NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Sound of Music

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February 06, 2025

Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Sound of Music:- Class 9 English, Chapter 2, "The Sound of Music," explores how music impacts emotions, cultures, and societies. It shows how music connects people globally, evoking joy, sadness, and nostalgia. Through famous musicians, genres, and their role in storytelling, the chapter deepens appreciation for music's cultural and emotional importance. Below are the NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Sound of Music.

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NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Sound of Music

Thinking about the Text

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

Question 1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?

Answer: When Evelyn enrolled in the Royal Academy of Music, she was sixteen years old.

Question 2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Answer: When she was just eight years old, her deafness was initially discovered. By the time she turned eleven, it was verified.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30–40 words).

Question 1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?

Answer: Under the mentorship of percussionist Ron Forbes, Evelyn shifted her approach to music, exploring sensory perceptions beyond hearing. Forbes encouraged her to embrace tactile and visceral experiences, deepening her connection to musical expression.

Question 2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

Answer: In addition to her regular concerts, Evelyn gives performances in hospitals and jails. She teaches young musicians as well.

III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

Question 1. How does Evelyn hear music?

Answer: Under Ron Forbes' guidance, Evelyn explored music through alternative senses beyond hearing. He initiated this exploration by setting up two large drums with different tones. Evelyn discovered that she could feel the lower drum at her waist and the higher drum similarly, marking a breakthrough in her sensory perception of music.

With continued practice, she began to discern distinct notes resonating in different parts of her body, deepening her connection to the music. Playing the xylophone, Evelyn felt melodies travel up the mallets and into her fingertips, enhancing her tactile experience. Performing barefoot on wooden platforms, she allowed vibrations to resonate up her legs and through her feet, further enriching her musical journey.

III. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.

Question 1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

Answer: Pungi playing became illegal by Aurangzeb due to the instrument’s harsh, shrill sound.

Question 2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

Answer: The hollow stem of a shehnai is wider and longer than that of a pungi. Shehnai’s body is riddled with holes.

Question 3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?

Answer: Shehnai, traditionally one of nine instruments in the naubat ensemble played at royal courts, was also featured at weddings and in temples. Bismillah Khan later introduced it to classical theatre.

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Question 4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

Answer: In 1938, Bismillah Khan's career soared with the establishment of All India Radio in Lucknow, where he began regularly performing the shehnai on air.

Question 5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?

Answer: On August 15, 1947, Bismillah Khan performed the shehnai from the Red Fort, waving it proudly on India's first day of freedom. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was present as he played Raag Kafi, making the event historic.

Question 6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?

Answer: Bismillah Khan refused to open a shehnai school in the United States due to his strong ties to the Ganga River and his hometowns of Dumraon and Benaras in India.

Question 7. Find at least two instances in the text that tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.

Answer: He always longs to see Hindustan when he's abroad, and Mumbai makes him think of Varanasi and the sacred Ganga.

Thinking about Language

I. Look at these sentences.

• Evelyn was determined to live a normal life.

• Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from friends and teachers.

The italicised parts answer the questions: “What was Evelyn determined to do?” and “What did Evelyn manage to do?” They begin with a to-verb (to live, to conceal).

Complete the following sentences.

Beginning with a to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.

1. The school sports team hopes (What does it hope to do?)

2. We all want (What do we all want to do?)

3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother (What did they advise her to do?)

4. The authorities permitted us to (What did the authorities permit us to do?)

5. A musician decided to (What did the musician decide to do?)

Answer:

1. The school sports team hopes to win the competition.

2. We all want to succeed in our lives.

3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother to take care of the child.

4. The authorities permitted us to dance in the stadium.

5. A musician decided to play the music in front of an audience.

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II. From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions and write them down. The number of the paragraph where you will find the words/phrases has been given for you in brackets.

1. the home of royal people (1) ________

2. the state of being alone (5) ________

3. a part which is necessary (2) ________

4. to do something not done before (5) ________

5. without much effort (13) ________

6. quickly and in large quantities (9) ________ and ________

Answer:

1. (1) royal residence

2. (5) solitude

3. (2) indispensable

4. (5) invent

5. (13) effortlessly

6. (9) thick and fast

III. Tick the right answer.

1. When something is revived, it (remains dead/lives again).

2. When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).

3. When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it/avoid it).

4. When we take to something, we find it (boring/interesting).

5. When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful/find it of no use).

6. When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time/for the second time).

7. When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/no longer upsetting).

Answer:

1. When something is revived, it lives again.

2. When a government bans something, it wants it stopped.

3. When something is considered auspicious, welcome it.

4. When we take to something, we find it interesting.

5. When you appreciate something, you find it good and useful.

6. When you replicate something, you do it for the second time.

7. When we come to terms with something, it is no longer upsetting.

Check out: Class 9 Sample Papers

Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Sound of Music Summary

Part 1: Evelyn Glennie - The Power of Feeling Music

This section focuses on Evelyn Glennie, a profoundly deaf musician who became a successful multi-percussionist.
Despite losing her hearing at a young age, Evelyn's passion for music remained strong.
The story highlights how she overcame this challenge by learning to "feel" music through vibrations and different parts of her body.
With immense dedication, she honed her skills and gained admission to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London.
Evelyn's story emphasizes the power of determination and finding alternative ways to connect with your passion.

Part 2: Bismillah Khan - The Enchanting Shehnai

The second part shifts focus to Bismillah Khan, a maestro of the Indian instrument, the Shehnai.
The passage delves into the history of the Shehnai, mentioning how it was initially considered unpleasant but was refined and eventually accepted.
It describes how the Shehnai's sound became associated with auspicious occasions like weddings and temple ceremonies.
Bismillah Khan's mastery of the Shehnai brought him international recognition, and the instrument gained wider appreciation.

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Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Sound of Music FAQs

Q1. What is the central theme of Chapter 2 "The Sound of Music"?

Ans. The central theme revolves around the impact and significance of music in our lives, exploring how it evokes emotions and connects people.

Q2. Who are some famous musicians mentioned in the chapter?

Ans. The chapter may discuss renowned musicians like Beethoven, Mozart, or contemporary artists depending on the curriculum.

Q3. How does the chapter explore the cultural significance of music?

Ans. It examines how music transcends cultural boundaries, influencing societies and reflecting their traditions and values.

Q4. What are some examples of different music genres discussed in the chapter?

Ans. The chapter might cover genres such as classical music, folk music, jazz, rock, or traditional music from various cultures.

Q5. How does music impact emotions according to the chapter?

Ans. It discusses how music can evoke a range of emotions such as happiness, sadness, nostalgia, or excitement, and how these emotional responses vary among individuals.

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