Question Answer Kaveri English Chapter 7 Class 9 CBSE Board

Carrier of Words

Exercise Question
Questions within the Lesson

Exercise Question

Check Your Understanding

I. Complete the table given below with the situations given in Column 1 and the reasons in Column 2.

Ans:-

II. Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
Ans:- A piece of jaggery was offered because such news was happy and auspicious. People shared sweets like jaggery to celebrate joyful occasions and to show their happiness and gratitude.

III. How would phone lines help Khetaram in his job?
Ans:-  Phone lines would make communication faster and easier. They would reduce his burden of carrying messages over long distances, but his role would still remain important for delivering letters and other services.

Critical Reflection

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions.

1. “Akaal or famine is a way of life here. In a good year, I get one crop of bajra. That cannot feed my family of five. We would starve without this job,” he says. And for each family which resides in this arid land, survival is partly dependent on money orders remitted by a relative.

(i) Complete the sentence given below with an appropriate reason.

One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because it is not enough to feed his whole family for the entire year.

(ii) Why did Khetaram term famine as ‘a way of life’?
Answer: Khetaram termed famine as ‘a way of life’ because there is very little rainfall and people frequently face food shortages in that area.

(iii) Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job to help his family to survive.
Answer: Khetaram had to take up a job because farming alone could not support his family and they needed money to survive.

(iv) Complete the analogy given below with a word from the extract.
Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: job

(v) What would ‘a good year’ signify?
Answer: ‘A good year’ would signify a year with better rainfall and at least one successful crop of bajra.

2. There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death. “Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house,” says Khetaram. So, he stands outside, reads out the letter twice, then tears it to bits. “Bad news must be destroyed,” he mutters philosophically.

(i) Choose the correct option for the following question.
Question: Who could have torn the right corner of the envelope?
A. Khetaram
B. Sender of the letter
C. Receiver of the letter
D. The postmaster
Answer: B. Sender of the letter

(ii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.

The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because he wanted to make sure that the message was clearly understood by the people.

(iii) What was Khetaram’s philosophy regarding bad news, and how did he act upon it?
Answer: Khetaram believed that bad news should not be kept or spread further. He acted upon this belief by reading the letter outside the house and then tearing it into pieces to destroy the bad news.

(iv) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
Question: Khetaram’s action of tearing the letter differed from his beliefs.
Answer: False — his action matched his belief that bad news must be destroyed.

(v) Mention any one aspect of Khetaram’s temperament which is revealed through this extract.
Answer: One aspect of Khetaram’s temperament is that he is sensitive and thoughtful towards others’ feelings.

II Answer the following questions.

1. Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is ‘invaluable’.
Answer: The role of GDS is invaluable because they connect remote villages with the rest of the country. They deliver letters, money orders, and important messages even in difficult conditions, helping people stay connected and supported.

2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
Answer: India Post focused on serving people and connecting families, especially in rural areas. In contrast, the British postal system was mainly meant for administrative purposes and to serve the needs of the rulers.

3. People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
Answer: People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks because they delivered money orders safely and also read out letters to villagers honestly. They were seen as reliable and responsible members of the community.

4. Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS, even after the age of 60.
Answer: Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS because the job helped him support his family and gave him a sense of purpose and respect in society.

5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
Answer: The author pays tribute to people like Khetaram because they work selflessly in harsh conditions to serve others. Their dedication and commitment make a big difference in the lives of people in remote areas.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context

I. Study the phrases given in Column 1 and match them with their meanings in Column 2.

Ans:-

Now, use the phrases from Column 1 in sentences of your own.

Ans:-

• crumbles into sand – The old building slowly crumbles into sand due to strong desert winds.
• give a new lease of life – The doctor’s treatment gave a new lease of life to the patient.
• turn into a trickle before drying out – The river turns into a trickle before drying out during the summer season.
• bearing words across this desolate geography – The postman walked miles, bearing words across this desolate geography to deliver letters.

II. Identify examples of alliteration and metaphor in the extract given below.

Khetaram’s khaki turban and uniform are his only protection against the desert’s furies, the scorching summer winds and swirling sandstorms which turn him into a walking sandman.

Ans:- 

• Alliteration: “swirling sandstorms” (repetition of the ‘s’ sound)

• Metaphor:“turn him into a walking sandman” (Khetaram is compared to a sandman, not literally but to show he is covered in sand)

III. Match the words in Column 1 to what they suggest in Column 2 in the context of the chapter

Ans:-

Now, use the words from Column 1 in sentences of your own.

Ans:-

• arid – The arid land receives very little rainfall and is difficult for farming.
• concessional – The bank provided a concessional loan to help the farmers.
• gaunt – The farmer looked gaunt after months of drought and hard work.
• remote – The village is located in a remote area far from the city.
• desolate – The desert looked desolate with no people or greenery around.

