Supplementary Exercises Grade 9

Unit – 1
The Wheel
1. Read the passage:
Man has used wheels, in various forms, for about 5,000 years. Probably the first step towards
the wheels was the use of rollers placed under the thing to be moved. If you place a fairy
heavy box on a table, you will find difficulty in pushing it along. But if you put a number of
pencils or other round rods between the box and the table, the box can be moved easily.
Large rollers such as tree-trunks were needed to help to move the heavy block of stone which
were sometimes used in building. If you try this with a box and some pencils, you will find
that as soon as the box has moved forward a little, you have to take pencils from behind, and
put them in front.

Write the correct word or words to complete each sentence.

1. Using rollers was the first step towards the ------------------------.
2. We find ---------------- in pushing a fairly heavy box on the table.
3. Tree-trunks could be used as ------------------.
4. The heavy blocks of stone were sometimes used in ---------------.
5. Pencils can be used to move a little box ---------------.

Answer each question in one complete sentence.

6. What has man used in various forms?
7. How long have wheel been used?
8. What was the first step towards the wheel?
9. What can be used to move a fairly heavy box on the table?
10. What can be used as large rollers?

2. Read the passage:

After rollers came the invention of the wheel and axle – the wheel turning round fixed axle,
which could itself be fastened to a cart such as you have often seen. If the road is rough and
stony, wheels pass over stones more easily than rollers can especially if the wheels are large.
Wheels are used today for many purposes besides carrying things. On some buildings and in
many public places, you will find a flag-staff. At the top of the flag-staff, there is a small
wheel and over it passes a loop of a rope, one end of which is down near the ground. When
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
we want to fly the flag, it is tied to the loop, the rope is pulled and the flag goes up. The end
of the loop is tied to the lower end of the flag-staff.
Write the correct word or words to complete each sentence.
1. After rollers, the wheels and the axle were -------------.
2. A cart has fixed axle and two -------------.
3. Although the road is rough and stony, large wheel can pass over the stone ------------.
4. A flag – staff can be found in many ---------------.
5. At the top of the flag-staff, there is a ---------------.

Answer each question in one complete sentence.

6. Which can pass over the rough and stony road more easily, large wheels or rollers?
7. What were wheels used for, besides carrying things?
8. What can be found on some buildings and in many public places?
9. What passes over a small wheel at the top of the flag-staff?
10. To which is the end of the loop tied?

3. Read the passage:

A wheel of this kind, over which a rope passes, has a groove so that the rope cannot slip off.
Such a wheel is called a pulley – wheel or a pulley.
Its purpose is simply to change the direction of the pull. To raise a flag to the top of a flag –
staff, it is more convenient to be able to pull the rope down, than it would be to climb the
staff and pull the flag up. The pulley does not make the effort any less, and in this case there
is no need to do so because the flag is not heavy. But the pulley is convenient. When the
high building is being put up, the builders often use a pulley to lift their materials to the
place where they are wanted. This is clearly better than carrying them up a ladder. Not only
does it save time but also save work because the man on the ground had to lift only the
weight of the bricks and not his own weight as well.
Write the correct word or words to complete each sentence.
1. A pulley wheel has a ------------- round it.
2. The rope can -------------- if a wheel does not have a groove.
3. The --------------- does not reduce the effort needed.
4. A pulley is often used by some builders to lift their -------------.
5. Builders use a pulley to put up a ----------------.
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9

Answer each question in one complete sentence.

6. Why does the pulley have a groove?
7. What does the purpose of a pulley?
8. Does the pulley make the effort any less?
9. Why do the builders use a pulley?
10. Why does using a pulley save both time and work?

II. Cloze Type

to besides flag to and

loop the many At is
is is flag top to
a a the than purpose

Wheels are used today for many purposes --- (1) --- carrying things. On some
buildings and in --- (2) --- public places, you will find a flag-staff. --- (3) --- the top of the
flag-staff, there is --- (4) --- small wheel and over it passes a --- (5) --- of a rope, one end of
which --- (6) --- down near the ground. When we want --- (7) --- fly the flag, it is tied to ---
(8) --- loop, the rope is pulled and the --- (9) --- goes up. The end of the loop --- (10) --- tied
to the lower end of the --- (11) ---. A wheel of this kind, over which --- (12) --- rope passes,
has a groove so that --- (13) --- rope cannot slip off. Such a wheel --- (14) --- called a pulley –
wheel or a pulley.

Its --- (15) --- is simply to change the direction of --- (16) --- pull. To raise a flag to
the --- (17) --- of a flag- staff, it is more convenient --- (18) --- be able to pull the rope down,
--- (19) --- it would be to climb the staff --- (20) --- pull the flag up.

