Tamilnadu State Board Class 9 English Solutions Prose Chapter 7 A Birthday Letter
A Birthday Letter In-Textual Questions
Question.
From which prison did Nehru write this letter?
Answer:
Nehru wrote the letter from Central Prison, Naini, in Uttar Pradesh.
Question.
Did Nehru send any presents to Indira?
Answer:
No, he did not send any solid material presents.
Question.
Which historical character inspired young Indira?
Answer:
The historical character which inspired young Indira was Joan of Arc.
Question.
What helps the ordinary men and women to become heroes?
Answer:
History helps the ordinary men and women to become heroes.
Question.
Who is addressed as ‘Bapuji’?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhiji is addressed as Bapuji.
Question.
What should the soldiers of India respect?
Answer:
The soldiers of India should respect India’s honour.
A. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.
Question 1.
Why could not Nehru send any presents to Indira?
Answer:
Nehru could not send any presents to Indira because he was in prison.
Question 2.
What cannot be stopped even by the high walls of prisons?
Answer:
Mind and spirit cannot be stopped even by the high walls of prisons.
Question 3.
Why did Nehru dislike sermonizing?
Answer:
Nehru has always thought that the best way to find what is right is not by giving a sermon but by talking and discussing.
Question 4.
What does history tell us?
Answer:
History tells us the life of nations, of great men and women.
Question 5.
What do ordinary men and women usually think of?
Answer:
Ordinary men and women are not usually heroic. They think of their bread and butter, of their children, of their household worries and the like.
Question 6.
When do ordinary men and women become heroes?
Answer:
A time comes when a whole people become interested in a great cause. Then history helps even simple, ordinary men and women to become heroes.
Question 7.
What does the phrase ‘great drama’ refer to?
Answer:
The great drama refers to India’s freedom movements.
Question 8.
Why are the freedom fighters under Gandhi not afraid of anything?
Answer:
The freedom fighters under Gandhi are not afraid of anything as there is no room for secrecy or hiding.
Short Questions and Answers : Additional
Question 1.
When did Jawaharlal Nehru began writing letters to his daughter?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru began writing letters to his young daughter, Indira in the summer of 1928.
Question 2.
On what topic does he speak to his daughter?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru speaks to his daughter on a wide range of topics including languages, trade, history, geography, science, epics and evolution.
Question 3.
What did his letters contain?
Answer:
Nehru’s letters contained his understanding of the world which he wanted to further impart to his daughter.
Question 4.
What was his book of letters called? When was it published?
Answer:
“Glimpses of World History” was the book of letters by Nehru published in 1942.
Question 5.
What did Jawaharlal Nehru dislike?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru disliked sermonising and giving out good advice.
Question 6.
What did he say about a letter?
Answer:
A letter can hardly take the place of a talk. At best, it is a one-sided affair.
Question 7.
Who has inspired millions of Indians? How?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhiji has inspired millions of Indians by the magic of his message.
Question 8.
What does ‘the desire to hide anything1 mean according to Nehru?
Answer:
‘The desire to hide anything’ means that you are afraid, and fear is a bad thing and it is unworthy of you.
Question 9.
What is not an easy matter?
Answer:
It is not an easy matter to decide what is right and what is not.
Question 10.
What does Jawaharlal Nehru insist his daughter to do in her private life?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru insisted her to make friends with the sun and work in the light and do nothing secretly.
B. Answer the following in about 80-100 words each.
Question 1.
Explain the important elements of Nehru’s letter.
Answer:
Pandit Nehru was imprisoned in Naini jail. As he was not able to send a gift to Indira on her birthday, he sends her a letter. Though presents are appreciated, letters can equally be cherished as gifts. Nehru did not like to sermonize or give advice. We have learnt that it is important to do things without fear. We should recognize right from wrong. While facing problems, we can resolve them by discussing them with near and dear ones.
The value of the contribution of our leaders to fight for freedom and the value of qualities exhibited by these leaders. The two factors that make ordinary men heroes are, (i) full faith in a great cause and (ii) love and respect for the nation. Mahatma Gandhi inspired millions of people to fight for freedom. Nehru wants Indira to develop qualities like respect for her country’s honour, trust, patriotism, etc.
