NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri
Chapter 7: Carrier of Words
Questions & Answers | Critical Reflection | Vocabulary | Grammar | Writing Task
Chapter Overview: This page contains the visible textbook answers for Carrier of Words, including Check Your Understanding, Critical Reflection, Vocabulary and Structures in Context, grammar practice, and the writing task.
Chapter 7 – Carrier of Words: NCERT Solutions
Check Your Understanding – I
| Name / Particular | Khetaram |
|---|---|
| Position | Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) |
| Employer | India Post |
| Official Address | Somarad Branch Post Office, near Indo-Pak border, Rajasthan. |
| Mode of Transport Used | On foot (sometimes with help from BSF vehicles). |
| Key Responsibilities |
|
II. (A) Khetaram has likely taken up this challenging job to earn a livelihood and support his family. He may also like serving as an important link for people living in remote villages, and helping them stay connected with others.
(B) Khetaram would likely feel proud and fulfilled despite the challenges of his work. Although he travels through harsh desert conditions every day, he understands the importance of connecting people through letters and messages. His dedication, compassion and sense of responsibility suggest that he views his task as meaningful service.
Check Your Understanding – II
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| The temperature is often officially recorded as 49.9 degrees Celsius, even though the actual temperature is higher than 50 degrees Celsius. | When the temperature is recorded as 50 degrees Celsius and above, a state holiday has to be declared. |
| Khetaram can dwell on any threshold. | He is trusted by everyone in the villages. |
| BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. | The BSF personnel respected and recognised the importance of his work in the remote border region, and empathised with his hardships. Moreover, their camps were nearby. |
II. A piece of jaggery was offered because it is considered a symbol of happiness and celebration. By sharing something sweet, the villagers expressed their joy and gratitude on receiving good news such as a birth or a wedding.
III. Phone lines would help Khetaram by allowing him to become a Gramin Sanchar Sevak. He would then carry both a cell phone and the post from home to home, providing faster communication while continuing to serve villagers through postal services.
Critical Reflection
1.1 – Answers
(A) It is insufficient to feed the entire family throughout the year and cannot meet their basic needs.
(B) Khetaram describes famine as “a way of life” because scarcity of food and uncertain rainfall are constant conditions in his region. Crop failure is not occasional but regular, making hunger and hardship a recurring reality that people have learned to live with.
(C) Khetaram had to take up a job because farming alone did not provide enough food or income to support his family. The unreliable agricultural conditions made it necessary for him to find an additional and more dependable source of livelihood.
(D) Job.
(E) “A good year” would signify a year with sufficient rainfall leading to at least one successful crop. It represents relatively better agricultural output, though still limited, offering some temporary relief from scarcity but not complete financial or food security.
2. Answers
(A) (b) Sender of the letter
Explanation: The torn corner serves as a signal before delivery, so it must have been done by the sender to indicate that the letter carries news of death.
(B) He wants to ensure that the message is clearly understood and not misinterpreted, given its emotional importance.
(C) Khetaram believed that bad news should not be carried into the house and should be destroyed after being communicated. Acting on this belief, he would stand outside, read the letter aloud twice to ensure clarity, and then tear it into pieces to prevent its continued presence.
(D) False. His action aligns with his belief that bad news should be destroyed after being communicated.
(E) Sensitivity/empathy – He handles distressing news with care and respects the emotional and cultural concerns of the people.
II. Long Answer Questions
(A) The role of the GDS is certainly invaluable. GDS serve areas inaccessible by conventional means, ensuring communication, financial exchange and social connection. Their work supports isolated communities and sustains essential functions. Without them, these regions would remain disconnected, making their contribution critical to both individual lives and the functioning of society.
(B) The British system focused on administrative communication for governance. In contrast, India Post aimed to include the entire population, especially rural communities. This shift reflects a transition from control to service, prioritising public access and social integration.
(C) Villagers entrust their savings through postal accounts, showing financial trust. They also rely on Khetaram to read and write letters, indicating personal trust. These instances show that GDS are seen as dependable figures within the community.
