Reflect and Respond
I. Complete the given word web.
Solution
II . Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
- Which language(s) do your grandparents or elderly relatives speak?
- How do they spend their time? How do you spend time with them?
- What is your favourite experience with them?
- What is something that the elderly in your family cannot do easily but enjoy watching you do?
Solution
- My grandparents speak Hindi and our regional language. They mainly communicate with family members in Hindi.
- My grandparents spend their time praying, reading religious books, watching television, and talking with family members. I spend time with them by listening to their stories, helping them with small tasks, and sometimes watching TV together.
- My favourite experience with them is listening to stories from their childhood and learning about old traditions and values.
- The elderly in my family cannot use smartphones or computers easily, but they enjoy watching me use technology and explain new things to them.
III. Read the following passage. Match the highlighted words with their meanings given in the box below.
- excitedly
- believable
- people living in one particular area
- discussion
- a part of a story
- focus
- main character
- directed
The casting for the (i) protagonist of our school’s annual play was done after a lot of (ii) debate as many good actors had auditioned for the role. We had decided to present an (iii) episode from an inspirational story. It was a life story of a group of children who worked with the (iv) community to spread literacy. Every day, we reached school early to practise with (v) concentration. We waited (vi) eagerly for the final presentation. All of us played our roles in a very (vii) convincing manner as our theatre teacher had (viii) guided us well.
Solution
| Highlighted Word | Meaning Number | Correct Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| (i) protagonist | 7 | main character |
| (ii) debate | 4 | discussion |
| (iii) episode | 5 | a part of a story |
| (iv) community | 3 | people living in one particular area |
| (v) concentration | 6 | focus |
| (vi) eagerly | 1 | excitedly |
| (vii) convincing | 2 | believable |
| (viii) guided | 8 | directed |
Check Your Understanding
I. Complete the cause and effect table given below based on Part I of the story. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1. | (i) The morning papers arrived late and weekly magazines came one day late. |
| 2. The grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. | (ii) |
| 3. | (iii) She was deeply interested in the story. |
| 4. The narrator went to a wedding for a week. | (iv) |
| 5. | (v) The grandmother never went to school. |
| 6. The grandmother regretted not going to school. |
Solution
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1. People in the village waited eagerly for the bus to get newspapers and magazines. | (i) The morning papers arrived late and weekly magazines came one day late. |
| 2. The grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. | (ii) She could not read or write. |
| 3. She discussed the story with her friends in the temple courtyard. | (iii) She was deeply interested in the story. |
| 4. The narrator went to a wedding for a week. | (iv) The grandmother could not read the next episode and felt sad. |
| 5. She felt dependent on others for reading. | (v) The grandmother never went to school. |
| 6. The grandmother regretted not going to school. | (vi) She decided to learn to read and write. |
II. Do you think the narrator expected to see her grandmother in tears when she returned to the village? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Solution
No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother crying because she had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations. That is why she was surprised and worried.
III. How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn to read and write?
Solution
The narrator can help her grandmother by:
- Teaching her the Kannada alphabet
- Helping her practice reading and writing daily
- Giving her simple lessons regularly
- Encouraging and supporting her learning
Check Your Understanding
I. State whether the following sentences are true or false. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
| No. | Statement | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence. | |
| 2 | The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away. | |
| 3 | The narrator was the grandmother’s first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada. | |
| 4 | The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning. | |
| 5 | The grandmother touched the narrator’s feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher. | |
| 6 | The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read. |
Solution
| No. | Statement | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence. | True |
| 2 | The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away. | False, She felt embarrassed and did not ask anyone. |
| 3 | The narrator was the grandmother’s first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada. | True |
| 4 | The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning. | True |
| 5 | The grandmother touched the narrator’s feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher. | True |
| 6 | The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read. | False, The narrator was happy and proud, not disappointed. |
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations. What had happened? I was worried.
“Avva, is everything all right? Are you okay?”
I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was a summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.
(i) Complete the following sentence with the appropriate option. The phrase ‘never seen her cry in the
most difficult situations’ tells us that the grandmother was ____________.
