Unit – IV

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4

 A Truly Beautiful Mind

The chapter “A Truly Beautiful Mind” from your 9th standard English subject is a short biography of Albert Einstein, the famous physicist. Here’s a summary:

• Focus: The chapter highlights two key aspects of Einstein – his brilliance in physics and mathematics, and his compassionate nature.
• Scientific Achievements: The story mentions his most famous formula, E=mc², hinting at his groundbreaking contributions to science.
• Humanitarian Values: Despite his scientific achievements, the chapter emphasizes his belief in world peace and non-violence.
• Title Explained: The title “A Truly Beautiful Mind” refers not just to his scientific genius, but also to his beautiful ideals about humanity.
• Beyond Formulas: The chapter suggests that a brilliant mind can also be a kind and caring one, promoting the idea of well-rounded individuals.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4 :  A Truly Beautiful Mind

Thinking about the Text

1. Here are some headings for paragraphs in the text. Write the number(s) of the paragraph(s) for each title against the heading. The first one is done for you.

Ans : 

1. 9
2. 7
3. 3
4. 10
5. 15
6. 8
7. 11

2. Who had these opinions about Einstein?

1. He was boring.
2. He was stupid and would never succeed in life.
3. He was a freak.

Ans : 

• His playmates: Children can be judgmental, and some might have found his focus on science uninteresting, leading to them calling him boring.
• A teacher: Teachers sometimes underestimate students, and one might have doubted his potential, labelling him “stupid” and unlikely to succeed.
• Other classmates: Some classmates might have felt intimidated or ostracized by his intelligence and called him a “freak” due to his different interests

3. Explain what the reasons for the following are:

1. Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good.
2. Einstein wanting to study in Switzerland rather than in Munich.
3. Einstein seeing in Mileva an ally.
4. What do these tell you about Einstein?

Ans : 

1. Einstein Leaving Munich School:

• Reasons: The text likely mentions that Einstein disliked the school’s rigid and authoritarian environment. He might have felt stifled by strict discipline and uninspired by the teaching methods.

2. Einstein Wanting to Study in Switzerland:

• Reasons: The text might suggest Switzerland offered a more liberal and progressive educational system compared to Munich.

3. Einstein Seeing an Ally in Mileva:

• Reasons: The text might mention they both shared a passion for science and intellectual pursuits. Perhaps they faced similar challenges due to their unconventional interests.

4. These indicate that Einstein was a genius with the ability to achieve his goals. Additionally, he had his own perspective on life and highly valued freedom.

4. What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why?

Ans : Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the “bureau of theoretical physics.”

1. Secrecy: His real job at the patent office involved evaluating other people’s inventions. However, he was also secretly working on his own groundbreaking theories in physics. By calling the drawer his “bureau of theoretical physics,” he likely used it to store his notes, calculations, and research related to these personal endeavors, keeping them hidden from his colleagues.
2. Humor: The name “bureau of theoretical physics” might also be a bit of a tongue-in-cheek reference. A “bureau” typically refers to a large administrative office, and a patent office certainly deals with practical inventions. So, calling his small drawer a “bureau” adds a touch of humor to the seriousness of his theoretical work.

5. Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt?

Ans : Einstein wrote a letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt, the then-president of the United States, in August 1939 because he was concerned about the possibility of Nazi Germany developing an atomic bomb

6. How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Ans : Einstein was horrified by the bombings. He felt regret for his role (initiating US research) and dismay at the weapon’s use. He shifted from advocating for research (to counter Nazis) to becoming a vocal opponent of nuclear weapons and a proponent of world peace.

7.Why does the world remember Einstein as a ‘world citizen’?

Ans : 

1. Global Impact: His scientific breakthroughs, like relativity, had a universal impact on science.
2. Peace Advocate: He spoke out against war, championed international cooperation, and saw himself as a citizen of the world.

8.Here are some facts from Einstein’s life. Arrange them in chronological order.

[ ] Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity.

[ ] He is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

[ ] Einstein writes a letter to U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and warns against Germany’s building of an atomic bomb.

[ ] Einstein attends a high school in Munich.

[ ] Einstein’s family moves to Milan.

[ ] Einstein is bom in the German city of Ulm.

