No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, C.D. ROM/Audio Video Cassettes or electronic, mechanical including photocopying; recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher.

 

 

STD. IX

English Reader (Third Language)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Written as per the revised syllabus prescribed by the Maharashtra State Board

of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Pune.

Fourth Edition: April 2016

Printed at: Dainik Saamana, Navi Mumbai

10043_10571_JUP

P.O. No. 16591

þUkeÀ Jewefμe<ìîes:

• mebHetCe& DeY³eeme¬eÀcee®ee meesH³ee Je DeesIeJel³ee mJeªHeele HeefjHetCe& Dee{eJee.

• HeeþîeHegmlekeÀeleerue meJe& Òeμveeb®ee GÊejebmeefnle meceeJesμe lemes®e mejeJeemeeþer DeefOekeÀ Òeμve.

• keÀefJeleeb®ee YeeJeeLe& Fbûepeer Je cejeþer oesvner Yee<eebceO³es.

• meJe& Heeþeb®ee meejebμe FbûepeerceO³es.

• Heeþebleerue meJe& Heefj®ísoeb®es cejeþer Yee<eeblej.

• μeyoeLe&mebûenele keÀþerCe μeyoeb®es Fbûepeer Je cejeþer DeLe&.

• J³eekeÀjCe Je μeyomebûen ³eebJej DeeOeeefjle YejHetj mJeeO³ee³e.

• uesKeveÒekeÀejebmeeþer mJeleb$e efJeYeeie.

PREFACE In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you. “Std. IX: English Reader”(Third Language) is a complete and thorough guide critically analysed and extensively drafted to boost the student’s confidence. The book makes learning easy for the student by segregating each chapter in two sections: ‘Aids to Comprehension’ and ‘Textual Activities’. Paraphrase of the poems are provided in English and Marathi. Summary for all the lessons has been provided in English and Passages are translated in Marathi for easy and quick understanding. Additionally, all questions have been translated in Marathi to facilitate easy learning for the student. Exhaustive practice for Grammar and Vocabulary will enhance the language skills of the student. Moreover, a glossary containing all the difficult meanings explained in a simple way is provided to help the student to grasp the lessons and poems fast and well. A separate section of Writing Skills has been provided for additional practice. The journey to create a complete book is strewn with triumphs, failures and near misses. If you think we’ve nearly missed something or want to applaud us for our triumphs, we’d love to hear from you. A book affects eternity; one can never tell where its influence stops.

Best of luck to all the aspirants! From Publisher

No. Topic Name Page No.

UNIT ONE: HUMOUR

1.1 One Inch Tall 1 1.2 Laughter: the Lighter Way of Life 7 1.3 The Tiger and the Dried Persimmons 17

UNIT TWO: SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

2.1 A World of Machines 28 2.2 Yummy, but Harmful 34 2.3 What is the Internet? 42

UNIT THREE: ENVIRONMENT 3.1 Growth of a Tree 51

3.2 Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves 55

3.3 Meeting an Elephant 67 UNIT FOUR: PEOPLE

4.1 A Teacher for All Seasons 78 4.2 The Sadhu of Modern India 83 4.3 Breathtaking Feat 101

UNIT FIVE: SPORTS AND ADVENTURE

5.1 Playgrounds 111 5.2 She’s Gunning for More! 118 5.3 Eternal Glories: Kite Flying 130

UNIT SIX: BIRDS AND ANIMALS 6.1 My Dog 149 6.2 Hariya 154 6.3 Birds Need Our Support 162

UNIT SEVEN: HUMAN VALUES 7.1 The Gift 173 7.2 Honesty Comes from the Heart 179 7.3 Action, a Way of Worship 192

UNIT EIGHT: MAHARASHTRA

8.1 My Farmer Father 203 8.2 Picknicking in the Hills 209 8.3 Melghat Sanctuary 219

RAPID READING SECTION

01 The Thief 235 02 The Hare in the Moon 241 03 The Photograph 248 04 Lady Luck and the Beggar 254 WRITING SKILLS

01 Unseen Passages 263 02 Letter Writing 270 03 Report Writing 273 04 Speech Writing 275 05 Paragraph Writing 277 06 Dialogue Writing 279 07 Information Transfer 281 08 Views and Counterviews 284 09 Translation 285

Note: Textual questions are represented by * mark.

