Question Bank — Twin Melodies

QUESTION BANK

NCERT Class 9 English – Unit 6: Twin Melodies

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

1. Shruti is distressed because she has not yet
   (a) told her father about the fusion concert
   (b) practised the violin piece
   (c) invited her friends for a party
   (d) performed with her father

2. Nabin Sharma believes that
   (a) fusion music is the future of Indian classical music
   (b) classical Hindustani music alone is worthy of an artist
   (c) the violin should never be played with Western instruments
   (d) children should perform as many concerts as possible

3. The phrase “bite the bullet” in the play means
   (a) to celebrate with a party
   (b) to face a difficult situation courageously
   (c) to argue with one’s father
   (d) to stop practising music

4. Assertion (A): Shruti hides her fusion rehearsals from her father.
   Reason (R): She fears he will consider playing the violin to Western tunes a desecration of classical music.
   (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   (c) A is true but R is false.
   (d) A is false but R is true.

5. Nabin’s final decision to support Shruti’s group is mainly influenced by
   (a) Avinash and Peter
   (b) Leela
   (c) the newspaper review
   (d) Iqbal’s advice

6. The line “each bay, its own wind” conveys that
   (a) every artist must follow the same tradition
   (b) every artist has a unique artistic journey
   (c) the sea breeze affects musicians
   (d) fusion music is superior to classical music

7. Assertion (A): Nabin had once gone against his own family’s wishes to play the violin.
   Reason (R): His family were vocalists and viewed the violin as a Western instrument.
   (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   (c) A is true but R is false.
   (d) A is false but R is true.

8. In Act III, Nabin’s reaction after watching the rehearsal shows
   (a) anger and disappointment
   (b) pride and appreciation
   (c) indifference
   (d) mockery

9. The word “crescendo” in the stage direction refers to
   (a) a gradual increase in volume
   (b) a sudden silence
   (c) a Western instrument
   (d) a classical raga

10. The poem “A Friend Found in Music” presents music as
    (a) a source of sadness
    (b) therapy and a dependable friend
    (c) an expensive hobby
    (d) a replacement for studies

Section B — Reference to Context (3 extracts, 4 marks each)

Extract 1

“Papa firmly believes that Classical Hindustani music, with its ragas and aalaaps, is the only kind of music that an artist of any worth should play.”

(i) Who is the speaker and to whom is she speaking?
(ii) What fear does the speaker express about her father’s reaction?
(iii) Identify the literary device used in “ragas and aalaaps”.
(iv) What does the speaker mean by “an artist of any worth”?

Extract 2

“Wah, how soulful! You all have done a wonderful job! You too Shruti! You did not lose sight of the notes of the raga even once…”

(i) Who is speaking and in what context?
(ii) What does this remark reveal about the speaker’s change of attitude?
(iii) Name the literary device used in the exclamation “Wah, how soulful!”
(iv) Infer why Shruti is “startled” at this moment.

Extract 3 (Poem)
“Music is the therapy / I need when I feel blue. / Music lifts my spirits / To make sure I pull through.”

(i) What does the poet compare music to in these lines?
(ii) Explain the meaning of the phrase “feel blue”.
(iii) Identify the rhyme scheme of the given extract.
(iv) How does the poet personify music in the last two lines?

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

1. Why does Shruti feel she cannot tell her father about the fusion concert? (40–50 words)
2. How do Peter, Iqbal and Avinash try to encourage Shruti? What does this show about their friendship?
3. Describe Nabin Sharma’s reaction when Shruti first mentions the Indo-Western concert.
4. How does Leela help resolve the conflict between Shruti and her father?
5. What message does the poet convey through the repetition of the word “music” in “A Friend Found in Music”?

Section D — Long Answer (2 questions, 6 marks each)

1. Draw a character sketch of Nabin Sharma. How does his attitude towards music and his daughter evolve during the play? (100–120 words)
2. “Each artist must be allowed to follow his or her own path.” How does the play Twin Melodies illustrate this value? Support your answer with examples from the text. (100–120 words)

Section E — Language and Writing (2 questions, 4 marks each)

1. From the unit, fill in the blanks with the correct phrases:
   bite the bullet, come around, lost in his thoughts, throw a party
   (a) Shruti decided to _ and speak to her father.
   (b) Nabin was sure his friend would _ after the apology.
   (c) Avinash suggested that Shruti should _ to celebrate her success.
   (d) Sunny sat _ and did not speak to anyone.

2. Write a diary entry (80–100 words) from Shruti’s point of view the night before she decides to speak to her father about the fusion concert. Express her fears, hopes and determination.