NCERT Solutions for class 9th English Chapter 3 The Little Girl

TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED
THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT

I. Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B.

Ans. 1. (iii) 2. (ii) 3. (iv)

II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

  1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
  2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
  3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine?

Ans.

  1. Kezia was afraid of her father because he used to talk with her arrogantly. He was in a habit to find out her mistakes.
  2. Kezia’s family had her grandmother, mother and father.

(i) before going to his office?
(ii) after coming back from his office?
(iii) on Sundays?

Ans.

(i) He used to kiss Kezia casually before going to his office.
(ii) He would ask for the newspaper and tea after coming back from his office.
(iii) On Sundays, he would take rest. He would enjoy sound sleep of the sofa.

Que 4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?

Ans. Kezia’s grandmother asked her to make a gift of a pincushion on her father’s birthday.

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.

  1. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
  2. Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
  3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?

Ans. Do yourself.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE

I. Look at the following sentence.

There was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter…
Here, glad means happy about something.
Glad, happy, pleased, delighted, thrilled and overjoyed are synonyms (words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning.) However, they express happiness in certain ways.

Read the sentences below:

  • She was glad when the meeting was over.
  • The chief guest was pleased to announce the name of the winner.

1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.

(i) She was ___ by the news of her brother’s wedding. (very pleased)

(ii) I was ___to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)

(iii) She was ___ at the birth of the granddaughter. (extremely happy)

(iv) The coach was ___with his performance. (satisfied about)

(v) She was very with her results. (happy about something that has happened)

Ans. (i) thrilled (ii) delighted (iii) overjoyed (iv) pleased (v) happy

2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence:

He was so big—his hands and his neck, especially his mouth… Here, big means large in size.

Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.

(i) You are a big girl now. __older___

(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career___.

(iii) Their project is full of big ideas___.

(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country___.

(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeskar__-.

(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater__-.

(vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear. ___

Ans. (ii) most important (iii) great (iv) very popular (v) great (vi) great (vii) very affectionate/ large-hearted.

II.Verbs of Reporting

Study the following sentences.

  • ‘‘What!’’ screamed Mother.
  • ‘‘N-n-no’’, she whispered
  • ‘‘Sit up’’, he ordered.

The italicised words are verbs of reporting. We quote or report what someone has said or thought by using a reporting verb. Every reporting clause contains a reporting verb. For example:

  • He promised to help in my project
  • ‘‘How are you doing?’’ Seema asked.

We use verbs of reporting to advise, order, report statements, thoughts, intentions, questions, requests, apologies, manner of speaking and so on.

Que1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.

(i) He says he will enjoy the ride.
(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.
(iv) He answered that the price would go up.
(v) I wondered why he was screaming.
(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.
(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.

Ans. (i) says (ii) mentioned (iii) told (iv) answered (v) wondered (vi) told (vii) apologized

Que 2. Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences:

were complaining shouted replied remarked ordered suggested

(i) ‘‘I am not afraid’’, ___ the woman.

(ii) ‘‘Leave me alone,” my mother ___.

(iii) The children ____that the roads were crowded and noisy.

(iv) ‘‘Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all’’, ___the master.

(v) ‘‘Let’s go and look at the school ground’’,____ the sports teacher.

(vi) The traffic police ___ all the passers-by to keep off the road.

Ans. (i) remarked (ii) shouted (iii) were complaining (iv) replied (v) suggested (vi) ordered

SPEAKING

Form pairs or groups and discuss the following questions:

Que1. This story is not an Indian story. But do you think there are fathers, mothers and grandmothers like the ones portrayed in the story in our own country?

Ans. There is no doubt that the Indian families too have such fathers, mothers and grandmothers. In this world of cutthroat competition everyone aspires for success. So, the parents (father and mother) get employed to provide the children with all the earthly comforts. But they fail to comprehend the psychology of the tiny tots and make them feel isolated. Children need parents’ time and love. They want that parents should interact with them humbly and without hurting their feelings.

Que 2. Was Kezia’s father right to punish her? What kind of a person was he? You might find some of these words useful in describing him:

undemonstrative loving strict hard-working responsible unkind disciplinarian short-tempered affectionate caring indifferent

Ans. No, Kezia’s father did not act wisely. He was unkind and arrogant. Corporal punishment mars the future of the child.It hampers growth and creativity. One should be kind and affectionate while talking to children.

WRITING

Has your life been different from or similar to that of Kezia when you were a child? Has your perception about your parents changed now? Do you find any change in your parents’ behaviour vis-a-vis yours? Who has become more understanding? What steps would you like to take to build a relationship based on understanding? Write three or four paragraphs (150–200 words) discussing these issues from your own experience.

Ans. Do yourself.

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