Words Class 9 NCERT Solutions

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Words Class 9 NCERT Solutions provides simple, clear, and easy-to-understand answers to all the questions from the Class 9 English chapter “Carrier of Words.” These solutions help students understand the chapter, improve their vocabulary and language skills, and prepare effectively for examinations. Each answer is written in student-friendly language for quick learning and revision.

Words Class 9 NCERT Solutions

Reflect and Respond

I. Why are words important? Can we communicate without words? How? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: Words are important because they help us share our thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. They connect people and make communication easy. Even without words, we can still communicate through gestures, facial expressions, and body language. For example, a smile shows happiness and tears show sadness.

II. Use the given sentences as clues to find words from the grid and fill the blanks. One example has been done for you.

My mother summoned me to introduce her friends.

Answer:

• We eat food to satisfy our hunger.
• The train will depart from the station at 5.00 p.m.
• The gardener was removing the weeds to clean the flower beds.
• The view from the top of the hill was worth the difficult climb.
• The herbs and spices add flavour to food. Flowers bloom in spring.
• We enjoyed a delicious meal after the ceremony.

Check Your Understanding

I. Fill in the blanks with one word from the poem.

One example has been done for you. In this poem, the poet reflects that words fail to truly satisfy what the heart wants to convey.

Words are compared to summer birds who 1. _, leaving nothing behind. The heart, is equated to a 2. _ who finds that words are as worthless as 3. _ when needed. He feels that a few sincere words can bring more 4. _ than many meaningless ones. He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a 5. _ place does not say much, but the few words it does, are very precious. Moreover, if words could satisfy us, the 6. would celebrate but words often fail to do that. The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a 7. __.

Answer:

Words are compared to summer birds who 1. depart, leaving nothing behind. The heart is equated to a 2. pilgrim who finds that words are as worthless as 3. weeds when needed. He feels that a few sincere words can bring more 4. joy than many meaningless ones. He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a 5. lonely place does not say much, but the few words it does are very precious. Moreover, if words could satisfy us, 6. the world would celebrate, but words often fail to do that. The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a 7. fruit.

II. Let us appreciate the poem.

1. Read the poem again. Find any four sets of rhyming words and also write the rhyme scheme of the poem.

Answer: The rhyming words are care–air, needs–weeds, impart–heart, and cheer–dear. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB.

2. Read the following phrases and sentences taken from the poem. Identify the poetic device in each of them and explain what the poet wants to communicate through their usage.
(i) But words, like summer birds, depart…
(ii) heart, a pilgrim upon earth…
(iii) words are of as little worth As just so many weeds
(iv) If words could satisfy the chest … Oft satisfy the least!
(v) The world might hold a feast…
(vi) Like plants that make a gaudy show All blossom to the root
(vii) But whose poor nature cannot grow One particle of fruit!

Answer:

• (i) But words, like summer birds, depart… → Simile. Words are compared to birds that fly away, showing they don’t last.
• (ii) heart, a pilgrim upon earth… → Metaphor. The heart is called a pilgrim, showing its journey in search of meaning.
• (iii) words are of as little worth as just so many weeds → Simile. Words are compared to weeds, showing they are useless.
• (iv) If words could satisfy the chest… Oft satisfy the least! → Hyperbole. Exaggeration to show words cannot truly satisfy.
• (v) The world might hold a feast… → Hyperbole. Shows that if words had real value, everyone would celebrate.
• (vi) Like plants that make a gaudy show All blossom to the root → Simile. Empty words are compared to showy plants without fruit.
• (vii) But whose poor nature cannot grow One particle of fruit! → Metaphor. Words are like fruitless plants, showing they lack true value.

3. Which words are repeated in the poem? Why does the poet use repetition?

Answer: The word words is repeated many times. The poet uses repetition to stress that words alone are often empty and cannot truly satisfy the heart.

4. The stanzas 4, 5, and 6 end with exclamation marks.
Choose the option that displays the emotions being expressed through them.

Answer: The emotions expressed are frustration and disillusionment. The poet feels disappointed that words fail to bring real comfort or meaning.