1

   

   

Chapter 1.1: One Inch Tall

 

 

Glossary at least (phr) at the lowest estimate or figure

(keÀceerle keÀceer.)

beast (n) large four-footed mammal (Heμet.)

beneath (prep) underneath (®³ee Keeueer.)

bit (n) a small piece or quantity of

something (ueneve legkeÀ[e.)

crumb (n) very small piece of cake, bread or other baked goods

(keÀesj[îee DeVee®ee uenevemee legkeÀ[e.)

feast (n) a rich or abundant meal

(cespeJeeveer.)

flea (n) small jumping insect that bites

and sucks blood (efHemet.)

fluff (n) small piece of wool or cotton

(ceT ueeskeÀj efkebÀJee keÀeHetme.)

fright (n) sudden and extreme fear

(leerJe´ Yeerleer.)

frightening (adj) awful, dreadful (Yeerleeroe³ekeÀ.)

hug (v) put arms around to hold tightly, embrace

(Deeefuebieve osCes, efceþer ceejCes.)

last (v) to continue in existence

(efìkeÀCes, HegjCes.)

sink (n) an open container in a kitchen for washing dishes, vegetables etc. (mJe³ebHeekeÀIejeleerue veU Demeuesues, HeeCeer Jeentve peeC³ee®eer mees³e Demeuesues Hee$e.)

pider (n) an insect that spins webs

(peeUs efJeCeCeeje-keÀesUer.)

surf (v) take part in a sport of riding on waves

(ueeìebJej lejbieCeeN³ee KesUele Yeeie IesCes.)

swing (v) to move rhythmically back and

forth (PeeskeÀe.)

thimble (n) a small metal or plastic object worn on the end of a finger to protect it while sewing

(efμeJeCekeÀece keÀjleevee yeesìe®³ee megjef#elelesmeeþer l³eeJej Ieeuee³e®eer HueeeqmìkeÀ efkebÀJee Oeelet®eer ìesHeer.)

thumb (n) the short first finger of the

human hand (Debieþe.)

worm (n) an insect (efkeÀ[e, keÀerìkeÀ.) Paraphrase

This is an imaginary poem. The poet wants to state that if we were “only one inch tall” or too small, our requirements would also be very small. We would ride a worm to school and a crying ant’s teardrop would be our swimming pool. We would eat very little and this food would be sufficient for a long time.

If we were too small we would require a little bit of space and a lot of time would be required by us for going from one place to another.

If we were too small we would surf across the kitchen sink. We couldn’t embrace our mother then but could hug her thumb. We would run away from people’s feet out of fear. Again the poet imagines that he would take fourteen years to write this poem, because he would be just “one inch tall” and so it would be difficult for him to move the pen quickly.

-- Shel Silverstein

One inch Tall1.1 

2

   

   