Question 2.
Imagine yourself as Indira and write a reply letter to your father, Nehru for the letter your received on your birthday.
Answer:
Mussoorie,
October 31, 1930.
My dear Papa,
Thank you so much for your wonderful birthday gift – a letter – a true gift though not solid or material. Your heartfelt wishes and your words mean a lot to me. Your mind and spirit guide me from wherever you are. Your letter isn’t an advice or a sermon, the words are powerful enough to trigger the potential within me to fight for our nation. I understand that Bapuji focuses on truth, courage, fearlessness, openness, hard work, peace, straight-forwardness and non-violence. I shall follow your words and grow up into a brave soldier in India’s service.
With all my love and good wishes,
Your loving daughter,
Indira.
Paragraph Questions and Answers : Additional
Question 1.
What did Jawaharlal Nehru asked his daughter to apply, whenever she was in doubt?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru instructed Indira not to do anything in secret or anything that she would wish to hide. If she has a desire to hide anything, it means that she is afraid of something. Fear is a bad thing and not worthy of her. So she should always be brave and all the rest would follow her after that. He also wrote to her that in their great Freedom movement, under Bapuji’s leadership, there was no room for secrecy or hiding.
They had nothing to hide. They were not afraid of what they did or what they said. They worked in the sun and in the light. Even we in our private lives, should make friends with the sun and work in the light and do nothing secretly. If she does this, she will grow up as a child of the light, unafraid, calm and peaceful in all circumstances.
Question 2.
“History helps even simple, ordinary men and women to become heroes” – Elucidate.
Answer:
Ordinary men and women are not usually heroic. They think of their bread and butter, of their children, of their household worries and the like. But a time comes, when a whole people become interested in a great cause. Then history helps even simple, ordinary men and women to become heroes. Great leaders have something in them which inspires a whole people and makes them do great deeds.
In India, a great leader has inspired our people to great actions and noble sacrifice with his love and guidance. He has helped to make the starving, the poor and the oppressed free and happy. He was none other than Mahatma Gandhiji, who has stolen the hearts of millions of Indians with the magic of his message.
C. Match the words with correct Synonym and Antonym from the table.
Answer:
Think and answer.
Question.
What is the difference between an opinion and a fact?
Answer:
An opinion is one’s feelings or thoughts about somebody / something.
A fact is a piece of information that can be proved to be true.
D. Identify, whether the following statements are of OPINION or FACT.
Question 1.
On your birthday, you have been in the habit of receiving presents and good wishes. (Opinion / Fact)
Answer:
Fact
Question 2.
I have liked my talks with you. (Opinion / Fact)
Answer:
Opinion
Question 3.
The best way to find what is wrong and right is by discussing. (Opinion / Fact)
Answer:
Fact
Question 4.
A letter can hardly take the place of a talk. (Opinion / Fact)
Answer:
Opinion
Question 5.
For the desire to hide anything means that you are afraid. (Opinion / Fact)
Answer:
Fact
Listening
E. “listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Aadhav and Raghav are ________.
(a) brothers
(b) friends
(c) colleagues
(d) classmates
Answer:
(a) brothers
Question 2.
The brothers are planning to celebrate their ________wedding anniversary.
(a) uncle’s
(b) parents’
(c) grandparents’
(d) sister’s
Answer:
(b) parents
Question 3.
The wedding anniversary is on ________.
(a) March 2nd
(b) April 2nd
(c) May 2nd
(d) June 2nd
Answer:
(b) April 2nd
Question 4.
As part of the celebration, the brothers have planned to make their parents to ________.
(a) visit an orphanage
(b) donate some money
(c) plant a mango sapling
(d) conduct a game
Answer:
(c) plant a mango sapling
Question 5.
State whether the statement is true or false.
The brothers have decided to borrow money for the wedding anniversary celebration.
Answer:
False
Reading
F. Answer the following questions based on the given reading passage.
Question 1.
What is the name of her diary?
Answer:
Kitty is the name of her diary.
Question 2.
Why did Anne want to exchange the book ‘Camera Obscura’?
