Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 9 English textbook, chapter 11 A Shipwrecked Sailor by Daniel Defoe which is part of the syllabus of students studying under West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
The chapter “A Shipwrecked Sailor” from Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe narrates the experiences of Robinson Crusoe after he is stranded on a deserted island. Crusoe is shipwrecked on September 30, 1659, following a violent storm, leaving him the only survivor. With no shelter, food, or clothing, he feels hopeless and fears attacks by wild animals. On the first night, he sleeps in a tree for safety amidst heavy rain.
The next day, Crusoe observes the wreckage of his ship at low tide and swims to retrieve useful items. He collects provisions like food, wood, a hammock, canvas, tools, and a gun. Although he finds money, it holds no value on the island. To ensure safety, he builds a tent and fortifies it with stakes and cables, creating a secure enclosure he can access with a ladder.
Concerned about losing track of time, Crusoe carves notches on a post for each day. After persistent rain, the weather clears in early November. He crafts wooden boxes to protect his supplies and discovers green barley growing from the remains of poultry feed he had discarded earlier. This unexpected crop boosts his chances of survival.
Crusoe later explores the island, finding fresh water, fertile plains, and abundant fruits, including melons, grapes, and citrus. Though tempted to relocate to this fruitful area, he decides to stay near the sea, hoping for rescue. He also innovates by making a lamp from animal fat.
To cope with isolation, Crusoe begins a journal to document his daily activities, though he eventually runs out of ink. One year after his shipwreck, he reflects on his resourcefulness and resilience, marking the date and acknowledging his year-long survival on the island.
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Textbook solutions
Exercise 1
Tick the correct answer from the given alternatives:
1. Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked in
A. 1659
B. 1559
C. 1359
D. 1959
Answer: A. 1659
2. Robinson Crusoe used canvas to make a
A. bed
B. sail
C. tent
D. curtain
Answer: C. tent
3. The distance between the stakes Robinson Crusoe drove into the ground was
A. five inches
B. seven inches
C. four inches
D. six inches
Answer: D. six inches
4. Crusoe saw some fair weather in the month of
A. December
B. November
C. September
D. October
Answer: B. November
5. The journey homeward with the fruit parcel took Crusoe
A. five days
B. ten days
C. three days
D. four days
Answer: C. three days
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions within fifteen words:
1. What name did Crusoe give to the dismal island?
Answer: The Island of Despair.
2. Where did he pitch the tent?
Answer: On a little plain near the side of a rising hill.
3. How did Crusoe go over the fence?
Answer: By using a short ladder and withdrawing it after climbing.
4. Why did he keep a journal?
Answer: To describe his state of affairs and track everyday’s employment.
Exercise 3
Answer the following questions within twenty five words:
1. What were the items Robinson Crusoe collected from the wrecked ship?
Answer: Wood, cable, string, knife, nails, gun, hammock, canvas, ink, paper, food, and useless money.
2. How did Crusoe keep track of the number of days he spent on the island?
Answer: By cutting a notch on a large post with his knife for every day.
3. In what way did Crusoe make himself a lamp?
Answer: By using tallow in a small clay dish with a wick to create light.
Exercise 4
Underline the adverbs and state their kinds:
(a) It is too hot today.
Answer: The adverbs are too and today.
- Too is an adverb of degree.
- Today is an adverb of time.
Explanation:
- An adverb of degree tells us about the intensity or extent of something. For example, in “too hot,” the word “too” shows the degree of heat, meaning it is more than normal.
- An adverb of time tells us when something happens. “Today” tells us when it is hot.
(b) The girl seldom visits my house.
Answer: The adverb is seldom.
- Seldom is an adverb of frequency.
Explanation:
- An adverb of frequency shows how often something happens. “Seldom” means not very often. For example, if the girl rarely visits, it happens occasionally or almost never.
(c) He searched everywhere for the book.
Answer: The adverb is everywhere.
- Everywhere is an adverb of place.
Explanation:
- An adverb of place shows where an action takes place. “Everywhere” tells us that he looked in all possible locations. For example, “I looked everywhere in my room” means searching in all parts of the room.
(d) The boy runs fast.
Answer: The adverb is fast.
- Fast is an adverb of manner.
Explanation:
- An adverb of manner describes how an action is done. “Fast” tells us the way the boy runs, which is quickly. For example, “She sings beautifully” shows the manner of singing, just as “fast” shows the manner of running.
Exercise 5
Underline the clauses in the following sentences and state what kind of clauses they are:
(a) She asked me what my name was.
Answer: The clause is what my name was.
- It is a noun clause.
Explanation:
- A noun clause acts like a noun in a sentence and is often used as a subject, object, or complement. Here, “what my name was” is the object of the verb “asked.” For example, in “I know where he lives,” the clause “where he lives” is a noun clause acting as the object of “know.”
(b) He is a friend who has always helped me.
Answer: The clause is who has always helped me.
- It is a relative clause.
Explanation:
- A relative clause provides more information about a noun and usually starts with words like “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” or “that.” Here, “who has always helped me” describes the noun “friend.” For example, in “The book that you gave me is interesting,” the clause “that you gave me” gives more details about “book.”
(c) Please enter the room when you are asked to.
Answer: The clause is when you are asked to.
- It is an adverb clause.
Explanation:
- An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb and tells us when, why, how, where, or under what conditions something happens. Here, “when you are asked to” tells us the time for entering the room. For example, in “I will call you when I get home,” the clause “when I get home” is an adverb clause explaining the time of the action.
