Class 9 Words and Expressions Solutions Unit 2
Words and Expressions Class 9 Unit 2 Solutions
Class 9 English Words and Expressions Solutions Unit 2
Take this quiz to check your knowledge of music and musicians.
Question 1.
What kind of music is Ravi Sankar famous for ?
(a) Jazz
(b) Classical
(c) Pop
Answer:
(b) Classical
Question 2.
Which country was Justin Beiber born in?
(a) USA
(b) India
(c) Canada
Answer:
(c) Canada
Question 3.
How many strings does a guitar have ?
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8
Answer:
(a) 6
Question 4.
What is a group of three musicians called ?
(a) a trio
(b) a duet
(c) a quartet
Answer:
(a) a trio
Question 5.
What is the next note after sa-re-ga-ma ?
(a) dha
(b) ni
(c) pa
Answer:
(c) pa
Question 6.
What is the next note aft To-re-mi ?
(a) ti
(b) fa
(c) so
Answer:
(b) fa
Reading Comprehension:
Text – I
In this section, you will read three texts on music in different perspectives. The first one will enlighten you about the effective role of music in our lives, the second reflects on the life of the famous music composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the third is a poem by William Wordsworth where he appreciates the melody of a song.
Read the texts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Role of Music in Life
Today, we are rushing through life and everyone seems to be pressurised and stressed about one or the other thing. Stress has become an inescapable part of our lives. Many of our illnesses are a result of stress, and to deal with it, we need certain ways to relax our body and mind. Listening to music, particularly gentle, calming and melodious music, relaxes peopleboth physically and mentally. Music releases endorphins, the natural painkillers in our brain,which relieve us from the sense of pain.
Music can normalise heart rate and blood pressure. The common occurrences of fatigue and boredom decrease when we listen to music. It diverts our attention from every day anxieties, thereby reducing the stress caused by such concerns, while meditating, listening to music helps us to connect with our soul. Students can improve their concentration and boost their memory by listening to soft music. Soothing music, when played at night, helps us to rest and relax for a good night’s sleep.
Listening to good music helps in overcoming negative traits such as anger or worry, thereby improving our personality. It creates positive energy and happiness. Every cell in the body becomes energetic with increased peace of mind. Music is a therapy for everyone – plants, birds, animals and human beings – to flourish and rejuvenate. It certainly plays an important part in making the world better for all living beings.
Complete the following statements by selecting the most appropriate options given below.
Question 1.
_____ helps in relaxation of our body and mind.
(a) Pop music
(b) Soothing music
(c) Jazz music
(d) Rock music
Answer:
(b) Soothing music
Question 2.
The natural painkillers released in our brain are _____
(a) Insulin
(b) Endorphins
(c) Endocrine
(d) Glycerin
Answer:
(b) Endorphins
Question 3.
Music is helpful in improving the _____ of students.
(a) concentration
(b) emotion
(c) relaxation
(d) anxiety
Answer:
(a) concentration
Question 4.
Which word from the passage means the same as ‘to renew’ _____?
(a) rejuvenate
(b) enhance
(c) release
(d) relieve
Answer:
(a) rejuvenate
Question 5.
List the benefits of music mentioned in the passage.
Answer:
The benefits of music are:
a) Relieves us from the sense of pain.
b) Relaxes people both mentally and physically.
c) Normalises heart rate and blood pressure.
d) Decreases fatigue and boredom.
e) Reduced stress.
f) Improves concentrationnnd boosts memory.
g) improves personality.
h) Works as a therapy for everyone.
Text – II
Beating the Odds
The musical accomplishments of composer Ludwig van Beethoven have been all the more remarkable for the fact that he lost his hearing ability from an early age. He developed the symptoms of tinnitus, a constant sound of ringing in his ears that made it difficult for him to hear. He is compared to Mozart for his genius, and is considered the most eminent musician after Mozart.
Although his formal education never went beyond the elementary level, he trained in mu¬sic under Joseph Haydn. He has always been acclaimed as a brilliant piano maestro. His father and grandfather were the court musicians of a German prince. Young Ludwig was often made to perform for his father’s drinking companions in the middle of the night, and was even beat¬en if he protested.
