NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Words and Expressions -1 Unit 9 Chapter 9
NCERT solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 9 Reading Comprehension – complete answers & explanations
Class 9 English students often practice reading comprehension to strengthen their understanding, vocabulary, and analytical skills. NCERT Chapter Reading Comprehension from Words and Expressions – 1 helps students develop the ability to read carefully, understand different types of texts, and answer questions accurately. This chapter includes passages about detectives, literature, vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills. In this blog, you will find complete NCERT solutions for Class 9 English Chapter Reading Comprehension strictly based on the worksheet provided, helping students check their answers and prepare effectively for exams.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. Understanding reading comprehension passages such
as interviews and literary texts.
2. Learning about detectives and famous literary characters through comprehension texts.
3. Improving vocabulary by matching words with their meanings and understanding contextual usage.
4. Practising grammar skills like converting affirmative sentences into negative sentences.
5. Developing listening, speaking, writing, and project-based learning skills.
6. Building analytical and interpretation skills required for English examinations.
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. First read the passage and try to answer the questions on your own before checking the solutions.
2. Use the answers given here to verify your responses and understand the correct format.
3. Review vocabulary and grammar answers carefully to improve language accuracy.
4. For speaking, writing, and project activities, read the explanation to understand how the task should be completed.
5. Teachers and parents can use these solutions to guide students and explain difficult concepts.
6. Follow the solutions in the same order as the worksheet to ensure better practice and understanding.
Important tips & tricks for students
1. Read comprehension passages slowly and carefully to understand the context before answering.
2. Pay attention to keywords in the questions to locate the correct answers in the passage.
3. Improve vocabulary by learning the meanings of new words and using them in sentences.
4. Practise grammar exercises regularly to avoid common mistakes.
5. For writing tasks, organize your thoughts clearly and follow the word limit mentioned.
6. Participate actively in speaking and discussion activities to improve communication skills.
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
Text I - Interview with a Detective
1
a) examined the place carefully (As soon as the detective entered the room, he examined the place carefully)
2
c) to carry guns
3
The profession of the person interviewed is a private investigator (detective) who specialises in surveillance and locating people.
4
Patience, attention, careful planning, and willingness to make sacrifices are essential because a detective often has to observe people for long hours and gather accurate information without mistakes.
5
In order to locate someone, the PI should have the exact spelling of the name, date of birth, social security number, and the last known official address where the person lived within the past 15 years.
6
a) shelter (Sanctuary in the sentence means ‘shelter’)
Text II - Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
1
Ajit Bandhopadhyay is the narrator, and companion of Byomkesh Bakshi. In some stories he also investigates cases when Byomkesh is absent.
2
b1
d2
3
(a) True
(b) True
(c) True
(d) False
Vocabulary
1
(a) supernatural
(b) fiction
(c) actively
(d) continued
(e) absence
(f) historical
(g) concerned
The following words and phrases occur in the passages. Try to guess the meanings. Match the words with their meanings. You may refer a dictionary later.
database
a structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways.
violation
the act of going against or refusing to obey a law, an agreement, etc
surveillance
close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.
insurance
an agreement made with a company or the government that provides a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a specified premium.
ambiguous
open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
forge
to make an illegal copy of something in order to deceive
sinister looking
suggesting evil or harm.
scandal
an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage.
The contextual meaning of ‘sanctuary’ in the comprehension passage I is ‘shade’. The same word ‘sanctuary’ is used in a variety of sentences given below. They have different meanings in different contexts. Refer to a dictionary and write the meanings.
(a) A safe and protective place where runaway children can stay.
(b) Protection or refuge given to refugees.
(c) The holy or sacred part of a religious building where the altar is kept.
(d) A place of shelter or protection.
(e) A protected natural area for wildlife.
Grammar
Change affirmative sentences into negative sentences without changing the meaning. One has been done for you.
(a) There was no member who did not like the programme.
(b) Delhi is not as cold as Amritsar.
(c) I am not bound to go places or do anything.
(d) The farmer was so weak that he could not walk.
(e) She is never late.
(f) The intruder was not wise to let Gerrard go.
Choose the words from the box and complete the sentences given below.
