CBSE Class 9

Here we are providing The Beggar Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments, Extra Questions for Class 9 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Beggar Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments

The Beggar Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What is the excuse that the beggar gives Sergei for begging when he meets him for the second time?
Answer:
He says he had been a village schoolmaster for eight years but had lost his job due to intrigues at his place of work. He had not eaten for three days and had no money for lodging.

Question 2.
How did Sergei respond to the beggar’s request for money?
Answer:
He looked closely at him and recognised him as the same person who he had seen on Sadovya Street a few days back, when he had introduced himself as a student who had been expelled.

Question 3.
Why was Sergei disgusted with the beggar?
Answer:
He was disgusted at his dishonesty because he had seen him on another street pretending that he had was an expelled student in need of money, and now he claimed to be a village schoolmaster who had lost his job due to intrigues at the school. His lies disgusted Sergei.

Question 4.
What was the beggar’s real identity?
Answer:
He had been part of the Russian choir, but had lost his place there due to drunkenness.

Question 5.
How does the beggar react to Sergei’s offer to chop wood for him in return for money?
Answer:
The beggar accepts the offer readily and follows Sergei home. He says that he can’t refuse because in those days even skilled woodcutters found themselves sitting without food and work.

Question 6.
Who did Sergei hand over the beggar to on reaching home? What were his instructions?
Answer:
He called his cook, Olga, and handed over the beggar to her. He asked her to take him to the wood-shed and get him to chop some wood.

Question 7.
Why has the beggar been described as a scarecrow?
Answer:
He has been described as a scarecrow because he was as thin as a scarecrow and shabbily dressed in ill- fitting, mismatched clothes.

Question 8.
What was the real reason the beggar agreed to work for the writer?
Answer:
The real reason was that he was a proud man and he felt ashamed at having been trapped by his own words in front of Sergei. He wanted to prove that he could do honest work when given the opportunity.

Question 9.
How did the narrator realise that the beggar had not come willingly with him?
Answer:
The narrator realised this from his gait. He shrugged his shoulders as if in perplexity and went irresolutely after the cook. It was also obvious that he was unhealthy and under the influence of liquor. It did not seem as though he had the strength to chop wood.

Question 10.
How did Olga react to the beggar?
Answer:
She glanced at the beggar with anger, shoved him aside with her elbow, unlocked the shed and angrily banged the door. She then flung down an axe at his feet, spat angrily and appeared to be scolding him.

Question 11.
How do we know that the beggar had no previous experience of cutting wood?
Answer:
We know this from the manner in which he pulled a billet of wood towards him and tapped it feebly with his axe. At first, the billet fell and then the beggar tapped it with the axe again cautiously, as if afraid of hurting himself with the axe.

Question 12.
How did Sergei react to the beggar’s efforts at chopping wood?
Answer:
He felt a little sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken and sick man to work in the cold weather.

Question 13.
Why did the beggar appear at Sergei’s house a month later?
Answer:
He reappeared on the first of the next month because the narrator had told him he could come back and cut wood for him in return for half a rouble.

Question 14.
What change took place in the beggar’s visits after his second visit?
Answer:
He started appearing more often at the narrator’s house and took on odd jobs like shovelling snow, putting the wood in the woodshed in order, beating the dust out of rugs and mattresses, etc.

Question 15.
How was the beggar rewarded for the odd jobs he did at the narrator’s house?
Answer:
He was given twenty to forty copecks for the jobs he performed, and was once even given a pair of old trousers as a reward and payment.

Question 16.
What did Sergei expect the beggar to do when he called him while moving to another house? Did he behave as expected?
Answer:
When he was moving to another house, Sergei called the beggar and asked him to help with the packing and hauling of the furniture. However, the beggar did not do anything except hang around, sober, yet gloomy and silent.

Question 17.
Why do you think the beggar was so gloomy and silent when Sergei was moving houses?
Answer:
He was probably upset that he would no longer be able to do odd jobs at his house and make the money he had been earning.

Question 18.
What did Sergei offer Lushkoff? Why did he do so?
Answer:
Sergei offered Lushkoff a job with his friend, who needed someone to do some copying work. Since Lushkoff knew how to write, Sergei offered him this job.

Question 19.
When and where did Sergei meet Lushkoff after two years?
Answer:
Two years later, they met at the ticket window of a theatre, where Lushkoff was buying a ticket.

Question 20.
What surprised Sergei about Lushkoff when he met him at the theatre?
Answer:
He was surprised to see how much Lushkoff had changed. He was wearing decent clothes and had got a job as a notary, earning thirty five roubles.

Question 21.
What does Sergei call Lushkoff? Why does he do so?
Answer:
He calls him his godson, because he had scolded him and pushed him away from begging on the streets, encouraging him to take up respectable work. He had started as a copier, and was not working as a notary.

Question 22.
How does Lushkoff pay credit to Sergei?
Answer:
He says that he was indebted to Sergei for his push, because he would never have changed for the better, but would have continued to deceive people and beg. By following Sergei’s instruction, he had dragged himself out of the pit he had created for himself.

Question 23.
What information does Lushkoff share with Sergei about the cook?
Answer:
Lushkoff speaks very highly of the cook, and gives all credit for his transformation to her. He informs Sergei that it was the nobility of the cook that had truly changed him. She had done all the errands for him so that he could earn the money offered by Sergei. She also used to cry for him, worried that he would end up in total ruin.

Question 24.
Mention two main qualities of the cook.
Answer:
She was compassionate and sensitive. Though she appeared to be tough and rude on the outside, she was very kind hearted, and actually helped him earn the money offered by doing all the work for him.

