Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 6: ICSE Class 9 English Language/Grammar (Total English) workbook solved which comprises Synthesis of Sentences, Types of Essays, Practice Paper- 6. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Synthesis of Sentences
Assignment I
Combine each set of Simple Sentences into one Simple Sentence:
1. He finished his dinner. He went for a walk.
Answer: Having finished his dinner, he went for a walk.
Explanation: This uses a Participle. Think of a participle as a verb that acts like an adjective. The word “Having finished” describes “he” and tells us what he did right before he went for a walk. It connects the two actions into one smooth sentence, showing that one happened just after the other.
2. It was very hot. We could not go out.
Answer: It was too hot for us to go out.
Explanation: This uses an Infinitive (“to go”). We use the “too…to” structure to show that there is so much of something that another thing cannot happen. Here, the heat was “too” much, which stopped us “to go” out. It’s like saying the heat was a big wall that we couldn’t get past to go outside.
3. He did not succeed. He had tried his best.
Answer: In spite of trying his best, he did not succeed.
Explanation: This uses a Preposition (“In spite of”) with a Gerund (“trying”). We use “in spite of” when something happens that is the opposite of what you would expect. You would expect someone who tried their best to succeed. But here, the opposite happened. “In spite of” shows this surprising contrast.
4. You must help your friend. It is your duty.
Answer: It is your duty to help your friend.
Explanation: This uses an Infinitive (“to help”). Here, the phrase “to help your friend” acts like a noun. It answers the question, “What is your duty?”. The duty is “to help your friend.” It turns the action of helping into the main idea of the sentence.
5. Smriti is my friend. She is a great musician.
Answer: Smriti, a great musician, is my friend.
Explanation: This uses a Phrase in Apposition. “Apposition” is a fancy word for putting a description right next to a noun to tell us more about it. Here, “a great musician” is placed right next to “Smriti” to give us extra information about her. The two commas act like little brackets holding the extra detail.
6. He escaped unhurt. He was lucky.
Answer: Luckily, he escaped unhurt.
Explanation: This uses an Adverb (“Luckily”). An adverb is a word that describes a verb, telling us how an action happened. The word “Luckily” describes how he escaped. It tells us that his escape happened in a lucky way.
7. He cannot afford a car. He is too poor.
Answer: He is too poor to afford a car.
Explanation: This uses an Infinitive (“to afford”). Just like in question 2, this uses the “too…to” structure. It means he has so much poverty (“too poor”) that it prevents him from doing something else (“to afford a car”). His poverty is the reason he cannot do the action.
8. I have examined the statement. I find many errors in it.
Answer: On examining the statement, I found many errors in it.
Explanation: This uses a Preposition (“On”) with a Gerund (“examining”). Using “On” with an “-ing” word (a gerund) is like saying “When I did this…” or “As soon as I did this…”. So, “On examining the statement” means “When I examined the statement,” which led directly to the discovery of errors.
Assignment II
Combine each set of Simple Sentences into a Compound Sentence:
1. You must make haste. You will miss the bus.
Answer: You must make haste, or you will miss the bus.
Explanation: Think of it like this: you have two choices or possibilities. The word ‘or’ is used to connect them. One thing can happen (you make haste), and if not, a different thing will happen (you will miss the bus). So, ‘or’ shows the alternative result if you don’t do the first action.
2. A bad boy disobeys his parents. A good boy obeys them.
Answer: A bad boy disobeys his parents, but a good boy obeys them.
Explanation: We use the word ‘but’ when we want to show a difference or contrast between two ideas. Here, we are talking about two opposite kinds of boys: a bad boy and a good boy. ‘But’ helps to connect these two opposite ideas in one sentence.
3. The boy bought a kite. He took it home.
Answer: The boy bought a kite and took it home.
Explanation: The word ‘and’ is like a plus sign in grammar. It adds one idea to another. The boy did two things: first, he bought a kite, and second, he took it home. ‘And’ simply joins these two actions together in order.
4. Fools shun truth. Wise men love it.
Answer: Fools shun truth, while wise men love it.
Explanation: The word ‘while’ is used here to compare two different groups and their different actions. It shows a contrast, just like ‘but’. On one side, you have fools who avoid the truth. On the other side, you have wise men who love the truth. ‘While’ puts these two different facts side-by-side.
5. Some men are born great. Some achieve greatness.
Answer: Some men are born great, and some achieve greatness.
Explanation: Just like a plus sign, ‘and’ is used here to add a second piece of information. The sentence tells us two ways people can become great. First, some are born that way. Second, some work to achieve it. ‘And’ connects these two related ideas.
