Samacheer Kalvi Class 9 English Solutions Chapter 3 Earthquake

9th English Guide Earthquake Textbook Questions and Answers

A. Fill in the blanks with words from the text.
1. The name of the narrator is ............................
2. There were ............................ villages in the valley.
3. Brij went to Pauri to buy his ............................
4. The soldiers had set up a ............................
5. The baby had been buried under the debris for ............................ hours
Answer:
1. The name of the narrator is M.S. Mahadevan.
2. There were 670 villages in the valley.
3. Brij went to Pauri to buy his school books.
4. The soldiers had set up a make-shift camp.
5. The baby had been buried under the debris for 116 hours. The story shows how bravely people fought to save lives.
In simple words: The answers fill in the missing parts of each sentence based on the story, giving key details like the narrator's name, number of villages, what Brij bought, what soldiers made, and how long the baby was trapped.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always read the story carefully to pick out specific facts like names, numbers, and key events for fill-in-the-blanks questions.

 

B. Based on your understanding of the story, choose the right answers from the options.

 

Question 1. Brij started a tea shop because he wanted to
(a) start a company
(b) serve the people
(c) go on a pilgrimage
(d) become a tour guide
Answer: (b) serve the people
In simple words: Brij opened his tea shop to help and provide for the people around him. He felt a strong duty to assist others in his community.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering multiple-choice questions, look for the option that best reflects the character's core motivation or the main idea of the story.

 

Question 2. Molthi was completely devastated because of
(a) a high-intensity earthquake
(b) thunder and hail storm,
(c) drought and famine
(d) flash floods.
Answer: (a) a high-intensity earthquake
In simple words: The village of Molthi was totally destroyed because a very strong earthquake hit it. This natural disaster caused widespread damage and sadness.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to descriptions of events and their causes in the text, as these details often form the basis of factual questions.

 

Question 3. The brother searched everywhere and looked dejected because
(a) he couldn't find his house
(b) he couldn't locate his sister.
(c) he was hungry and didn't eat for a few days
(d) he lost his school books.
Answer: (b) he couldn't locate his sister.
In simple words: The brother was very sad because he could not find his sister anywhere after the earthquake. This was his main worry and cause of distress.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the central emotional conflict or problem a character faces, as this often reveals the main reason for their actions or feelings.

 

Question 4. The boy had great reverence and respect for Army officers as they
(a) were brave and courageous
(b) worked day and night
(c) saved his sister from death
(d) all the options
Answer: (c) saved his sister from death
In simple words: The boy deeply respected the Army officers because they rescued his sister, saving her life. This act earned them his greatest admiration.

🎯 Exam Tip: When 'all the options' is an option, ensure you check if all listed reasons are explicitly supported by the text before choosing it, otherwise pick the most specific and direct reason.

 

Question 5. Brij finally offered the traveller a
(a) cup of milk
(b) cup of tea
(c) glass of water
(d) cup of coffee
Answer: (b) cup of tea
In simple words: Brij gave the traveller a cup of tea. It was a simple act of kindness and hospitality.

🎯 Exam Tip: Small details about interactions between characters, like what is offered or exchanged, are important for understanding the scene and character traits.

 

D. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 80 to 100 words.

 

Question 1. Explain the efforts taken by the Army Officer to save the baby?
Answer: The Army officer arrived with three soldiers, bringing spades and crowbars to help. Without waiting, they immediately started removing the fallen building material. They worked very hard, even when it became completely dark. Someone brought lit petromax lamps so they could continue working. After two hours, a soldier found a small hollow where a wall had caved in, calling out "Sir!" Brij recognized a part of a door, and beneath it, they saw a tiny foot. The soldiers quickly cleared the hollow, lifted the door, and miraculously, rescued the baby alive after 116 hours. The baby was then taken to a temporary hospital. These actions show the dedication of the rescue team.
In simple words: The Army officer and three soldiers used tools to clear debris in the dark, finding a hidden baby after 116 hours. They worked tirelessly and saved the child.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing efforts, list the specific actions taken in chronological order to show the sequence and impact of the work.

 

Question 2. Brij has become a symbol of love and humanity. Explain?
Answer: Brij's village, Molthi, was hit by an earthquake while he was away in Pauri. He hurried back the next day, only to find his entire village buried. Help arrived slowly, taking four days for an army rescue team to start clearing the area. Brij's younger sister, Bhuli, was missing, and he desperately searched for her, crying. Despite the army officer losing hope, Brij never gave up. He continued to search tirelessly. Eventually, soldiers found a small space where Bhuli was trapped. Brij’s persistent effort and love led to his sister's miraculous rescue after 116 hours. His dedication to finding and saving his sister, even when others had lost hope, clearly makes him a symbol of true love and humanity. This selfless act highlighted his profound care.
In simple words: Brij never stopped searching for his sister after the earthquake, even when others lost hope. His tireless efforts and strong love to save her life made him a symbol of care and humanity.

🎯 Exam Tip: To explain why a character is a 'symbol' of something, narrate their actions and attitudes that directly demonstrate that quality, using specific examples from the story.

 

E. Answer the following questions based on the reading of the story.

Answer:
1. While you warm yourself – I will prepare the best tea.
2. I saved enough money – I started my own little shop.
3. It was a terrible earthquake and it was felt – Six hundred and two villages were destroyed.
4. I ran back to the village – I was searching, crying and searching.
5. They lifted the door – My sister was alive.
6. I went to thank the Army Officer – But he was gone. I could not meet him. This sequence shows how actions lead to consequences in the story.
In simple words: Each action listed has a matching result from the story. We connect what happened first to what happened because of it.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching questions, read each 'Action' and then scan the 'Effect' options to find the most logical and textually supported consequence. Double-check all pairings.