Words and Expressions Grade 9 Solutions Unit 4

AP/ NCERT Solutions Words and Expressions Grade 9 Unit 4

Look at the pictures and identify who they are. Write their names in the given spaces. The quotes against each picture may also help you recognise them.

How do the quotes reflect the beautiful mind of the personalities mentioned? Discuss in pairs of four, jot down your points, and then present to the class.

Rabindranath Tagore: Happiness can be found amidst sorrow, but simplicity is challenging. The element of sky in our body leads to a desire for comfort, hindering simplicity's path.

Albert Einstein: Character is a mirror reflecting attitudes, both strengths and flaws. Weak attitudes result in weak character. Attitudes are the essential bricks shaping one's character, as rightly stated.

Helen Keller: Sight sees what's beautiful, but true beauty is intangible, divine, felt in the heart. It's a heavenly experience that satisfies the soul deeply, beyond what the eyes perceive.

Subash Chandra Bose: Truth and non-violence, not forgotten after Gandhi, nor 'freedom is our birthright' after Tilak. These ideals live on in countless lives, embraced by many who believe and follow. S.C. Bose rightly affirmed this.

Reading Comprehension:

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Text – I

The World as I See It:

In my opinion, the present symptoms of decadence are explained by the fact that the development of industry and machinery has made the struggle for existence very much more severe, greatly to the detriment of the free development of the individual. But the development of machinery means that less and less work is needed from the individual for the satisfaction of the community’s needs.

A planned division of labour is becoming more and more of a crying necessity and this division will lead to the material security of the individual. This security and the spare time and energy which the individual will have at his command can be made to further his development. In this way the community may regain its health, and we will hope that future historians will explain the morbid symptoms of present-day society as the childhood ailments of an aspiring humanity, due entirely to the excessive speed at which civilisation was advancing.

(An extract from The World As I See It by A. Einstein)

1. What is responsible for the present degradation of individual development?

Development of industry and machinery which has made the struggle for existence very much severe.

2. What is the meaning of development in relation to individuals?

Individual development enhances talents and awareness, leading to a better life quality through improved identity and potential.

3. What is the ‘planned division of labour’? How will it be helpful in human development?

Planned division of labour means separation of a work process into a number of task. It leads to higher productivity, greater co-operation, lower cost and time-efficiency.

4. What does the phrase ‘symptoms of decadence’ mean in the opening line?

(a) diagnosis of degradation

(b) warning signs of depravity ✔️

(d) diagnosis of indifference

5. The phrase ‘crying necessity’ in the opening paragraph means:

(a) urgent need ✔️

(b) weeping need

(d) average need

6. Circle the odd one out

(a) presence, (distance), existence, being, alive

(b) possible, feasible, probable, (unthinkable) obtainable

(d) conflict, contest, contention, rivalry, (accord)

(e) consolation, compassion, (annoyance), sympathy, support.

Text – II

Read the following text and answer the questions.

When Einstein wrote to Gandhi:

In 1931, Albert Einstein wrote the following short letter of admiration to another of the world’s greatest minds, Mohandas Gandhi. Despite their intentions, the pair never met in person.

Respected Mr. Gandhi,

I use the presence of your friend in our home to send you these, lines. You have shown through your words, that it is possible to succeed without violence even with those who have not discarded the method of violence. We may hope that your example will spread beyond the borders of the country, and will help to establish an international authority, respected by all, that will take decisions and replace war conflicts. With sincere admiration Yours

(Signed, ‘A. Einstein’)

I hope that I will be able to meet you face to face someday.

LONDON,

October 18, 1931 DEAR FRIEND,

I was delighted to have your beautiful letter sent through Sundaram. It is great consolation to me that the work I am doing finds favour in your sight. I do indeed wish that we could meet face to face and that too in India at my Ashram.

Yours Sincerely (Signed, ‘M.K Gandhi0

(Source: Letters of Note, Volume 2, by Shaun Usher)

1. Albert Einstein admired M. K. Gandhi because: [tick (✓) the right answer]

(a) Gandhi discarded the method of violence.

