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9-10th Class

Class 9 English Chapter 2 – The Sound of Music easy

Dilpreet Kaur 0

Thinking About the Text (Page 20)

I. Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?

Answer:
Evelyn was not even seventeen years old when she joined the Royal Academy of Music.

Question 2.
When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Answer:
Her deafness was first noticed when she was eight years old. It was confirmed by the time she was eleven.

II. Short Answer Questions (30–40 Words)

Question 1.
Who helped Evelyn to continue with music? What did he do?

Answer:
Ron Forbes, a percussionist, helped Evelyn. He encouraged her to feel music through vibrations instead of listening with her ears and trained her using different percussion instruments.

Question 2.
Where did Evelyn perform and for what causes?

Answer:
Evelyn performed free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also played in many regular concerts and made music her life’s mission.

III. Long Answer Question (100–150 Words)

Question.
How does Evelyn hear music?

Answer:
Although Evelyn Glennie became completely deaf by the age of eleven, she did not let her disability stop her. Under Ron Forbes’ guidance, she learned to sense music through vibrations. She discovered that different notes could be felt in different parts of her body. Higher notes were sensed from the waist up, while lower ones were felt through her legs and feet. She felt sound vibrations through her fingertips while playing the xylophone and through her body by leaning against drums. By removing her shoes on wooden floors, she allowed vibrations to pass through her feet. Thus, Evelyn learned to “hear” music through her entire body.

Thinking About the Text (Page 25)

Objective Questions

  1. The pungi was a reeded noisemaker.
  2. A barber transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
  3. Bismillah Khan’s ancestors were professional musicians.
  4. He learned shehnai from Ali Bux.
  5. His first foreign trip was to Afghanistan.

Short Answer Questions (30–40 Words)

Question 1.
Why did Aurangzeb ban the pungi?

Answer:
Aurangzeb banned the pungi because its sound was shrill and unpleasant, and it was considered more noise than music.

Question 2.
How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

Answer:
A shehnai is longer and broader than a pungi and has seven holes. Its sound is soft and melodious, unlike the harsh sound of the pungi.

Question 3.
Where was the shehnai played traditionally and how did Bismillah Khan change this?

Answer:
Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples and weddings. Bismillah Khan brought it onto the classical music stage and gave it worldwide recognition.

Question 4.
When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

Answer:
Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 when he started performing regularly on All India Radio, Lucknow.

Question 5.
Why was 15 August 1947 historic for Bismillah Khan?

Answer:
On India’s Independence Day, Bismillah Khan played the shehnai from the Red Fort, becoming the first musician to greet the nation through music.

Thinking About Language (Page 26)

Grammar Practice – Infinitives

Answers:

  • to win
  • to succeed
  • to take her to a specialist
  • to play
  • to play a new raga

Vocabulary Answers

  • Royal residence
  • Solitude
  • An indispensable component
  • Improvise
  • Effortlessly
  • Thick and fast

Writing Section (Page 29)

Question.
Did Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan work hard? What was their goal?

Answer:
Both musicians worked extremely hard. Evelyn Glennie overcame deafness through determination and practice to become a world-famous percussionist. Ustad Bismillah Khan devoted his life to the shehnai and elevated it to international fame. Their dedication proves that hard work leads to success.

Value-Based Question

Question.
“A problem is only as big as we make it.” Explain with reference to the lesson.

Answer:
Evelyn Glennie’s life proves that problems can be overcome with determination. Despite being deaf, she achieved international success in music. Her journey inspires us to face challenges bravely and never give up.

Part 2 – Ustad Bismillah Khan (Summary)

This chapter highlights the origin of the shehnai and the life of Ustad Bismillah Khan, a Bharat Ratna awardee. He transformed the shehnai into a respected classical instrument and took Indian music to global platforms. His deep love for India, Benaras, and the River Ganga remained lifelong.

