CBSE Class 9 English Sample Paper Set L

SECTION 'A' : READING (20 marks)

Q. 1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (8 marks)

Producing silk is a lengthy process and demands close attention. First, quality feed for silkworms needs to be cultivated. Then the worms need to be carefully hand-reared in controlled environmental conditions till the pupae spin the silk cocoons. The silk is extracted by human hand and then woven into fabric.

South India is the leading silk-producing area of the country, also known for its famous silk-weaving enclaves like Kanchipuram, Dharmavaram and Arni. The traditional handloom silks always score over the powerlooms ones in the richness of their textures and design, in their individuality, character and classic beauty. Handloom weaving remains a symbol of the versatility and creativity of living craft. Today, Indian silks, especially the handloom products remain the most beautiful and cherished world over.

It is estimated that almost 85 percent of the price of silk in the market goes back to communities that are engaged in sericulture and silk industry as the entire families are involved in production rather than one bread winner.

It plays a huge role in the upliftment of communities from poverty to prosperity If the consumption of silk increases, the entire village tends to prosper. The final part of silk production is the weaving of the fabric which is considered more of an art than an act. These communities depend solely on weaving silk for their livelihood and the distinct regions have developed their own character of weaving silk to establish indelible identities for themselves.

Silk has been intermingled with the life and culture of the Indians. Though, India is producing all the varieties of silk, i.e., dress materials, scarves/stoles, readymade garments, etc., the silk sarees are unique. The saree is almost synonymous with the word silk. It has been the traditional costume of Indian woman since times immemorial. There are innumerable references in Indian literature about this draped garment and the style of wearing differs from time to time, region to region and people to people. The silk sarees of India are among the excellent living examples of the craftsmanship of the weavers of the country.

(a) What is the first step in silk production? (1)

(b) How are the worms taken care of? (1)

(c) Which is the most famous silk? (1)

(d) Name a few famous South Indian silk producing centres? (1)

(e) How does the silk production help in the upliftment of communities? (1)

(f) What is the traditional costume of Indian woman? (1)

(g) Which is the final part of silk-weaving? (1)

(h) Find the word from the passage which means the same as 'use up'. (1)

Q. 2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 marks)

1. In spite of all the honours that were heaped upon him, Pasteur, as it has been said remained simple at heart. Perhaps, the imagery of his boyhood days, when he drew the familiar scenes of his birthplace and the longing to be a great artist, never wholly left him.

2. In truth, he did become a great artist, though after his sixteenth year, he abandoned the brush forever. Like every artist of worth, he put his whole soul and energy into his work and it was huge energy that in the end wore him out. For him, each sufferer was something more than just a case that has to be cured. He looked upon the fight against hydro-phobia as a battle and he was absorbed in his determination to win.

3. The sight of injured children particularly moved him to an indescribable extent. He suffered with his patients and yet he would not deny himself a share in their suffering. His greatest grief was when sheer physical exhaustion made him give up his active work. But even then in that pain he loved to see his former pupils and it was then that he would reiterate his life's principles; 'never cease to work'. So well had he kept his precept that he rapidly began to sink from exhaustion.

4. Finally, on September 27,1895, when someone leaned over his bed to offer him a cup of milk, he said sadly, "I cannot". With a look of perfect resignation and peace, he seemed to have fallen asleep. He never again opened his eyes to the cares and sufferings of the world, which he had done so much to relieve and to conquer. He was within three months of his seventy-third birthday.

(a) How did Pasteur view those who suffered from diseases ?

(b) What tells us that he wanted to become an artist ?

(c) Elaborate the phrase 'I cannot', in context with the article.

(d) What was his greatest grief ?

(e) Find out the words from the passage which means the same (4x1=4)

I. Well known to you. ( Para I)

II. Firm decision to do some thing ( Para II)

III. The state of being extremely tired ( Para IV)

IV. To win /succeed ( Para IV)

SECTION 'B' : WRITING AND GRAMMAR (25 marks)

Q. 3. Gender roles are changing at work and home in today's times. Men and women alike are challenging traditional gender roles and expecting to share in paid work as well as tending the household and children. Write an article in about 120 words for your school magazine on the changing gender roles in India. (5 marks)

Q. 4. Write a story in 150-200 words with a title using the following hints. (10 marks)

Rohit - addicted to mobile phone - gaming and chatting - oblivious of the real world - performs poorly in class tests - realisation - strives to improve.

Q. 5. Complete the following passage by choosing the appropriate options from the ones given below: Write your answer in the answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the entire passage. (3 marks)

Working in a team(a) ………really a healer and a stress buster. Success

(b) ………….failure is not an individual’s responsibility. It is a collective responsibility,

(c) ………………good team work demands a perfect communication between all members.

(a) (i) is (ii) am (iii) are (iv) was

(b) (i) and (ii) or (iii) is (iv) am

(c) (i) a (ii) the (iii) in (iv) at

Q. 6. There is an error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the answer sheet as given below: (4 marks)

                                                          Error Correction

Children with autism or hyperactivity     (a)

find it difficult for connect with humans.(b)

But a friendly dog like Casper act as      (c)

the trustworthy medium for them.         (d)

Q. 7. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. (3 marks)

e.g., : are located / the Article and the Antarctica / the south / around the north / of the earth / poles / and

The Arctic and the Antarctica are located around the north and the south poles of the earth.

(a) the / at both / atmosphere / is / cold / these places / very (b) experience / they / extreme / solar / periods / exposure (c) several / therefore / similarities / weather patterns / in the / there / are 

SECTION 'C : LITERATURE TEXT BOOK AND LONG READING TEXT(25 marks)

Q. 8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (1x3 = 3 marks)

"It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to go to Kashi or Varanasi."

(a) Whom does 'it' refer to ? (1)

(b) Describe the character of the old lady on the basis of above mentioned lines. (1)

(c) What do you mean by the word ‘ardent’? (1)

OR

'Behold her, single in the field, Yon solitary Highland lass! Reaping and singing by herself; Stop here or gently pass!

(a) Why does the speaker ask to stop or gently pass ? (1)

(b) To whom does the poet say 'stop here or gently pass !' (1)

(c) What does 'behold her' mean ? (1)

Q. 9. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each. (2x4 = 8 marks)

(a) How did the granddaughter react to her grandmother's request to teach her to read?(2)

(b) 'It was like lighting a fuse. Duke shimmered himself U-shaped in anticipation'. Explain. (2)

(c) How does the poet compare the life of a brook with that of a man? (2)

(d) The final stanza in the poem 'The Road Not taken' starts 'with a sigh'. Why? (2)

Q. 10. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words. (4 marks) "The narrator felt happy that her student, her grandmother had passed with flying colours." Comment.

OR Gaston clinched a deal with Mrs. Al Smith and made a good profit. Will you call his deed a businessman's skill or an unethical practice? Discuss the values Gaston lacked and what would you have done if you had been Gaston? 

NOVEL / LONG READING TEXT (10 marks)

(a) Sketch the character of the narrator, Jerome K Jerome (The Three Men in Boat)

OR

(b) What is the justification given by the narrator for the people crowding in the towns and cities ? What does it reveal about human nature ? 

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