← Back to English Class 9 Kaveri
Carrier of Words Class 9 NCERT Solutions provides simple and easy-to-understand answers to all the questions from the chapter “Carrier of Words”. These solutions are designed to help students understand the chapter, prepare for exams, and complete their NCERT exercises confidently. The answers use clear language and focus on the main ideas, vocabulary, and comprehension questions from the chapter.
Carrier of Words Final Class 9 NCERT Solutions
Reflect and Respond
I. Look at the pictures given below of persons engaged in the same profession.
Discuss in pairs and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Which profession do they belong to?
Answer: They belong to the postal service profession. They are postmen or Gramin Dak Sewaks who carry letters and messages.
2. Do they face any difficulties while doing their duty?
Answer: Yes, they face many difficulties. They walk long distances in hot deserts, carry heavy mailbags, and work even in storms or very high temperatures.
3. How does their profession affect the people they meet?
Answer: Their work is very important. They bring letters, money orders, and news to people in faraway villages. They connect families and give hope and happiness.
II. Discuss in groups.
1. How can ‘words’ be ‘carried’?
Answer: Words can be carried through letters, books, newspapers, and messages. They travel from one person to another by writing or speaking.
2. Who could be a carrier of words?
Answer: A postman, teacher, writer, or speaker can be a carrier of words. They spread knowledge, news, and feelings.
3. What are the means for people to stay connected?
Answer: People stay connected through letters, phone calls, internet, emails, and social media. These help families and friends share news and emotions.
III. Read the words given in the box below and place them in their appropriate context in the following passage.
We stepped out of the vehicle at the end of the road. Immediately, our body sent 1. that our decision to visit the sand 2. in the afternoon was insane. We had passed a few 3. on our way to the desert. We could not find even a single soul outdoors, 4. the blazing sun. Even the camels were 5. in the little shade offered by the khejri trees. In this remote place people relied on Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to connect to the world as the area was 6. of any other network service.
Answer:
We stepped out of the vehicle at the end of the road. Immediately, our body sent 1. signals that our decision to visit the sand 2. dunes in the afternoon was insane. We had passed a few 3. hamlets on our way to the desert. We could not find even a single soul outdoors, 4. defying the blazing sun. Even the camels were 5. slumped in the little shade offered by the khejri trees. In this remote place people relied on Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to connect to the world as the area was 6. devoid of any other network service.
Check Your Understanding
I. Khetaram needs to submit information about himself for getting an identity card. While reading the text, fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram.
| Name | Khetaram |
| Position | |
| Employer | |
| Official address | |
| Mode of transport used | |
| Key responsibilities | > ____________ > ____________ > ____________ > ____________ |
Answer:
| Name | Khetaram |
| Position | Gramin Dak Sewak (Postman) |
| Employer | India Post |
| Official address | Somarad Branch Post Office, near Indo‑Pakistan border, Barmer district, Rajasthan |
| Mode of transport used | On foot (sometimes gets a lift from BSF vehicles) |
| Key responsibilities | > Carrying and delivering letters, parcels, and money orders to far‑flung hamlets. > Connecting families in remote desert areas with the outside world. > Reading letters aloud and writing replies for villagers. > Delivering news of births, weddings, and sometimes sad news. |
II Discuss with your teacher.
1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this challenging job?
Answer: Khetaram took up this job because farming in the desert was not enough to feed his family of five. The GDS job gave him a regular income and helped his family survive.
2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about taking up this challenging task every day?
Answer: Khetaram would feel proud and responsible. Although the desert heat and long walks were difficult, he was happy to serve the people and connect them with their families.
Check Your Understanding
I. Complete the table given below with the situations given in Column 1 and the reasons in Column 2.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| When the temperature is recorded as 50 degrees celsius and above, a state holiday has to be declared. | |
| Khetaram can dwell on any threshold. | |
| BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. |
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Because extreme heat makes it unsafe for people to work. | When the temperature is recorded as 50 degrees celsius and above, a state holiday has to be declared. |
| Khetaram can dwell on any threshold. | He is trusted by the villagers, who ask him to read letters and write replies. |
| BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. | Because he delivers their dak (letters) and they respect his service. |
II. Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
Answer: A piece of jaggery was offered because it is a sweet. In villages, sweets are given to share happiness. It showed joy and celebration when Khetaram brought good news.
III. How would phone lines help Khetaram in his job?
Answer: Phone lines would allow Khetaram to become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak. He could carry a phone along with the post and help people communicate with one another.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions.
1. “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. And for each family which resides in this arid land, survival is partly dependent on money orders remitted by a relative.
(i) Complete the sentence given below with an appropriate reason.
One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because ______________.
Answer: it is not enough to feed his family of five.