For the first thirty years of his life, Beethoven could listen to and play music effortlessly. As a result, he understood sounds of musical instruments and the pitch of the singing voices. He knew the harmony between music and singing before he became completely deaf. His deafness was not sudden, but a gradual decline. This slow process of losing his hearing activated his mind to imagine how his compositions would sound like.
When he became completely deaf, he started to observe the vibrations of the piano. The observations helped him realise that he could not hear the high notes of the piano. To be able to hear his own compositions, he sawed off the legs of his piano. The piano touched the floor, and Beethoven would press his ear to the floor, banging the piano keys to listen to the high notes in his compositions.
The most significant aspect of Beethoven’s character was that he did not give up. With a brave heart, he confronted the greatest challenge a musician can face, and continued living his dream of composing music. Deafness could not deter him from achieving the pinnacle of musical success. He fought against the greatest obstacle and won. His Question uality of ‘never giving up’ strengthened him. It made him come to terms with his deafness in a dynamic and constructive way. These Question ualities led him to become a famous composer.
Question 1.
Read the following statements and write true (T) or false (F).
a) Although he composed a lot of music, Beethoven never learned to play music himself. (T/F)
b) His deafness was not a sudden loss of hearing.
c) He composed most of his music early in his life, before he became deaf.
d) His musical skills were compared to Haydn.
e) Beethoven cut down the legs of his piano to hear the notes of the keys from the floor.
Answer:
(a) F ;
(b) T ;
(c) F ;
(d) F ;
(e) T ;
Question 2.
How could Beethoven compose music despite his loss of hearing?
Answer:
Beethoven could listen to and play music for his first thirty years of life. As a result, he under¬stood the sounds of musical instruments and the pitch of the singing voices. He also knew the harmony between music and singing before he became completely deaf. This helped him compose music despite his loss of hearing.
Question 3.
What realisation made Beethoven continue his passion for music with more determination ? Answer: Beethoven’s realisation that he could not hear the high notes of the piano and his own compo-sition made him continue his passion for music with more determination.
Question 4.
Which word in the following is similar in meaning to ‘skillful’ (para)?
(a) brilliant
(b) masterly
(c) talented
(d) genius
Answer:
(d) genius
Text – III
The Solitary Reaper
Behold her, sihgle in the field,
yon solitary Highland lass !
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.
No Nightingale did ever chant
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne’er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.
Will no one tell me what she sings ?
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day ?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?
Whate’er the theme, the Maiden sang
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o’er the sickle bending”;
I listened, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more. – William Wordsworth
Complete the summary of the poem given below with a suitable word/phrase in each blank.
The poet finds a young Highland girl who (a) _____ alone and sings to herself. The poet asks us to listen carefully, because the whole (b) _____ is filled with the overflow-ing sound of her singing. He asks us to either (c) _____ and listen to her sad song, or gently pass by so as not to disturb her. He goes on to say that no nightingale ever sang a more (d) _____ song to bands of tired (e) _____ in the Arabian Desert. The poet
asserts that the behuty of the girl’s singing exceeds that of the cuckoo’s in the (f) _____. Her singing is also the only thing which (g) _____ the silence of the valley. The poet tries to (h)_____ what the girl is singing about. He is unable to get the words of the song clearly. He thinks that perhaps she is singing about old sorrows or (i) _____ fought long ago, or more routine concerns of life or even some (j) _____ which she has endured and may endure again. At the end, he Question uietly walks away with a feeling that he may never be able to find out the (k) _____ of her never-ending song. Nevertheless, he asserts that her singing has captured his imagination so much that he will (l) _____ the music in his heart long after it is heard no more.
Answer:
(a) reaps ;
(b) valley ;
(c) stop there ;
(d) welcome ;
(e) travellers ;
(f) spring time
(g) breaks ;
(h) make out ;
(i) battles ;
(j) natural sorrows, pain or loss ;
(k) theme ;
(l) bear
Vocabulary:
Question 1.
The following words and phrases occur in the given passages and poem. Given below are the words and their meanings. Match each meaning with the word.
