NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 1 - The Road Not Taken

1. Where does the traveler find himself? What problem does he face?

Ans: The traveler finds himself standing at the fork of the road in a yellow wood. He needs to decide which road to choose, and he stands at the fork analyzing his dilemma. 

2. Discuss what these phrases mean to you:

(i) A yellow wood

Ans: Yellowwood symbolizes the autumn season in the forest. Autumn represents the shedding of the old and the dead leaves on the tree withers away. It also refers to the old age in human life where he loses all his physical abilities, preparing to ascend to the next stage.

(ii) It was grassy and wanted wear

Ans: It conveys that the road was full of undisturbed vegetation because it was a less traveled one. The poet personifies the road by saying ‘wanted wear.’ It could imply the road wanted to be explored or traveled by visitors, which it was not.

(iii) The passing there

Ans: The phrase is used to address the other path that is frequently traveled by the visitors. He addressed the road as secondary as he was keener to explore the road with outgrown vegetation.

(iv) Leaves no step had trodden black

Ans: The poet uses the phrase to describe the untouched state of the path. After walking over the leaves their edges turn black which was not the case here. He went on a walk early in the morning, and one had walked on either of the roads, and leaves from the trees lay fresh on them.

(v) How way leads on to way

Ans: The phrase tells us about the poet's desire to try both the roads and see the destination. But he soon realizes how one way will lead to another until one is extremely far from where they started. All the decisions in life pave the way for a new one and help us create our life journey, unique for everyone.

3. Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them

(i) In stanzas two and three?

Ans: In stanza two, the poet explained the physical difference in the roads. One road was frequently traveled by and had a clear path with less vegetation while the other path was covered with vegetation, was not stepped on, and was used often.

In stanza three, the poet concludes that in the morning since no one had stepped on either of the roads and they were covered with fallen autumn leaves both roads were untravelled.

(ii) In the last two lines of the poem?

Ans: For the poet, in the last line, the difference arose from the fact that he chose the road that was less traveled, and it would embark him on a different journey, different from the one he would have if he chose the first road. It was not the difference in the physical appearance but the destination that it would end at.

4. What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, does the poet regret his choice or accept it?)

Ans: The last two lines of the poem show the poet's acceptance of reality and his being accountable for his decision. The poet made a daring choice and took the path that was challenging. He took an unexplored path in his life since wanted to do something different. Years ahead in his life, he is not disappointed by his decision. 

For a common person, the phrase reflects the everyday dilemma one must face when presented with choices. No matter how far they take him in life, one should not regret not taking the other path and wondering if life could have been better than what it is.

II.Thinking About the Poem

1. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)?

Ans: No, till now I have never been presented with such a situation. There are various minor instances in our life too that present us with a choice and decisions are to be made. In such instances, we should be guided by our hearts and make the best possible decision.

In my case after completing my general education, I will have to decide upon the profession I wish to continue. I will have multiple options before me. I will try to choose a path that gives me satisfaction and mental peace. Like the poet in the poem, I would love to choose a challenging and unexplored path in my life.

2. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have been or do you accept the reality?

Ans: I always believe in taking time and thinking about all the possible consequences before planning. Some decisions can change our life forever and hence we should go with what our heart desires. We should not try our best to not do things and take actions to satisfy others. We should give preference to our desires and wishes and work hard for them.  Therefore; I believe in sticking to my decisions and being accountable for them.

NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Road Not Taken - Free PDF Download

The top academicians strive hard to devise better ideas to help Class 9 students and offer them detailed solutions. NCERT Solution of Class 9 English enhances the base for the conceptual knowledge of students. It gives a comprehensive view of the prescribed topics. Moreover, students can understand the solutions because they are well-designed to provide a step-by-step explanation.

Summary of The Road Not Taken 

"The Road Not Taken" from Class 9 Beehive is a reflection on life's choices, emphasizing the significance of individual experiences and interests. The poem metaphorically represents the road as a symbol of human life, highlighting the significance of the path not chosen. By studying this poem, students explore the decision-making process that shapes their future and destiny. It conveys that making the right choices leads to a promising future, while wrong choices are irreversible. The poem encourages students to analyze options carefully and weigh the pros and cons. Additionally, practicing NCERT textbook questions and referring to expert solutions aids in understanding the exam format and securing better grades. Ultimately, the poem teaches that every path, chosen or not, presents its own challenges, and it is essential to face them head-on. Moving forward and focusing on future goals rather than dwelling on past choices is emphasized. "The Road Not Taken" in the Beehive chapter delivers a powerful message: our choices shape who we become. As individuals traverse different paths and encounter new options, they must exercise wisdom and caution in decision-making. After studying the chapter, students can refer to the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English, which provide answers to specific questions related to each paragraph of the poem.

3 Important Literary Devices in the Poem

Literary devices help to enhance the meaning of a poetic piece and understand the poet’s string of thoughts better. Here are three important literary devices used by Robert Frost in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’.

1. Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that enables direct comparison between two like objects or items. In the second stanza of the poem, a simile can be identified in the phrase ‘as just as fair’. It enumerates how Frost compares the road less taken to the easy way that humans tend to choose in life.

2. Metaphor: The poetic device metaphor is quite similar to a simile, but unlike a simile, it strikes an indirect comparison between two things. In ‘The Road Not Taken’, the road acts as a metaphor for the journey of life. On the other hand, yellow woods, implying forests full of yellow leaves, are a metaphor for the decisions we make during the tough times of our lives.

3. Imagery: The richness and essence of every poem is enhanced by the use of imagery. A poem with imagery tends to provoke the senses of the readers and they can visualize the scenes in the poem while reading it. In this poem, Robert Frost triggers the sense of sight through vivid images of leaves, yellow woods, and the road. Readers can perceive these things while reciting the poem.

Mastering Chapter 1 Class 9 English The Road Not Taken - MCQs, Questions and Answers, and Tips for Success

Here are 5 questions from the poem of Class 9 The Road Not Taken that were asked in the CBSE board examination in the last 10 years. It is imperative that you go through them for better preparation.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow

Q1. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both 

And be one traveller, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could 

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

1. At which point had the poet reached?

2. Why was the traveller feeling sorry?

3. Give the opposite to ‘met at a point’ from the passage? (SA-1,2014-15)

Q2: And both that morning equally lay 

In leaves no step had trodden black 

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted it if I should ever come back.

1. Which road does the poet choose?

2. Why was the poet doubtful about the first road?

3. Find a word from the extract that means ‘crushed’. (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-013)

Q3. I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- 

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

1. How did the poet make his choice about the roads?

2. What had made a lot of difference in the poet’s life?

3. What does the term “road” stand for? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-018)

Q4.  Then took the other, just as fair,”

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there 

Had worn them really about the same.

1. What made the poet choose such a road?

2. What does the poet mean by “just as fair”?

3. Find the phrase from the extract that means “had not been used”. (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-019)

Q5. I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

1. Write the name of the poem and the poet.

2. Why did the poet take the road which was less travelled by?

3. Why was the poet in dilemma? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-021)

Benefits of The Road Not Taken Class 9 Chapter 1 NCERT Solutions

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