6. The Parliament refused money. The President wanted it.
Answer: The Parliament refused money, but the President wanted it.
Explanation: We use ‘but’ to show a conflict or an opposite situation. The Parliament did one thing (refused money), and the President wanted the opposite. The word ‘but’ is perfect for connecting these two conflicting ideas.
7. Sharad is a rich man. He did not earn his wealth.
Answer: Sharad is a rich man, yet he did not earn his wealth.
Explanation: The word ‘yet’ is used to show something surprising or unexpected. You might expect a rich man to have earned his wealth, but in Sharad’s case, that’s not true. ‘Yet’ connects the two facts and points out the surprising contrast between them.
8. The teacher is to blame. The pupils are to blame.
Answer: Both the teacher and the pupils are to blame.
Explanation: When you want to say that two different people or groups are responsible for the same thing, you can use ‘both…and…’. It’s a way of including everyone. Instead of saying it in two separate sentences, this phrase joins them neatly to show that the blame is shared.
9. I was annoyed. I kept quiet.
Answer: I was annoyed, still I kept quiet.
Explanation: The word ‘still’ shows a contrast, especially when you do something despite a feeling. You would expect someone who is annoyed to speak up or complain. But in this case, the person did the opposite and kept quiet. ‘Still’ connects the feeling (annoyance) with the surprising action (keeping quiet).
10. Is the baby asleep? Is the baby awake?
Answer: Is the baby either asleep or awake?
Explanation: When you have two possibilities and you want to ask which one is true, you can use ‘either…or…’. It’s like asking, “Is it this one, or is it that one?” It turns two separate questions about two different states (asleep, awake) into one single question that covers both options.
Assignment III
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each:
1. You will be late. Hurry up. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘if……………….’)
Answer: If you do not hurry up, you will be late.
Explanation: This is a conditional sentence, which is like a rule that says “IF this happens, THEN that will happen.” The instruction “Hurry up” is a condition. If you don’t follow the instruction (if you do not hurry up), the result will be that you will be late. The word ‘if’ is used to introduce the condition.
2. He deceived his parents. They still trust him. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘although …………’)
Answer: Although he deceived his parents, they still trust him.
Explanation: The word ‘although’ is used to connect two ideas that are surprising or opposite. It’s surprising that his parents trust him even though he deceived them. ‘Although’ shows this contrast, meaning “in spite of the fact that.”
3. Nehru was a leader. He was a writer. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘besides …………’)
Answer: Besides being a leader, Nehru was a writer.
Explanation: ‘Besides’ means ‘in addition to’ or ‘also’. We are adding the fact that Nehru was a writer to the fact that he was a leader. To make the sentence flow, we change the verb ‘was’ into its ‘-ing’ form, ‘being’, which is called a gerund.
4. We stayed at home. It was raining. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘as …………’)
Answer: As it was raining, we stayed at home.
Explanation: The word ‘as’ can be used to mean ‘because’. It explains the reason why something happened. Why did we stay at home? The reason was the rain. So, we connect the reason (it was raining) to the action (we stayed at home) using ‘as’.
5. Has he returned from Kolkata? Ask his son. (Rewrite as one sentence using ‘whether’)
Answer: Ask his son whether he has returned from Kolkata.
Explanation: When we report a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question, we use the word ‘whether’ or ‘if’. It introduces the two possibilities (yes, he has returned, or no, he has not). So, instead of asking the direct question again, you ask someone to find out the answer using ‘whether’.
6. I got the message. Immediately I went to his house. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘as soon as …………’)
Answer: As soon as I got the message, I went to his house.
Explanation: ‘As soon as’ is used to show that one thing happened immediately after another, with no delay. The first event was getting the message, and the very next moment, the second event, going to his house, happened.
7. It is very simple. Everybody can do it. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘so ………… that’)
Answer: It is so simple that everybody can do it.
Explanation: The phrase ‘so…that…’ connects a cause with its result. The cause is that it is ‘very simple’. The word ‘so’ makes ‘simple’ stronger. The result of it being so simple is that ‘everybody can do it’. The word ‘that’ introduces this result.
8. Rakesh was running. He was being chased by a tiger. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘because………….’)
Answer: Rakesh was running because he was being chased by a tiger.
Explanation: The word ‘because’ is used to give the reason for an action. The question is, “Why was Rakesh running?” The answer, or reason, is that a tiger was chasing him. ‘Because’ connects the action to its reason.
9. “You’ll be ruined! Run away!” (Rewrite as one sentence and use ‘If’.)
Answer: If you do not run away, you will be ruined.
