NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 3 Free PDF Download
Please Click on Free PDF Download link to Download the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much
Q. With your partner, discuss and narrate an incident about a person who likes to show off.
• ________________________________________
• ________________________________________
• ________________________________________
• ________________________________________
Check whether your classmates agree with you.
Ans: Do it yourself.
Q. Note: Read the fiction, The Man Who Knew Too Much, given in the book.
Q. The ‘Professor’ knew too much. How did he prove himself? Fill up the space with suitable examples from the story, using the given clues:
(a) about muzzle velocity: ____________________
Ans: He knew that the muzzle velocity was two thousand, four hundred and forty feet per second.
(b) after a thirty mile walk: ____________________
Ans: He was not only tireless but infuriated all with his horrible heartiness. "What about a song, chaps?" he would say.
(c) his salute on payday: ____________________
Ans: His salute at the pay table was a model to behold.
(d) the loud sound of a high flying invisible aeroplane: ____________________
Ans: He could recognise the model of the plane by just its sound when it flew past.
(e) about hand grenades: ____________________
Ans: He knew exactly how many fragments the outside of a grenade was divided into.
(f) during cook house duties: ____________________
Ans: He wanted a more hygienic and vitamin preserving way of peeling vegetables to be followed.
QA. Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct options.
(i) Private Quelch was nick-named ‘Professor’ because of _____________
- (a) his appearance.
- (b) his knowledge.
- (c) his habit of reading.
- (d) his habit of sermonising.
Ans: (d) his habit of sermonising.
(ii) One could hammer nails into Corporal Turnbull without his noticing it because _______
- (a) he was a strong and sturdy man.
- (b) he was oblivious to his surroundings.
- (c) he was a brave corporal.
- (d) he was used to it.
Ans: (a) he was a strong and sturdy man.
(iii) The author and his friend Trower fled from the scene as:
- (a) they had to catch a train.
- (b) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge.
- (c) they felt they would have to lend a helping hand.
- (d) they did not want to meet the cooks.
Ans: (b) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge.
(iv) The main reason that the Professor remain unflinched despite the retaliation of his batch mates was due to the fact that
- (a) his desire to impress people overruled the humiliation he experienced each time.
- (b) his miraculously tireless personality couldn't stop him from working extra hard.
- (c) he was so involved in excelling that he barely noticed sarcastic comments.
- (d) he knew that the only way to earn respect is through hard work.
Ans: (c) he was so involved in excelling that he barely noticed sarcastic comments.
(v) Choose the expression that uses the same literary device as used in the line "he was so tough that you could hammer nails into him without his noticing it."
- (a) My mom made enough food to feed an army last night.
- (b) My alarm clock yells at me to get out of bed every morning.
- (c) The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
- (d) Lightning danced across the sky like a fairy beating against the clouds.
Ans: (a) My mom made enough food to feed an army last night.
B. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. Without even a glance upward the Professor announced, “That, of course, is a North American Harvard Trainer. It can be unmistakably identified by the harsh engine note, due to the high tip speed of the airscrew.” What could a gang of louts like us do with a man like that?
(i) Choose the option that best describes the traits of the Professor in the given extract.
1. patience
2. awareness
3. knowledge
4. flamboyance
5. kindness
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 2, 3 and 5
- (d) 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b) 2, 3 and 4
(ii) The author refers to himself and his peers as ‘louts’ to:
- (a) bring out the contrast with the Professor.
- (b) comment on the expertise in other fields.
- (c) draw attention to lack of teamwork in all.
- (d) accept the display of undisciplined behaviour.
Ans: (a) bring out the contrast with the Professor.
2. In the silence that followed a dark flush stained the tan of the Corporal’s face. “Here,” he said at last, “you give this lecture”. As if afraid to say any more, he tossed the grenade to the Professor. Quite unabashed, Private Quelch climbed to his feet and with the attitude of a man coming into his birth-right gave us an unexceptionable lecture on the grenade.
(i) Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE about the depiction of the scene described in the above lines.
