Class 9 English

Chapter 7 Solutions — Carrier of Words

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Solutions

Overview

Step-by-step NCERT solutions for Carrier of Words (Chapter 7, NCERT Class 9 English) — every question and answer worked out in full, not just the final result. You can also read the Carrier of Words textbook chapter.

Solved

What these solutions cover

All 31 questions in Carrier of Words are solved in the PDF. Here's what's inside, exercise by exercise:

Check Your Understanding — Carrier of Words (I)

Khetaram needs to submit information about himself for getting an identity card. Fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram: Name, Position, Employer, Official address, Mode of transport used, Key responsibilities (three points each starting with V).
Discuss with your teacher. 1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this challenging job? 2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about taking up this challenging task every day?

Check Your Understanding — Carrier of Words (II)

1.
Complete the table given below. Column 1 (situations):
- (a) When the temperature is recorded as 50 degrees celsius and above, a state holiday has to be declared.
- (b) Khetaram can dwell on any threshold.
- (c) BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. Give the reasons from Column 2 for each situation.
Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
How would phone lines help Khetaram in his job?

Critical Reflection — Carrier of Words (Extract 1)

1.
Read the extract …
- (i) Complete the sentence: 'One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because ______________'.
- (ii) Why did Khetaram term famine as 'a way of life'?
- (iii) Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job to help his family to survive.
- (iv) Complete the analogy: Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: __________________
- (v) What would 'a good year' signify?
2.
Read the extract …
- (i) Choose the correct option: 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
- (ii) Complete the sentence: 'The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because ____________________'.
- (iii) What was Khetaram's philosophy regarding bad news, and how did he act upon it?
- (iv) State whether true or false: Khetaram's action of tearing the letter differed from his beliefs.
- (v) Mention any one aspect of Khetaram's temperament which is revealed through this extract.

Critical Reflection — Carrier of Words (II)

Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is 'invaluable'.
How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS, even after the age of 60.
Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (I): Phrase meanings

1.
Study the phrases in Column 1 and match them with their meanings in Column 2. 1. crumbles into sand —
- (i) get a chance / continue living 2. give a new lease of life —
- (ii) carrying letters to less populated areas 3. turn into a trickle before drying out —
- (iii) disappears in the desert 4. bearing words across this desolate geography —
- (iv) lessen gradually and then finally stop Now use the…

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (II): Alliteration and Metaphor

Identify examples of alliteration and metaphor in the extract …

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (III): Word meanings in context

1.
Match the words in Column 1 to what they suggest in Column 2 in the context of the chapter. 1. arid —
- (i) interest rate for the farmers 2. concessional —
- (ii) corner of the world 3. gaunt —
- (iii) farmland without 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.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (IV): Present Perfect Tense

1.
Match the underlined verbs in Column 1 with their functions in 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…

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (V): Active and Passive Voice

1.
Khetaram's nephew wants to join the GDS. Khetaram gives him the following advice in active voice:
- (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…

Check Your Understanding — Words (Poem by Charles Swain)

Fill in the blanks with one word from the poem 'Words' by Charles Swain. 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…

Reading for Appreciation — Words (Poem)

Read the poem 'Words' again. Find any four sets of rhyming words and also write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
2.
Read the following phrases and sentences from the poem 'Words'. Identify the poetic device in each 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……
Which words are repeated in the poem 'Words'? Why does the poet use repetition?
4.
The stanzas 4, 5, and 6 end with exclamation marks. Choose the option that displays the emotions being expressed through them.
- (i) 4. disillusionment 5. admiration and 6. frustration
- (ii) 4. frustration 5. admiration and 6. disillusionment
- (iii) 4. admiration 5. frustration and 6. disillusionment
- (iv) 4. frustration 5. disillusionment and 6. admiration

Reading for Appreciation — Words (Poem): Hyperbole

Identify examples of hyperbole from the lines: 'If words could satisfy the chest, / The world might hold a feast.' Then complete the following sentences with hyperboles using the hints: 1. I have ______________ things to do on this weekend. (lots of/tonnes of) 2. The player missed the basket by ______________. (a mile/an inch) 3. My mother is so tired that she can sleep for a ______________…

Critical Reflection

1.
Read the following lines and answer the questions …
- (i) Why has the poet referred to the heart as 'a pilgrim'?
- (ii) When would a heart 'need' words?
- (iii) Complete the sentence: 'The words are like weeds because ____________'.
- (iv) Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing when it finds words to be of 'little worth'.
- (v) What do these lines suggest about the nature of communication?
2.
Read the lines …
- (i) How can words 'satisfy the chest'?
- (ii) How can words be 'summoned to the test'?
- (iii) What does 'the world' holding 'a feast' imply?
- (iv) Complete: 'The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because ______________'.
- (v) Select the word that does not mean the same as 'oft': A. always B. usually C. frequently D. often
What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and 'empty air'?
According to the poet, meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain.
Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to 'words' in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support this statement with examples from the text.
How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this?