Explanation: This is another conditional sentence that works like a warning. The command “Run away!” is the condition for safety. If you do the opposite (if you do not run away), the negative consequence (you will be ruined) will happen. ‘If’ introduces the condition.
10. Nandu works hard. His aim is to win a scholarship. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘that’)
Answer: Nandu works hard so that he may win a scholarship.
Explanation: The phrase ‘so that’ is used to explain the purpose or aim of an action. Why does Nandu work hard? His purpose is to win a scholarship. ‘So that’ connects the action (working hard) with the purpose (winning a scholarship).
11. He won a lottery. Then he bought a house. (Rewrite as one sentence using ‘after…………’)
Answer: After winning the lottery, he bought a house.
Explanation: ‘After’ shows the sequence of events. First, he won the lottery. Second, he bought a house. To make the sentence smoother, we can use the ‘-ing’ form of the verb (a gerund), ‘winning’, after the word ‘after’.
12. Alka is intelligent. Meera is equally intelligent. (Rewrite as one sentence using ‘as ………… as’)
Answer: Alka is as intelligent as Meera.
Explanation: The phrase ‘as…as…’ is used to compare two things and show that they are equal. Here, Alka’s intelligence is equal to Meera’s intelligence. It’s like saying they are the same in this quality.
13. All will respect you. Be kind. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘if’)
Answer: If you are kind, all will respect you.
Explanation: This is a conditional sentence. The condition is to ‘be kind’. The result of fulfilling this condition is that ‘all will respect you’. The word ‘if’ introduces the condition that leads to the result.
14. Do not steal. Stealing is a crime. (Rewrite as one sentence, using ‘since’)
Answer: Do not steal, since stealing is a crime.
Explanation: The word ‘since’ can be used like ‘because’ to provide a reason. The sentence gives a command (“Do not steal”) and then gives the reason for that command (“Stealing is a crime”). ‘Since’ connects the command to its justification.
Types of Essays
Assignment
Study the topics given below. See which category of essays seems to appeal to you most. Jot down your response in your notebook. Time and practice may prove that your true strength lies in a particular direction.
(i) The advantages and disadvantages of living in a city.
Category: Argumentative Essay.
(ii) Your first day at your present school.
Category: Narrative Essay.
(iii) The destructive forces of nature (such as earthquakes and floods).
Category: Descriptive Essay.
(iv) The world as it appears to a dog.
Category: Imaginative / Descriptive Essay.
(v) Choose any two films, one that you liked and the other that you disliked. Explain why you liked the first and disliked the second.
Category: Critical Essay.
(vi) Your reflections on going through your family album.
Category: Reflective Essay.
(vii) Instructions on keeping a bicycle in a good running order.
Category: Factual Writing.
(viii) Effects of fame on child artists.
Category: Argumentative or Reflective Essay.
Precision in Comprehension
Assignment
Tick mark the correct answer for each of the following questions:
1. As a long-distance runner, he is second to none. The italicised phrase indicates that:
(a) he is better than somebody;
(b) he is a second-rate runner;
(c) he has won all his races;
(d) nobody is better than he is;
(e) he has never come second in a race.
Answer: (d) nobody is better than he is;
Explanation: The phrase “second to none” is an idiom. It means that someone is the very best at what they do. If no one is better than him, it means he is at the top.
2. Reading between the lines, I would say that she is unhappy. The meaning of this statement is:
(a) I am telling you confidentially that she is unhappy.
(b) She has said in a special code that she is unhappy.
(c) Although she has not said so explicitly, it is possible to guess that she is unhappy.
(d) At intervals, while reading she tells me that she is unhappy.
(e) Every few lines she indicates that she is not happy.
Answer: (c) Although she has not said so explicitly, it is possible to guess that she is unhappy.
Explanation: “Reading between the lines” is an idiom that means to understand something that is not said directly. You have to guess the real meaning from the hints or clues given.
3. My husband will buy whatever kind of car he personally wants, regardless of my wishes. Regardless here means:
(a) forgetful
(b) out of concern
(c) irrespective
(d) in consideration
(e) respecting
Answer: (c) irrespective
Explanation: The word “regardless” means without paying attention to something. In this sentence, the husband will buy the car without considering his wife’s wishes. “Irrespective” means the same thing.
4. One night, four of us travelled from my village to the next. All but one of us were small boys. All three of us kept struggling to be in the middle till the journey ended…. Complete the last sentence by adding only one of the following:
(a) because we travelled on a hot day;
(b) because we were all tired;
(c) because all of us made the journey;
(d) because we were too afraid to lead or trail behind;
(e) because the journey was interesting.
