ANNUAL
EXAMINATION 2025–26
CLASS IX
ENGLISH
ANSWER KEY
SECTION A –
READING SKILLS
I. Sustainable Fashion Passage
I. It
indicates that modern shoppers are becoming more aware and responsible about
environmental and ethical issues while making purchases.
II.D.
Competition between global fashion brands
III.Evidence
IV.B. Creating
a closed-loop system where waste becomes input for new production
V.Fair wages /
Safe working conditions / Worker welfare/ income opportunities/ stable income/
empowering local economies/community development/ (any one)
VI. Despite
growing awareness, higher production costs make sustainable products expensive,
limiting affordability and mainstream adoption. OR
Higher production costs often
translate to elevated retail prices, making sustainable options less accessible
to price-sensitive consumers OR
The complexity of global supply
chains makes it difficult to ensure complete transparency and ethical
compliance at every level.
VII.D. All
except ii
VIII.Slow fashion
encourages buying fewer, higher-quality pieces that last longer, directly
opposing the fast-fashion philosophy of constant consumption
II. Digital Wellness Passage
I.B.
technology affects various life stages in unique and distinct ways
II.“support
rather than undermine psychological well-being”
III.FOMO
IV.It suggests
reduced ability to concentrate due to constant switching between
tasks. OR
The young adults experienced their
focus decreasing by an average of 23% over the study duration
V.A.
They consume too much information to process effectively
VI.Young
adults resist / avoid digital wellness interventions despite
experiencing the most attention fragmentation / negative impact
VII.They reduce
distractions and promote intentional usage, improving focus and mental
well-being. OR They reduce interruptions, improved focus by 34% on average
VIII.Digital
sabbaths improve sleep and reduce anxiety, making them effective for structured
wellness programs.
IX.a balanced /wise/
effective/purposeful/ useful (approach)
SECTION B –
GRAMMAR
I.indicate
II.Error: are Correction: is
III.were preparing
IV.She
confirmed to her colleagues that she
would definitely attend the conference the following week.
V.B. before
VI.He
enthusiastically asked if he could
join our environmental club.
VII.had left
VIII.Error: have
Correction: has
IX.The
counselor inquired the student if
he/she was planning to pursue higher education abroad.
X.may
XI.B. has
XII.C. would
SECTION B –
CREATIVE WRITING
Q. 4A – Letter to the Director of
Cultural Affairs
(Preserving Traditional Indian Art
Forms)
The Heritage Public School
Sharma Street,
Road no-3,
Warangal
16 February 2026
To
The Director of Cultural Affairs
Government of Telangana
Subject: Request
to preserve cultural heritage and organize training programs-reg
Sir/Madam,
I am a student of grade IX and the
Cultural Secretary of the Heritage Public School, Warangal. I
am writing to express my deep concern regarding the declining interest
among students in traditional Indian art forms such as classical dance, music,
and handicrafts.
As the Cultural Secretary of
Heritage Public School, I have observed that students are increasingly drawn
towards modern entertainment platforms, while our rich cultural
heritage is gradually losing its importance in young minds.
Traditional art forms are not merely performances; they reflect our history,
values, and identity. They instill discipline, patience, creativity,
and respect for tradition. If students are not exposed to these art forms
at a young age, we risk losing invaluable cultural knowledge and
craftsmanship.
I kindly request the Department of
Cultural Affairs to support schools by organizing workshops, artist
interactions, and training programs conducted by skilled
professionals. Financial assistance, resource materials, and
state-level competitions would further encourage participation. Introducing
certified short-term courses in schools could also generate sustained
interest among students. Such initiatives would not only preserve our cultural
heritage but also nurture talent and cultural pride among the younger
generation.
I sincerely hope the department will
consider this request and extend its support in restoring the
declining interest among students in traditional Indian art forms.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
Ravi
Cultural Secretary
Q. 4B – Letter to the Editor
(Cyberbullying Awareness)
67, Hill View Residency
Shimla –
171001
16 February 2026
The Editor
The Times of India,
VG Road,
KNM Street- 304009
Subject: Concern
Regarding Rising Cyberbullying Among Teenagers-reg
Sir/Madam,
I am an avid reader of your esteemed
newspaper. Your news articles are informative and interesting.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw attention to
the alarming rise of cyberbullying among teenagers in our community.
Incidents of online
harassment, identity theft, and public shaming on social media
platforms are becoming increasingly common. These actions often leave
victims emotionally distressed and psychologically traumatized. Cyberbullying affects
teenagers’ confidence, academic performance, and mental health. Many
victims suffer silently due to fear or embarrassment. The offenders act
irresponsibly without realizing the long-term consequences. Parents
must monitor digital activity and maintain open communication with
their children. Schools should organize awareness programs and
digital literacy workshops to educate students about responsible online
behavior. Strict legal measures and reporting mechanisms should also be
strengthened to deter such activities. Technology should empower young
minds, not harm them. It is high time society collectively addresses this
issue to create a safer digital environment for our youth.
