KSEEB Solutions for Class 9 English Prose Chapter 8 To My Country Men

Students can Download English Lesson 8 To My Country Men Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes Pdf, Activity, KSEEB Solutions for Class 9 English helps you to revise the complete Karnataka State Board Syllabus and to clear all their doubts, score well in final exams.

Karnataka State Syllabus Class 9 English Prose Chapter 8 To My Country Men

To My Country Men Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes

Before you read:

Listen to the teacher reading the text and complete the following passage.

I was born into a middle -class ____1_____ family in the island town of Rameswaram in theerstwhile ____2___ state. My ____3____ Jainulabdeen, had neither much formal education nor much _____4_____ despite these disadvantages, he possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit. He had an ideal helpmate in my ______5_____ Ashiamma. I do not recall the exact number of people she _____6______ every day, but I am quite certain that for more ______7_____ are with us than all the _____8_______ of our own family put together.
Answer:

Tamil
Madras
father
money
mother
fed
outsider
members

Check your understanding:

(A) Answer the following questions based on your reading of the passage.

Question 1.
What, according to Dr. Kalam, is important in life to become a winner?
Answer:
According to Dr. Kalam the power of imagination is important in life, to become a winner.

Question 2.
Which is bigger, the individual or the organization?
Answer:
Organization is bigger than the individual.

Question 3.
What can be achieved by working together?
Answer:
Missions can be achieved by working together.

Question 4.
‘It helped us humble a mighty empire’. Who does the phrase ‘mighty empire’ refer to?
Answer:
Mighty empire refers to the British empire.

Question 5.
What will happen if we have a low aim?
Answer:
If we have low aim the spirit of enterprise will diminish and can’t achieve anything.

Question 6.
What is Dr. Kalam’s view on the good progress we have made in the software sector?
Answer:
In the software sector, we have good progress. But almost all of the hardware is imported. We can’t rise on the value scale. India cannot design an operating system that will become a household name in the world of computers.

Question 7.
Mention the states that are faring better than others in the country.
Answer:
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharastra, Andra Pradesh are the states faring better than others in the country.

Question 8.
Which state is rich in mineral wealth and natural gas?
Answer:
Tripura state is rich in mineral wealth and natural gas.

Question 9.
Where do you see insurgency and unrest among people?
Answer:
We can see insurgency and unrest among people in the state of Assam.

Question 10.
Match the following

Answer:
1 – (c), 2 – (d), 3 – (b), 4 – (a).

(B) Think about the Text. Discuss the following questions in small groups, present your answers orally and then write them down in your notebook.

Question 1.
What do people expect from biotechnology labs and medical councils?
Answer:
People expect proper diagnostic facilities in clinics and affordable drugs reaching our masses. People also expect the facilities at reasonable prices.

Question 2.
What is Dr. Abdul Kalam’s vision of India in 2020?
Answer:
Dr. Abdul Kalam is a great visionary. He would like to see by 2020, a literate and poverty-free India. He dreams of an India governed by noble leaders. He expects a system where the work of scientists and technologists is focussed on specific missions driven by goals relevant to the common man.

Question 3.
How did great people such as J.N Tata. Sir Syed Ahamed Khan, and others help India come up in the world?
Answer:
J. N. Tata brought the steel industry to India even though the British rulers were not favourably disposed to that He started Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. Sir Syed Ahamed Khan set up the Aligarh Muslim University. In all these cases, the motivation was to see India come up in the world, to demonstrate that “india can doit”.

Question 4.
As mentioned in the lesson, what is it that we have? What is it that we don’t have?
Answer:
We are witnessing good progress in the software sector but all of the hardware is imported. Our exports consist raw materials but we cannot convert these into a wide range of products. We don’t have international markets. We have hundreds of defense production industries but we don’t manufacture missiles, battle tanks and other defense equipment.

Question 5.
What is Dr. Kalam’s message to teachers and students?
Answer:
He tells students to develop creative power and to think in the right direction. He tells them to use their energy and to get ready to transform India into a developed nation. He asks of the teachers to ignite the minds of the students and to equip them with all the necessary knowledge so that they can come up in life.

Question 6.
What is lacking in the discussions and debates that take place in intellectual forums, political platforms, and academic institutions?
Answer:
All these institutions are full of discussion and debate. There are endless debates, arguments, theories and there is little progress. The theme of developed India is lacking so they should take full responsibility and lead the country.

Vocabulary:

VI. Collocations:

(A) Words often used together are called collocations. For example, the word ‘hearty’ is often used with ‘congratulations’ and we say ‘Hearty congratulations!’
In the following table, match the words that collocate and write them down.