Answer: (d) because we were too afraid to lead or trail behind;
Explanation: Small boys travelling at night might be scared. The safest place in a group is in the middle, away from the front (where danger might appear first) and the back (where someone might be left behind). This suggests they were afraid.
5. Navin is always late for duty. When he comes to his office he starts bullying those under him. His co-workers do not like him. Many complaints have been lodged against him….. Complete the last sentence by adding only one of the following:
(a) because his bark is worse than his bite;
(b) because he is a reasonable man;
(c) because he is corrupt;
(d) because he does not greet anyone;
(e) because he creates an unpleasant feeling in his office.
Answer: (e) because he creates an unpleasant feeling in his office.
Explanation: The description of Navin shows that he is a difficult person to work with. Bullying co-workers and being late would create a bad or unpleasant atmosphere in the office, which is why people would complain.
6. My brother got us to the station at 7.10 a.m. He always cuts it fine. The sentence in italics means:
(a) He always arrives in good time.
(b) He always arrives only just in time.
(c) He always takes a short-cut to the station.
(d) He always arrives late.
(e) He always drives at high speed.
Answer: (b) He always arrives only just in time.
Explanation: The idiom “to cut it fine” means to leave only a very short amount of time for something. It means arriving at the last possible moment, with no time to spare.
Practice Paper-6
Question 1
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (300-350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write a short story which illustrates the truth of the statement, “With faith in yourself you can achieve anything.”
Answer: Faith in the Music
Leo lived and breathed music, but only in the solitude of his room. His fingers danced across the piano keys, creating beautiful melodies, but the moment a pair of eyes fell on him, they would stiffen and falter. The upcoming “National Young Virtuoso Competition” was his biggest dream and his worst nightmare. The thought of the grand stage, the silent audience, and the stern-faced judges filled him with dread. His teacher always said he was talented, but talent was useless without the courage to share it.
The weeks leading up to the competition were torturous. Every practice session was a battle against the voice in his head that whispered, “You’re not good enough.” He watched videos of Julian, his main competitor, whose fingers flew across the keys with flawless precision. “How can I compete with that?” Leo would mutter, his own hands feeling clumsy and slow. He was on the verge of withdrawing, convinced that failure was inevitable and feeling the weight of his own doubt crushing his spirit.
On the night of the finals, standing in the wings of the stage, Leo felt his heart hammering against his ribs. He was ready to turn and run. Then, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He did not think of Julian, the prize, or the audience. Instead, he thought of the first time he had touched a piano, the pure joy of creating a sound. He remembered his teacher’s final piece of advice: “Don’t play to win, Leo. Play because you love it. Have faith in that love.” A strange calm washed over him. He walked onto the stage, sat at the grand piano, and for a moment, the world disappeared.
He began to play. The music flowed from him, not just from memory, but from his very soul. It was passionate, powerful, and uniquely his. When the final note faded, a moment of stunned silence was broken by thunderous applause. He had not even noticed the audience until now. Later, when his name was announced as the winner, it felt surreal. Holding the trophy, Leo knew it was not just a prize for his skill. It was a symbol of his victory over fear. He had found faith in himself, and in doing so, he had achieved more than he had ever thought possible.
(ii) Narrate your experience when you were sick and confined to bed for a week and had to miss an important competition for which you had been preparing for a long time.
Answer: When the Gavel Fell Without Me
For six months, my life had revolved around the State Debating Championship. I had spent countless hours in the library, researched tirelessly, and practiced my speeches until my voice was hoarse. My partner, Anjali, and I were a strong team, and our teachers believed we had a real chance of winning. The competition was not just about a trophy; it was the culmination of all my hard work and ambition. The final round was scheduled for Saturday, and by Tuesday, I was buzzing with nervous excitement.
That evening, however, a strange weariness took hold of me, followed by a fever that left me shivering. I dismissed it as pre-competition jitters, but by Wednesday morning, I could barely lift my head from the pillow. A visit to the doctor confirmed my worst fears: a severe case of the flu. The verdict was absolute and non-negotiable: a full week of bed rest. The news hit me harder than the fever. All those months of preparation had vanished in a single diagnosis.
Lying in bed, I felt a crushing sense of disappointment. The world seemed to have shrunk to the four walls of my room. On the day of the competition, I stared blankly at the ceiling, imagining the echo of the gavel, the charged atmosphere, and Anjali on stage with a replacement partner. The bitterness was overwhelming. My mother sat with me, not offering empty platitudes, but simply being present. It was in that quiet moment that a slow realisation dawned on me. A competition, no matter how important, was just one event. My health, my well-being, was the foundation for all future opportunities.
