NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Words and Expressions 1 Unit 7 Reading Comprehension

This worksheet provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Words and Expressions 1, Unit 7: Reading Comprehension. This unit is designed to strengthen the reading, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, and writing skills of Class 9 students in alignment with the NCERT curriculum. It draws from the Beehive textbook chapters, including "Reach for the Top" (Parts I and II), and Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Where the Mind is Without Fear." This worksheet is an essential resource for students, parents, and teachers who want structured, NCERT-aligned answers for every section of Unit 7.

Chapter summary: stories, poems and themes

Unit 7 of Words and Expressions 1 is built around two key texts from the Class 9 NCERT Beehive textbook. The first text focuses on the inspiring story of tennis player Leander Paes and his historic bronze medal win at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, where he became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal in 44 years. It highlights themes of determination, mental strength, patriotism, and the spirit of sport. The second text is Rabindranath Tagore's deeply significant poem "Where the Mind is Without Fear," written before India's independence. The poem explores the idea of true freedom — not just political independence but freedom of thought, knowledge, and reason. Together, these two texts inspire students to think about perseverance, national pride, and the meaning of a truly free and enlightened society.

What this NCERT chapter covers?

Unit 7 of Class 9 English Words and Expressions 1 covers a wide range of skills and learning areas, including:
- Reading comprehension based on factual and analytical passages from the Beehive textbook
- Poem-based comprehension with questions on theme, context, and meaning
- Vocabulary building through word-suggestion exercises, fill-in-the-blanks, word-building activities, and idiomatic expressions
- Grammar practice focusing on adverbial clauses of time using conjunctions such as when, while, until, after, and before
- Editing exercises involving identifying and correcting grammatical errors in sentences
- Listening-based comprehension questions based on a passage about Hugh Herr
- Speaking activities including a role play and a group discussion table
- Writing tasks including an article, a letter to the editor, and project-based activities on "First Ladies" and "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao"

How to use these NCERT solutions?

Students should first attempt all questions in this worksheet on their own before referring to the answers. This helps build independent thinking and problem-solving skills. Parents can use this worksheet to guide their child through each section and check whether their responses match the NCERT-expected answers. Teachers can use the solutions to explain model answers for reading comprehension, grammar, and writing tasks. All solutions in this worksheet follow the exact order and structure of the NCERT unit. For discussion-based and individual-response questions, sample answers are provided so students understand the expected format and depth of response. For writing tasks, complete model answers are given that can serve as reference points during revision and exam preparation.

Student tips and learning tricks

- For reading comprehension, always go back to the passage and find evidence before writing your answer. Do not answer from memory alone.
- In poem-based questions, read the line carefully and think about the overall theme of the poem before identifying the correct lines.
- For vocabulary exercises, try to understand the meaning of the word in context rather than just memorising it. This helps in using it correctly in sentences.
- In grammar exercises on clauses of time, remember that conjunctions like when, while, until, and after connect two related actions. Make sure the tenses in both parts of the sentence are consistent.
- For editing tasks, read each sentence slowly and check for missing articles, extra words, incorrect verb forms, and missing prepositions — these are the most common errors tested in NCERT.
- For writing tasks such as letters and articles, always follow the correct format. A letter to the editor must include the sender's address, date, subject line, salutation, body, and closing.
- In speaking and role play activities, focus on presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. Use the sample dialogue in this worksheet as a model.

Why NCERT solutions are important?

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English are the most reliable reference for school examinations because all question papers in CBSE schools are based directly on the NCERT textbook and its companion workbooks. Having access to accurate, well-structured solutions helps students understand exactly what level of detail is expected in answers. These solutions build strong foundational skills in reading, writing, grammar, and communication — all of which are assessed in Class 9 board-level examinations. Practising with NCERT-aligned answers also builds students' confidence, reduces exam anxiety, and ensures they are well-prepared for Class 10.

Complete answer key – NCERT solutions

Let's begin

Note: These are discussion and oral questions. Students should answer based on their own personal experiences and opinions.

1. (Individual response) — Students may talk about their passion for music, dance, theatre, trekking, watersport, painting, football, cricket, or any other activity they pursue beyond studies.

