Author name: Prasanna

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English

The Snake and the Mirror NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5

The Snake and the Mirror NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Snake and the Mirror Thinking About the Text

I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 – 40 words).

Question 1.
“The sound was familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?
Answer:
The doctor lived in a room which was full of rats. He heard the sounds of the rats. There was a regular traffic of rats to and fro the beam. He heard the sound thrice. The sound stopped suddenly as rats had seen a snake.

Question 2.
What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
Answer:
The doctor took two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions while he was looking into the ‘ mirror First, he decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache. Second, always to keep an attractive smile on his face.

Question 3.
“I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when:
(i) he first smiles, and
(ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
Answer:
(i) When the doctor first smiles, he has an inflated opinion of himself, admiring his looks and profession.
(ii) In the second instance, the doctor smiles at his foolishness and helplessness.
His thoughts change after his encounter with the snake—from being a proud doctor he moves on to accept his stupidity.

II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)

1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

2. (i) The person he wants to marry
(ii) The person he actually marries

3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.
Answer:
1. (i) The doctor is a poor person. He has hardly any money, he lives in an unelectrified house.It is small rented room with plenty of rats living in it. He has just started his medical practice. So he is not a man of possessions or money.

(ii) The doctor wants to be rich. He would also like to have good appearance. That’s why he decides to grow a thin moustache.

2. (i) The doctor wants to marry a woman doctor with good medical practice and a lot of money. She would be fat as not to run after him and catch him.

(ii) He marries a thin reedy woman who has a gift of sprinter.

3. (i) His thoughts are full of joy and satisfaction. He decides to grow thin moustache and keep smiling always. He finds his smile attractive
(ii) He turns to stone. He sets like stone image in the flesh. However, his mind is very active. He feels the great presence of creator. He decides to write the words ‘O God’ outside his little heart

The Snake and the Mirror Thinking about Language

Question 1.
Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author:
(a) was afraid of the snake
(b) was proud of his appearance
(c) had a sense of humour
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
Answer:
(a) was afraid of the snake
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.

(b) was proud of his appearance
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.

(c) had a sense of humour
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.

(d) was no longer afraid of the snake
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.

II. Expressions used to show fear
Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences.
1. I was turned ……………
2. I sat there holding ……………
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ……………
Answer:
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I sat there holding my breath.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.

III. In the sentences given below some words and expressions are italicised. They are variously mean that one

• is very frightened.
• is too scared to move.
• is frightened by something that happens suddenly.
• makes another feel frightened.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits, (very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.
5. Wait until I tell his story – it will make your hair stand on end.
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.
Answer:
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits, (very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge, (frightened by something that happens suddenly)
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him. (pry frightened)
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that, (frightened by something that happens suddenly)
5. Wait until I tell his story – it will make your hair stand on end. (makes another feel frightened
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors, (too scared to move)
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle, (too scared to move)

IV. Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.

1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”
2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”
3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”
4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”
5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”
6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”
7. Sheila asked the children “Are you ready to do the work?
Answer:
1. Meena asked her friend if she thought her teacher would come that day.
2. David asked his colleague where he would go that summer.
3. He asked the little boy why he was studying English.
4. She asked me when we were going to leave.
5. Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.
6. Seema asked her how long she had lived there.
7. Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English

My Childhood NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6

My Childhood NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

My Childhood Thinking About the Text

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.

Question 1.
Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?
Answer:
Abdul Kalam’s house was on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram.

Question 2.
What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer:
Dinamani is the name of a local newspaper. It is so because Kalam traced the stories of the war in the headlines in Dinamani.

Question 3.
Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?
Answer:
Ramanadha Shastry, Aravindan and Shivaprakasan were Abdul Kalam’s school friends. Ramanadha Shastry became the high priest of the Rameshwaram temple, Aravindan a transport businessman and Shivprakasan was the catering contractor for the southern railways.

Question 4.
How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?
Answer:
During the Second World War, the newspapers were bundled and thrown out of a moving train. Abdul Kalam earned his first wages by helping his cousin, who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram, to catch these bundles.