The disappointment did not disappear overnight, but its sharp edges began to soften. I learned a difficult lesson in resilience and perspective that week. I had lost a chance to compete, but I had gained a deeper appreciation for my own health and the understanding that life’s path is not always straight. There would be other debates and other stages to conquer.
(iii) ‘Availability of all types of information on the Internet is doing more harm than good.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer: For the Statement
The advent of the internet has undeniably revolutionised access to information, placing a world of knowledge at our fingertips. However, it is this very vastness and lack of regulation that leads me to argue that the availability of all types of information on the internet is doing more harm than good. The web has become a double-edged sword, where the potential for good is increasingly overshadowed by significant dangers.
One of the most serious problems is the proliferation of misinformation and “fake news.” Without editorial oversight or a mandatory fact-checking process, false narratives can spread like wildfire. These can have severe real-world consequences, from influencing political elections with fabricated stories to promoting dangerous health myths that lead people to reject proven medical treatments. The average user often lacks the skills to distinguish credible sources from malicious ones, making them vulnerable to manipulation.
Furthermore, the internet provides easy access to harmful and explicit content. Children and teenagers can be exposed to violence, extremist ideologies, and other materials that are damaging to their mental and emotional development. The anonymity of the internet also fosters a culture of cyberbullying, which has led to a documented increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people. The constant stream of information, both good and bad, contributes to information overload, shortening attention spans and making deep, focused thinking more difficult.
While the internet is a powerful tool for education and connection, its unfiltered nature presents a clear and present danger. The unchecked spread of falsehoods, the accessibility of harmful content, and the negative impact on mental health are not minor side effects; they are critical flaws. Until these issues are addressed, the harm caused by the internet’s information free-for-all will continue to outweigh the good it provides.
(iv) After your father’s transfer, you had to leave your home town to live in another town. Describe the things about your home town you miss the most. Also state how you are coping with your new environment.
Answer: Roots and Routes
The day my father announced his transfer, it felt as though the solid ground beneath my feet had turned to sand. Leaving my home town, the only world I had ever known, was a heart-wrenching prospect. Now, living in this new, sprawling city, my mind often wanders back to the small, familiar comforts I left behind.
I miss the simple, sensory details of my old life the most. I miss the earthy smell of the first monsoon rain hitting the dry soil, a scent that promised relief and joy. I miss the gentle, rhythmic sound of the temple bell that echoed through our lane every evening, a sound that marked the end of the day. Most of all, I miss the sight of the ancient banyan tree in the centre of our local park. Its sprawling branches were the silent keepers of all our childhood secrets, the place where my friends and I would meet every day without ever needing to make a plan. I miss the people too—the warm smile of Mr. Sharma at the corner store and the easy camaraderie with neighbours who felt more like family.
Coping with the new environment has been a challenge. This city is loud, fast, and impersonal. The first few weeks at my new school were lonely, and I felt like an outsider looking in. To fight the isolation, I have started to explore my new surroundings. I joined the school’s literary club, where I have slowly started to make friends who share my love for books. I make it a point to call my old friends every weekend, and hearing their voices makes the distance feel a little smaller.
It is a slow process. There are days when a certain smell or sound will trigger a wave of nostalgia that is hard to shake off. However, I am learning to build a new life here. While a part of my heart will always belong to my home town, I am beginning to see that this new chapter, though difficult, is also an opportunity to grow.
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Answer: Stride of Memory
The early morning air was crisp, and the only sound was the rhythmic crunch of Rohan’s running shoes on the gravel path. The trees on either side formed a quiet, watchful canopy as he pushed forward, his breath forming small clouds in the cool air. He glanced at his watch, not just to check his pace, but to measure his progress against a silent promise. This was more than just a run; it was a ritual.
The watch had been his father’s. A year ago, his father, a lifelong runner, had been training for his first full marathon when an illness had abruptly ended his athletic pursuits. “You’ll run it for me one day, son,” he had said from his hospital bed, his voice weak but his eyes full of hope. Now, with the marathon just a month away, every step Rohan took on this path was in honour of that promise. The path ahead looked long and unending, a perfect metaphor for the challenge he had undertaken.
He checked the time again. 7:15 AM. He was on track, maintaining the demanding pace his coach had set. A sharp burn began to creep into his calves, and his lungs ached for more air. The temptation to slow down, to just walk for a minute, was immense. But then he pictured his father’s face, and the thought gave him a fresh surge of energy. He was not just running against the clock; he was running against the doubt that sometimes whispered he was not strong enough to see this through.
