NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English (Beehive) Chapter 6 My Childhood

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 9TH

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Book - Beehive Ncert Solutions | Chapter-6 English-1

Class : 9th
Subject : English-1
Chapter : 6
Chapter Name : My Childhood

QI Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.
1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?
2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.
3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?
4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his rst wages?
5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?

Answer. 1. Abdul Kalam's house was on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram in the former Madras
state.
2. Dinamani could be the name of a newspaper because Abdul Kalam tried to trace the stories of
the Second World War, which his brother-in-law told him, in the headlines in Dinamani.
3. Abdul Kalam had three close friends in school — Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and
Sivaprakasam. Ramanandha Sastry took over the priesthood of the Rameswaram temple from his
father; Aravindan started a business of arranging transport for visiting pilgrims and
Sivaprakasam became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.
4. The Second World War led to the suspension of the train-halt at Rameswaram station. As a
result, newspapers had to be bundled up and thrown out from the moving train. This forced
Kalam's cousin Samsuddin, who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram, to look for a helping
hand to catch the bundles. Abdul Kalam took up this position and earned his rst wages in the
process.
5. Yes, he had earned some money when 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.

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QII Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words)
1. How does the author describe:
(i) his father,
(ii) his mother,
(iii) himself?

2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?

Answer. 1. (i) Kalam's father, Jainulabdeen neither had much formal education nor much wealth.

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Despite these disadvantages, he possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit.
He avoided all inessential comforts and luxuries.
(ii) Kalam's mother, Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to her husband. She fed many people
every day. The author was quite certain that far more outsiders ate with them than all the
members of their own family put together.
(iii) The author describes himself as one of many children. He was a short boy with rather
undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents. He had a very secure childhood, both
materially and emotionally.

2. The author inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father and faith in goodness and
deep kindness from his mother.

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QIII Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two
or three paragraphs each.
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 identi able (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?

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?

Answer. 1. (i) The social groups that he mentioned were the Hindus and the Muslims. Yes, these
groups were easily identi able. Abdul Kalam wore a cap, which marked him as a Muslim. His
friend, Ramanadha Sastry, wore the sacred thread as he was a Hindu.
(ii) They naturally shared friendships and experiences. Abdul Kalam was Muslim and his friends
were from orthodox Hindu Brahmin families. However, they were very close friends. During the
annual Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, Kalam's family arranged boats with a special
platform for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site. Events from the
Ramayana and from the life of the Prophet were the bedtime stories his mother and
grandmother would tell the children of their family. All these incidents show that different social
groups naturally co- inhabited Rameswaram.
(iii) There were two people who were very aware of the differences among them. One was the
new teacher who came to the class when Kalam was in the fth standard and did not let him sit
with Ramanadha Sastry who was a Brahmin. Also, the wife of Sivasubramania iyer (his science

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teacher) was very conservative and did not allow Kalam to eat in her pure Hindu kitchen. The
people who tried to bridge these differences were Lakshmana Sastry (Ramananda father) and
Sivasubramania iyer (his science teacher).
(iv) When Kalam was in the fth standard, a new teacher came to their class. Kalam always sat in
the front row next to Ramanadha Sastry. The teacher could not digest the fact that a Hindu
priest's son was sitting with a Muslim boy. The teacher immediately asked Kalam to sit on the
back bench. Both Kalam and Ramanandha were unhappy with this development. When they
narrated this story to their respective parents, Lakshmana Sastry summoned the teacher and
told him that he should not spread the idea of social inequality and communal intolerance in the
minds of innocent children. The teacher apologized and regretted his behavior. In another
incident, Kalam's science teacher Sivasubramania iyer invited him for a meal to his house. His
wife, who was very conservative, was horri ed at the idea of a Muslim boy eating in her pure
Hindu kitchen. Consequently, she refused to serve him in her kitchen. However, lyer was not
disturbed by his wife's behavior. Instead, he served Kalam with his own hands and sat down
beside him to eat his meal. When Kalam was leaving, Sivasubramania iyer again invited him for
dinner the next weekend. On observing Kalam's hesitation, he told him not to get upset and said
that once one has decided to change the system, such problems have to be confronted. When
Kalam visited the house next week, Sivasubramania iyer s wife took him inside her kitchen and
served him food with her own hands. Hence, in this way, differences can be resolved and people's
attitudes can be changed.

2. (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 the
analogy of a seagull that ies across the sun alone and without a nest. He then quoted Khalil
Gibran to Kalam's mother saying that nobody's children were 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) His words meant that children have to be separated from their parents at some stage in life.
They have to be let free so that they can realize their thoughts and goals. A seagull ies away
alone and nds its own food and nest. Parents can nurture their kids with love, but they cannot
give them their thoughts. The children have their own thoughts. They should themselves
develop these thoughts naturally. Kalam's father spoke these words because Kalam's mother was
hesitant about his leaving Rameswaram.