Answer:
Anne’s sister Margot already has it. So, Anne wanted to exchange it.
Question 3.
Who baked the homemade cookies?
Answer:
Anne baked the homemade cookies.
Question 4.
What game did Anne choose to play?
Answer:
Anne chose to play the volleyball.
Question 5.
Which gift did Anne value the most?
Answer:
Anne valued the diary the most.
Speaking
G. Imagine you are going to celebrate your forthcoming birthday at an orphanage/ bid-age home.
Deliver a short speech about your birthday celebration by using the following hints.
- The reasons for choosing an orphanage / old-age home.
- The people who accompany you.
- The food which you are going to offer them.
- The useful gifts / articles which you are going to give them.
- Other events like cake cutting, conducting games etc.
Answer:
Good morning everybody. I am going to speak about my birthday celebration this year. On my birthday, we decided to celebrate it in a different way, a day to remember. So we went to Mother Teresa Ashram in T.Nagar, Chennai.
First my younger sister and I played with the children there. We distributed them ” games materials like bat, ball, chocolates, etc. My parents decorated the hall with balloons and flowers. Then we celebrated the birthday cutting a cake. The mother and other sisters of the orphanage gave me blessings. The children presented me flowers to show their love.
Then, we had our lunch with them. We enjoyed there the whole day. It is our duty to help them. After coming back home, I felt a little sad on the plight of the people there. But I decided to go there and celebrate every year.
Thank you.
Writing
H. Write a meaningful paragraph using the hints given below.
Mahesh – celebrates – 14th birthday – an old-age home – family, friends – informs home in advance – delegates tasks – friends buy things necessary – arrives home early – decorates place – balloons, colour papers – inmates gathered – cuts cake – sing song, claps – distributes cakes – expresses his feelings – gets blessings – offers things – bedsheets, footwear etc. needed – fun, entertainment – happy and content.
Answer:
Mahesh celebrated his 14th birthday at an old age home with his family and friends. His parents had informed the home in advance to delegate tasks. His friends bought all the necessary things for the inmates of the old age home. His friends arrived the home early, decorated the place with balloons and colour papers. The inmates gathered at the hall and Mahesh cut a cake. Everybody sang the birthday song and clapped happily. Mahesh distributed cakes to all. He expressed his feelings and got their blessings. He offered them things like bed sheets, footwear, etc. There was a lot of fun and entertainment programmes. He was very happy and contented.
Grammar
Determines
A. Choose the Correct Determiner
Question 1.
Could you bring me_______tools I left in the garden? (this, those, these)
Answer:
Those
Question 2.
________Earth revolves around the sun. (the, a, an)
Answer:
The
Question 3.
I found ________one rupee coin in the playground while playing, (a, an, the)
Answer:
a
Question 4.
There aren’t ________students in the library, (much, many, a lot)
Answer:
many
Question 5.
It was ________unforgettable experience, (a, an, the)
Answer:
an
Question 6.
I haven’t got ________pictures in my bedroom, (some, any, many)
Answer:
any
Question 7.
He said that he wanted to become ________engineer, (a, an, the)
Answer:
an
Question 8.
Kokila gave a pen to ________ child in the classroom on her birthday, (any, all, each)
Answer:
each
Question 9.
I’ve got to solve math problems before I go to sleep, (all, some, any)
Answer:
some
Question 10.
India is largest democracy in the world, (a, an, the)
Answer:
the
Question 11.
My father doesn’t drink coffee, (much, many, a lot)
Answer:
much
Question 12.
I always keep ________ money in my wallet for emergencies, (any, every, some)
Answer:
some
Question 13.
This year we are celebrating my sister’s ________birthday, (a, two, second)
Answer:
second
Question 14.
I have ________ pencils with me. (a, three, third)
Answer:
three
Question 15.
‘What is that noise?’ I think it is ________ airplane, (a, an, the)
Answer:
an
B. Observe the following call-outs. Reporter (C) has reported the sentences of Speaker (A). Now, help Reporter (C) report the rest of the sentences of Speaker (A).
C. Report the following sentences.
Question 1.
Banu said, “Do not spoil the eco-system.”