2. (Individual response) — Students may mention difficulties such as lack of time, lack of support, financial constraints, or pressure of studies.

3. (Individual response) — Students may mention parents, friends, teachers, or coaches who encourage and support them.

Reading comprehension

Text I

1. Leander's victory at Atlanta is significant because he became the first Indian to win an individual medal in 44 years. He was ranked 31 places below his opponent, Fernando Meligeni of Brazil, who had two ATP tour titles, and yet he played with great determination and gusto to clinch the bronze medal at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta on 3 August 1996.

2. His father's Olympic triumph in 1972 was different from his own because it was a team event. His father had won a bronze medal in the Munich Olympics 1972 as a member of the Indian hockey team. Leander's victory, on the other hand, was in an individual event, which makes it especially creditable.

3. According to Leander, his team members helped him out and gave him advice. They also kept him in a good frame of mind throughout the tournament. He made it clear that the medal did not just show his own efforts but represented the efforts of the whole team.

4. (Sample Answer) The quality I would like to highlight is Leander's mental strength. Despite being ranked 31 places below his opponent and having none of the usual advantages he enjoyed in Davis Cup matches — such as playing on his favourite surface or with home support — he did not lose confidence. His willingness to take chances, swift reflexes, and refusal to accept defeat easily show his exceptional mental toughness. Playing purely for his country without expecting anything in return sets him apart from other players.

5. In India, while registering his victories in Davis Cup, one could say that he won because he was playing on his favourite surface, grass, and he also enjoyed home support. These advantages helped him achieve his incredible Davis Cup record.

6. At Atlanta he won because Paes had none of his usual advantages. He won purely because of his willingness to take his chances, his swift reflexes, his mental strength, and his determination not to accept defeat easily. His patriotism and selfless attitude — playing for his country without expecting anything in return — also set him apart.

Text II

1. Given here are certain ideas from the poem. Identify the lines from the poem that refer to these:

a. Where knowledge is free;

b. Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

c. Where words come out from the depth of truth;

d. Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way / Into the dreary desert sand of dead habits; / Where the mind is led forward by thee / Into ever-widening thought and action;

e. Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

f. The poet is addressing God (the Father / the Almighty) so that He may lead the minds of the people of India into a state of true freedom — a heaven of freedom — where the country can awake to its full potential.

2. This poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore much before India attained freedom. In the context of colonial rule, when India was not yet free, these lines were deeply significant. Tagore was not merely asking for political freedom from British rule — he was asking for a deeper freedom of the mind. At a time when people were divided by caste, religion, superstition, and fear, Tagore dreamed of an India where knowledge would be freely accessible to all, where reason would guide action, and where people would speak truth without fear. His vision was of a nation that was truly awake — not just politically independent, but intellectually, morally, and spiritually free.

Vocabulary

1. Suggest a word for each sentence/phrase (from "Reach for the Top, Part I" — Beehive):

a. contentment
b. convention
c. affirmation
d. endurance / resilience
e. culmination

2. Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box:

a. She wears expensive dresses and jewellery. It seems she belongs to an affluent family.
b. At present, political turmoil prevails in most parts of the world.
c. Mr Khanna admitted his mistake by writing a letter of apology to the Head of the Department.
d. The Director was quite positive while addressing his employees.
e. The result that you see today is a culmination of years of hardwork and dedication.
f. School children went on a weeklong expedition during their summer holidays.

3. Playing with the words: How many words can you make from the words given below?

Note: Students may find additional words. The above are sample answers. Students are encouraged to explore further.

From Vocabulary: vocal, cab, lab, boa, arc / car, lacy / clay
From Labour: labour, lour, boa, bar, oar, our

4. Match the idiomatic expressions in Column A with their meanings in Column B:

eager beaver — a keen and enthusiastic person who works very hard
cash cow — something or someone that provides a lot of money for little effort
kangaroo court — an unofficial court or meeting that disregards current laws and conducts unfair trials
bull in a china shop — very careless in the way a person moves or behaves
hold your horses — wait and be patient

Grammar

1. Match each of the sentence halves to make meaningful sentences:

He was found guilty of driving — while he was under the influence of alcohol.
I get a pain in my knee — when I walk up the stairs.
The boy started to cry — when the mother left.
Rainy was walking along the footpath — when she tripped over.
When the lights went out, — I switched on the emergency light.
You will see the river — when you cross my house.