I request you to allocate a small
space in your esteemed newspaper to publish the abovementioned views of
mine for the consideration of the public.
Yours sincerely,
Ananya
Q.
5A – Analytical Paragraph
(Selecting a Fitness Instructor)
Taking the given excerpts of
applications into consideration and after carefully analyzing both the
applications, I strongly feel that Ms. Priya Sharma appears to be the
more suitable candidate for a school health and wellness program.
Ms Priya Sharma’s 12 years of
experience working specifically with youngsters make her highly aligned
with school objectives. Unlike competitive athletic training, a school
wellness program should focus on inclusivity, safety, and habit formation
rather than performance pressure. Ms. Sharma emphasizes building
sustainable healthy habits and age-appropriate fitness routines. Her
certifications in sports psychology and injury prevention are particularly
valuable for ensuring student safety and emotional well-being.
Additionally, her experience designing programs for over 50 schools
demonstrates reliability and proven engagement strategies. The 85% student
engagement rate reflects her ability to motivate diverse learners, not
just athletically inclined students. In contrast, Coach Vikram Singh’s
expertise lies more in competitive training and performance enhancement. While
beneficial for sports teams, his approach may not suit a general
wellness program aimed at all students. Schools must prioritize balanced
development over competitive achievement.
Therefore, considering student
welfare, educational goals, safety, and sustainability, Ms. Priya
Sharma would be the ideal choice for implementing a holistic and
inclusive health program.
Q. 5B
– Analytical Paragraph
(Selecting Team Members for Climate
Change Project)
Having gone through the skills and
team dynamics of the three students for group activity, I think that Rohan
would certainly benefit from teammates who complement his reserved nature and
strengthen areas such as communication and creative outreach. However, he needs
capable students as his team members. Here I present my analysis.
In this context, the most
effective combination would be Ishita and Dev. To begin with, Ishita’s
excellent research skills and analytical mindset align perfectly with
Rohan’s methodical approach. Since both are detail-oriented and reliable, the
team’s content quality would remain high. Moreover, Ishita prefers
supporting roles rather than leadership; thus, she would comfortably
assist Rohan without creating power struggles. Her systematic working
style would also ensure that no important information is
overlooked. On the other hand, Dev would balance the team socially
and communicatively. Although Rohan may hesitate in public speaking or
motivating peers, Dev’s charismatic personality and presentation skills would
strengthen the team’s impact. Furthermore, his networking abilities would
help in gathering diverse viewpoints and presenting the project confidently.
While Dev sometimes neglects minor details, Rohan and Ishita’s
organized nature would compensate for this weakness. Although Pooja
is creative and passionate about environmental issues, her inconsistency
and tendency to conflict with traditional approaches might
disturb Rohan’s structured working style. In contrast, Ishita and Dev together
provide stability as well as dynamism.
Thus, by combining Rohan’s
organization, Ishita’s research strength, and Dev’s communication
skills, the team would achieve both depth of content and effective
presentation, resulting in a balanced and successful project on climate change
solutions.
SECTION C –
LITERATURE
EXTRACT - ANSWERS
VI (a) My
Childhood
1. C. The modest socio-economic
status of the family
2. B. True wisdom is independent of
formal schooling
3. C. Hospitality
4. C. Willingness to help others
selflessly
5. C. Between formal education and
inner values
b) A House is not a
Home
1. B. Encouraging school activities
to build new relationships.
2. B. Emotional attachment fades
with time
3. C. He knew that they were
comforting him emotionally.
4. C. Empathy
5. B. Adjustment to change requires
emotional support.
7 (a) On Killing a
Tree
1. C. has a slow and strong life
force.
2. C. The deep connection between
the tree and the earth.
3. C. personification
4. D.Nature, though resilient,
should not be exploited.
5. C. Trees represent strength and
resilience of nature.
(b). No Men are
Foreign
1. B. humanity is united beyond
political boundaries
2.C. All humans share the same basic
life and needs
3. C. the prolonged suffering caused
by war.
4. 2.C&D
5. C. People across nations
share similar struggles and efforts.
