NCERT Solutions For Class 9 Words and Expressions 1

What kind of music is Ravi Shankar famous for?
(a) Jazz
(b) Classical
(c) Pop

Which country was Justin Beiber born in?
(a) USA
(b) India
(c) Canada

How many strings does a guitar have?
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8

What is a group of three musicians called?
(a) a trio
(b) a duet
(c) a quartet

What is the next note after sa-re-ga-ma?
(a) dha
(b) ni
(c) pa

What is the next note after do-re-mi?
(a) ti
(b) fa
(c) so

Text I

Role of Music in Life

Complete the following statements by selecting the most appropriate options given below.

1. ________________ helps in relaxation of our body and mind.
(a) Pop music
(b) Soothing music
(c) Jazz music
(d) Rock music
2. The natural painkillers released in our brain are ________________.
(a) Insulin
(b) Endorphins
(c) Endocrine
(d) Glycerin
3. Music is helpful in improving the _____________ of students.
(a) concentration
(b) emotion
(c) relaxation
(d) anxiety
4. Which word from the passage means the same as ‘to renew’? _______________________________
(a) rejuvenate
(b) enhance
(c) release
(d) relieve
5. List the benefits of music mentioned in the passage.
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Text II

Beating the Odds

1. Read the following statements and write true (T) or false (F).
(a) Although he composed a lot of music, Beethoven never learned to play music himself. (T/F)
(b) His deafness was not a sudden loss of hearing. (T/F)
(c) He composed most of his music early in his life, before he became deaf. (T/F)
(d) His musical skills were compared to Haydn. (T/F)
(e) Beethoven cut down the legs of his piano to hear the notes of the keys from the floor. (T/F)

2. How could Beethoven compose music despite his loss of hearing?
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3. What realisation made Beethoven continue his passion for music with more determination?
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4. Which word in the following is similar in meaning to ‘skillful’ (para 1)?
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(a) brilliant
(b) masterly
(c) talented
(d) genius

Text III

Read the poem carefully and answer the question that follows.

1. Complete the summary of the poem given below with a suitable word/phrase in each blank.

The poet finds a young Highland girl who (a)________________alone and sings to herself. The poet asks us to listen carefully, because the whole (b) ________________ is filled with the overflowing sound of her singing. He asks us to either (c)________________and listen to her sad song, or gently pass by so as not to disturb her. He goes on to say that no nightingale ever sang a more (d)_________________song to bands of tired (e)_______________ in the Arabian Desert. The poet asserts that the beauty of the girl’s singing exceeds that of the cuckoo’s in the (f)________________. Her singing is also the only thing which (g) ________________the silence of the valley. The poet tries to (h) ________________what the girl is
singing about. He is unable to get the words of the song clearly. He thinks that perhaps she is singing about old sorrows or (i) _________________fought long ago, or more
routine concerns of life or even some (j) ________________ which she has endured and may endure again. At the end, he quietly walks away with a feeling that he may never be able to find out the (k)________________of her never-ending song. Nevertheless, he asserts that her singing has captured his imagination so much that he will (l) ________________the music in his heart long after it is heard no more.

1. The following words and phrases occur in the given passages and poem. Given below are the words and their meanings. Match each meaning with the word.

Based on the image provided, here are the tables transcribed exactly as they appear:

Text 1

Text 2

Text 3

2. Word search Look at the grid given here.

A. Find the names of the musical instruments in the grid. They can be found in different directions: up-down, down-up, left-right, right-left and diagonally.

Name the musical instruments.
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B. Use the pictures as clues. Write the appropriate name of the instrument in each blank given below. One has been done as an example.
(a) Evelyn Glennie is a Xylophone player.
(b) Zakir Hussain plays the _________________.
(c) Hariprasad Chaurasia plays the _________________.

(d) V. Doraiswamy Iyenger plays the __________________.
(e) Bismillah Khan plays the ____________________.
(f) Amjad Ali Khan plays the _____________________.

1. In the lesson ‘The Sound of Music’ you have read that ‘adjectives’ can be used before a noun and after the verb ‘be’.

Example:

The book is interesting. The interesting book.

The table is round. The round table.

But ‘adjectives’ can have many forms.

Examples:
1. He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was  longer and broader.
2. Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded India’s highest civilian award.
3. My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Here the adjectives longer and broader refer to the comparative degree; and highest and most beautiful refer to the superlative degree.

‘Er’ is used for the comparative degree for shorter words and ‘more’ is used for longer words.

Example:
Let’s go to the local market. The vegetables are cheaper there. But in Supermarket these are more expensive.

A. Now fill in the blanks with appropriate comparative adjectives.
(a) He was not audible. His voice was not loud. Can you request him to be a bit ____________________(loud)?
(b) There are many peaks in the Himalayas. Everest is _____________________________ (high) peak in India.
(c) With 9 degree Celsius it was colder yesterday, and with 4 degree Celsius it is ___________ (cold) today.
(d) Our police is the____________________ (reliable) in the country.
(e) My sister is_____________________(serious) than me.

(f) Your dance performance is not good. It can be __________________________ (good) with practice.
(g) Living in the countryside is _______________________ (peaceful) than living in a town.
(h) My father is _____________________________________ (important) person in my life.