(b) Gandhi showed that it is possible to succeed without violence with those vrho have discarded the method of violence.

(c) Gandhi showed that it is possible to succeed without violence only with those who have discarded the method of violence.

(d) Gandhi showed that it is possible to succeed without violence with all irrespective of whether they have continued or discarded the method of violence.

2. Where did Gandhi wish to meet Einstein? [tick (✓) the right answer]

(a) his residence in London

(b) his Ashram in India

(d) during his tour to London

3. Why does Einstein want Gandhi’s example to go beyond India?

Einstein wished Gandhi's influence to extend globally, establishing a universally respected authority capable of resolving disputes without resorting to war.

4. You have read the chapter and the exchange of letters between A. Einstein and M. K. Gandhi. What similarities do you find in the ideas of both the personalities?

Both were pacifists, wanted peace and tranquility among humans and nations. Both wanted to work for humanity and that too without any self interest.

5. Find the opposites of the words given below from Einstein’s letter.

(a) impossible ____________

(b) fail ____________

(c) peace ____________

(d) absence ____________

(e) enemy ____________

Answer:

(a) possible

(b) succeed

(c) war

(d) presence

(e) friend

6. In the context of Gandhi’s response to Einstein’s letter, ‘finds favour in your sight’ means:

(a) satisfied you

(b) delighted you

(d) not accepted by you

Text – III

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;

If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And-which is more-you’ll be a Man, my son!

– Rudyard Kipling

1. Which lines in the poem tell us to have self control, a clear head and not to become bitter when people speak against us?

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating.

2. One must be just as graceful in losing as he is in winning.

What are the two words in the poem that can replace the underlined ones? Stanza 2

Losing – disaster; winning – triumph

3. In the third stanza what does the poet mean by ‘And lose, and start again’?

The poet suggests that facing loss and starting anew signifies resilience. In life's trials, losing hard-earned gains shouldn't deter you. Rebuild from scratch, proving your true mettle.

4. There is a necessity to treat all people equally and amidst people we should not lose our self ‘who we are’? How has the poet expressed this in the fourth stanza?

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue; or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch.

5. List two things from each stanza that we can do to make the Earth ours, as given in the poem.

1. Patience amidst criticism, void of bitterness, secures one's ownership of Earth.

2. Graceful acceptance of defeat, rebuilding without lament, claims Earth's ownership.

3. Risking achievements, unwavering willpower till the end claims Earth as one's own.

4. Treating all equally, earning trust regardless of differences, secures Earth's ownership.

Vocabulary:

1. Read the paragraphs mentioned against each explanation and find out the words in that paragraph which best match the explanation given. Refer to the chapter ‘A Truly Beautiful Mind’ given in your textbook, Beehive.

(a) A word used disapprovingly to talk about a person who is unusual and doesn’t behave like others. ____________ (paragraph 1)

(b) Taking part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job. ____________ (paragraph 3)

(d) A person who is lacking in or hostile or smugly indifferent to cultural values, intellectual pursuits, etc. ____________ (paragraph 7)

(e) Relating to work that needs special training or education. ____________ (paragraph 8)

Answer:

(a) Freak

(b) Amateur

(d) Philistine

(e) Expert

2. Einstein was a world citizen.

This means he does not belong to one country because his contributions to science and the society have moved beyond the borders of his country.

‘World’ has different meanings in a variety of contexts.

Read the sentences given below and find out the meanings of ‘world’ in each sentence.

(а) My mother means the world to me.

(b) Vasco da Gama sailed round the world.

(d) Stars from the sporting and artistic worlds participated in the function.

(e) She is a simple person in real world as well as in the movies.

Answer:

(a) World means here – everything.

(b) Round the world – entire or whole world.

(d) Area or field of sports and art.

(e) Here world means (in real) life.

Grammar:

Participle Clause:

You have read about and done exercises on participle clauses (Beehive, p. 52). We know that participle clause is a form of adverbial clause which enables us to say information in a more economical way. We can use participle clauses when the participle and verb in the main clause have the same subject.