2. Make one sentence combining the two statements given below:

a. I won't enter the room until she cleans it.
b. I will come to your house after I finish the cooking.
c. I will issue the book for you when I go to the library.
d. They rested when evening came.
e. The salesman came while Rita was eating her breakfast.
f. Do you remember when we went to see the play with grandfather?

Editing

1. Remove or add a word or a phrase to make the sentences grammatically correct:

a. Incorrect: Maria Sharapova likes to be dancing, singing and fashion.
Correct: Maria Sharapova likes dancing, singing and fashion.
(Remove 'to be'; 'likes' should be followed by gerunds, not infinitives, to maintain parallelism with 'fashion'.)

b. Incorrect: She has love for pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.
Correct: She has a love for pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.
(Add the article 'a' before 'love'.)

c. Incorrect: Maria had to be leave her mother behind in Siberia at age of nine.
Correct: Maria had to leave her mother behind in Siberia at the age of nine.
(Remove 'be'; add 'the' before 'age'.)

d. Incorrect: She put with insults and humiliation in order to realise dream of becoming a tennis star.
Correct: She put up with insults and humiliation in order to realise her dream of becoming a tennis star.
(Add 'up' after 'put'; add 'her' before 'dream'.)

e. Incorrect: Her dream was to be number one world tennis.
Correct: Her dream was to be number one in world tennis.
(Add 'in' before 'world tennis'.)

2. Correct the spelling errors and rewrite the paragraph with appropriate punctuation marks:

Savitribai Phule

"Awake, Arise, and Educate. Smash traditions — Liberate." First female teacher of India's first women's school, founder of modern Marathi poetry, at a time when women's potential and calibre were underestimated, she worked for the upliftment and education of females in the country with her husband's help. She opened a school for untouchable girls. Orthodox individuals from the upper caste used to mock at her efforts and throw stones and dung on her. Nevertheless, she continued with her teaching. The British government honoured her contribution to education later on.

Listening

1. At the age of 17, Hugh Herr, a world-class mountain climber, was trapped in a snowstorm along with a friend while they were ascending New Hampshire's Mount Washington in 1982. After three days without food or camping gear, they were rescued. However, frostbite caused him to lose both his legs, which were amputated just below the knee.

2. Both of his legs were amputated just below the knee due to severe frostbite he suffered during the snowstorm on Mount Washington.

3. The prostheses he was fitted with were developed for walking on flat surfaces only. They were not suitable for climbing or running.

4. He experienced a tremendous amount of pain from prosthetic limbs. He decided to go back to school to learn about physics and engineering so that he could solve these problems and create better prosthetic limbs.

5. He obtained a Master's degree in mechanical engineering from MIT in 1993 and a doctorate in biophysics from Harvard five years later (in 1998).

Speaking

1. Fill in the table based on the dialogue read aloud in the group:

Sarita — Hang gliding — She finds it fascinating. She feels as free as a bird up there. She enjoys the beauty of being high up in the sky.

Kiran — Basketball and painting — Basketball helps her stay fit and happy and she has made good friends. Painting is great for relieving stress.

Sunita — Knitting; wants to join Karate — Knitting is something she enjoys at home. She wants to learn Karate as it will be great for self-defence.

2. Conversation between Sunita and her Father (Role Play): (Student-generated activity)

Sample Answer:
Sunita: Papa, I have a desire to learn Karate.
Father: No, that can't be. Girls must stay home.
Sunita: Papa, all my friends are into sports. I felt out of place not doing anything sporty.
Father: School work may suffer if you go out every day.
Sunita: Papa, I promise my studies won't be affected. There is a class in the next society itself, so I won't have to go far.
Father: Going out alone may be unsafe for a girl.
Sunita: Papa, that is exactly why I want to learn Karate — it is great self-defence. I can show you some videos about how it helps girls protect themselves.
Father: It may be expensive and I don't see any real benefits.
Sunita: Papa, it will keep me physically fit. And honestly, learning a martial art can't be called unfeminine — it makes a girl stronger and more confident.
Father: (After a pause) Oh, that's nice. My daughter will be no less than anyone.

