Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 9 English Communicative with Solutions and marking scheme Set 1 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 9 English Communicative Set 1 with Solutions
Time Allowed : 3 hours
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions:
- 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains FOUR sections-READING SKILLS, WRITING SKILLS, GRAMMAR and LITERATURE TEXTBOOK.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION – A (Reading Skills) (20 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the following passage.
(A) Crunching into an almond, it’s hard to imagine the journey that little nut took to make its way to your mouth. Grown in California’s ideal Mediterranean climate, almond farming is a long-term commitment. Orchards generally produce for 25 years, yielding their first crop three years after planting.
(B) From November to January, almond trees go through a period of dormancy, losing their leaves and chilling out in California’s cool, wet winters. Towards the end of dormancy, buds begin swelling on each tree’s branches in preparation for bloom.
(C) Between mid-February and mid-March, almond tree buds burst into beautiful white and light-pink blooms. Most almond trees are not self-pollinating, so beekeepers bring hives of honey bees to orchards to provide the missing piece of the puzzle. As the trees blossom, the bees forage for pollen and nectar in the orchard. When they move from tree to tree, they pollinate almond blossoms along the way.
(D) Every almond you eat exists because a honey bee pollinated an almond blossom. And every honey bee that visits an almond orchard gets its first natural food source of the year there, supporting it with a healthy start as it moves on to pollinate other crops across the nation.
(E) From March to June, almond kernels mature and grow to full size, with the shell hardening around it – both protected by a fuzzy outer hull. Once the spring rains stop and the weather heats up, farmers begin irrigating their orchards to support the growing crop, taking great care to ensure each drop of water is used responsibly and efficiently.
(F) In July, almond hulls split open, exposing the almond shell and allowing it and the kernel inside to dry. Shortly before harvest, the hulls turn a straw-yellow colour and open completely. From August to October, mechanical tree “shakers” harvest the crop by vigorously shaking it to the ground.
(G) Almond farmers practice a zero-waste approach, ensuring everything an orchard grows is put to use. Almond shells are used as livestock bedding, and hulls are valuable dairy feed, with research underway exploring new potential uses.
(H) After sizing, almonds are kept in controlled storage conditions until they’re either shipped or further processed into a variety of different almond forms for diverse culinary uses. Producing 80% of the world’s supply, California almonds make their way to almond lovers in over 90 countries worldwide.
Answer the following questions based on the passage above.
(i) Which of these statements is true about the pollination of almond trees?
(A) Bees are key to pollination.
(B) Spring rains assist pollination.
(C) Pollination requires artificial means.
(D) Self-pollination is required.
Answer:
(A) Bees are key to pollination.
Explanation:
Bees are key to pollination.
(ii) Give two ways in which almond farmers practise a zero-waste approach.
Answer:
- They ensure that everything an orchard grows is put to use.
- Almond shells are used as livestock bedding and hulls are valuable dairy feed.
- Research is underway to explore new potential uses.
(iii) Give two features that are thought to be ideal for the growth of good quality almonds.
Answer:
- California’s Mediterranean climatic condition
- (Hives of) honey bees in orchards for pollination to take place naturally
- Irrigation of orchards (to support the growing crop-high quality green almonds).
(iv) Comment on the writer’s use of the phrase ‘that little nut’ as used in the first sentence.
Answer:
- It emphasises the very small size of the almond
- Contrasting it with the vast size of the journey to consumers
- Suggests the writer’s sense of awe
(v) Which approach is practiced by farmers for growing almonds and why?
Answer:
Almond farmers practice a zero-waste approach, ensuring everything an orchard grows is put to use. Almond shells are used as livestock bedding, and hulls are valuable dairy feed.
(vi) Why is California known for almonds?
Answer:
Producing 80% of the world’s supply, California almonds make their way to almond lovers in over 90 countries worldwide.
Question 2.
Read the following passage.
(A) An international group of scientists from India and Russia has created edible food films for packaging fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat and seafood. The films consist of natural ingredients and the research team behind them says they are safe for consumer health and the environment. In a study published in the Journal of Food Engineering, the researchers claim the films are water-soluble and dissolve by almost 90 per cent in 24 hours.
(B) “We have created three types of food films based on the well-known naturally occurring seaweed biopolymer Sodium Alginate.” said Rammohan Aluru, senior researcher from the Organic Synthesis laboratory at Ural Federal University and co-author of the paper.
(C) “Sodium Alginate is an auspicious carbohydrate macromolecule that has potential film-forming properties upon hydrolysis and abundantly exists in cell walls as a mixture of various salts. The greatest advantage of Sodium Alginate is that it performs as liquid-gel in an aqueous medium.”
(D) Alginate molecules were cross linked with a natural antioxidant Ferulic add, which the research team say? makes the film not only strong, but also homogeneous, more rigid and prolongs the life of the products.