Ans: If Matilda had been honest with her friend and had told her that she had lost the necklace, her friend would have told her the real cost of the necklace which Matilda and her husband could have easily repaid. However, Matilda hides the truth, believes that the necklace had real diamonds, buys a replacement for necklace to return to her friend at a very high cost and ruins her life in the bargain. Hence, Honesty is the best policy.
(ii) The silence that follows Quelch’s remarks shows that the entire batch did not:
- (a) wish to see Turnbull humiliated.
- (b) want Quelch embarrassed.
- (c) know how to react.
- (d) care for the conversation.
Ans: (c) know how to react.
(iii) The fact that Quelch delivered the lecture when asked to do so shows that he:
- (a) wanted to teach Turnbull a valuable lesson.
- (b) failed to take the hint that Turnbull felt insulted.
- (c) knew when to flaunt his knowledge for his own benefit.
- (d) established himself as a man superior to Turnbull.
Ans: (b) failed to take the hint that Turnbull felt insulted.
Q. Answer the following questions briefly :
(a) What is a ‘nickname’? Can you suggest another one for Private Quelch?
Ans: Nickname is a familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name. Mr. Know-it-All could be another nick name for him.
(b) Private Quelch looked like a ‘Professor’ when the author first met him at the training depot. Why?
Ans: Private Quelch was lanky, stooping, and wore horn-rimmed spectacles. These made him look like a ‘professor’.
(c) What does the dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggest about him?
Ans: The dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggests that he has spent most of his time out in the field.
(d) How was Private Quelch’s knowledge exposed even further as the Sergeant’s class went on?
Ans: As Sergeant’s classes went on, Private Quelch often interrupted him to add some facts to his lecture. When Sergeant tried to take revenge by putting most questions to Quelch after the lecture, it backfired as Private Quelch would know the answer and also add some more to it, thus exposing his knowledge.
(e) What did the Professor mean by “intelligent reading”?
Ans: By “intelligent reading”, the Professor meant reading the right material at the right time.
(f) What were the Professor’s ambitions in the army?
Ans: The Professor wanted his stripes, that is, he wanted a commission in the army.
(g) Did Private Quelch’s day to day practises take him closer towards his goal? How can you make out?
Ans: Yes, Private Quelch’s knowledge about all military matters, his manner of salute, and his drive to achieve his goal all took him closer to his goal.
However, his way of dealing with his instructors was not what was expected.
(h) How did Private Quelch manage to anger the Corporal?
Ans: Private Quelch first corrected Corporal Turnbull during the lecture and then told him that he was not giving out the information the right way. This angered the Corporal who then asked him to give the lecture.
(i) Do you think Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: No, I do not think that Private Quelch learnt his lesson as even in the cookhouse he continued the irritating habit of correcting others in their work.
(j) Elaborate on any one character trait of Corporal Turnbull with evidence from the text.
Ans: Corporal Turnbull was a composed soldier who believed in discipline and could not be provoked easily. He patiently observed and approached a person decisively. When Private Quelch started his lecture upon grenades by interrupting Turnbull, it didn't provoke him, rather he stood and watched, impassive, except for a searching intentness of gaze on Quelch.
(k) Infer the reason that left the squad horrified when Turnbull asked Quelch to deliver the lesson.
Ans: Corporal Turnbull had a tremendous reputation among the squad for being tough and disciplined. He was someone not to be fooled around and was not someone to be rubbed around the wrong way. Quelch's audacity to interrupt Turnbull's lecture and the series of events that followed, left the squad horrified.
6. Answer in detail:
(a) Quelch’s character teaches us that with hard work one also needs to have social and emotional intelligence. Justify.
Ans: Private Quelch had a habit of always interrupting an ongoing lecture or a class. He paused the Sergeant to identify the exact figure of the muzzle
velocity of a bullet when it leaves a rifle. When Corporal Turnbull was taking a lesson on the hand grenade, Quelch pinpointed the number of segments a grenade had. What he pointed out is indeed correct but Private Quelch should have been more polite and then with the due consent of the senior he could proceed on putting together his point. Private Quelch was always critical of not just his mates but his seniors too, which earned him little or no respect. He was a very hard-working man who tried to establish himself as the best but in this due process, he offended and outraged others which highlights his lack of social skills and emotional understanding.