Std. IX : English 

YeeJeeLe&: ner SkeÀ keÀeuHeefvekeÀ keÀefJelee Deens. keÀJeeruee Demes meebieeJe³ee®es Deens keÀer, pej DeeHeCe HeÀkeÌle SkeÀ Fb®e Gb®eerSJe{s efkebÀJee SkeÀoce ueneve Demelees lej DeeHeu³ee iejpeemegOoe KetHe keÀceer Demel³ee. DeeHeCe SKeeÐee efkeÀ[îeeJej yemetve μeeUsle iesuees Demelees. j[CeeN³ee cegbieer®es He[uesues DeÞetmegOoe DeeHeu³eemeeþer HeesnC³ee®ee leueeJe Peeuee Demelee. DeeHeCe Deieoer Lees[smes®e DeVe KeeT μekeÀuees Demelees DeeefCe Lees[smes®e pesJeCe DeeHeu³eeuee KetHe efoJeme Hegjues Demeles. pej DeeHeCe KetHe ueneve Demelees lej DeeHeu³eeuee Deieoer®e Lees[er peeiee Hegjueer Demeleer DeeefCe SkeÀe peeiesJeªve ogmeN³ee peeieer peeC³eemeeþer Òe®eb[ JesU ueeieuee Demelee. DeeHeCe pej KetHe ueneve Demelees lej DeeHeu³eeuee mJe³ebHeekeÀIejeleerue Hemejì Yeeb[îeele ueeìebJej lejbieC³ee®³ee KesUele Yeeie Ieslee Deeuee Demelee. DeeHeCe DeeHeu³ee DeeF&uee Deeefuebieve osT MekeÀuees vemelees, HeÀkeÌle efle®ee Debieþe keÀJeìeUt MekeÀuees Demelees. DeeHeCe Yeerleerves ueeskeÀeb®³ee HeeJeueebHeemetve otj HeUeuees Demelees. keÀJeer DeMeer keÀuHevee keÀjlees keÀer, ner keÀefJelee efueefnC³eemeeþer l³eeuee ®eewoe Je<ex ueeieleerue keÀejCe lees HeÀkeÌle SkeÀ Fb®e Gb®e Demeu³eecegUs l³eeuee Hesve HeìkeÀve nueJeCes μeke̳e nesCeej veener.

Aids to Comprehension Extract E1. Pre-listening Activity Read the extract and complete the following web. (efouesuee Gleeje Jee®etve Keeueerue j®evee HetCe& keÀje.)

Ans:

Read the poem from line (1 to 18) on page (3) of your textbook and answer the following questions: (A5) (HeeþîeHegmlekeÀeleerue He=<þ ¬eÀceebkeÀ (3) Jejerue keÀefJelesleerue (1 les 18) DeesUer Jee®ee DeeefCe Keeueerue Òeμveeb®eer GÊejs Ðee.) [If you were only one inch ………………

……………… ‘Cause I’m just one inch tall]. E2. Global Understanding Questions *1. Now, listen to the poem about a boy, who is

just one inch tall. After listening, complete the following: (A4)

(Deelee, SkeÀ Fb®e Gb®eer®³ee ceguee®eer keÀefJelee SskeÀe. SskeÀu³eeveblej Keeueerue Jeeke̳es HetCe& keÀje.)

i. The boy would ride to school on ____. ii. ______ would be a bed for him. iii. The boy would swing upon ______. iv. The boy would hug ______. Ans: i. a worm ii. A bit of fluff iii. a spider’s thread iv. his mother’s thumb 2. Fill in the blanks using words from the

extract. (GleeN³eeleerue μeyoeb®ee GHe³eesie keÀªve efjkeÀec³ee

peeiee Yeje.)

i. Truth has become a _______ in a thunderstorm of propaganda, and unless we act soon, the thunderstorm will drown us all.

ii. The child enjoyed the _______ on the horse.

iii. Having not seen each other for a couple of months, the brother and sister shared an affectionate _______ .

Ans: i. teardrop ii. ride iii. hug E3. Comprehension Questions *1. What would be a swimming pool for the

narrator? (efveJesokeÀemeeþer HeesnC³ee®ee leueeJe keÀesCelee Demelee?) Ans: The teardrop of a crying ant would be a

swimming pool for the narrator. 2. How long would a crumb of cake last for

the narrator? (efveJesokeÀeuee kesÀkeÀ®ee SkeÀ uenevemee legkeÀ[e efkeÀleer

keÀeU Hegjuee Demelee?) Ans: A crumb of cake would last at least for seven

days for the narrator.

If you were one inch tall

If you were one inch tall

I could ride a worm to school.

I could walk beneath the door.

I could swing upon the spiders thread.

I would run from people’s feet in fright.

Moving a pen would take all night .

A flea would be afrightening beast. 

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Chapter 1.1: One Inch Tall

*3. How much time would the narrator take to get down to the store?

(keÀesþejele GlejC³eekeÀjlee efveJesokeÀ efkeÀleer JesU IesF&ue?) Ans: The narrator would take about a month to get

down to the store. *4. What would the narrator swing upon?