(E) “Food stays fresh for longer due to the antioxidant components that slow down the oxidation processes” said Grigory Zyryanov, professor of the Department of Organic and Bimolecular Chemistry at Ural Federal University.
(F) “In addition, we can add to the film’s natural antiviral agents by adding things like garlic, turmeric and ginger, which contain certain compounds that may prevent the spread of the viruses.”
(G) According to the authors, no spedal equipment is required to produce the films on an industrial scale. “It can also be produced at a polymer production plant. The only condition is that it must meet the standards that apply to food production. If an inexhaustible source of algae is nearby (that is, the ocean), then it will be quite simple to create such films,” said Grigory Zyryanov.
Answer the following questions based on the above passage.
(i) Why are edible food films used for packaging food products safe for consumer health and environment?
(A) They are edible and non-toxic.
(B) They consist of natural ingredients.
(C) They are not water soluble.
(D) They form films very easily.
Answer:
(B) They consist of natural ingredients.
Explanation:
They consist of natural ingredients.
(ii) Why did scientists find seaweed biopolymer Sodium Alginate ideal to create edible food packaging.
Answer:
- Its molecules have film-forming properties.
- It exists abundantly in cell walls as a mixture of various salts.
- It performs as liquid-gel in an aqueous medium.
(iii) Explain how the edible food packaging film prolongs the life of the product.
Answer:
- Its molecules are cross linked with a natural antioxidant ferulic acid.
- Which makes it strong/rigid.
(iv) Give two reasons for health benefits that come from the use of edible food packaging.
Answer:
- Food stays fresh longer due to its antioxidant components
- Present in natural ingredients (garlic/ turmeric/ginger)
- Has antiviral qualities
(v) What happened when Alginate molecules were cross linked with a natural antioxidant?
Answer:
Alginate molecules were cross linked with a natural antioxidant ferulic acid, which the research team says makes the film not only strong, but also homogeneous, more rigid, and prolongs the life of the products.
(vi) Why does food stay fresh for longer period of time?
Answer:
Food stays fresh longer due to the antioxidant components that slow down the oxidation processes.
SECTION – B (Writing Skills) (24 Marks)
Question 3.
You are the Secretary of Welfare Group Housing Society, Jal Vihar, Kumool. Draft a brief notice advising the residents of the society to store water for a day due to suspended water supply for cleaning of the water tank.
Answer:
Welfare Group Housing Society, Kurnool
NOTICE
5th March 20XX
Suspended Water Supply
This is to inform the residents of Welfare Group Housing Society, Jal Vihar, Kurnool, that water supply will be suspended for eight hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on 6th of March 20XX, for the cleaning of the water tank. The residents are advised to make prior arrangements for the same.
For further enquiries, please contact the undersigned.
Karuna Bajaj
(9842369010)
(Secretary)
Question 4.
Complete the dialogue given below. Write your answers against the correct blank numbers.
Deepak : You have purchased a new car. It looks wonderful. Please tell me (a) __________ ?
Somya : (b) __________ from Jaswant Motors.
Deepak : (c) __________ located ?
Somya : It is in Jhilmil Colony.
Deepak : (d) __________ Yamuna Sports Complex ?
Somya : Yes, (e) __________ .
Answer:
(a) where have you purchased it from
(b) I purchased it
(c) Where is it
(d) Is it near
(e) you are right
Question 5.
As Jessie, write a letter to a friend on how you met Pescud and why you decided to marry him.
Answer:
Allyn House
26 June 20XX
Dear friend, Rosaline
I am going to tell you about my chance meeting with Pescud. While I was returning from Illinois, where I had gone to see my aunt, I noticed a man who followed me at each station that I got down at – whether it was Cincinnati or Shelbyville, Frankford or Lexington, and lastly Virginia – my city. He didn’t know that I had noticed him. After three days, while I was walking in the front yard, down next to the paling fence, he came to me and asked about some Mr. Hinkle’s address. I knew he did it just to start a conversation with me. I could instantly sense the feeling of deep affection he had for me. When I told him that he had come quite a long distance from Pittsburg, he said that he could have gone a thousand miles farther. Then he honestly told me about his liking for me and without imposing himself on me, he told me that he wanted me to develop a liking for him. I was amazed at his grit and perseverance, and the kind of attention he gave me.
Nobody had ever talked to me like that. I was quite impressed by his earnestness and the honesty with which he told my father about his background and the business he was pursuing. I have really developed a liking for him and have decided to marry him. I am sure that you will also appreciate my choice after you meet him. Rest in the next letter.
Your friend
Jessie
Question 6.
Write a paragraph in about 150 words on the topic ‘Besides excellence in academics, a lot of self-esteem should be instilled into children.’
