SUBHENDU SIR

CLASS 9 ENGLISH TEST

F.M. – 50 Time – 2 hrs.
NAME – Date –
SECTION – A (Reading) {8 marks}
1) Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [1×8=6]
1. The North-East of India is a melting pot of variegated cultural mosaic of people and races, an ethnic
tapestry of many hues and shades. Yet, these states are lesser explored as compared to the rest of the
country. The new generations of travellers who are 'money rich and time poor' are increasingly looking for
unique experiences-a phenomenon being called the emergence of the 'experience economy'. For this new
and growing breed of tourists, the North–East with its variety and uniqueness holds immense attraction.

2. A study conducted in 2020 by Dr. Sherap Bhutia, revealed that the foreign tourist arrival in the North-
East increased from 37,380 persons in 2005 to 1,18,552 in 2014. The overall growth rate of tourist (both
domestic and foreign) in the North-East was as high as 26.44% during 2005-06. A high and positive growth
of 12.53% was registered in foreign tourist visits to North-East States of India during 2012 from 2011,
which further rose to register a growth of 27.93% during 2013 from 2012. Foreign tourist arrivals in the
North–East witnessed a growth of 39.77% during 2014 from 2013, according to data provided from the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

3. The study recommendations for tourism planners included the need to concentrate on some key areas
like enhancement of tourist facilities, tourism financing, focus on community involvement and others for the
formulation of a sustainable tourism strategy in the North–East States of India.

Answer the following questions:

a) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in (paragraph 1)
The rate of tourism in the North-East of India puzzles tourism officials.

b) Fill the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets:–
The study of tourist travel statistics in the __________ (North–East/South–East), from 2005 to 2014
showed __________ inconsistent/encouraging) results.

c) What are the new generations of travellers increasingly looking for?

d) Select the chart that appropriately represents the trend of foreign tourist travels in the North-East, from
2011-2014, as per paragraph 2.

(I) (II) (III) (IV)

(i) Option I (ii) Option II (iii) Option III (iv) Option IV

e) List any two examples of 'tourist facilities' as referred to, in paragraph 3.

f) What did the study recommendations for tourism planners include?

g) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from paragraph 1.
aroma : cooking :: __________ : painting
{Clue → Just like ‘aroma’ is integral to cooking ; ________ is integral to ‘painting}

h) Select the option that titles paragraphs 1–3 appropriately, with reference to information in the text.
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
I. Full Speed Ahead! I. Winds of Change I. Inspecting Trends I. Cause and Effect
II. Ups and Downs II. Numbers don’t lie II. Statistically Speaking II. Dynamic Data
III. Cause for Concern III. Time for Action III. Let’s investigate III. Dependable Facts

SECTION – B (Grammar) {6 marks}

2) Fill in the blanks choosing the most appropriate words from the given options: [1×6=6]
The construction of a flyover on NH 24 ___(a)___ to be a blessing for the commuters in future. It is
expected that the work ___(b)___ by 2023. The construction workers ___(c)___ day and night to meet the
deadline. They ___(d)___ for more than a year by the time it is completed. Several cameras ___(e)___ at
different points on the flyover. Important directions ___(f)___ on screens.

a) (i) proves (ii) will prove (iii) will have proved (iv) will be proving
b) (i) will be completed (ii) is completing (iii) will complete (iv) will be completing
c) (i) are working (ii) is working (iii) will be working (iv) will have worked

d) (i) will have been working (ii) are working (iii) is working (iv) have worked

e) (i) will install (ii) will be installed (iii) are installed (iv) will have been installing

f) (i) will display (ii) will be displaying (iii) will be displayed (iv) will have been displayed

SECTION – C (WRITING) {6 Marks}

3) India traditionally believes in high values of family. But changes have occurred with
times and had led to the emergence of nuclear families. Write a paragraph on the effects,
both good and bad, that have resulted from due to these changes.

SECTION – D (Literature) {30 Marks}

4) Read the following stanzas carefully and answer the questions that follow: [1×10=10]
A) Every tinkle on the shingles
Has an echo in the heart;
And a thousand dreamy fancies
Into busy being start,
And a thousand recollections
Weave their air-threads into woof,
As I listen to the patter
Of the rain upon the roof.
a) 'Every tinkle on the shingles' here refers to:
(i) every heartbeat (ii) every dream in mind
(iii) every raindrop falling on the rooftop (iv) every imagination of the world
b) The sound of the rain falling on the rooftop creates different __________ in poet's mind.

c) 'Busy being' here means __________.

d) As the poet listens to the patter of the rain upon the roof __________ come as dreams in his mind.

e) Which part of speech is 'patter'?

(i) Noun (ii) Adverb (iii) Adjective (iv) Conjunction

B) Wind, come softly.