(d) That he will win is known to us.
Answer: The clause is That he will win.
- It is a noun clause.
Explanation:
- A noun clause functions as a noun. Here, “That he will win” is the subject of the verb “is known.” For example, in “What she said surprised me,” the clause “What she said” is a noun clause acting as the subject.
Exercise 6
Identify the following sentences as simple , complex and compound:
(a) They predicted that it would rain.
Answer: This is a complex sentence.
Explanation:
- A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Here, “They predicted” is the independent clause, and “that it would rain” is the dependent clause. For example, “She believes that he is honest” is also a complex sentence because it has an independent clause and a dependent clause.
(b) The weather being fine, the children went out to play.
Answer: This is a simple sentence.
Explanation:
- A simple sentence has only one main clause. Here, the sentence has one subject-verb relationship: “the children went out to play.” “The weather being fine” is a phrase that adds detail but does not make the sentence complex. For example, “Her smile lighting up the room, she greeted everyone” is another simple sentence with a phrase providing context.
(c) Ravi woke up early but he could not reach school on time.
Answer: This is a compound sentence.
Explanation:
- A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., “but,” “and,” “or”). Here, “Ravi woke up early” and “he could not reach school on time” are two independent clauses connected by “but.” For example, “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining” is another compound sentence.
(d) Finishing his work, my father returned home.
Answer: This is a simple sentence.
Explanation:
- A simple sentence contains only one main clause. In this sentence, “my father returned home” is the main clause, and “Finishing his work” is a participial phrase that describes the subject. For example, “Hearing the good news, she smiled with joy” is another simple sentence with a similar structure.
Exercise 7
Do as directed:
(a) Tatar hoped to do well in the examination. (Change into a complex sentence)
Answer: Tatar hoped that he would do well in the examination.
Explanation:
- A complex sentence includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In this case, “Tatar hoped” is the independent clause, and “that he would do well in the examination” is the dependent clause. The conjunction “that” helps form the dependent clause. For example, “She believed that she could win” is another complex sentence.
(b) The Headmistress arrived and the meeting began. (Change into a complex sentence)
Answer: When the Headmistress arrived, the meeting began.
Explanation:
- A complex sentence is formed by joining an independent clause with a dependent clause. Here, “When the Headmistress arrived” becomes the dependent clause, and “the meeting began” remains the independent clause. The conjunction “when” introduces the dependent clause. For example, “When the bell rang, the students left the class” is a similar structure.
(c) Ayesha was surprised when she heard the news. (Change into a simple sentence)
Answer: Hearing the news, Ayesha was surprised.
Explanation:
- A simple sentence contains only one main clause. The dependent clause “when she heard the news” is transformed into a participial phrase, “Hearing the news,” to make the sentence simple. For example, “Seeing the results, she smiled” is another example of simplifying a complex sentence.
(d) You must work hard to be successful in life. (Change into a compound sentence)
Answer: You must work hard, or you will not be successful in life.
Explanation:
- A compound sentence is made by combining two independent clauses using a coordinating conjunction like “and,” “but,” or “or.” Here, “You must work hard” and “you will not be successful in life” are two independent clauses joined by “or.” For example, “He studied hard, and he passed the exam” is a similar compound structure.
Exercise 8
You had been ill for three days. Write a letter to the Headmaster/Headmistress of your school seeking leave of absence for those days.
To
The Headmistress
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Imphal, Manipur – 795001
Dec. 30, 2024
Dear Madam,
I am writing to inform you that I was unable to attend school from 25 September to 27 September 2024 due to illness. I have now recovered and am ready to resume classes.
I kindly request you to excuse my absence for those days. I assure you that I will catch up on any missed lessons and assignments.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Anjali Devi
Exercise 9
You want to visit a tourist spot during the Puja vacation. Write a letter within 100 words to the manager of a hotel enquiring about the availability of rooms, cost involved and sites to be seen.
27 September 2024
B-34, Green Park
Kolkata – 700016
To
The Manager
Seaside Hotel
Puri – 752001
Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this message finds you well. I am planning to visit Puri during the upcoming Puja vacation with my family. I would like to enquire about the availability of rooms in your hotel from October 15 to October 20.
Please inform me about the cost of a double room and any additional charges. Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could provide details about nearby tourist attractions and sightseeing options.
I look forward to your response at the earliest.
Yours sincerely,
Ananya Sen
Extras
Additional MCQs
1. Where did Crusoe pitch his tent?
A. On a plain
B. Near a beach
C. Inside a cave
D. On a rocky wall
Answer: A. On a plain
16. What did Crusoe use to mark the date of his landing?
A. A large rock
B. A post
C. A tree trunk
D. A cave wall
Answer: B. A post
Additional questions and answers
1. Who is the author of Robinson Crusoe?
Answer: Daniel Defoe.
26. What lessons can modern readers learn from Crusoe’s survival strategies?
Answer: Modern readers can draw several lessons from Crusoe’s experience. His resilience teaches the importance of maintaining hope and determination in the face of challenges. His resourcefulness highlights the value of creativity and adaptability, even when resources are scarce. Crusoe’s story also emphasizes the significance of self-reliance and the ability to prioritize and solve problems methodically. Ultimately, his journey reminds us that even in isolation and adversity, ingenuity and perseverance can lead to triumph.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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