Answer:
Banu advised not to spoil the ecosystem.
Question 2.
Pranav said, “Have you booked the tickets to Delhi?”
Answer:
Pranav asked whether I had booked the tickets to Delhi.
Question 3.
Rekha said to Tilak, “When are we leaving to our native?”
Answer:
Rekha asked Tilak when they were leaving to their native.
Question 4.
Sujith said, “Ryan, you should get up early in the morning.”
Answer:
Sujith advised Ryan that he should get up early in the morning.
Question 5.
Vivaan said to his mother, “Can you, please, buy me a hot-chocolate?”
Answer:
Vivaan requested his mother to buy him a hot-chocolate.
Question 6.
“Tomorrow I have to take a test in English”, said Sudan
Answer:
Sudar said that he had to take a test in English the next day.
Question 7.
Pragathi said to her sister, “I need your help to arrange the books in the shelf.”
Answer:
Pragathi asked her sister’s help to arrange the books in the shelf.
Question 8.
“Why don’t you use crayons for colouring?” said Dhilip to his son.
Answer:
Dhilip suggested his son to use crayons for colouring.
Project
D. Write a Diary entry each day for a month and compile them into a book. You may also name your diary as Anne Frank did.
(To be done by the students)
A Birthday Letter Textual Activities
Warm Up
Question.
Have you ever received a personal letter from your friends or relatives?
Answer:
Yes, I have received.
Question.
If yes, from whom and about what?
Answer:
I received a letter from my friend about a mobile phone.
Question.
Have you ever written a personal letter to anyone?
Answer:
Yes.
Question.
if yes, to whom and about what?
Answer:
I wrote a letter to my uncle thanking him for his present.
Synonyms & Antonyms : Additional Questions
I. Choose the correct Synonym for the underlined words.
Question 1.
Good wishes you will still have in full measure.
(a) meager
(b) plenty
(c) dearth
Answer:
(b) plenty
Question 2.
Beyond our world lie other wonderful and mysterious worlds.
(a) strange
(b) known
(c) visible
Answer:
(a) strange
Question 3.
We have to respect India’s honour, and that honour is a sacred trust.
(a) suspect
(b) doubt
(c) faith
Answer:
(c) faith
Question 4.
How your ambition was to be something like her?
(a) inactivity
(b) aim
(c) apathy
Answer:
(b) airn
Question 5.
He has helped to make the starving, the poor and the oppressed free and happy.
(a) delighted
(b) liberated
(c) downtrodden
Answer:
(c) downtrodden
Another Type of Exercise
Choose the appropriate Synonym of the underlined words.
1. You know (i) sweetheart, how I dislike (ii) sermonising and doling (iii) out good advice. I have, always thought that the best way to find out what is right and what is not right, what should be done and what should not be done, is not by giving a sermon (iv), but by talking and discussing, and out of discussion sometimes a little bit (v) of truth comes out.
i) (a) abstain
(b) be aware
(c) be ignorant
(d) forget
Answer:
(b) be aware
ii) (a) admire
(b) regard
(c) hate
(d) desire
Ans :
(c) hate
iii) (a) giving
(b) collecting
(c) holding
(d) hating
Answer:
(a) giving
iv) (a) citation
(b) praise
(c) tribute
(d) preaching
Answer:
(d) preaching
v) (a) lot
(b) deal
(c) part
(d) bunch
Answer:
(c) part
2. But what am I to do then (i)? A letter can hardly (ii) take the place of a talk; at best (iii) it is a one-sided affair. Imagine that I have made a suggestion (iv) to you for you to think over, as if we really were having a talk. In history we read of great (v) periods in the life of nations, of great men and women.
i) (a) in that case
(b)present
(c) although
(d) currently
Answer:
(a) in that case
ii) (a) gently
(b) easily
(c) scarcely
(d) quite
Answer:
(c) scarcely
iii) (a) foremost
(b) relent
(c) rags
(d) inferior
Answer:
(a) foremost
iv) (a) demand
(b) command
(c) proposal
(d) ultimatum
Answer:
(c) proposal
v) (a) awful
(b) excellent
(c) tiny
(d) moderate
Answer:
(b) excellent
3. Bapuji is in prison, but the magic of his message (i) has stolen the hearts of India’s millions. Men and women, and even little (ii) children, come out of their little shells (iii) and become India’s soldiers of freedom (iv). In India today we are making history, and you and I are fortunate (v) to see this happening before our eyes and to take some part ourselves in this great drama.