Question 5.
Had he earned any money before that? In what way?
Answer:
Yes, Abdul Kalam had earned some money before he started helping his cousin. When the Second World War broke out, there was a sudden demand for tamarind seeds in the market. He collected the seeds and sold them at a provision shop on Mosque Street. Usually, a day’s collection earned him one anna.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

Question 1.
How does the author describe:
(i) his father
(ii) his mother
(iii) himself?
Answer:
(i) Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen was not a wealthy or educated person. However, he was an honest and generous man, who possessed great innate wisdom. He was self-disciplined and avoided all inessential luxuries.

(ii) Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to her husband. She believed in goodness and profound kindness, and fed many people everyday.

(iii) The author describes himself as a short boy with undistinguished looks, who had a secure childhood. An honest and self-disciplined person, Dr. Kalam believed in goodness and kindness.

Question 2.
What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?
Answer:
He says that he inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father. He further says that he inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.

Question 1.
“On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of
different social groups,” says the author.
(i) Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)?
(ii) Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences? (Think of the bedtime stories in Kalam’s house; of who his friends were; and of what used to take place in the pond near his house.)
(iii) The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?
(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change-their attitudes?
Answer:
(i) Dr. Kalam mentions two social groups of Rameshwaram – orthodox Brahmins and Muslims. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable. For example, by the way they dressed; Kalam wore a cap which marked him as a Muslim. RamanadhaSastry wore a sacred thread which marked him a Hindu.

(ii) No, they were not only aware of their differences but also they naturally shared friendships and experiences. Kalam’s mother and grandmother would tell the children of his family bedtime stories about the events from the Ramayana and from the life of the prophet. During the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanamceremony, his family used to arrange boats with a special platform for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site, situated in the middle of the pond called Rama Tirtha which was near his house.

(iii) The people who were very aware of the differences among them, were the young teacher who joined the Rameshwaram elementary school and came to teach Kalam’s class, the fifth standard; and his science teacher’s conservative wife who refused to serve Kalam in her kitchen. Those who tried to bridge these differences were Kalam’s science teacher Sivasubramania Iyer who invited, served and dined with him to break social barriers so that people could mingle easily; and LakshmanaSastry who conveyed the strong sense of conviction to the new young teacher to reform him.

(iv) The first incident to show how differences can be created is that when the new young teacher found a Muslim student sitting beside a Hindu student. He asked Kalam to sit . in the last row.
The other incident shows how differences can be resolved. The author’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, though an orthodox Brahmin with a very conservative outlook tried to bridge these differences.

Question 2.
(i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?
(ii) What did his father say to this?
(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words?
(i) Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram for further studies. He wanted to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram.

(ii) Kalam’s father said that he knew that one day Kalam had to go away to grow. He gave him the analogy of a seagull that flies across the sun alone and without a nest. He then quoted Khalil Gibran to Kalam’s mother saying that her children were not their own children. They were the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through their parents, but not from them. They may give them their love, but not their thoughts as the children have their own thoughts.

(iii) Abdul Kalam’s father’s words bear great meanings. First, he inspired his son to go ahead
above giving the example of the seagull. Secondly, he explained Kalam’s mother to give his son opportunities to get higher education and to make progress. I think he spoke those words to encourage Abdul Kalam and to control the emotional attachment of his wife for Kalam.

My Childhood Thinking about Language

I. Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:
erupt surge trace undistinguished casualty
Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the following questions.

Question 1.
What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. . Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?
Answer:
A few things that can erupt are anger, volcano, tooth, rash, riots, unrest, etc. Erupt has several meanings. Their explanation, with examples, is given as under.

(i) Start unexpectedly
Example: Riots erupted in the city.

(ii) Start to burn or burst into flames
Example: The spark soon erupted into flames.

(iii) Become active and spew forth lava and rocks
Example: The molten lava erupted out of the active volcano.

(iv) Forceful and violent release of something pent up
Example: The difference in their views soon erupted in a’ fight.

