NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 The Last Leaf

Author at PW

February 09, 2025

The Last Leaf Class 9:- The Last Leaf, written by O. Henry, beautifully captures the strength of the human spirit in difficult times. Our solutions are designed to help you easily understand the story’s key points and answer every question with clarity. Whether you're preparing for an exam or just want to understand the chapter better, these solutions guide you every step of the way. Check out the last leaf questions and answers here.

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The Last Leaf Question Answer

Check out the last leaf question answer below:-

Q1. What was the masterpiece drawn by Behrman?

The masterpiece of Behram was a painting of a picture of sue
The masterpiece of Behram was a painting of a picture of Johnsy
The masterpiece of Behram was a painting of a picture of a leaf
all of the above

Answer: (c) The masterpiece of Behram was a painting of a picture of a leaf

Q2. How did Behrman die?

Behram died of fever
Behram died of heart attack
Behram died of cholera
Behram died of pneumonia

Answer: (d) Behram died of pneumonia

Q3. Who took care of Johnsy so well?

Sue took care of Johnsy
Behrman took care of Johnsy
Johnsy’s mother took care of Johnsy
Johnsy’s father took care of Johnsy

Answer: (a) Sue took care of Johnsy

Q4. The leaf on the wall was painted by whom?

Sue painted the leaf on the wall
Johnsy painted the leaf on the wall
Behrman painted the leaf on the wall
all of the above

Answer: (c) Behrman painted the leaf on the wall

Q5. Why was Sue making a painting?

Sue was making a painting to present to Johnsy
Sue was making a painting to present to Behrman
Sue was making a painting to earn some money
Sue was making a painting to put in her room

Answer: (c) Sue was making a painting to earn some money.

Think About It: The Last Leaf Class 9

Question 1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?

Answer: Johnsy is suffering from pneumonia, a serious illness that has left her physically weak. But what’s making her situation worse is her loss of hope. She has convinced herself that she will die when the last leaf on the ivy vine outside her window falls. Her doctor explains that while the medicine is necessary, it won’t be effective if she doesn’t have the will to fight her illness. The real cure lies in her mindset—she needs to regain the desire to live. Without this inner determination, even the best medicine won’t be able to help her recover.

Question 2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?

Answer: Yes, the kind of depression Johnsy is experiencing is quite common among teenagers today. Life can be really challenging for teens—they face a lot of pressure from school, social expectations, and the need to succeed in various areas of life. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and even hopeless, similar to what Johnsy is going through. Many teens struggle with balancing these pressures, and when they feel like they can’t keep up, it can lead to depression. It’s important to recognize that these feelings are not uncommon and that teens need support and understanding to help them navigate these difficult emotions.

Question 3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?

Answer: Behrman, an elderly painter, has always dreamed of creating a masterpiece, a painting that would stand out as his greatest achievement. For years, he never quite managed to fulfill this dream. However, when he learns that Johnsy is losing the will to live, he sees an opportunity to make a difference. After the last leaf on the ivy vine falls, he goes out in the cold night and paints a realistic leaf on the wall to give Johnsy hope. This leaf becomes his true masterpiece—not because it’s a perfect work of art, but because it restores Johnsy’s faith in life. His dream comes true in a way he never expected, through the impact his painting has on saving Johnsy’s life.

Question 4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?

Answer: Behrman’s masterpiece is the meticulously painted leaf that he creates on the wall, mimicking the last leaf of the ivy vine that had fallen. This act of artistic creation goes beyond mere painting—it is an act of deep compassion and sacrifice. When Sue tells Behrman about Johnsy’s belief that she will die when the last leaf falls, Behrman is determined to do something to help. In the dead of night, during a fierce storm, he paints a leaf on the wall where the vine grows, ensuring that it looks so lifelike that Johnsy believes it to be real. The next morning, when Johnsy sees the leaf still clinging to the vine, her spirits lift, and she begins to regain her will to live, convinced that if the leaf can endure, so can she. Sue later realizes the significance of Behrman’s action and refers to this painted leaf as his masterpiece. It is not just a beautiful piece of art, but a symbol of hope and survival. It becomes Behrman’s greatest work because it saves Johnsy’s life, achieving what no other piece of art could—restoring her faith in life and in herself. This act of selflessness, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice of Behrman’s own life, gives his final work its true masterpiece status.

The Last Leaf Class 9 Summary

The Last Leaf by O. Henry is a touching story about hope, friendship, and the surprising ways people show they care. It occurs in a small neighbourhood in New York, where two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, live together. As winter arrives, Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia and becomes so depressed that she believes she’ll die when the last leaf falls off the ivy vine outside her window.

Sue is very worried about her friend and tries her best to keep Johnsy’s spirits up, but nothing seems to work. Their elderly neighbour, Mr. Behrman, a gruff but kind-hearted artist, hears about Johnsy’s strange belief. Even though he’s never had much success with his own art, he decides to do something extraordinary to help her.

One night, during a fierce storm, the last leaf clings to the vine against all odds. Seeing the leaf still there in the morning gives Johnsy a newfound hope, and she starts to recover. Later, Sue discovers that Mr. Behrman had painted the leaf on the wall, braving the cold and rain to give Johnsy the hope she needed. Sadly, Mr. Behrman catches pneumonia from his efforts and passes away, but his selfless act saves Johnsy’s life.

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The Last Leaf Class 9 FAQs

1. What is the main theme of The Last Leaf?

Ans. The main theme of The Last Leaf is hope and sacrifice. The story explores how hope can be a powerful force in overcoming despair and how selfless acts of kindness can have a profound impact on others. It also highlights the theme of the power of art and the ways in which it can inspire and save lives.

2. Who are the central characters in The Last Leaf?

Ans. The central characters are Johnsy, a young artist who is ill with pneumonia; Sue, her caring friend and fellow artist; and Mr. Behrman, their elderly neighbour and painter. Each character plays a crucial role in the development of the story and its themes.

3. What illness does Johnsy have, and how does it affect her?

Ans. Johnsy has pneumonia, a serious and potentially fatal illness. It leaves her physically weakened and mentally despondent. She becomes fixated on the belief that she will die when the last leaf falls from the ivy vine outside her window, which significantly impacts her will to recover.

4. How does the story depict the relationship between Johnsy and Sue?

Ans. The story depicts Johnsy and Sue as close friends and roommates who support each other. Sue is deeply concerned about Johnsy’s health and does everything she can to lift her spirits. Their relationship is characterized by mutual care and compassion.

5. What motivates Mr. Behrman to paint the last leaf?

Ans. Mr. Behrman is motivated by his concern for Johnsy and his desire to help her. When he learns of her belief that she will die when the last leaf falls, he decides to paint a realistic leaf on the wall to give her hope and encourage her to keep fighting for her life.

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