NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 My Childhood are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 My Childhood.

Board CBSE
Textbook NCERT
Class Class 9
Subject English Beehive
Chapter Chapter 6
Chapter Name My Childhood
Category NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 My Childhood

TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
(Page 74)

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Activity : Find Dhanuskodi and Rameswaram on the map. What language(s) do you think are spoken there ? What languages do you think the author, his family, his friends and his teachers spoke with one another ?
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 My Childhood 1

Answer
For self-attempt.
The language Tamil is spoken there.

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.

  1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house ?
  2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of ? Give a reason for your answer.
  3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends ? What did they later become ?
  4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages ? (CBSE)
  5. Had he earned any money before that ? In what way ?

Answers
1. Abdul Kalam’s house was situated in Rameswaram.
2. Dinamani is the name of the newspaper. Abdul Kalam used to trace the headlines of this newspaper for news about the War.
3. They were : Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivaprakasan. Ramanadha Sastry became the priest of the Rameswaram temple. Aravindan took up the transport business. Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.
4. He earned his first wages by becoming a helping hand to his cousin. He caught the newspapers bundles for him from the moving train.
5. Yes, by collecting tamarind seeds and selling them to a provision shop.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

  1. How does the author describe : (i) his father, (ii) his mother, (iii) himself?
  2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents ?

Answers
1. (i) The author describes his father as a simple man. He had neither much formal education nor wealth. But he had great wisdom. He was very large-hearted. He was very considerate. He was also an austere man.
(ii) The author describes his mother as kind and large-hearted. She used to feed many people everyday. She had all the motherly qualities. The author went to Ramanathapuram for further studies. She became emotional then.
(iii) About himself the author says that he was one of many children. He was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks. Theirs was a middle-class Tamil family in Rameswaram.

2. The author inherited faith in kindness and deep kindness from his mother. He also inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father. His three brothers and sister also inherited these like him.

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.
1. “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author.
(i) Which social groups does he mention ? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed) ?
(ii) Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences ? (Think of the bedtime stories in Kalam’s house ; of who his friends were; and of what used to take place in the pond near his house.)
(iii) The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text ?
(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can he created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes ?

Answers
(i) The author mentions social groups created by caste or community. These were the Hindu Brahmins and the Muslims. These were easily identifiable from the dresses. The Hindu Brahmins used to wear the sacred thread. The Muslims used to wear a cap which marked them as Muslims.

(ii) They were aware only of their differences. They shared friendships and experiences. But in the author’s house it was different. As the author says his mother and grandmother used to tell the bedtime stories. These were of the Ramayana and from the life of the Prophet to them. His friends were the Hindu Brahmins. The author’s family used to arrange boats with a special platform for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site. It was situated in the middle of the pond called Rama Tirtha.

(iii) The persons who were very aware of the differences among them were : the new teacher at the Rameswaram Elementary School and the wife of Sivasubramania Iyer. T^re persons who tried to bridge their differences were : Lakshmana Sastry’ Sivasubramania Iyer.

(iv) The incident showing how differences can be created is : the new teacher couldn’t stomach that Abdul, a Muslim, sits by the side of a Hindu priest’s son in the class. The incident showing how it can be resolved is of Abdul’s science teacher Sivasubramania Iyer. He brought round his wife to resolve this difference by inviting Abdul again to dinner. He also sat by his side to eat to resolve this difference.

2. (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram ?
(ii) What did his father say to this ?
(iii) What do you think his words mean ? Why do you think he spoke those words ?

Answers
(i) Abdul Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram to study further at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram.
(ii) His father said that he knew he had to go away to grow. A seagull flies across the sun alone and without a nest.
(iii) His words mean that sooner or later one has to leave one’s parents. This is for living alone in this world. He spoke these words because this is the harsh reality of life.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
I. Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:
erupt, surge, trace, undistinguished, casualty

Answers
The sentences in the text where these words occur are the following :

  1. …… a sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market.
  2. …… I can still feel the surge of pride in earning my own money for the first time.
  3. ……. I would later attempt to trace in the headlines in Dinamani.
  4. ……. a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, bom to tall and handsome parents.
  5. The first casualty came in the form of the suspension of the train halt at Rameswaram Station.

Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the following questions.
1. What are the things that can erupt ? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge ?
2. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text ?
3. Can you find the word undistinguished in your dictionary ? (If not, look up the word distinguished and say what undistinguished must mean.)

Answers
1. An earthquake can erupt. Emotions can erupt. Anger can erupt.
Example : An earthquake erupted in Sicily last night.
Surge means a sudden powerful forward or upward movement. A wave surges. A crowd surges. A storm surges.
Example : Birds search for fish when waves surge towards the shore.
2. ‘Trace’ means to find out, to copy, to draw an outline etc. ‘Finding out’ is the closest meaning to ‘trace’ in the text.
3. I can’t find the word ‘undistinguished’ in my dictionary because it is not the root word. However, it is there under the word ‘distinguished’ because ‘undistinguished’ is negative to ‘distinguished’. It means : not specific, not prominent, not distinct etc.

II. 1. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

A

B

(i) broke out

 (a) an attitude of kindness, a readiness to give freely
(ii) in accordance with

(b) was not able to tolerate

(iii) a helping hand

 (c) began suddenly in a violent way
(iv) could not stomach

(d) assistance

(v) generosity of spirit

 (e) persons with power to make decisions
(vi) figures of authority

(f) according to a particular rule, principle, or system

Answers

A

B

(i) broke out

 (c) began suddenly in a violent way
(ii) in accordance with

(f) according to a particular rule, principle, or system

(iii) a helping hand

 (d) assistance
(iv) could not stomach

(b) was not able to tolerate

(v) generosity of spirit

 (a) an attitude of kindness, a readiness to give freely
(vi) figures of authority

(e) persons with power to make decisions

2. Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by prefixing un – or in to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).

  • I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks. (un + distinguished)
  • My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts, (in + essential)
  • The area was completely unaffected by the war. (un + affected)
  • He should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance, (in + equality, in + tolerance)

Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un – or in – The prefix in- can also have the forms il -, ir -, or im – (For example : illiterate – il + literate, impractical – im + practical, irrational – ir + rational). You may consult a dictionary if you wish.

  1. adequate
  2. acceptable
  3. regular
  4. tolerant
  5. demanding
  6. active
  7. true
  8. permanent
  9. patriotic
  10. disputed
  11. accessible
  12. coherent
  13. logical
  14. legal
  15. responsible
  16. possible

Answers

  1. inadequate
  2. unacceptable
  3. irregular
  4. intolerant
  5. undemanding
  6. inactive
  7. untrue
  8. impermanent
  9. unpatriotic
  10. undisputed
  11. inaccessible
  12. in coherent
  13. illogical
  14. illegal
  15. irresponsible
  16. impossible

IV. Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form.

  1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes (give away) by the Principal.
  2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers (pay) on time.
  3. On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.
  4. Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.
  5. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.
  6. Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore.

Answers

  1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.
  2. In spite of finanèial difficulties, the labourers were paid on time.
  3. On Republic Day, vehicles were not allowed beyond this point. ..
  4. Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday.
  5. Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years.
  6. Our National Anthem has been composed by Rabindranath Tagore.

V. Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in brackets.

1. how helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nan Contractor (seriously injure and collapse). In those days helmets (not wear). Contractor (hit) on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull (fracture). The entire team (deeply concern). The West Indies players (worry). Contractor (rush) to hospital. He (accompany) by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood (donate) by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor (save). Nowadays helmets (routinely use) against bowlers.

2. Oil From Seeds
Vegetable oils (make) from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil (produce) from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil (use) for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives (shake) from the trees and (gather) up, usually by hand. The olives (ground) to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats (layer) up on the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

Answers
1. How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown Nari Contractor was seriously injured and collapsed. In tho§e days helmets were not worn. Contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith.

Contractor’s skull had been fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. Contractor was rushed to hospital. He was accompanied by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood was donated by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor was saved. Nowadays helmets are routinely used against fast bowlers.

