Grade 9 Literature & Poetry - Answer Key

📖 Reading Comprehension Questions

1. How do you show respect to your mother?

Sample Answer: I show respect to my mother by listening to her advice, helping with household chores without being asked, speaking politely, and appreciating the sacrifices she makes for our family. I also make time to spend with her and share my thoughts and experiences.

2. How will they show respect to your mother?

Sample Answer: Others can show respect to my mother by greeting her politely, acknowledging her wisdom and experience, and treating her with kindness and consideration. They should also recognize her role in raising me and appreciate her contributions to the family and community.

3. What happened to the speaker's mother in the poem?

Sample Answer: Based on the context, the speaker's mother appears to have passed away or become ill. The poem reflects on memories of the mother and expresses the speaker's feelings of loss, love, and gratitude for everything she provided during her lifetime.

🎭 Poetry Analysis - "Two Mothers Remembered"

Two Mothers Remembered

I had two mothers, two mothers I claim,
Two different women, diverse in fame.
One was my queen, my own mother dear,
The other, the mother of children I bear.

The first one gave me life and love so true,
And through my path in life she led me through.
She taught me how to walk and how to pray,
And guided my footsteps day by day.

But then came the day that she passed away,
She gave her love which follows till my
dying day. Another stepped in, so good so true,
To love me as her own child, too.

Theme Analysis:

This poem explores the theme of maternal love and gratitude. It shows how different mother figures can provide love, guidance, and support throughout a person's life. The speaker honors both biological and adoptive/step-mother relationships.

Literary Devices Identified:

Metaphor: "One was my queen" - comparing mother to royalty
Repetition: "Two mothers" - emphasizes the dual maternal figures
Rhyme Scheme: AABB pattern throughout the stanzas
Imagery: "guided my footsteps" - visual representation of guidance
Personification: "love which follows" - giving love human qualities

Poem's Message:

The poem's central message is about appreciating and honoring all mother figures in our lives. It teaches us that love and maternal care can come from different sources, and we should be grateful for anyone who provides motherly guidance and support, whether biological or chosen family.

🎯 Critical Thinking Questions

How does the poem relate to modern family structures?

Sample Answer: The poem reflects modern family diversity, including blended families, adoption, and step-parenting. It shows that meaningful maternal relationships aren't limited to biological connections but can be formed through love, care, and commitment regardless of blood relation.

What emotions does the speaker express?

Sample Answer: The speaker expresses gratitude, love, respect, and some sadness about loss. There's also appreciation for the guidance received and recognition of the sacrifices both mother figures made. The tone is reverent and thankful throughout.

How can this poem inspire readers?

Sample Answer: This poem can inspire readers to appreciate the maternal figures in their own lives, whether biological mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, or other caregivers. It encourages gratitude and recognition of the love and guidance we receive from various sources.

Grade 9 Literature Questions - Answer Key

🤔 Post-Reading Questions

Who influences a student more: parents or age-mates?

Sample Answer: Both parents and age-mates have significant influence on students, but in different ways. Parents provide foundational values, moral guidance, and long-term life lessons. Age-mates influence immediate decisions, social behaviors, and current trends. The degree of influence often depends on the student's age, personality, and family relationship. Generally, parents have more lasting influence on core values, while peers affect daily choices and social interactions.

Discussion Points:

Parent Influence: Values, ethics, life goals, academic priorities
Peer Influence: Fashion, music, social activities, immediate decisions
Balance: Healthy development needs both influences in moderation

📖 Glossary

Words	Pronunciations	Meanings
varied	/ˈver ɪd/	different, diverse
nurtured	/ˈnɜr tʃərd/	raised, brought up
launched	/lɔntʃt/	started, began
cloud	/klaʊd/	troubled, disturbed
at arm's length	/æt ɑrmz ˈlɛŋkθ/	at a distance

🧠 Reading and Critical Thinking

Q1. How are the two mothers different from each other?

Sample Answer: The two mothers differ in their roles and relationships with the speaker. The first mother is the biological mother who gave birth and provided early care and guidance. The second mother appears to be a stepmother or adoptive mother who entered the speaker's life later, offering different but equally valuable love and support.

Q2. What are the similarities between both?

Sample Answer: Both mothers share the common qualities of providing unconditional love, guidance, and nurturing care. They both contributed to the speaker's upbringing and development. Both offered protection, wisdom, and emotional support, showing that maternal love transcends biological relationships.