Question 25.
Discuss the title of the story. Is it appropriate?
Answer:
The Beggar is an appropriate title for the story, as it revolves around the transformation that takes place in the life of a beggar. He was a wastrel and did not do any work. It was only due to the compassion shown by the cook at the narrator’s house that was he able to change his outlook.

When he was too drunk and weak to perform any of the odd jobs he was supposed to do, the cook did all the work for him, feeling sorry for him and worrying about his sorry state. This kindness on her part had a tremendous effect on the beggar, who changed his ways, stopped drinking and slowly over the years got a steady job as a notary, earning thirty five roubles as salary.

The Beggar Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice? What reasons does he give Sergei for lying?
Answer:
He has become a beggar both by circumstance and by choice. He had lost his position in the Russian choir due to his drunkenness. As he did not have the motivation to work hard or the skills to find another job, begging was the easiest option. According to him, he has to lie to survive, as no one was willing to help him if he told them the truth.

Question 2.
Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
Answer:
No, he is not a willing worker. He is too thin, weak and emaciated to work. He also remains drunk most of the time and is hence too unsteady to focus on any work. However, he agrees to chop wood for Sergei out of shame and pride, because he had been trapped by his own words. Sergei had caught him lying, and this was the only way he could redeem some of his self-respect.

Question 3.
Sergei says ‘I am so happy that my words have taken effect’. Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?
Answer:
He says this when he sees Lushkoff at the theatre and learns that he had improved his life greatly. He was no longer a drunkard and beggar; instead, he had become a notary, earning thirty five roubles a month. Sergei feels that he is responsible for this change in Lushkoff, and that the beggar changed his ways because of the scolding he had given him for begging and deceiving people.

He is right to some extent, because he had hurt LushkofTs pride, and also offered him actual work chopping wood, and other odd jobs, which allowed him to earn money honestly. However, the real credit for LushkofTs change went to Sergei’s cook, who had actually done all the work that Lushkoff was supposed to do. Her selflessness, empathy and concern for his wellbeing had made such a deep impression on Lushkoff that he had changed his ways.

Question 4.
During their conversation, Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook is responsible for the positive change in him. How did Olga save Lushkoff?
Answer:
Olga, Sergei’s cook, would react to Lushkoffs appearance at the house by shouting at him, but soon she would grow sad looking at his face, and start weeping. She would remind him that since he was a drunkard, he would bum in hell and this thought would make her cry again. Finally, seeing that he did not have the energy and ability to do the task he was supposed to, she herself would chop all the wood for him. Her concern and worry for him changed Lushkoff. He stopped drinking and worked hard to improve his life.

Question 5.
Both Sergei and his cook were kind to the beggar. Compare and contrast their characters and the effect they had on Lushkoff.
Answer:
Sergei was a wealthy advocate with a kind heart. He appears to be a practical man who tries to stop Lushkoff from begging by giving him an alternative method of earning a living. He is also resourceful as he keeps engaging Lushkoff in different tasks, which are helpful for both the beggar and him. In the end he sends him to him friend, who needs someone to do some copying work. This helps the man to get a stable job and make a decent living. At first, he takes the credit for the beggar’s transformation, but later he is humble enough to accept that though he provided the opportunity, it was his cook Olga who deserved the credit for inspiring the beggar to change.

The cook, on the other hand, is the most noble and compassionate character in the story. Initially, she appears to be angry with the arrival of the beggar, and seems to ill-treat and abuse him. In reality, however, she is the one performs all the tasks for the beggar and lets him take the credit and money for them. She is empathetic to the extent that she cries seeing the state the beggar is in, and his fate if he continues to be a wastrel and drunkard.

It is her selflessness and compassion that brings about a change in the beggar’s character. Because of her empathy, he is able to remain sober and starts working hard, becoming a notary earning a stable salary within two years. She is thus able to save the life of the beggar, even though she isn’t actually aware of the profound effect she has on him, and never takes any credit for what she has done.

Here we are providing The Accidental Tourist Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments, Extra Questions for Class 9 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Accidental Tourist Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments

The Accidental Tourist Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Bill Bryson says “I am, in short, easily confused.” What examples has he given to justify this?
Answer:
He gives the example of returning to his hotel desk two or three times a day, asking what his room number was. He also talks about looking for a lavatory and ending up standing in an alley on the wrong side of a self¬locking door.

Question 2.
What happens when the zip on his carry-on bag gives way?
Answer:
The side of the bag flew open and everything inside it, like newspaper cuttings, other loose papers, a 14-ounce tin of pipe tobacco, magazines, passport, English money, film, etc, were scattered all over the place. He also injured his finger, which bled profusely.

Question 3.
What causes his finger to bleed? How does his wife react?
Answer:
His finger was cut on the zip when he was trying to open it. His wife looked at him with an expression of wonder and commented that she couldn’t believe that he did that for a living.

Question 4.
How does Bill Bryson end up in a ‘crash position’ in the aeroplane?
Answer:
This happened when he bent down to tie his shoelaces while seated in the plane, and the person in the seat ahead of him threw back his seat back in a full recline. As a result, Bill Bryson found himself doubled over and pinned helplessly in the ‘crash position’.

Question 5.
Why do the writer’s teeth and gums turn navy blue?
Answer:
This happens when the writer was penning down important thoughts in his notebook during a flight. He had been sucking thoughtfully on the end of his pen while doing so. He had not realised that in the process, his teeth and gums had turned navy blue because of the ink.

Question 6.
Bill Bryson ‘ached to be suave’. Is he successful in his mission?
Answer:
No, he is not suave in spite of his best efforts, because he always looks as though he has been through an earthquake when he rises from a dinner table. He can never get inside a car without having at least 14 inches of his coat hanging outside the door. He can never wear light coloured trousers without having chewing gum, ice cream, cough syrup, or motor oil stains on them.

