NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 6 - My Childhood

Thinking about the Text

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

1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?

Ans: Abdul Kalam’s house was in Rameswaram on Mosque Street.

2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans: Kalam traced the stories of the war. The name of the newspaper was Dinamani.

3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?

Ans: Abdul Kalam had few friends. Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Shivaprakasan were his close friends. Ramanadha became a priest, Aravindan became a transport businessman and Shivprakasan had a catering contract with Southern railways.

4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?

Ans:  Newspapers were thrown out in bundles out of a moving train during the second world war. Abdul made the best use of this and earned his first wages by distributing these newspapers with his cousin.

5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?

Ans: When there was a sudden surge for tamarind seeds in the market when the Second World War broke. Abdul Kalam and his cousin collected the seeds and sold them at a provision shop on Mosque Street. They earned one anna per day.

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

1. How does the author describe: 

(i) his father 

Ans: Jainulabdeen was Abdul Kalam’s father. He was an honest and generous man but wasn't wealthy or well educated. He lived like a simple man and avoided all luxuries.

(ii) his mother 

Ans: Ashiamma believed in kindness and was a pillar to her husband. She believed in goodness and fed many people every day.

(iii) himself?

Ans: Kalam’s parents were grounded and provided him with a secure childhood. He, just like his parents, believed in profound kindness. Physically he was a short boy with undistinguished looks.

2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?

Ans: His parents were kind and generous individuals. He inherited self-discipline from his father and deep kindness and love for humanity from his mother.

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)?

Ans: Kalam mentions two religious groups- Brahmins and Muslims. By the way, these two sects dressed they were easily identifiable. The Muslims wore a cap while the Hindus wore a seared thread.

(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.)

Ans: No, they were not only aware of their differences but also naturally shared friendships and experiences.

Kalam’s mother and grandmother were liberal women who appreciated stories from across the world. They would tell the children stories from Ramayana as well as tales from the prophet. They even carried idols from the temple to the marriage site in Rama Tirtha, in boats. It was near their home and they enjoyed the event, irrespective of religion.

(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?

Ans: The teacher who came to join Kalam’s Rameswaram elementary school was aware of the difference between the two religions, Hindus and Muslims. His wife used to serve in her ritually pulled kitchen but refused to serve Kalam since he was Muslim and her orthodox mindset didn’t allow her to serve him. His science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer tried to bridge this and served and dined with him to break the social barrier which is superficial.

(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes?

Ans: The first incident to show that how differences can be created is that when the new young teacher found a Muslim student sitting beside a Hindu student, he asked Kalam to sit in the last raw. His friend Ramanadha Sastry was heartbroken. Their parents were strictly against this step and summoned the teacher, conveying their discontent towards same.

People changed their behavior towards an individual when they observed their eating style, drinking water, and other minor activities since it was different for both Hindus and Muslims.

His science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer was a very conservative and orthodox Brahmin but he tried to bridge the differences between them in every possible way.

2.

(i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?

Ans: Abdul Kalam wanted to study further. He wanted to study in Ramanathapuram and hence wanted to leave Rameswaram.

(ii) What did his father say to this?

Ans: Kalam’s father was incredibly supportive of his idea to continue his studies in another city. He said he knew he would have to leave to build his life further. His mother was unwilling to send him but then he quoted Khalil and said, “Her children were not their own children. They were the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through their parents, but not from them. They may give them their love, but not their thoughts as the children have their own thoughts.” He also gave him the analogy of a seagull and asked him to explore life further.

(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words? 

Ans: Abdul Kalam’s father wanted him to go beyond the place he grew up in and explore the essence of life further. He not only supported him to go further but also convinced his mother to allow her son to go and fly across alone. He shouldn't be restricted in his life because of parental love and his duties towards them. He wanted him to live his own life too.

Thinking about Language

I. 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?

Ans: A few things that can erupt are anger, volcano, tooth, rash, riots, unrest, etc. Erupt has several meanings. Their explanation, with examples, is given as follows:

(i) Start Unexpectedly

Example: Riots erupted in the city.

(ii) Start To Burn or Burst Into Flames

Example: The spark soon erupted into flames.

(iii) Become Active and Spew Forth Lava and Rocks

Example: The molten lava erupted out of the active volcano.

(iv) Forceful and Violent Release of Something Pent Up

Example: The difference in their views soon erupted in a fight.

(v) Sudden Appearance on the Skin

Example: On the day of the party, a pimple erupted on her face.

(vi) Break Out

Example: Eruption of the wisdom tooth gives a lot of pain.