Cloze Type

is for of machine Wheels

that fixed a rope When
in any the if Gear-wheels
turn the one each bicycle
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
If you can get a broken clock it ---1--- not difficult to open it and learn ---2--- yourself
how it works. Another good example ---3--- gear-wheel is found in a hand driven sewing ---
4---. Wheels with teeth can also be used ---5--- another way. Instead of fixing them so ---6---
their teeth fit together, they may be ---7--- at some distance apart, and joined by ---8--- chain.
Pulley can be joined by a ---9--- or belt, but the rope may slip. ---10--- a chain is used,
slipping is impossible. ---11--- of this kind can be seen on ---12--- bicycle. The larger one is
usually called ---13--- chain wheel and the smaller one the sprocket wheel. --- 14 --- fitting
together turn in opposite directions, but --- 15 --- they are joined by a chain, they --- 16 --- in
the same direction. In both cases, --- 17 --- smaller one turns faster than the larger --- 18 ---
according to the number of teeth on --- 19 ---. This can easily be checked on a ---20---.

Answer the questions. Give complete answers.

1. How long have wheels been used?

Wheels have been used for about 5,000 years.
2. How did men move heavy objects before wheels were invented?
Men placed rollers under heavy objects to move them before wheels were invented.
3. What is an axle?
An axle is a piece of wood or metal with a wheel fixed at each end.
4. Where can we find the flag-staff?
We can find a flag-staff on some buildings and in many public places.
5. Where is the flag tied to when we want to fly it?
The flag is tied to the loop of a rope when we want to fly it.
6. Why is the pulley used?
The pulley is used because it saves not only time but also work..
7. Why do builders often use a pulley?
Builders often use a pulley because lifting up their materials by using it is better than
carrying them up a ladder.
8. What are the wheels on a bicycle called?
The wheels on a bicycle are called the chain wheel and the sprocket wheel.
9. In which directions do gear-wheels fitted together turn?
Gear-wheels fitted together turn in opposite directions.
10. What is the advantage of gear-wheel is joined by a chain?
The advantage of gear-wheel is joined by a chain is that slipping is impossible.
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
Read the passage:

A very useful kind of wheel is one with teeth, usually called a gear-wheel. Wheels
like this can be used to make one part of a machine turn faster or slower than another. The
two wheels must have teeth of the same size, so that they fit together correctly. The smaller
wheel has 20 teeth and the larger one has 60. If the teeth fit together, and the smaller wheel
turns once, the larger one will turn one-third of the way round. To make the larger wheel
turns one, the smaller one must make three complete turns in the opposite direction. One of
the commonest places where gear-wheels may be found is an ordinary watch or clock. If you
can get a broken clock it is not difficult to open it and learn for yourself how it works.
Another good example of gear-wheel is found in a hand driven sewing machine.

1. What kind of wheel is called gear-wheel?

2. Why must the two gear-wheels have teeth of the same size?
3. How many turn must the smaller wheel make if the larger one turns once?
4. Where can you see gear-wheel?
5. What can be found in a hand-driven sewing machine?

Read the passage:

Wheels with teeth can also be used in another way. Instead of fixing them so that their teeth
fit together, they may be fixed at some distance apart, and joined by a chain. Pulley can be
joined by a rope or belt, but the rope may slip. When a chain is used, slipping is impossible.
Wheels of this kind can be seen on any bicycle. The larger one is usually called the chain
wheel and the smaller one the sprocket wheel. Gear-wheels fitting together turn in opposite
directions, but if they are joined by a chain, they turn in the same direction. In both cases, the
smaller one turns faster than the larger one according to the number of teeth on each. This can
easily be checked on a bicycle.

1. How may gear-wheels be fixed at some distance apart?

2. What may happen to the rope if pulleys are joined by a rope or belt?
3. To prevent slipping, what can be used for fixing two gear-wheels?
4. In which direction do the two gear-wheels joined by a chain turn?
5. Which wheel turns slower, the smaller one or the larger one?
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
Punctuate the following:

1. man has used wheels in various forms for about 5000 years
2. larger rollers such as tree-trunks were needed to help to move the heavy blocks of
stone
3. at the top of the flag-staff there is a small wheel
4. a very useful kind of wheel is one with teeth usually called a gear wheel
5. the larger one is usually called the china wheel and the smaller one the sprocket wheel
6. a wheel of this kind over which a rope passes has a groove
7. in fig 2 the smaller wheel has 20 teeth and the larger one has 60
8. on some building and in many public places, you will find a flagstaff
9. another good example of gear wheel is found in a hand driven sewing machine