Question 7.
Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, ‘Take the lids off the food for Daddy’?
Answer:
She says this because her husband is so accident-prone that she expects the food to go all over the place or some such accident to happen if he is allowed to open the lid himself. This is because of his earlier accidental incidents that always happen whenever he tries to perform simple actions, especially during flights.

Question 8.
What is the significance of the title?
Answer:
The title suggests that the writer is a tourist, not by choice, but by accident. It is a pun on the word accident, as he has several accidents while travelling. In fact, this effectively captures the various misadventures that he has while travelling with his family. It also suggests that the anecdotes and events described are humorous and should be taken in a lighter vein.

Question 9.
Why does the writer say ‘living in the real world’ is challenging for him?
Answer:
He says this because he has had several experiences of doing something wrong in instances where normal people have no problems. For instance, things like remembering his room number in an hotel, or finding the lavatory at a movie theatre.

Question 10.
Why did the writer feel the need to open his carry-on bag at Logan Airport?
Answer:
He wanted to open the bag to take out his frequent flyer card, which he had kept inside it.

Question 11.
Of all the things that spilled out of his carry-on bag, what was the writer most disturbed about? Why?
Answer:
He was most disturbed about the loss of his tobacco tin, because he was worried it might be very expensive to buy in England.

Question 12.
How did the writer free himself from the crash position?
Answer:
He did so by clawing at the leg of the man sitting next to him.

Question 13.
How did the writer affect the lady sitting next to him during one of his flights?
Answer:
He kept knocking soft drinks into the lady’s lap, even though he tried to be careful after the flight attendant had cleaned her up the first time he had done so.

Question 14.
How did the lady next to the writer on the plane react?
Answer:
She looked at the writer with a stupefied expression of disbelief, and exclaimed an oath that started with ‘oh’ and ended with ‘sake’, and had words in between that he had not heard a nun utter before.

Question 15.
What, according to the writer, was his worst experience on a plane?
Answer:
The worst experience according to him was the time his mouth and teeth turned navy blue. He had been sucking on the end of his pen while writing down his thoughts. He then spoke to an attractive lady sitting next to him, before he realised that his teeth, chin and gums had turned a striking shade of blue.

Question 16.
What does the writer do to curb his accidental tendencies when he is flying alone?
Answer:
He doesn’t eat or drink, or lean over to tie his shoelaces. He also never puts his pen anywhere near his mouth.

Question 17.
Why does the writer not get his frequent flyer miles?
Answer:
He does not get his miles because he couldn’t find his frequent flyer card in time. Also, he forgets to ask for the miles when he checks in, or the airline does not record them, or the check-in clerk informs him that he is . not entitled to them.

Question 18.
Give an example to show that the writer is a frequent flyer?
Answer:
The fact that the writer says that he usually flies 100,000 miles a year in about 23 different airlines, reveals that he is a frequent flyer.

Question 19.
Give an example of when the writer was not given miles because he was not entitled to them.
Answer:
On a flight to Australia, which could have got him a large number of air miles, he was told by the airport clerk that he was not entitled to them.

Question 20.
Why were the miles not credited to the writer?
Answer:
They were not credited to him because the ticket was in the name of B. Bryson, while the card was in the name of W. Bryson. Even though the writer tried to tell her that ‘Bill’ was the short form of ‘William’, she refused to oblige him.

Question 21.
How do we know that the writer is a positive man?
Answer:
We know this from the fact that though he did not get a free passage to Bali due to the insufficient airmiles on his card, he was quite philosophical about it. He remarks that it is probably a good thing, because he could not have remained hungry on the long flight from America to Bali.

Question 22.
What is the meaning of ‘venerable’? What is the writer trying to say by using the phrase ‘close and venerable relationship between Bill and William’?
Answer:
Venerable means honourable or respectful. By using this phrase, the writer is saying that both Bill and William are closely related; they are in fact different forms of the same name.

Question 23.
How was the writer planning to fly to Bali?
Answer:
He was planning to do so by using the air miles that he would collect for flying so frequently. They are the bonus that one is given for flying by a particular airline, where a person is awarded a free ticked to any destination after one collects a certain number of points.

Question 24.
What is the tone of the lesson ‘The Accidental Tourist’?
Answer:
The tone is humorous and self-deprecating. The writer has made fun of his own shortcomings and clumsiness, by listing out all the accidents he has had while flying in an aircraft, as well as the embarrassing situations he has been in because of this.

Question 25.
Do you think the writer’s family members have trouble travelling with him? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
I feel that the writer’s family are quite used to his clumsiness and have reconciled to the fact that he is likely to have several ‘accidents’. This is evident from the fact that his wife asks the children to take the lid off the food for the writer, because she knows even a small thing like opening the lid can have disastrous consequences if he is allowed to do it.

The Accidental Tourist Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What kind of picture do you get of the writer’s character from the lesson ‘The Accidental Tourist’?
Answer:
He appears to be a positive, funny, and self-deprecating man who does not mind highlighting his shortcomings. In fact, every instance that could have embarrassed other people has been shown in a humorous light. He has found humour in the most disastrous and frustrating situations. Even when he loses the chance to go to Bali when the airline refuses to give him air miles on a technical reason, he does not lose his temper.

He does not take himself too seriously and readily accepts his clumsiness. He doesn’t try to hide any of the embarrassing accidents he has had, but honestly admits to them. His family also appears to have accepted him the way he is, and leamt to handle him along with his ‘accidents’. The writer’s most endearing quality is how comfortable he is with his own self. Even though he talks about wanting to be suave and gentlemanly like other travellers, he is not too worried when he is unable to do so, in spite of his best efforts. He thus comes across as a clumsy, accident-prone, but good natured person.