(efveJesokeÀeves keÀμeeJej PeeskeÀe Iesleuee Demelee?)

Ans: The narrator would swing upon a spider’s thread. *5. List all the impossible things mentioned in

this poem. (keÀefJelesle GuuesKe kesÀuesu³ee meJe& Deμeke̳e iees<ìeR®eer

³eeoer keÀje.) Ans: The impossible things mentioned in the poem are: i. being one inch tall ii. riding a worm to school iii. living on a crumb of cake for at least

seven days iv. walking beneath the door v. taking about a month to get down to the

store vi. sleeping on a bit of fluff vii. swinging upon a spider’s thread viii. wearing a thimble on head ix. surfing across the kitchen sink upon a

stick of gum x. hugging mother’s thumb xi. taking all night to move a pen xii. taking fourteen years to write the poem *6. What makes you laugh throughout the poem? (keÀefJelesle legcnebuee keÀμeecegUs nmee³euee Deeues?) Ans: The imagination of the poet of being “one inch

tall” and the imaginary, exaggerated and humourous consequences make me laugh throughout the poem.

7. Which two things mentioned in the poem

would fear the poet? (keÀJeeruee Yeerleer JeeìCeeN³ee keÀesCel³ee oesve iees<ìeR®ee

GuuesKe keÀefJelesle Deeuee Deens?) Ans: A flea would appear like a frightening beast to

the poet. He would also run from people’s feet in fright.

E4. Personal Response Questions *1. What will happen if such things happen in

reality? (Deμee iees<ìer Òel³e#eele Ie[u³ee lej keÀe³e nesF&ue?) Ans: If such things happen in reality, the concerned

person would face a lot of problems in his life.

His abnormality would bring a lot of confusion and disorder. It would be difficult for him to manage his work and earn his bread and butter.

*2. Is the narrator talking about reality? If no,

how do you decide your answer? (efveJesokeÀ mel³e HeefjefmLeleerefJe<e³eer yeesuele Deens keÀe?

legce®es GÊej veener Demes Demesue, lej legce®es GÊej legcner keÀμee ÒekeÀejs þjJeues?)

Ans: No, the narrator is not talking about reality. The use of expressions like ‘If you were ….’ and ‘would be’ help me to decide my answer. Such funny happenings are nothing but mere imaginary expressions.

3. Why did the narrator take fourteen years

to write the poem? (efveJesokeÀeves keÀefJelee efueefnC³eemeeþer ®eewoe Je<ex keÀe

Iesleueer?) Ans: The narrator imagined that he was just an inch

tall. His movements were very slow and considering his small size it was difficult for him to move the pen quickly. So, he took fourteen years to write the poem.

E5. Vocabulary 1. Write the synonym of ‘spider’s thread’. Ans: web. 2. Give three rhyming words for ‘tall’ Ans: tall – ball, mall, fall. 3. Write the name of an insect mentioned in

the poem. Ans: flea. 4. Name the creeping creature mentioned in

the poem. Ans: worm.

Textual Activities *A1. In my Opinion Discuss in group the following: (Keeueerue yeeyeeR®eer ieìeves ®e®ee& keÀje.)

1. Things that gave you joy in your childhood. (legce®³ee yeeueHeCeeleerue DeMee iees<ìer p³eebveer legcnebuee

Deevebo efouee.) Ans: The sight of an elephant, toys bought by my

parents, a pat on my back by my teachers, climbing trees in the courtyard, cycling for a long time, eating chocolates, cakes and ice-creams gave me a lot of joy in my childhood.

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Std. IX : English  2. Things you could not do only because you

were a child. (kesÀJeU legcner ueneve Demeu³eecegUs legcner keÀª ve

MekeÀuesu³ee iees<ìer) Ans: As a child, I couldn’t travel alone and I couldn’t

take my own decisions. I couldn’t buy things of my choice and I couldn’t spend more time outside my house.

