CBSE

Class IX English Language and Literature

Sample Paper – 1
SA I

Maximum Marks: 70 Time: 3 hours

The question paper is divided into the following sections:

Section A: Reading 20 marks
Section B: Writing & Grammar 25 marks
Section C: Literature 25 marks

SECTION A
(READING – 20 MARKS)

Q1. Read the following passage carefully: [8]

Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It is an unusually

attractive little town. It covers just about 5.2 sq. kms. It lies to the north of Almora in
Uttarakhand’s picturesque Kumaon region.

Kausani provides a 300-km-wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas. It is the most

striking aspect of this place. Snow-capped peaks are spread in a stately row. They stare at
you in silvery white majesty. The most famous peak on view is Nanda Devi, the second
highest mountain in India. It is situated at a height of 25,645 feet and 36 miles away as the
crow files. The other famous peaks on view are Choukhamba (23,420 feet) and Trishul
(23,360 feet). Then there are also Nilkhamba, Nandaghunti, Nandaghat and Nandakot. On a
clear day, the blue of the sky makes a splendid background to these peaks. At sunrise and at
sunset, when the colour changes to a golden orange, the scene gets etched in your memory.

When Gandhiji visited this place in 1929, its scenic beauty held him spellbound. He
named it the ‘Switzerland of India’. He prolonged his two-day stay to fourteen days, making
time to write a book, ‘Anashakti Yoga’. The place where he was staying was originally a
guest-house of the tea estate. It was renamed ‘Anashakti Ashram’ after the book.

Kausani is the birthplace of Sumitranandan Pant, India’s poet laureate. Its natural
surrounding inspired many of his poems. Its tea gardens mingle with dense pine forests
and fruit orchards. The area is also host to many fairs and religious ceremonies. If
Uttaranchal is the abode of gods, Kausani is God’s own backyard. There is no traffic, no one
is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on a canvas, the picture would resemble Kausani.

I. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions:
 (a) Where is Kausani situated?
(b) What is the most striking aspect of Kausani?
(c) Which is the most famous peak on view from Kausani?
(d) How did Kausani influence Sumitranandan Pant?
(e) When does the view of peaks become so memorable?
(f) How can we say that Gandhiji was greatly charmed by the natural beauty of Kausani?
(g) What makes Kausani a calm and quiet place?
(h) Why do you think is Kausani known as ‘God’s own backyard’?

Q2. Read the following passage carefully:

Neem is very commonly seen in India. Scientifically known as Azadirachta indica, it belongs
to the mahogany family Meliaceae. The tree can reach a height of 49–66 ft and is a fast-
growing tree. The entire tree, i.e. the bark, leaves and flowers, has a lot of medicinal value
as it helps in curing various diseases. The leaves and the bark of this tree are very effective
in controlling infections, deworming and in disinfecting and healing wounds. The fresh
leaves can be used by extracting the juice or a paste of the leaves can be taken along with a
small piece of jaggery. In case of wounds, a few leaves can be boiled in water and then this
water, when at tolerable temperature, can be used to wash the wounds. Two drops of neem
oil can be used for applying on the wound. Neem also helps in relieving itch in case of
allergic rashes. Neem water can be used in case of allergic reactions. The paste of neem
seeds can be applied on the scalp and washed off after 10 minutes of application. It also
helps in eliminating dandruff, boils on the scalp and prevents hair loss. Neem is very useful
in jaundice. The juice can be given along with honey. Neem is very useful in case of fever.
Fresh leaves can be taken with tulsi leaves or with honey. Neem water can be used to soak
the feet in case of cracks on dry feet. Neem leaf powder is used for preserving grains and
pulses. Neem is of special importance on New Year's Day as a symbol of good health and
longevity.

Answer the following questions: [12]

1. What is the medicinal value of neem?
2. What is the paste of neem seeds used for?
3. How does neem help grains and pulses?
4. Neem belongs to the ____________________ family is also known as ________________.
 5. What is neem a symbol of?
6. Which word in the passage is the adjectival form of 'tolerate’?

SECTION B
(WRITING & GRAMMAR – 25 MARKS)

Q3. Your maid’s son secured a high percentage in the recent board exams. He
thanked you for helping him with studies and sharing your notes. Write a diary entry
about how you felt when you realised that someone had benefited because of the
help you offered. [5]

Q4. Write a short story in about 150–200 words beginning with the following: [10]

The glass door came crashing down on Mijbil as it stood helplessly chained outside the
hotel…

Q5. Complete the passage by filling in the blanks. [3]

The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was published (a) ________ 1852. The novel is said to (b)
________ fuelled by the abolitionist movement, (c) ________ to have contributed materially to
the tensions that finally led to the American Civil War. The novel (d) ________ the reality of
slavery (e) ________ also asserting that Christian love can overcome something as destructive
(f) ________ enslavement of fellow human beings.