Q3. What did the first mother do to the speaker?

Sample Answer: The first mother gave the speaker life, taught fundamental life skills like walking and praying, and provided initial guidance and direction. She established the foundation of the speaker's character and values before passing away.

Q4. Who was the speaker's second mother? Describe her briefly.

Sample Answer: The speaker's second mother was someone who stepped in after the biological mother's death - likely a stepmother or guardian. She is described as "good" and "true," someone who loved the speaker as her own child and continued providing maternal care and guidance.

Q5. What is the speaker's advice to her own children?

Sample Answer: The speaker advises her children to appreciate and honor all mother figures in their lives, recognizing that love and guidance can come from various sources. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude for anyone who provides maternal care, whether biological or chosen family.

Q6. Who are the three women referred to in the poem? Briefly describe them.

Sample Answer: The three women are: (1) The speaker's biological mother - who gave birth and provided early guidance; (2) The second mother/stepmother - who stepped in to continue nurturing after the first mother's death; (3) The speaker herself - who now serves as a mother to her own children, carrying forward the lessons learned from both maternal figures.

Grade 9 Elders & Vocabulary - Answer Key

🎯 Activities - Respecting Elders

Context: Respecting elders is not just a matter of good manners; it is also a moral obligation. Elders have contributed to society throughout their lives and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. In their old age, they need love, companionship, and care from younger generations, teaching them the value of empathy, compassion, and kindness.

Pair Work Activity

Task: Work in pairs and share ideas on "Importance of Respecting Elders"

Sample Discussion Points:

Elders have decades of life experience and wisdom to share
They have made sacrifices for younger generations
Respecting elders teaches us empathy and compassion
Many cultures view elder respect as a fundamental value
Elders often need physical and emotional support in old age
Their stories and traditions preserve family and cultural history

Group Work Activity

Task: Share in groups the "Causes of Generation Gap"

Sample Causes:

Technology: Different comfort levels with digital devices and social media
Communication styles: Formal vs. informal language preferences
Values and priorities: Traditional vs. modern perspectives on life goals
Social changes: Different experiences with social norms and expectations
Education: Varying levels and types of educational opportunities
Entertainment: Different preferences in music, movies, and leisure activities

📚 Vocabulary and Grammar

Poetry Analysis - "Two Mothers Remembered"

Rhyming Words Exercise

Task: Pick out the rhyming words from the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"

Rhyming Pairs Found:

claim / fame - First stanza
dear / bear - First stanza
true / through - Second stanza
pray / day - Second stanza
away / day - Third stanza
true / too - Third stanza

Note: The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme in most stanzas.

Adjectives in the Poem

Task: Identify the adjectives used in the poem

Adjectives Found:

two - "two mothers" (numerical adjective)
different - "two different women"
diverse - "diverse in fame"
own - "my own mother dear"
dear - "mother dear"
true - "love so true" and "so good so true"
good - "so good so true"
own - "her own child" (possessive adjective)

Grammar Focus: Cohesive Sentences

Definition: Cohesive sentences are those that have at least one subject and a verb. They should make complete sense by themselves. Several sentences together make a paragraph. For a paragraph to be cohesive, you have to make sure that all the sentences are individually complete and they flow well to create coherence.

Example of Cohesive Sentences:
"Respecting elders is important in our society. (Subject: Respecting elders, Verb: is) They have valuable experience to share with younger generations. (Subject: They, Verb: have) Moreover, showing respect teaches us empathy and compassion. (Subject: showing respect, Verb: teaches) Therefore, we should always treat our elders with dignity and care. (Subject: we, Verb: should treat)"

Cohesive Elements:

Each sentence has a clear subject and verb
Transition words (Moreover, Therefore) connect ideas
Pronouns (They, we) refer back to previous subjects
Ideas flow logically from one sentence to the next

💡 Key Learning Points

Summary of Important Concepts:

Elder Respect: A moral obligation that shows empathy and compassion
Generation Gap: Caused by technology, values, and social changes
Poetry Analysis: Identifying rhyme schemes and adjectives
Cohesive Writing: Creating sentences that work together effectively
Cultural Values: Understanding the importance of intergenerational respect

Cohesive Devices Exercise Answers

Cohesive Devices Exercise - Answer Key

Part A: Fill in the blanks with AND, SO, BECAUSE, BUT or OR

1. I could not go out last night BECAUSE I was too busy.

2. I could not go with my friend SO she went without me.

3. The food was delicious BUT the service wasn't very good.

4. The cinema was full of people AND they were all smoking.

5. I like people OR I like them both.

Part B: Combine sentences using appropriate cohesive devices

Example given:

The little boy walked to the store. His dog walked along with him.

