CBSE Class 9 English NCERT Solutions: The Road Not Taken
This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader, Chapter 7, 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost. It covers extract-based questions, requiring students to identify poetic elements, understand symbolism, and interpret the poet's choices. The solutions also address short answer questions, focusing on the poem's universal themes of decision-making, life choices, and their long-term impact. Students will learn to analyze the poet's dilemma, the significance of the 'yellow wood,' and the metaphorical representation of roads as life paths. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the poem, improve their analytical skills, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations and insights into the poem's deeper meanings.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | English Literature Reader |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 |
Chapter summary
NCERT Solutions for 'The Road Not Taken' (Chapter 7) for Class 9 English Literature Reader. This chapter focuses on understanding extract-based questions, identifying poetic devices, and interpreting the symbolism of the diverging roads. It also includes short answer questions that delve into the poem's themes of choice, individuality, and the lifelong consequences of decisions. The solutions aim to provide clarity on the poet's perspective and the poem's universal relevance.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the meaning of poetic extracts from 'The Road Not Taken'.
- Identify the poet and poem title from given lines.
- Explain the symbolism of the 'yellow wood' and the diverging roads.
- Analyze the poet's dilemma and decision-making process.
- Interpret the theme of choice and its impact on life.
- Understand the concept of a metaphor as used in the poem.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Poem Analysis
- Extract Interpretation
- Symbolism
- Metaphor
- Theme of Choice
- Decision Making
- Life Paths
- Robert Frost
- The Road Not Taken
- Autumn Season
- Poetic Devices
- Rhyme Scheme
Important topics
- Symbolism of the roads
- The theme of making choices
- Interpretation of the 'sigh'
- Meaning of 'yellow wood'
- The poet's decision-making process
- Metaphorical representation of life paths
PDF preview
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Questions and Solutions
Q. 1. Extract Based Questions (3 Marks each)
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could"
- Name the poem and the poet of the above extract.
- What does the poet mean by 'yellow wood'?
(c) He could not travel both the roads, why?
Solution:
- The poem is titled "The Road Not Taken", and the poet is Robert Frost.
- The phrase 'yellow wood' refers to a forest during the autumn season. The leaves on the trees have turned yellow and are beginning to fall, signifying a time of change and maturity.
- The poet, being an individual traveler, cannot simultaneously experience both paths. He must choose one road and leave the other unexplored at that moment.
Q. 2. Extract Based Questions (3 Marks each)
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both And by one traveller, long I stood And looked down as
far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth";
- What does the yellow wood mean?
(b) Why does the poet stand long?
(c) What is the rhyme scheme of the stanza?
Solution:
- The 'yellow wood' refers to the autumn season, where the leaves have turned yellow and are falling, indicating a time of transition and decision.
- The poet stands for a long time because he is contemplating which of the two diverging roads to take. He is in a state of dilemma, trying to assess the paths before him.
- The rhyme scheme of this stanza is ABAAB. For example, 'wood' (A), 'both' (B), 'stood' (A), 'could' (A), 'undergrowth' (B).
Q. 3. Extract Based Questions (3 Marks each)
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood.
And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood: And looked down one as
far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth."
(a) Name the poem and the poet of these lines.
- Why did the poet look down as far as he could?
- What do the roads represent in these lines? (Board Term 1 2012, Set 49)
Solution:
- The poem is "The Road Not Taken", and the poet is Robert Frost.
- The poet looked down one of the roads as far as he could to try and understand where it led. This was an attempt to gather information to help him make an informed decision about which path to choose.
- In these lines, the roads represent the choices and alternative paths available in life. The decision to take one road over the other symbolizes the significant choices individuals make that shape their future.
Q. 4. Extract Based Questions (3 Marks each)
"And both that morning equally lay,
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back."
- Who does 'both' refer to?
- Why does the poet doubt his coming back?
- Why would the poet like to come back? (Board Term 1 2012, Set 52)
Solution:
- The word 'both' refers to the two roads that diverged in the yellow wood.
- The poet doubts his coming back because he understands that life's journey is continuous. One path leads to another, and it is highly unlikely that he will ever have the opportunity to return to this exact point and explore the other road he did not take.
- The poet would like to come back to experience the other road he left untraveled. He is curious about what the alternative path might have offered, highlighting the human tendency to wonder about the 'what ifs' in life.
Q. 1. Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 Marks each)
'The Road Not Taken' is a poem of all times. Comment on it. (Board Term 1, 2015 BR7GWHM
Solution: The poem remains relevant across different eras because every individual faces dilemmas and must make choices at various points in life. The poem captures the universal experience of decision-making and its lasting impact, making it relatable to people of all ages and times.