Example:

Waiting for John, I made some tea.

1. Choose the correct option for the sentences below.

(a) Waiting for the doctor, ____________

[a big noise scared everybody, Dave read a magazine, the alarm went off]

(b) ____________ in the jungle, George had to find the way out on his own. [having lost, lost, losing]

(d) ____________ a holiday, all the banks were closed. [having been/been/ being]

(e) ____________ for so long, he had lost all hope.

[being unemployed/unemployed/ having been unemployed]

Answer:

(a) Dave read a magazine

(b) Lost

(d) Being

(e) Having been unemployed

2. Join the following sentences using a present-participle as given in the example.

We walked along the footpath. We saw an accident.

Walking along the footpath, we saw an accident.

(Note: Out of the two actions, the one which takes place first is changed into present participle.)

(a) He stood by the side of a temple. He asked people to go in.

Standing by the side of a temple, he asked people to go in.

(b) She came out of the room. She greeted the visitors.

Coming out of the room, she greeted the visitors.

(c) He heard the news. He started crying.

Hearing the news, he started crying.

(d) He found the lock broken. He rang up the Police.

Finding the lock broken, he rang up the police.

(e) He felt sleepy. He went to bed.

Feeling sleepy, he went to bed.

Editing:

There is an error in each line. Underline the incorrect word and write the correct word in the blank given. The first one has been done for you as an example.

I entred the manager’s office and sat down, entered.

I have just lost five hundred rupees and I felt very upset.

(a) _______ “I leave the money in my desk,” I said, (b) _______“and it is not there now”. The manager was very sympathetic but he can do nothing. (c) _______ “Everyone loses money theses days,” (d) _______ he said. He start to complain about this wicked world, (e) _______ but is interrupted by a knock at the door, (f) _______.

Answer:

(a) had

(b) left

(d) these

(e) started

(f) was.

Listening:

Listen to the story given below. The teacher or your classmate will read the story aloud. Listen to it carefully and then answer the questions that follow.

Gautama Buddha was journeying through the Kosala region. He was warned not to pass through the deep jungle, as it Was the den of a famous robber chief, Angulimala. He was the terror of the whole countryside. He lived by plundering travellers and feared no one. He had committed many murders. All attempts to capture the inhuman Angulimala had failed. So he continued his crimes unpunished. The people of Kosala pleaded with the Buddha not to expose himself to the dangers of the robber’s territory.

But Gautama Buddha knew no fear. The warnings of the people of Kosala did not affect him. He made his way into the jungle. Angulimala got enraged at this boldness. He was determined to kill the intruder. But when he saw the Buddha, calm and self- possessed, and heard his words of kindness, the robber hesitated. His arm, which had been uplifted to kill, fell helpless by his side. His wrath cooled, and he knelt down before the Buddha. He confessed all his sins and declared his faith in the Buddha. When the people saw the new disciple following his Master, they were amazed and could not believe that this was the ferocious man who had been a terror for so long. Angulimala became a monk. His past was forgotten, and he was widely respected for his holiness.

1. Why did the people of Kosala warn the Buddha hot to go into the jungle?

As it was the den of a famous robber chief, Angulimala.

2. Why was Angulimala considered to be a terror?

Because he plundered travellers, feared no one, committed many murders and he could not have been captured. ,

3. What enraged Angulimala when he saw the Buddha?

Angulimala got enraged at the boldness of the Buddha.

4. Why did the robber hesitate to kill the Buddha?

Buddha’s calm, self possessed personality and his words of kindness made the robber hesitant to kill him.

5. What kind of transformation took place in Angulimala?

He confessed his sins, declared his faith in Buddha and became a monk.

6. Why did people start respecting Angulimala?

Because of his holiness.

Speaking:

A debate competition is being organised in your school. Take a stand for or against this statement: “Our happiness in life depends entirely on our mental attitude.” Prepare an outline of the main points in the order in which you wish to present them (in about 100 words), giving reasons for your point of view.