(v) Sudden appearance on the skin
Example: On the day of the party, a pimple erupted on her face.

(vi) Break out
Example: Eruption of the wisdom tooth gives a lot of pain.

Things that can surge are pride, anxiety, waves, boats, army, etc. The several meanings it has can be explained with the following examples:

(i) Sudden forceful flow
Example: The boy drowned in the surging waves.

(ii) Rise and move forward
Example: The army surged towards their enemy.

(iii) Heave upward under the influence of a natural force
Example: The boat surged in the high tide.

(iv) See one’s performance improve
Example: Hard work helped to surge Sandra’s scores.

(v) A sudden or abrupt strong increase
Example: The surge in the stock market left people in a shock.

(vi) Rise rapidly
Example: As time passed, her tension surged.

Question 2.
What are the meanings of the word trace-and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text? –
Answer:
The following are the meanings of the word trace:

• Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
• Make a mark or lines on a surface
• To go back over again
• Pursue or chase relentlessly
• Find or discover through investigation
• Make one’s course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along
• Read with difficulty

The closest meaning of the word ‘trace’ in the text is ‘to find or discover through investigation’.

Question 3.
Can you find it undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look for the word distinguished and say what undistinguished mean.)
Answer:
No, the word undistinguished does not exist in the dictionary. However, its meaning can be derived from the meaning of the word ‘distinguished’, which denotes the ‘special or eminent appearance or behaviour of a person’. Thus, undistinguished symbolises ‘ordinary appearance or behaviour of a person’.

II. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
Question 1.

Answer:

Question 2.
Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by prefixing un – or in. – to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).

• I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, (un + distinguished)
• My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts, (in + essential)
• The area was completely unaffected by the war. (un + affected)
• He should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance, (in + equality, in + tolerance)

Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un- or in-. The prefix in- can also have the forms il-, ir-, or im- (for example: illiterate -il + literate, impractical -im + practical, irrational – ir + rational). You may consult a dictionary if you wish.

Answer:

III. Passive Voice

Study these sentences:

• My parents were regarded as an ideal couple.
• I was asked to go and sit on the back bench.
• Such problems have to be confronted.

The italicised verbs in these sentences are made up of a form of the verb be and a past participle. (For example: were + regarded, was + asked, be + confronted) These sentences focus on what happens, rather than who does what. Notice that the doer of the action is not included in the sentences.
If necessary, we can mention the doer of the action in a by-phrase.
For example:

• The tree was struck by lightning.
• The flag was unfurled by the Chief Guest.

IV. Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form.

Question 1.
In yesterday’s competition the prizes (give away) by the Principal.
Answer:
In yesterday’s competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.

Question 2.
In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers (pay) on time.
Answer:
In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers were paid on time.

Question 3.
On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.
Answer:
On Republic Day, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point.

Question 4.
Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.
Answer:
Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday.

Question 5.
Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.
Answer:
Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years.

Question 6.
Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore.
Answer:
Our National Anthem was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.

V. Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in brackets.

Question 1.
How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor (seriously injure and collapse). In those days helmets (not wear). Contractor (hit) on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull (fracture). The entire team (deeply concern). The West Indies players (worry). Contractor (rush) to hospital. He(accompany) by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood (donate) by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor (save). Nowadays helmets (routinely use) against bowlers.
Answer:
How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor got seriously injured and collapsed. In those days helmets were not worn.

Contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull had fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. Contractor was rushed to hospital. He was accompanied by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood was donated by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor was saved. Nowadays helmets arelxjutincly used against bowlers.

Question 2.
Oil from Seeds
Vegetable oils (make) from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil (produce) from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil (use) for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives (shake) from the trees and (gather) up, usually by hand. The olives (ground) to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats (layer) up on the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.
Answer:
Oil from Seeds
Vegetable oils are made from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil is produced from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil is used for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives are shaken from the trees and gathered up, usually by hand. The olives are ground to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats are layered upon the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English

The Making of a Scientist NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 6

The Making of a Scientist NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Making of a Scientist Read and Find out

Question 1.
How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
Or
How did a children’s book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ open the world of science to Richard Ebright?
Answer:
Ebright was running after butterflies not knowing that he was pursuing his career as a scientist but when he read the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’, he was excited to know that the readers were invited to tag the butterflies for research by Dr Urquhart. Since then there was no turning back. He became a great scientist.

