Kerala SCERT Class 9 English Chapter 4 Maternity Question Answer Solution here. Kerala Board Class 9 Students can find Here 4th Chapter Maternity Notes provide by our Teacher. Important Question Answer from Chapter 4 Maternity.
- Board- Kerala Board.
- Class – 9.
- Subject – English Part 1
- Chapter – 4.
- Chapter Name – Maternity.
- Topic – Question Answer Solution.
Kerala SCERT Class 9 English Maternity Question Answer
Read and respond
1.) How did the Armenian refugees settle?
Ans.The Armenian refugees settled in every they could manage, the richest under the tents, the others under the sheds and majority of the refugees who were not able to find anything sheltered themselves under the carpets held up at the four corners by sticks.
2.) Describe the life of the refugees in the camp.
Ans.The life of the refugees were filled with hardships and the men performed any work that they could manage so that their families had something to eat.
3.) Why couldn’t Mikali earn even a penny?
Ans. Mikali could not earn even a penny as he had his new-born brother with him as his mother died during the childbirth.
4.) Why was he chased away by his fellow Armenians?
Ans.He was chased by his fellow Armenians as they were unable to tolerate the crying of the hungry infant continuously.
5.) Mikali wandered like a ‘lost soul.’ Comment on the comparison.
Ans. A lost soul roams around in search of peace and calmness. Similarly, Mikali used to move around in quest of quietnessand peace like a wandering soul. He was tired and tortured with lack of sleep and fatigue.
6.) Why did the refugees wish that the child would die?
Ans. The refugees were themselves tired and exhausted with their own misfortune that they could not tolerate the screaming infant all the time and wished that the child would die so that they can have their peace.
7.) Notice how the women behaved. What do you think about their attitude?
Ans. The woman filled their ears so that they could avoid the noise of the wailing infant and none of the woman offered any help, protection or milk. I think it was very cruel and inhuman to behave in that manner.
8.) What made Mikali go to the camp of the Anatolians?
Ans. Mikali came to know that there was a nursing mother who might show some compassion on the baby. Thus, he went to the camp of the Anatolians.
9.) Mikali did not stop when the old women rose to ask him what he wanted because …
a.) he was very tired.
b.) he heard the wailing of the infant.
c.) he wanted to see the ‘nursing mother.’
d.) he didn’t like the women.
Ans. c. he wanted to see the ‘nursing mother.’
10.) Why was Mikali happy?
Ans.When he reached an opening of a tent, and asked for help, a beautiful woman came outside feeding a blissful baby in her arms and asked Mikali if the wailing infant a boy or a girl. On hearing this, Mikali was happy with anticipation.
11.) Why did the women give vent to cries of horror?
Ans.The women gave vent to cries of horror as the baby did not look human anymore. The body of the baby was very thin and wrinkled with lack of food and its head has become huge in size. The thumb was bulged due to continuous sucking.
12.) Why did he feel immensely alone and lost?
Ans. Mikali was unable to do any work and as a result he did not have any food and shelter. He was not unable to look after the infant also and as a result it was continuously wailing causing more misery to him. People were not ready to help him and life seemed to be full of sorrows and pain.
13.) Why did he sob?
Ans. He sobbed when he heard the clock sounded noon and remembered that he has not eaten for past one day and he had to go through the streets, cafes and steal through the left-over food or search through the dustbin to find out any food not eaten by the dogs. All these things reminded him of his pitiful condition and he started to cry.
14.) In what way is the Chinaman different from the refugees?
Ans.The Chinaman was different from other refugees in his behaviour towards Mikali.He was more compassionate towards Mikali and asked him not to cry and asked him to accompany him.
15.) Describe how the Chinaman’s wife behaved when she saw Mikali with her husband?
Ans.The Chinaman’s wife’s face changed colour with happiness and she smiled happily looking at them.
16.) What did the Chinaman’s wife do when she saw the famished infant?
Ans.The Chinaman’s wife was filled with distress by looking the hungry infant, then took the baby near her chest and started feeding it by covering herself with the flap of her robe modestly. The starving child sucked with all its might to control its insatiable hunger of food for days.
Let’s revisit and reflect
1.) How did the child become a problem to Mikali and the others in the refugee camp? What impression do you get about Mikali from the way he faced the problem?