Answer:

leaders
efforts
cars
satellites
power
challenges
responsibility
nation

V2. There are some words in Box A and some prepositions in Box B. Which prepositions can be used with which words? Write the word combinations.

Refer to a dictionary and construct meaningful sentences using the word combinations above.
Answer:

of/about
to, into
of
of, for
to
to, about, for
to
of, to
to

dream:

dream of: He dreams of one day becoming a famous violinist.
dreams about: Last night I dreamt about flying a Boeing myself.

convert:

Convert into: Manufacturing industries convert raw materials into finished products.
Convert to: He got converted to Christianity, to get some financial help.

consist:
Consist of: The committee consists of Ten members.

basis:
1. Basis of: This agenda will form the basis of our next meeting.
Basis for: There is no basis for further negotiations between Government and terrorists.

Willing: Willing to: Are you willing to accept the responsibility?

Speak:

Speak to: I was speaking to him only yesterday.
Speaking about: She was speaking about population explosion for hours.
Speak for: She spoke for forty minutes at the conference.

Give birth: give birth to: She gave birth to a female child last night.
Worthy: worthy of Her achievements are worthy of the highest praise.
Worthy to: He said that he was not worthy to accept the honour they had offered him.
Have access: access: Students must have access to a good library.

Quiz: The conjunctions used in the following sentences are wrong. Replace them with the most appropriate ones. Choose from the options given in brackets.

I will go to bed now, or my homework is not done. (if, and, but)
Would you like to have tea and coffee? (but, or, and)
My sister wants both a bicycle although a book for her birthday. (and, in addition to, besides)
Ramya is very tall so that Parveen is very short. (if, until, while)
I came early until I can talk to you personally. (so that, as if, in spite of)
Whoever she calls me, I feel happy, (whichever, whenever, wherever)
Although the class starts, you will not be able to play. (once, whereas, while)
Since I had seen that movie three times, I watched it again. (because, until, although)

Answer:

but
or
and
while
so that
whenever
once
although.

Quiz: Choose appropriate modals from the list above and complete the sentences. Refer to textbook pages 152,153.

____ you speak Chinese? No, _______
I ____ study well for the exam.
________ I borrow your pen?
We ______ watch TV so much.
We ____ buy that bag. It’s expensive.
You ____ come to school in time.
I ____ ____ work hard to complete the project.
You ____ speak politely to others.

Answer:

can/I can’t
must
May/ can
shouldn’t
cannot
should/must
need to
should/must

To My Country Men Additional Questions and Answers

I. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1.
“To my Countrymen” is an extract from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalm’s book:
(a) Ignited Minds
(b) Wings of fire
(c) India 2020
(d) A vision for the new millennium.
Answer:
(a) Ignited Minds.

Question 2.
All through the book “Ignited Minds”, Dr. Kalam has spoken about:
(a) Politician
(b) Freedom
(c) Science
(d) Power of the imagination.
Answer:
(d) Power of the imagination.

Question 3.
Kalam dreams of an India governed by:
(a) Scientists
(b) President
(c) a Noble leader
(d) Foreigners.
Answer:
(c) a Noble leader

Question 4.
Kalam dreams of a system where the work of scientists and technologists is focussed on:
(a) Development
(b) agriculture
(c) Specific missions driven by goals
(d) Industries
Answer:
(d) Industries

Question 5.
According to Dr. Kalam, to realise the dream, _________ is necessary
(a) Industry
(b) Agriculture
(c) Science
(d) Integrated effort.
Answer:
(d) Integrated effort.

Question 6.
Dr. Kalam gives an instance of his own experience for the energy field and power which is created by a vision:
(a) Launching satellite
(b) Testing nuclear bomb
(c) Freedom movement
(d) India China war
Answer:
(c) Freedom movement

Question 7.
The steel industry was brought to India by:
(a) J. N. Tata
(b) P. C. Ray
(c) Madan Mohan Malavia
(d) Sardar Patel.
Answer:
(a) J. N. Tata

Question 8.
Dr. Kalam says that we have made good progress in software but not progressed in:
(a) Agriculture
(b) Industry
(c) Science
(d) Hardware.
Answer:
(d) Hardware

Question 9.
We need a vision that is shared by the:
(a) Politician
(b) farmers
(c) Entire nation
(d) entire world.
Answer:
(c) Entire nation

Question 10.
For the better utilization of manpower even for those living in the villages _________ is necessary:
(a) good education
(b) good planning
(c) good transport facility
(d) good loan facility.
Answer:
(a) good education

Question 11.
The state that is rich in mineral wealth and natural gas is:
(a) Assam
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Tripura
(d) West Bengal.
Answer:
(c) Tripura