Looking up from his watch, his jaw set with determination, Rohan focused on a point far down the path and lengthened his stride. The pain was still there, but it was now a familiar companion, a reminder of his effort and commitment. This solitary path was his training ground, and each sunrise he spent here was a small victory, bringing him one step closer to the finish line his father never got to cross.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the MLA of your area complaining about the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the road leading to your school. Mention the problems caused and request that the refuse be cleared immediately.
Answer:
15, Park Street
Kolkata – 700016
15th July, 2024
To
The Honourable MLA
Jadavpur Constituency
Kolkata – 700032
Subject: Complaint regarding dumping of refuse on the road
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you today as a concerned student of South Point High School. The road that leads to our school has become a dumping ground for garbage. Every day, huge piles of refuse are left on the sides of the road, and the situation is getting worse.
This is causing many problems for us. The smell is very bad, and it is difficult to walk or even drive past the area. During the rainy season, the situation becomes terrible as the garbage spreads all over the road, making it dirty and unhygienic. We are worried about the health of the students, as the garbage attracts flies and mosquitoes, which can spread diseases like dengue and malaria. It is also a very unpleasant sight and gives a bad impression of our locality.
On behalf of all the students of my school, I request you to please look into this matter urgently. We would be very grateful if you could take immediate action to have the refuse cleared and ensure that this does not happen again.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.
Yours faithfully,
Rohan Sharma
Class IX
(ii) Write a letter from your hostel to your younger brother advising him to spend more time outdoors in taking training for an outdoor sport like tennis or cricket.
Answer:
St. Xavier’s Hostel
Room No. 24
Mumbai – 400001
15th July, 2024
My dear Sameer,
I hope you are doing well. I received mother’s letter yesterday and was happy to know that you are doing well in your studies. However, she mentioned that you spend most of your free time playing games on your phone.
While it is good to relax, I feel you should spend more time outdoors. I would advise you to join training for an outdoor sport like cricket or tennis. Playing a sport is not just good for your physical health, but it also teaches you many important life lessons. It will make you more disciplined and teach you how to work as part of a team. You will also make many new friends.
Spending time on the field will refresh your mind after a long day of studying. It will help you to concentrate better on your lessons. I know you love watching cricket, so why not try playing it? I am sure you will enjoy it a lot.
I hope you will think about my advice. I am looking forward to seeing you during the holidays.
With love,
Your elder brother,
Rahul
Question 3
(i) Your school is organising an inter-house Spelling Bee Contest. Write a notice to be put in your school informing the students about the contest and inviting them to participate in it. The winner would represent your school at the state level competition.
Answer:
Delhi Public School, New Delhi
NOTICE
15th July, 2024
Inter-House Spelling Bee Contest
This is to inform all students from Classes VI to IX that the school is organising an Inter-House Spelling Bee Contest. This is a great opportunity for all the spelling enthusiasts to showcase their talent.
The details of the contest are as follows:
- Date: 30th July, 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Venue: School Auditorium
The winner of this contest will get the chance to represent our school at the state-level competition.
Interested students are requested to give their names to their respective English teachers on or before 25th July, 2024.
Riya Sen
Head Girl
(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school, requesting him/her to send a team of teachers to judge the inter-house Spelling Bee Contest.
Answer:
To: principal.aps@email.com
From: principal.dps@email.com
Subject: Invitation to Judge Inter-House Spelling Bee Contest
Dear Principal,
Our school, Delhi Public School, is organising its annual Inter-House Spelling Bee Contest for students of Classes VI to IX on 30th July, 2024. The event will be held in our school auditorium from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
We would be honoured if you could send a team of two of your experienced English teachers to be a part of our judging panel. Their presence and expertise would be of great value to our event and would encourage our students.
We look forward to a positive response from you.
Thank you.Yours sincerely,
Anjali Verma
Principal
Delhi Public School, New Delhi
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Muggs was the worst of all my dogs. A big burly choleric dog, he always acted as if I was not one of the family. There was a slight advantage in being one of the family, for he did not bite the family as often as he bit strangers. Still in the years that we had him he bit everybody but mother.
One morning when Muggs bit me slightly, more or less in passing, I carried him to the kitchen and flung him on to the floor and shut the door on him. But I forgot about the backstairs. Muggs went up the backstairs and down the frontstairs and had me cornered in the living-room. I managed to get up on to the mantelpiece above the fireplace, but it gave way and came down with a tremendous crash, throwing a large marble clock, several vases, and myself heavily to the floor.
