In this page you can find Class 9 English Extra Questions and Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 7 Carrier of Words Extra Questions and Answers will make your practice complete.
Carrier of Words Extra Question Answer
Carrier of Words Class 9 Extra Question Answer
Question 1.
Who was Khetaram? What work did he do?
Answer:
Khetaram was a Gramin Dak Sewak. He carried letters and money orders to people living in the remote areas of the Thar desert.
Question 2.
Was Khetaram’s work difficult to do? If yes, why?
Answer:
Yes, Khetaram, as a Gramin Dak Sewak, had a difficult job to do. Khetaram had to deliver letters in areas where even bicycles cannot ply. He had to walk on foot in the hot desert sands.
Question 3.
Why is the role of the GDS invaluable, according to the Post-Master General?
Answer:
The GDS delivers post to interior areas that are inaccessible by any means of transport. They can be reached only on foot. This is why the role of the GDS is invaluable, according to the Post-Master General.
Carrier of Words Class 9 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
How many post offices do we have in India today? What is the mandate of India Post?
Answer:
There are more than a lakh and half post-offices in India today. The mandate of India Post is to bring the entire population within the ambit of mailing.
Question 2.
Why does Khetaram have a compulsion to do this job?
Answer:
Khetaram, being a small farmer, cultivated only one crop of bajra. This was not enough to feed his family of five members. So, he had to do the job of a GDS.
Question 3.
Why do the villagers put their trust in Khetaram?
Answer:
Khetaram reads out the letters to the villagers. He also writes out replies to the letters. Everyone feels comfortable asking him to read the letters and draft the replies. So, they put their trust in him.
Question 4.
If you were a villager waiting for Khetaram’s mail, how would you welcome him and why?[Creativity]
Answer:
If I were a villager, I would welcome Khetaram warmly with water or tea. His arrival would bring important news and messages from loved ones. Showing gratitude would be my way of appreciating his hard work and dedication.
Question 5.
Imagine a day when Khetaram cannot deliver the mail. What might happen in the villages? [Imagination]
Answer:
If Khetaram could not deliver the mail, villagers might feel worried and disappointed. They would miss important news from family members and friends. His absence would remind them how important his service is for connecting people in remote areas.
Question 6.
What does Khetaram’s work tell us about the importance of communication in remote areas? [Extrapolation]
Answer:
Khetaram’s work shows that communication is essential even in remote places. Letters help people stay connected with family and friends. His efforts prove that reliable communication brings comfort, information, and emotional support to isolated communities.
Question 7.
Do you think Khetaram’s job is important for society? Give reasons. [Evaluation]
Answer:
Yes, Khetaram’s job is very important because he connects remote villages with the outside world. He delivers messages, news, and money orders that affect people’s lives. His dedication helps maintain communication and strengthens relationships among families.
Question 8.
Imagine you are Khetaram walking through the Thar desert. Describe your feelings. [Imagination]
Answer:
Walking through the hot desert, I would feel tired but determined. The scorching sand and long distance would be challenging, but knowing that people are waiting for their letters would give me strength and a sense of responsibility.
Carrier of Words Class 9 Long Question Answer
Question 1.
Give a description of Khetaram, the Gramin Dak Sewak.
Answer:
Khetaram is a Gramin Dak Sewak, a village postman. His left shoulder is slumped because of carrying a mailbag. He is the sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office. He delivers mail to people living in the far-flung settlements of the Thar desert. In summers, when temperatures go up to 50 degrees, Khetaram has to travel even 20 km by foot to deliver the letters. The people of the hamlets trust Khetaram. They allow him to read their letters and also write replies to them. Khetaram also loves his job.
Question 2.
What is the role of a Gramin Dak Sewak?
Answer:
A Gramin Dak Sewak is a village postman who delivers letters and money orders to people living in far-flung hamlets of the country. They serve as the sole link between the people living in India’s extremes and their families living in faraway places. The people living in the frozen desert of Ladakh, the isles of Lakshadweep, the riverine communities of north-east, and the Thar desert of Rajasthan, are all GDS territories.
