Question Bank — Carrier of Words

QUESTION BANK

Unit: Carrier of Words (Prose + Poem)

CBSE Class 09 English Practice Paper

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

1. Khetaram works as a Gramin Dak Sewak for which organisation?
   a) Indian Railways
   b) India Post
   c) Border Security Force
   d) BSNL

2. What is the maximum weight of the mailbag Khetaram is permitted to carry?
   a) 20 kg
   b) 25 kg
   c) 28 kg
   d) 30 kg

3. Assertion (A): Khetaram continues to work even when the temperature crosses 50°C.
   Reason (R): Recording 50°C would mean declaring a state holiday.
   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.

4. Which poetic device is used in the line “words, like summer birds, depart”?
   a) Alliteration
   b) Simile
   c) Metaphor
   d) Personification

5. Why does Khetaram dread delivering a letter with its right corner torn off?
   a) It contains money orders
   b) It bears news of death
   c) It is a government notice
   d) It is a wedding invitation

6. Assertion (A): The British postal system in India was set up mainly to relay company dak between administrative centres.
   Reason (R): After independence, India Post aimed to bring the entire population within the mailing ambit.
   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.

7. In the poem “Words”, the heart is compared to a __.
   a) summer bird
   b) pilgrim
   c) weed
   d) feast

8. What does Khetaram do with letters carrying bad news?
   a) Delivers them inside the house
   b) Reads them twice and tears them outside
   c) Sends them back to the post office
   d) Hands them over to the village elder

9. The essential criterion for selection as a Gramin Dak Sewak is __.
   a) Access to another means of livelihood
   b) A college degree
   c) Ability to ride a bicycle
   d) Knowledge of English

10. According to the poet, words that truly satisfy are those that __.
    a) are many in number
    b) reach the head
    c) touch the heart
    d) look impressive

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

Extract 1

“His left shoulder slumped from years of carrying a mailbag, he is the sole postman of Somarad Branch Post Office… Defying all elements of the harshest desert of India, the Thar, he is the lone face of the state who reaches the far-flung hamlets…”

i. Who is the person described in the extract?
ii. What does the phrase “left shoulder slumped” suggest about his work?
iii. Identify the literary device used in “defying all elements”.
iv. Why is Khetaram called “the sole postman”?

Extract 2

“There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death. ‘Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house,’ says Khetaram.”

i. Why does Khetaram dread this particular delivery?
ii. What does the torn corner of the envelope signify?
iii. Identify the literary device in “Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house”.
iv. How does Khetaram handle such letters?

Extract 3

“If words could satisfy the heart, / The heart might find less care; / But words, like summer birds, depart, / And leave but empty air.”

i. Name the poet of these lines.
ii. What comparison does the poet make between words and summer birds?
iii. Identify the figure of speech used in the third line.
iv. What message does the poet convey through these lines?

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

1. Why is Khetaram’s job described as “invaluable” by the Postmaster-General?
2. How did Khetaram’s appointment as a Gramin Dak Sewak give him “a new lease of life”?
3. What does the poet mean when he says words are “of as little worth as just so many weeds”?
4. Why does Khetaram sometimes postpone deliveries till after sundown?
5. According to the poem, why are a few sincere words more valuable than many impressive ones?

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

1. Draw a character sketch of Khetaram highlighting his dedication, challenges and the trust he enjoys in the community. (100–120 words)
2. “Words empty as the wind are best left unsaid.” How does the poem “Words” support this idea? Explain with reference to the text. (100–120 words)

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

1. Fill in the blanks with the present perfect form of the verbs given in brackets:
   I _ (just receive) a letter from my cousin. He _ (work) as a Gramin Dak Sewak for five years. The villagers __ (always trust) him with their messages.

2. Imagine you are Khetaram. Write a diary entry (80–100 words) describing a difficult day when you had to deliver news of a death and how you handled it.