NCERT solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 7: Carrier of Words. Exam-ready answers to comprehension, critical reflection and vocabulary questions. All 10 questions are answered, with the key answer highlighted.
Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is 'invaluable'.
Solution
They deliver in interior areas often reachable only on foot: the Thar, frozen Ladakh, Lakshadweep's islands and the riverine North-east. They are the sole link for letters, money orders and savings, and they make up more than half the postal workforce.
They deliver in interior areas often reachable only on foot: the Thar, frozen Ladakh, Lakshadweep's islands and the riverine North-east.
How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
Solution
The British system relayed company dak between administrative centres. After independence, India Post aimed to bring the entire population within the mailing ambit, growing from 25,000 post offices in 1947 to over 1.5 lakh.
The British system relayed company dak between administrative centres.
People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
Solution
Villagers ask Khetaram to read their letters and write replies, and welcome him at every threshold; a plan to replace GDS with patwaris was rejected because people knew patwaris could not do the job. (Also: rural depositors entrust their savings to the post office.)
Villagers ask Khetaram to read their letters and write replies, and welcome him at every threshold; a plan to replace GDS with patwaris was rejected because people knew patwaris could not do the job.
Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS, even after the age of 60.
Solution
The job gave him an assured income in a land of famine; without it his family would starve. Serving people also gave him purpose and respect, and he still felt strong.
The job gave him an assured income in a land of famine; without it his family would starve.
Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
Solution
Because they work silently in extreme conditions to keep remote people connected, carry money and news, and hold society together; they are "part and parcel of our social fabric".
Read the words in the box (slumped, hamlets, dunes, signals, defying, devoid) and place them in their appropriate context in the following passage. We stepped out of the vehicle at the end of the road. Immediately, our body sent 1. ______ that our decision to visit the sand 2. ______ in the afternoon was insane. We had passed a few 3. ______ on our way to the desert. We could not find even a single soul outdoors, 4. ______ the blazing sun. Even the camels were 5. ______ in the little shade offered by the khejri trees. In this remote place people relied on Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to connect to the world as the area was 6. ______ of any other network service.
Khetaram needs to submit information about himself for getting an identity card. Fill up the information sheet: Name: Khetaram; Position ______; Employer ______; Official address ______; Mode of transport used ______; Key responsibilities ______.
Solution
Position : Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) Employer : India Post (Department of Posts) Official address : Somarad Branch Post Office, in the Thar desert near the Indo-Pakistan border, Rajasthan Mode of transport : mainly on foot, as the sand is too soft even for bicycles (sometimes a lift from the BSF) Key responsibilities : carrying and delivering mail and money orders to remote dhaanis, and reading out letters and writing replies for villagers.
Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
Solution
Jaggery is a traditional way to sweeten good news and celebrate. The villagers were poor, so a piece of jaggery was all they could offer to thank Khetaram for bringing joyful news.
It was a traditional sweet way of celebrating good news and thanking him, all the poor villagers could afford.
With phone lines, Khetaram might become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak , carrying a cell phone with the post. Villagers could then speak directly to their relatives and receive news faster, and he could serve them better.
He could become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak, carrying a cell phone so people could talk to relatives directly and get news faster.
Identify examples of alliteration and metaphor in the extract: Khetaram's khaki turban and uniform are his only protection against the desert's furies, the scorching summer winds and swirling sandstorms which turn him into a walking sandman.
Solution
Alliteration : " K hetaram's kh aki", " s corching s ummer", " s wirling s andstorms" (repeated k and s sounds). Metaphor : "the desert's furies" (the harsh weather as angry spirits) and "a walking sandman" (Khetaram so covered in sand that he seems made of it).
Alliteration: "Khetaram's khaki", "scorching summer", "swirling sandstorms"; Metaphor: "the desert's furies", "a walking sandman"
