What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

>

>

Chapter 5

NCERT

Class 9

English

Solutions

7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

Question:

What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

Answer:

A ‘legend’ is an old traditional and popular semi-true story that shows the values of human life. It is considered to be historical with mythical qualities. This poem is called a ‘legend’ because the poetess himself says that she doesn’t believe this tale to be true. The story is about Saint Peter. It conveys the lesson of sharing and caring for people and moreover it also has the presence of a supernatural element at the end of the tale.

More NCERT Questions

Download Free PDF

(All Q's of this Chapter solved)

question pointer

The little swallow says, “It is curious, but I feel quite warm now, although it is so cold.” Have you ever had such a feeling ? Share your experience with your friends.

question pointer

What are the precious things mentioned in the story ? Why are they precious ?

question pointer

Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt ?

question pointer

What does the swallow see when it flies over the city ?

question pointer

For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why ?

question pointer

Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seams-tress ? What does the swallow do in the seamstress’ house ?

question pointer

Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’ ? Is he really happy ? What does he see all around him ?

question pointer

Let’s look at the words at the end of the second and fourth lines, viz., ‘snows’ and ‘clothes’, ‘true’ and ‘you’, ‘below’ and ‘know.’ rhymes with ‘clothes’, ‘true’ rhymes with ‘you’ and ‘below’ rhymes with ‘know’. Find more such rhyming words.

question pointer

Write the story of ‘A Legend of the Northland’ in about ten sentences.

question pointer

Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important?

question pointer

Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?

question pointer

How does the woodpecker get her food?

question pointer

How did Saint Peter punish the lady?

question pointer

What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?

question pointer

Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?

question pointer

Compare the two translations on the basis of the following points: (i)the tense of narration (past and present tense) (ii)short, incomplete sentences (iii)sentence length Which of these translations do you like? Give reasons for your choice.

question pointer

Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India, 4 September, 1999). Make up a story about what the monkey is thinking, or why it is looking into a mirror. Write a paragraph about it.

question pointer

Try to rewrite the story without its humour, merely as a frightening incident. What details or parts of the story would you leave out?

question pointer

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

question pointer

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

question pointer

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

question pointer

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

question pointer

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

question pointer

Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what. Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense. 2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”

question pointer

Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what. Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense. 1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you : 7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you : 6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you : 5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you :4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you : 3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you : 2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.

question pointer

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you : 1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (very frightened)

question pointer

Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences : 3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ............

question pointer

Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences : 2. I sat there holding ............

question pointer

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 ............ .

question pointer

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 more image cut in granite. 3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.

question pointer

(i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror (ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm Write Short paragraph on each of these to get our answer.

question pointer

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

question pointer

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)

question pointer

“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?

question pointer

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

question pointer

“The sound was a 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 sound stop?

Buy Latest Books

Teacher's Specimen