i) (a) contour
(b) bafflement
(c) information
(d) rumour
Answer:
(c) information
ii) (a) great
(b) immense
(c) ample
(d) small
Answer:
(d) small
iii) (a) structures
(b) ammunitions
(c) plates
(d) grenades
Answer:
(a) structures
iv) (a) limitation
(b) captivity
(c) liberty
(d) restriction
Answer:
(c) liberty
v) (a) hapless
(b) baneful
(c) dire
(d) lucky
Answer:
(d) lucky
4. Do you remember (i) how fascinated (ii) you were when you first read the story of Joan of Arc, and how your ambition (iii) was to be something like her? Ordinary men and women are not usually heroic. They think of their bread and butter, of their children, of their household worries (iv) and the like. But a time comes when a whole people become interested in a great cause (v).
i) (a) recall
(b) overlook
(c) neglect
(d) disregard
Answer:
(a) recall
ii) (a) tired
(b) dingy
(c) tired
(d) attracted
Answer:
(d) attracted
iii) (a) apathy
(b) aspiration
(c) contentment
(d) humility
Answer:
(b) aspiration
iv) (a) reliefs
(b) delights
(c) concerns
(d) calms
Answer:
(c) concerns
v) (a) neglect
(b) motivation
(c) fate
(d) aftermath
Answer:
(b) motivation
II. Choose the correct Antonym for the underlined words.
Question 1.
How fascinated you were when you first read the story of Joan of Arc.
(a) attracted
(b) bored
(c) interested
Answer:
(b) bored
Question 2.
you will grow up a child of the light, unafraid and serene.
(a) violent
(b) quite
(c) calm
Answer:
(a) violent
Question 3.
You and I are fortunate to see this happening before our eyes
(a) happy
(b) blessed
(c) unlucky
Answer:
(c) unlucky
Question 4.
A letter can hardly take the place of a talk.
(a) rarely
(b) easily
(c) roughly
Answer:
(b) easily
Question 5.
Out of discussion sometimes a little bit of truth comes out.
(a) evidence
(b) fact
(c) lie
Answer:
(c) lie
Another Type of Exercise
Choose the appropriate Antonyms of the underlined words.
1. I have liked (i) my talks with you and we have discussed many (ii) things, but the world is wide (iii) and beyond our world lie other wonderful and mysterious worlds. None of us need (iv) ever be bored or imagine that we have learned everything worth learning and become very wise (v).
i) (a) desired
(b) cherished
(c) esteemed
(d) disliked
Answer:
(d) disliked
ii) (a) several
(b) few
(c) lot of
(d) various
Answer:
(b) few
iii) (a) broad
(b) extensive
(c) narrow
(d) ample
Answer:
(c) narrow
iv) (a) want
(b) detest
(c) desire
(d) require
Answer:
(b) detest
v) (a) sage
(b) prudent
(c) sensible
(d) foolish
Answer:
(d) foolish
2. Great leaders have something in them which inspires (i) a whole people and makes them do great deeds (ii). In India, a great leader, full of love for all who suffer and eager (iii), to help them, has inspired our people to great actions and noble (iv) sacrifice. He has helped to make the starving, the poor (v) and the oppressed free and happy.
i) (a) instills
(b) stimulates
(c) discourages
(d) induces
Answer:
(c) discourages
ii) (a) failures
(b) actions
(c) activities
(d) performances
Answer:
(a) failures
iii) (a) enthusiastic
(b) reluctant
(c) keen
(d) anxious
Answer:
(b) reluctant
iv) (a) shameful
(b) dignified
(c) grand
(d) royal
Answer:
(a) shameful
v) (a) inadequate
(b) miserable
(c) inferior
(d) rich
Answer:
(d) rich
3. We are not afraid (i) of what we do or what we say. We work in the sun and in the light. Even so in our private (ii) lives let us make friends with the sun and work in the light and do nothing secretly (iii) and if you do so, my dear, you will grow up a child of the light, unafraid and serene (iv) and unruffled (v), whatever may happen.