BIT – VIII
Short
Answers : Supp: Beehive
(i) How did Bismillah khan transcend cultural
differences? (The Sound of Music)
In the lesson, ‘The
Sound of Music’ Ustad Bismillah Khan transcended cultural differences by popularising
the shehnai, an instrument earlier confined to temples and weddings, and
elevating it to the classical concert stage. His performance at the
historic occasion of India’s Independence at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947
reflected how his music became a part of national identity beyond religion. Secondly,
though a devout Muslim, he deeply respected Hindu traditions. He played the
shehnai at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and was spiritually connected to the
River Ganga, showing harmony between faiths. Thirdly, his love for his
birthplace, Varanasi, and his refusal to settle abroad despite
opportunities demonstrated his strong sense of cultural rootedness. Through
music, simplicity, and devotion, Bismillah Khan united people across
communities.
(ii) What did Kezia realize about her father
finally? (The Little Girl)
Kezia finally
realizes that her father was not a cruel or unkind person, but a loving and
caring parent who expressed his affection in a different way. At first, she
feared him because he was strict, short-tempered, and spoke harshly. She
misunderstood his stern behavior as lack of love. However, one night when her
mother was in the hospital and Kezia had a nightmare, her father comforted her.
He took her to his own bed, held her close, and stayed with her until she felt
safe. She noticed his tiredness and understood that he worked very hard for
the family and had little time to rest. Through this experience, Kezia
realized that her father’s strictness was not cruelty but responsibility and
love. She understood that he cared for her deeply, even if he did not openly
show his emotions.
(iii)
Give the character sketch of Tommy? (The Fun They Had)
Tommy is portrayed as
a curious and intelligent thirteen-year-old boy, but he also behaves
in a somewhat superior and casual manner. When he finds the real printed
book, he does not show much excitement outwardly; instead, he behaves calmly
and sarcastically, showing a nonchalant attitude. He even dismisses
Margie’s surprise about the book and casually explains things as if he
already knows everything. He is also a bit demanding. When Margie wants to
read the book, he controls it and decides when and how she can look at it. He
enjoys having more knowledge than her and often corrects her in a slightly
bossy tone.
(iv)
What message does the poet give through the poem Wind?
Through the symbol of
the wind, the poet shows how challenges and hardships test human beings. The
wind breaks weak doors, scatters papers, and destroys fragile structures. This
suggests that difficulties in life affect those who are weak and
unprepared. However, the poet advises us not to complain about the wind but to
build strong houses, strong doors, and strong bodies and hearts. In other
words, we must strengthen ourselves physically and mentally to face life’s
struggles.
The central message
of the poem is that challenges make us stronger. Instead of fearing
difficulties, we should prepare ourselves to withstand them. The wind becomes
a friend of the strong and courageous.
(v)
How close was the poet to his mother? Give the reference from the poem (Rain on
the Roof)?
The poet shares a
very deep and emotional bond with his mother. The sound of the rain falling
on the roof brings back sweet childhood memories of her. As he listens to the
pattering of raindrops, he recalls how his mother used to tuck him into bed
and look lovingly at him. These lines clearly show that among all the
memories awakened by the rain, the most precious one is of his mother. He remembers
her fondly and feels her presence even after her death. This indicates that
the poet was deeply attached to his mother and cherished her love and
care throughout his life.
Short Answers : Supp: Moments
(i)
How different was Sue from Johnsy? (The Last Leaf)
Johnsy is portrayed
as sensitive, pessimistic, and emotionally weak.
When she falls ill with pneumonia, she loses the will to live. She develops a
strange belief that she will die when the last leaf on the ivy creeper falls.
Instead of fighting her illness, she passively waits for the leaf to drop, showing
her hopeless and negative state of mind. In contrast, Sue is practical,
strong-willed, and optimistic. She takes care of Johnsy devotedly,
calls the doctor, prepares food, and tries to distract her by talking about her
paintings. Sue does not give up in stress and becomes a source of emotional
support for her friend. Even when she is worried, she hides her fear and
encourages Johnsy to be hopeful. Thus, while Johnsy represents weakness
and despair, Sue symbolizes courage, determination, and selfless friendship.
(ii)
Why did the disciple decide to stay in the kingdom of fools? (In the Kingdom of
Fools)
The disciple decided
to stay in the strange kingdom because he was tempted by comfort and easy
living. When the guru and his disciple reached the kingdom, they were
surprised to see that everything was sold at the same price — a single
duddu. Whether it was rice, ghee, vegetables, or sweets, everything cost
the same. The guru immediately sensed danger and warned the disciple that such
a system could not last long in a foolish kingdom ruled by a foolish king. He
advised him to leave at once. However, the disciple was attracted by the
cheap and abundant food. He thought he could live comfortably and eat
well without much effort. Ignoring his guru’s wise advice, he chose to stay
back. His greed and love for physical comfort made him overlook the risks,
which later led him into serious trouble.
(iii)
What sort of different lies did Lushkoff weave to activate sympathy in others?