Question 2.
How did his mother help him?
Answer:
His mother encouraged him to collect things like rocks, coins and butterflies. She also tried to get some work for him to satisfy his intellectual thirst for knowledge.

Question 3.
What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
Answer:
At the science fair when he did not win any prize, Ebright learnt a lesson that merely a neat display of models and slides was not enough to fetch prizes. The winners need to do something different and this “different” should be the real and original experiments.

Question 4.
What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
Answer:
Ebright tried to find out the cause of a viral disease that kills almost all the monarch caterpillars every few years. Then next to be tested was the theory that viceroy butterflies copy the monarchs.

Question 5.
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
Answer:
A scientist has got to be inquisitive by nature. He should continue his job with the same level of interest. He should not be interested in winning the prizes but in doing the best job.

The Making of a Scientist Think About It

Question 1.
How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian ? Does it simply involve reading many books on the subject? Does it involve observing, thinking and doing experiments?
Answer:
It is not only the basic aptitude of a person that determines whether he would become a scientist or an economist or a historian. But a person can try his hand on any profession by delving deep into that field of knowledge. One should not depend upon others to provide opportunities but should generate opportunities by working hard seriously in order to do that work in the best possible manner. A thirst for knowledge, dedication, readiness to donate time will always bring wonderful results. Yes, it absolutely involves observing, thinking and doing experiments.

Question 2.
You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied. If you get an opportunity to work like Richard Ebright on projects and experiments, which field would you like to work on and why?
Answer:
Richard Ebright has done a wonderful job by studying the DNA of butterflies. I always felt that
‘ DNA is only for human beings, but now I realise it is a surprising phenomenon which controls and determines the heredity of an individual be it insect, bird or larger animals. If I get an opportunity7 like Ebright, I will certainly choose waterbodies and their conservation, purification of w7ater. cleaning of the rivers, etc.

The Making of a Scientist Extra Questions and Answers

The Making of a Scientist Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What opened the world of science for Richard Ebright?
Answer:
Ebright was encouraged by his mother. He kept on enriching his treasure of rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. He collected all 25 varieties. His mother bought him a book The Travels of Monarch X. It opened a new world of science to him.

Question 2.
“Without the support and motivation of his mother, Richard Ebright would not have been a successful scientist.” Do you agree? Elaborate.
Answer:
It is true that without the support and motivation of his mother, Richard Ebright would not have been a successful scientist. It was his mother who recognised his driving curiosity and bright mind. She always encouraged his interest in learning. She organised trips for him so that he could learn more.

Question 3.
What other interests, besides science, did Richard Ebright pursue?
Answer:
Besides science, Ebright had pursued some other interests too. He was an all-rounder. He was a champion debater, a good public speaker and a good canoeist. He was an expert photographer too.

Question 4.
“Richard Ebright had all the ingredients required for the making of a scientist.” Do you agree?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that Ebright had all the ingredients required for making a scientist. For becoming a scientist, one needs to be a keen observer, thinker and hardworking person. Scientific curiosity is the most important ingredient required in the making of a scientist. Richard Ebright had all these elements in him right from the beginning.

Question 5.
Why did Richard Ebright give up tagging of butterflies?
Answer:
Ebright lost interest in tagging butterflies because it was tedious and there was not much feedback. He could capture only two butterflies.

Question 6.
Why did Viceroy butterflies copy the Monarchs?
Answer:
The viceroy butterflies taste good, whereas the monarch butterflies do not taste good. Naturally, the birds do not eat the monarch butterflies. So in order to protect themselves from the birds, they copy the monarchs and mislead the birds.