Vocabulary in Context — Words (Poem I): Figurative phrases

1.
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. Column 1: 1. satisfy the heart 2. depart and leave but empty air 3. hosts of words 4. never touch the heart 5. wins its sunny way 6. plants that cannot grow fruit Column 2:
- (i) many words
- (ii) cheers up a person
- (iii) there is no outcome…

Sample

Worked examples

3 questions from Carrier of Words, solved step by step.

Check Your Understanding — Carrier of Words (I)

Khetaram needs to submit information about himself for getting an identity card. Fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram: Name, Position, Employer, Official address, Mode of transport used, Key responsibilities (three points each starting with V).

Based on the passage, the information sheet can be filled as follows:

Name: Khetaram

Position: Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS); sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office

Employer: India Post (Department of Posts)

Official address: Somarad Branch Post Office, near Indo-Pakistan border, Rajasthan

Mode of transport used: On foot (walks through sand beds and dunes; even bicycles cannot ply on the soft sand)

Key responsibilities:

V Carrying and delivering mail from Jodhpur (approx. 330 km away) to far-flung hamlets (dhaanis) near the Indo-Pakistan border within 24 hours of dispatch

V Ensuring mail load does not exceed 28 kilos as per regulations

V Reading out letters and drafting replies on behalf of villagers who seek his help

Answer: Khetaram is sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office under India Post; travels on foot to deliver mail within 24 hours to border hamlets; also reads and drafts letters for villagers.

Check Your Understanding — Carrier of Words (II)

Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?

In the remote desert villages near the Indo-Pakistan border, people live in extreme poverty — famine is a way of life and resources are very scarce.

A piece of jaggery is a simple, affordable sweet that the villagers could offer. It symbolises joy and the sharing of good news. When Khetaram brought letters announcing a birth or a wedding, the villagers had little else to offer as a token of happiness and gratitude, so jaggery — modest yet meaningful — was what they could give.

It reflects both the poverty of the region and the warmth with which Khetaram was welcomed as the bearer of happy tidings.

Answer: The villagers are too poor to offer more; jaggery is a simple, affordable sweet that symbolises joy and gratitude when Khetaram brings happy news.

Critical Reflection — Carrier of Words (II)

Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is 'invaluable'.

The Postmaster-General stated: 'The role of GDS is invaluable, since they deliver in interior areas that are often inaccessible by any means besides foot.'

This is fully justified by Khetaram's example:

- He delivers mail 120 km beyond the last railhead at Barmer, 50 km beyond the last phone, and 10 km beyond where the road crumbles into soft sand — territory no vehicle can reach.

- He ensures mail reaches the Indo-Pakistan border within 24 hours of dispatch from Jodhpur (330 km away), connecting isolated families to the outside world.

- GDS territories include extreme and varied geographies — the frozen Ladakh desert, Lakshadweep islands, and northeast riverine communities — all inaccessible by normal transport.

- No other government service (the proposal to hand duties to patwaris was 'summarily rejected') could perform this role.

The GDS are thus truly without equal in connecting India's most remote populations.

Answer: GDS deliver on foot to areas unreachable by any vehicle — from Thar desert border hamlets to Ladakh and Lakshadweep — making them the only link for isolated communities, which no substitute (e.g., patwaris) could replicate.

All 31 questions in Carrier of Words are solved step by step in the Solutions PDF above.

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Chapter 7 Solutions — Carrier of Words

Overview

What these solutions cover

Check Your Understanding — Carrier of Words (I)

Check Your Understanding — Carrier of Words (II)

Critical Reflection — Carrier of Words (Extract 1)

Critical Reflection — Carrier of Words (II)

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (I): Phrase meanings

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (II): Alliteration and Metaphor

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (III): Word meanings in context

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (IV): Present Perfect Tense

Vocabulary and Structures in Context — Carrier of Words (V): Active and Passive Voice

Check Your Understanding — Words (Poem by Charles Swain)

Reading for Appreciation — Words (Poem)

Reading for Appreciation — Words (Poem): Hyperbole

Critical Reflection

Vocabulary in Context — Words (Poem I): Figurative phrases

Worked examples

Khetaram needs to submit information about himself for getting an identity card. Fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram: Name, Position, Employer, Official address, Mode of transport used, Key responsibilities (three points each starting with V).

Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?

Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is 'invaluable'.

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