2. Oil From Seeds
Vegetable oils are made from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil is produced from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil is used for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives are shaken from the trees and gathered up, usually by hand. The olives sire grounded to a thick paste. It is then spread onto special mat? Then the mats are layered up on the pressing machine. It would gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

DICTATION
Let the class divide itself into three groups. Let each group take down one passage that the teacher dictates. Then put the passages together in the right order.

To Sir, with Love

1. From Rameswaram to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, it’s been a long journey. Talking to Nona Walia on the eve of Teacher’s Day, President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalatn talks about life’s toughest lessons learnt and his mission—being a teacher to the Indian youth. “A proper education would’ help nurture a sense of dignity and self-respect among our youth”, says President Kalam.
There’s still a child in him though, and he’s still curious about learning new things. Life’s a mission for President Kalam.

2. Nonetheless, he remembers his first lesson in life and how it changed his destiny. “I was studying in Standard V, and must have been all of 10. My teacher, Sri Sivasubramania Iyer was telling us how birds fly. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard, depicting the wings, tail and the body with the head and then explained how birds soar to the sky. At the end of the class, I said I didn’t understand. Then he asked the other students if they had understood, but nobody had understood how birds
fly,” he recalls.

3. “That evening, the entire class was taken to Rameswaram shore.” the President continues. “My teacher showed us sea birds. We saw marvellous formations of them flying and how their wings flapped. Then my teacher asked us, ‘- Where is the birds’ engine and how is it powered ?’ I knew then that birds are powered by their own life and motivation. I understood all about birds’ dynamics. This was reed teaching – a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example. Sri Sivasubramania Iyer was a great teacher.”
That day, my future was decided. My destiny was changed. I knew my future had to be about flight and flight systems.

Answer
For attempt at class level. Paragraphs are put together as given below :

To Sir, With Love

From Rameswaram to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It has been a long journey. Talking ‘ to Nona Walia on the eve of Teacher’s Day, President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam talks about life’s toughest lessons learnt, and his mission-being a teacher to the Indian Youth. “A proper education would help nurture a sense of dignity and self-respect among our youth”, says President Kalam. There’s still a child in him though, he’s still curious about learning new things. Life’s a mission for President Kalam.

Nonetheless, he remembers his first lesson in life and how it changed his destiny. “I was studying in standard V, and must have been all of 10. My teacher, Sri Sivasubramania Iyer was telling us how birds fly. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard, depicting the wings, tail and the body with the head and then explained how birds soar to the sky. At the end of the class, I said I did not understand. Then he asked the other students if they had understood, but nobody had understood how birds fly”, he recalls.

That evening, the entire class was taken to Rameswaram shore. The President continues, “My teacher showed us sea birds. We saw marvellous formations of them i flying and how their wings flapped. Then my teacher asked us, “- Where is the bird’s engine and how is it powered ?” I knew then that birds are powered by their own life and motivation. I understood all about birds’ dynamics. This was real teaching- a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example. Sri Siva Subramania Iyer was a great teacher. That day, my future was decided. My destiny was changed. I knew my future had to be about flight and flight systems.

Life is actually a mission for President Kalam. It has been a long trek from Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan. There’s still a child in him though, and he is still . curious about learning new things.

WRITING
Think and write a short account of what life in Rameswaram in the 1940s must have been like. (Were people rich or poor ? Hard working or lazy ? Hopeful of change, or resistant to it ?).

Answer
Life in Rameswaram in the 1940s must have been quite different from that today. The people were not very rich. Every single anna must have been very important for them. It would have been a hard-earned money. But its purchasing power must have been much more.

Life on the whole must have been very hard in the absence of many sources of livelihood. Education must not have been widespread. The main occupation of the people would have been to earn for livelihood. The people must have been very hardworking, honest and sincere. There must have been complete communal harmony and peace. There would have been no illwill according to caste or creed or religion.

The people on the whole must not have been very enthusiastic or hopeful of change. They would have taken everything in a normal way. They could not have been resistant. But they would have abided by the social norms or elders’ orders. Life, thus, must have been peaceful, tension-free and contented.

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