Question 7.
“But there was one thing I could do – collect things.” What collection did Ebright make? When did he start making the collection?
Answer:
Ebright did not have friends when he was in Pennsylvania. He had no one to play with. He started collecting things from his surroundings. He used to collect rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. He started making a collection in his childhood.

Question 8.
What was Ebright’s achievement in his senior year?
Answer:
Ebright had scientific curiosity right from the beginning. In his second grade, he had collected all the twenty-five species of butterflies found in that area.

Question 9.
How did Ebright raise a flock of butterflies?
Answer:
When Ebright realized that butterflies could only be caught for six weeks in late summer, he started raising them in the basement with the help of the monarch butterflies.

Question 10.
What opened the world of science to Ebright?
Answer:
One day his mother gave him a book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. This book was about the migration of butterflies to central America. It opened the world of science to Ebright.

Question 11.
How did Richard Ebright excite the world of science at the age of twenty-two?
Answer:
At the age of twenty-two, Richard Ebright excited the scientific world with a new theory on how cells work. Richard Ebright and his roommate explained the theory in an article published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Science’.

Question 12.
How did Ebright spend his time in Pennsylvania?
Answer:
In his childhood, in Pennsylvania, Ebright did not have friends to play with. He used to spend his time in collecting fossils and rocks. He became an eager astronomer too. He used his time in star-gazing all night.

Question 13.
How was Ebright as a student in the school?
Answer:
Ebright was a brilliant student. He earned top grades in his class. When he was in second grade, he had collected all the twenty-five species of butterflies. He was a keen learner.

Question 14.
Why did Ebright start a project of tagging the butterflies?
Answer:
Ebright used to collect different species of butterflies. He had collected all the species of butterflies found in that area. He read the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. At the end of the book, the readers were asked to help study butterflies’ migration. So, Ebright started tagging the butterflies.

Question 15.
What was Ebright’s first project in a competition? What did he learn from his defeat?
Answer:
Ebright’s first project in a competition was in his seventh grade. His entry was slides of frog tissues which he showed under a microscope. He did not win any prize. He learnt that mere neat display of facts does not win a prize. One must work on real projects.

Question 16.
What was the project of Ebright in the eighth grade? What was the result?
Answer:
For his eighth grade project, Ebright found the cause of a viral disease that kills all monarch caterpillars every few years. He tried to prove this fact but could not get any results. However, his efforts were appreciated and he won a prize.

Question 17.
What was his science fair project?
Answer:
His science fair project was testing the theory that viceroy butterflies copy monarch. The theory was that viceroys look like monarchs to save themselves from the birds which don’t like monarchs. So the more they look like monarchs, the less likely they are to become a bird’s dinner.

Question 18.
Which project led Richard Ebright towards his theory on the life of cells?
Answer:
In his second year, Ebright studied the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa. He concluded that these spots were not ornamental but they produced hormones necessary for their development. This project led him towards his theory on the life of cells.

Question 19.
When and how did Ebright get the idea of his new theory about cell life?
Answer:
During the junior year, Ebright got the idea for his new theory about cell life. He was looking at X-ray photos of the chemical structure of a hormone. Seeing the photos, he believed that the photos gave him the answer to the puzzle—how the cells can read the blueprint of its DNA.

Question 20.
Why was it a great achievement for Ebright when his article was published in the magazine ‘The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science’?
Answer:
It was for the first time that the article of a student was published in this important science journal. It was like making a big league at the age of fifteen. It was indeed a great achievement.

Question 21.
Why could Ebright not play baseball?
Answer:
Ebright could not play baseball because he was a solitary child with no companion at home. In fact, from his early childhood, he had a driving curiosity along with a bright mind.

Question 22.
How did Dr. Urquhart encourage Ebright through a book?
Answer:
Dr Urquhart wrote in his book a note for the readers for inviting them to tag butterflies. Ebright started tagging the butterflies and whoever came across those tags was requested to send them to Dr Urquhart. Thus, he learnt to take keen interest in his job and involve other people in the projects.

