9th English - Quarterly Exam 2024 - Original Question Paper | Chennai District

Class 9 English Quarterly Exam 2024-25 - Solved Paper

COMMON QUARTERLY EXAMINATION - 2024-25

CLASS: 9 | ENGLISH | Max. Marks: 100

PART-I SECTION - I

Answer all the questions. 14x1=14

Choose the appropriate Synonyms for the underlined words.

1. Practise hard and see what magic can transpire.

  • a) Move
  • b) Revealed
  • c) Expired
  • d) Transformed
Answer: (b) Revealed (In this context, transpire means to happen or come to be known.)

2. He slithered down into a flowerbed.

  • a) Crawled
  • b) Crept
  • c) Wriggled
  • d) Slipped
Answer: (b) Crept (Slithered means to move smoothly and quietly, similar to creeping.)

3. The voice in his head asked the narrator to eat the evidence.

  • a) Proof
  • b) Contradict
  • c) Disprove
  • d) Refute
Answer: (a) Proof

Choose the appropriate Antonyms for the underlined words.

4. The man closed his eyes and remembered other times.

  • a) Forgot
  • b) Forgave
  • c) Thought
  • d) Recollected
Answer: (a) Forgot

5. She is looking very scared.

  • a) Kindness
  • b) Careless
  • c) Brave
  • d) Puzzled
Answer: (c) Brave

6. Clem Jones was ordered to open the box.

  • a) Prepared
  • b) Arranged
  • c) Forced
  • d) Requested
Answer: (d) Requested

7. Form a derivative by adding the right suffix to the word. 'Kind'

  • a) ship
  • b) ist
  • c) ness
  • d) dis
Answer: (c) ness (Kind + ness = Kindness)

8. Choose the most appropriate Preposition from the given option.
The final match will be held ______ India and Australia.

  • a) for
  • b) among
  • c) between
  • d) in
Answer: (c) between

9. Pick out the suitable Homophones for the given sentence.
The Children play and enjoy during the _______. (brake / break)

Answer: break

10. Write the full form for the word wouldn't from the word given choice.

  • a) will not
  • b) would not
  • c) would
  • d) won't
Answer: (b) would not

11. Complete the following sentence using appropriate Prepositional Phrase.
I would like to order coffee ______ tea.

  • a) Instead of
  • b) instead from
  • c) instead of
  • d) instead
Answer: (a) Instead of

12. Choose the appropriate Modal verb for the given sentence.
Sachin is a famous Cricketer. He ______ bat well.

  • a) could
  • b) can
  • c) would
  • d) can't
Answer: (b) can (expresses present ability)

13. Add a prefix to the word 'National' from the list given below.

  • a) sub
  • b) inter
  • c) hyper
  • d) co
Answer: (b) inter (inter + national = international)

14. Choose the suitable verb for the given sentence.
Jai ______ studying for his exam.

  • a) was
  • b) are
  • c) is
  • d) were
Answer: (a) was (Jai is singular, and the context is past continuous)

PART - II, SECTION - I

Answer any three of the following questions in a sentence. 3x2=6

15. What acted as a Safety Valve?

Answer: In the story 'The Cat and the Painkiller', Tom giving the Pain-killer medicine to the cat, Peter, acted as a safety valve for his own pent-up energy and boredom.

16. Why did Amy ask Betty to fill in the water tubs?

Answer: Amy asked Betty to fill the water tubs because a fire had broken out and they needed the water to help extinguish the flames.

17. What did the writer observe about the house?

Answer: The writer observed that the old house was filled with memories of the past, with an overgrown garden and a general air of nostalgia and forgotten times.

18. Why was Sachin asked to change the school?

Answer: Sachin was asked to change his school so that he could join Sharadashram Vidyamandir, which had better cricket facilities and a supportive environment for his cricket coaching under Ramakant Achrekar.

SECTION - II

Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any three of the following. 3x2=6

19. He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake

  • a) Whom does 'he' refer to in these lines?
  • b) How does the horse communicate with the poet?
Answer:
  • a) 'He' refers to the poet's little horse.
  • b) The horse communicates by shaking its harness bells.