(a) to clear off
(b) to assist
(c) to team up
(d) to help
(e) to change
(f) to stay
(g) to pay
(h) to phone up
Editing
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective, the first scientific detective, created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a “consulting detective” in the stories written by Sir Doyle. Holmes is known for his skills of observation, knowledge of forensic science, and logical reasoning. He employs all these while investigating cases for a wide variety of clients.
Sir Doyle’s four novels and 56 short stories, excluding one, are set in the Victorian or Edwardian eras between about 1880 and 1914. Most are narrated by Dr Watson, Holmes’s friend. He is also his biographer and usually accompanies Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with him at the address of 221B Baker Street, London, where many of the stories begin.
Sherlock Holmes is arguably the best known fictional detective, with Guinness World Records listing him as the “most portrayed movie character” in history. The stories have been adapted into stage and radio plays, television, films, video games, and other media for over one hundred years. Many have believed Holmes to be not a fictional character but a real individual because of his popularity and fame. Widely considered a British cultural icon, the character and stories have had a profound and lasting effect on mystery writing and popular culture as a whole.
Listening
1
The gods were afraid because King Shibi was very powerful and they thought he might take away their kingdoms.
2
The eagle became angry because the king protected the dove, which was the eagle’s food.
3
The eagle demanded the king’s flesh equal in weight to the dove.
4
No, the eagle was not satisfied because the weight of the dove kept increasing.
5
Indra, the king of gods, and Agni, the god of fire.
6
King Shibi was blessed for his benevolence, righteousness, and generosity.
Speaking
1
Theft in the digital age. Theft that occurs when someone uses another’s unique personal details like his/her name, credit card numbers, without his/her permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
Explanation:
Form a group of four students. Discuss the topic “Theft in the digital age.” Each student should share ideas about how people’s personal information such as names, credit card numbers, passwords or bank details can be stolen and misused online. Students should also discuss examples of online fraud and ways to stay safe. One student in the group can write down the main points discussed. After the discussion, the group may present their ideas to the class.
2
You may talk to the manager of a Bank, Cyber crime cell, etc., about ‘online identity theft’ cases and measures to avoid them.
Discuss this in groups of four in the class.
Prepare posters on creating awareness about online identify theft.
Explanation:
Form a group of four students. Discuss the issue of online identity theft. One student may act as a bank manager or cyber crime officer and explain how such theft happens and how people can protect themselves. The other students may ask questions and share their ideas about staying safe online. After the discussion, the group can present their points to the class and talk about ways to create awareness through posters.
Writing
1
Sometimes we think about what we are like and how each of us is different. We all are interesting people with our physical differences and attitudes to life. Write in about 300–400 words what you are like, your identity and what you enjoy doing and how do you envision yourself in future.
Explanation: Students should write a self-descriptive essay / composition of about 300–400 words describing their personality, interests, identity, and future goals.
2
Complete the following story. It has to be a scary story that terrifies people. Give a suitable title to your story.
I stopped my scooter in front of an old and dilapidated building. A haggered, skinny old man with drooping shoulders came towards me. “Don’t go in, Sir”, he whispered. “It is dangerous...”
Explanation: Students should complete the story creatively by developing a scary plot that begins with the given situation and ends with a suspenseful or frightening conclusion. They must also give a suitable title to the story.
Project
1
Going digital means more transparency, saving of papers, accountability and ease of transaction. The Government has initiated the programme ‘Digital India’. Collect more information about this programme. You can interview people, collect photographs, anecdotes, data, etc. Prepare a report based on your findings.
Explanation: Students should collect information about the Digital India programme through interviews, photographs, data, and reports, and prepare a project report explaining its objectives, benefits, and impact.
2
Going digital means more transparency, saving of papers, accountability and ease of transaction. The Government has initiated the programme ‘Digital India’. Collect more information about this programme. You can interview people, collect photographs, anecdotes, data, etc. Prepare a report based on your findings.
Explanation: Students should prepare and perform a street play (nukkad natak) showing how a person was cheated at an ATM and how the bank manager helped recover the money and explained precautions to avoid such incidents in the future.
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions help students understand how answers should be written according to the NCERT pattern. They improve exam readiness by providing correct and structured answers. These solutions also help students revise important concepts from Class 9 English and strengthen reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills. By practising with NCERT-based answers, students gain confidence and perform better in school assessments and exams.
Help your child strengthen Class 9 English reading comprehension and writing skills with guided learning support.