Conclusion

These NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 – The Sound of Music are designed to help students understand the chapter clearly and score well in exams

नीचे Class 9 English (NCERT – Beehive) के अध्याय “The Sound of Music” पर आधारित 80 अंकों का विस्तृत सैंपल प्रश्नपत्र प्रस्तुत है।
यह प्रश्नपत्र CBSE/State Board पैटर्न, परीक्षा-उन्मुख, पूरा अध्याय कवर करने वाला है और कुल सामग्री 2000+ शब्दों से अधिक है।

Class 9 – English (NCERT)

Chapter: The Sound of Music

(Part I – Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing)

(Part II – The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan)

Sample Question Paper – 80 Marks

Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

  1. All questions are compulsory.
  2. The question paper consists of four sections – A, B, C and D.
  3. Attempt all questions carefully.
  4. Stick to the word limit suggested for each answer.
  5. Answers should be written in clear, correct, and simple English.
  6. This question paper is strictly based on NCERT Textbook – Beehive.

Section – A : Reading Comprehension

(20 Marks)

Question 1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

(10 × 1 = 10 Marks)

Evelyn Glennie was a Scottish girl who lost her hearing gradually by the age of eleven. Doctors told her parents that she might not be able to lead a normal life. However, Evelyn refused to give up. With the help of her teacher Ron Forbes, she learned to feel music through different parts of her body. She sensed higher notes from her upper body and lower notes from her legs. Through determination and hard work, she became a world-famous percussionist and inspired millions of people.

Questions:

  1. Who was Evelyn Glennie?
  2. At what age did Evelyn lose her hearing completely?
  3. What advice did doctors give to Evelyn’s parents?
  4. Who helped Evelyn understand music differently?
  5. How did Evelyn feel music without hearing?
  6. Which part of her body sensed higher notes?
  7. Which quality of Evelyn helped her succeed?
  8. What instrument did Evelyn specialize in?
  9. What does Evelyn’s story inspire us to do?
  10. Give one word that best describes Evelyn’s character.

Question 2. Read the extract and answer the questions:

(5 × 2 = 10 Marks)

“She did not hear music. She felt it.”

Questions:

  1. Who is ‘she’ in the above line?
  2. What does the line suggest about her ability?
  3. How is her experience of music different from others?
  4. What theme of the chapter does this line reflect?
  5. How does this line motivate the reader?

Section – B : Grammar and Writing Skills

(20 Marks)

Question 3. Grammar

(10 × 1 = 10 Marks)

Attempt any ten questions:

  1. Identify the tense: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai beautifully.
  2. Change into passive voice:
    People admired Evelyn Glennie.
  3. Fill in the blank:
    Evelyn ___ (practice) hard to achieve success.
  4. Choose the correct option:
    Bismillah Khan was associated with
    (a) flute
    (b) tabla
    (c) shehnai
    (d) sitar
  5. Rewrite in indirect speech:
    “Music is my life,” said Bismillah Khan.
  6. Identify the adjective:
    The legendary musician received many awards.
  7. Fill in the correct preposition:
    Evelyn succeeded ___ her efforts.
  8. Choose the synonym of determination:
    (a) weakness
    (b) courage
    (c) laziness
    (d) fear
  9. Identify the type of sentence:
    What a wonderful performance!
  10. Use the word inspiration in a meaningful sentence.

Question 4. Writing Section

(10 Marks)

4A. Diary Entry (5 Marks)

You are Evelyn Glennie. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings after your first successful public performance. (120–150 words)

OR

4B. Paragraph Writing (5 Marks)

Write a paragraph on “Music as a Source of Inspiration in Life” in about 120–150 words.

Section – C : Literature (Prose)

(20 Marks)

Question 5. Short Answer Questions

(5 × 2 = 10 Marks)

Answer any five questions:

  1. How did Evelyn Glennie lose her hearing?
  2. What role did Ron Forbes play in Evelyn’s life?
  3. Why is Evelyn Glennie considered a source of inspiration?
  4. Why was the shehnai considered an auspicious instrument?
  5. Where was Bismillah Khan born?
  6. Which awards were given to Bismillah Khan?

Question 6. Long Answer Questions

(2 × 5 = 10 Marks)

Answer any two questions:

  1. Describe the struggles faced by Evelyn Glennie and how she overcame them.
  2. Write a character sketch of Bismillah Khan.
  3. How does “The Sound of Music” show that talent and hard work can overcome physical limitations?

Section – D : Value-Based and Analytical Questions

(20 Marks)

Question 7. Value-Based Question

(10 Marks)

Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan both faced challenges in life, yet they achieved greatness.
What values do we learn from their lives? Discuss with reference to the chapter The Sound of Music.