20. "The root is to be pulled out...
One of the anchoring earth;"

  • a) Why should the root be pulled out?
  • b) What does 'anchoring earth' mean?
Answer:
  • a) The root should be pulled out to kill the tree completely, as it is the source of its life.
  • b) 'Anchoring earth' means the earth that holds the tree's roots firmly, providing it with support and nourishment.

21. And out of its leprous hide
sprouting leaves

  • a) What does the phrase 'leprous hide' mean?
  • b) What comes out of the leprous hide?
Answer:
  • a) 'Leprous hide' refers to the discolored and rough bark of the tree.
  • b) New leaves and branches (sprouting leaves) come out of the leprous hide.

22. And I watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears;"

  • a) What does 'it' refer to?
  • b) How is 'it' watered?
Answer:
  • a) 'It' refers to the poet's anger or wrath.
  • b) It is watered with the poet's fears and tears.

SECTION - III

Answer any three of the following. 3x2=6

23. Rewrite the following sentence into Comparative degree.
Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.

Answer: Mount Everest is higher than any other peak in the world.

24. Punctuate the following sentence.
i can smell them said the other policeman

Answer: "I can smell them," said the other policeman.

25. Write the Gerund / Infinitive form of the verb in the blanks.

  • a) They learned how __________ [survive] in space without gravity.
  • b) We astronauts must keep on __________ [prepare] for our space.
Answer:
  • a) They learned how to survive in space without gravity. (Infinitive)
  • b) We astronauts must keep on preparing for our space. (Gerund)

26. Identify the dependent Clause or Phrase in the following sentence and Underline them.

  • a) I enjoy painting during my holidays.
  • b) Texting on his phone, the man swerved into a ditch.
Answer:
  • a) I enjoy painting during my holidays. (Prepositional Phrase)
  • b) Texting on his phone, the man swerved into a ditch. (Participle Phrase)

27. Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences.

  • a) Tamilnadu / a / is / folk / popular / dance / of / karagattam
  • b) fond / was / oranges / I / them / of
Answer:
  • a) Karagattam is a popular folk dance of Tamilnadu.
  • b) I was fond of oranges.

SECTION - IV

Answer the following question. 1x2=2

28. A Stranger wants to visit the temple. Write the steps to guide him to reach his destination.

Map showing directions to a temple
Answer:

From where you are standing, follow these steps to reach the temple:

  1. Go straight along the Main Road.
  2. Walk past the Teastall on your right.
  3. Take the first left turn into P.V. Street.
  4. Walk a short distance down P.V. Street.
  5. You will find the temple on your left side, directly opposite the park.

PART-III, SECTION - I

Answer any two of the following in a paragraph. 2x5=10

29. Elaborate the rescue operation undertaken by Mr. Peter?

Answer: The question likely refers to Peter, the cat, from Mark Twain's 'The Cat and the Painkiller'. The "rescue" is an ironic one. Tom Sawyer's Aunt Polly was obsessed with new health remedies. She dosed Tom with a vile medicine called 'Pain-killer'. Tired of it, Tom decided to give a spoonful to the cat, Peter. The effect was immediate and dramatic. Peter leaped into the air, screeched, and began a wild dance around the room, crashing into furniture and causing chaos. In a way, Tom "rescued" Peter from his quiet, cat-like existence by giving him the medicine, which jolted him into a frenzy of activity. This chaotic event also "rescued" Tom, as his Aunt Polly realized the cruelty of the medicine and stopped forcing it on him.

30. Narrate in your own words the hardship underwent by Sachin to become a great Cricketer?

Answer: Sachin Tendulkar's journey to becoming a cricket legend was filled with immense hardship and sacrifice. As a young boy, his daily routine was gruelling. He would travel long distances by bus from his home in Bandra to Shivaji Park for practice sessions, carrying his heavy cricket kit. His coach, Ramakant Achrekar, was a strict disciplinarian who made him practice for hours on end. Sachin had only one set of cricket clothes, which he had to wash every day. Often, after a long day of practice, he would be so exhausted that he would fall asleep on the bus, missing his stop. His father and brother provided constant support, but the physical and mental strain of balancing school and rigorous training was a significant challenge that shaped his determination and resilience.