Q. 2. Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 Marks each)
In the poem "The Road Not Taken", where is the poet and what does he see in front of him? (Board Term 1 2015, 6SOOKQ5)
Solution: The poet, Robert Frost, finds himself in a forest ('yellow wood') where a single path diverges into two distinct roads. He sees these two roads stretching out before him, presenting him with a choice to make about which direction to follow.
Q. 3. Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 Marks each)
Which road does Robert Frost choose and why? (Board Term 1 2014, NCT-R; 2013, AGRO-91; 2012, Set 34)
Solution: Robert Frost chooses the road that appeared 'less traveled by'. He selects this path because it seemed to have fewer footprints, suggesting it was less conventional or popular, and he was drawn to its unique appeal and the potential for a different experience.
Q. 4. Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 Marks each)
How is a road a metaphor? Use examples from the poem 'The Road Not Taken' to support your answer. (Board Term 1 2014, MZPD310)
Bring out the symbolism in the poem 'The Road Not Taken'. (Board Term 1 2012, Set 72)
Solution: In the poem, a road serves as a metaphor for the choices and decisions individuals encounter in life. The diverging roads symbolize alternative paths or opportunities. The poet's choice of the 'less traveled' road represents selecting a less conventional or more challenging option, highlighting how such decisions significantly shape one's life journey and destiny.
Q. 5. Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 Marks each)
The final stanza in the poem 'The Road Not Taken' starts 'with a sigh'. Why? (Board Term 1 2013, NVZJUD2)
Solution: The final stanza begins 'with a sigh' not necessarily out of regret, but often interpreted as a sigh of reflection and perhaps satisfaction. The poet is looking back on his life and the significant choice he made, acknowledging that taking the less conventional path ultimately 'made all the difference'.
Common mistakes
- Misinterpreting the 'sigh' in the final stanza as regret instead of satisfaction.
- Confusing the literal meaning of roads with their metaphorical significance in life.
- Failing to connect the poem's themes to universal human experiences of choice.
- Not fully explaining the poet's reasons for choosing the less traveled road.
Revision tips
- Read the poem carefully to understand the literal and symbolic meanings.
- Practice identifying the poet and poem title from different extracts.
- Focus on the metaphor of the roads and how they represent life choices.
- Analyze the poet's feelings and motivations at each stage of his decision.
- Consider the long-term implications of choices discussed in the poem.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What does the 'yellow wood' symbolize in the poem?
Explanation: The 'yellow wood' refers to the autumn season, characterized by yellowing and falling leaves, indicating a time of change and transition.
Q2. Why does the poet express sorrow at the beginning of the poem?
Explanation: The poet is sorry because as a single traveler, he cannot experience both paths at the same time and must make a choice.
Q3. What does the poet mean when he says he 'kept the first for another day!'?
Explanation: The poet acknowledges the possibility of returning to explore the other path, though he realistically doubts if he ever will.
Q4. What is the primary theme of 'The Road Not Taken'?
Explanation: The poem explores how the choices we make, represented by the diverging roads, shape our lives and lead to different outcomes.
Q5. How does the poet describe the road he chooses?
Explanation: The poet chooses the road that was 'less traveled by,' suggesting it was less popular or conventional.
Frequently asked questions
What is the poem 'The Road Not Taken' about?
The poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost is about the choices individuals make in life. It uses the metaphor of two diverging roads in a wood to represent different paths or decisions one can take, and how these choices shape one's future.
Who is the poet of 'The Road Not Taken'?
The poet of 'The Road Not Taken' is Robert Frost.
What does the 'yellow wood' signify in the poem?
The 'yellow wood' signifies the season of autumn, characterized by yellowing leaves. It suggests a time of change and transition, and also a point where a significant decision needs to be made.
Why does the poet choose the road 'less traveled by'?
The poet chooses the road less traveled by because it seemed more appealing and perhaps offered a unique or challenging experience. He felt it made a significant difference in his life.
What is the meaning of the 'sigh' in the final stanza?
The 'sigh' in the final stanza is often interpreted as a sigh of reflection, possibly mixed with satisfaction or a touch of wistfulness, as the poet looks back on the choice he made and its profound impact on his life.
How do the roads in the poem represent life choices?
The two diverging roads are a metaphor for the choices we face in life. Each road represents a different direction or set of possibilities, and the act of choosing one over the other symbolizes the decisions that define our life's journey.
Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy
NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.