Q6. The following passage has not been edited. There is ONE error in each of the first
nine lines. Write the incorrect word and the correction as given in the example
against the correct blank number in your answer sheets. Also underline the correct
word you have supplied. [4]

Incorrect Correct

a. One reason off the loss of faith in the government’s _______ _______
b. words and deeds are the dwelling image of the entire _______ _______
c. political class. A most obvious example of the latter’s _______ _______
d. cynicism and culpability is the increase number of _______ _______
e. MPs with a criminal background which have been _______ _______
f. entering parliament. Any the suggestions made by the _______ _______
g. election but law commissions to debar at least those _______ _______
h. candidates whose face prima facie charges. _______ _______
Q7. Rearrange the following words and phrases to make meaningful sentences. The
first one has been done as an example. [3]

E.g. feared by / snakes are / in our / worshipped / and / many / country

Ans. Snakes are worshipped and feared by many in our country.

1. stay healthy /special importance / for those / walking has / who want to
2. other muscles / legs and / strengthens / it / and tones / he lungs
3. the heart / of heart / diseases / more efficient / the risk / it / by making / decreases

SECTION C
(LITERATURE – 25 MARKS)
Q8. Read the given extract and answer the following questions by choosing the most
appropriate option. [3]
So hack and chop
But this alone won’t do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.

The phrase ‘former size’ refers to

i. the big size of the tree
ii. the sapling that was planted
iii. the plant that is growing in the garden
iv. none of the above

2. The figure of speech in the line ‘The bleeding bark will heal’ is
i) antithesis ii) anticlimax iii) alliteration iv) repetition
3. A word from the lines that means ‘branches’ is
i. bark
ii. boughs
iii. twigs
iv. none of the above

Q9. Answer any FOUR of the following questions in about 30–40 words each. [8]
1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
2. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
3. What reason did Lushkoff give to Sergei for telling lies?
4. How did Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
5. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?

Q10. Do you think men who are hard on their kids are bad fathers? Substantiate
your answer with reference to the story The Little Girl. [4]

Q11. Is Three Men in a Boat autobiographical? What elements of Jerome’s life might
have influenced the text?
OR [10]
In the land of Houyhnhnms, Gulliver was recognised by a horse and considered a
guest. Discuss the character of the horse in the light of above statement.

____________________________________________________________
 CBSE
Class IX English Language and Literature
Sample Paper – 1 Solution
SA I

SECTION A
READING

Q1.

(a) Kausani is situated in the Central Himalayas at a height of 6,075 feet.

(b) The 300-km-wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas provided by Kausani is its
most striking aspect.
(c) The most famous peak on view from Kausani is Nanda Devi.
(d) The natural surroundings of Kausani inspired Sumitranandan Pant to write poems.
(e) The view of the peaks becomes memorable when the colour changes to a golden
orange.
(f) We are told that the beauty of the place left Gandhiji spellbound and it inspired him
to name it the ‘Switzerland of India’. He also extended his stay from two days to
fourteen days. Therefore, we can conclude that Gandhiji was greatly charmed by the
natural beauty of Kausani.
(g) There is no traffic in Kausani and the people too are not in a hurry to go anywhere;
these two factors make it a calm and quiet place.
(h) Kausani is known for its majestic beauty and serenity. The cool climate and the
natural beauty of the surrounding give the place a divine feel; therefore, it is known
as ‘God’s own backyard’.

Q2.
1. The bark and leaves of the neem tree can be used in controlling infections, sterilising
or deworming and in disinfecting and healing wounds. Neem extracts can also be
used to eliminate itching allergic rashes.
2. The paste of neem seeds is useful in removing dandruff boils and in the prevention
of hair loss.
3. Neem leaves are great preservatives. They can be used to preserve grains and
pulses.
4. Neem belongs to the Meliaceae family is also known as Azadirachta indica.
5. The neem is given special importance on New Year's Day and regarded as a symbol
of good health and longevity.
 6. The word 'tolerable' used in the passage is the adjectival form of 'tolerate’.

SECTION B
(WRITING & GRAMMAR – 25 MARKS)

Q3.

4 August

Dear Diary,

When Akshay came home with sweets today, I was delighted to know that he scored 90%
in the board exams. Six months ago, when his mother, our maid Lata brought him to us he
was not ready to study at all. He said his house was in a slum area and it was impossible to
study there even for some time. When I offered my help, he not only agreed to come home
and study but also was enthusiastic about my engineering subjects. After the exams, he
returned the stationery that he had borrowed from me and the notes that I had lent him. I
am very happy to have helped a deserving person. I hope that Akshay succeeds in life.

Q4.

The Glass Door

The glass door came crashing down on Mijbil as it stood helplessly chained outside the
hotel.

Every morning, Rahim, the security guard of the night shift, would take Mijbil home with
him. Rahim found Mijbil a month ago in a lonely alley, scared and bitten by bigger dogs. He
was a month old pup and too frail and weak when Rahim found him.

Rahim worked as a security guard at night for a five-star hotel in the city and would leave
Mijbil with the watchman of the bar and restaurant on the opposite street. Mijbil would
obediently stay chained beside the watchman, waiting for his master to take him home in
the morning.