The Making of a Scientist Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
“Failure is a step towards success.” How did a failure in the first competition help Ebright in becoming a successful scientist? What do you learn from this?
Answer:
Richard Ebright had scientific curiosity right from his chidhood. He always spent his time in observa-tion of his surroundings. He was an intelligent boy having interest in collection of fossils, rocks and other things. His mother recognised his driving curiosity along with his bright mind. He worked hard and entered a county science fair with a project on frog tissue. He did not win anything.

He realised that the winners should try to do real experiments. A simple and neat display of facts does not win a prize. He failed to win a prize but this failure was a step towards success. He was not demotivated. It was a learning for him. We should learn from it that we should never give up and move on. After that failure, Ebright worked on real experiment and became a successful scientist.

Question 2.
“Where there is a will, there is a way.” Ebright had a will to become a scientist but did not have enough resources. How does will and curiosity help us in becoming a successful person in our life? Elaborate with reference to Ebright.
Ans.
“Where there is a will, there is a way.” Ebright had a will to become a scientist but did not have enough resources. His will and curiosity was satisfied by his mother till his school education. He worked hard on various projects and models and won many prizes. As a high school junior, he continued his advanced experiments on the monarch pupa.

His hard work was rewarded and he won a prize. This gave him another chance to work in a well equipped advanced Army Laboratory during the summer. In his senior year, he again got an opportunity to work at the army laboratory. Thus, he was able to conduct many experiments. His will to work and curiosity overcame the lack of resources and helped him in becoming a successful scientist. When we are willing to do something, resources are automatically generated. We get help from every corner.

Question 3.
Richard did not win a prize in the competition but he did not lose hope and continued working hard and finally succeeded and became a successful scientist. As a student what is more important, participation in the competition or a prize? How would you react to not winning a prize in a competition?
Answer:
Winning a prize in any competition is the most desirable thing for all of us. We want to win as it motivates us for more hard work. But everyone cannot be the winner. For me participating in the competition is more important than winning a prize. If one participates in the competition and does not win a prize, it should not demotivate one.

We should continue hard work. Richard is an example to follow. He did not win anything at the science fair but it was a stepping stone for his success. He continued hard work and one day became a successful scientist. As a student it is more important for me to participate in the competition rather than craving for a prize. If I don’t get a prize in any competition it will not demotivate me. It will be a stepping stone for me to move ahead.

Question 4.
Curiosity and motivation are the basic foundation for becoming a successful scientist. In addition to it what are the other values required in becoming a successful scientist. What do you learn from
the character of Richard? Elaborate with reference to the lesson ‘The Making of Scientist’.
Answer:
Curiosity and motivation are the basic foundation for becoming a successful scientist. It is the urge to know more that develops scientific aptitude. One cannot be a rational, well informed person if one does not have curiosity to know more. One has to think differently if one wants to do something different. Richard Ebright is an example. At a very young age Richard Ebright was competitive. He put in extra effort in his work. He was always curious to know more about the things around him.

In addition to curiosity and motivation, there are many other values which are required in becoming a successful person. One has to be hardworking, sincere, determined and patient. One should never lose hope but should be optimistic. One must accept success and failure in the right spirit. I learn the value of curiosity, hard work, determination and strong willpower from the life of Richard Ebright.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English

The Selfish Giant NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 3

The Selfish Giant NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Selfish Giant Comprehension check

Question 1.
Why is the Giant called selfish?
Answer:
The Giant is called selfish because he did not want the children to come to his garden. He wanted it all to himself. He built a huge wall around the garden and put up a notice board outside it, which read: “Trespassers will be prosecuted”. He told the children that only he was allowed in his garden. He prohibited them from entering it.

Question 2.
On one occasion the children said: “How happy we are here! ”
Later they said: “How happy we were there! ”
What are they referring to in both the cases?
Answer:
The children said: “How happy we are here!” when the giant was away on a visit to his friend. So, the children used to come to the garden and play there. But when the giant returned, he forbade the children from entering the garden and built a huge wall around it. So, they had to play on the roads, which were full of dust and hard stone. That is when they began to miss the garden that was full of flowers, birds and trees. This is when they said: “How happy we were there!”