Writing
Using the prompts given, write a short paragraph on “Gear-wheels”
- bicycle – one in front-one at the back-two wheels
- one large – one small
- larger one – called – chain wheels; smaller one sprocket wheel
- if chain not used – slip
- two wheels on gear- wheel; smaller one – sprocket wheel
- if chain not used-slip
- two wheels on gear – wheels not joined by chain – opposite direction
- if joined by chain – move same direction
- smaller one – faster than larger one – number of teeth on each
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
Unit – 2
The brave boy
Read the passage:
I went towards the east coast of island, keeping out of sight of the anchorage to find
the white rock where Ben Gunn kept his boat. It took me sometimes to get there often
crawling among the bushes to hide and it was evening by the time I found the boat hidden in
a little tent of the goatskins.
Ben Gunn’s home-made boat was only a framework of tough wood, covered by goat
skins that were stretched across it, and it was quite small but it looked serviceable. I had not
then seen a coracle, such as the ancient Britons made, but I have seen one since, and that is
what it was like. There was a small double-ended paddle.

Write the correct word or words to complete each sentence.

1. The boy took some time to get to the -----------------.
2. The boy hid himself by -------------- among the bushes.
3. When he found the boat, it was ------------.
4. Ben Gunn home-made boat was covered by --------------.
5. The boat looked ---------------.
Answer each question in one complete sentence.
6. Why did the boy go to the east coast of the island?
7. How did the boy get the white rock?
8. What was Ben Gunn’s boat made of?
9. What was stretched across the boat?
10. What was there in Ben Gunn’s boat?

Read the passage:

I sat down near the boat and ate some food while I waited for the darkness. I had a
plan to slip out quietly to the Hispaniola, set her free from her anchor, and let her go ashore
where she fancied. I thought the mutineers might decide to sail away inland on the ground,
and the faint glow of the cabin lights on the ship; everything else was dark, and there was no
moon.

Write the correct word or words to complete each sentence.

 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
1. The boy had ------------ waiting for the dark.
2. He was ----------- to stop the mutineers from sailing away in the Hispaniola.
3. The boy carried ------------- over his shoulders.
4. The cabin lights on the ship were ---------------.
5. Since it was a ----------- night, the night was dark.
Answer each question in one complete sentence.
6. Where did the boy eat some food while waiting for the darkness?
7. Who had been beaten in the fight?
8. Where did the boy go down when it became darker?
9. What did the boy see on the low ground?
10. How did the boy carry Ben Gunn’s boat to the shore?

Read the passage:

The little coracle was very safe for a person in my size, and I got along well as I paddled first
one side and then the other with the little oar. By good fortune, the tide took me towards the
Hispaniola, and I began to see her shape grow clearer as I came near. At last, I was near
enough to see her anchor line, and I held on to it. It was very thick strong rope. I made up my
mind quickly, took out my knife and cut one after another of the stand of rope, till only two
were left. Then I stayed quiet, waiting for the breeze. I felt the rope go loose as the wind blew
the ship towards me. With the strong effort I cut the last stand of the rope. The Hispaniola was
free.
Write the correct word or words to complete each sentence.
1. The boy got along well by padding the little -----------.
2. There was a little ----------- with which he padded.
3. The tide took the boy towards the ------------.
4. The ------------- was a very thick strong rope.
5. The boy cut the strands of the rope with his ----------------.
Answer each question in one complete sentence.
6. Was the little coracle safe enough for the boy?
7. What did the boy see as he came nearer to the Hispaniola?
8. What did the boy take out to cut the strands of the rope?
9. How did the boy stay while he was waiting for the breeze?
10. What happened to the Hispaniola after the boy cut the last strands of the rope?
Cloze Type
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
safe I one me little
see near see rope to
out of two rope for
me last free found was

The little coracle was very ---1--- for a person in my size, and ---2--- got along well as
I paddled first ---3--- side and then the other with the ---4--- oar. By good fortune, the tide
took ---5--- towards the Hispaniola, and I began to ---6--- her shape grow clearer as I came ---
7---. At last, I was near enough to ---8--- her anchor line, and I held on ---9--- it. It was very
thick strong ---10---.
I made up my mind quickly, took ---11--- my knife and cut one after another ---12---
the stand of rope, till only ---13--- were left. Then I stayed quiet, waiting ---14--- the breeze. I
felt the ---15--- go loose as the wind blew the ship towards ---16---. With the strong effort I
cut the ---17--- stand of the rope. The Hispaniola was ---18---.
The ship began to turn as she ---19--- taken along by the current. Suddenly I ---20--- that
another rope was hanging over the side near me.