Question 12.
The problem that Tripura is facing in its economic development in:
(a) power
(b) finance
(c) transport
(d) unrest among the people.
Answer:
(c) transport

Question 13.
The state that is facing insurgency and unrest among its people is:
(a) West Bengal
(b) Assam
(c) Tripura
(d) Jharkhand
Answer:
(b) Assam

Question 14.
Boardrooms and technology conference are not discussing:
(a) The theme of a developed India
(b) The theme of achievement
(c) About Education
(d) About Science and Technology.
Answer:
(a) The theme of a developed India

II. Match the following:

A	B
1. habitat	a. far away, not likely
2. demonstrate	b. use something
3. remote	c. more important
4. core	d. show
5. access	e. place to live

Answer:
1 – (e), 2 – (d), 3 – (a), 4 – (c), 5 – (b).

III. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

1. “All through ‘this book’ I have spoken about the power of the imagination”

Question a.
Who is telling this?
Answer:
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Question b.
What does “this book” refer to?
Answer:
This book refers to Dr. Kalam’s book ‘Ignited Minds’.

Question c.
What is the power of Imagination?
Answer:
It is the very substances of life, allied as it is to the power to attract to us what we most desire.

IV. Give a single word for the following.

Question 1.
Having enough money to buy or pay for something.
Answer:
Affordable.

Question 2.
An important assignment or job or work, aim.
Answer:
Mission.

Question 3.
A quality you need to achieve something.
Answer:
Ingredient.

Question 4.
An idea that is not yet proved.
Answer:
Hypothesis.

V. Give the opposites of:

1. attract × repel
winner × loser
literate × illiterate
noble × ignoble
isolated × integrated
pre-independence × post-independence
favorable × unfavorable
fast × slow
tapped × untapped
developed × underdeveloped /undeveloped

To My Country Men Summary in English

This lesson is extracted from Dr. A. R J. Abdul Kalam’s book ‘Ignited Minds’ Dr. Kalam gives a message to the youth of India.

Dr. Kalam speaks about the power of the imagination. This power makes all the difference between the winners and the losers. He expects to see in twenty years a literate and poverty-free India. Missions need an effort to realize this dream. Missions are bigger than organizations and individuals. We cannot reach our goal by isolated efforts. Combined efforts and co-ordination of different sectors is very essential to serve the purpose. Then only, people get good medical facilities and affordable drugs.

Dr. Kalam speaks about his own experience that made him aware of the energy field which was created by a vision. It is a power that arises from deep within us. This power is the basis for the movement towards excellence. This power could be seen during the freedom struggle. It helped us humble a mighty empire.

N. Tata brought the steel industry to India and he started the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. R C. Ray nurtured the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya established the Banaras Hindu University. Sir Syed Ahmed started Aligarh Muslim University. Some Maharajas also set up universities. In all these cases, the motivation was to see India come up in the world, to demonstrate that “India can do it.”

Dr. Abdul Kalam questions whether we are in a position to continue that work, revive that spirit of enterprise, whether Indian made products are to be used by the people of the world, whether India is competing in science, and technology and construction field in the world. But, He feels that possibility will remain remote if we stay with the present trend of low aim.

India has progressed in the software sector, but hardware is imported. We export large quantity of low-value raw material such as iron ore and aluminia. We have hundreds of defence production industries but India does not manufacture and market the main battle tanks, missiles, aircraft guns, and other defence equipment. Though we have multifaceted manpower and basic infrastructure, we are not able to produce all the hardware, convert raw materials into a wide range of products, and produce defence equipment. To achieve this, we have to give a new dimension to our style of functioning and follow the integrated action plan. The motive force has to be love for the country. We need a vision that is shared by the entire nation.

Some states have made better development in our country. Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad are the hubs of business activities. I.T sector is a very visible area of success. Manpower is the most important need to IT area. All, including those who are living in rural areas, should have access to good education to join the talent pool.

Dr. Abdul Kalam had made a visit to the Northeastern states. He had observed the untapped potential there. Tripura’s economy is dependant on forest products, mineral wealth and natural gas. But travel and transport and easy access are hard to get.

Forest produce, handicrafts and mineral wealth need to be developed in Jharkhand. All the ingredients required for a developed economy are there in Assam. But there is insurgency and unrest among the people. A focussed mission will integrate people. States such as Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka have irtade Kalam realize that much can be achieved. Once efforts are made to improve education and health in these states that will set an example of economic development in other states.

The theme of developed India is not discussed in board rooms and at technology conferences. Dr. Abdul Kalam expects that institutions, families, and individuals should take responsibility and willingness to exercise their fullest abilities.

Students should get ready to transform India into a developed nation; teachers should work wholeheartedly to impart the knowledge and transform the students in a positive way.