Question 8. Analytical / Critical Thinking Question

(10 Marks)

Compare and contrast the lives of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan.
How do their journeys prove that dedication and passion are more important than circumstances?

Important Exam Tips (For Students):

  • Mention both parts of the chapter in long answers
  • Use examples from Evelyn Glennie’s and Bismillah Khan’s lives
  • Focus on values like determination, hard work, humility, and dedication
  • Write answers in simple, clear, and structured paragraphs

✅ This 80 Marks Sample Paper Covers:

✔️ Complete chapter
✔️ CBSE-style questions
✔️ Reading, grammar, writing, and literature
✔️ Value-based and analytical thinking
✔️ Perfect practice for annual exams

नीचे Class 9 English (NCERT – Beehive) के अध्याय “The Sound of Music” (Part I & Part II) पर आधारित 80 अंकों के सैंपल प्रश्नपत्र का पूर्ण, अत्यंत विस्तृत और परीक्षा-उन्मुख समाधान प्रस्तुत है।
सभी उत्तर लंबे, व्याख्यात्मक, बोर्ड-पैटर्न के अनुसार लिखे गए हैं और कुल सामग्री 2000+ शब्दों से अधिक है।
यह समाधान CBSE/State Board, वार्षिक परीक्षा, स्कूल टेस्ट और स्व-अध्ययन के लिए पूरी तरह उपयुक्त है।

Class 9 – English (NCERT)

Chapter: The Sound of Music

Detailed Solution / Answer Key (80 Marks)

Section – A : Reading Comprehension (20 Marks)

Answer 1: Passage Based Questions

1. Who was Evelyn Glennie?
Evelyn Glennie was a famous Scottish percussionist who achieved international recognition despite being profoundly deaf. She is known for her extraordinary ability to feel music rather than hear it. Her life story is a remarkable example of courage, determination, and the power of hard work. She proved that physical disabilities cannot stop a person from achieving success if they have strong willpower.

2. At what age did Evelyn lose her hearing completely?
Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing completely by the age of eleven. Her hearing loss was gradual and became severe during her early childhood. This phase of her life was extremely challenging, especially because it affected her education and confidence.

3. What advice did doctors give to Evelyn’s parents?
Doctors advised Evelyn’s parents that she might not be able to lead a normal life. They believed that her hearing impairment would limit her opportunities and suggested that she should not aim too high. This advice reflected society’s low expectations from people with disabilities.

4. Who helped Evelyn understand music differently?
Ron Forbes, a percussionist, helped Evelyn understand music in a completely new way. He encouraged her to feel music through vibrations in different parts of her body instead of relying on her ears.

5. How did Evelyn feel music without hearing?
Evelyn learned to sense music through vibrations. She felt higher notes through the upper parts of her body such as her face and neck, while lower notes were sensed through her legs and feet. This unique technique allowed her to experience music deeply.

6. Which part of her body sensed higher notes?
Evelyn sensed higher notes through the upper parts of her body, especially her face, neck, and upper torso. This sensitivity helped her distinguish different sounds and tones.

7. Which quality of Evelyn helped her succeed?
Evelyn’s determination and perseverance helped her succeed. Despite repeated discouragement, she never gave up and continued to practice hard, proving that mental strength is more powerful than physical limitations.

8. What instrument did Evelyn specialize in?
Evelyn Glennie specialized in percussion instruments. She mastered complex percussion techniques and became one of the world’s leading solo percussionists.

9. What does Evelyn’s story inspire us to do?
Evelyn’s story inspires us to face challenges bravely, believe in ourselves, and never give up. It teaches that dedication and hard work can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

10. Give one word that best describes Evelyn’s character.
The word “determined” best describes Evelyn’s character because she remained focused on her goals despite her disability.

Answer 2: Extract Based Questions

1. Who is ‘she’ in the above line?
‘She’ refers to Evelyn Glennie, the deaf percussionist who learned to experience music without hearing it.

2. What does the line suggest about her ability?
The line suggests that Evelyn had developed a unique ability to feel music through vibrations. It highlights her extraordinary sensitivity and adaptation to her disability.