Cloze Type

pulled the was men why

look and smoke faces a
found side beginning hand and
down in together moving nothing

The ship began to turn as she ---1--- taken along by the current. Suddenly I ---2--- that
another rope was hanging over the ---3--- near me. I decided to have one ---4--- through the
cabin window above me. I ---5--- myself up carefully by the rope keeping ---6--- foot in the
coracle. The ship was ---7--- to take me along as she moved, ---8--- I wondered why no
watchman had given ---9--- alarm. But one glance into the cabin showed me ---10--- and I
dare not hold myself up ---11--- the coracle any longer. I saw Israel Hands ---12--- a sailor
with a red cap, locked ---13--- in a deadly fight, each with a ---14--- on the other’s throat. I
dropped carefully ---15--- into the coracle again. I could see ---16--- for a moment but those
two furious ---17---, bent in that deadly struggle under the ---18--- lamp.
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
On shore I could hear the ---19--- at the campfire singing. The water was ---20--- faster
around me, and the Hispaniola had gained speed in the current.

Give complete answer to the questions:

1. Why was the boy searching for the white rock?
The boy was searching for the white rock because Ben Gunn’s boat was kept there.
2. Why did he take long to get there?
He took long to get there because he had to crawl among the bushes to hide.
3. What was the boy going to do to the Hispaniola?
The boy was going to set the Hispaniola free from her anchor.
4. Why did the boy want to do this?
The boy wanted to do this because he was determined to stop the mutineers.
5. How did the boy carry Ben Gunn’s boat to the shore?
The boy carried Ben Gunn’s boat to the shore over his shoulders.
6. How did the boy get to the Hispaniola?
The boy got to the Hispaniola by padding there in Ben Gunn’s boat.
7. What did the boy decided to do when he found the rope hanging over the side near
him?
The boy decided to have a look through the cabin window when he found a rope
hanging over the side near him.
8. Why didn’t anymore give the alarm when the ship began to drift?
No one give alarm when the ship began to drift because the only two sailors on the
ship were locked in a deadly fight. (or)
because Israel Hands and a sailor with a red cap were locked together in a deadly
fight.
9. What did the boy do after he saw the two men fighting?
After he saw the two men fighting, the boy dropped carefully down into the coracle.
10. Why do you think he fell asleep in spite of his fears?
He fell asleep in spite of his fears because he was tried.

Read the passage:

The ship began to turn as she was taken along by the current. Suddenly I found that
another rope was hanging over the side near me. I decided to have one look through the cabin
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
window above me. I pulled myself up carefully by the rope keeping a foot in the coracle. The
ship was beginning to take me along as she moved, and I wondered why no watchman had
given the alarm. But one glance into the cabin showed me why and I dare not hold myself up
in the coracle any longer. I saw Israel Hands and a sailor with a red cap, locked together in a
deadly fight, each with a hand on the other’s throat. I dropped carefully down into the coracle
again. I could see nothing for a moment but those two furious faces, bent in that deadly
struggle under the smoky lamp.
1. What did the Hispaniola begin to turn?
2. What did the boy decide to do?
3. What did he see through the cabin window?
4. Why did no watchman give alarm when the ship began to drift?
5. How did the boy drop down into his coracle?

Read the passage:

On shore I could hear the men at the campfire singing. The water was moving faster
around me, and the Hispaniola had gained speed in the current. There was a shout on board as
the two quarrelling men discovered that the ship was free from her anchor. She increased
speed and drew away from me as the wind and the current carried her onwards. Soon she had
left me behind.
I lay down flat in the bottom of the coracle knowing that I must spend the night there I
was thrown to and fro upon the waves, so cold and afraid by then, that I could only put my
trust in my Maker, fearing that I might not see the morning down.
And so I must have stayed for hours, until gradually sleep came to me in spite of my
fear. In my sea-tossed coracle I lay and dreamed of home.

1. What were the men at the campfire doing?

2. Why did the two quarrelling man notice?
3. Why did the Hispaniola increase speed and draw away from the boy?
4. Where did the boy spend the night?
5. Where did he lie and dream of home?

Punctuate the following.

1. ben guns home made boat was only a frame work of tough wood
2. there was a small double ended paddle
3. i could see the mutineers camp fire
4. i saw Israel hands and a sailor with a red cap were locked together
5. i could only put my trust in my maker
 Supplementary Exercises Grade 9
6. in my sea tossed coracle i lay and dreamed of home
7. i put bengunn boat over my shoulders
8. on shore i could hear the men at the campfire singing
9. the Hispaniola had gained speed in the current
10. then i stayed quiet waiting for the breeze

Writing

Using the prompts given, write a short paragraph on “How a brave boy set the Hispaniola
free”

- went – shore – putting Ben Gunn’s boat – shoulder – when – darker

- could see only faint glow – cabin lights – mutineers’ campfire
- padded – Ben Gunn – coracle – big enough
- tide – helped him – get – Hispaniola
- when – reached – another line – ship – held – it
- found – anchor line – thick – strong
-