NCERT solutions for Class 9 English Chapter Reading Comprehension – complete answers & explanations

This blog provides clear and reliable NCERT solutions for Class 9 English Chapter Reading Comprehension from the book Words and Expressions – 1, Unit 5. This chapter focuses on developing strong reading, understanding, and interpretation skills through an engaging story titled “The Miraculous Escape” along with vocabulary, grammar, and writing exercises. Students learn how to analyse texts, understand meanings of words, and express ideas correctly. This chapter is important for improving comprehension skills that are essential for exams and daily learning. The solutions given here help students understand the correct approach to answering questions and build confidence. Download the worksheet and practice alongside solutions for better clarity. Book a free trial now to get expert guidance.

What this NCERT chapter covers?

1. Understanding a detailed story and answering comprehension-based questions 
2. Learning how to identify meanings and opposites of words from context 
3. Building vocabulary related to feelings and experiences like fear and tiredness 
4. Practising word formation using suffixes 
5. Learning reported speech and converting direct and indirect speech 
6. Editing passages by correcting grammatical errors 
7. Sentence formation and rearrangement skills 
8. Listening comprehension and answering based on heard information 
9. Speaking skills through narration and expressing experiences 
10. Writing structured stories and descriptive paragraphs 
11. Developing critical thinking through real-life bravery examples 
12. Improving overall language skills for exams and communication 

How to use these NCERT solutions?

1. Read the passage and attempt all questions on your own first 
2. Carefully compare your answers with the provided solutions 
3. Focus on understanding how answers are framed 
4. Revise vocabulary and grammar sections multiple times 
5. Practice writing answers in the same structured format 
6. Use the solutions to correct mistakes and improve accuracy 
7. Parents and teachers can guide students by discussing answers 
8. Follow the same sequence of questions as given in the worksheet 
9. Re-attempt difficult questions after understanding the answers 
10. Use speaking and writing sections for practice and confidence building 

Important tips & tricks for students

1. Always read the comprehension passage carefully before answering 
2. Avoid guessing answers without understanding the context 
3. Use exact words from the passage wherever required 
4. Pay attention to vocabulary and word meanings 
5. Practice reported speech rules regularly 
6. Be careful while rearranging sentences and using punctuation 
7. Attempt listening and speaking tasks with focus and clarity 
8. Write answers neatly and in complete sentences 
9. Do not skip any question during practice 
10. Revise regularly to improve accuracy and confidence 

NCERT solutions – complete answer key

Text I – The Miraculous Escape

Answers

(b) He felt bored of his life. 

(c) They ate fruits to survive. 

The serpent swallowed the narrator’s companion because he was sitting lower on the tree. The narrator was sitting higher on the branch, so the serpent could not reach him. 

The narrator collected dry wood and bushes and made a circular defensive structure around the tree like a tent. He sat inside it and tied it from within so that the serpent could not reach him. 

Find the words in the story which mean the nearest to the words given below.

(a) rich – wealthy 
(b) moved – gliding 
(c) tired – exhausted 
(d) scared – frightened 
(e) urge – instinct 

Find words in the story which mean the opposite of the given words.

(a) poor – wealthy 
(b) weak – strong 
(c) enforce – prevent 
(d) insecurely – securely 
(e) offensive – defensive 

Vocabulary

Words describing feelings and experiences

Fear

Terrific, frightened, alarmed, terror-stricken, desperate, deadly, hissing, serpent 

Getting tired

Exhausted, tired, hungry, half-dead, suffocated, bored, restless, desperate 

Add suffixes to the word ‘fear’

(a) fearsome 
(b) fearful 
(c) fearless 
(d) fearfully 
(e) fearing 
(f) feared 
(g) fearfulness 

GRAMMAR

Reported Speech: Reporting Questions 

Rewrite the paragraph in indirect speech.

Once an old man asked a young boy who he thought were the most intelligent people. The young man asked the old man who he thought so. The old man replied that sons and daughters could not be intelligent without learning from their parents. The young man asked how he had learnt as a parent. The old man asked why he was hijacking his question by asking him back. The young man replied that he should know that as a parent he had learnt all the things on his own. The old man asked how he could say that they all learnt from others. The young man asked why he asked him how to operate electronic gadgets all the time. The old man replied that he could ask because he had paid for the gadget he used. 

Change into direct speech.

(a) Romesh asked Lata, “Can you go with me for a picnic tomorrow?” 

(b) Lata replied, “Why have you asked me to join?” 

(c) Romesh asked, “Why are you questioning me?” 

(d) Lata replied, “There is no use visiting the place I have seen before.” 