i) (a) scared
(b) fearful
(c) brave
(d) alarmed
Answer:
(c) brave
ii) (a) intimate
(b) individual
(c) personal
(d) public
Answer:
(d) public
iii) (a) obviously
(b) quietly
(c) confidentially
(d) on the sly
Answer:
(a) obviously
iv) (a) calm
(b) placid
(c) agitated
(d) peaceful
Answer:
(c) agitated
v) (a) wild
(b) tranquil
(c) cool
(d) undisturbed
Answer:
(a) wild
MCQs – Additional
Complete the following by choosing the correct answer from the options given.
Question 1.
When Indira was about to turn 13 in ____________, Nehru started sending her more detailed letters.
(a) 1936
(b) 1932
(c) 1934
(d) 1930
Answer:
(d) 1930
Question 2.
Over the next four years, Nehru continuously wrote to his daughter from _______and his words are still inspiring.
(a) prison
(b) home
(c) office
(d) Mussoorie
Answer:
(a) prison
Question 3.
My presents cannot be very material or _______.
(a) compact
(b) solid
(c) good
(d) attractive
Answer:
(b) solid
Question 4.
Things that even the high walls of prison cannot _______.
(a) avoid
(b) permit
(c) stop
(d) prevent
Answer:
(c) stop
Question 5.
A letter can _______take the place of a talk.
(a) hardly
(b) scarcely
(c) rarely
(d) never
Answer:
(a) hardly
Question 6.
_______ men and women are not usually heroic.
(a) extra-ordinary
(b) simple
(c) poor
(d) ordinary
Answer:
(d) Ordinary
Question 7.
Bapuji is in prison, but the magic of his _______has stolen the hearts of India’s millions.
(a) words
(b) message
(c) actions
(d) deeds
Answer:
(b) message
Question 8.
It is no easy matter to _______what is right and what is not.
(a) tell
(b) argue
(c) decide
(d) analyse
Answer:
(c) decide
Question 9.
We have nothing to _______.
(a) store
(b) disclose
(c)hide
(d) save
Answer:
(c) hide
Question 10.
May you grow up into a brave _______ in India’s service.
(a) person
(b) soldier
(c) lady
(d) leader
Answer:
(b) soldier
A Birthday Letter About the Author
Jawaharlal Nehru (14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was the first Prime Minister. He emerged as an eminent leader of the Indian independence movement under the tutelage of Mahatma Gandhi. He served India as Prime Minister from 1947 until his death in 1964. He is considered to be the architect of the modern Indian nation-state: a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. His birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day.
He was a prolific writer in English and wrote a number of books, such as The Discovery of India, Glimpses of World History, and his autobiography, Toward Freedom. In 1955, Nehru was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour by the President Rajendra Prasad.
A Birthday Letter Summary
The letters written by Nehru from the various prisons in British India to his daughter Indira, were published in 1942 as a book called “Glimpses of World History”. It is a collection of 196 letters on World History. This extract is about a letter written by Jawaharlal Nehru to his daughter Indira, when he was in the Central Prison at Naini. As he was not able to send a gift to Indira on her birthday, he writes to her. Though presents are appreciated, letters can equally be cherished as gifts. Nehru disliked giving sermons or advices because he believed that only by talking and discussing, sometimes a little bit of truth comes out.
The two factors that make ordinary men heroes are full faith in a great cause and love and respect for the nation. Mahatma Gandhi inspired millions of people to fight for freedom. He has helped to make the starving, the poor and the oppressed free and happy. If we are to be India’s soldiers, we have to respect India’s honour which is a sacred trust. He advises Indira not to do anything in secret or wish to hide anything. She should always stand bold and be brave always. Only then, she will grow up to be a child of the light, unafraid, calm and peaceful. He concludes finally by wishing her to grow up into a brave soldier in India’s service.
A Birthday Letter Mind Map
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A Birthday Letter Glossary
Synonyms
Antonyms
