English Language

Grade 9
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

(1.) Use the given words to fill in the blanks.

1. The ……………….. sails across the Atlantic Ocean carrying a herd of
……………….. (sheep / ship)

2. All the children ……………….. in a row without leaving a single ………………..

vacant. (seat / sit)

3. This pair of shoes would never ……………….. his ……………….. (fit / feet)

4. Open the ……………….. of the manhole. Perhaps it will ……………….. to a

secret tunnel. (lead/ lid)

5. The ……………….. of the machine ……………….. loosen the soil. (wheel / will)
(1 x 5 = 5 marks)

(2.) Select appropriate pronouns from the box and fill in the blanks.

he it your mine we

Janitha : Chenuka,have you brought your English pupil’s book?

Chenuka : Yes. Why?
Janitha : Could you lend 1).…………to me? I haven’t brought 2)…………
Chenuka : Sure. Here you are.
Janitha : Thanks. Have you seen Vikum and Raj? 3)…………… are going to
study together.
Chenuka : I saw Raj just now. 4)…………… is in the classroom.
Janitha : Well. I have to go. I’ll return 5)…………… book soon.
Bimal : Okay. Bye!
(1 X 5 = 5 marks)

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3. Read the poem and answer the questions given below.

WORDS NEVER DIE

A word can never be recalled.
It remains forever said.
As long as there is memory
No word is ever dead.

Now careless words once spoken

Can bring grief to a heart
And oftentimes in memory
These words can n’er depart.

To make the world a sadder

Or a happier place each day
Is within the power of each of us
By just the things we say.

Since words live on forever,

It’s up to you and me
To see that what we say each day
Makes the world a better place to be.
Virginia Mo Pheeters-
New Gayway Reader – Part 2
by Lalitha Sen

1. What cannot be recalled once said?

………………………………………………………………………… (2 marks)
2. Why does the poet say “No word is ever dead”?
………………………………………………………………………… (2 marks)
3. What can careless words do?
………………………………………………………………………… (2 marks)
4. Select the correct answer to complete the following sentence.
According to the poet, what we …………. has the power to make the world a sadder
or a happier place.
a. do
b. say
c. believe in
d. feel (1 mark)
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5. Find words from the poem that rhyme with the following words.
said - …………………
me - ………………….. (½ x 2 = 1 mark)
6. Find a word from the poem that is similar in meaning to the following word.
sorrow - ……………….. (½ mark)
7. Find a word from the poem which is opposite in meaning to the following word.
(a) arrive ……………… (1/2 mark)

8. Which stanza expresses the idea that people tend to remember carelessly spoken
words?
…………………………………………………………………………… (1 mark)

4. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the given verb.

Samitha : Rohini, look at the sky. There are some dark clouds.
Rohini : I hope it won’t rain.
Samitha : If it rains, they …………………… (postpone) the match.
Rohini : Look! They are going to start the game.
Samitha : Yes. If Nayomi and Chami …………………… (play) well, our team
will win.
Rohini : Of course! If we win today, we …………………… (get) the chance to
play in the final.
Samitha : It’s going to rain. I haven’t brought my umbrella. If I ……………………
(not find) an umbrella, I will surely get wet.
Rohini : Let’s see if my sister has brought hers. If she has, I ……………………
(lend) you mine.
(1 x5= 5 marks)

5. Imagine you are the Secretary of the Nature Club of your school. Your teacher
wants the members of the club to organize a “Tree Planting Campaign” at the
school premises.
Write a notice to ask all the students to attend it.
Include the following:
* Date * Purpose
* Time * Request students to bring a plant.

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 (10 marks)
6. Here is what each person did at the English Literary Association of Ruhunu
Vidyalaya. Follow the example and write what they did in the passive voice.

The President - delivered the welcome speech.

The Secretary - read the minutes of the previous meeting.

A member - confirmed the minutes

The principal - delivered a speech

A member - sang a song

Vice President - Proposed the vote of thanks

E.g.
a) The welcome speech was delivered by the President.
b) ………………………………………………………………………………………
c) ………………………………………………………………………………………
d) ………………………………………………………………………………………
e) ………………………………………………………………………………………
f) ………………………………………………………………………………………
(2x 5 = 10 marks)
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7. Read the airport departures schedule and answer the questions.