Ans.The chid was always wailing with hunger as the mother expired during childbirth and it was not getting any milk. It became a problem for Mikali and the others in the camp as the continuous cry was intolerable for them to hear. They had their own problems to solve and were not at all interested in listening to the incessant wail of the baby.
Mikali was a responsible and caring boy and he did not abandon the child even he was tortured by its continuous cry. Moreover, Mikali was also hungry and tired himself as he was unable to find any work as he had to carry the child with him always.
2.) Describe Mikali’s experiences in the Armenian camp and the Anatolian camp. What difference do you notice?
Ans. Mikali’s experienced unresponsiveness and mistreatment in the Armenian camp and the Anatolian camp. The refugees in both the camps were cruel in their treatment with Mikali and the child. They did not offer any food or shelter to them. They asked them to leave the camp and also chased them when Mikali asked for help. I found no difference in the attitude in both the camps as they were both inhuman their approach to the plight of Mikali and the infant.
3.) How does the story reveal the nobility of maternity? Describe.
Ans. When Mikali met the Chinaman and accompanied to his place, he saw the real picture of maternity in the appearance of the Chinaman’s wife. The Chinaman set the baby in her lap and when she looked at the infant, she was horrified due to its shrivelled body. The huge head and the swollen thumb were shock for the womanbut she did not move the infant away but fed it with love and care. The Chinaman’s wife was the picture of love, kindness and tenderness that all mothers possess.
4.) Which character in the story was the most empathetic to the baby? Justify.
Ans.The Chinaman was sympathetic to Mikali and took him to his home and carried the infant also in his hands but the most sincere and empathetic character in the story was the Chinaman’s wife as she unhesitatingly offered her milk to the infant.
Activity 1
What is your impression about the Chinaman and his wife? How are they different from the other characters in the story? Write a paragraph. The following hints may help you.
Topic sentence
The most relevant ideas-personal impressions.
Supporting ideas
Evidence from the text -explanations
Conclusion – Reinforce the idea in the topic sentence
Ans. The Chinaman and his wife are those people who are compassionate of other’s plight even when they are facing their own troubles. The story tells that the Armenians and Anatolians have spread of many stories of cruelty but in reality, they are the inhuman and wicked people. They are so selfish that they could not see anything beyond themselves. They drove out Mikali and the infant without considering their situation because the wailing of the child was unbearable for them. On the other hand, the Chinaman, in spite of his own poor condition gave refuge to Mikali and to the infant. His wife also was equally compassionate towards the infant. She did not withdraw due to the horrific look of the infant but lovingly fed it. Thus, we see the Chinaman and his wife were actually the unselfish, generous people in the whole story.
Activity 2
“…the majority of the refugees, having found nothing better, were sheltered under carpets held up at the four corners by sticks.” “Mikali ate the stale bread which his neighbours cared to offer and it weighed on him.” You have understood the sufferings of the people in the refugee camp. If a disaster (flood, cyclone, earthquake, etc.) strikes your neighbouring village, what action plan will you prepare for immediate relief?
Ans. Immediate shifting of the people to a safer area, make food and clean drinking water available, Provision of clean sanitation facilities, Medicines and doctors, provide the victims with counselling to overcome e the trauma etc.
a) Study the pie chart below, showing the effect of natural calamities in the world over the past few years.
Answer the following questions on the basis of your reading of the chart.
1.) Which appears to be the most disastrous of all the calamities?
Ans. Flood and Tsunami and Typhoon
2.) Which seems to be the least dangerous?
Ans. Drought
Discuss. 1. What are the adverse effects of calamities? List them.
Ans.diseases, loss of property, deaths, dislocation of people
2.) Suggest a few precautionary measures to reduce the adverse effects of such calamities.
Ans. Early warnings if possible, moving of people and their belongings to safer place, storage of food , water, medicines and first aids, inform hospitals and prepare rescue teams.
a.) In certain cases, people are given some precautionary measures. A few warnings related to earthquake are given in the boxes.
Move to an area AWAY FROM trees, power lines, buildings and walls.
REMAIN in position until the shake has stopped.