Things that can surge are pride, anxiety, waves, boats, the army, etc. The several meanings it has can be explained with the following examples:

(i) Sudden Forceful Flow

Example: The boy drowned in the surging waves.

(ii) Rise and Move Forward

Example: The army surged towards their enemy.

(iii) Heave Upward Under the Influence of a Natural Force

Example: The boat surged in the high tide.

(iv) See One’s Performance Improve

Example: Hard work helped to surge Sandra’s scores.

(v) A Sudden or Abrupt Strong Increase

Example: The surge in the stock market left people in shock.

(vi) Rise Rapidly

Example: As time passed, her tension surged.

2. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text?

Ans: The following are the meanings of the word trace:

(i) Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

(ii) Make a mark or lines on a surface

(iii) To go back over again

(iv) Pursue or chase relentlessly

(v) Find or discover through investigation

(vi) Make one’s course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along

(vii) Read with difficulty

The closest meaning of the word ‘trace’ in the text is ‘to find or discover through investigation’.

3. Can you find undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look for the word distinguished and say what undistinguished mean.)

Ans. No, the word undistinguished does not exist in the dictionary. However, its meaning can be derived from the meaning of the word ‘distinguished’, which denotes the ‘special or eminent appearance or behaviour of a person. Thus, undistinguished symbolizes the ‘ordinary appearance or behaviour of a person.

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

Ans:

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.

_____adequate  

Ans: Inadequate

_____acceptable

Ans: Unacceptable

_____regular

Ans: Irregular

_____tolerant

Ans: Intolerant

_____demanding

Ans: Undemanding

______active  

Ans: Inactive

______true  

Ans: Untrue

______permanent

Ans: Impermanent

 ______patriotic

Ans: Unpatriotic

______disputed

Ans: Undisputed

______accessible

Ans: Inaccessible

_______coherent

Ans: Incoherent

 ______logical

Ans: Illogical

_______legal  

Ans: Illegal

_______responsible  

Ans: Irresponsible

_______possible

Ans: 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.

Ans: In yesterday’s competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.

2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers (pay) on time.

Ans: In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers were paid on time.

3. On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.

Ans: On Republic Day, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point.

4. Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.

Ans: Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday.

5. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.

Ans: Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years.

6. Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore.

Ans: Our National Anthem was 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, Nari 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.

Ans: 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 got seriously injured and collapsed. In those days helmets were not worn. The contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. The contractor’s skull had fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. A contractor was rushed to the 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, the Contractor was saved. Nowadays helmets are routinely used 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) upon the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

Ans: 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, soybeans, 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 are ground to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats are layered upon the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

MCQs 

Question 1. Abdul was in which class when the conservative teacher came to the class?

(a) Abdul was in 4th standard

(b) Abdul was in 5th standard

(c) Abdul was in 7th standard

(d) Abdul was in 6th standard

Answer: (b) Abdul was in 5th standard

Question 2. Name the marriage site mentioned in the poem that was said to be the center of the pond?

(a) Kalyan Mancha

(b) Rama Tirtha

(c) Tirtha Bharathi

(d) Rama Mandir

Answer: (b) Rama Tirtha

Question 3. What did Sivasubramania expect Abdul Kalam to be?

(a) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will become the president

(b) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will become the Prime Minister

(c) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul would be like the highly educated people who resided in the big cities. 

(d) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will become filthy rich

Answer: (c)  Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will be like the highly educated people who resided in the big cities. 

Question 4. Abdul’s father quoted which author’s line at the end of this chapter?

(a) He quoted Rabindranath Tagore’s line

(b) He quoted Kahlil Gibran’s line

(c) He quoted Paulo Coelho’s line

(d) He quoted Azhar Samsuddin’s line

Answer: (b) He quoted Kahlil Gibran’s line

Question 5. Abdul’s father believed in

(a) Freedom of thoughts

(b) Communal difference

(c) Cast system

(d) Supernatural power

Answer: (a) Freedom of thoughts 

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 - My Childhood - Benefits of the NCERT Solutions 

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Following are the benefits which are rendered by NCERT Solutions: 

• NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter My Childhood are easy to understand and provide point-wise solutions that come in handy while preparing for exams. 

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 - My Childhood - Extra MCQs For Practice 

Question 1. Abdul was in which class when the conservative teacher came to the class?

(a) Abdul was in 4th standard

(b) Abdul was in 5th standard

(c) Abdul was in 7th standard

(d) Abdul was in 6th standard

Answer: (b) Abdul was in 5th standard

Question 2. Name the marriage site mentioned in the poem that was said to be the centre of the pond?