A. strong-willed
B. understanding
C. considerate
D. bold
Solution
A. strong-willed. Because she never cried even in difficult situations, which shows she was mentally strong.
(ii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
Grandmother did not reply when the narrator asked if she was alright because she might have been too ____________ (emotional/tired) to respond.
Solution
emotional. She was feeling sad and emotional, so she could not speak at that moment.
(iii) Identify the clue from the extract that indicates a rural setting with traditional customs.
Solution
The line “we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house” shows a rural setting, as people in villages often sleep on terraces during summer nights.
(iv) Which lines of the extract establish a tender atmosphere?
Solution
“Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.” This line shows love, care, and a warm emotional bond.
(v) Which of the following aspect is NOT emphasised in the given extract?
A. the emotional turmoil of the grandmother
B. the a ectionate bond between the narrator and her grandmother
C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education
D. the narrator’s concern for her grandmother
Solution
C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education. This extract mainly shows emotions, care, and concern, not her regret.
2. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be independent.’
I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you work so much in the kitchen…’
Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.’
(i) What does the grandmother’s statement, “I want to be independent,” reveal about her character?
A. She wanted to be literate.
B. She desires self-sufficiency.
C. She wants to prove her intelligence to others.
D. She feels pressured by society to learn.
Solution
B. She desires self-sufficiency.
(ii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate option from those given in brackets.
The grandmother’s determination shows that learning has no _______. (age limit/gender bias/cultural barriers)
Solution
age limit
(iii) Complete the following with a suitable reason. The narrator laughs at her grandmother’s decision to learn the alphabet at the age of sixty-two because _______.
Solution
The narrator laughs at her grandmother’s decision to learn the alphabet at the age of sixty-two because she thinks that old people cannot easily learn new things and it would be very difficult at that age.
(iv) List any two qualities displayed by the grandmother.
Solution
Determination and Hardworking nature
(v) How can we say that the narrator is making assumptions about her grandmother?
Solution
The narrator assumes that her grandmother cannot learn because of her old age. She believes that learning at sixty two is not possible but later her grandmother proves her wrong through hard work and determination.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
Solution
The grandmother felt embarrassed because she did not want others to know that she was illiterate. She felt ashamed and helpless as she had to depend on others to read. Even though she was financially well-off, she realized that without education she was not independent. This made her feel uncomfortable asking someone else for help.
2. Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother’s determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
Solution
The narrator laughs because she believes that learning at such an old age is very difficult. She thinks that her grandmother, being sixty-two years old, with weak eyesight and physical limitations, would not be able to learn the alphabet easily. It was a childish reaction based on her assumptions.
3. What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother’s life and the story?
Solution
The story Kashi Yatre plays an important role as it inspires the grandmother to learn reading. She was deeply interested in the story and wanted to know what happened next. When she could not read it herself, she realized the importance of education. Thus, the story became the main reason for her decision to become literate.
4. What does the grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
Solution
The grandmother’s desire shows her strong determination, courage, and willingness to improve herself. It reflects her desire to become independent and not depend on others. It also shows that she believes learning has no age limit.
5. What lessons can we infer from the grandmother’s action of touching the narrator’s feet?
Solution
This action teaches us that a teacher deserves respect regardless of age. The grandmother respected her granddaughter as her teacher, showing humility and gratitude. It also highlights the importance of education and the value of respecting knowledge.
6. What does the line ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle’ tell us about the theme?
Solution
This line highlights the main theme of the story, which is determination and perseverance. It shows that if a person is truly dedicated, they can overcome any difficulty in life. It also emphasizes that learning is possible at any age with strong willpower.
7. How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
Solution
The story clearly shows that education is essential for independence. The grandmother felt helpless when she could not read the story by herself. After learning to read, she became confident and independent. This shows that education empowers a person and helps them live with dignity and self-respect.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. The expression ‘hide and seek’ is used in the text. This is called a binomial.
Binomials are expressions consisting of two words, usually linked by a conjunction like ‘and’ or ‘or’, that are commonly used together in a fixed order. For example: odds and ends, right or wrong.
Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. sink or swim | (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities |
| 2. on and off | (ii) complete part of or belong to |
| 3. mix and match | (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.) |
| 4. all or nothing | (iv) at some time in the future |
| 5. part and parcel | (v) sometimes, occasionally |
| 6. pick and choose | (vi) increase or develop very quickly |
| 7. sooner or later | (vii) succeed or fail without help |
| 8. leaps and bounds | (viii) something to be done completely or not at all |
Solution
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. sink or swim | (vii) succeed or fail without help |
| 2. on and off | (v) sometimes, occasionally |
| 3. mix and match | (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities |
| 4. all or nothing | (viii) something to be done completely or not at all |
| 5. part and parcel | (ii) complete part of or belong to |
| 6. pick and choose | (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.) |
| 7. sooner or later | (iv) at some time in the future |
| 8. leaps and bounds | (vi) increase or develop very quickly |
Now, use any five of the above binomials in sentences of your own.
Sink or swim: In life, sometimes we have to sink or swim without anyone’s help.
On and off: It rained on and off throughout the day.
Mix and match: She likes to mix and match her clothes to create new styles.
All or nothing: He believes in an all or nothing approach to success.
Leaps and bounds: The student improved his English in leaps and bounds.
II. Read the following words from the text given in the box below.
| unhappy |
| unusual |
| unfortunately |
| irrespective |
| independent |
These words are made by adding suitable prefixes (‘un’, ‘ir’, and ‘in’) to give an opposite or negative meaning to the words. Now, make words by adding the suitable prefixes given in the box to the words from the text in Column 1. Write the prefixed words in Column 2. One example has been done for you.
| un | in |
| im | dis |
| mis | extra |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. popular | (i) unpopular |
| 2. belief | (ii) |
| 3. important | (iii) |
| 4. respect | (iv) |
| 5. correct | (v) |
| 6. continue | (vi) |
| 7. understand | (vii) |
| 8. ordinary | (viii) |
| 9. interesting | (ix) |
| 10. possible | (x) |
Solution
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. popular | (i) unpopular |
| 2. belief | (ii) disbelief |
| 3. important | (iii) unimportant |
| 4. respect | (iv) disrespect |
| 5. correct | (v) incorrect |
| 6. continue | (vi) discontinue |
| 7. understand | (vii) misunderstand |
| 8. ordinary | (viii) extraordinary |
| 9. interesting | (ix) uninteresting |
| 10. possible | (x) impossible |
III. Identify any five words with prefixes from the story and make sentences using each.
Solution
Unhappy: She felt unhappy when she could not read the story.
Independent: The grandmother wanted to become independent.
Irrespective: We should respect everyone irrespective of age.
Unusual: It was unusual for someone of her age to start learning.
Unfortunately: Unfortunately, she missed the story when her granddaughter was away.
IV. In the sentence, “I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours”, the phrase “passed with flying colours” is an idiom. It means outstanding performance. Now, match the idioms related to ‘learning’ given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. to hit the books | (i) to memorise something |
| 2. to draw a blank | (ii) to think very hard |
| 3. to learn the ropes | (iii) to study seriously |
| 4. to rack one’s brain | (iv) to study or work late into the night |
| 5. to learn by heart | (v) to be unable to remember |
| 6. burn the midnight oil | (vi) to understand how to do an activity |
Solution
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. to hit the books | (iii) to study seriously |
| 2. to draw a blank | (v) to be unable to remember |
| 3. to learn the ropes | (vi) to understand how to do an activity |
| 4. to rack one’s brain | (ii) to think very hard |
| 5. to learn by heart | (i) to memorise something |
| 6. burn the midnight oil | (iv) to study or work late into the night |
Now, use these idioms in sentences of your own.
Solution
Hit the books: I need to hit the books before my exams.
Draw a blank: I drew a blank when the teacher asked me a question.
Learn the ropes: It took me time to learn the ropes of this subject.
Rack my brain: I racked my brain to solve the difficult question.
Burn the midnight oil: She burned the midnight oil to complete her project.