(ii) Why did Khetaram term famine as ‘a way of life’?
Answer: Because in the desert, crops fail often. People live with shortage of food almost every year, so famine is common.
(iii) Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job to help his family to survive.
Answer: Farming gave very little food. His family would starve without the income from his postal job.
(iv) Complete the analogy given below with a word from the extract.
Other families: Money orders:: Khetaram: ______
Answer: his job as Gramin Dak Sewak.
(v) What would ‘a good year’ signify?
Answer: A good year would be a year when Khetaram could grow one crop of bajra.
2. 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.
(i) Choose the correct option for the following question.
Who could have torn the right corner of the envelope?
A. Khetaram
B. Sender of the letter
C. Receiver of the letter
D. The postmaster
Answer: B. Sender of the letter.
(ii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because _.
Answer: He read the letter twice to make sure that he had understood the sad news correctly before telling the family.
(iii) What was Khetaram’s philosophy regarding bad news, and how did he act upon it?
Answer: Khetaram believed that bad news should be destroyed. So, he stood outside the house, read the letter aloud, and then tore it into pieces.
(iv) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
Khetaram’s action of tearing the letter differed from his beliefs.
Answer: False. His action matched his belief that bad news should not enter the house.
(v) Mention any one aspect of Khetaram’s temperament which is revealed through this extract.
Answer: He was sensitive and thoughtful. He cared about people’s feelings and tried to protect them from pain.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is ‘invaluable’.
Answer: GDS workers deliver letters and money orders to people in remote areas. They connect families and bring important news to people who may have no other way to receive it. Therefore, their role is invaluable.
2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
Answer: The British postal system was made to carry company dak between offices. India Post, after independence, was made to serve all people and connect every village and family in the country.
3. People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
Answer:
- Villagers asked Khetaram to read letters aloud and write replies for them.
- Families depended on him to bring money orders, which helped them survive in the desert.
4. Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS, even after the age of 60.
Answer: He was grateful because the job gave him steady income and respect. It helped his family survive in the desert where farming was not enough.
5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
Answer: The author pays tribute because people like Khetaram work hard in extreme conditions, connect families, and support society. They are part of the social fabric and deserve respect.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. Study the phrases given in Column 1 and match them with their meanings in Column 2.
Now, use the phrases from Column 1 in sentences of your own.
Answer:
| Column 1 – Phrase | Column 2 – Meaning |
|---|---|
| crumbles into sand | disappears in the desert |
| give a new lease of life | get a chance to continue living |
| turn into a trickle before drying out | lessen gradually and then finally stop |
| bearing words across this desolate geography | carrying letters to less populated areas |
- Crumbles into sand – The old road slowly crumbles into sand near the desert.
- Give a new lease of life – The job of Gramin Dak Sewak gave a new lease of life to Khetaram’s family.
- Turn into a trickle before drying out – The river turned into a trickle before drying out in summer.
- Bearing words across this desolate geography – Khetaram kept bearing words across this desolate geography to connect villagers with their families.
II. Identify examples of alliteration and metaphor in the extract given below.
Khetaram’s khaki turban and uniform are his only protection against the desert’s furies, the scorching summer winds and swirling sandstorms which turn him into a walking sandman.
Answer:
Alliteration:
- khaki turban (same sound “k”)
- scorching summer (same sound “s”)
- swirling sandstorms (same sound “s”): These repeated sounds make the description musical and strong.
Metaphor:
- walking sandman → This compares Khetaram to a sandman without using “like” or “as”. It shows how the desert storms cover him with sand and make him look like a figure made of sand.
III. Match the words in Column 1 to what they suggest in Column 2 in the context of the chapter.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. arid | (i) interest rate for the farmers |
| 2. concessional | (ii) corner of the world |
| 3. gaunt | (iii) farmland much yield |
| 4. remote | (iv) desert stretching far and wide |
| 5. desolate | (v) farmer waiting for the rains |
Now, use the words from Column 1 in sentences of your own.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. arid | (iii) farmland much yield |
| 2. concessional | (i) interest rate for the farmers |
| 3. gaunt | (v) farmer waiting for the rains |
| 4. remote | (ii) corner of the world |
| 5. desolate | (iv) desert stretching far and wide |
IV. Read the underlined verbs in the sentences given in Column 1 and their functions in Column 2.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. She has found her book. | (i) finished actions (past event — present result) |
| 2. I have just eaten a mango. | (ii) recently completed action |
| 3. Have you ever seen a play before? | (iii) life experiences |
| 4. I have finished my project. | (iv) accomplishment |
| 5. Ajay has become a good bowler in five years. | (v) changes over time |
| 6. I have seen this book in the library many times. | (vi) multiple actions at different times |
| 7. I have studied in this school for six years. | (vii) action completed in the past but has its impact in present |
| All the verbs in the sentences in Column 1 are in present perfect tense. The structure is: has/have + past participle (third form of the verb). |
Now, fill in the blanks by using the present perfect form of the verbs given in the brackets to complete the following paragraph. 1. I (has/have) just (get) a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He 2. (collect) these stamps over a period of 20 years. I 3. (study) most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I 4. (begin) my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather 5. _ truly (inspire) me.