3. The privileges you think adults enjoy. (Heew{ebvee keÀesCel³ee iees<ìerle metì efceUles Demes legcnebuee Jeeìles.) Ans: Adults can watch TV in the late hours, they can

enjoy the gossips, they freely use electrical gadgets and spend money as per their wish.

*A2. Imagine Imagine you got up early in the morning and found you were just one centimetre tall. (keÀuHevee keÀje keÀer mekeÀeUer legcner ueJekeÀj Gþueele DeeefCe legce®³ee ue#eele Deeues keÀer, legce®eer Gb®eer HeÀkeÌle 1 meWìerceerìj Peeueer Deens.)

1. How things would change? (HeefjefmLeleerle keÀmes yeoue nesleerue?) Ans: Things wouldn’t be easily audible or visible, it

would not be possible for me to do things according to my will and fancy. I would be dependent on others for my work. There would be total chaos in my life.

2. What problems you would face? (legcneuee keÀesCel³ee De[®eCeeRvee meeceesjs peeJes ueeiesue?) Ans: I would face the following problems My

toothbrush would be very large to hold, wash basin would be too high to reach, bucket of water would be a large sea, I would not reach the dining table and chair, carrying my school bag would be out of question, finding friends would be difficult.

*A3. Imagine Imagine you were a bird. Discuss with your partner and write your responses: (keÀuHevee keÀje keÀer legcner He#eer Deenele. legce®³ee menkeÀeN³eeμeer ®e®ee& keÀje DeeefCe legce®³ee ÒeeflemeeoebyeÎue efuene.)

1. How you would come to school? (legcner MeeUsle keÀmes ³eeue?) Ans: If I were a bird, I would happily fly to school. 2. What your food would be? (legce®es DeVe keÀe³e Demesue?) Ans: Worms, fruits, grain, seeds and nuts would be

my food.

3. Where you would sit to attend classes? (Jeiee&le npej jenC³eemeeþer legcner keÀesþs yemeeue?) Ans: I would perch on the window sill or on a

branch of a tree or in the corridor or on the edge of the balcony to attend classes.

4. What games you would play? (legcner keÀesCeles KesU KesUeue?) Ans: I would play hide and seek, flying race,

moving in and out of the thick branches of the trees etc.a

*A4. Listen Ans: Refer page no.2 *A5. Now read the poem and after discussing with

your partner answer the following questions. (Deelee keÀefJelee Jee®ee DeeefCe legce®³ee menkeÀeN³eeyejesyej

®e®ee& keÀªve Keeueerue Òeμveeb®eer GÊejs efuene.)

Ans: Refer page no.2 *A6. Rhyming Words Look at the last word of the first line: ‘school’. The last word of the second line ‘pool’ rhymes with ‘school’. (Heefnu³ee DeesUerleerue MesJeì®ee Meyo Jee®eeë ‘school’. ogmeN³ee DeesUerleerue MesJeì®ee Meyo ‘pool’ ne ‘school’ Meer ³ecekeÀ pegUCeeje Meyo Deens.)

Go through the poem and write more pairs of rhyming words. (keÀefJelee Jee®ee DeeefCe ³ecekeÀ pegUCeeN³ee μeyoeb®³ee DeeCeKeer keÀener pees[îee efuene.)

Ans: school – pool; feast – least – beast; door – store; bed – thread – head; gum – thumb; fright – night – write. *A7. Repetition Glance through the poem and note the following: (keÀefJelesJej vepej ìekeÀe DeeefCe Keeueerue yeeyeer efuene.)

1. Which line is repeated throughout the poem? (keÀefJelesle keÀesCel³ee DeesUer®eer Hegve©keÌleer kesÀuesueer

Deens?)

Ans: The line, ‘If you were one inch tall’ is repeated throughout the poem.

2. How many times is it repeated? (efkeÀleer JesUe Hegve©keÌleer kesÀueer Deens?)

Ans: It is repeated four times. [Note: This type of repetition is known as refrain.]

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Chapter 1.1: One Inch Tall

*A8. Describing Words Read lines 2 and 5 again. (DeesU 2 DeeefCe 5 Hegvne Jee®ee)

The word ‘swimming’ describes ‘pool’. 1. Find one more describing word of this type.