Answer:
Most parents unnecessarily worry about the growth and development of their child and go all lengths to ensure that their child does not face anything bad, objectionable or hurtful in life. They keep worrying themselves to death as, to what is appropriate for their child to learn and know about. Although they would want him/her to be truthful, they do not mind telling lies themselves to closely guard certain ‘secrets’ they think their child must not know. In doing so, they often end up teaching their child wrong values or depriving him/her of something he/she might have reasons to be proud of. In short, the story suggests that children must be allowed to grow up as naturally as possible and should be told that there is nothing undignified about their parents’ professions or economic status. Besides excellence in academics, a lot of self-esteem should be instilled into them.
OR
‘Charles Hooper was a man of courage.’ Write a paragraph on this topic in about 150 words.
Answer:
Charles Hooper was a man of courage. Yes, his life was a living example of dedication and of never give up attitude to grow. He met with a serious accident and became paralysed but then mustered courage to adapt himself to the new situation. He displayed great perseverance during his struggle for survival with the help of his dog Duke. Not a single day went effortless. There was a commendable gradual progress from moving a step on the first day of his effort to walking up to the porch, then to the fence post, to the intersection and finally to the district office.
Many times, he lost his balance and fell down exhausted, but he had a wonderful endurance that kept him going. Hooper was a person full of determination. He set dates as objectives and with the help of Duke could achieve the same. He had faith in himself and in his ability. No one could dare to say that a paralysed man couldn’t do the job of a moving salesman taking into account the hard work he did for a successful comeback. Hence, they created a special desk job for him. All along, his dog Duke helped him in his struggle for survival. We learn the power of endurance and courage from his life.
SECTION – C (Grammar) (10 Marks)
Question 7.
Complete the tasks A – C, as directed.
(A) Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below.
The person (a) __________ car was stolen called the police immediately. As a result he told me (b) __________ he would be late for the meeting. To smoothen the process I also informed my old friend (c) __________ a lawyer.
(a) (i) whose
(ii) who
(iii) whom
(iv) which
Answer:
(i) whose
(b) (i) who
(ii) that
(iii) when
(iv) where
Answer:
(ii) that
(c) (i) whom is now
(ii) which is now
(iii) who is now
(iv) whose is now
Answer:
(iii) who is now
(B) The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the space provided against the correct blank:
Answer:
Error | Correction |
(a) was | were |
(b) to | for |
(c) before | about |
(d) in | into |
(C) Read the conversation given below and complete the passage that follows:
Interviewer : What are your qualifications?
Candidate : I have done Hotel Management from the National Institute of Hotel Management.
Interviewer : Do you have any work experience?
Candidate : I have worked at a hotel reception for a year.
The interviewer asked the candidate (a) __________. The candidate replied that (b) __________ the National Institute of Hotel Management. To the interviewer’s enquiry as to whether he had any experience, the candidate said that (c) __________ at a hotel reception for one year.
Answer:
(a) what his qualifications were.
(b) he had done Hotel Management from.
(c) he had worked
SECTION – D (Literature) (26 Marks)
Question 8.
Read the given excerpts and answer the questions briefly, for ANY TWO excerpts, of the three, given. 4 + 4 = 8
(A) “I looked at her face. It was unhappy and her eyes were filled with tears. She was a good looking lady who was usually always smiling.”
(a) Who do T and ‘She’ refer to?
Answer:
‘I’ refers to the narrator and ‘She’ refers to her grandmother, Krishtakka.
(b) Why was ‘She’ unhappy?
Answer:
‘She’ was unhappy because she could not read her favourite story in her granddaughter’s absence and she realised that she was dependent on others as she was illiterate.
(c) Write the synonym of’unhappy?
Answer:
Synonym of ‘unhappy’ is ‘sad’.
(B) When two fellows stare at each other, day in, day out and one can’t move and the other can’t talk, boredom sets in.
(a) Who are the ‘two fellows’ here?
Answer:
Chuck Hooper and his dog Duke are the two fellows here.
(b) Who tried to break the ‘boredom’ and how?
Answer:
Duke tried to break the boredom by forcing Chuck to take him for a walk.
(c) How could the boredom harm the fellows?
Answer:
Duke felt restless and uneasy; whereas this state of inactivity would have made Chuck completely confined to the bed.
(C) “Bill,” he cried, “You’re off your head. Think of the purse !”
(a) Who is the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker is Jerry Fisher.
(b) What had ‘Bill’ done that makes the speaker say these words?
Answer:
He had announced his decision not to fight on Monday with Jimmy Murphy.
(c) Why had Bill made such decision?
Answer:
Bill made this decision as the fight would be a national affair and would be reported in the mail with his photograph. His son Harold would see it and come to know of his father’s real profession. The shame would be too much for Harold to bear.