IV. Read the underlined verbs in the sentences given in Column 1 and their functions in Column 2

Ans:-

Now, fill in the blanks by using the present perfect form of the verbs given in the brackets to complete the following paragraph.

1. I _________ (has/have) just _________ (get) a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He 2. ___________ (collect) these stamps over a period of 20 years. I 3. ___________ (study) most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I 4. _________ (begin) my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather 5. _________ truly _________ (inspire) me.

Answer 
I have just got a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He has collected these stamps over a period of 20 years. I have studied most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I have begun my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather has truly inspired me.

V. Study the sentences given below.

GDS delivers the mail at the border.
When the subject does the action, the sentence is in _________ voice.

Answer: Active voice

The mail is delivered by the GDS at the border.
This implies that the ‘mail’ receives the action ‘deliver’.
This sentence is in _________ voice because the subject is receiving the action.

Answer: Passive voice

3. Khetaram’s nephew wants to join the GDS. He asks Khetaram how to prepare for it. Khetaram gives him the following advice.

(i) You will need a lot of stamina for this job.
(ii) Practise reading clearly as some of the villagers will expect you to read out the letters.
(iii) Write words neatly as some villagers will ask you to draft replies.
(iv) Wear full-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect yourself from the heat.

Now, complete the following paragraph about the advice given by Khetaram. One example has been done for you.

To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly A. ________________________, as you B. ________________________ to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words C. ________________________ neatly as you D. ________________________ to draft replies by some villagers. Full sleeved-shirts and trousers E. ________________________ to protect yourself from the heat.

Answer:

To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly A. will be practised, as you B. will be expected to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words C. will be written neatly as you D. will be asked to draft replies by some villagers. Full sleeved-shirts and trousers E. should be worn to protect yourself from the heat.

Writing Task

A condolence message communicates your feelings to someone whose relative or a person close to them has just passed away. It mentions how sorry you feel for the loss and your prayers for strength to the family members.

I. Khetaram saw a letter with a torn corner. It had news about Bhawar Singh’s uncle passing away. Read the condolence message that Sawant Singh sent to his cousin as a reply to the letter.

Ans:-

Dear Aunt,

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of your father. It is a great loss for the entire family, and our hearts go out to you in this difficult time.

Your father was a kind and respected person, and his memories will always live on in our hearts. We pray that God gives you and your family the strength and courage to bear this loss.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace.

With love and prayers,
Your loving family

Questions within the Lesson

NCERT Intext Questions for Class 9 English ( Page no – 203 & 204 )

Reflect and Respond

I. Look at the pictures given below of persons engaged in the same profession.

Discuss in pairs and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Q1. Which profession do they belong to?
Ans. They belong to the profession of postmen / postal workers (Gramin Dak Sewaks).

Q2. Do they face any difficulties while doing their duty?
Ans. Yes, they face many difficulties such as extreme weather conditions, travelling long distances, carrying heavy mailbags, and lack of proper transport and facilities.

Q3. How does their profession affect the people they meet?
Ans. Their profession affects people by connecting them with their families, delivering important news and messages, and bringing happiness or sometimes sorrow through letters.

II. Discuss in groups.

Q1. How can ‘words’ be ‘carried’?
Ans. ‘Words’ can be carried through letters, messages, emails, phone calls, and other forms of communication.

Q2. Who could be a carrier of words?
Ans. A postman, courier person, or any person delivering messages can be a carrier of words.

Q3. What are the means for people to stay connected?
Ans. People can stay connected through letters, telephones, mobile phones, emails, social media, and the internet.

III. Read the words given in the box below and place them in their appropriate context in the following passage.

We stepped out of the vehicle at the end of the road. Immediately, our body sent 1. signals that our decision to visit the sand 2. dunes in the afternoon was insane. We had passed a few 3. hamlets on our way to the desert. We could not find even a single soul outdoors, 4. defying the blazing sun. Even the camels were 5. slumped in the little shade offered by the khejri trees. In this remote place people relied on Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to connect to the world as the area was 6. devoid of any other network service.

NCERT Intext Questions for Class 9 English ( Page no – 207 )

Check Your Understanding

I. Khetaram needs to submit information about himself  for getting an identity card. While reading the text, fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram.

Ans:-

II. Discuss with your teacher.

1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this challenging job?
Ans:- Khetaram has taken up this job because he wants to serve people living in remote villages. He feels a sense of duty to connect people with their families and provide important services like delivering letters and money orders, even in difficult conditions.

2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about taking up this challenging task every day?
Ans:- Khetaram would feel proud and satisfied doing his work every day. Even though the job is difficult, he would feel happy that he is helping people and making a difference in their lives.