Writing

1. Article: (Student-generated activity)

Sample Answer:

Title: Dream Big, Play Hard — The Stories of Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza

If there are two names that have inspired millions of young girls across India to pick up a racket and step onto the court, they are Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza.

Saina Nehwal, born in Hisar, Haryana, moved to Hyderabad at a young age. Despite travelling 25 kilometres from home to reach the stadium for her early training under Nani Prasad, she never gave up. Later coached by S.M. Arif, Vimal Kumar, and the legendary P. Gopichand, she went on to become a world no. 1 professional badminton singles player. She was the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in badminton and has been honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, and the Padma Bhushan in 2016.

Sania Mirza, born in Mumbai and raised in Hyderabad, began learning lawn tennis from her father at just six years of age. She started competing in ITF tournaments in 2001, won three titles in 2002, and turned professional in 2003. She went on to win the Girls' Doubles title at Wimbledon and several WTA doubles titles, becoming India's no. 1 doubles player. Time Magazine included her in its 2016 list of the most influential people in the world. She has also received the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shree.

Both these champions have faced setbacks — injuries, criticism, and personal challenges — yet they rose above every obstacle with determination and hard work. Their journeys prove that talent, combined with relentless effort and courage, can break every barrier. So, girls — pick up your racket, lace up your shoes, and step out onto the field. The courts and stadiums of India are waiting for you!

2. Letter to the Editor of a National Newspaper (on Environmental Pollution at Tourist Spots):

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

The Editor
[Name of the Newspaper]
New Delhi

Subject: Urgent Need to Address Garbage and Pollution at Tourist Spots in India

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to draw your attention to a matter of grave concern — the increasing pollution of our beautiful tourist destinations and natural landscapes due to irresponsible waste disposal by visitors.

The chapter "Reach for the Top" from our NCERT textbook mentions how mountaineer Santosh Yadav collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This remarkable act of responsibility made me reflect on the sad state of our tourist spots, hill stations, forests, and pilgrimage sites, which are being buried under layers of plastic, food wrappers, and garbage left behind by thoughtless tourists.

It is our moral duty as citizens to protect the natural beauty that our country is blessed with. I urge the concerned authorities to install more dustbins and waste disposal units at tourist spots, impose strict fines for littering in public places, launch awareness campaigns through schools and media, and promote the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan more actively at local levels through community participation. Citizens too must take a pledge not to litter, to carry their own waste back, and to lead by example.

Nature does not belong to any one generation — it is a gift we hold in trust for those who come after us. Let us not fail in our responsibility.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Class and School Name]

Project

1. "First Ladies" Project: (Student-generated activity)

Activity 1: Prepare a class board with contributions about 112 First Ladies honoured by the President of India in January 2018. Research their names, fields, and achievements from school library resources or the internet.

Activity 2: Make a collage showing the First Ladies, their struggles, endeavours, and achievements. Display it in the classroom for all students to view.

Activity 3: Your group can prepare a PowerPoint presentation covering their life stories, struggles, the society they lived in, their sources of inspiration, and their achievements.

Note: Students should research independently. Some notable First Ladies to explore: Muthulakshmi Reddi (first woman legislator), Kiran Bedi (first woman IPS officer), Bachendri Pal (first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest), etc.

2. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Project: (Student-generated activity)

Activity: Prepare posters, write slogans, and draw charts to create awareness in society about the importance of educating girls and protecting their rights.

Sample Slogan Ideas:
- "Educate a girl, empower a nation."
- "A girl's dream is India's future."
- "Save the girl child — she is your strength, not your burden."
- "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao — India ka naara, desh ka sahara."

Note: Students are encouraged to think of original slogans and design their own posters. The project should reflect individual thought, creativity, and awareness of gender equality issues in India.

Give your Class 9 English preparation the structured support it deserves with these complete NCERT Solutions for Words and Expressions 1, Unit 7.

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