(a) Kalyan Mancha

(b) Rama Tirtha

(c) Tirtha Bharathi

(d) Rama Mandir

Answer: (b) Rama Tirtha

Question 3. What did Sivasubramania expect Abdul Kalam to be?

(a) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will become the president.

(b) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will become the Prime Minister.

(c) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul would be like the highly educated people who resided in the big cities. 

(d) Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will become filthy rich.

Answer: (c)  Sivasubramania expected that Abdul will be like the highly educated people who resided in the big cities. 

Question 4. Abdul’s father quoted which author’s line at the end of this chapter?

(a) He quoted Rabindranath Tagore’s line.

(b) He quoted Kahlil Gibran’s line.

(c) He quoted Paulo Coelho’s line.

(d) He quoted Azhar Samsuddin’s line.

Answer: (b) He quoted Kahlil Gibran’s line

Question 5. Abdul’s father believed in

(a) Freedom of thoughts

(b) Communal difference

(c) Cast system

(d) Supernatural power

Answer: (a) Freedom of thoughts

Question 6. in which standard was kalam when the new teacher with a conservative mind had come to his class?

 (a) 4th 

 (b) 5th 

 (c) 7th 

 (d) 6th

Answer: 5th

Questions 7. __ was the marriage place situated in the midst of the pond near to Abdul’s house was

 (a) Kalyan Mancha

 (b) Tirtha Bharathi

 (c) Rama Mandir

 (d) Rama Tirtha

Answer: Rama Tirtha

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 - My Childhood - Key Takeaways  Character Sketch of Abdul Kalam

APJ Abdul Kalam described himself as a simple boy with basic looks. Born in a middle-class family, he was a hard-working person and had an ambitious personality. Kalam wanted to find out and explore things. Additionally, he was curious about studying and wanted to sit in the front category. He was delighted with his first earnings which tells that he wanted to be self-dependent. He did not believe in breaking society based on creed, caste, or class. He says that he had obtained fairness and self-discipline from his father and profound kindness and goodness from his mother. He wanted to fly and explore a sort of bird.

APJ Abdul Kalam’s Father

Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen was a boat owner and imam of an area’s mosque. His mother Ashiamma was a housewife. His father had a boat that took Hindu pilgrims back and forth within Rameswaram and the now-abandoned Dhanushkodi. Dr Kalam’s father was an easy person with a humble and low background. He was respected by everyone and also had tons of self-respect. Jainulabdeen was a shipbuilder and owned boats that he rented fishers to earn his living. Although he was a faithful Muslim, Dr Kalam’s father was patient towards other faiths. He maintained cordial ties with Hindu school teachers and non-secular leaders in Rameswaram.

Tips to Study Class 9 English Beehive

Following are some tips that are required to be followed by the students of CBSE Class 9 in order to score good marks in English: 

1. The students are required to read the chapter well to understand each element of the chapter.

2. The students will be able to solve the questions and answers which are given at the back of the chapters. 

3. They are also required to solve the sample question papers and check with the previous year's question papers.

4. More attention should be given to the character sketch, the background of the story, the author, and different meanings in the story. 

Hope this content was beneficial for the CBSE Class 9 students. They are required to download the free NCERT Solutions of Chapter 6 My Childhood where they can practise the questions and answers appropriately.

Apart from that, they must also pay attention to the character sketches of the characters which are also presented in this article. One can also take note of the tips and suggestions, this will help the students to score outstanding marks in CBSE Class 9 English.

Along with this, students can also view additional study materials provided by Vedantu, for Class 9.

• NCERT Solutions For Class 9

• Revision Notes for Class 9

• CBSE Class 9 Syllabus

NCERT Class 9 English Beehive Chapters

• Chapter 1 - The Fun They Had

• Chapter 2 - The Sound of Music

• Chapter 3 - The Little Girl

• Chapter 4 - A Truly Beautiful Mind

• Chapter 5 - The Snake and The Mirror

• Chapter 7 - Packing

• Chapter 8 - Reach for the Top

• Chapter 9 - The Bond of Love

• Chapter 10 - Kathmandu

• Chapter 11 - If I Were You

NCERT Class 9 English Beehive (Poem)

• Chapter 1 - The Road Not Taken (Poem)

• Chapter 2 - Wind (Poem)

• Chapter 3 - Rain On The Roof (Poem)

• Chapter 4 - The Lake Isle of Innisfree (Poem)

• Chapter 5 - A Legend of The Northland (Poem)

• Chapter 6 - No Men Are Foreign (Poem)

• Chapter 7 - The Duck and the Kangaroos (Poem)

• Chapter 8 - On Killing A Tree (Poem)

• Chapter 9 - The Snake Trying (Poem)

• Chapter 10 - A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal (Poem)