[ ] Einstein joins a University in Zurich, where he meets Mileva.

[ ] Einstein dies.

[ ] He provides a new interpretation of gravity.

[ ] Tired of the school’s regimentation, Einstein withdraws from school.

[ ] He works in a patent office as a technical expert.

[ ] When Hitler comes to power, Einstein leaves Germany for the United States.

Ans : 

1. Einstein is born in the German city of Ulm.
2. Einstein’s family moves to Milan.
3. Einstein attends a high school in Munich. (He might have withdrawn during this period)
4. Tired of the school’s regimentation, Einstein withdraws from school.
5. Einstein joins a University in Zurich, where he meets Mileva.
6. He works in a patent office as a technical expert. (This likely happened after his university studies)
7. Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity.
8. He provides a new interpretation of gravity. (This came after his work on special relativity)
9. When Hitler comes to power, Einstein leaves Germany for the United States.
10. Einstein writes a letter to U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and warns against Germany’s building of an atomic bomb. (This happened after he moved to the US)
11. He is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. (The Nobel Prize is often awarded years after the deserving work is done)
12. Einstein dies.

Thinking about language

1. Here are some sentences from the story.
Choose the word from the brackets which can be substituted for the italicised words in the sentences.

1. A few years later, the marriage faltered, (failed, broke, became weak)
2. Einstein was constantly at odds with people at the university, (on bad terms, in disagreement, unhappy)
3. The newspapers proclaimed his work as “a scientific revolution”, (declared, praised, showed)
4. Einstein got ever more involved in politics, agitating for an end to the arms build up. (campaigning, fighting, supporting)
5. At the age of 15, Einstein felt so stifled that he left the school for good. (permanently, for his benefit, for a short time)
6. Five years later, the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin had American physicists in an uproar, (in a state of commotion, full of criticism, in a desperate state)
7. Science wasn’t the only thing that appealed to the dashing young man with the walrus moustache, (interested, challenged, worried)

Ans : 

1. A few years later, the marriage failed (failed, broke, became weak)
2. Einstein was constantly at odds with people at the university (on bad terms, in disagreement, unhappy)
3. The newspapers proclaimed his work as “a scientific revolution” (declared, praised, showed)
4. Einstein got ever more involved in politics, agitating for an end to the arms build up. (campaigning, fighting, supporting) – Agitating implies actively campaigning for change.
5. At the age of 15, Einstein felt so stifled that he left the school for good. (permanently, for his benefit, for a short time) – Stifled means restricted or unable to develop freely.
6. Five years later, the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin had American physicists in an uproar (in a state of commotion, full of criticism, in a desperate state) – Uproar implies a state of noisy excitement or confusion.
7. Science wasn’t the only thing that appealed to the dashing young man with the walrus moustache (interested, challenged, worried) – Dashing means attractive and stylish.

2. Study the following sentences:

• Einstein became a gifted amateur violinist, maintaining this skill throughout his life.
• Letters survive in which they put their affection into words, mixing science with tenderness.

The parts in italics in the above sentences begin with ing verbs, and are called participial phrases. Participial phrases say something more about the person or thing talked about or the idea expressed by the sentence as a whole. For example:

—Einstein became a gifted amateur violinist. He maintained this skill throughout his life.

Complete the sentences below by filling in the blanks with suitable participial clauses. The information that has to be used in the phrases is provided as a sentence in brackets.

1. ……………. the firefighters finally put out the fire. (They worked round the clock.)
2. She watched the sunset above the mountain, ……………. (She noticed the colours blending softly into one another.)
3. The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly, ……………. (While it neighed continually.)
4. ……………. ,I found myself in Bangalore, instead of Benaras. (I had taken the wrong train.)
5. ……………., I was desperate to get to the bathroom. (I had not bathed for two days)
6. The stone steps, ……………. needed to be replaced. (They were worn down).
7. The actor received hundreds of letters from his fans, ……………. (They asked him to send them his photograph.)

Ans : 

1. Working round the clock the firefighters finally put out the fire.
2. Noticing the colours blending softly into one another she watched the sunset above the mountain.
3. Neighing continually the excited horse pawed the ground rapidly.
4. Having taken the wrong train I found myself in Bangalore instead of Benaras.
5. Having not bathed for two days I was desperate to get to the bathroom.
6. The stone steps being worn down needed to be replaced.
7. The actor received hundreds of letters from his fans asking him to send them his photograph.