When the little boy walked to the store, his dog walked along with him.

Exercise Answers:

Ali is an only child. He is very independent.

Since Ali is an only child, he is very independent.

(Alternative: Because Ali is an only child, he is very independent.)

He failed his exam. He cannot join the exam without the examination card.

He failed his exam because he cannot join the exam without the examination card.

(Alternative: Since he cannot join the exam without the examination card, he failed his exam.)

She went to work. She didn't want to go.

Although she didn't want to go, she went to work.

(Alternative: She went to work even though she didn't want to go.)

Key Cohesive Devices Used

Cause and Effect:

Because
Since
So

Contrast:

But
Although
Even though

Addition: And
Alternative: Or
Time: When

Writing Exercise Answers

📝 Writing Exercise Solutions

Question 4: Sentence Completion

4. My cat was hungry. It had not eaten since breakfast that day.

Combined Sentence:
Because my cat had not eaten since breakfast that day, it was hungry.

Alternative:
My cat was hungry because it had not eaten since breakfast that day.

Question 5: Sentence Completion

5. A book can be a lot of fun. A book can be boring.

Combined Sentence:
A book can be a lot of fun, but it can also be boring.

Alternatives:
• While a book can be a lot of fun, it can also be boring.
• A book can be either a lot of fun or boring.

Part C: Writing a Cohesive Paragraph

Task: Make a short paragraph by combining as many sentences as you can using cohesive devices from the examples provided.

The championship finals were about to begin, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement. Since the local team had worked hard all season, the fans had high expectations for tonight's game. However, the visiting team from Canada was also strong, so it would be a challenging match. When the game started, both teams played aggressively. Although the local team scored first, Canada quickly tied the game. As the match progressed, the tension grew because both teams were equally matched. In the end, Canada won with a spectacular goal in the final minutes, but nobody could deny that both teams had played exceptionally well.

Argumentative Writing Structure

📋 Four Steps in Argumentative Writing:

1. Make a claim: State your position clearly and directly.

2. Support the claim: Provide evidence, facts, examples, or expert opinions.

3. Explain the warrant: Show how your evidence supports your claim.

4. Discuss possible rebuttals: Address counterarguments and alternative perspectives.

Argumentative Essay Outline (Claim)

📝 Essay Structure:

1) Introduction/Claim (One paragraph)

Start with a hook or attention-getting sentence
Briefly summarize the topic
Present your clear thesis statement/claim

💡 Writing Tips

Remember: Good cohesive devices create smooth transitions between ideas and help your reader follow your argument logically. Use a variety of connecting words to avoid repetition and create engaging, well-connected prose.

Argumentative Essay Guide

📚 Argumentative Essay Structure Guide

Complete Essay Outline

1Introduction/Claim (One paragraph)

Hook: Start with an attention-getting sentence
Context: Briefly summarize the topic
Thesis: State your claim clearly

Example: Video games are harmful because they promote violence and addiction.

2Body Paragraph 1: Evidence/Support/Warrant

Include a topic sentence that restates your claim and reason
Include text evidence that supports your reason
Include an explanation (warrant) that shows how your evidence proves your claim

Example: The author shows that video games are harmful because in paragraph 2 it states: "Studies reveal increased aggression in children who play violent games for more than 2 hours daily."

3Body Paragraph 2: Evidence/Support/Warrant

Include a topic sentence that restates your claim and reason
Include text evidence that supports your reason
Include an explanation (warrant) that shows how your evidence proves your claim

Example: The author shows that video games are harmful because in paragraph 4 it states: "Gaming addiction affects 3% of all players worldwide."

4Counterargument Paragraph

Acknowledge: Explain what others who don't agree with your claim might say
Refute: Explain why their argument is weak or incorrect

Example: Some people might disagree and say video games improve hand-eye coordination. However, this benefit does not outweigh the serious mental health risks.