One night, there was a police raid in the bar and the police caught some smugglers who
were planning to smuggle drugs into the city. As the police dragged the smugglers out of
the bar one by one, a smuggler tried to resist the police. He pushed the officer aside and
tried to escape only to dash against the glass entrance of the bar and be caught again by the
police. The owner of the restaurant inspected the damage caused to the door and was
heard saying that he would repair it soon.

Weeks passed but there was no sign of any repair. The door used to creak and shake with
every opening and closing. Mijbil would always lie beside the door on the warm rug at the
entrance. That morning when the waiter opened the door to throw away the garbage bag,
there was a loud shattering noise. Next, people saw the door come crashing down on the
watchman and Mijbil. The poor pup whined helplessly as it was chained. But what the
watchman did was exceptional. He fell on Mijbil covering him, while the glass shattered on
his back.

It took awhile for Rahim to come to the scene. He thought that Mijbil must have died in the
accident. So did the onlookers. But as people started clearing the shattered glass, they
couldn’t see the pup anywhere. They helped the watchman clean himself and made way for
him to come to a safe spot. When he turned towards the onlookers, it was an overwhelming
sight. Mijbil was tucked inside his coat safely. There was not even a scratch on him.

The watchman let Mijbil rush to his master, while the owner of the restaurant called for an
ambulance and took him to the hospital.

It has been a month since the accident. Mijbil lies beside the watchman, who still has scars
on his face. But the passersby often stop for some time and lend their ears to the wonderful
story of how Mijbil was saved by the watchman.

Q5.

a. in
b. have
c. and
d. depicts
e. while
f. as

Q6.

a) off - for
b) is - are
c) a - the
d) increase - increasing
e) which - who
f) any - all
g) but - and
h) whose - who

Q7.
1. Walking has special importance for those who want to stay healthy.
2. It strengthens and tones the lungs, legs and other muscles.
3. It decreases the risk of heart disease by making the heart more efficient.
 SECTION D (LITERATURE – 25 MARKS)
Q8.

1. i. the big size of the tree

2. iii alliteration
3. iii boughs

Q9.
1. Kezia was afraid of her father because she found him to be a very dominating and
authoritative person who commanded everyone including her mother around the
house. She always looked at him as someone who scolded her and told her to do
things properly and in a certain manner.

2. The pungi produced such a shrill unpleasant sound that the word itself became
synonymous with any reeded noisemaker. Owing to this, Aurangzeb banned the
playing of the pungi at his royal residence.

3. The reason he gives to Sergei for his telling lies was that he formerly sang in a
Russian choir but was sent away for drunkenness. However, he could not get along
without lying as no one would give him anything if he told the truth.

4. Toto came to grandfather’s private zoo when he bought him from a tonga-driver for
a sum of five rupees. The tonga-driver used to keep the little red monkey tied to a
feeding-trough, and the monkey looked so out of place there that Grandfather
decided he would add the little fellow to his private zoo.

5. The disciple decided to stay in the Kingdom of Fools because he was delighted that
everything cost a single duddu and everything was very cheap. All that he wanted
was good and very cheap food. According to the Guru, staying there was not a good
idea as they were all fools and so he felt this situation would not last long and was
not sure about what they would do in the future.
Q10.
In the story The Little Girl, Kezia’s father has been portrayed as a figure who is feared and
avoided. The girl doesn’t like to talk much to him as she finds him intimidating. However, at
the end of the story, when the father takes Kezia into his arms and puts her to sleep as she
is scared to sleep alone, we realise that men may be harsh and rude on the outside but will
always be soft on the inside and protective as caring fathers.

Q11.
The three men in the novel are based on the author Jerome K. Jerome himself and two of
his real-life friends. In his autobiography, Jerome mentioned that his honeymoon with his
first wife is what inspired him to write the novel. They rowed the same route that the
author (J) and his friends follow in the novel. Some aspects of J’s life also influence the
novel. Jerome belonged to the lower middle class and was working hard to make a living in
the arts. He also had an exclusive outlook of social class and pretension. Both his insights
into pretension and the party flashbacks might have been enthused by Jerome's own
experiences with bourgeois pseudo-intellectuals.

The Master Horse is the first Houyhnhnm who discovers Gulliver. He was the one who
saves him from the wrath of the Yahoos (humanoid creatures with beards). At first, he was
suspicious of Gulliver since he resembled a Yahoo. But Gulliver’s ability to communicate
with him puts his doubts at ease. Gulliver is very impressed by the master and considers
the Houyhnhnms to be superior creatures. The master is hospitable towards Gulliver and
offers him milk to drink. Gulliver is awestruck by the master’s domestic cleanliness,
sincerity and practicality. He contrasts the crudeness and the slovenliness of the Yahoos
with the sophisticated master horse. It is through him that Gulliver understands the
difference between humans and beasts. The claim that humans are the most rational beings
seems invalid to Gulliver after meeting him.
____________________________________________________________