Answer: 1. I have (has/have) just got (get) a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He 2. has collected (collect) these stamps over a period of 20 years. I 3. have studied (study) most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I 4. have begun (begin) my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather 5. has truly inspired (inspire) me.
> Study the sentences given below.
- GDS delivers the mail at the border. When the subject does the action, the sentence is in active voice.
- The mail is delivered by the GDS at the border. This implies that the ‘mail’ receives the action ‘deliver’.
This sentence is in passive voice because the subject is receiving the action.
Answer:
- Active Voice: GDS delivers the mail at the border.
- Passive Voice: The mail is delivered by the GDS at the border.
3. Khetaram’s nephew wants to join the GDS. He asks hetaram how to prepare for it. Khetaram gives him the following advice.
(i) You will need a lot of stamina for this job.
(ii) Practise reading clearly as some of the villagers will expect you to read out the letters.
(iii) Write words neatly as some villagers will ask you to draft replies.
(iv) Wear full-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect yourself from the heat.
Now, complete the following paragraph about the advice given by Khetaram. One example has been done for you.
To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly A. ____________, as you B. ____________ to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words C. ____________ neatly as you D. ____________ to draft replies by some villagers. Full sleeved-shirts and trousers E. ____________ to protect yourself from the heat.
Answer: To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly will be practised as you will be expected to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words must be written neatly as you will be asked to draft replies by some villagers. Full-sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn to protect yourself from the heat.
Listen and Respond
I. You will listen to a girl talking about an event. As you listen, fill in the blank with the suitable word from the brackets. (Transcript for teacher on page 272)
The speaker concluded her talk with a _.
(suggestion/request/advice)
Answer: request
II. You will listen to the girl talking about the event again. As you listen, choose the correct option for the following questions.
1. What was the occasion that the speaker was talking about?
(i) Letter writing carnival
(ii) Philately day
(iii) Indian Postal Day
Answer: (iii) Indian Postal Day
2. India Post is famous for having the most extensive network _.
(i) in India
(ii) in the world
(iii) among design institutes
Answer: (ii) in the world
3. Letter writing is being revived as this art form has been _.
(i) celebrated
(ii) appreciated
(iii) forgotten
Answer: (iii) forgotten
4. Which of the following will be a part of the letter writing carnival?
(i) calligraphy and graphology
(ii) origami and designing
(iii) letter posting and philately
Answer: (i) calligraphy and graphology
5. What will the postal department add to the event?
(i) interactive demonstrations
(ii) theatre and dance
(iii) workshop for letter writing
Answer: (i) interactive demonstrations
Speaking Activity
I. The postcard, inland letter, envelope, and money order form were engaged in a discussion on who the most important one was.
In groups of four, select one each and reason with each other logically. You may use the points for discussion given in Column 1 and the cues given in Column 2 to express your opinion.
Answer:
- Postcard: “I am the cheapest way to send short messages. Villagers use me to share quick news. I am important because I connect people at low cost.”
- Inland Letter: “I can carry long messages inside. Families use me to write detailed letters. I am important because I give privacy and space.”
- Envelope: “I protect letters and keep them safe. I am important because I carry official documents and personal letters neatly.”
- Money Order Form: “I bring money to families in remote villages. I am important because I help people survive when farming fails.”
Writing Task
A condolence message communicates your feelings to someone whose relative or a person close to them has just passed away. It mentions how sorry you feel for the loss and your prayers for strength to the family members.
I. Khetaram saw a letter with a torn corner. It had news about Bhawar Singh’s uncle passing away. Read the condolence message that Sawant Singh sent to his cousin as a reply to the letter.
Now, on behalf of your parents draft an imaginary condolence message for your aunt on the recent passing away of her father.
Answer:
Dear Aunt,
We are deeply sorry to hear about the passing away of your father. We know this loss is very painful. May God give you strength and courage in this difficult time. Our prayers are with you and the family.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Your loving brother and sister‑in‑law
Disclaimer: The content that is present on our website is based on the NCERT Class 9 English textbook and is provided for educational purposes only. All the content and images have been taken from English Class 9 NCERT Textbook and CBSE Support material. Images and content shown above are the property of individual organizations and are used here for reference purposes only. To make it easy to understand, some of the content and images are generated by AI and cross-checked by the teachers.