Question 3.
Describe the normal day in the life of Khetaram.
Answer:
Khetaram is the sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office. He goes to the far-flung hamlets in the Thar desert to deliver letters to the people living there. Sometimes, he has to travel up to 20 km on foot in the hot desert sands, to reach the people. Sometimes, severe heat forces him to postpone deliveries till sundown. Often, Khetaram reads out the letters to the people and writes replies to the letters. The people treat him warmly and welcome him in their homes.
Question 4.
Do you think Khetaram’s job is more difficult than many modern jobs? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, Khetaram’s job can be considered more difficult than many modern jobs. Unlike office workers who have comfortable environments, he must travel long distances under the scorching sun and across hot desert sand. Carrying a heavy bag of mail and walking many kilometres every day requires great physical strength and endurance. He also faces emotional challenges when delivering sad news such as letters about death. Despite these hardships, he performs his duties responsibly and without complaint. His work shows great dedication and commitment. In many ways, his job demands both physical and emotional strength, making it more challenging than many modern occupations.
Question 5.
Why should society recognise and appreciate workers like Khetaram?
Answer:
Society should recognise and appreciate workers like Khetaram because they perform essential services that many people depend on. Even though their work may seem simple, it plays a crucial role in connecting communities and delivering important information. Khetaram works in extremely harsh conditions and travels long distances to ensure that letters reach their destinations. His dedication shows a strong sense of responsibility and service. Without people like him, communication in remote areas would become very difficult. Appreciating such workers encourages respect for hard work and reminds us that every job contributing to society deserves recognition and gratitude.
Question 6.
Write a diary entry from Khetaram’s point of view after completing a long day of delivering mail. [Creativity]
Answer:
Today was another long and tiring day in the desert. The sun was very hot and the sand burned under my feet as I walked from one dhaani to another. I carried letters that brought both joy and sorrow. Some villagers were happy to hear news of weddings and births, while one letter carried the sad news of death. Even though the journey is difficult, I feel proud that people depend on me. Their smiles and kind words give me strength. The BSF soldiers offered me tea today, which felt refreshing after walking many kilometres. This job has truly given me a new lease of life, and I will continue to serve these villages with dedication.
Question 7.
Imagine you are walking with Khetaram on his daily route in the Thar desert. Describe the experience. [Imagination]
Answer:
Walking with Khetaram through the Thar desert would be a challenging yet meaningful experience. The hot sun would shine brightly and the sand would feel warm under our feet. There would be long stretches of empty land with only a few scattered huts called dhaanis. Khetaram would carry a heavy bag of letters on his shoulders and walk many kilometres to reach each village. Along the way, we might meet villagers eagerly waiting for their mail. Some would smile with excitement while others might feel anxious about the news they receive. Watching Khetaram work patiently despite the harsh conditions would make me realise how important his service is. His determination and dedication would truly inspire me.
Question 8.
What does the chapter teach us about the importance of communication in society? [Extrapolation]
Answer:
The chapter highlights how communication plays a vital role in connecting people, especially those living in remote areas. Before modern technology became common,-letters were the main way for families to stay in touch. Through Khetaram’s work, we see how important it is for people to receive news about births, weddings, or other family matters. Communication helps people feel connected and informed even when they live far apart. The chapter also shows that those who carry messages perform a valuable service for society. Their efforts ensure that emotions, information, and relationships continue to flow between communities, making communication an essential part of human life.
Question 9.
Imagine a villager receiving an important letter from Khetaram after waiting for many days. Describe the scene. [Imagination]
Answer:
One afternoon, the villagers notice Khetaram approaching with his bag of letters. A family that has been waiting anxiously for news from their relative quickly gathers around him. When Khetaram calls out their name and hands them the letter, their faces light up with excitement. Since not everyone can read, Khetaram kindly reads the letter aloud. As the good news is shared, the family members feel relieved and happy. They thank Khetaram warmly and offer him a piece of jaggery as a token of gratitude. The entire village feels joyful at that moment. This simple scene shows how important Khetaram’s role is in bringing people together and delivering messages that carry emotions and hope.