III. Identify examples of hyperbole from the given lines.

If words could satisfy the chest, The world might hold a feast. Work in pairs. Complete the sentences given below with hyperboles. Use the hints given in the brackets.

Answer: The lines “If words could satisfy the chest, The world might hold a feast” are hyperbole. They exaggerate to show that words alone cannot truly satisfy human needs.

1. I have __ things to do on this weekend. (lots of/tonnes of)

Answer: tonnes of

2. The player missed the basket by __. (a mile/ an inch)

Answer: a mile

3. My mother is so tired that she can sleep for a __. (night/decade)

Answer: decade

4. I will be back in __. (five minutes/two seconds)

Answer: two seconds

IV. Rhythm gives a lyrical quality to a poem. The rhythm (pattern of beats) in a line of poetry is described by a metrical form. A metre is formed by a stressed and an unstressed syllable. Syllable is the name given to a single unit of speech/beats of spoken language.

The metrical form in the first four lines is given below. The stressed syllables have been underlined.

If words could sa tis fy the heart,
The heart might find less care;
But words, like sum mer birds, de part,
And leave but emp ty air.

Now, listen to the teacher read the poem. As you listen, underline the syllables that are stressed in all the lines of the poem. Share your answers with the teacher.

Q1. What gives a poem its lyrical quality?

Answer: Rhythm gives a poem its lyrical quality. It is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that creates music in poetry.

Q2. What is a metre in poetry?

Answer: A metre is formed by one stressed and one unstressed syllable. It is the basic unit that builds the rhythm of a poem.

Q3. What is shown in the first four lines of the poem?

Answer: In the first four lines, the stressed syllables are underlined to show the rhythm. For example: If words could sa tis fy the heart. This shows how beats are arranged in the poem.

Q4. What should students do while listening to the teacher read the poem?

Answer: Students should underline the stressed syllables in all the lines of the poem and then share their answers with the teacher.

Critical Reflection

I. Read the following lines and answer the questions.

1. The heart, a pilgrim upon earth,
Finds often, when it needs,
That words are of as little worth
As just so many weeds.

(i) Why has the poet referred to the heart as ‘a pilgrim’?

Answer: Because the heart is always searching for peace and meaning, just like a pilgrim on a journey.

(ii) When would a heart ‘need’ words?

Answer: When it wants comfort, love, or support in times of sadness or loneliness.

(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The words are like weeds because __.

Answer: They look plenty but are useless and have no real value.

(iv) Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing when it finds words to be of ‘little worth’.

Answer: Disappointment and sadness.

(v) What do these lines suggest about the nature of communication?

Answer: True communication needs sincerity; empty words cannot give real comfort.

2. If words could satisfy the chest, The world might hold a feast; But words, when summoned to the test, Oft satisfy the least!

(i) How can words ‘satisfy the chest’?

Answer: By giving happiness, comfort, and emotional relief.

(ii) How can words be ‘summoned to the test’?

Answer: When they are used in real situations to give support or meaning.

(iii) What does ‘the world’ holding ‘a feast’ imply?

Answer: It means everyone would celebrate if words could truly bring satisfaction.

(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because __.

Answer: They often fail to give real comfort or solve problems.

(v) Select the word that does not mean the same as ‘oft’.
A. always
B. usually
C. frequently
D. often

Answer: Always.

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and ‘empty air’?

Answer: The poet compares words to empty air because they often sound impressive but have no real meaning or effect.

2. According to the poet meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain.

Answer: The poet says that a few sincere words can touch the heart and give joy, while many meaningless words only reach the head and have no value.

3. Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to ‘words’ in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Answer: Yes, the poet shows contrasting ideas. Words can be powerful when true, but they can also be empty and useless when insincere.

4. The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support this statement with examples from the text.

Answer: The poet mentions the lonely home that is cheered by a few words. This shows that loneliness is present, and only sincere words can bring comfort.

5. How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this?

Answer: The poet compares empty words to plants with blossoms but no fruit. This shows they look good but have no real value. To address this, words should be sincere, meaningful, and touch the heart.

Vocabulary in Context

I. The poet has used some figurative phrases. Match the phrases in Column 1 with their correct meanings in Column 2. Use each phrase in a sentence of your own.

