NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 6 My Childhood

My Childhood Class 9:- In Chapter 6 of Class 9 English, "My Childhood," we journey into the early life of Abdul Kalam, a figure who later became a celebrated scientist and President of India. Kalam takes us back to his childhood days in Rameswaram, sharing stories about his family, friends, and the small town that shaped his early years. Through his reflections, we see how his parents’ values, his experiences with friends, and the rich cultural backdrop of his hometown played a crucial role in moulding his character and ambitions. Get the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 6 My Childhood below.

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My Childhood Class 9 Pdf

Get the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 6 My Childhood PDF below. These My Childhood Class 9 solutions will help students develop a deep understanding of the chapter. Click below to download the pdf.

My Childhood Class 9 Pdf

Class 9 English Chapter 6 My Childhood Question Answer

Check out the my childhood class 9 questions answers from below:- 

Question 1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?

Answer: Abdul Kalam’s house was located in the island town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

Read More: NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 1

Question 2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer: Dinamani is likely the name of a Tamil newspaper. This is inferred from the context where Abdul Kalam’s father bought three newspapers daily, including Dinamani. Dinamani is a well-known Tamil-language newspaper published in Tamil Nadu.

Read More: NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 2

Question 3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?

Answer: Abdul Kalam’s school friends were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. Ramanadha Sastry succeeded his father as the priest of the Rameswaram temple. Aravindan entered the transportation business, organising travel for pilgrims. Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor with the Southern Railways.

Read More: NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 3

Question 4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?

Answer: Abdul Kalam earned his first wages by helping his cousin, who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram, catch bundles of newspapers thrown out of a moving train during the Second World War.

Read More: NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 4

Question 5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?

Answer: Yes, Abdul Kalam had earned some money before helping his cousin. During the Second World War, he collected and sold tamarind seeds at a provision shop on Mosque Street, usually earning one anna per day.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 5

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

Question 1. How does the author describe: (i) his father (ii) his mother (iii) himself?

Answer: (i) Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen, was not wealthy or formally educated but was honest, wise, and self-disciplined, avoiding unnecessary luxuries.

(ii) Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma, was an ideal support to her husband, embodying goodness and kindness, and frequently fed many people.

(iii) The author describes himself as a short boy with unremarkable looks but a secure and happy childhood. He values honesty, self-discipline, and kindness.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 7

Question 2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?

Answer: He inherited self-discipline and honesty from his father and faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother.

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher, and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.

Question 1: “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author.

(i) Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)?

Answer: The author mentions the social groups of Hindus and Muslims. These groups were easily identifiable by their attire and cultural practices. For example, Kalam wore a cap, signifying his Muslim identity, while Ramanadha Sastry wore a sacred thread.

(ii) Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences? (Think of the bedtime stories in Kalam’s house; of who his friends were; and of what used to take place in the pond near his house.)

Answer: Despite their differences, these groups shared friendships and common experiences. Kalam’s family shared stories from the Ramayana and the life of the Prophet, and during the Sita Rama Kalyanam Ceremony, Kalam’s family would arrange special boats to carry idols, indicating shared cultural traditions.

(iii) The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?

Answer: Yes, the author identifies people who were aware of social differences, like the new school teacher and Sivasubramania Iyer’s wife. However, Sivasubramania Iyer and Lakshmana Sastry made efforts to bridge these differences.

(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes?

Answer: One incident showing how differences can be created is when the new teacher asked Kalam, a Muslim student, to sit at the back of the class, causing distress among his friends. This situation was resolved when Lakshmana Sastry intervened, convincing the teacher to change his approach. Another example is when Kalam’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, made efforts to bridge social differences despite his conservative background. People can change their attitudes by recognizing and addressing biases and by promoting mutual respect and understanding.

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Question 2: (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?

Answer: Abdul Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram to pursue his education and dreams in a larger city, where he could find better opportunities for learning and personal growth.

(ii) What did his father say to this?