Question 3.
i. When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?”
Answer:
The winter here stands for a lack of warmth in the giant’s heart for the children. It indicates bitterness, anger and intolerance.

ii. Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.
Answer:
Winter soon took over the Giant’s garden. Snow and Frost decided to lodge there permanently, and asked their friends North Wind and Hail to stay with them. Snow put a white blanket over the green grass and Frost made all trees grey and stiff. North Wind blew and made everything tremble with cold.

Hail pelted little ice stones everywhere in the castle to call everyone to play with her. Hail would try and destroy everything in the castle and the garden. They all knew that Mother Spring had forgotten to return to the garden. So, they were having a good time there, doing as they pleased.

Question 4.
Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?
Answer:
The Giant was sad over the state of the garden because the spring would not come to his garden, and he wanted to hear the birds sing and flowers bloom in his garden.

Question 5.
What effect did the linnet s song have over Hail and the North Wind?
Answer:
On hearing the linnet’s song, the Hail stopped dancing over the Giant’s head, and the North Wind ceased to roar.

Question 6.
The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?
Answer:
This sentence indicates that the Giant was no longer selfish. And as a reward, Nature itself shares its bounty with him the way he shared his garden with the children. It showers its gifts with him, and allows his soothing lap for his last breath on earth. As his actions were beautiful, so were the Nature’s gifts to him.

The Selfish Giant Exercise Questions and Answers

Question 1.
The little child’s hands and feet had marks of nails. Who does the child remind you of? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer:
The child reminds us of Jesus Christ. He was crucified, that is, he was put to death by being nailed to a cross. The little boy who the Giant meets also has wounds of nails on his hands and feet. When the Giant enquires about who had done so, the boy replies that his wounds were the wounds of love. The child wants to take the Giant into his garden, which he says is paradise. Later, the Giant is found dead, as he had been taken into God’s garden of paradise.

Question 2.
Is there something like this garden near where you live? Would you like one (without the Giant perhaps) and why? What would you do to keep it in good shape?
Answer:
There are a lot of parks in the locality where I live. Every park there is full of trees, plants, flowers and birds. It is quite similar to the Giant’s garden in spring. Yes, I would like a garden like the one the Giant has because it seems like a magical garden where the sweetest birds sings, and where the freshest and the most beautiful flowers bloom.

In order to keep the garden in good shape, I would employ many gardeners just for the sole purpose of taking care of it. I would also get some landscaping artists to add a touch of beauty to the garden. I would plant as many trees as I can, and regularly mow the grass so that it does not grow very long. I will water the plants every day, and remove the weeds and dead plants. I will always keep it clean.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English

The Sound of Music NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2

The Sound of Music NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Part 1 Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

The Sound of Music Thinking About the Text

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

Question 1.
How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Answer:
Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Question 2.
When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Answer:
Evelyn’s deafness was first noticed when she was eight years old and it was confirmed when she was eleven.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30-40 words).

Question 1.
Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer:
Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn to continue with music. He began by tuning two large drums to different notes. He asked her not to listen to them through her ears but to try and sense the sound in some other manner.

Question 2.
Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Answer:
Evelyn gave solo performances at regular concerts. She gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also accorded high priority to classes for young musicians.

III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100-150 words).

Question 1.
How does Evelyn hear music?
Answer:
Evelyn heard music by sensing the notes in different parts of her body. When Ron Forbes tuned two drums to different notes and asked her to sense the sound without using her ears, she realized that she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down. She learnt how to open her mind and body to sounds and vibrations. It was sheer determination and hard work.

When she played the xylophone, she could sense the sound passing up the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she could feel the resonances flowing into her body. On a wooden platform, she removed her shoes so that the vibrations could pass through her bare feet and up her legs. She herself said that music poured in through every part of her body. It tingled in the skin, her cheekbones and even in her hair.