Writing newspaper reports

1. Here are some notes which you could use to write a report.

21 August 2005—original handwritten manuscript of Albert Einstein unearthed— by student Rowdy Boeynik in the Univer¬sity of Netherlands—Boeynik researching papers—papers belonging to an old friend of Einstein—fingerprints of Einstein on these papers—16 page document dated 1924—Einstein’s work on this last the¬ory—behaviour of atoms at low temper¬ature—now known as the Bose-Einstein condensation—the manuscript to be kept at Leyden University where Einstein got the Nobel Prize.

Question 1.
Write a report which has four paragraphs,
one each on :

• what was unearthed.
• who unearthed it and when.
• what the document contained.
• where it will be kept.

Your report could begin like this:

Ans : 

A Hidden Treasure: Einstein’s Lost Manuscript Unearthed

An exciting discovery has come to light in the world of science. On August 21st, 2005, a student named Rowdy Boeynik unearthed a previously unknown handwritten manuscript by Albert Einstein.

Boeynik was researching papers belonging to an old friend of Einstein’s at the University of the Netherlands.  Among these papers, Boeynik stumbled upon a 16-page document dated 1924.  Fingerprints on the document were confirmed to be Einstein’s, adding further weight to its authenticity.

The unearthed document details Einstein’s work on his “last theory,” focusing on the behavior of atoms at low temperatures. This groundbreaking theory, now known as Bose-Einstein condensation, has had a significant impact on physics.

The manuscript will be kept at Leyden University in the Netherlands. This is a fitting location, as it was at Leyden University that Einstein received his Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.  The university will ensure the document’s proper preservation and access for scholars studying Einstein’s life and work.

Dictation

1. Your teacher will dictate these paragraphs to you. Write down the paragraphs with correct punctuation marks.

In 1931 Charlie Chaplin invited Albert Einstein, who was visiting Hollywood, to a private screening of his new film, City Lights. As the two men drove into town together, passersby waved and cheered. Chaplin turned to his guest and explained: “The people are applauding you because none of them understands you and applauding me because everybody understands me.”

One of Einstein’s colleagues asked him for his telephone number one day. Einstein reached for a telephone directory and looked it up. “You don’t remember your own number?” the man asked, startled. “No,” Einstein answered. “Why should I memorise something I can so easily get from a book?” (In fact, Einstein claimed never to memorise anything which could be looked up in less than two minutes.)

Ans : In 1931, Charlie Chaplin invited Albert Einstein, who was visiting Hollywood, to a private screening of his new film, City Lights. As the two men drove into town together, passersby waved and cheered. Chaplin turned to his guest and explained with a chuckle, “The people are applauding you because none of them understands you, and applauding me because everybody understands me.”

One day, a colleague of Einstein’s asked him for his telephone number.  Einstein, unfazed, reached for a telephone directory and looked it up. “You don’t remember your own number?” the man asked, startled.  “No,” Einstein answered.  “Why should I memorize something I can so easily get from a book?” (In fact, Einstein famously claimed never to memorize anything which could be looked up in less than two minutes.)

Poem The lake Isle of Innisfree

The poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by William Butler Yeats expresses the speaker’s longing for a peaceful and simple life away from the noise and busyness of the city.

Here’s a summary of the key points:

• Setting: The speaker describes a beautiful island called Innisfree, a place he likely spent time in his childhood.
• Desire for Escape: He feels a strong desire to leave his current surroundings and live on this peaceful island.
• Simple Life: He imagines a life of solitude and self-sufficiency, tending to a small garden and enjoying the sounds of nature.
• Contrasting Worlds: The poem implicitly contrasts the speaker’s current reality (unspecified but likely urban) with the idealized peacefulness of Innisfree.