31. Describe the author's reminiscences at his Old House?

Answer: In the story 'The Old House', the author's visit to his former home triggers a flood of nostalgic reminiscences. The house itself, now old and slightly dilapidated, serves as a gateway to his past. He remembers the days of his youth, the games played, and the people who lived there. The overgrown garden, the familiar rooms, and the lingering presence of his grandmother are all powerful symbols of his childhood. He doesn't see just an old building; he sees the ghosts of his memories, the echoes of laughter, and the warmth of a time long gone. The visit is a bittersweet experience, blending the joy of fond memories with the sad realization that time has moved on, and that past can only be visited in memory.

32. Describe the 'home alone' experience of the Children.

Answer: The 'home alone' experience for the children in the story was a journey from excitement to fear and finally to relief. Initially, the freedom of being unsupervised was thrilling. They could do whatever they wanted without any rules. However, as evening approached, the familiar house began to feel strange and menacing. Every creak of the floorboards and every shadow seemed like an intruder. This excitement turned into anxiety and fear. They had to be brave and look after each other, learning a valuable lesson in responsibility. The experience, while frightening, made them appreciate the security their parents provided, and the sound of the key in the door brought immense relief and joy.

SECTION - II

Answer any two of the following: 2x5=10

33. How did the poet's anger with his friend end?

Answer: In William Blake's poem 'A Poison Tree', the poet's anger with his friend ended easily. The poet was angry with his friend, but he talked about it ("I told my wrath, my wrath did end."). By communicating his feelings openly and honestly, he was able to resolve the conflict and let go of his anger. This contrasts sharply with the anger he felt towards his foe, which he suppressed, causing it to grow into a deadly, poisonous tree.

34. How does the poet bring out the Pain of the tree?

Answer: In the poem 'On Killing a Tree', Gieve Patel brings out the pain of the tree using vivid and violent imagery. He personifies the tree, suggesting it feels pain like a living being. The act of cutting is described as a "simple jab of the knife," which isn't enough to kill it. The bark is described as a "leprous hide" and when it is cut, it "bleeds." The most painful act is the uprooting of the tree. The poet describes the roots, the "strength of the tree," being "roped, tied, and pulled out" from the "anchoring earth." This process of "snapping out" exposes the sensitive, "white and wet" source of its life, highlighting the ultimate agony and destruction inflicted upon the tree.

35. Read the following stanza and answer the questions given below.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

  1. Pick out the rhyming words from the above lines.
  2. Write the rhyme scheme of the given stanza.
  3. Identify the figure of speech employed in the last line.
  4. Pick out the alliterating words in the First line.
Answer:
  1. The rhyming words are: deep, keep, sleep.
  2. The rhyme scheme is AAAA.
  3. The figure of speech in the last line is Repetition. It emphasizes the long journey of life and the responsibilities one must fulfill before death (rest).
  4. The alliterating words in the first line are dark and deep.

SECTION - III

Answer any one of the following. 1x5=5

36. Paraphrase the following stanza:
And it grew both day and night,
Til it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.

Answer:

The poet's hidden anger continued to grow constantly, both during the day and at night. He nurtured this anger with his negative emotions. Eventually, his suppressed wrath manifested as a beautiful, tempting but poisonous apple. His enemy saw this bright apple and was attracted to its deceptive shine. The enemy was aware that this fruit belonged to the poet's tree, symbolizing that he recognized the source of this dangerous opportunity or temptation.

(OR)

37. Rearrange the following sentences in coherent order.

  1. She sent for the county inspector.
  2. The inspector smiled after he was finished and patted Margie's head.
  3. He smiled at Margie and gave her an apple and took teacher apart.
  4. The lessons were shown on the big screen.
  5. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test.
Answer: The correct order is:
  1. (e) The mechanical teacher had been giving her test.
  2. (d) The lessons were shown on the big screen.
  3. (a) She sent for the county inspector.
  4. (c) He smiled at Margie and gave her an apple and took the teacher apart.
  5. (b) The inspector smiled after he was finished and patted Margie's head.
(OR)

38. Read the following passage and answer the questions:
It was four years ago in the month of October, one night the earth quaked. Yes, tremors are common in these parts, we, who live here are accustomed to tremors. It was a terrible Earthquake. Its effects were felt as far away as Delhi and Lucknow. The Epicentre was in a valley not far from here. There were Six hundred and Seventy villages in the valley. Six hundred and two were destroyed. The earthquake lasted less than five minutes.