Part II The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

The Sound of Music Thinking About the Text

I. Tick the right answer.

Question 1.
The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’
Answer:
The pungi was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’

Question 2.
(Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
Answer:
A barber transformed the pungi into a shehnai.

Question 3.
Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).
Answer:
Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were professional musicians.

Question 4.
Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).
Answer:
Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from Ali Bux.

Question 5.
Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, USA, Canada).
Answer:
Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.

II. Answer these questions in 30-40 words.

Question 1.
Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Answer:
Aurangzeb banned the playing of musical instrument pungi because it had a shrill, unpleasant sound.

Question 2.
How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer:
Shehnai has a better tonal quality than pungi. It is a natural hollow stem pipe with holes on its body and is longer and broader than the pungi. Shehnai is, in a way, an improvement upon the pungi.

Question 3.
Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer:
The shehnai was traditionally played in royal courts, temples and weddings. Ustaad Bismillah Khan, an undisputed monarch of shehnai, brought this instrument onto the classical stage.

Question 4.
When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938. All India Radio opened in Lucknow and Bismillah Khan played shehnai on radio. He soon became an often heard player on radio. He became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai from the Red Fort on 15 August, 1947.

Question 5.
Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer:
On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the Raag Kaafi on his shehnai from the Red Fort.
The event was historic because it was on the occasion of India’s Independence from British Rule.

Question 6.
Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the USA?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan refused one of his student’s request to start a shehnai school in the USA because he would not live away from Hindustan, specifically, from Benaras, the River Ganga and Dumraon.

Question 7.
Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Answer:
The first instance is when he turned down his student’s offer to start a shehnai school in USA. The second instance is when Khansaab was asked by Shekhar Gupta about moving to Pakistan during the partition, he said that he would never leave Benaras.

The Sound of Music Thinking About Language

I. Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.

Question 1.
The school sports team hopes (What does it hope to do?)
Answer:
The school sports team hopes to win the match.

Question 2.
We all want (What do we all want to do?)
Answer:
We all want to succeed in our life.

Question 3.
They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother (What did they advise her to do?)
Answer:
They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother to consult a doctor.

Question 4.
The authorities permitted us to (What did the authorities permit us to do?)
Answer:
The authorities permitted us to construct the building.

Question 5.
A musician decided to (What did the musician decide to do?)
Answer:
A musician decided to open a school for children.

II. From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions and write them down. The number of the paragraph where you will find the words/phrases has been given for you in brackets.

Question 1.
the home of royal people (1) ………
Answer:
the royal residence

Question 2.
the state of being alone (5) ……
Answer:
solitude

Question 3.
a part which is absolutely necessary (2) …………
Answer:
indispensable

Question 4.
to do something not done before (5) ………
Answer:
invent

Question 5.
without much effort (13) ………….
Answer:
effortlessly

Question 6.
quickly and in large quantities (9) ………… and ……….
Answer:
thick and fast

III. Tick the right answer.

Question 1.
When something is revived, it (remains dead/lives again).
Answer:
When something is revived, it lives again.

Question 2.
When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).
Answer:
When a government bans something, it wants it stopped.

Question 3.
When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it/avoid it).
Answer:
When something is considered auspicious, welcome it.

Question 4.
When we take to something, we find it (boring/interesting).
Answer:
When we take to something, we find it interesting.

Question 5.
When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful/find it of no use).
Answer:
When you appreciate something, you find it good and useful.

Question 6.
When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time/for the second time).
Answer:
When you replicate something, you do it for the second time.

Question 7.
When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/no longer upsetting).
Answer:
When we come to terms with something, it is no longer upsetting.

IV. Consult your dictionary and complete the following table. The first one has been done for you. Use these words in phrases or sentences of your own.

Some sentences using these adjectives are:

• She is indispensable for the successful completion of the project.
• Sunita was impressed by my singing.
• He is afraid of the dark.
• I enjoy the company of my paternal uncle.
• Gennie was showered with countless gifts.
• My grandmother gave me a priceless piece of advice.