NCERT solutions for English - Beehive Class 9 chapter 5.1 - The Snake and the Mirror [Latest edition]

Think about the Text

Discuss in pairs and answer the question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).

“The sound was familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it
was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the
sounds stop?

Think about the Text

Discuss in pairs and answer question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).

What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was
looking into the mirror?

Think about the Text

Discuss in pairs and answer question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).

“I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when:
(i) he first smiles, and
(ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it
humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them
are listed below.)
1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

2.(i) The person he wants to marry
(ii) The person he actually marries

3.(i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.

Thinking about Language
 Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author:
(a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour,
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O
God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it
after washing it with soap and water.
10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye
shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?

Expressions used to show fear
Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened?
Read the story and complete the following sentences.

1. I was turned ______.
2. I sat there holding ______.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ______.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italic, and write the appropriate
meaning next to the sentence.

The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”

Report these question using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verb change into the past tense.

Sheila asked the children “Are you ready to do the work?”