Questions:

  1. When did the Earthquake occur?
  2. What are Tremors?
  3. Where were the effects of Earthquake felt?
  4. How many villages were destroyed in the valley?
  5. How long did the earthquake last?
Answer:
  1. The earthquake occurred one night in the month of October, four years ago.
  2. Tremors are shaking or quaking movements of the earth.
  3. The effects of the earthquake were felt as far away as Delhi and Lucknow.
  4. Six hundred and two villages were destroyed in the valley.
  5. The earthquake lasted for less than five minutes.

SECTION - IV

Answer any four of the following: 4x5=20

39. Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below.
Laptop Computer shop - systems for students - special discount - affordable price - details - Contact - www.hut.com

Answer:

40. Write a letter to your friend describing the joy of celebrating a festival in your village.

Answer:

12, North Street,
Keelavalavu Village,
Madurai - 625102.
15th September 2024.

Dear Priya,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I'm writing to you today filled with so much joy and excitement because I want to share my experience of celebrating the Pongal festival in my village last week.

It was absolutely magical! The entire village was decorated with colourful kolams and sugarcane stalks. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of sweet pongal being cooked in traditional earthen pots. We all wore new clothes and visited the temple to offer our prayers. The best part was the Jallikattu event held on the third day. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowd were infectious. Seeing our traditions come alive so vibrantly made me feel very proud and happy.

I wish you could have been here to experience it with me. You must plan a visit to my village during the next festival season. It's an experience you will never forget.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

With love,

Anjali.

41. Prepare a speech in about 100 words for the morning assembly, speech stressing on the importance of games and sports in ensuring a healthy body and mind.

Answer:

The Importance of Games and Sports

Good morning respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends.

Today, I would like to speak about the importance of games and sports in our lives. We often hear the saying, "A sound mind in a sound body." Sports and games are the best way to achieve this. Engaging in physical activities not only keeps our bodies fit, strong, and healthy but also refreshes our minds.

Playing sports teaches us valuable life skills like teamwork, discipline, leadership, and how to accept both victory and defeat gracefully. It helps reduce stress and improves our concentration, which in turn helps us perform better in our studies. So, I urge all of you to take part in sports regularly. Let's not just be students in classrooms, but also players on the field. Thank you.

42. Write an Article for your school magazine describing any unexpected turn of events in your life.

Answer:

A Lesson in Honesty

Life has a funny way of teaching us its most valuable lessons when we least expect them. For me, that day came on a regular Tuesday afternoon. I was walking home from school, lost in thought, when I saw a wallet lying on the pavement. My heart skipped a beat. Picking it up, I found it was thick with cash and contained several credit cards and an ID card.

For a fleeting moment, temptation whispered in my ear. But then, I saw the worried face of the man on the ID card. I imagined his panic and distress. The choice became clear. Using the address on the ID, I located his house nearby. The relief and gratitude on his face when I returned the wallet was a reward far greater than any amount of money. That unexpected event taught me that the peace of a clear conscience and the joy of doing the right thing are truly priceless.

43. Make notes or write a summary of the following passage:
Oils are of three main kinds - vegetable, animal and mineral oil. Vegetable oil is obtained by crushing oil seeds. Mineral oil is pumped out from deep under the earth. Animal oil is got from the fat of animals. To extract vegetable oil, the dried oilseeds are put in the crushing machine and oil is squeezed out. Mineral oil is found deep below the ground. Holes are drilled and oil is pumped out. The Crude Oil is a source of many useful things. We get Kerosene, Petrol and Diesel oil out of Crude oil. We use most of the vegetable oil for Cooking. Mineral oils are mainly used as fuel. Animal Oil are used as Medicine.

Answer: (Summary)

Types and Uses of Oil

There are three primary types of oils: vegetable, animal, and mineral. Each type has a distinct source and use. Vegetable oil is extracted by crushing oilseeds and is primarily used for cooking. Animal oil is derived from the fat of animals and is often used in medicine. Mineral oil is found deep underground and is pumped out by drilling holes. Crude mineral oil is a source for many useful products like kerosene, petrol, and diesel, which are mainly used as fuel.