Question 2.
Mention two disastrous events that the writer experiences while travelling with women travellers and trying to impress them?
Answer:
The first instance mentioned is when he is travelling next to a sweet young nun, and he twicp spilled his drink on her lap, thereby testing her patience greatly. In fact, she became so agitated that she used swear words, which he had not expected a nun to use. The second instance was when he was talking to his lady companion while sucking on the end of a pen. He later realised that the ink from the pen had stained his teeth, gums, and chin a bright navy blue, which had obviously made him appear ridiculous.

Question 3.
Discuss the title of the story. Do you think it is appropriate? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
‘The Accidental Tourist’ is an apt title for this story. The title is a pun on the word ‘accidental’. On one level, the writer is literally accident prone, and has a problem of having the most peculiar accidents while travelling. Some of the accidents include spilling the contents of his bag all over the airport, spilling food and drinks on his fellow travellers. At another level, it refers to him being an accidental or unwilling traveller.

We know this because he mentions that even though he travels a lot every year, he prefers to travel with his family rather than alone. In their absence, he tries to avoid eating or drinking, out of fear of causing mishaps to those travelling with him.

Question 4.
How does the writer’s family behave during the writer’s mishaps and accidents?
Answer:
The family seems to have accepted the fact that they cannot travel with the writer without facing some accident or the other. This is revealed in the part where the writer’s wife reacts with wonder and says taht she cannot believe he does it for a living. She seems neither angry nor exasperated/annoyed with his clumsiness. Instead, when he begins to eat the food served during the flight, his children help him take the lid off the food, and his wife warns the children when he is about to cut the meat.

Question 5.
How could the writer make his journeys advantageous inspite of the accidents? Why is he not able to benefit from them ultimately?
Answer:
The writer is a frequent flyer. Hence, he could benefit from collecting frequent flier miles that the airline offers to those who travel with their airline on a regular basis. These miles add up to a free ticket to any destination of the traveller’s choice. They writer is, however, not able to take advantage of this scheme, because he either can’t find his card on time, or forgets to ask for the miles. Sometimes, the airlines don’t record the miles, and one time, the check-in clerk informed him that he was not entitled to the points. Moreover, he doesn’t stick to a single airline, and mentions having travelled with 23 airlines, thereby losing out on points from any single airline.

Here we are providing A House is not a Home Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments, Extra Questions for Class 9 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

A House is not a Home Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments

A House is not a Home Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why did the writer feel awkward during her first year of high school?
Answer:
She felt awkward because it was a new school, much bigger than her previous junior high school. It was strange starting as a freshman after enjoying the benefits of being the senior-most class in junior high. She also felt isolated as all her close friends had gone to different high schools and she did not know anyone there.

Question 2.
Why did she continue to visit her old school?
Answer:
She missed her teachers so much that she continued to visit them at her old school. Moreover, it was a familiar place where she had spent many happy years. She felt isolated in her new school without her friends.

Question 3.
What advice did her junior high teachers give her?
Answer:
They encouraged her to get involved with activities in her new school so that she could meet new people. They were confident that she would adjust in time and start loving the new school as well.

Question 4.
What was the psychology behind the teachers’ advice?
Answer:
The teachers wanted her to adjust to her new environment and not keep thinking about the past. It was time for her to move on and face the reality of her situation.

Question 5.
How do we know that her cat was very playful?
Answer:
We know this from the fact that she would swat at the writer’s pen from time to time in a playful maimer while she tried to complete her homework.

Question 6.
Why was the cat so attached to the writer?
Answer:
The writer had saved the cat when it had been a kitten and somehow it knew that the writer was responsible for the good life that it was presently enjoying.

Question 7.
What happened one Sunday afternoon?
Answer:
The writer’s house caught fire one Sunday, and it burnt down completely.

Question 8.
Why did the writer’s mother run back into the burning house?
Answer:
The writer’s father had died when she had been very young. Her mother ran back into the burning house to try to save her husband’s pictures and letters, which were all she had to remember him by.

Question 9.
Why was the writer held back by the fireman?
Answer:
She was held back by the fireman to stop her from following her mother into the burning house, as she could have lost her life.

Question 10.
How was the writer’s mother rescued from the burning house?
Answer:
The fire-fighters ran into the house and rescued the writer’s mother. She was given an oxygen mask to help her breathe normally again.

Question 11.
How long did it take to bring the fire under control? Was the house habitable? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
It took five hours to bring the fire under control. No, the house was completely burnt down, so it was not habitable.

Question 12.
What did the writer realise when they were leaving the site of the burnt house? How did she feel?
Answer:
She realised that her cat was nowhere to be seen. She felt miserable as the fireman would not allow her to go into the house to look for her.

Question 13.
Where did the writer and her mother go after their house burnt down?
Answer:
They went to the writer’s grandparents’ house to spend the night. Later, they rented an apartment till the old house was rebuilt.

Question 14.
Why does the writer say that she walked around her school like a zombie?
Answer:
She says this because the burning down of her house had been so sudden that it came as a shock to her. She had still not come to terms with it. Along with this, she had to wear borrowed clothes and shoes. All the security she had known, her old school, her friends, her house, and her cat, had all been ripped away from her, leaving her feeling desolate and empty.

Question 15.
What shocked the writer on her visit to the site of her burnt house?
Answer:
She was shocked to see the extent of damage caused by the fire, as well as the water and chemicals used during the rescue operation.

Question 16.
Why does the writer say that she had no time to grieve?
Answer:
She says this because she and her mother had to start life afresh at once. They had to find a new place to live and buy some clothes for school. They did not have time to spend feeling sad about what they had lost.

Question 17.
Who did they borrow money from? Why?
Answer:
They had to borrow money from her grandparents, because all the credit cards, cash, and even their identification papers had been burnt in the fire. Hence, withdrawing money from the bank was also difficult.