Question 10.
Write a short speech praising the dedication of Khetaram as a Gramin Dak Sewak. [Creativity]
Answer:
Respected teachers and friends,
Today I would like to speak about the dedication of Khetaram, a Gramin Dak Sewak who works in the Thar desert. Every day he walks many kilometres under the scorching sun to deliver letters to remote villages near the border. His work is not easy, yet he performs his duty with great responsibility and honesty. Through his efforts, people receive important news about their families and loved ones. Khetaram does not simply deliver letters; he carries emotions, hopes, and memories. Despite the harsh desert conditions, he continues his work with determination. His dedication teaches us the value of hard work, service, and commitment. People like him truly deserve our respect and appreciation.
Carrier of Words Extract Based Questions and Answers
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. His left shoulder slumped from years of carrying a mailbag. He is the sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office. For the last 15 years, he has been a trusted link between the people attached to this Rajasthani village post office and their families. Defying all elements of the harshest desert of India, the Thar, he is the lone face of the state who reaches the far-flung, or dhaanis, of this remote area just 2.5 km short of the Indo-Pakistan border. (Pages 204 & 205)
(i) Which of the following is NOT TRUE?
(a) This passage describes Khetaram, a Dak Sewak.
(b) He had the trust of the people he served.
(c) He worked in a desert region.
(d) He was not happy with his job.
Answer:
(d) He was not happy with his job.
(ii) The picture of Khetaram, the Gramin Dak Sewak, is given below. What do the extract and picture suggest about the theme of the story?
Answer:
The story talks about a village postman, Khetaram, who works in a harsh desert region to deliver letters. He is the only link to the people living in the far-flung areas of the Thar desert. Though life is tough, he is happy to serve the people living in desert regions.
(iii) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
Life in the desert for Khetaram was _______ (harsh/easy).
Answer:
harsh
(iv) Which word can replace the word ‘slumped’ from the given sentence.
His left shoulder slumped from the years of carrying a mailbag.
Answer:
fallen
(v) In the sentence, “the far-flung, or dhaanis, of this remote area”, what does the phrase ‘far-flung’ mean?
Answer:
The phrase ‘far-flung’ means very distant or located far away from towns or cities.
2. It is his bodily effort that ensures that the mail transferred from the mail train onto buses before being hefted onto his shoulders is delivered at the border, within 24 hours of dispatch from Jodhpur, around 330 km away. (Page 205)
(i) The work described in the above extract involved much physical effort. What type of work was Khetaram involved in? How difficult was the job?
Answer:
Khetaram worked as a Gramin Dak Sevak. He had to deliver letters to people living in remote areas in the desert regions of Rajasthan. This involved walking in the hot sands for several kilometres.
(ii) Some statements about Khetaram are given below. Which of them are Facts and which of them are Opinions? Choose the correct option.
1. It was physically tough for Khetaram to do his job as postman.
2. Khetaram greatly enjoyed his job.
3. Khetaram had to walk several kilometres to deliver the letters.
4. With modern transport available, it was easy for Khetaram to deliver the letters.
(a) Fact-1, 3; Opinion-2, 4
(b) Fact-3; Opinion-1,2,4
(c) Fact-4,2; Opinion-1,3
(d) Fact-2, 4; Opinion-1, 3
Answer:
(a) Fact-1, 3; Opinion-2, 4
(iii) Give one word answer to the following question.
What did Khetaram deliver to the people living in far-flung areas?
Answer:
Letters and money orders
(iv) What were the difficulties faced by Khetaram in doing his work as a postman?
Answer:
Khetaram had to walk several kilometres in the hot desert sands to deliver letters to people living in remote areas. He had a heavy bag slung on his shoulder. He had to face desert storms at temperature of 50 degrees Celsius.