5Conclusion (One paragraph)

Restate: Your claim and summarize your reasoning
Final thought: End with a powerful statement about why this topic matters

Example: In conclusion, the text shows that video games are harmful by pointing out their negative effects on behavior and mental health.

📝 Sample Argumentative Essay

Topic: "Can video games be used for educational purposes?"

Should Video Games Be Used in Education?

Introduction:
In today's digital age, the debate over video games in education has intensified. While many parents and educators view gaming as a distraction, recent research suggests otherwise. Video games should be integrated into educational curricula because they enhance learning engagement, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare students for future technological careers.

Body Paragraph 1:
Video games significantly increase student engagement in learning. According to a 2023 study by the Educational Technology Association, students who used educational games showed 40% higher participation rates compared to traditional teaching methods. This evidence demonstrates that games naturally motivate students by making learning interactive and rewarding, which leads to better academic outcomes.

Body Paragraph 2:
Furthermore, video games develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Research from Stanford University found that students who played strategy-based educational games improved their analytical reasoning scores by 25% over a semester. These results prove that gaming environments challenge students to think strategically and solve complex problems, skills that are crucial for academic and professional success.

Counterargument:
Critics argue that video games are addictive and can distract students from serious academic work. However, this concern applies primarily to recreational gaming, not carefully designed educational games with built-in time limits and learning objectives. When properly implemented with teacher guidance, educational games enhance rather than replace traditional learning methods.

Conclusion:
The evidence clearly supports the integration of video games in education. By increasing engagement and developing critical thinking skills, educational games prepare students for success in our increasingly digital world. Schools that embrace this technology today will give their students a significant advantage in tomorrow's job market.

🎯 Key Elements to Remember:

Clear Thesis: Your claim should be specific and arguable
Strong Evidence: Use credible sources, statistics, and examples
Logical Flow: Each paragraph should connect to your main argument
Address Opposition: Acknowledge and refute counterarguments
Compelling Conclusion: End with impact and significance

Cause and Effect Writing Guide

🔗 Cause and Effect in Writing

📚 What is Cause and Effect?

Cause and Effect is to connect humanature to ask "why?" and "how?"

It is often considered humans are as a result of a condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the cause and effect essay is to determine how various phenomena relate to terms of "origins and results."

Key Point: Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear and direct. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily connected to the cold itself: a runny nose, and a cough. But determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. Therefore, cause and effect discussions are often complex and frequently lead to debates and arguments.

🎯 Activity 1: Identify Causes and Effects

Instructions: Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. List a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.

1. The growing childhood obesity epidemic is a result of technology.

Cause: Increased use of technology (sedentary lifestyle, less physical activity)
Effect: Growing childhood obesity epidemic

2. Much of the wildlife is dying because of the oil spill.

Cause: Oil spill (environmental contamination)
Effect: Wildlife dying

3. The town constructed program that it could no longer afford, so it went bankrupt.

Cause: Town constructed expensive program beyond its financial means
Effect: Town went bankrupt

4. More young people became politically active as a use of the internet spread.

Cause: Spread of internet (increased access to information and communication)
Effect: More young people became politically active

5. While many experts believed the rise in violence was due to the poor economy, it was really due to the summer long heat wave.

Cause: Summer long heat wave (not poor economy as experts believed)
Effect: Rise in violence

📖 Fact vs Opinion

Fact: A statement expressing something that is true or real and is supported by evidence. A fact cannot be disputed.

Opinion: A personal belief or thought about a subject, topic, person, or incident. Simply put, a fact is a proven truth and cannot be disputed, while opinion is personal, cannot be proven, and is open to debate.

🎯 Activity 2: Identify Facts and Opinions

Instructions: Read the passage given below and identify facts and opinions.

The Paleo Diet

The Paleo diet gained popularity approximately 10 years ago after research undertaken by Dr Cordain to discover the optimal human diet. The diet mainly centres on consuming meat and fish, fruit and vegetables, and nuts and seeds - health experts recommend eating these types of food. The Paleo diet cuts out dairy products, grains, and often referred to in the field of nutrition as the 'Stone Age' diet as it aims to mimic what cavemen ate thousands of years ago (Nutrition Source, 2019).

