Class 9 English Test Paper Chapter 1 How I taught my grandmother to read and Poem 1 Bharat Our land | GSEB Board | Detailed Solutions & Marking Scheme

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VEDANT CLASSES – A Pathway to Success…

Date:                     | Subject: English | Marks: 30

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SECTION A: Unseen Comprehension (10 marks)

Passage 1 – Unseen Prose (5 marks)

Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions in your own words:

Life in the countryside is simple and peaceful. People wake up with the sun and go about their daily chores calmly. Children play in the fields, help their parents during harvest, and learn traditional values through storytelling. Even small acts of kindness are highly valued in these communities, and happiness is found in the little things.

Questions (1 mark each):

1. How do people in the countryside start their day?

2. What activities do children engage in during the day?

3. How is happiness described in the passage?

4. How are traditions passed on in the countryside?

5. What is the main idea of the passage?

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Passage 2 – Unseen Poem (5 marks)

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions:

The clouds gather over hills so high,
Raindrops fall as whispers from the sky,
Birds seek shelter in leafy trees,
Rivers dance and sway with the breeze.

Questions (1 mark each):

1. What is gathering over the hills?

2. How do the raindrops fall?

3. Where do the birds take shelter?

4. How are the rivers described?

5. What mood does the poem create?

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SECTION B: Questions from Chapter – How I Taught My Grandmother to Read (10 marks)

1. Who helped the grandmother learn to read? (2 marks)

2. Why did the grandmother want to learn reading? (2 marks)

3. Describe one difficulty the grandmother faced while learning to read and how she overcame it. (3 marks)

4. How did the granddaughter encourage her grandmother to keep practicing? (3 marks)

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SECTION C: Questions from Poem – Bharat Our Land (10 marks)

1. Name any two natural features described in the poem. (2 marks)

2. What feelings does the poet express about Bharat? (2 marks)

3. Explain the meaning of the lines: “Fields of gold, rivers so wide, mountains stand with grace and pride.” (3 marks)

4. How does the poem show the diversity and richness of Bharat’s land? (3 marks)

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Total Marks: 30

Here is a detailed solved answer key with marking scheme for your paper:

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ANSWER KEY & MARKING SCHEME

Class 9 – English | Marks: 30

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SECTION A: Unseen Comprehension (10 marks)

Passage 1 – Unseen Prose (5 marks)

(1 mark each – Content accuracy is important. Minor grammatical errors can be ignored.)

1. How do people in the countryside start their day?
   Answer: People wake up early with the sun and begin their daily chores calmly.
   Marks: 1

2. What activities do children engage in during the day?
   Answer: Children play in the fields and help their parents during harvest.
   Marks: 1

3. How is happiness described in the passage?
   Answer: Happiness is found in simple things and small acts of kindness.
   Marks: 1

4. How are traditions passed on in the countryside?
   Answer: Traditions are passed through storytelling from one generation to another.
   Marks: 1

5. What is the main idea of the passage?
   Answer: The passage describes the simple, peaceful, and happy life in the countryside.
   Marks: 1

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Passage 2 – Unseen Poem (5 marks)

(1 mark each – Accept similar meaningful answers)

1. What is gathering over the hills?
   Answer: Clouds are gathering over the hills.
   Marks: 1

2. How do the raindrops fall?
   Answer: The raindrops fall like whispers from the sky.
   Marks: 1

3. Where do the birds take shelter?
   Answer: Birds take shelter in leafy trees.
   Marks: 1

4. How are the rivers described?
   Answer: Rivers are described as dancing and swaying with the breeze.
   Marks: 1

5. What mood does the poem create?
   Answer: The poem creates a calm, peaceful, and pleasant mood.
   Marks: 1

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SECTION B: Chapter – How I Taught My Grandmother to Read (10 marks)

(Content + clarity. Deduct 0.5–1 mark for incomplete answers.)

1. Who helped the grandmother learn to read? (2 marks)
   Answer: The grandmother was helped by her granddaughter (Sudha). She taught her how to read and write Kannada.
   Marking:

   • Granddaughter mentioned – 1 mark

   • Explanation (teaching reading/writing) – 1 mark

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2. Why did the grandmother want to learn reading? (2 marks)
   Answer: The grandmother wanted to learn reading because she felt helpless when she could not read the story herself and had to depend on others. She wanted to become independent.
   Marking:

   • Reason (unable to read story) – 1 mark

   • Desire for independence/self-respect – 1 mark

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3. Describe one difficulty the grandmother faced and how she overcame it. (3 marks)
   Answer: The grandmother faced difficulty because she was old and had never been to school, so learning the alphabet was challenging. However, she showed determination and practiced regularly under her granddaughter’s guidance, which helped her overcome the difficulty.
   Marking:

   • Difficulty explained – 1 mark

   • Effort/practice mentioned – 1 mark

   • Overcoming with determination – 1 mark

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4. How did the granddaughter encourage her grandmother? (3 marks)
   Answer: The granddaughter encouraged her grandmother by patiently teaching her daily, giving her confidence, and appreciating her efforts. She motivated her to keep practicing and not give up.
   Marking:

   • Teaching regularly – 1 mark

   • Motivation/support – 1 mark

   • Encouragement/appreciation – 1 mark

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SECTION C: Poem – Bharat Our Land (10 marks)

1. Name any two natural features described in the poem. (2 marks)
   Answer: Rivers, mountains, fields (any two).
   Marking:

   • 1 mark each (any two correct)

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2. What feelings does the poet express about Bharat? (2 marks)
   Answer: The poet expresses love, pride, and admiration for Bharat and its natural beauty.
   Marking:

   • Love/pride – 1 mark

   • Appreciation of beauty – 1 mark

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3. Explain the given lines. (3 marks)
   Answer: The lines describe the richness and beauty of the country. “Fields of gold” refers to fertile agricultural land, “rivers so wide” shows abundance of water, and “mountains with grace and pride” symbolize strength and grandeur.
   Marking:

   • Fields explanation – 1 mark

   • Rivers explanation – 1 mark

   • Mountains explanation – 1 mark

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4. How does the poem show diversity and richness of Bharat? (3 marks)
   Answer: The poem shows diversity through its varied natural features like rivers, mountains, and fields. It highlights the richness of the land, culture, and unity in diversity, showing Bharat as a beautiful and prosperous nation.
   Marking:

   • Diversity (varied features) – 1 mark

   • Richness/beauty – 1 mark

   • Unity/cultural idea – 1 mark

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General Marking Guidelines

• Step marking allowed for long answers

• Minor grammatical errors should not reduce marks

• Accept similar meaningful answers

• Focus on content, clarity, and relevance

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