(v) In the line, “before being hefted onto his shoulders”, what does the phrase ‘hefted onto his shoulders’ suggest about the mail carrier’s work?
Answer:
The phrase ‘hefted onto his shoulders’ means lifting and carrying a heavy load onto his shoulders, suggesting that the mail carrier’s job requires great physical effort and strength to deliver the mail across long distances.
3. Khetaram’s appointment more than a decade ago gave him a new lease of life. “Akaal or famine is a way of life here. In a good year, I get one crop of bajra. That cannot feed my family of five. We would starve without this job,” he says. (Page 208)
(i) Why is famine a way of life in the areas where Khetaram worked?
(a) The area had surplus rainfall.
(b) It was a desert region.
(c) The people did not grow any crop.
(d) The local people had migrated to other regions.
Answer:
(b) It was a desert region.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with an appropriate reason.
Khetaram said that his job gave him ‘a new lease of life’ because
Answer:
the job provided him with a stable income, helping him support his family and avoid starvation during frequent famines.
(iii) How important was this job to Khetaram?
Answer:
Khetaram needed this job for his survival. The single crop of bajra he cultivated from his field was not enough to feed his family. He had a family of 5 members to look after. So, Khetaram needed this job for his survival.
(iv) What does the phrase ‘new lease of life’ mean?
Answer:
The phrase ‘new lease of life’ means a fresh chance to start life.
(v) Fill in the correct word from the bracket.
The region Khetaram is talking about is a _______ region. (desert/fertile)
Answer:
(v) desert
4. “People are kind to me; the BSF always gives me a lift. Since their camp came here last year, when I distribute their dak, I get a cup of tea”. In the village, a piece of jaggery is all that can be offered when he brings news of a birth or weddings. (Page 209)
(i) Fill in the blank appropriately in the following sentence.
Khetaram went to the BSF camp to deliver _______.
Answer:
letters
(ii) Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?
(a) Khetaram was a rural postman.
(b) Khetaram had an easy life.
(c) The BSF jawans welcomed Khetaram.
(d) Khetaram was very popular in the villages.
Answer:
(b) Khetaram had an easy life.
(iii) As a Gramin Dak Sewak, what were the duties performed by Khetaram?
Answer:
As a Gramin Dak Sewak, Khetaram delivered letters and money orders to the villagers.
(iv) On receiving good news, the villagers could offer only a piece of jaggery to Khetaram. What does it show about the economic condition of the villagers?
Answer:
Most of the villagers were poor. They could earn very little from agriculture as it was a desert area.
(v) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
As the BSF soldiers offer Khetaram a cup of tea, the villagers offer him a piece of jaggery, which suggests that both the BSF soldiers and the villagers show _______ and _______ to Khetaram in their own simple ways for bringing them important news and letters.
Answer:
gratitude, respect
5. But in the summers, when the sands sizzle under his mojri-clad feet, Khetaram says, “Even a single delivery is tiring, as I have to cover 20 km for it.” (Page 205)
(i) Explain the difficulties faced by Khetaram to carry out his daily duties as a Gramin Dak Sewak.
Answer:
Khetaram had to walk up to 20 km to deliver letters in the hot desert sands. Temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius during summer. He also carried a heavy mail bag on his slumped shoulders. Water was scarce. The salary he received was also meagre. But since the income from his farm was small, he was dependent on the salary he received from the postal department.
(ii) Based on the above extract, which of the following is Khetaram NOT likely to say to himself?
(a) What a wonderful day today would be!
(b) I find it hard to face the hot weather.
(c) Hope my mojri-clad feet remain comfortable.
(d) What a difficult job I have!
Answer:
(a) What a wonderful day today would be!
(iii) Khetaram delivered his letters on (a bike/foot)
Answer:
foot
(iv) In which part of India did Khetaram work?
