CBSE Class 9 English Communicative Sample Paper Set I

 Section A

Reading 

Q1.Read the following passage carefully:

BRIDGE ACROSS ERAS

Long before the Chrysler or the Empire State Buildings glinted in the Sun, and even before the Statue of Liberty was unveiled, a marvel of modern engineering became Big Apple‟s most enduring and appealing landmark, The Brooklyn Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge, the oldest and longest suspension bridge in the world and along with its two Stately 275-foot stone towers, is often dubbed as the „Eighth Wonder of the World‟. It is a 1,825 meters steel-wire engineering marvel that links Manhattan with Brooklyn. On it, on an average 145,000 people drive, walk or bike everyday. For long it has been one of the city‟s most popular, recognizable and photogenic sights. And yet, it is more than just a national landmark.

At a time when American women were still struggling for voting rights, equality etc., and when everywhere they were asked „to do more and talk less‟, a spirited Ms. Emily Warren Roebling did exactly what pleased her in the full glare of public gaze. She was, „wife, mother, lecturer, student, world traveller and club woman‟ who, by chance, became „the first woman field engineer‟ and pioneering example of independence.

Emily‟s brilliant engineer father-in-law, John Augustus Roebling designed the bridge. But during the construction, a series of mishaps occurred including his death due to tetanus. Emily‟s husband, Col. Washington, who was familiar with his father‟s bridge construction projects, took over. However, while working on the giant granite anchorages that were being built in caissons or watertight chambers, he was hit by a debilitating disease that paralysed him.

With that the onus fell on Emily to complete the bridge. The intelligent lady was familiar with the nuances of “strength of materials, stress anylysis, cable construction and in calculating catenary cruves”--- things she learnt from her father- in-law, brother and husband. Then with Washington directing her, often with “spyglass” trained out of the window, Emily communicated with the project team, and with the regulatory authorities, to bring the project to completion. When the bridge finally opened in the spring of 1883, it saw the most „exuberant public celebration of era‟. As thousands of citizens noisily cheered and paparazzi were out in full force with their new fangled photography half-tone engraving process, US President Chester Arthur along with demure Emily grandly led the first ceremonial ride across the bridge.

Today, as a symbol of the Roebling‟s legacy and honour to this amazing woman, the bridge proudly credits her on a plaque:, “Back of every great work we can find the self sacrificing devotion of a woman.”

Source - THE HINDU

I On the basis of your reading complete the sentences given below:-

(a) The Brooklyn Bridge has been ____________

(b) It was designed by _______________

(c) Colonel Washington was not able to continue with the work started by his father because ___________

(d) Emily Roebling had learnt from her father-in-law, husband and brother _________

(e) The first ceremonial ride across the bridge was led by __________

II Give very short answers:-

(f) When was the bridge opened for public?

(g) How was Emily honoured for her accomplishment?

(h) Why is the passage titled „Bridge Across Eras‟?

III Find the synonyms of the words given below, from the passage :-

(i) responsibility (para5)

(j) weakening (para 4)

Please refer to attached file for CBSE Class 9 English Communicative Sample Paper Set I