Solution

CPT 1

Class 09 - English Lang & Lit. (184)

1. Yes, I agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story. Learning is not just reading books, acquiring
knowledge and upgrading the grades. It's about adaptability and adjustability in the society. In the story, Margie finds the old book
awfully funny to read and she finds school scornful. Merely studying and answering questions seems to be a boring idea with a
mechanical teacher. Doing homework without anybody's help and writing them in a punch code would also be draining.
Moreover, children develop a better understanding about each other and of their surroundings when they go to a school and
interact with each other. It is a healthier way of learning. Listening to teachers' explaining lessons is always more interesting than
reading the entire lesson on a mechanical computer. It is impossible to discuss problems and situations with a mechanical teacher
that is only programmed to teach in a particular manner. Therefore, schools today are more fun than the school in the story as they
are more interactive.
2. Yes, it is appropriate because the title of the poem concerns a choice made between two roads by a person walking in the woods.
Such situations are faced by one and all. When one is forced to decide just one option out of the two equally attractive choices.
The poet also faced the same situation. The poet finds himself standing in the middle and in dilemma to take which path. The
woods in this poem symbolize the difficulty of seeing into the future. While walking on a road, he came to the point where the
road diverged into two roads. He stood long at the fork, not able to decide as to which of the two roads he should take. He would
have liked to explore both the roads, but he knows that he can’t walk on both the roads at the same time. He chooses the road not
travelled on by too many people and many years later, he feels that all the difference in his life is because of the choice of the road
he had made.
3. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai master of national and international fame. He was a great musician. Ali Bux, his maternal
uncle trained and made him perfect in music. Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He practiced
for hours and worked very hard to attain perfection. It was his melodious music that made him the first Indian to greet
independent India. Ustad Bismillah Khan created many new ragas. He was given many awards and he even received the "Bharat
Ratna". He was a true patriot, who declined many offers to settle abroad. He was a true artist but a simple man. He had great
regard for Hindustani Classical Music. His life is a perfect example of the rich, cultural heritage of India.
4. a. The poet asks people to build strong houses, keep robust doors, make their bodies strong and keep firm hearts.
b. After making strong homes and strong bodies and hearts, the wind will become our friend.
c. Steadfast.
d. ‘He’ refers to the wind.
5. A.R. Rahman (Allah Rakha Rahman) is an Indian composer, singer, songwriter, music producer, musician and philanthropist who
was born in Chennai on 6 January 1967. Rahman was earlier known as A.S. Dileep Kumar before he converted from Hinduism to
Islam. He is a graduate from Trinity college, Oxford Univeristy. His extensive body of work for film and stage earned him the
nickname of ‘the Mozart of Madras’. He first debuted with the movie ‘Roja’.
He is famous in integrating Indian classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements. He
is the recipient of the Padmashri and the Padma Vibhushan awards. He has won two Oscars and a golden globe too. He is a
notable humanitarian and philanthropist. He does a lot of charity work too; he donates and raises money for a number of causes
and charities. Men like him are hard to find.
6. Our Country is a democratic country and elections are life and soul of a democratic system. In India, elections are held after every
five years. Last year, Election was to be held to elect a new M.L.A. The candidates of the different political parties were in the
fray. The parties were canvassing in favour of their candidates. If a father canvassed for one party, his son could be seen
canvassing for the other. A day before the polling day, all the canvassing was stopped. At some distance from the polling station,
the parties pitched their tents. They had lists of the voters of their respective areas. The voters were going to the tents of the parties
of their choice. The workers were helping them in finding out their serial numbers and gave them slips to assist them in voting.
The voters stood in long queues. There were separate queues for men and women. They were standing in their colourful dresses.
Each voter showed the slip to the polling officer, who compared it to the serial number of the list and then put a mark with
indelible ink on his forefinger and sent him to the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine). The voter had to press the button. A beep
sound from the machine was the signal that the vote had been successfully cast. This process continued up to 4o'clock. Then the
polling officers sealed the EVMs and other relevant records. The police van came and collected the EVMs to take them to the
collectorate for counting. It was a unique day in my life.

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