(The Beggar)
Lushkoff wove
different lies to gain sympathy and money. When he approached Sergei, he
claimed that he was a student who had been expelled from school due to
circumstances beyond his control. On other occasions, he pretended to be a village
schoolteacher who had lost his job because of false accusations. In
reality, neither of these stories was true. He was actually a singer in a
Russian choir who had lost his position because of his drinking habit. Lushkoff
kept changing his stories depending on whom he was speaking to, hoping that
people would feel pity for an educated and unfortunate man and give financial help.
X. Long Answers:
(i)
Santhosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova had differbnt lives yet they were treading
on the same paths. Comment on this. (Reach for the Top)
Both Santosh Yadav
and Maria Sharapova come from very different backgrounds, yet they follow
similar paths of determination and success. Firstly, both showed strong
determination from a young age. Santosh was unconventional and refused
to accept traditional stereotypes while Maria left her home in Russia at the
age of nine to train in the United States. Secondly, both made great
sacrifices. Santosh went against her family and societal norms to pursue
mountaineering, whereas Maria stayed away from her mother and endured
loneliness to train in a foreign country.
Thirdly, they
faced hardships and challenges. Santosh struggled against social
barriers, and Maria faced financial difficulties and intense competition.
However, both displayed extraordinary
courage and self-belief. Santosh became the first woman to climb Mount
Everest twice, while Maria rose to become a world champion in tennis. Interestingly,
they remained focused on their goals despite obstacles. Finally, both became
role models, inspiring young people to dream big and work hard.
(ii) Just imagine that instead of punishing,
the father appreciated Kezia for making him a pin cushion. How different do you
think the story would be from then on? How do you think this could have
affected Kezia? (The Little Girl)
If Kezia’s father had
appreciated her for making the pin cushion instead of punishing her, the story
would have taken a very different turn. Firstly, Kezia would not have
developed fear and dislike towards her father. His harsh reaction deepens
her misunderstanding of his personality. Appreciation would have built trust
instead of fear. Secondly, Kezia’s confidence would have increased.
She had made the pin cushion with innocent love and effort. If her father had
praised her creativity, she would have felt valued and encouraged rather
than guilty and ashamed.
The father and daughter relationship would have grown warmer and healthier in the story. Instead of realizing his love only at the end, Kezia might have felt emotionally close to him from the beginning. Kezia’s emotional development would have been faster. Emotional development required the support, love and appreciation of the parents. The mainconflict of misunderstanding between father and daughter might not have existed. The story would then focus more on affection than on fear and realization. Thus, appreciation instead of punishment would have strengthened Kezia’s confidence and created a loving, understanding bond between them much sooner.
XI.Answer
any ONE of the following two questions in 100–120 words:
(i) In the story, The Happy Prince, whose sacrifice was the noblest sacrifice, the Prince’s or the bird’s? Give reasons to support your statement. (The Happy Prince)
Both the Prince and
the Swallow make touching sacrifices, but the bird’s sacrifice can be
considered the noblest. The Happy Prince sacrifices his external beauty
and comfort. He gives away the ruby from his sword, the sapphires from his
eyes, and the gold leaves covering his body to help the poor and suffering
people of the city. Though he feels pity and compassion, he is already dead
and cannot physically suffer the cold or hunger. His sacrifice is emotional
and material.
The Swallow, however, makes a physical and serious sacrifice. He delays his journey to Egypt to serve the Prince. As winter grows harsher, he suffers from cold, hunger, and loneliness. Despite knowing the danger, he chooses to stay out of love and loyalty. Ultimately, he dies at the Prince’s feet. The Swallow gives up not just comfort but his life. His sacrifice is voluntary, selfless, and made with full awareness of the consequences. Therefore, though both are noble, the Swallow’s sacrifice is the noblest because it costs him his life.
(ii) We all need a person who could lift us
up, inspire us, motivate us and encourage us. Comment on this with reference to
the story, ‘The Beggar’.
Lushkoff is initially
a dishonest beggar who survives by telling lies about being a student or a
schoolteacher. He is weak, addicted to alcohol, and has lost his
self-respect. When Sergei confronts him and offers him work instead of
money, it becomes the first step toward change. It was he who sows the seed
of change in his life by offering him a decent work later. However, the real
inspiration comes from Olga, Sergei’s cook. Though she scolds Lushkoff for
his laziness, she secretly chops wood for him and shows deep compassion.
Her kindness and concern awaken his conscience.
Olga does not merely give him food or money; she rebuilds his morality. Her encouragement and silent sacrifice make him ashamed of his behaviour and motivate him to reform. Eventually, Lushkoff gives up drinking and becomes a notary. Thus, the story shows that a supportive and motivating person can transform a lost individual. With guidance, compassion, and encouragement, even a fallen person can rise and rebuild his life.
Comments
Post a Comment