was sixteen, she had decided to make music her life. She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and scored one of the highest marks in the history of the academy. She gradually moved from orchestral work to solo performances. At the end of her three-year course, she had captured most of the top awards.

5. And for all this, Evelyn won’t accept any hint of heroic achievement. “If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get there.” And she got right to the top, the world’s most sought-after multipercussionist with a mastery of some thousand instruments, and hectic international schedule.

6. It is intriguing to watch Evelyn function so effortlessly without hearing. In our two-hour discussion she never missed a word. “Men with bushy beards give me trouble,” she laughed. “It is not just watching the lips, it’s the whole face, especially the eyes.” She speaks flawlessly with a Scottish lilt. “My speech is clear because I could hear till I was eleven,” she says. But that doesn’t explain how she managed to learn French and master basic Japanese.

7. As for music, she explains, “It pours in through every part of my body. It tingles in the skin, my cheekbones and even in my hair.” When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound passing up the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she can feel the resonances flowing into her body. On a wooden platform she removes her shoes so that the vibrations pass through her bare feet and up her legs.

8. Not surprisingly, Evelyn delights her audiences. In 1991 she was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Soloist of the Year Award. Says master percussionist James Blades, “God may have taken her hearing but he has given her back something extraordinary. What we hear, she feels — far more deeply than any of us. That is why she expresses music so beautifully.”

9. Evelyn confesses that she is something of a workaholic. “I’ve just got to work ... often harder than classical musicians. But the rewards are enormous.” Apart from the regular concerts, Evelyn also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also gives high priority to classes for young musicians. Ann Richlin of the Beethoven Fund for Deaf Children says, “She is a shining inspiration for deaf children. They see that there is nowhere that they cannot go.”

10. Evelyn Glennie has already accomplished more than most people twice her age. She has brought percussion to the front of the orchestra, and demonstrated that it can be very moving. She has given inspiration to those who are handicapped, people who look to her and say, ‘If she can do it, I can’. And, not the least, she has given enormous pleasure to millions.

100 difficult words from the lesson The Sound of Music by Deborah Cowley, along with their meanings in English and Hindi:

Word	Meaning (English)	Meaning (Hindi)
Rush hour	Peak traffic time	अत्यधिक भीड़भाड़ का समय
Jostle	To push or shove roughly	धक्का-मुक्की करना
Prestigious	Highly respected	प्रतिष्ठित
Daunting	Intimidating or difficult	डरावना, कठिन
Profoundly	Deeply or extremely	अत्यंत
Gradual	Occurring slowly	क्रमिक
Conceal	To hide	छिपाना
Deteriorated	Became worse	बिगड़ जाना
Headmistress	Female school principal	प्रधानाध्यापिका
Specialist	Expert	विशेषज्ञ
Impaired	Weakened or damaged	कमजोर, हानि पहुंचाया हुआ
Nerve damage	Harm to the nervous system	तंत्रिका क्षति
Hearing aids	Devices to help hear	श्रवण यंत्र
Black	Hopeless or depressing	निराशाजनक
Determined	Strong-willed	दृढ़संकल्पी
Pursue	To follow or chase	पीछा करना, साधना
Percussionist	One who plays percussion instruments	तालवाद्य वादक
Potential	Ability to develop	संभावनाशीलता
Tuning	Adjusting musical pitch	सुर मिलाना
Sense	To feel or perceive	अनुभव करना
Vibrations	Movements back and forth	कंपन
Exercise	A practice activity	अभ्यास
Sheer	Complete or absolute	पूर्ण
Determination	Firmness of purpose	दृढ़ निश्चय
Auditioned	Tried out for a role	प्रदर्शन देना
Orchestral	Related to an orchestra	ऑर्केस्ट्रा से संबंधित
Solo	Performed alone	एकल
Captured	Won or gained	प्राप्त किया
Flawlessly	Without any mistake	बिना गलती के
Lilt	A rhythmic accent	स्वर की लय
Mastery	Great skill or knowledge	महारत
Effortlessly	Without difficulty	सहजता से
Resonances	Echoes of sound	प्रतिध्वनि
Tingling	Slight stinging or vibrating feeling	झनझनाहट
Cheekbones	Bones below the eyes	गाल की हड्डियाँ
Platform	Flat raised surface	मंच
Bare feet	Feet without footwear	नंगे पाँव
Delights	Pleases greatly	बहुत प्रसन्न करता है
Prestigious	Respected and admired	प्रतिष्ठित
Extraordinary	Remarkable	असाधारण
Expresses	Conveys feelings	अभिव्यक्त करता है
Workaholic	Addicted to work	काम का दीवाना
Classical	Traditional style	शास्त्रीय
Enormous	Very large	विशाल
Priority	High importance	प्राथमिकता
Inspiration	Source of motivation	प्रेरणा
Handicapped	Physically challenged	विकलांग
Accomplished	Achieved successfully	सिद्ध
Percussion	Musical instruments struck by hand/stick	तालवाद्य
Demonstrated	Showed clearly	प्रदर्शित किया
Moving	Emotionally touching	भावनात्मक
Achievement	Something accomplished	उपलब्धि
Concealing	Hiding something	छिपाना
Diagnosed	Identified an illness	निदान किया गया
Scheduled	Planned events	निर्धारित कार्यक्रम
Society	Organized community	समाज
Hospital	Healthcare center	अस्पताल
Encouragement	Giving hope/support	प्रोत्साहन
Discouraged	Opposed or disapproved	हतोत्साहित
Remarkable	Worth noticing	उल्लेखनीय
Interpretation	Explanation or performance	व्याख्या
Stimulus	Something causing reaction	उत्तेजक तत्व
International	Between nations	अंतरराष्ट्रीय
Motivational	Encouraging to act	प्रेरणादायक
Rehabilitation	Recovery process	पुनर्वास
Empathy	Understanding others' feelings	सहानुभूति
Overcome	Defeat or succeed over	पार पाना
Mentorship	Guidance by a mentor	मार्गदर्शन
Technique	Method or skill	तकनीक
Precision	Exactness	सटीकता
Facial expressions	Movements of face showing emotion	चेहरे के भाव
Performance	Musical or artistic display	प्रदर्शन
Recognition	Acknowledgement	मान्यता
Encouraging	Giving hope or support	प्रोत्साहित करना
Emotional	Relating to feelings	भावनात्मक
Contribution	Something given or added	योगदान
Enthusiasm	Eagerness	उत्साह
Admiration	Respect and warm approval	प्रशंसा
Inclusion	Involvement of all	समावेशन
Acceptance	Approval	स्वीकृति
Passion	Intense interest	जुनून
Supportive	Helpful	सहायक
Talent	Natural ability	प्रतिभा
Foundation	Basis or starting point	आधार
Breakthrough	Important discovery or progress	बड़ी सफलता
Barrier	Obstacle	बाधा
Challenge	Difficult task	चुनौती
Triumph	Great victory	विजय
Unique	One of a kind	अद्वितीय
Defy	Resist or challenge	विरोध करना
Inspire	To fill with urge or ability	प्रेरित करना
Vibrant	Full of energy	जीवंत
Dedication	Devotion to a task	समर्पण
Potential	Capacity to develop	क्षमता
Impact	Strong effect	प्रभाव
Immense	Huge	अपार
Sensitivity	Awareness to feelings/sounds	संवेदनशीलता
Perseverance	Steady effort	लगातार प्रयास

Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words each):

Q-1. Where was the slight girl seen? How old was she and why was she ‘nervous yet excited’?
Ans -The slight girl was seen at a music audition hall. She was around eight or nine years old. She was ‘nervous yet excited’ because it was her first big performance, and she wanted to do well but was afraid of making mistakes.

Q-2. What challenges did ‘this aspiring musician’ face? Was her challenge bigger or smaller than most?
Ans -The aspiring musician faced the challenge of a serious health condition that affected her physical abilities. Her challenge was bigger than most because she had to work much harder to achieve her dream of becoming a musician despite her limitations.

Q-3. When was it first noticed that there was something wrong with the girl? Who discovered it?
Ans -It was first noticed during her early childhood that something was wrong with the girl’s health. Her parents and doctors discovered it when she showed signs of physical weakness and imbalance during her daily activities.

Q-4. ‘For quite a while...’ says Isabel. What did she manage to conceal for quite a while?
Ans -Isabel managed to conceal her physical weakness and health condition for quite a while. She did not let others know how much she was struggling and tried to appear normal and capable like other children.

Q-5. What was discovered when Evelyn was eleven?

Ans -It was discovered that Evelyn was deaf when she was eleven years old. Her hearing ability had been gradually declining, and a hearing specialist confirmed that she had lost most of her hearing.

Q-6. When did Evelyn decide 'she wanted to play it'? What did she want to play?
Ans -Evelyn decided she wanted to play the xylophone when she saw a girl playing it. She was determined to learn it despite her hearing loss.

Q-7. What was Ron Forbes’ advice to her?
Ans -Ron Forbes advised Evelyn to sense music through other parts of her body rather than her ears. He helped her feel the vibrations of music through her skin, hands, and legs.

Q-8. What did Evelyn audition for, and what was its result?
Ans -Evelyn auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London. She passed the audition with the highest marks and became the top student.

Q-9. Which two additional languages did she manage to learn?
Ans -Evelyn managed to learn French and Japanese in addition to English.

Q-10. What happens when she removes her shoes on a wooden platform?
Ans -When Evelyn removes her shoes on a wooden platform, she feels the vibrations of music through her feet, which helps her sense rhythm and tune.

Q-11. What award was Evelyn presented in 1991?
Ans -In 1991, Evelyn was presented with the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year Award.

Q-12. Who has Evelyn given inspiration to? What do people say who look to her?
Ans -Evelyn has given inspiration to disabled people and to all who face challenges in life. People say she is an example of determination and hard work.

(C) Long Answer Type Questions (60 words each):

Q-1. When do we come to know about the girl for the first time? Describe her, and say where and for what she was going.
Ans -We come to know about Evelyn Glennie when she is going to the Royal Academy of Music. She is a young, determined girl who is profoundly deaf. She is full of confidence and excitement as she boards the train to London. She is going there to pursue her dream of becoming a professional musician.

Q-2. Who spotted her (Evelyn’s) potential? What did he do to help her?
Ans -Percussionist Ron Forbes spotted Evelyn’s potential. He noticed her talent and encouraged her to sense music through vibrations. He helped her to feel music with her body and trained her to develop this skill. His support and guidance helped Evelyn build her career in music despite her hearing disability.

Q-3. Describe Evelyn’s achievements as a percussionist.
Ans -Evelyn is a world-famous percussionist who has performed in many countries. She is the first deaf musician to be accepted by the Royal Academy of Music. She plays over a thousand instruments and is known for her extraordinary performances. Evelyn has received several awards and has inspired many with her dedication and talent.

Q-4. How does Evelyn hear music?
Ans -Evelyn hears music through vibrations. She removes her shoes and feels the sound through her feet, skin, and other parts of her body. She has trained herself to sense music’s rhythm and pitch by feeling its vibrations, which allows her to perform with great accuracy and expression.