(b) Seeking and sharing knowledge about things is perceived as a quality and not a trait that needs to be curbed. Analyse why the Professor’s knowledge made this quality turn sour.
Ans: The Professor would publicly rectify any fellow soldier which is very condescending. While handling a rifle he would command them, “Let me show you fellow,” or “No, you’ll ruin your rifle, that way, old man.” He had an attitude of appearing superior by always looking down upon his mates and behaving like he alone possessed the entire knowledge of the whole platoon. He had an unpleasant sense of exhibitionism which he used just to badger the entire squad and even the seniors.
(c) Private Quelch knew ‘too much’. Give reasons to prove that he was unable to win the admiration of his superior officers or his colleagues.
Ans: Initially, all the soldiers marveled at Private Quelch’s knowledge. They also appreciated the hard work he put in to achieve his goal. However, they soon realised that he had a very condescending attitude towards others. He ridiculed anyone who did not know something that he knew. He also tried to show often that he knew more than his superiors and his instructors by correcting them and offering them advice. He used to actually interrupt an
instructor and give out the information that the instructor was giving in his lecture. All this caused him to become unpopular not only among his
colleagues but also with his superiors.
Q. Write down the positive and negative traits of Private Quelch by quoting instances from the story.
(a) Positive traits
Instances from the story
(ii)______________
______________________
(iii)______________
______________________
(iv)______________
______________________
(v)______________
______________________
Negative traits
Instances from the story
(i)______________
______________________
(ii)______________
______________________
(iii)______________
______________________
(iv)______________
______________________
Ans. Positive traits
Instances from the story
(i) Knowledgeable
Technical definitions, the parts of the rifle, its use and care, he had them all by heart.
(ii) Hard working
He borrowed training manuals and stayed up late at nights reading them.
(iii) Perfectionist
His salute at the pay table was a model to behold.
(iv) Ambitious
He was too busy working for his stripe.
Negative traits
Instances from the story
(i) Infuriating
"What about a song, chaps?" is not greeted politely at the end of thirty miles.
(ii) Condescending
and how superior, how condescending he was.
(iii) Over confident
without even a glance upward the Professor announced,
(iv) No social skills
"And by the way, Corporal." We were all thunder-struck.
(b) Now, share your notes with the class. Add details if you need to
Ans: Do it yourself.
(c) Attempt a character sketch of Private Quelch using your notes in about 100 words.
Ans: Private Quelch was an honest, diligent and sincere fellow. He worked really hard and did his best to stay at the top of the class. But quite soon the way his colleagues perceived him underwent a drastic change. His efforts to stay ahead now looked like attempts to belittle his friends and insult his superiors. In his quest to be the best, Quelch disregarded everyone else. He flaunted his superiority. His superiors considered him proud and insolent. They punished him by giving him extra duties. Private Quelch did not know the art of patience and humility.
Writing Task:
Q. You are the ‘Professor’. Write a diary entry after your first day in the cookhouse. Describe the events that led to this assignment.
Also express your thoughts and feelings about the events of the day in about 150 words.
Ans: Dear Diary,
I wonder why this happened. I have been working hard from the very first day. I have put in extra hours, read up everything I could get my hands on and gave it my best shot. I was sure my work would be noticed and pplauded. I was confident of getting a stripe. I always tried to impress my superiors with my knowledge. On the contrary, they seem to be irritated with me. Corporal Turnbull, in fact, assigned me permanent cookhouse duties. I felt hopeless and shattered. All my hard work seemed to have gone down the drain. I was very demoralized. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. But then, I realized that when the going getstough the tough get going. I might have fallen but now I’ll spring back. I’ll face every challenge, every obstacle with a grim determination. I know what my dreams are and I’ll do anything to achieve them. I’ll use all the negatives and turn them into positives. I have to come out as a winner.