B. Fill in the blanks with appropriate superlative degree ‘most’/‘est’.
(a) With so many vehicles, the roads of Delhi have become___________________ (crowded) ones in India.
(b) Yesterday was_____________________ (cold) day of the month.
(c) The book is interesting. It is_____________________ (interesting) book I have ever read.
(d) This hotel is cheaper. But that one is__________________________ (cheap) in the town.
(e) _______________________ (old) member of my family is my grandfather.
(f) Lata Mangeshkar has___________________________ (melodious) voice in the country.

2. In the same lesson, use of ‘to-verb’ has been explained. Let’s do some more activities on this. Join the two sets of sentences given below, and make one sentence. The first one is done for you.

1. ‘May I help you?’
‘Okay’
He offered to help her.
2. ‘Let’s go to the Old Age Home in the evening.’
‘That’s fine.’
She arranged ___________________ to the Old Age Home in the evening.
3. ‘What would you like to eat?’, asked Shivani’s mother.
‘I don’t have an appetite’, replied Shivani.
Shivani refused _________________________________.
4. ‘Post the letter. Don’t forget.’
 Don’t forget_____________________________________.

5. ‘Can you participate in the music concert?’
‘It’s fine with me.’
She agreed ________________________________ in the music concert.

Some words have been omitted in the paragraph given below. Write the appropriate words and rewrite the paragraph.

The following words were written/the tomb of/Anglican Bishop of Westminster Abbey:

When I was young/free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed/changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered/world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided/change only my country.

But it too seemed immovable. As I grew/my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled/changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, I couldn’t.

And now as I lay/ my deathbed, I suddenly realise: If I had only changed myself first, then/ an example I could have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able/better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

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A passage on the healing aspect of music is given below. You need to listen to the passage read by your teacher/classmate carefully and answer the question that follows. You may listen to the passage twice, if required.

Music as a Therapy

 “Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul”, rightly said by Plato. Music is often referred to as ‘food’ for the soul due to the several benefits we can 
derive from experiencing it.

Music can be pleasure for some, and a way to relax for others. It also motivates and energises listeners. Music is, indeed, a universal language, which can bring nations together and unite people with different faiths as it touches one’s soul. In the mainstream, music is mainly known for its entertainment quotient, but the Indian culture also talks about the healing effects of music through ‘Raga Chikitsa’. Raga Chikitsa has helped in reviving an ancient healing practice known as Nada Yoga. 

Nada is a musical sound, which is believed to have curative effects on the body and soul of all creatures. Consequently, its power is therapeutic and is used in curing diseases. Medical research has found music therapy to aid patients in pain management. It is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind significantly.

One experiences positive energy by listening to music. Music lifts one from clouds of desolation. Rhythms, particularly upbeat music, helps one distract oneself from situations that cause stress and brightens one’s mood. Music lowers anxiety levels, relaxes mind and brings optimism. It is said that listening to soft, sedative music once a day can help overcome depression.

Music therapy finds its traces in mythology. The story of Hippocrates, the Greek father of medicine dates back to 400 B.C. He is known to have used music to cure his patients.
This therapy also aids stroke victims to heal at a faster rate, since it increases the patient’s emotional comforts and motivates them to move towards the path of recovery. On
the other hand, adolescents, too, are benefitted by music in terms of emotional, social and psychological well being. Music is a force that purifies beings from within.

According to you, which FOUR of the following statements are true?
(a) Nada Yoga treats diseases through Raga Chikitsa.
(b) Music is a universal language that reaches souls.
(c) Music therapy dates back to 400 B.C.
(d) Hippocrates played music to treat the patients.
(e) Upbeat tunes help stroke victims recover faster.
(f) Music helps adolescents to discover their identity.

Two students need to come to the front of the class for a role play. One plays the role of Thyagaraja, a famous singer, and the other the role of the interviewer, Rohit, a Radio Jockey (RJ). The interview is about the singer’s initiatives in helping people through music.

RJ Rohit : Do you think music has any effect on people’s lives?

Thyagaraja : Yes, I believe music surely has a positive effect on people’s lives. It helps when you are stressed, or depressed about something. Apart from these, music is a good way of relaxing and feeling good about life.

RJ Rohit : What, according to you, could be the influence of music on young children? 

Thyagaraja : Now-a-days, young children get distracted easily. Music helps them in concentrating on what they are doing.

RJ Rohit : How does music help patients?

Thyagaraja : Listening to music relaxes patients. The process of healing becomes faster when they are in a relaxed state of mind.

RJ Rohit : Thank you very much. You are doing a great job for the humankind.

1. Listening to music has become a part of our lives for many reasons. We listen to different types of music today. 

Discuss in pairs the following question:

•  Is the traditional music of a country more important than its contemporary music?

Write your views in about 50–60 words.

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2. The traits of a musician are given in the box overleaf. Use these and write a short biography in about 100–150 words. You may collect more information from the Internet, books in the library and other sources. 

A. R. Rahman: Indian composer, singer, songwriter, music producer, musician and philanthropist; born in Chennai on 6 January 1967; graduated from Trinity College, Oxford University; famous in integrating Indian classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements; recipient of the Padmashri and the Padma Vibhushan awards; two Oscars and a Golden Globe; a notable humanitarian and philanthropist; donates and raises money for a number of causes and charities.

Biographical Sketch
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