Answer: Kalam’s father acknowledged that Kalam needed to leave to grow. He used the analogy of a seagull flying alone to illustrate the necessity of seeking new horizons. He also quoted Khalil Gibran to explain that children are not the sole possessions of their parents but are part of a greater life journey.

(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words?

Answer: Kalam’s father’s words mean that he supported his son’s aspirations and understood the importance of independence for personal growth. He spoke these words to encourage Kalam and help his wife accept the idea of their son leaving for a brighter future.

Thinking about Language

I. Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:

• Erupt: “For reasons I have never been able to understand, a sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market.”

• Surge: “Half a century later, I can still feel the surge of pride in earning my own money for the first time.”

• Trace: “My brother-in-law Jallaluddin would tell me stories about the War which I would later attempt to trace in the headlines in Dinamani.”

• Undistinguished: “I was one of many children — a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents.”

• Casualty: “The first casualty came in the form of the suspension of the train halt at Rameswaram station.”

Question 1: What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?

Answer: Things that can erupt include volcanoes, emotions, and anger. For example:

• A volcano erupted in Hawaii last year.

• Her frustration erupted after a long day of work.

Things that can surge include prices, waves, and crowds. For example:

• Prices of essential goods surged during the festival season.

• The crowd surged towards the stage during the concert.

Question 2: What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text?

Answer: The meanings of the word ‘trace’ include:

• To draw an outline

• To copy

• To find out

The meaning closest to the word in the text is ‘find out,’ as Kalam attempted to trace stories in the headlines.

II.

Question 1. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

Question 2: Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by prefixing un– or in– to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).

• undistinguished (un + distinguished)

• inaessential (in + essential)

• unaffected (un + affected)

• intolerance (in + tolerance)

III. Passive Voice

Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form.

1. In the past, people used to throw garbage into the streets. Now, garbage (is thrown) is thrown into the dustbins provided by the municipal authorities.

2. During the festival, special sweets (are made) are made and (distributed) are distributed among friends and family.

3. The problem of pollution (is being addressed) is being addressed by various environmental groups.

4. When the new rules (are enforced) are enforced, the situation (will improve) will improve considerably.

5. The documents (are being reviewed) are being reviewed by the committee before the final decision (is taken) is taken.

IV. Reported Speech

Rewrite the sentences below in reported speech.

1. “The scientists will present their findings next week,” said Dr. Sinha.

• Dr. Sinha said that the scientists would present their findings the following week.

2. “I have completed my research,” said Dr. Patel.

• Dr. Patel said that he/she had completed his/her research.

3. “We are planning a new project,” said the manager.

• The manager said that they were planning a new project.

4. “You must submit your reports by Friday,” the professor said.

• The professor said that we/you had to submit the reports by Friday.

5. “I didn’t see you at the conference,” said my colleague.

• My colleague said that he/she hadn’t seen me at the conference.

My Childhood Class 9 Summary

In "My Childhood," Abdul Kalam takes us back to his early years in Rameswaram. He shares heartwarming stories about his wise and humble father, Jainulabdeen, and his kind, supportive mother, Ashiamma. Kalam reminisces about his friendships with Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan, each of whom followed their own paths in life. He also recounts his early jobs, like helping with newspaper deliveries and selling tamarind seeds during the war, which taught him responsibility and resourcefulness. Through these personal anecdotes, Kalam reflects on how his close-knit community and family values shaped his character and aspirations.

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Class 9 English Chapter 6 My Childhood FAQs

Q1. What is the main focus of Chapter 6, "My Childhood"?

Ans. The chapter focuses on Abdul Kalam's early life in Rameswaram, including his family, friends, and significant childhood experiences that shaped his character.

Q2. How does Abdul Kalam describe his father in the chapter?

Ans. Kalam describes his father, Jainulabdeen, as a wise, honest, and generous man who, despite lacking formal education and wealth, was deeply respected for his integrity and kindness.

Q3. What role did Abdul Kalam’s mother play in his upbringing?

Ans. Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma, is portrayed as a nurturing and kind figure who supported her family and instilled values of goodness and compassion in her children.