Don't break the shutters of the windows.
Don't scatter the papers.
Don't throw down the books on the shelf.
There, look what you did you threw them all down.
You tore the pages of the books.
You brought rain again.
a) The poet, in this stanza, is talking to the __________.

b) The poet does not want the wind to break the shutters of __________ and scatters the __________.
c) The poet initially, wants the wind to blow:
(i) in a destructive manner like a youth (ii) softly like a small child
(iii) with energy and violence (iv) in a strong manner to let things fall

d) The wind came so strongly that all the __________ kept on the shelf fell down.
e) Choose the synonym of 'scatter'.
(i) Collect (ii) Gather (iii) Hoard (iv) Disperse

5) Short Answer Type Questions: [2½×4=10]

a) Why was Margie not doing well in geography? Why did Margie hated school?
b) Evelyn is a self–proclaimed workaholic. Discuss.
c) Why did Kezia decided that there were different sorts of fathers?
d) What did Einstein call his desk drawer and why?

6) Long Answer Type Questions: [5×2=10]

a) 'If you work hard and know where you are going, you'll get there,' says Evelyn Glennie. How far is
this statement true in the case of both the musicians - Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan?
b) Describe the role of the mirror in the story 'The Snake and the Mirror'.
 ANSWERS
1) a) It is because these states are lesser explored as compared to the rest of the country, in spite of
having lots to offer.
b) North-East: encouraging
c) The new generations of travellers who are 'money rich and time poor' are increasingly looking for
unique experiences.
d) (ii) Option II
e) 1. Accommodation - hotels, camps, etc.
2. Recreation - parks, gardens, malls, shopping areas, etc.
f) The study recommendations for tourism planners included the need to concentrate on some key
areas like enhancement of tourist facilities, tourism financing, focus on community involvement
and others.
g) hues and shades
h) (ii) I. Winds of Change
II. Numbers Don't Lie
III. Time for Action

2) a) (ii) will prove b) (i) will be completed c) (i) are working

d) (i) will have been working e) (ii) will be installed f) (iii) will be displayed

3) Family Values and Changing Times

Family, as an institution, is the very basis of Indian culture. It is based on the values of compassion,
sympathy, love, affection, etc. Traditionally, India supports the joint family system, in which an
extended family comprising of grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters and cousins
lived under one roof and eat food cooked in the same kitchen. This system was a blessing for the
children and elders of the family. But, with the advent of nuclear families, these values have vanished.
A nuclear family comprises of only husband–wife and their children. The children grow up in seclusion
and do not experience the love of their grandparents and their extended families. The elders are also
forced to live alone in their twilight years. This has resulted in growing self–centeredness and the
breakdown of family values.
We should try to hold on to our values and withhold the joint-family system.

4)
A) a) (iii) every raindrop falling on the rooftop b) dreams
c) human beings d) past memories e) (i) Noun
B) a) wind b) windows; papers c) (ii) softly like a small child
d) books e) (iv) Disperse

5)
a) Margie was not doing well in geography because the geography sector in Margie's mechanical
teacher was geared up a little too high.
The mechanical teacher of Margie was giving her test after test in geography and her performance
was getting worse and worse. This made her hate school.
b) Evelyn confesses that she is a workaholic. She works harder than classical musicians. Apart from
the regular concerts, she also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also conducts high
priority classes for young musicians.
c) Kezia's father was strict. He did not play with her and punished her for her follies. On the other
hand, their next-door neighbour, Mr. Macdonald played with his children and had a fun relationship
with them. This led Kezia to infer that there were different kinds of fathers.
d) Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the 'Bureau of Theoretical Physics'. It was
named so because he was always busy in developing new ideas. He kept all the papers related to
his ideas in the desk in his office.

6)
a) If you work hard and know where you are going, you will get there. This is true in the case of both
the musicians, viz., Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan.
Evelyn was profoundly deaf at the age of eleven. But she was determined to lead a normal life and
pursue her interest in music. Percussionist Ron Forbes helped her in her pursuit. She got on top by
sheer determination and hard work. She brought percussion to the fore front of the orchestra.
As a five-year old, Bismillah Khan played gulli–danda in Dumraon. Then he came to Banaras. His
maternal uncle Ali Bux taught him to play the shehnai. Bismillah would sit practising throughout the
day. He would practise hard in solitude. He brought shehnai onto the classical stage.
Thus, we see the statement to be true in the case of both the musicians.

b) The mirror plays a very important role in the story 'The Snake and the Mirror'. It attracts both, the
doctor and the snake.
The doctor looks into the mirror. He admires himself. He decides to shave daily and to grow thin
moustache to took more handsome. He also finds his smile attractive so he decides to always keep
that attractive smile on his face.
When the snake looks into the mirror, it sees its reflection. It leaves the doctor and sits on the table
looking in the mirror. It forgets the doctor. The doctor makes good use of this opportunity and
escapes quietly thus saving his life.
Thus, the mirror plays a very important role in the story.