V. Read the following sentences from the text and underline the verbs.
1. Secretly, I bought Kashi Yatre which had been published as a novel by that time.
Solution
Verbs: bought, had been published
2. I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours.
Solution
Verbs: knew, had passed
In sentence 1, verb ‘bought’ is in simple past tense. In sentence 2, verb ‘had passed’ is in past perfect tense.
(i) Fill in the blanks with simple past and past perfect tense form of the verbs given in brackets.
A. When the delegates _________ (arrive) at the conference, the keynote speaker _________ (already begin) the session.
B. After the students _________ (learn) how to identify fake news online, they _________ (start) verifying information before sharing it.
C. Before Kiran _________ (start) using digital payment platforms, she _________ (ensure) her understanding of online fraud prevention.
D. By the time Varun _________ (recognise) the importance of budgeting, he _________ (exhaust) most of his savings.
E. When Raghu _________ (log in) to the cybersecurity webinar, the instructor _________ (already discuss) the importance of strong passwords.
Solution
A. When the delegates arrived, the keynote speaker had already begun the session.
B. After the students learned, they started verifying information before sharing it.
C. Before Kiran started, she had ensured her understanding of online fraud prevention.
D. By the time Varun recognized, he had exhausted most of his savings.
E. When Raghu logged in, the instructor had already discussed the importance of strong passwords.
(ii) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs given in brackets.
Last year, my parents and I A. _________ (take) a financial planning course.
When we B. _________ (review) our expenses, we realised we C. _________ (spend) too much on unnecessary purchases.
After my parents D. _________ (discuss) ways to save, I E. _________ (open) a savings account.
By the time we F. _________ (set) our budget, the course G. _________ (already introduce) investment strategies.
We H. _________ (hurry) to take notes, but many participants I. _________ (complete) their financial plans.
Despite that, we J. _________ (enjoy) learning how to manage money wisely.
Solution
A. took
B. reviewed
C. had spent
D. discussed
E. opened
F. set
G. had already introduced
H. hurried
I. had completed
J. enjoyed
Speaking Activity
Turncoat is a type of solo debate where the speaker argues for and against a topic, switching sides after a certain period of time.
I. Choose your topic and speak ‘for’ and ‘against’ for not more than one minute each.
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young.
Use the guidelines given below.
Begin with speaking ‘for’ the topic for one minute.
Your teacher will signal that it is time to switch sides.
Then speak ‘against’ the topic for one minute.
You may use the following sentence prompts.
| ‘For’ | ‘Against’ |
| To begin with, I would like to speak ‘for’ the topic… | On the contrary/On the other hand… |
| My first argument in favour of… | There are two sides to this topic… |
| Most importantly I want to mention that… | There’s no doubt that … |
| In addition to that…/ Moreover, I feel… | If I could make a point here… |
| I strongly feel… | I am pretty sure that… |
| I have a reason to believe… | Well, I am not sure whether you can really… |
| There’s no doubt that… | So, to put it in a few words… |
Solution
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue
FOR
To begin with, I would like to speak for the topic.
It is important to learn a new language apart from our mother tongue because it helps us communicate with more people. In today’s global world, knowing different languages gives us better job opportunities.
My first argument in favour of this is that it improves our knowledge and understanding of different cultures. Moreover, it helps in travelling and studying in different places.
Most importantly, learning a new language develops our brain and makes us more confident. There’s no doubt that knowing more languages is a great advantage in life.
AGAINST
On the other hand, I would like to speak against the topic.
Learning a new language is not always necessary because our mother tongue is enough for communication in daily life.
I strongly feel that students already have a lot of academic pressure, so learning another language can be stressful. Moreover, not everyone needs it for their future career.
Well, I am not sure whether learning multiple languages is useful for everyone. So, learning a new language is helpful, but not essential for all.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young
FOR
To begin with, I would like to speak for the topic.
Learning happens best when we are young because our brain is fresh and active. Children can understand and remember things more quickly.
My first argument is that young learners have fewer responsibilities, so they can focus better on studies. Moreover, they can easily learn new skills like languages and technology.