44. Look at the following picture and express your views on it in about Five Sentences.

A woman working in a field
Answer:
  1. The picture depicts a woman, possibly a farmer, diligently working in a lush green field.
  2. She is bent over, carefully tending to the young plants, showing her dedication to her work.
  3. The serene, rural background suggests a life closely connected with nature and agriculture.
  4. Her hard work is essential as it contributes to the food that sustains communities.
  5. This image is a powerful reminder of the toil and perseverance of farmers who form the backbone of our society.

SECTION V

45. Quote from memory:

From: It takes much ........
To: ............ feeding

Answer:

From: It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding

PART-IV

Write a paragraph about 150 words by developing the following hints. 2x8=16

46. (a) Old couple - dog treasure - neighbour - borrowed - killed dog - buried - pine tree - mortar - rice gold - neighbour - filth - burnt - ashes - sprinkled - withered tree - blossoms - prince - reward - neighbour thrashed.

Answer: (a) The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom

Once there lived an honest old couple who had a pet dog. One day, the dog led them to a spot where they found a hidden treasure. Their greedy neighbour, hearing of this, borrowed the dog, hoping for similar luck. When the dog found nothing but a dead kitten, the wicked neighbour killed the dog in a fit of rage. The heartbroken old couple buried their beloved pet under a pine tree. Miraculously, the tree grew rapidly. The old man made a mortar from its wood, and when he used it to pound rice, the rice turned into gold. The envious neighbour borrowed the mortar, but for him, it produced only filth. Furious, he burnt the mortar. The old man collected the ashes. He discovered that when he sprinkled the ashes on withered trees, they would instantly blossom. The prince of the land heard of this wonder and sent for the old man, rewarding him handsomely for making his cherry trees bloom. When the greedy neighbour tried to imitate this, the ashes blew into the prince's eyes, leading to his severe punishment.

(OR)

46. (b) Tommy - Margie - found - real book - pages yellow - crinkly - Mechanical teacher - special building - Margie hated - school - test after test - wondered - old school - they had.

Answer: (b) The Fun They Had

In the year 2157, Tommy found a 'real book' from the past. He and Margie were fascinated by it. Its pages were yellow and crinkly, and the words stood still, unlike the moving text on their tele-screens. Their education was handled by a mechanical teacher in a room in their own house. Margie hated her school because her mechanical teacher was giving her test after test in geography, and she was doing poorly. The book described the 'old school', where children went to a special building, learned the same things together, and were taught by human teachers. Margie wondered about the fun the children must have had in those old days. She imagined them laughing, shouting, and helping each other with homework. This discovery made her see her own isolated, mechanical education as dull and lonely, and she longed for the communal learning and fun 'they had'.

47. (a) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

Nothing in this world is more precious than your health. Yet, it is a gift that most of us take for granted. How can you protect this priceless possession? You can start by taking a personal inventory. For instance, modify the daily choices that impact your health and improve the environment in which you live. Creating optimal health requires both a Physical and a mental approach. This balanced strategy involves four areas. They are Nutrition, Exercise, Rest and Positive Attitude. Together these elements lay the foundation for promoting optimal well being which is the key to reaching your full potential and enjoying everything that life has to offer.

Questions:

  1. What is the most precious thing in our life?
  2. How can you protect Health?
  3. What are the two approaches needed to creating Optional Health?
  4. What are the areas covered by the Balanced Strategy?
Answer:
  1. The most precious thing in our life is our health.
  2. We can protect our health by taking a personal inventory and modifying our daily choices.
  3. The two approaches needed for creating optimal health are a physical and a mental approach.
  4. The four areas covered by the balanced strategy are Nutrition, Exercise, Rest, and Positive Attitude.
(OR)

(b) Read the following poem and answer the questions given follow.

Ants in pairs
When the ants go out
To search for food
They like to march in pairs.
Its dangerous work
With Heavy loads
And each one does a share
They march in twos
In long, straight lines,
They look for crumbs and scraps

Questions:

  1. How do the ants march and where do they go?
  2. What sort of work the ants undergo?
  3. What are they looking for?
  4. What does the poem express about the ant?
Answer:
  1. The ants march in pairs or in twos, in long, straight lines. They go out to search for food.
  2. The ants undergo dangerous work, carrying heavy loads.
  3. They are looking for crumbs and scraps of food.
  4. The poem expresses the discipline, teamwork, hard work, and organized nature of ants.
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