In his last years Muggs used to spend practically all of his time outdoors. He did not like to stay in the house for some reason or other—perhaps it held too many unpleasant memories for him. Anyway, it was hard to get him to come in, as a result the garbage man, the iceman, and the laundryman would not come near the house. We had to haul the garbage down to the corner, take the laundry out and bring it back, and meet the iceman a block away from home. After this had gone on for some time we hit on an ingenious arrangement for getting the dog into the house. Muggs was afraid of only one thing, an electrical storm. Thunder and lightning frightened him out of his senses. He would rush into the house and hide under a bed. So we fixed up a thunder machine out of a long narrow piece of sheet iron with a wooden handle on one end. Mother would shake this vigorously when she wanted to get Muggs into the house. It made an excellent imitation of thunder, but I suppose it was the most roundabout system that was ever devised for running a household.
A few months before Muggs died, he got to seeing ‘things’. He would rise slowly from the floor, growling low, and stalk stiff-legged and menacing toward nothing at all. Sometimes the ‘Thing’ would be just a little to the right or left of a visitor. Once Fuller Brush, a salesman got hysterics. Muggs came wandering into the room. His eyes were fixed on a spot just to the left of the man, who stood it until Muggs was three paces from him. Then he shouted. Muggs wavered on past him into the hallway, grumbling to himself, but the salesman went on shouting. Mother had to throw a saucepan of cold water on him before he stopped.
Muggs died quite suddenly one night. We buried him beside a lonely road with a smooth board above his grave. On the board I wrote with an indelible paint ‘Cave Canem’. Mother was quite pleased with the simple classic dignity of the old Latin epitaph. Little did she realise that the epitaph translated in English meant, ‘Beware of the dog’.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. haul (line 14)
(a) catch
(b) bounty
(c) yield
(d) pull
Answer: (d) pull
2. ingenious (line 17)
(a) excellent
(b) imitative
(c) innovative
(d) sophisticated
Answer: (c) innovative
(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word cheerful?
(a) choleric
(b) cornered
(c) vigorously
(d) slowly
Answer: (a) choleric
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) How did Muggs behave with the narrator? What do you find strange about his behaviour?
Answer: Muggs behaved as if the narrator was not a member of the family and would bite him. The strange part of his behaviour was that he bit everyone in the family and strangers, but he never bit the narrator’s mother.
(b) What did the narrator do when Muggs bit him?
Answer: When Muggs bit the narrator, he carried the dog to the kitchen, threw him onto the floor, and shut the door to keep him there.
(c) Why did the narrator get up on the mantelpiece? What happened then?
Answer: The narrator got up on the mantelpiece because Muggs had cornered him in the living room. After he got up there, the mantelpiece broke and came down with a crash, throwing the narrator, a clock, and several vases to the floor.
(d) What problems did Muggs create by staying outside the house?
Answer: By staying outside, Muggs scared away the garbage man, the iceman, and the laundryman, who would not come near the house. This forced the family to haul their own garbage, take out and bring back their laundry, and meet the iceman a block away.
(e) What device was made to get Muggs into the house?
Answer: A “thunder machine” was made from a piece of sheet iron with a wooden handle. The family would shake it to make a sound like thunder, which scared Muggs and made him run into the house to hide.
(f) Describe the changes that came in the behaviour of Muggs at different stages of his stay with the narrator and his family. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: Initially, Muggs was an aggressive dog who bit everyone except the mother. Later, he preferred to stay outdoors, causing inconvenience. In his final months, he became delusional, seeing imaginary things and growling at empty spaces, which showed a decline in his mental state before his death.
Question 5
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.
Example: (0) thought
A simple farmer was so happy with his first crop of mangoes that he ….0…. (think) it well to bring a basket of his mangoes to the king.
When he arrived at the palace he asked the guards to tell him how he could meet the king to gift him the ….1…. (juice) mangoes. “Well, I ….2…. (take) you to him,” said one of the guards, “but only if you ….3…. (promise) to give me half of whatever he gives you.” The farmer promised and the guard took him to the king. The king gratefully accepted the mangoes and asked the farmer what he could give him as a reward.
“Please, give me 100 ….4…. (strike) of the lash; that is the only reward I desire. And since your guard and I ….5…. (agree) to divide the reward ….6…. (equal), fifty are for him.” The king ….7…. (laugh) at the ingenuity of the farmer and gave him hundred gold coins and ….8…. (dismiss) the guard.
Answer:
- juicy
- will take
- promise
- strikes
- have agreed
- equally
- laughed
- dismissed
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) These seats are set ____________ for parents.