DROP TO KNEES and get into a foetal position, close your eyes and cross your arms over the back of your neck for protection
Prepare a few warnings to be given to avoid the spread of epidemics in the camp.
Ans. Providing awareness to people through distribution of pamphlets, drink clean and boiled water, eat clean and fresh food, Take preventive vaccinations, Avoid contact with sick people.
b.) Now, we can think about forming a Disaster Management Committee. Form different groups like Medical Assistance Group, Food Catering Group, Publicity Wing, etc. Sit in groups and discuss what you can do in case of emergencies. Present your ideas in the class.
Ans. Providing awareness to people through distribution of pamphlets, Ask to drink clean and boiled water, Advise to eat clean and fresh food, Take preventive vaccinations, Avoid contact with sick people.
c.) Suppose you are the convenor of the Publicity Committee. What can you do to ensure community support?
Ans. A. Prepare posters
- Conducting awareness programme
- Awareness of Hygiene
- Cleaning of the surrounding
d.) Now, design posters to make the community aware of the dangers of epidemics.
Language activities
Activity 1
Read the following sentences from the story ‘Maternity.’ “Have pity on this poor orphan and give him a little milk… ,” he said in Greek. “Come with me,” said the Chinaman. “Come in, then. Do not be afraid,” said the Chinaman. What do you notice about the sentences given within quotes?
Write your findings here.
ï )They begin with verbs.
ii.) Dilalogues of different people.
iii.) The dialogues are written in quotation.
A B
Functions Sentences Warning Take care or else you’ll fall Advice Look at that notice board. Request, Please keep this umbrella with you. Orders Don’t smoke here. Instruction/Direction Don’t push me. Be patient Invitation How tired you look! Come and have a coffee Sign and Notice Don’t spit here. |
b.) Read the directions given below. Form groups and the leader will give these directions. Try them out.
1.) Rest your chin on your chest and remain seated.
2.) Close your eyes
3.) Raise your head and turn it to the right.
4.) Put your hands on your waist.
5.) Stand up.
6.) Put your left hand on your right hand.
7.) Nod your head four times.
8.) Freeze. Remain in this position till I ask you to relax.
Ans. Groups are formed by students and a leader is chosen. Practice of Imperative sentences is conducted.
c.) Look at the posters given below and study their features.
Ans.Features of posters
Catchy captions
Colourful designs
Precise and brief
Appealing to the eyes
You are one of the volunteers who does service in a flood relief camp. Prepare a few posters to create awareness among the inmates of the camp on health and hygiene to fight against epidemics.
Activity 2
a.) Read the following sentences.
He told her to sit on a straw mat. What do you think were the actual words of the Chinaman? Complete the following. The Chinaman said, “…………………………………………………………………” What changes do you notice when someone’s actual words are reported? Discuss and say whether the following statements are true or false
When a sentence is reported:
ï There is always a change in the order of the words. TRUE
ï It becomes more formal. TRUE
ï Speech marks are not used. TRUE
ï The meaning changes totally. FALSE
ï The imperative mood changes into ‘to infinitive’ (to + verb). TRUE
There is no change in the pronouns. TRUE
b.) Look at the picture and report what the teacher tells the students.
1.) Venu, open your textbook and turn to page no. 18.
2.) Suman, stand up straight.
3.) Give me the details, Aysha.
4.) Don’t shout.
5.) Speak aloud, Mary.
Ans. 1. The teacher told Venu to open the book and turn to page no .18.
2.) Suman was asked to stand up straight.
3.) Ayasha was requested to give the details.
4.) You are asked not to shout here.
5.) Mary was told to speak loudly.
Now, try to report the following
DIRECT SPEECH |
INDIRECT SPEECH |
1. Mikali said, “I cannot go forwork”
2. An Anatolian said to Mikali, “There is a nursing mother in the camp.” 3. The Chinaman said “My wife will feed this baby.” |
Mikali said that he could not go there. An Anatolian told to Mikali that there was a nursing mother in the camp. The Chinaman said that his wife would feed that baby. |
Do you find it difficult to report? How is the reporting of the imperative sentence different from that of the declarative sentence?
Write your opinion here.
Ans. In Reported Speech, the first person is changed into third person,
Use of verbs like asked, ordered etc are used, this changes to that. These changes to Those etc.
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