DEPARTURES
TIME FLIGHT DESTINATION GATE REMARKS
10:30 UL 402 Melbourne 11 Departed
10:40 AI 5090 Chennai 02 Departed
10:55 QR 667 Bangkok 08 cancelled
11:00 EK 443 Dubai 17 Delayed
11:10 UL 376 Singapore 15 Final call
11:15 AI 4323 Mumbai 05 Now boarding

1. The time is 10.40. Can you get on the flight to Chennai now?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. When is the flight to Singapore?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Where is the flight UL 402 bound to?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Which flight is delayed?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
5.What has happened to flight QR 667?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(1 x 5= 5 marks)

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8. Meena is a grade 9 student. She has been asked to write about her best friend
Radha for the school magazine. Imagine you are Meena and write about her best
friend. Use the information given in the table below.

Brothers/ Hobby Favourite Hometown Other Other

sisters Sport Activities Information

A brother, • Reading books Basketball Matale Secretary • Helps

and two of the Meena in
sisters. • Collecting Youth Maths.
stamps Club
• Goes for
swimming
practices
with Meena.
• Wants to
become a
scientist.

My Friend
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(10 marks)

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9. Read the extract and answer the questions.
Meanwhile, Heidi explored her new home with delight. She went up to the goat
shed, but she found it empty. Then she went to the back of the hut and stood listening
to the wind whistling through the old fir tree. Presently, she came back to the front
where her grandfather was still sitting in the same position. He looked up as she came
and said, “What do you want to do now?”
“ I want to see what is inside the hut,” she answered. “Come on, then,” he said and
getting up, he went inside. Heidi followed him into a biggish room where she saw a
table and a chair and his bed in one corner.
Opposite there was a stove over which hung a big pot. There was a large cupboard in
which were the old man’s clothes. Heidi pushed the bundle of clothes which her aunt
had given her into it.
“Where shall I sleep?” Heidi asked next.
“Wherever you like,” he replied.
The answer pleased Heidi. She looked round the room and noticed a ladder standing
against the wall near her grandfather’s bed. She climbed up at once, and found herself
in a hay loft. A pile of fresh, sweet-smelling hay lay there, and there was a round hole
in the wall through which she could see right down the valley.
Heidi- Johanna Sypri, Madhuban Classics

1. Where did Heidi go first?

………………………………………………………………………… ( 1 mark)
2. With whom did Heidi go into the hut?
………………………………………………………………………… ( 1 mark)
3. What did they find inside the hut?
………………………………………………………………………… ( 1 mark)
4. Who had given Heidi a bundle of clothes?
………………………………………………………………………… ( 1 mark)
5. What did Heidi find when she climbed up the ladder?
………………………………………………………………………… ( 1 mark)
6. What do the following words refer to?
a. She ( line 1) …………………….
b. He (line 4) …………………..
c. I (line 6) …………………….
(3 marks)
7. Find words from the poem which are opposit in meaning to the following.
a. pulled ……………………
b. outside ……………………. ( 2 marks)

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10. Study the picture and complete the words in the text. A part of each word is
given for you.

This is a picture of a park. There are many 1. peo……… in it. A boy is standing in a
corner of the park painting a 2. pic…………… . An old gentleman with a long white
beard is standing under the tree. He has a walking 3. st……….. in his hand. Two little
children are 4. pla……….. with a ball. A man and a woman are sitting under a 5.
tr………… . The man is playing a 6. gu……..….. . The woman is reading a 7. b………
A 8. squ………… is climbing the tree. There is also a tree house in the tree. A boy is
climbing up the 9.rope la.…….to get into it. A family is sitting on a mat having a picnic
meal. A man is sitting on a bench and working with his 10. lap…………. A lake can
be seen in the background.
(10 marks)

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11. Listen to the radio news and select the correct answer.

1. The news reader reports about floods in Ratnapura. {TRUE/FALSE}

2. Five people are missing due to floods. {TRUE/FALSE}
3. Rescue operations have not started yet. {TRUE/FALSE}
4. Flood victims are staying at their own homes. {TRUE/FALSE}
5. Ministry of Disaster Management is carrying {TRUE/FALSE}
out the rescue operations.
(10 marks)

12. Speak about one of the topics given.

- The Television programme you like most.
Include the following:
• Name of it
• On which channel/ When it telecasts
• What type of a programme
• Why you like it

- A story book you like

Include the following:
• Name of it
• Author
• What the story is about
• Main characters
• Why you like it
(10 marks)

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