Question 18.
Why did the writer often go back to the site of the debris?
Answer:
She went there in the hope of finding her cat, which had gone missing on the night of the fire.

Question 19.
Why does the writer say that bad news travels fast?
Answer:
She says this because she realised that everyone at school, including her teachers and classmates, were aware of her plight.

Question 20.
How did the writer feel about people knowing about her bad luck?
Answer:
She felt embarrassed, as if she had been responsible for the accident. She was not happy with the attention she was getting because of it.

Question 21.
What surprised the writer in school the day after her house burnt down?
Answer:
She was surprised to see people crowding around her before gym class and asking her to hurry up. It seemed as if they were trying to shove her into the gym.

Question 22.
What surprised the writer on entering the gym?
Answer:
She was surprised to see a big table set up with all kinds of things for her, including school supplies, notebooks, and clothes.

Question 23.
How did the writer feel on seeing the gifts on the gym table?
Answer:
She was overwhelmed with emotions, the genuine outpouring of concern touched her and for the first time she made friends and felt accepted in high school.

Question 24.
What were the changes that took place in the life of the writer from the time her house burnt, till it was rebuilt?
Answer:
She no longer felt lonely. She had made new friends in the school, had become more open and accepting of the changes that had taken place. She no longer felt so insecure.

Question 25.
Why had the woman been trying to contact the writer?
Answer:
The writer’s cat had run away far from the house on the day that it had burnt down. The cat was found by the lady, who saw the telephone number on the cat’s collar and tried to contact the writer.

A House is not a Home Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What are the changes observed in the writer’s attitude from the time her house is burnt, till it is rebuilt?
Answer:
In the beginning, before her house was burnt, the writer was unhappy in her new school. She felt awkward and lonely starting as a freshman after having been a senior in junior high. She found it difficult to relate to her classmates and teachers, and continued to visit her old teachers, who she missed terribly.

After the fire, she . was deeply touched by the generosity and kindness shown by her new school mates and teachers. She was overwhelmed, and started opening up to them, making new friends. The tragedy thus helped her to mature and become more open and accepting of the changes that were taking place. She was no longer insecure.

Question 2.
Would you call the lady who returned the cat a kind and sensitive person? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Yes, the lady who returned the cat was definitely sensitive, because she allowed the cat into her house and took care of him. She understood that it must have strayed from its home, and needed to be cared for. Secondly, she realised that it was loved by someone who must be desperately trying to locate it. It was very selfless and generous on her part to try and locate the owners. She took a lot of time and trouble to reunite the cat with its family, without expecting anything in return.

Question 3.
What kind of a relationship did the writer share with her mother? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
The writer was very close to her mother. Her father had died years ago, and the only immediate family she had was her mother. Even though it is mentioned that there had been times when she felt as though she hated her mother, it is clear that the fire brought them closer. They supported each other as they rebuilt their lives, both physically and emotionally.

The writer’s mother had run into the house to rescue her husband’s letters and photos. At that point, the writer had been so relieved when the firemen brought her mother out safely, that she ran up and hugged her. She accepted the changes that were inevitable as a result of the tragedy, and supported her mother in every way she could.

Question 4.
The cat and the writer are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Answer:
We know that the writer and the cat were very fond of each other because they were always together. Even when she did her homework, the cat would sit on top of her papers, purring loudly and occasionally swatting at her pen for entertainment. Also, in the mornings, when the writer would disturb it, the cat would climb into the pocket of the writer’s robe and go to sleep.

After the fire, when the cat disappeared, the writer missed it terribly. The cat had been so frightened of the fire that it had run off over a mile away, where it was rescued by a kind- hearted woman. Even though the writer’s phone number was written on the cat’s collar, the lady was not able to contact the writer because the phone had been destroyed in the fire. The lady did not give up, but worked hard to find the cat’s family, as it was clear that the cat had been deeply loved, and must be sorely missed by its owner.

Question 5.
What actions of the writer’s schoolmates change her understanding of life and people, and comfort her emotionally?
Answer:
The fact that her schoolmates got together and collected school supplies, notebooks, clothes like jeans, tops and sweatsuits for her affected the writer deeply. She was touched and overwhelmed that people who had never even spoken to her before came up and introduced themselves. She got several invitations to their homes, and their genuine outpouring of concern made her feel a little less lost and sad. She felt more accepted and her loneliness vanished.

Question 6.
What is the meaning of the sentence “My cat was back, and so was I”? Had the writer gone somewhere? Why does she say that she is also back?
Answer:
The writer means to say that the return of her cat marked an end to the period of loss and loneliness that she and her mother had been experiencing since their house burnt down. In the fire, the writer and her mother had lost all their possessions, and for a month they had to survive on charity and donations from acquaintances and family members like her grandparents and aunt.

However, by the time the cat was returned to her by a kind lady who had rescued it and traced its family, the writer had made many friends in her new school, and regained her self-worth. She was once aga9in in control of her life and secure in the acceptance and love of the people around her. With the return of her cat, it was as though her new life was now complete again.

Here we are providing The Last Leaf Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments, Extra Questions for Class 9 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Last Leaf Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments

The Last Leaf Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Where did Sue and Johnsy stay? What was their profession?
Answer:
They lived in a small flat on the fourth storey of an old house. They were both artists.

Question 2.
Why was Sue worried when Johnsy fell ill?
Answer:
Sue was worried because Johnsy would lie on her bed without moving, and would just gaze out of her window all day. Even though the doctor came every day, there was no change in her condition.

Question 3.
What illness did Johnsy have? Who looked after her?
Answer:
Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. Her friend Sue looked after her.