Debate is a contest between two speakers or two groups of speakers to show skill and ability in arguing.

A proposition, a question or a problem is required for this purpose, which can be spoken for or against.

To participate in a debate, one must prepare for it. So, one must prepare an outline of the main points in the order in which one is going to argue.

There are the limitations of time (only 5 to 6 minutes are allowed).

The speaker addresses the audience.

Every topic/subject has its own vocabulary. These must be learnt.

The speaker addresses’the Chair (Mr President/ Madam), ‘submits’ an argument, ‘appeals’ for sympathetic understanding and support, ‘questions’ the opponent’s views and ‘concludes’ an argument.

(i) Write the outline of the main points, then make a presentation in the class.

Topic

Happiness : a state of mind.

(i) Introduce the topic with a quotation.

“For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.”

(iii) Highlight the main points.

Positive attitude begets happiness.
Lamenting past is futile.
Focus on the present, seize opportunities. Success depends on attitude.
Humanity's unsatisfaction, straying from love and peace, prompts reflection on evolution's missteps.

(iv) Elaborate the points by arguing logically and convincingly.

We must understand why, even though we are advanced, we face problems like anger, hate, and unhappiness. Our minds are often unhappy, which causes these issues. The answer is changing our attitude. With a positive attitude, we can achieve anything, just like famous people who surprised everyone. It's all about having a good attitude.

(v) Give your opinion in the concluding paragraph.

I strongly agree: our happiness depends on our attitude. We can achieve it effortlessly by composing our mind and changing our attitude.

Writing:

→ In groups of four, discuss in favour of or against the topic:

“New technology is common, New thinking is rare.”

→ Each group presents their points and the whole class brainstorms on the topic.

→ Jot down all the points discussed.

→ Write an argumentative article giving logical and relevant reasons along with your points of view.

Throughout history, humanity has advanced, driven by the necessity to find easier and faster ways of doing things. This journey has resulted in numerous discoveries and inventions that have improved our lives. However, it's disheartening that, amidst the technological explosion, new thinking remains neglected. Children are often taught to follow without question, discouraging independent and creative thinking. This mindset harms progress. We should encourage freedom of thought, allowing new ideas to flourish. This approach will grant liberty and contribute to a better world for all.

Project:

You have read about Stephen Hawking in Class VIII. Go through the text once again and gather information about his genius. You can also search web resources. Follow the steps given below and then write what made Hawking a genius.

(i) Who is “a genius?

A genius is someone with exceptional intellect, creativity, and originality, often achieving new advances in knowledge across various domains.

(ii) What are the attributes that make a person a genius?

Jim Westergren identifies 24 qualities shared by geniuses worldwide, including drive, courage, knowledge, honesty, optimism, adaptability, and imagination. These traits collectively define genius.

(iii) How is Stephen Hawking a genius?

Hawking tested Newton's gravitational theories in 2007.
He aimed to prove disability doesn't hinder achievement.
Hawking warned of Earth's increasing disaster risk.
He believed artificial intelligence could combat disease and poverty.
He saw AI as a major event in civilization's history but also noted its potential dangers.

(iv) What is he famous for?

Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist, unraveled black holes and the universe's origin. He bridged diverse fields: gravitation, cosmology, quantum theory, thermodynamics, and information theory. He explained space's curvature by the sun, the universe's entropy, and the non-emptiness of allegedly vacant space.

(v) What books has he written?

Most popular books written by Hawking are:

A Brief History of Time
The Grand Design
The Theory of Everything
A Briefer History of Time
George’s Secret Key to the Universe
My Brief History
George and the Big Bang
The Nature of Space and Time
God Created the Integers
The Future of Space Time etc.

(vi) Refer to the obituaries written by people on him and find out his inspiring qualities.

Stephen Hawking taught humanity to embrace curiosity, defy adversity, and explore the cosmos. His work on black holes, the universe's origin, and the nature of space-time challenged our understanding, inspiring us to pursue knowledge, think beyond boundaries, and never stop questioning.

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