Answer:
| Text – 1 | |
| relieves | substances produced by the brain that have painkilling and tran quillising effects on the body |
| endorphins | power to live or grow |
| exhaustion | to free from anxiety, fear, pain, etc. |
| rejuvenate | tiredness |
| vitality | to restore to a former state ; make fresh or new again |
| Text – 2 | |
| prodigy | constantly repeated |
| persistent | to cut or divide |
| virtuoso | to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc. |
| deterioration | something that obstructs or hinders progress |
| sawed | a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability |
| obstacle | a person who excells in musical technique or execution |
| Text – 3 | |
| behold | tired |
| yon | girl |
| lass | look, see |
| melancholy | climbed |
| vale | expressing sorrow |
| strain | causing sadness |
| weary | that |
| plaintive | melody |
| mounted | valley |
Question 2.
Word search
Look at the grid given here.
| Text – 1 | |
| relieves | to free from anxiety, fear, pain, etc. |
| endorphins | substances produced by the brain that have painkilling and tran quillising effects on the body |
| exhaustion | tiredness |
| rejuvenate | to restore to a former state ; make fresh or new again |
| vitality | power to live or grow |
| Text – 2 | |
| prodigy | a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability |
| persistent | constantly repeated |
| virtuoso | a person who excels in musical technique or execution |
| deterioration | to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc. |
| sawed | to cut or divide |
| obstacle | something that obstructs or hinders progress |
| Text – 3 | |
| behold | look,see |
| yon | that |
| lass | Girl |
| melancholy | causing sadness |
| vale | valley |
| strain | melody |
| weary | tired |
| plaintive | expressing sorrow |
| mounted | climbed |
(a) Find the names of the musical instruments in the grid. They can be found in different directions: up-down, down-up, left-right, right-left and diagonally. Name the musical instruments.
Answer:
1. Piano
2. Sitar
3. Xylophone
4. Veena
5. Shehnai
6. Sarod
7. Tabla
8. Drum
9. Flute
10. Pungi
11. Dholak
(b) Use the pictures as clues. Write the appropriate name of the instrument in each blank given below. One has been done as an example.
1) Evelyn ‘Glennie is a Xylophone player.
2) Zakir Hussain plays the _______
3) Hariprasad Chaurasia plays the _______
4) Doraiswamy Iyengar plays the _______
5) Bismillah Khan plays the _______
6) Amjad Ali Khan plays the _______
Answer:
1) Xylophone
2) tabla
3) flute
4) veena
5) shehnai
6) sarod
Grammar:
1. In the lesson, “The Sound of Music” you have read that ‘adjectives’ can be used before a noun and after the verb ‘be’.
Example:
The book is interesting. The interesting book.
The table is round. The round table.
But ‘adjectives’ can have many forms.
Examples:
a) He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader.
b) Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded India’s highest civilian award.
c) My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.
Here the adjectives longer and broader refer to the comparative degree; and highest and most beautiful refer to the superlative degree. ‘Er’ is used for the comparative degree for shorter words and ‘more’ is used for longer words.
Example: Let’s go to the local market. The vegetables are cheaper there. But in Supermarket these are more expensive.
A) Now fill in the blanks with appropriate comparative adjectives.
a) He was not audible. His voice was not loud. Can you request him to be a bit _____ (loud)?
b) There are many peaks in the Himalayas. Everest is _____ (high) peak in India.
c) With 9 degree Celsius it was colder yesterday, and with 4 degree Celsius it is _____ (cold) today.
d) Our police are _____ (reliable) in the country..
e) My sister is _____ (serious) than me.
f) Your dance performance is not good. It can be _____(good) with practice.
g) Living in the countryside is _____ (peaceful) than living in a town.
h) My father is _____
Answer:
a) louder
b) higher than any other
c) even colder
d) more reliable than any other
e) more serious
f) better
B) Fill in the balnks with appropriate superlative degree ‘most’/ ‘est’.
a) With so many vehicles, the roads of Delhi have become _____ India.
b) Yesterday was _____ (cold) day of the month.
c) The book is interesting. It is _____ (instresting) book I have ever read.
e) _____ (old) member of my family is my grandfather.
f) Lata Marigeshkar had _____ (melodious) voice in the country.
Answer:
a) the most crowded
b) the coldest
d) the cheapest
e) the oldest/eldest
c) the most interesting
f) the most melodious
2. In the same lesson, use of ‘to-verb’ has been explained. Let’s do some more activities on this. Join the two sets of sentences given below, and make one sentence. The first one is done for you.
a) ‘May I help you ?”