Question 4.
What worried the doctor?
Answer:
The doctor was worried because there was no improvement in Johnsy’s condition. He felt that Johnsy was not responding to treatment because she had made up her mind not to do so. He felt she had lost her will to live and hence the medicines were not going to be useful to her.

Question 5.
How did Sue try to revive Johnsy’s interest in life?
Answer:
Sue talked to her about clothes and fashions. Then she brought her drawing board into Johnsy’s room and started painting. She also whistled while painting, hoping to distracting Johnsy’s mind from her illness.

Question 6.
Why was Johnsy counting the leaves on the creeper outside her window?
Answer:
Johnsy had made up her mind that the day the last leaf fell off the creeper, she would die. So she was counting the leaves as they fell off the creeper.

Question 7.
Why did Sue go to Behrman?
Answer:
Sue went to Behrman because she had to paint an old miner and she wanted him as the model for the painting.

Question 8.
Who was Behrman?
Answer:
Behrman was a sixty year old painter whose only ambition was to paint a masterpiece. He lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy, and sometimes acted as a model for their paintings.

Question 9.
What did Sue confide in Behrman?
Answer:
She told him about her worries about Johnsy, who refused to recover from her illness because of her belief that she was going to die the day the last leaf fell off the creeper outside her window.

Question 10.
What did Sue feel when she saw the last leaf on the creeper? Who was at the window with her?
Answer:
Sue felt extremely worried that the lead would fall off by the next morning, and if Johnsy saw that, she would not survive. Behrman, an old painter and her neighbour, was at the window with her.

Question 11.
Why was Sue nervous to draw back the window curtains?
Answer:
She was worried that the last leaf on the creeper might have fallen off in the wind and snow the previous night, and that her friend Johnsy would consider it as a warning that she was also going to die soon.

Question 12.
How did the sight of the last leaf affect Johnsy?
Answer:
The sight of the last leaf clinging on to the creeper inspite of the wind and snow revived Johnsy and gave her the faith that she would survive. She realised how much she had troubled Sue by her gloom and depression, and also thought of the fact that it was a sin to want to die. ‘

Question 13.
How did the doctor react to Johnsy’s recovery? What news did he give Sue?
Answer:
He declared that as Johnsy’s will to live had been revived, she would recover soon. He informed Sue that their neighbour Behrman had fallen ill with pneumonia and that he did not expect him to survive.

Question 14.
How did Behrman die?
Answer:
He died of pneumonia. He had been out in the stormy night, painting a leaf on the creeper outside Johnsy’s window. He came home soaked in the rain and fell ill there. The janitor found him there in the morning.

Question 15.
What did the presence of the paints and brushes near Behrman’s bed signify?
Answer:
They signified that he had been out painting in the middle of the snowy, windy night.

Question 16.
Why had Behrman felt the need to paint the leaf on the creeper?
Answer:
Johnsy, his neighbour who had been suffering from pneumonia, had developed a strong belief that she would die the day the last leaf of the creeper outside her window fell. Behrman felt that he had to paint the leaf that night in order to save her life, as all the leaves had fallen off in the storm.

Question 17.
What impression do you get of Behrman?
Answer:
Behrman appears to be a selfless, caring man, who was fond of his neighbours, and put their welfare before his own. He is a great painter, because the leaf he paints is so realistic that no one can distinguish it from a real one.

Question 18.
What was Behrman’s masterpiece? Why was it called so?
Answer:
The leaf that he painted on the creeper was his masterpiece, because it was realistic that Johnsy did not realise that it had been painted. As a result, she recovered from her illness. Even though it was not a famous painting, it was one that saved a life, and thus, it was a masterpiece.

Question 19.
Do you think Johnsy was a good friend? Give reasons for your answer?
Answer:
Either Yes or No is acceptable, as long as it is supported by sufficient arguments No, I don’t think she was a good friend, because she did not respond to the love and care showered on her by Sue. She did not respond to the doctor’s treatment just because she had decided in her head that she would die the day the last leaf on the creeper fell, and she ignored any attempts by her friend to help her. Yes, she was a good friend, as she did finally realise and appreciate all that Sue had done for her. She apologised and made an effort to recover, thereby showing that she cared about Sue’s friendship.

Question 20.
What was Johnsy’s illness? What ultimately cured her: medicine, or her will to live?
Answer:
Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. She was not responding to medicines, because she had no will to live. When she finally made up her mind to get better, she recovered from her illness.

Question 21.
Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy had is common among teenagers? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Yes, feelings of depression can be common among teenagers. They are usually sheltered and protected from the ups and downs of life by their parents as children, and often find it difficult to deal with obstacles and challenges as they grow up.

Question 22.
Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
Answer:
Behrman had a dream of painting a masterpiece. It did come true when he painted the leaf on the wall on which the creeper was growing. The painting was so realistic that it helped revive Johnsy who had been waiting for the last leaf on the creeper to fall.

Question 23.
What was Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
Answer:
His masterpiece was the leaf that he painted on the wall next to the creeper. Sue called it his masterpiece because it was so realistic that no one realised that it had been painted.

Question 24.
How long had Behrman been ill? Why did he die so quickly?
Answer:
Behrman had been ill for two days. He died very quickly, because he had gone out in the storm and remained . in his wet clothes even after he returned to his flat. He was about sixty years old, and caught a chill very quickly. Further, he was found to be ill by the janitor, as he lived alone, which also suggests that he did not really have anyone to take care of him.

Question 25.
Johnsy calls herself ‘wicked’. Do you agree with her?
Answer:
Johnsy can be called wicked, because she not only lost her will to live, she also ignored all the attempts by her friend Sue to help her. Even though Sue was going to great efforts to take care of her, Johnsy did not respond. In fact, it was because of her stubborn nature that Behrman ultimately lost his life.