Note what it describes. Ans: i. frightening (beast) ii. crying (ant)

2. List some describing words and use them in the sentences of your own.

Ans: Describing

words Sentences

i. Frightening The park is a frightening place at night.

ii. Amusing It was an amusing story. iii. Angry An angry man cannot live in

peace. iv. Surprising His sudden rough behaviour

was very much surprising. v. Freezing It was freezing cold on

Sunday. *A9. Imagine Imagine you wake up in the morning to find that you were fifteen feet tall. How things would change for you: (keÀuHevee keÀje keÀer mekeÀeUer Gþlee®e legcner HebOeje HetÀì Gb®e Peeues Deenele Demes legcneuee Dee{Uues. legce®³eekeÀefjlee HeefjefmLeleerle keÀmes yeoue nesleerue: 1. Iejer 2. μeeUsle 3. KesUC³ee®³ee cewoeveeJej 4. jml³eeJej.)

1. at home Ans: My head would touch the ceiling. I would

have to bend to talk to my parents, brothers and sisters. I could easily pull out the things placed at a height.

2. at school Ans: Benches would be too small to sit. Friends

would appear too short. I would be taller than the teachers. I would become a target of fun.

3. at the playground Ans: It would be an advantage while playing some

games like basket ball. I would be able to run very fast. I would create problems for my friends by coming in their way. I won’t be able to use a bat or a hockey stick as they would be too small for me.

4. on the road Ans: I would be able to walk faster than others. It

would be difficult for me to board some of the vehicles. People would look strangely at me. I would have to be careful and watch my head for the boards and hoardings on the road.

*A10. Advantages and Disadvantages Now, read the poem again. Then discuss with your friend the advantages and disadvantages of being one inch tall and complete the following chart. (Deelee, keÀefJelee Hegvne Jee®ee. SkeÀ Fb®e Gb®e DemeC³ee®es HeÀe³eos Je leesìs ³eeefJe<e³eer legce®³ee efce$eeyejesyej ®e®ee& keÀje DeeefCe Keeueerue lekeÌlee HetCe& keÀje.) Ans:

Advantages Disadvantages

You would ride a worm to school.

A flea would be a frightening beast.

A crumb of cake can be a feast for one.

It will take about a month to get down to the store.

You would walk beneath the door.

You can’t hug your mother.

You would swing upon a spider’s thread.

You would run from people’s feet in fright.

A bit of fluff can be your bed.

To move a pen would take all night.

*A11. Humour Glance through the poem again and find out the instances that make you laugh. It is after all the imagination that can take you to the world of laughter. (keÀefJelesJej Hegvne vepej ìekeÀe DeeefCe legcneuee nmee³euee ueeJeleerue Deμee Ieìvee μeesOee. Lees[ke̳eele, keÀuHevee®e legcneuee nem³e ogefve³esle vesT μekeÀleele.)

1. frightening to a fly 2. crumb of cake to be eaten for seven days 3. ______________ 4. ______________ Ans: 1. frightening to a fly 2. crumb of cake to be eaten for seven days 3. swimming in the teardrop of an ant 4. sleeping on a bit of fluff 5. swinging upon a spider’s thread 6. taking one month to reach the store 7. taking fourteen years to write this poem

6

   

   

Std. IX : English 

*A12. If You Were

The poem uses many lines beginning with ‘If you were….’

(keÀefJelesle ‘If you were….’ ves megª nesCeeN³ee yeN³ee®e DeesUer Deeu³ee Deensle.)

Discuss with your partner and frame a variety of sentences starting with

(legce®³ee menkeÀeN³eeμeer ®e®ee& keÀje DeeefCe ‘If you were….’ ves megª nesCeejer efJeefJeOe Jeeke̳es le³eej keÀje.) If you were _________. Ans: 1. If you were a bird, you would fly to

school. 2. If you were a fish, you would swim in

the water. 3. If you were a star, you would twinkle in

the sky. 4. If you were a king, you would live in a

palace. 5. If you were active, you would have

completed the task in time.