Answer:

Use each phrase in a sentence.

• Satisfy the heart: A kind smile can satisfy the heart.
• Depart and leave but empty air: His long speech seemed to depart and leave but empty air.
• Hosts of words: The teacher used hosts of words to explain the topic.
• Never touch the heart: False praise will never touch the heart.
• Wins its sunny way: Her cheerful voice wins its sunny way into everyone’s life.
• Plants that cannot grow fruit: Empty promises are like plants that cannot grow fruit.

II. Create a ‘Word Map’ for each of the words from the poem given in the box.

To complete the word map include:

• Meaning (in your own words)
• Synonyms of the word
• Antonyms of the word
• Sentence using the word
• A quick sketch or symbol that represents the word One example has been done for you.

Answer:

• Word: depart
• Meaning: to go away, leave
• Synonyms: leave, exit
• Antonyms: stay, remain
• Sentence: The bus will depart at 6 p.m.
• Symbol: (door opening)

• Word: sunny
• Meaning: bright, cheerful
• Synonyms: bright, joyful
• Antonyms: dark, gloomy
• Sentence: She has a sunny personality.
• Symbol: (sun)

• Word: pilgrim
• Meaning: a traveler on a journey
• Synonyms: traveler, wanderer
• Antonyms: resident, settler
• Sentence: The heart is like a pilgrim searching for peace.
• Symbol: (footsteps)

• Word: cheer (example already given)
• Meaning: to give approval or encouragement
• Synonyms: comfort, encourage
• Antonyms: sadden, depress
• Sentence: The audience cheered her for great performance.
• Symbol: (smiling face / sunshine)

• Word: satisfy
• Meaning: to make someone content or happy
• Synonyms: please, fulfill
• Antonyms: disappoint, dissatisfy
• Sentence: A kind word can satisfy the heart.
• Symbol: (heart filled)

• Word: heart
• Meaning: the center of feelings and emotions
• Synonyms: soul, emotions
• Antonyms: mind, logic
• Sentence: His heart was full of love.
• Symbol: (red heart)

Listen and Respond

I. You will listen to a conversation between a girl and a boy. As you listen, mark four statements from 1–6 that are true. (Transcript for teacher on page 273)

1. The girl was excited to participate in the declamation contest.
2. The boy was doubtful about the suitability of the topic chosen for the contest.
3. The girl explained that people prefer to keep their personal experiences to themselves.
4. The boy was unaware of the role played by body language in reflecting the speaker’s confidence.
5. According to the girl, body language had an insignificant role to play in communication.
6. The girl had issued the book on body language earlier from the library.

Answer: The true statements are: 1, 2, 4, and 6.

Speaking Activity

I. Read the following quotations and select the one you like the most. Explain the quotation and share the reason for your choice with your classmates and teacher. You may talk about a connected personal experience too.

You may use the cues given below to state your choice and the reason.

• I chose_____ because…
• I selected __ since…
• I decided on ___due to…
• I picked _____as…
• I settled for because…

Answer:

I chose “Actions speak louder than words” because it shows that what we do is more important than what we say. I selected this quotation since many people make promises, but only actions prove sincerity. I picked it as I remember helping my friend quietly when he was upset; my action gave him comfort more than any words could. This quotation teaches us that deeds carry more meaning than empty talk.

Writing Task

I. Write an essay on any one quotation from speaking activity. Follow the guidelines given below while drafting the essay.

Answer:

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

The quotation “Actions speak louder than words” means that what we do is more important than what we say. Words can be empty, but actions show true character and sincerity. For example, a person may promise to help, but only when they actually help, their promise has value.

This quotation teaches us that deeds carry more weight than speech. In daily life, kindness shown through small actions like helping a friend or sharing with others brings more happiness than long speeches. Actions prove honesty, while words without action are meaningless.

I chose this quotation because it inspires me to focus on doing rather than just saying. It reminds me of a time when I helped my classmate quietly during an exam preparation. My action gave him confidence more than any words could.

In conclusion, actions are powerful because they reflect truth. Words may fade, but actions leave a lasting impact.

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.

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