The Last Leaf Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Do you think Behrman was a great artist or a great human being? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
In my opinion, Behrman was a great human being. No doubt he was a talented artist, which is evident from his painting of the leaf on the wall. The painting was so realistic that everyone thought it was a real leaf, which saved Johnsy’s life. Johnsy had made up her mind that she would die of her illness the day the last leaf fell off the creeper.

However, Behrman decided to help Sue, her friend, who was worried about the effect the falling of the last leaf would have on Johnsy. This shows how caring, selfless and concerned he was. He went out in the stormy and cold night to paint the leaf, and came back soaked to the skin, in no condition to even remove his wet clothes and shoes. He made the supreme sacrifice of his life to save the life of another human being.

Question 2.
Compare and contrast the characters of Sue and Johnsy?
Answer:
Sue and Johnsy were both artists and good friends. They shared a small flat in an old building. Sue was a very loyal and caring friend. She did everything she could to take care of Johnsy when she fell ill with pneumonia. She not only took care of Johnsy physically, but also helped by earning money by selling her paintings. She cooked and ensured that Johnsy received the best treatment.

Johnsy on the other hand appears to have been a depressed and gloomy person, who is very self-absorbed. She did not have the will to fight against her illness, and did not respond to the doctor or to Sue’s care and concern. She was highly imaginative and superstitious, as she came to believe that her life was linked to the number of leaves on the creeper outside her window. She believed that she would die the day the last leaf of the creeper fell.

It was because of this stubborn belief that Behrman, an older artist, lost his life when he went out in the storm to paint a leaf onto the creeper so that Johnsy would not realise that the last leaf had actually fallen.

Question 3.
This story shows the power of the mind. Discuss.
Answer:
Yes, the story reveals the power of one’s thoughts and the mind in making us believe in something. In this story, we see that one of the characters, Johnsy, is suffering from pneumonia. She believes that she will not survive, and as a result even medicines have no effect on her. Even her doctor was worried about her chances of recovery. Later, we see the power of the mind once again when she recovers.

At this point, her belief was that she would only live as long as the last leaf stayed on the creeper. When she sees that the leaf does not fall off despite the wind and stormy conditions, it makes her believe that even she might be able to survive. Even though it is not a real leaf, and was just painted by Behrman, Johnsy draws inspiration from it, and slowly gains the will to live. Therefore, the story clearly expresses the power of the mind in changing the course of our lives.

Question 4.
Why has the story been called ‘The Last Leaf? Do you think it is appropriate? Give reasons for your answer?
Answer:
As the title suggests, the story revolves around the importance of a single leaf on a tree. The leaf is particularly important in saving the life of a girl, who had convinced herself that she would die the moment the last leaf fell off the tree. However, the leaf miraculously stays on the tree, giving the girl hope to survive. The title also refers to the fact that the leaf is the last artwork made by an out of work painter, which also becomes his masterpiece.

Question 5.
What is the theme and message of the story?
Answer:
The story explores the idea of the impact of true art, and what makes a painting a true masterpiece. It also highlights the themes of selflessness and the supreme sacrifice of self to save the life of another human being. It also explores the loyalties of a true friendship, and the levels to which we can go to help a friend. The story shares a message of the power of love and friendship. It reminds us that selflessness is the highest virtue one can attain.

Here we are providing Weathering the Storm in Ersama Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments, Extra Questions for Class 9 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Weathering the Storm in Ersama Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Moments

Weathering the Storm in Ersama Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why had Prashant gone to Ersama? What happened there?
Answer:
He had gone to Ersama to spend a day with a friend. He was caught in a terrible cyclonic storm, the likes of which he had never been a witness to.

Question 2.
Describe the storm that hit Ersama on the 27th of October, 1999?
Answer:
It was a dark and menacing storm which had a terrific wind velocity of 350kms/hr. It was accompanied by heavy and incessant rain flooding the whole area.

Question 3.
How long did the cyclone last? How did Prashant and his friend’s family spend the stormy night?
Answer:
The cyclone continued for almost thirty six hours. They spent the night sitting on the roof of the house in the open, because water had filled into the house.

Question 4.
How was his friend’s family luckier than the rest of the villagers?
Answer:
His friend’s family had a strong house made of brick and mortar which was able to withstand the fury of the wind, even though coconut trees had fallen onto the roof, damaging it. However, these trees provided the family with food till they were rescued.

Question 5.
Describe the scene that met Prashant’s horrified eyes in the morning at Ersama?
Answer:
It was a devastating sight. A raging, deadly brown sheet of water covered everything as far as the eye could see. Only a few fractured cement houses still stood. Bloated human corpses and animal carcasses floated in every direction.

Question 6.
How long did Prashant stay at his friend’s house? What were the thoughts that kept disturbing him?
Answer:
He stayed at his friend’s house for two more days. The only thought that kept disturbing him was whether his family had survived the calamity or if he was going to lose his loved ones once again.

Question 7.
Why did the two days seem like two years to Prashant?
Answer:
As he sat on the rooftop of his friend’s damaged house, unable to venture back home through the rain and flooded roads, he felt helpless and worried about his family back in his village. He was so keen to return to them that the two days seemed like two years to him.

Question 8.
What made Prashant venture out from the safety of his friend’s house in the dangerous situation?
Answer:
Prashant was worried that his family may have been swept away in his village, and he was determined to find out what had happened to them without any further delay.

Question 9.
How did Prashant prepare himself for the long trek home?
Answer:
He took a sturdy stick and then started on his eighteen kilometre long expedition back to his village, wading through the swollen flood waters.

