Question

NCERT Solutions Class 9, English, Beehive, Prose, Chapter- 5, The Snake and the Mirror.

To fully understand this chapter and prepare thoroughly for CBSE exams and competitive tests, it's highly recommended to use NCERT Solutions. These solutions are expertly crafted by subject specialists to delve deep into all the key concepts covered in the chapter. They are specifically designed to match the current CBSE syllabus, making them extremely useful for comprehensive preparation.

This article explains why NCERT solutions for Class 9 English are important. It also looks closely at how they are structured and how students can use them effectively to learn and apply their knowledge.

In these NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English, we have discussed all types of NCERT intext questions and exercise questions.

Concepts covered in Class 9 English - Beehive Prose Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror, are :

The Snake and the Mirror, English Language Projects, Rhyme Scheme, Grammar ,Vocabulary, Compound Words, Collocation, Parts of Speech, Writing Skills, View and Counterview, Reading Skills, Unseen Passage Comprehension, Listening Skills, Speaking Skills.

Our NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English provide detailed explanations to assist students with their homework and assignments. Proper command and ample practice of topic-related questions provided by our NCERT solutions is the most effective way to achieve full marks in your exams. Begin studying right away to ace your exams.

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Answer 1

NCERT Solutions Class 9, English, Beehive, Prose, Chapter- 5, The Snake and the Mirror.

Thinking about the Text

I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30–40 words).

1. “The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?

Solution:

The doctor heard the sound of rats. The sound was a familiar one. He heard this sound four times. The phrases are ‘Again I heard that sound from above’, ‘Again came that noise from above’, ‘Suddenly there came a dull thud as if a rubber tube has fallen’. The sounds stopped after the appearance of the snake.

2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?

Solution:

The doctor took two "important" and "earth-shaking" while he was looking into the mirror First, he decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache. Second, always to keep an attractive smile on his face.

3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when:

(i) he first smiles, and

Solution:

When the doctor first smiles, he has an inflated opinion of himself, admiring his looks and profession.

(ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?

Solution:

In the second instance, the doctor smiles at his foolishness and helplessness.
His thoughts change after his encounter with the snake—from being a proud doctor he moves on to accept his stupidity.

II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)

Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.

1.

(i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)

Solution:

The doctor is a poor person. He has hardly any money. he lives in an unelectrified house. It is small rented room with plenty of rats living in it. He has just started his medical practice. So he is not a man of possessions or money.

(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

Solution:

The Person wants to be rich. he also would like to have good appearance. That's why he decides to grow a thin moustache.

2.

(i) The person he wants to marry

Solution:

The doctor wants to marry a woman doctor with good medical practice and a lot of money. She would be fat as not to run after him and catch him.

(ii) The person he actually marries

Solution:

He marries a thin reedy woman who has a gift of sprinter.

3.

(i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror

Solution:

His thoughts are full of joy and satisfaction. He decides to grow thin moustache and keep smiling always. He finds his smile attractive

(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm

Solution:

He turned to stone. He sat like stone image in the flesh. However, his mind was very active. He felt the great presence of creator. He decides to write the words 'O God' outside his little heart.

Thinking about Language

I. Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author: (a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour, (d) was no longer afraid of the snake.

1. I was turned to stone.

2. I was no mere image cut in granite.

3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.

4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.

5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.

6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.

7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.

8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!

9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness...! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.

10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead.

Solution:

(a) was afraid of the snake	(b) was proud of his appearance	(c) had a sense of humour	(d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
1. I was turned to stone. 3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength. 4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’. 5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.	6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile. 8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!	9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness...! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water. 10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead.	2. I was no mere image cut in granite. 7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.

Answer 2

II. Expressions used to show fear

Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences.

1. I was turned _______.
2. I sat there holding _______.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ______.

Solution:

1. I was turned to stone.
2. I sat there holding my breath.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.

III.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.

1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (very frightened)

2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.

Solution: (frightened by something that happens suddenly)

3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.

Solution: (very frightened)

4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.

Solution: (frightened by something that happens suddenly)

5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.

Solution: (makes another feel frightened)

6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.

Solution: (too scared to move)

7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.

Solution: (too scared to move)

IV. Reported questions

Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what. Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.

1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”

Solution: Meena asked her friend if she thought her teacher would come that day.

2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”

Solution: David asked his colleague where he would go that summer.

3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”

Solution: He asked the little boy why he was studying English.

4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”

Solution: She asked me when we were going to leave.

5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”

Solution: Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.

6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”

Solution: Seema asked her how long she had lived there.

7. Sheila asked the children, “Are you ready to do the work?”

Solution: Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.