(e) Romesh asked, “What is wrong in visiting the same place again, for the place is not the same?” 

EDITING

A hungry dog while searching for food found a bone. He picked it up and held it tightly in his mouth and ran into the woods to a safe place to enjoy it at ease. He growled and frowned at anyone who attempted to take it away. He chewed the bone for a very long time and this made him quite thirsty. He came to a stream to quench his thirst. He trotted over the footbridge and happened to glance into the water. He saw his own reflection in the water. Thinking it was another dog with a bigger bone, he growled and scowled at it. The reflection growled and scowled back. Being greedy by nature, he wanted that bone too. He snapped his sharp teeth at the image in the water. He barked at the other dog hoping to scare him into giving that bone. His own big bone fell with a splash and went out of sight the moment he opened his mouth to bite. 

Rearrange the words to make sentences.

(a) When I gave her the bad news, she turned pale. 
(b) Don’t eat the apple as it has become rotten. 
(c) After their last quarrel, they became great friends. 
(d) She became famous after her first and only novel got a prize. 

LISTENING

The village of Sarneshwar is in Rajasthan. 

Jhalaram’s hut had caught fire. 

Jhalaram’s two daughters and ten goats were in the hut. 

Shrawan ran towards Jhalaram’s house because he saw smoke coming out from the hut. 

Shrawan entered the burning hut, lifted the younger child in one arm and pulled the older child by the hand and brought them out safely. 

The goats died in the fire. 

SPEAKING

Points:

• The narrator was wealthy but bored with his life. 
• He decided to go on a voyage with merchants. 
• A terrible hurricane drove the ship near an island. 
• The sailors searched for food and water. 
• A giant serpent attacked and swallowed the narrator’s companions. 
• The narrator climbed a tree to save himself. 
• He built a defensive wooden structure around the tree. 
• The serpent waited but could not reach him. 
• In the morning he ran to the seashore and saw a ship. 
• The sailors rescued him and he escaped safely. 

WRITING

The Clever Rabbit and the Proud Lion 

Once upon a time, in a forest, there lived a fierce lion. He was very strong but also very cruel. Every day, he hunted many animals, killing more than he needed. All the animals in the forest were frightened. 
One day, the animals gathered together and made a plan to save themselves. They went to the lion and said, “O King, we will send one animal to you every day as your food. You do not need to hunt anymore.” The lion agreed. 
Days passed, and one by one, animals went to the lion. One day, it was a rabbit’s turn. The little rabbit was very clever. On his way, he walked very slowly and reached the lion very late. 
The lion became very angry and roared, “Why are you so late? I will kill you at once!” 
The rabbit said calmly, “O King, I was not alone. Another lion stopped us on the way. He said he is the real king of the forest.” Hearing this, the lion became furious. “Take me to that lion!” he shouted. 
The rabbit led the lion to a deep well and said, “Look, he lives down there.” The lion looked into the well and saw his own reflection in the water. Thinking it was the other lion, he roared loudly. The echo came back, making him angrier. 
In his rage, the lion jumped into the well to fight the “other lion” and drowned. 
The clever rabbit returned safely. All the animals rejoiced and lived happily ever after. 
Moral: Wisdom is stronger than strength. 

Example of Children Awarded the National Bravery Award

Shrawan Kumar – Saved two small children from a burning hut in Rajasthan by carrying them out safely from the fire. 

Om Prakash – Saved his friend from drowning in a river by jumping into the water and bringing him to safety. 

Rahul Kumar – Helped rescue people trapped during a flood by guiding them to safer areas. 

Aarti Kumari – Saved a younger child from a snake attack by quickly alerting elders and moving the child away. 

Sonu Kumar – Rescued his sister from a house fire by carrying her outside before the fire spread. 

These children showed great courage and presence of mind. Despite their young age, they risked their lives to save others. Their bravery reminds us that courage can come from anyone, regardless of age. 

Explanation:

• Form groups of four students. 
• Select an area such as school, neighbourhood, or family members for the survey. 
• Prepare a questionnaire of 8–10 questions about common fears (animals, darkness, heights, etc.). 
• Ask the selected people the questions. 
• Record their responses in a table. 
• Analyse the results and prepare a report. 
• Add charts or graphs if needed. 
• Edit the report and present it to the class or create a PowerPoint presentation. 

Why NCERT solutions help students?

NCERT solutions help students understand the correct way to answer questions, improve their comprehension skills, and prepare effectively for exams. They build clarity of concepts, strengthen language skills, and boost confidence by providing accurate and structured answers aligned with NCERT expectations.

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