Question 9.
Answer ANY SIX of the following seven questions in about 30 – 40 words each. 2 × 6 = 12
(i) Why did the poet doubt his coming back on the same intersection in life?
Answer:
The poet is pragmatic enough to know that one way leads to another, meaning that life moves on, retracing one’s steps is not in the nature of things. The choices made today will mark his life later through the years.
(ii) What is the symbolic meaning conveyed by ‘For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever’?
Answer:
The refrain of the poem is ‘For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever’. It is how the transitory nature of human life and the eternal life of nature. Man is mortal and continues his journey till he meets his death. The brook on the other hand is immortal. It is perennial and flows on till eternity.
(iii) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?
Answer:
In the universe the rain performs many functions. It is sent by Nature to adorn its fields and valleys and gardens. Hills laugh, flowers rejoice and all are elated when it rains. The rain quenches the thirst of fields and relieves the clouds of their heaviness of vapours. It embraces flowers and trees in a million little ways.
(iv) Duke was an extraordinary dog. What special qualities did he exhibit to justify this?
Answer:
Duke was a four year old Doberman weighing 23 kilos. Chuck Hooper liked Duke for his energy and cheerfulness. Duke knew what he had to do for Hooper.
Once while jumping he hit Hooper about the belt, causing him to fight to keep his balance. He never jumped on Chuck Hooper again. With Hooper standing, the dog walked to the end of the leash and tugged steadily. Leaning against the pull, Hooper learned to keep his balance. In this way, Duke helped Hooper to go on for short walks.
(v) Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read? How?
Answer:
Grandmother had a keen desire to read. To achieve success in her desire, she worked very hard. She read, repeated, wrote and recited, i.e., she did everything that the lesson demanded. Her capacity to do the homework was ‘amazing’. She showed that there is no age-bar for learning.
(vi) “If you got a tooth, you got a friend”, what do you understand from the line?
Answer:
‘If you got a tooth, you got a friend’ expresses a practical truth of life. Without healthy teeth you can’t chew and eat things properly. Good teeth are your good friends. They keep your taste and digestion all right.
(vii) Why is Bishop harsh to his sister but soft in his approach to the convict?
Answer:
Persome is practical and worldly-wise. She doesn’t like the excessive charity of her brother, whereas the Bishop is an example of an ideal priest. He expects his sister to understand him better. But she is unhappy when the Bishop saves the convict. The Bishop is able to control his emotions. He wants to manage the situation with understanding and compassion because he empathises with the convict. So he is harsh to his sister but soft in his approach to the convict.
Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 120 words. 6 × 1 = 6
(A) William Wordsworth describes the scene of the soitaxy reaper to his sister Dorothy in a letter. As Wordsworth, write the letter.
Answer:
667, Maple Road
25th December 20XX
Dear Dorothy
I want to share my experience with you when I was in Scotland during the summer season.
I had such a memorable experience that I could not restrain myself from writing to you.
I have had a wonderful time walking in the countryside and feel the need to share my feelings with you. While walking, my feet were arrested by a musical voice which was filling the valley. A highland girl was cutting the grain and singing on her own. She was oblivious of anyone. Her voice was certainly sweeter than that of the nightingale in the Arabian desert. There was a thrilling quality in her song. I was reminded of the cuckoo bird’s song in the Hebrides Island. I couldn’t understand the words as she was singing in a strange dialect, but the tone made me feel that it was a sad song. As I continued on my walk, her voice kept reverberating in my ears. I shall never forget it. I really missed you at that time.
Take care of yourself.
Yours lovingly
Wordsworth
OR
(B) Pescud used his salesmanship to befriend Jessie’s father. Explain.
Answer:
John A. Pescud is the main character of O’ Henry’s story Best Seller. He is a resident of Pittsburgh and a travelling salesman for a plate- glass company. He has his little code of living. When a man is in his hometown, “he ought to be decent and law abiding”. John A Pescud professes to entertain middle-class values in life. He believes that in real life people marry the partners from their own background. He is highly critical of bestsellers like’, The Rose Lady and Trevelyan’. Here the American Hero falls in love with a Royal Princess of Europe. He follows her to her father’s kingdom and principality. According to him the modern best sellers present a highly unrealistic and romantic version of life.
However in real life he falls in love with Jessie Allyn at the first sight. He follows her to her grand mansion as big as the capital of Washington. Her father Colonel Allyn is a lineal descendant of belted earls and looks as proud as Julius Caesar. John Pescud is really the ‘Best Seller’. He sells ‘himself ‘ and his ideas so well to the narrator, to Jessie and to the Colonel. He is soft-spoken and highly persuasive. Even after marriage this modern Trevelyan wanders in search of Petunias for his princess.