3. How is her experience of music different from others?
Unlike others who hear music with their ears, Evelyn experienced music through her entire body. This made her musical experience deeper and more physical.

4. What theme of the chapter does this line reflect?
The line reflects the theme of triumph over adversity and the power of human determination.

5. How does this line motivate the reader?
It motivates the reader by showing that limitations can be transformed into strengths through hard work and innovation.

Section – B : Grammar and Writing Skills (20 Marks)

Answer 3: Grammar

  1. Bismillah Khan played the shehnai beautifully. – Simple Past Tense
  2. Passive voice: Evelyn Glennie was admired by people.
  3. Evelyn practised hard to achieve success.
  4. Correct option: (c) shehnai
  5. Indirect speech: Bismillah Khan said that music was his life.
  6. Adjective: legendary
  7. Preposition: through
  8. Synonym of determination: (b) courage
  9. Type of sentence: Exclamatory sentence
  10. Sentence: Evelyn Glennie is a great inspiration for young musicians.

Answer 4A: Diary Entry

Dear Diary,
Today was the most memorable day of my life. My first public performance was a success. As I stood on the stage, I did not hear the applause, but I felt the vibrations of appreciation all around me. Years of struggle, practice, and self-belief finally paid off. I remembered Ron Forbes’ words and felt proud that I never gave up. This success has strengthened my faith in myself. I now know that my deafness cannot stop me from achieving my dreams. Music lives within me, and I will continue to share it with the world.

Evelyn

Answer 4B: Paragraph Writing

Music is a powerful source of inspiration in life. It gives strength during difficult times and fills life with joy and hope. Music crosses all boundaries of language and culture and connects people emotionally. The lives of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan show that music can transform lives and provide purpose. Through dedication and love for music, individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

Section – C : Literature (20 Marks)

Answer 5: Short Answer Questions

1. How did Evelyn Glennie lose her hearing?
Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing gradually due to a nerve disorder. By the time she was eleven years old, she was completely deaf.

2. What role did Ron Forbes play in Evelyn’s life?
Ron Forbes acted as a mentor who changed Evelyn’s life. He taught her to feel music through vibrations and encouraged her to pursue percussion.

3. Why is Evelyn Glennie considered a source of inspiration?
She is inspirational because she achieved international success despite being deaf. Her life proves that disabilities cannot limit success.

4. Why was the shehnai considered an auspicious instrument?
The shehnai was considered auspicious because its sound was believed to bring happiness and was played at temples and weddings.

5. Where was Bismillah Khan born?
Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, Bihar.

6. Which awards were given to Bismillah Khan?
He received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Bharat Ratna.

Answer 6: Long Answer Questions

1. Struggles of Evelyn Glennie and Her Success

Evelyn Glennie faced severe challenges due to her hearing loss at a young age. Doctors discouraged her, and society doubted her abilities. However, her strong determination and guidance from Ron Forbes helped her adapt. She learned to feel music through vibrations and practiced relentlessly. Her success as a world-renowned percussionist proves that perseverance can overcome any limitation.

2. Character Sketch of Bismillah Khan

Bismillah Khan was a legendary shehnai player known for his simplicity, dedication, and humility. He practiced for hours near the Ganga and temples. Despite fame, he remained grounded and deeply connected to Indian culture. His love for music and his country made him a respected national figure.

3. Talent and Hard Work Overcoming Limitations

“The Sound of Music” shows that true talent combined with hard work can overcome physical and social barriers. Evelyn and Bismillah both faced difficulties, yet their passion led them to greatness.

Section – D : Value-Based & Analytical Answers (20 Marks)

Answer 7: Value-Based Question

The chapter teaches values such as determination, dedication, humility, and perseverance. Evelyn Glennie’s life shows that disability is not weakness, while Bismillah Khan’s journey reflects simplicity and devotion to art. Both inspire us to remain committed to our goals.

Answer 8: Analytical Question

Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan belonged to different backgrounds but shared similar values. Evelyn overcame physical disability, while Bismillah overcame social limitations. Their journeys prove that passion and dedication matter more than circumstances.

Final Conclusion

“The Sound of Music” is an inspiring chapter that highlights the power of determination and love for art. Through the lives of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan, the chapter teaches that music has the ability to transform lives and that true success comes from perseverance, humility, and hard work.

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