There’s no doubt that childhood is the best time for learning and building a strong foundation for the future.
AGAINST
On the contrary, I would like to speak against the topic. Learning does not happen only when we are young. People can learn at any age if they are determined.
If I could make a point here, many older people learn new skills and even start new careers. For example, in the chapter, the grandmother learned to read at the age of sixty-two.
I have a reason to believe that learning has no age limit. So, to put it in a few words, learning can happen throughout life.
Writing Task
I. As a socially responsible citizen, you strongly believe that students can contribute significantly in promoting adult literacy. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper emphasising the importance of student participation in adult literacy camps conducted by various organisations. Discuss the benefits of such initiatives for both students and society. Suggest effective ways to spread awareness and encourage more students to volunteer for this noble cause. A letter to the editor is a formal letter in which the writer gives suggestions and creates awareness on an issue of public interest or an issue already raised in an article/write-up/published letter.
Format
Name, designation, address
Date
Subject: 4–5 words in title case
Salutation: Sir/Madam
Body of the letter: In at least three paragraphs
Paragraph 1: Statement of problem: Raise the issue by citing some latest news items, survey report or personal experience, etc.
This is with reference to the article about ___ dated ___ in your
newspaper.
As a concerned citizen I would like to draw your attention towards…
Paragraph 2: Analyse the issue in terms of its causes and consequences.
The issue at hand a affects a large section of society and…
It is imperative that…
It would be beneficial if…
Such initiatives nurture a sense of…
By engaging in these programmes students…
Paragraph 3: Offer suggestions/solutions.
Request the relevant authorities to take the action and request the editor to publish your
views.
A possible solution to this issue could be…
One effective way to address this might be…
Authorities could consider implementing…
I trust this matter will be considered seriously for the benefit of all.
I am hopeful that necessary steps will be taken to…
I hope this letter gets published in the columns of your esteemed daily.
Complimentary close: Yours truly,
Language
Formal, clear, and specific
Short and to the point sentences
Purpose stated clearly and concisely
Relevant details to be given
Solution
Gaurav Sharma
Student
ABC Colony, XYZ City
Date: __ March 2026
Subject: Importance of Adult Literacy
Sir/Madam,
This is with reference to the article about illiteracy among adults published recently in your newspaper. As a concerned citizen, I would like to draw your attention towards the need for promoting adult literacy through student participation in literacy camps.
The issue at hand affects a large section of society, especially in rural areas where many elderly people remain uneducated. It is imperative that steps are taken to improve literacy rates. It would be beneficial if students actively participate in adult literacy programmes. Such initiatives nurture a sense of responsibility among students and help adults become independent. By engaging in these programmes, students also develop patience, communication skills, and social awareness.
A possible solution to this issue could be organising more literacy camps in villages and towns. One effective way to address this might be encouraging schools to include such activities in their curriculum. Authorities could consider providing proper guidance and resources to students. Awareness can also be spread through social media, posters, and community programmes. I trust this matter will be considered seriously for the benefit of all. I am hopeful that necessary steps will be taken to promote adult education. I hope this letter gets published in the columns of your esteemed daily.
Yours truly,
ABC
Learning Beyond the Text
India has 22 major languages according to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Each language has its own unique identity. Talk to your classmates and teacher and complete the given table with words from any five Indian languages.
| Language | Kannada | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandmother | Avva | ||||
| Grandfather | |||||
| Mother | |||||
| Father | |||||
| Sister | |||||
| Brother |
Solution
| Language | Kannada | Hindi | Bengali | Tamil | Marathi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandmother | Avva | Dadi/Nani | Thakuma/Didima | Paati | Aaji |
| Grandfather | Ajja | Dada/Nana | Dadu | Thatha | Ajoba |
| Mother | Amma | Maa | Ma | Amma | Aai |
| Father | Appa | Papa/Pitaji | Baba | Appa | Baba |
| Sister | Akka | Behen | Bon | Akka | Bahin |
| Brother | Anna | Bhai | Bhai | Anna | Bhau |
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9 Kaveri Summary CBSE NCERT