NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

Get the most accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror here. Updated for the 2025-26 academic session, these solutions are based on the latest NCERT textbooks for Class 9 English. Our expert-created answers for Class 9 English are available for free download in PDF format.

Detailed Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English

For Class 9 students, solving NCERT textbook questions is the most effective way to build a strong conceptual foundation. Our Class 9 English solutions follow a detailed, step-by-step approach to ensure you understand the logic behind every answer. Practicing these Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror solutions will improve your exam performance.

Class 9 English Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror NCERT Solutions PDF

 

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

Think about the Text

I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).

1. “The sound was familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop? 

Answer

The doctor lived in a room which was full of rats. He heard the sounds of the rats. There was a regular traffic of rats to and from the beam. He heard the sound thrice. The sound stopped suddenly as rats had seen a snake.

2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?

Answer

The doctor took two "important" and "earth-shaking" while he was looking into the mirror First, he decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache. Second, always to keep an attractive smile on his face.

3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?

Answer 

(i) When the doctor first smiles, he has an inflated opinion of himself, admiring his looks and profession. 
(ii) In the second instance, the doctor smiles at his foolishness and helplessness.
His thoughts change after his encounter with the snake—from being a proud doctor he moves on to accept his stupidity.

II.

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)
1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition) 
2.(i) The person he wants to marry
(ii) The person he actually marries
3.(i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.

Answer

1. (i) The doctor is a poor person. He has hardly any money. he lives in an unelectrified house. It is small rented room with plenty of rats living in it. He has just started his medical practice. So he is not a man of possessions or money.
(ii) The Person wants to be rich. he also would like to have good appearance. That's why he decides to grow a thin moustache.

2. (i) The doctor wants to marry a woman doctor with good medical practice and a lot of money. She would be fat as not to run after him and catch him.
(ii) He marries a thin reedy woman who has a gift of sprinter.

3. (i) His thoughts are full of joy and satisfaction. He decides to grow thin moustache and keep smiling always. He finds his smile attractive 
(ii) He turned to stone. He sat like stone image in the flesh. However, his mind was very active. He felt the great presence of creator. He decides to write the words 'O God' outside his little heart.

Thinking about Language

I.

1. Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author: (a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour, (d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness...! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.
10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?


Answer 
 
 
(a) was afraid of the snake
(b) was proud of his appearance
(c) had a sense of humour
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake
1.
I was turned to stone.
 
 
 
2.
 
 
 
I was no mere image cut in granite.
3.
The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
 
 
 
4.
I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, 'O God'.
 
I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, 'O God'.
 
5.
I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
 
 
 
6.
 
I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
 
 
7.
 
 
 
I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8.
 
I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
 
 
9.
 
 
The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness...! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.
 
10.
 
 
Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead.
 


II.

Expressions used to show fear
Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences.
1. I was turned ___________________________________________________.
2. I sat there holding _______________________________________________.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like _______________________________.

Answer 

1. I was turned to stone.
2. I sat there holding my breath.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.

III.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.
5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.

Answer

1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge. (frightened by something that happens suddenly)
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him. (very frightened)
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that. (frightened by something that happens suddenly)
5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end. (makes another feel frightened)
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors. (too scared to move)
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle. (too scared to move)

IV.

Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.
1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”
2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”
3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”
4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”
5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”
6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”
7. Sheila asked the children “Are you ready to do the work?”

Answer 

1. Meena asked her friend if she thought her teacher would come that day.
2. David asked his colleague where he would go that summer.
3. He asked the little boy why he was studying English.
4. She asked me when we were going to leave.
5. Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.
6. Seema asked her how long she had lived there.
7. Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.

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NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

Students can now access the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror prepared by teachers on our website. These solutions cover all questions in exercise in your Class 9 English textbook. Each answer is updated based on the current academic session as per the latest NCERT syllabus.

Detailed Explanations for Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

Our expert teachers have provided step-by-step explanations for all the difficult questions in the Class 9 English chapter. Along with the final answers, we have also explained the concept behind it to help you build stronger understanding of each topic. This will be really helpful for Class 9 students who want to understand both theoretical and practical questions. By studying these NCERT Questions and Answers your basic concepts will improve a lot.

Benefits of using English Class 9 Solved Papers

Using our English solutions regularly students will be able to improve their logical thinking and problem-solving speed. These Class 9 solutions are a guide for self-study and homework assistance. Along with the chapter-wise solutions, you should also refer to our Revision Notes and Sample Papers for Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror to get a complete preparation experience.

Where can I find the latest [current-page:node:field_title] for the 2025-26 session?

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Are the English NCERT solutions for Class 9 updated for the new 50% competency-based exam pattern?

Yes, our experts have revised the as per 2026 exam pattern. All textbook exercises have been solved and have added explanation about how the English concepts are applied in case-study and assertion-reasoning questions.

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