(D) He values the job for both financial security and social purpose. In a region affected by famine, it ensures stability. Additionally, he is grateful that he can continue serving people even after the age of 60 because he remains physically capable and wishes to continue serving the community.
(E) The tribute recognises their endurance, dedication and contribution to society. They sustain communication, support livelihoods and maintain social bonds in difficult conditions. Their work, though often unseen, is vital, making them deserving of respect and acknowledgment.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. Match the phrases
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| (A) crumbles into sand | (iii) disappears in the desert |
| (B) give a new lease of life | (i) get a chance to continue living |
| (C) turn into a trickle before drying out | (iv) lessen gradually and then finally stop |
| (D) bearing words across this desolate geography | (ii) carrying letters to less populated areas |
Sentences using the given phrases
(A) Over time, the ancient castle crumbles into sand due to constant erosion.
(B) The community garden helped give a new lease of life to the neglected neighbourhood park.
(C) The river began to turn into a trickle before drying out completely during the long drought.
(D) The postman was bearing words across this desolate geography to connect distant families.
II. Alliteration
- “Khetaram’s khaki”: Both words start with the “k” sound.
- “scorching summer”: Both words start with the “s” sound.
- “swirling sandstorms”: Both words start with the “s” sound.
Metaphor
- “walking sandman”: This is a metaphor because the man isn’t actually made of sand, but he is so covered in it that he looks like a man made of sand.
- “desert’s furies”: This metaphor compares the harsh, dangerous conditions of the desert to the fierce and angry forces of classical Greek and Roman mythologies (the Furies).
III. Match the words
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| (A) arid | (iv) desert stretching far and wide |
| (B) concessional | (i) interest rate for the farmers |
| (C) gaunt | (v) farmer waiting for the rains |
| (D) remote | (ii) corner of the world |
| (E) desolate | (iii) farmland without much yield |
- The arid land made it difficult for crops to grow.
- The government offered a concessional loan to help farmers buy new equipment.
- After months of drought, the gaunt farmer anxiously awaited the first rains.
- They lived in a remote village, far from the nearest town and road.
- The desolate fields showed signs of poor harvest and neglect.
IV. Present Perfect Tense
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (A) She has found her book. | (iv) finished actions (past event–present result) |
| (B) I have just eaten a mango. | (ii) recently completed action |
| (C) Have you ever seen a play before? | (iii) life experiences |
| (D) I have finished my project. | (iv) accomplishment |
| (E) Ajay has become a good bowler in five years. | (v) changes over time |
| (F) I have seen this book in the library many times. | (vi) multiple actions at different times |
| (G) I have studied in this school for six years. | (vii) action completed in the past but has its impact in the present |
Answers shown in the text: (A) have; got (B) has collected (C) have studied (D) have begun (E) has; inspired
V. Answers
(A) will have to be practised
(B) will be expected
(C) will have to be written
(D) will be asked
(E) should be worn
Writing Task – Condolence Letter
B-31
Rajasthan
34xxxxxx
16 July 20XX
Dear Saraswati,
We were heartbroken to hear about the loss of Veeru uncle. Please accept our deepest condolences and know that our thoughts are with you and your family in this very difficult time. May God grant his soul eternal peace and give you the strength to endure this sorrow.
We will visit your home soon to offer our support and stand by you in this hour of grief. Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Yours lovingly,
Roshan and Puja Singh
What You Will Find Here
- Class 9 English Kaveri chapter-wise NCERT solutions.
- Check Your Understanding answers and Critical Reflection.
- Vocabulary, literary devices and grammar practice.
- Writing tasks for school revision and exam preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which chapter is covered on this page?
Chapter 7, “Carrier of Words”, from Class 9 English Kaveri.
Q2. What topics are included?
Textbook answers, critical reflection, vocabulary, grammar and the writing task.
Q3. Is this page useful for revision?
Yes. Use it to revise the chapter and compare answers with your textbook.
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Class 9 English Kaveri • NCERT Solutions • 2026–27
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