Question 10.
What were the dangers faced by Prashant on his way back to his village? How did he face them?
Answer:
The whole path back to his village was under water. He used his stick to determine the shallow parts that he could walk on. At places, he had to wade through waist deep water.

Question 11.
What did Prashant see on his way back home?
Answer:
He saw a number of dead bodies of humans and animals floating in the flood water. He also saw that several villages had been entirely destroyed, where not even a single house remained standing.

Question 12.
Why did Prashant’s heart sink on reaching his village?
Answer:
His heart sank on seeing the extent of damage that his village had sustained. He saw only the remains of the roof of his house in place of the house. Some of the family belongings were caught in the nearby branches of trees. His family was nowhere to be seen.

Question 13.
Where did Prashant go to look for his family? Who did he spot first?
Answer:
Prashant went to the Red Cross shelter to look for his family. He spotted his grandmother first.

Question 14.
Why did his grandmother rush towards Prashant?
Answer:
She rushed towards him out of joy at seeing him alive. She considered it a miracle that he was safe and sound and had been restored to the family.

Question 15.
Who were the family members that Prashant found at the shelter?
Answer:
He found his grandmother, his brother, sister, his uncles and aunts at the shelter.

Question 16.
What was the extent of damage caused by the storm in Prashant’s village?
Answer:
Eighty six lives had been lost in the village, and ninety six houses had been washed away in the village.

Question 17.
Why did Prashant decide to step in and lead the villagers?
Answer:
Prashant realised that the people at the shelter were being engulfed by a deathly grief and there wasn’t enough food for the survivors. He also realised that someone had to show the people a way out of the situation and gain control over their feelings and emotions.

Question 18.
What was the first successful mission organised by the group of villagers under Prashant’s leadership?
Answer:
The first mission was to pressurise the village merchant to part with his rice so that the hungry villagers could be fed.

Question 19.
After feeding the survivors, what was the next task organised and fulfilled by Prashant?
Answer:
He organised a team of volunteers to clean the shelter of filth, urine, vomit and floating carcasses, and to take care of the wounds nad fractures of the many who had been injured.

Question20.
What was the event that took place on the fourth day at the camp?
Answer:
On this day, a military helicopter flew over the shelter and dropped some food parcels on the ground close to the shelter.

Question 21.
Why did Prashant ask the children to lie on the sand with utensils on their stomachs?
Answer:
He did this so that the helicopter pilots would see them and drop down the food packets for them.

Question 22.
How did Prashant help the orphaned children?
Answer:
He brought them together and put up a polythene sheet shelter for them. Women were mobilised to look after them while the men got food and materials to build the shelter.

Question 23.
How did Prashant help the women to overcome their grief?
Answer:
He did this by persuading them to start working in the food-for-work programme started by an NGO.

Question 24.
Why was Prashant not keen to send the orphans and widows to government institutions?
Answer:
He was against this idea as he felt that in such institutions, children would grow up without love, and widows would suffer from stigma and loneliness.

Question 25.
How did Prashant’s wounded spirit heal?
Answer:
It healed because he was so busy making sure that the victims were taken care of by various government agencies and NGOs that he had no time to worry about his own loss and pain.

Weathering the Storm in Ersama Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What havoc had the super cyclone wrecked in the lives of the people of Orissa?
Answer:
The super cyclone caused great damage and destruction, leaving hundreds of men, women, children and animals dead or injured. It blew away houses, brought down trees and wiped out entire villages. The whole area was submerged in water. Family members were separated and it left behind many orphans and widows. In addition, people had to go without food for days together.

Question 2.
How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village?
Answer:
Prashant took over the responsibility of leading the village. He was instrumental in organising the survivors into groups to cook, clean, and rebuild the village from scratch. He supervised the building of shelters and made sure that people who were wounded and injured received adequate medical help.

He also made sure that the orphans and widows were not packed off to impersonal foster care at government institutions, but resettled them in their own community, in new foster families made up of widows taking care of the orphans. He also organised cricket matches and other sports events to bring some joy into the lives of the children and persuaded the women to work in the food-for-work programme started by an NGO.

Question 3.
How did the people of the community help one another? What role did the women of Kalikuda play during these days?
Answer:
First of all, they worked as a team under the leadership of Prashant. They helped him in pressurising the local merchant to part with rice to feed the survivors. They cooked food by collecting branches from fallen trees. They cleaned the shelter of filth, urine, vomit and floating carcasses and took care of the people with wounds and injuries. They also helped to create new foster families made up of childless widows and children without adult care. The women also worked with an NGO in their food-for-work programme.

Question 4.
Why did Prashant and the other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? What alternatives did they consider?
Answer:
Prashant and the other volunteers were aware of the stigma attached to being sent to the government institutions, and the loneliness that the widows would have to suffer there. Similarly, the orphans would have to live a life away from their roots, at the mercy of people who would not be sensitive to their emotional needs. To solve this problem, they came up with the brilliant idea of creating foster families where the childless widows would care for the orphaned children, thereby fulfilling their mutual emotional needs.

Question 5.
Do you think Prashant is a good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?
Answer:
Undoubtedly, Prashant is a born leader, which he proves by helping the people of Kalikuda village. He helps them to literally rise from the debris of a super cyclonic storm that had almost wiped out the whole village. He leads by example, selflessly identifying the most urgent needs and working to fulfil them. In the process, he puts aside his own grief and suffering, in trying to find relief and help for the other survivors.

He gauges the falling spirits of the village people and gets them to work manually to remove the debris, rebuild structures, and ensure that the people get something to eat. In a bid to help his people, he even forgets about his own loss, pain and grief. He finds a brilliant solution for the care of those left widowed or orphaned, by creating foster families with childless widows looking after orphaned children. From his example, we can see that it is possible for young people to work together and make a huge difference to the entire community in situations like natural calamities.