‘Okay’ ‘
He offered to help her.
b) ‘Let’s go to the Old Age Home in the evening’.
‘That’s fine’.
She arranged _____ to the Old Age Home in the evening.
c)‘What would you like to eat?’, asked Shivani’s mother.
‘I don’t have an appetite’, replied Shivani.
Shivani refused _____.
d) ‘Post the letter. Don’t forge’.
Don’t forget _____.
e) ‘Can you participate in the music concert?’
‘It’s fine with me’.
She agreed _____ in the music concert.
Answer:
a) to help
c) to eat as she didn’t have an appetite
b) to go
d) to post the letter
Editing:
Question 1.
Some words have been omitted in the paragraph given below. Write the appropriate words and rewrite the paragraph.
The following words were written/the tomb of / Anglican Bishop of Westminster Abbey:
When I was young/free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed/changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered/world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and ‘decided/ change only my country.
But it too seemed immovable. As I grew/my twilight years, in one lost desperate attempt, I settled/changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, I couldn’t.
And now as I lay/ my deathbed, l suddenly realise: If I had only changed myself first, then/ an example I could have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able/better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
Answer:
The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop of Westminster Abbey:
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered’the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate at-tempt, I settled tor changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, I couldn’t.
And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realise: If I had only changed myself first, then hv an example I could have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able tfl better my coun-try and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
Listening:
Question 1.
A passage on the healing aspect of music is given below. You need to listen to the passage read by your teacher / classmate carefully and answer the question that follows. You may listen to the passage twice, if required.
Music as a Therapy
“Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul”, rightly said by Plato. Music is often referred to as ‘food’ for the soul due to the several benefits we can derive from experiencing it.
Music can be pleasure for some, and a way to relax for others, it also motivates and ener-gises listeners. Music is, indeed, a universal language, which can bring nations together and unite people with different faiths as it touches one’s soul. In the mainstream, music is mainly known for its entertainment quotient, but the Indian culture also talks about the healing effects of music through ‘Raga Chikitsa’. Raga Chikitsa has helped in reviving an ancient deal¬ing practice known as Nada Yoga.
Nada is a musical sound, which is believed to have curative effects on the body and soul of all creatures. Conse quently, its power is therapeutic and is used in curing diseases. Medical research has found music therapy to aid patients in pain management. It is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind significantly.
One experiences positive energy by listening to music. Music lifts one from clouds of des-olation. Rhythms, particularly upbeat music, helps one distract oneself from situations that cause stress and brightens one’s mood. Music lowers anxiety levels, relaxes mind and brings optimism. It is said that listening to soft, sedative music once a day can help overcome de-pression.
Music therapy finds its traces in mythology. The.story of Hippocrates, the Greek father of medicine dates back to 400 B.C. He is known to have used music to cure his patients. This therapy also aids stroke victims to heal at a faster rate, since it increases the pafient’s’4kno- tional comforts and motivates them to move towards the path of recovery. On the other hand, adolescents, too, are benefitted by music in terms of emotional, social and psychological well being. Music is a force that purifies beings from within.
According to you, which FOUR of the following statements are true?
a) Nada Yoga treats diseases through Raga Chikitsa.
b) Music is a universal language that reaches souls.
c) Music therapy dates bapk to 400 B.C.
d) Hippocrates pl&yed music to treat the patients.
e) Upbeat tunes help stroke victims recover faster.
f) Music helps adolescents to discover their identity.
Answer:
a) Nada Yoga treats diseases through Raga Chikitsa.
c) Music therapy dates back to 400 B.C.
d) Hippocrates played music to treat the patients.
f) Music helps adolescents to discover their identity.
Speaking:
Question 1.
Two students need to come to the front of the class for a role play. One plays the role of Thyagaraja, a famous singer, and the other the role of the interviewer, Rohit, a Radio Jockey (RJ). The interview is about the singer’s initiatives in helping people through music.
Rj Rohit : Do you think music has any effect on people’s lives?
Thyagaraja : Yes, I believe music surely has a positive effect on people’s lives. It helps when you are stressed, or depressed about something. Apart from these, music is a good way of relaxing and feeling good about life.
Rj Rohit : What, according to you, could be the influence of music on young children?
Thyagaraja : Now-a-days, young children get distracted easily. Music helps them in concentrating on what they are doing.