Page : 75 , Block Name : Thinking about the Text

QI Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:
erupt, surge , trace , undistinguished , casualt
Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the
following questions.
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?
2. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in

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the text?
3. Can you nd the word undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look up the word
distinguished and say what undistinguished must mean.)

Answer. 1. 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 follows:
(i) Start unexpectedly Example: Riots erupted in the city.
(ii) Start to burn or burst into names Example: The spark soon erupted into ames,
(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 ght,
(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:

(a) Sudden forceful ow Example: The boy drowned in the surging waves,
(b) Rise and move forward The army surged towards their enemy.
(c) Heave upward under the in uence of a natural force Example: The boat surged in the high
tide,
(d) See one's performance improve Example: Hard work helped to surge Sandra's scores.
(e) A sudden or abrupt strong increase Example: The surge in the stock market left people in a
shock.
(f) Rise rapidly Example: As time passed, her tension surged.

2. The following are the meanings of the word trace:
(i) Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
(ii) Make a mark or lines on a surface
(iii) To go back over again
(iv) Pursue or chase relentlessly
(v) Find or discover through investigation
(vi) Make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over. around, or along
(vii) Read with dif culty The closest meaning of the word 'trace' in the text is 'to nd or discover
through investigation'.

3. 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' .

Page : 75 , Block Name : Thinking about Language

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

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2. Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by pre xing un – or in – to
their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).
• I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks. (undistinguished)
• 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 pre xing un- or in-. The pre x incan also have
the forms il-, ir-, or im- (for example: illiterate –illiterate, impractical – impractical, irrational –
ir + rational). You may consult a dictionary if you wish.

Answer. 1.

2. (i) Inadequate
(ii) Undemanding
(iii) Unpatriotic
(iv) Illogical
(v) Unacceptable
(vi) Inactive
(vii) Undisputed

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(viii) Illegal
(ix) Irregular
(x) Untrue

Page : 75 , Block Name : Thinking about Language

QIV Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form.
1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes (give away) by the Principal.
2. In spite of nancial dif culties, the labourers (pay) on time.
3. On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.
4. Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.
5. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every ve years.
6. Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore.

Answer. 1. In yesterday's competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.
2. In spite of nancial dif culties, the labourers were paid on time.
3. On Republic Day, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point.
4. Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday.
5. Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every ve years.
6. Our National Anthem was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.

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QV Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in
brackets.
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 Grif th. 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.

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, soybeans and
sun ower 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

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produce olive oil.

Answer. 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 got seriously injured
and collapsed. In those days helmets were not worn. Contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer
from Charlie Grif th. 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 are routinely used
against bowlers.
2. 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, soybeans and sun ower 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 up on the pressing
machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

Page : 75 , Block Name : Thinking about Language

Q1 Here is a topic for you to
1. think about;
2. give your opinion on.
Find out what other people think about it. Ask your friends/seniors/parents to give you their
opinion.
‘Career Building Is the Only Goal of Education.’
or

‘Getting a Good Job Is More Important than Being a Good Human Being.’
You can use the following phrases

(i) while giving your opinion:
• I think that ...
• In my opinion ...
• It seems to me that ...
• I am of the view that ...
• As far as I know ...
• If you ask me ...

(ii) saying what other people think:
• According to some ...
• Quite a few think ...
• Some others favour …
• Thirty per cent of the people disagree ...
• Fifty per cent of them strongly feel ...

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(iii) asking for others’ opinions:
• What do you think about ...
• What do you think of …
• What is your opinion about ...
• Do you agree ...
• Does this make you believe ...

Answer. DIY

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Q1 Think and write a short account of what life in Rameswaram in the 1940s must have been
like. (Were people rich or poor? Hard working or lazy? Hopeful of change, or resistant to it?).

Answer. DIY

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Q1 (i) “Beneath all uniforms ...” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
(ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same.

Answer. (i) The poet speaks about the various dresses that people of various countries wear but
beneath them. the human body is same.
(ii) The poet says that nobody is different and peculiar. No country is foreigl. A single body
breathes beneath all uniforms. Moreover. the land is the same everywhere.

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Q2 In stanza 1, nd ve ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.

Answer. In the rst stanza the poet says that there is no difference between the body of a citizen
of one country and the citizen of another country We have sanne kind of body we wear sarne
kind of clothes. We walk on the same planet. and the end of each indvidJal is the same.

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Q3 How many common features can you nd in stanza 2? Pick out the words.

Answer. The following common features are given in the stanzas:
1. sun
2. air
3. water.
4. Peaceful harvests required for human survival
5. same hands

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Page : 81 , Block Name : Thinking About The Poem

Q4 “...whenever we are told to hate our brothers ...” When do you think this happens? Why? Who
‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times? What does the poet say.

Answer. Sometimes some sel sh people instigate the innocent to harm others. They do it for
their own bene t The common or ordinary man does not understand their tricks and starts
hating his fellow human beings. They tell them to cause riots. The poet says that one should not
follow anybodfs advice without brooding over The poet repeatedly says that there is no
difference in them and the foreigners. The people of the entire world are the same

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