Answer: These seats are set aside for parents.
(b) Pupils must look ____________ to their teachers as their guides.
Answer: Pupils must look up to their teachers as their guides.
(c) The aeroplane flew ____________ the clouds.
Answer: The aeroplane flew above the clouds.
(d) I have disposed ____________ all my old books.
Answer: I have disposed of all my old books.
(e) They were sitting ____________ me during dinner.
Answer: They were sitting beside me during dinner.
(f) A good tree brings ____________ good fruits.
Answer: A good tree brings forth good fruits.
(g) Except me, no one else can work ____________ this vintage car.
Answer: Except me, no one else can work on this vintage car.
(h) We built a strong wall ____________ the house.
Answer: We built a strong wall around the house.
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. I had left office. My client came later.
(a) My client came later than I left office.
(b) My client came after I had left office.
(c) My client came later when I left office.
(d) My client came when I leave office.
Answer: (b) My client came after I had left office.
2. This device is very easy. Even a child can use it.
(a) Even a child can use this device which is very easy.
(b) The device which is very easy even a child can use it.
(c) As the device is very easy, even a child can use it.
(d) As the device is too very simple, a child can use it.
Answer: (c) As the device is very easy, even a child can use it.
3. He whispered something. It was not audible.
(a) He whispered something which was inaudible.
(b) He whispered something such that it was inaudible.
(c) He whispered something since it was inaudible.
(d) He whispered something that was audible.
Answer: (a) He whispered something which was inaudible.
4. Let us hope your father will agree. If so, we will go out for a picnic.
(a) Provided when your father agree, we will go out for picnic.
(b) Provided your father agrees, we will go out for a picnic.
(c) Provided for your father to agree, we will go out for a picnic.
(d) Provided upon your father agreeing, we will go out for picnic.
Answer: (b) Provided your father agrees, we will go out for a picnic.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. He won the match, so I congratulated him. (Begin with: I congratulated him …)
(a) I congratulated him at winning the match.
(b) I congratulated him to win the match.
(c) I congratulated him in winning the match.
(d) I congratulated him on winning the match.
Answer: (d) I congratulated him on winning the match.
2. It looks as if Tanya has applied for the wrong job. (Begin with: Tanya seems …)
(a) Tanya seems to have been applying for the wrong job.
(b) Tanya seems to applying for the wrong job.
(c) Tanya seems to have applied for the wrong job.
(d) Tanya seems to had applied for the wrong job.
Answer: (c) Tanya seems to have applied for the wrong job.
3. He was sorry that he had not said goodbye to her. (Begin with: He regretted …)
(a) He regretted having not said goodbye to her.
(b) He regretted not having to say goodbye to her.
(c) He regretted for not having said goodbye to her.
(d) He regretted not having said goodbye to her.
Answer: (d) He regretted not having said goodbye to her.
4. If nobody wants it, I will throw it away. (Use: unless)
(a) Unless somebody wants it, I will throw it away.
(b) Unless somebody want it, I will throw it away.
(c) Unless somebody wants it, I would throw it away.
(d) Unless somebody wants it, I will threw it away.
Answer: (a) Unless somebody wants it, I will throw it away.
5. He said to me, “Are you going away tonight?” (Begin with: He inquired …)
(a) He inquired if I had been going away this night.
(b) He inquired when I were going away that night.
(c) He inquired whether I was going away that night.
(d) He inquired if I was going away for a night.
Answer: (c) He inquired whether I was going away that night.
6. As soon as I woke up, the milkman rang the bell. (Begin with: Hardly…)
(a) Hardly did I woke up when the milkman rang the bell.
(b) Hardly had I woken up when the milkman rang the bell.
(c) Hardly I had woken up when the milkman rang the bell.
(d) Hardly did I woke up than the milkman rang the bell.
Answer: (b) Hardly had I woken up when the milkman rang the bell.
7. Eat less affluent dinners and you will need few medicines. (Use: if)
(a) If you eat less affluent dinners, you would need few medicines.
(b) If you eat less affluent dinners, you will need few medicines.
(c) If you eat less affluent dinners, you will need a few medicines.
(d) If you eat dinners, less affluent you will need few medicine.
Answer: (b) If you eat less affluent dinners, you will need few medicines.
8. Not only Sanjana but Diana also got medals. (Use: as well as)
(a) Sanjana as well as Diana have got medals.
(b) Sanjana as well as Diana has got medals.
(c) Sanjana as well as Diana got medals.
(d) Sanjana as well as Diana had got medals.
Answer: (c) Sanjana as well as Diana got medals.
Get notes of other classes and subjects