Answer:
Khetaram worked in the hot Thar desert region of Rajasthan.
(v) What does the phrase ‘sands sizzle under his mojri-clad feet’ suggest about Khetaram’s working conditions?
Answer:
The phrase ‘sands sizzle under his mojri-clad feet’ suggests that Khetaram works in extreme heat and harsh desert conditions, which makes his daily job very difficult and exhausting.
6. There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death. “Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house,” says Khetaram. So, he stands outside, reads out the letter twice, then tears it to bits. “Bad news must be destroyed,” he mutters philosophically. (Page 109)
(i) Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the bracket.
The letters Khetaram tore apart after reading them had _______ news. (happy/sad)
Answer: sad
(ii) Look at the picture given below and write about the good relations Khetaram had with the people who he served during the course of his work.
Answer:
The people whom Khetaram served had full faith in him. They welcomed him in their homes. He read out their letters and also replied the letters. He was their only contact with relatives living in faraway places. He was a part and parcel of their lives. He shared their joys and sorrows.
(iii) “Bad news must be destroyed”, says Khetaram.
What bad news is he referring to?
(a) The poor weather conditions
(b) The death of people
(c) The poverty of the people
(d) His own problems
Answer:
(b) the death of people
(iv) The _______ which brought bad news had its right corner torn off.
Answer:
letter
(v) State whether the following statement is true or false. Khetaram did not let anyone know the news of death containing in the letter.
Answer:
False
Extra Questions of Carrier of Words for Practice
I. Reference to Context
Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
1. Such aspects of trust make Khetaram a warmly received man. He can dwell on any threshold, read out letters and write replies in a slightly shaky hand. Everyone feels comfortable asking him to read the letters and draft the replies. (Pages 208 & 209)
(i) Choose the option that lists the statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. Khetaram was a very successful farmer.
2. His job was a very easy one.
3. Khetaram was very helpful to the villagers.
4. His job was a very difficult one.
5. Khetaram was the village headman
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 4,5
(c) only 5
(d) 1,2,5
(ii) If you were a villager, why would you trust Khetaram to read and write your letters?
(iii) Fill in the blanks in the following sentence appropriately.
Khetaram reached the far-flung hamlets by _______.
(iv) How did Khetaram win the trust of the villagers?
(v) State whether the following statement is true or false.
2. The essential criterion for GDS selection is access to another means of livelihood. They are required to work only five hours in a day and are also allowed to serve after the age of 60, till the age of 65. All this is so that they can be paid a salary to enable them to have an assured income. The salary of regular postmen gets revised as the other government employees. (Page 208)
(i) Why are Gramin Dak Sewaks required to have another means of livelihood?
(a) Because they work very long hours.
(b) Because their job is only part-time.
(c) Because they are government officers.
(d) Because they work in cities.
(ii) Why are GDS allowed to work only five hours a day?
(iii) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
The extract suggests that regular postmen DO NOT receive salary revisions like other government employees.
(iv) Fill in the blank with ONE word only.
The rule allowing GDS to work only five hours a day shows that the job is meant to _______ their income rather than be their only source of livelihood.
(v) What does the phrase ‘assured income’ mean in the extract?
II. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why was Khetaram’s left shoulder slumped?
Question 2.
Very often in summer, Khetaram turned into a walking sandman. How did this happen?
Question 3.
How was the news of death conveyed by Khetaram, to the villagers?
Question 4.
Write how a letter carried by Khetaram might feel about its long journey.
Question 5.
What can we learn about rural life in the Thar desert from this chapter?
III. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe the geographical terrain in which Khetaram worked.
Question 2.
Why was Khetaram under compulsion to work as a GDS? How was he benefitting from his work?
Question 3.
Explain the hardship faced by Khetaram to carry out his duty of delivering letters to the people.
Question 4.
Do you think people like Khetaram deserve more recognition? Why/Why not?
Question 5.
What is the role of Gramin Dak Sewaks in serving the people living in far-flung areas of India?