Rj Rohit : How does music help patients?
Thyagaraja : Listening to music relaxes patients. The process of healing becomes faster when they are in a relaxed state of mind.
Rj Rohit : Thank you very much. You are doing a great job for the humankind.
Answer:
Students should do the practice under the guidance of their teachers.
Writing:
Question 1.
Listening to music has become a part of our lives for many reasons. We listen to different types of music today.
Discuss in pairs the following question:
Is the traditional music of a country more important than its contemporary music? Write your views in about 50-60 words.
Answer:
Traditional music Vs Contemporary music
- Music is an important part of all human cultures
- Traditional music is more important than contemporary music
- Contemporary music – catchy, fun, commercial product marketed and sold by business people
- Traditional music – help people understand a country better
- Represents history, traditions and thoughts of a community
- Example, Vietnamese folk music – diverse and expresses spiritual cultural activities.
Question 2.
The traits of a musician are given in the box overleaf. Use these and write a short biography in about 100 -190 words. You may collect more information from the Internet, books in the library and other sources.
A.R. Rahman: Indian composer, singer, songwriter, music producer, musician and I philanthropist.; hum in Chennai on ft January 19B7; graduated from Trinity College. Oxford University; famous in integrating Indian classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements; recipient of the Pad- ilia Shri and the Padrna Yihhushan awards; two Oscars and a Golden Globe; a no table humanitarian and philanthropist; donates and raises money for a number of I causes and nharities.
Answer:
Biographical Sketch
A.R. Rahman is an Indian composer, singer, songwriter, music producer, musician and. philanthropist. He, was bom in Chennai on January 6,1967. He has graduated from Trinity College, Oxford University. His fame lies in integrating Indian classical music with electronic music. He has the credit of uniting world music and traditional orchestral arrangements. He is the proud recipient of the Padma Shri and the Padma Vibhushan awards, two Oscars awards and a Golden Globe award. He is a notable humanitarian and philanthropist. He donates and raises money for a number of causes and charities.
Project:
Question 1.
Sit in groups of four. Each of you find information on the folk music of your state and of one of the neighbouring states. You may seek information from the community, library, Internet and other sources. Now, ask questions to each other in the group to complete the table below.
Answer:
The whole class may be divided in a group of four students each. For example, if a class has’52 students, make 13 groups and ask each group to collect relevant information as per the Question ues-tion. Now ask each group to present a report on their gathered information as follows :
| Name of the folk music | Lavani |
| States where they are performed | Maharashtra |
| Any instrument/s used (you may illustrate the instruments) | Dholki |
| Performers | Female performers wearing nine yard long saries |
Question 2.
Prepare a report in your group and present it to the class. Then, share your suggestions in the class to popularise the folk music in your community.
Answer:
Lavani is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra. It is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly is performed on the beats of Dholki, a percussion instrument. It is noted for its powerful rhythm. It has contributed substantially to the development of Marathi folk theatre. In Maharashtra, Southern Madhya Pradesh and North Karnataka, it is performed by female performers wearing nine-yard long saries. The songs are sung in a quick tempo.
Lavani is very popular in Bollywood. To popularise it further in our community, it should be widely sung in household functions like marriage, birth etc. Also, students should be encouraged to learn it as a part of their extra curricular activity and perform the same in school and community.
Question 3.
‘The Sound of Music’ is a biographical piece about Evelyn Glennie, a famous percussionist, who listened to sound without hearing it. Collect information about people/children who have overcome their physical barriers and have achieved success in their lives.
Answer:
People / Children who have overcome their physical barriers and have achieved success in their lives like Evelyn Glennie, a famous percussionist, are as follows:
| Name of the personality | Famous for | Disability |
| 1) Michael J. Fox | Actor | Parkinson’s disease |
| 2) Stephen Hawking | British Physicist | Completely paralyzed by amyo-trophic lateral sclerosis |
| 3) Helen Keller | Noted speaker, author and crusader for pacifism | Blind and deaf |
| 4) Albert Einstein | Scientist | As perger’s syndrome,dyslexic |
| 5) Sudha Chandran | Well known Bollywood dancer and actress | Lost her leg in a car accident |
| 6) John Milton | The English author and poet | He became blind at the age of 43 |