Analysis:

Statement	Type	Explanation
"The Paleo diet gained popularity approximately 10 years ago"	FACT	This can be verified through historical data and research
"Research undertaken by Dr Cordain to discover the optimal human diet"	FACT	This refers to actual research that was conducted
"The diet mainly centres on consuming meat and fish, fruit and vegetables, and nuts and seeds"	FACT	This describes the actual components of the diet
"Health experts recommend eating these types of food"	OPINION	This is a generalization about what health experts think
"The Paleo diet cuts out dairy products, grains"	FACT	This is a verifiable characteristic of the diet
"Often referred to as the 'Stone Age' diet"	FACT	This is a verifiable nickname for the diet
"It aims to mimic what cavemen ate thousands of years ago"	FACT	This describes the stated purpose/goal of the diet

💡 Writing Tips for Cause and Effect Essays:

Use clear transition words: because, since, as a result, therefore, consequently, due to
Organize logically: Present causes first, then effects, or vice versa
Support with evidence: Use facts, statistics, and credible sources
Avoid oversimplification: Acknowledge that multiple causes can lead to one effect
Consider long-term vs. short-term effects: Some effects may not be immediately apparent

The Dear Departed - Question Answers

The Dear Departed

Questions and Answers - Stanley Houghton's One-Act Play

Q1. How does Mrs. Slater plan to outshine the Jordans? What does it reveal about her character?

Mrs. Slater plans to outshine the Jordans by taking her father's belongings before they arrive, particularly his bureau and clock. She moves quickly to secure valuable items and even instructs her daughter Victoria to wear white with a black sash to appear more appropriately dressed for mourning. This reveals her greedy, materialistic, and competitive nature. She is more concerned with gaining material advantage over her sister than genuinely mourning her father's death.

Q2. Why does Mrs. Slater decide to shift the bureau from grandfather's room to the sitting room? How does Henry react to the suggestion?

Mrs. Slater decides to shift the bureau because she wants to secure it before the Jordans arrive and potentially claim it. She knows it's a valuable piece of furniture and doesn't want to lose it to her sister's family. Henry initially hesitates and feels uncomfortable with the idea, as it seems inappropriate and premature to be moving the deceased's belongings so quickly. However, he eventually gives in to his wife's persistent demands, showing his weak-willed nature.

Q3. What is the reason for the Jordans taking a long time to get to the house of the Slaters? What does it show about the two sisters' attitude toward their father?

The Jordans take a long time because they stop to buy mourning clothes and proper attire before coming to pay their respects. This shows that both sisters are more concerned with appearances and social proprieties than with genuine grief for their father. They prioritize looking the part of grieving daughters over rushing to be with their deceased father, revealing their superficial and materialistic attitudes toward family relationships.

Q4. What does Mrs. Jordan describe as "a fatal mistake"? What is the irony in the remark with reference to the Slaters' intentions?

Mrs. Jordan describes not getting a doctor immediately as "a fatal mistake," suggesting that grandfather might still be alive and could have been saved. The irony is that the Slaters didn't want to call a doctor because they were busy securing his belongings for themselves. Their greed prevented them from potentially saving his life, and now Mrs. Jordan's comment unknowingly exposes their selfish priorities.

Q5. What change does grandfather make in his new will? What effect does it have on his daughters?

When Abel Merryweather (grandfather) discovers how his daughters have been behaving, he decides to change his will and leave everything to whoever he's living with at the time of his death. This dramatic change shocks both daughters and makes them realize their mistake. They suddenly become concerned about his welfare and compete to have him live with them, revealing how their greed has backfired spectacularly.

Q6. What are the three things that grandfather plans to do on Monday next?

Grandfather Abel Merryweather plans three things for Monday:
1. Make a new will leaving his money to whoever he's living with at the time of his death
2. Pay his insurance premium to ensure the policy remains valid
3. Look for new lodgings where he can live independently, away from his greedy daughters

Central Theme

"The Dear Departed" satirizes the degradation of moral values in modern families, particularly focusing on how materialism and greed have corrupted family relationships. The play shows how the two daughters are more interested in their father's possessions than in his well-being, ultimately exposing the hollow nature of their familial bonds. The ironic title suggests that the "dear" departed is only dear for his material wealth, not for genuine love or respect.

📚 Literature & Poetry - Answer Key

📚 Literature Questions - Answer Key

👴 Elders & Vocabulary - Answer Key