Key Elements:

• Nature Imagery: Vivid descriptions of nature on Innisfree – lake, peacefulness, buzzing bees, etc.
• Sensory Details: The poem uses sounds (bees, crickets) and sights (cloudy mornings, shimmering stars) to create a sense of tranquility.
• First-person Voice: Written in the first person, creating a direct connection between the speaker’s feelings and the reader.
• Regular Meter and Rhyme Scheme: The poem has a regular meter (iambic hexameter) and a simple rhyme scheme (ABAB), contributing to a sense of calmness and flow.

Overall: “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”  is a classic example of pastoral poetry, expressing a yearning for a simpler life amidst nature.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4 :  Poem The lake Isle of Innisfree

Thinking about the poem The lake Isle of Innisfree

I

1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about:

1. the three things the poet wants to do when he goes back there (stanza I);
2. what he hears and sees there and its effect on him (stanza II);
3. what he hears in his “heart’s core” even when he is far away from Innisfree (stanza III).

Ans : 

1. The poet wishes to build a small hut made of clay and wattles. He plans to have nine rows of beans and a hive for honeybees.
2. He hears peace descending and the cricket singing. He sees the midnight shine and a purple glow at noon. Evenings are filled with the fluttering of linnet’s wings. He feels happy and finds peace of mind.
3. The poet hears the gentle lapping of the lake water against the shore.

2. By now you may have concluded that Innisfree is a simple, natural place, full of beauty and peace. How does the poet contrast it with where he now stands? (Read stanza III.)

Ans : While Innisfree is described with calming sounds of nature, the speaker’s current location remains a mystery. Stanza III reveals a contrast. He still hears the “lake water lapping” in his heart, hinting at a quieter, more natural environment he craves. This peaceful memory suggests his present surroundings might be noisy and lack the beauty of Innisfree.

3. Do you think Innisfree is only a place, or a state of mind? Does the poet actually miss the place of his boyhood days?

Ans : Innisfree is both a real place and a symbol. The poem describes it vividly, and the speaker wants to live there. Yet, the lack of details about his current life and the power of memory suggest Innisfree also represents a state of mind – a yearning for peace and nature. Yes, the speaker likely misses his childhood at Innisfree.

II

1. Look at the words the poet uses to describe what he sees and hears at Innisfree

1. bee-loud glade
2. evenings full of the linnet’s wings
3. lake water lapping with low sounds What pictures do these words create in your mind?

Ans : The words the poet uses to describe Innisfree create a picture of a peaceful and vibrant natural haven.

• “bee-loud glade”: This phrase evokes a sunny clearing filled with wildflowers. The buzzing of the bees suggests a sense of life and activity, yet it’s not overwhelming. It creates a feeling of a thriving natural environment.
• “evenings full of the linnet’s wings”: Linnets are small songbirds known for their melodic chirping. This phrase paints a picture of a tranquil evening scene where the sky is filled with fluttering wings and the gentle sounds of birdsong. It suggests a sense of serenity and harmony.
• “lake water lapping with low sounds”: This phrase depicts a calm lake where the water gently laps against the shore. The “low sounds” suggest a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. It creates a feeling of tranquility and relaxation.

2. Look at these words;

… peace comes dropping slow Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings

What do these words mean to you? What do you think “comes dropping slow … from the veils of the morning?” What does “to where the crick

Ans : The lines “… peace comes dropping slow Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings” paint a beautiful picture of peace descending upon a tranquil natural setting.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4

FAQ’s

What is Class 9 English Chapter 4 “A Truly Beautiful Mind” about?

Class 9 English Chapter 4 “A Truly Beautiful Mind” is a biographical chapter about Albert Einstein, highlighting his contributions to science and his humanitarian efforts.

What themes are explored in the poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree?

The poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree explores themes of nature, peace, and the longing for a tranquil life away from the hustle and bustle of urban existence.

How do NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4 help students?

The NCERT Solutions provide detailed explanations, summaries, and answers to questions from Class 9 English Chapter 4 both “A Truly Beautiful Mind” and poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree,” aiding in thorough understanding and exam preparation.

Where can I find reliable NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4?

Reliable NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4 can be found on educational websites, NCERT’s official site, and various online study platforms.

How can studying NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 4 “A Truly Beautiful Mind” and “poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree” benefit me?

Studying these solutions can enhance your comprehension of the chapter’s and poem’s themes, improve your analytical skills, and better prepare you for exams.