CBSE Class 9 Main Course (MCB) NCERT Solutions: Chapter 1 - An Exemplary Leader

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter, 'An Exemplary Leader,' from the CBSE Class 9 Main Course book, delves into the qualities of effective leadership through various exercises. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers and explanations for questions related to understanding character traits, analyzing situations, and sequencing events from a narrative. Students will explore concepts like problem-solving, decision-making, and the importance of empathy in leadership roles. The solutions also guide students in reflecting on personal experiences of leadership and expressing them through written communication. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of leadership, improve their analytical skills, and prepare thoroughly for their examinations by offering clear, step-by-step guidance.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectMain Course (MCB)
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 1

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'An Exemplary Leader,' focuses on understanding and identifying leadership qualities. The NCERT Solutions cover exercises that require students to analyze character traits, discuss scenarios involving bosses and employees, sequence events from a story, and select appropriate adjectives to describe individuals. It also includes a creative writing task to rewrite a story ending. The solutions aim to enhance students' comprehension of leadership dynamics and their ability to apply these concepts.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the qualities of an exemplary leader.
  • Analyze the perspectives of different characters in a given situation.
  • Sequence events logically to reconstruct a narrative.
  • Identify and apply appropriate vocabulary to describe character traits.
  • Develop creative writing skills by rewriting story endings.
  • Reflect on personal leadership experiences and communicate them effectively.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Leadership Qualities
  • Boss-Employee Relationships
  • Work Pressure and Loyalty
  • Decision Making
  • Narrative Sequencing
  • Character Analysis
  • Vocabulary for Describing People
  • Creative Writing
  • Team Leadership
  • Personal Experiences in Leadership

Important topics

  • Qualities of an Exemplary Leader
  • Analyzing Character Traits (Scientist and Boss)
  • Sequencing Story Events
  • Understanding Work-Life Balance
  • Effective Communication (Email)

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Questions and Solutions

Q1: Discuss the problem Ravi is facing and whether his boss is right. Identify desirable qualities in a boss.

In pairs, discuss the problem Ravi is facing. Do you think Ravi's boss is right? Give reasons for your answer. Tick mark the qualities that you feel desirable in a boss.

Trustworthy egoist problem-solving oratory skills

meticulous garrulous ability to take decisions whimsical

calculating willing to take risk

Solution:

This question encourages critical thinking about leadership and workplace dynamics. Students are expected to analyze Ravi's situation from multiple viewpoints.

Analysis of Ravi's Situation:

  1. Perspective 1: The boss might be right. If the work was extremely urgent and required immediate attention, the boss's decision to prioritize it over Ravi's leave could be justified. Ravi, upon joining the organization, likely understood the high-pressure work environment.
  2. Perspective 2: The boss might be wrong. If the work could have been postponed or managed by others, and considering Ravi's good performance and loyalty, the boss should have ideally granted him leave. Trust built on Ravi's goodwill could have warranted granting the leave.

Desirable Qualities in a Boss:

Based on the provided options, desirable qualities include:

  • Trustworthy
  • Problem-solving
  • Meticulous
  • Ability to take decisions
  • Willing to take risk
  • Thoughtful (implied by considering employee needs)
  • Sympathetic (implied by understanding Ravi's situation)

Qualities like 'egoist', 'garrulous', 'whimsical', 'calculating', and 'irresponsible' are generally not considered positive traits for a leader.

Q2: Share your experience of leading a team, discussing success and exhibited qualities, via email.

Think of an occasion when you led a team for a competition. Were you successful? Did you exhibit any of the qualities given in A.2.? If so, to what extent were these qualities exhibited and how did it lead to your success?

Through an e-mail, share your experience with a friend.

Solution:

This question asks students to reflect on a personal experience and communicate it effectively via email, demonstrating leadership skills and self-awareness. Below is a sample email structure and content.

Sample Email:

Date: [Insert Date]

From: [Your Email Address]

To: [Friend's Email Address]

Subject: My Experience as a Team Leader!

Dearest [Friend's Name],

I'm excited to share my recent experience leading our school team in the [Name of Competition, e.g., Inter-School Quiz Competition] held at [Venue]. I was chosen as the team leader, and it was a significant responsibility. I focused on understanding our team's strengths and weaknesses to strategize effectively. We prepared thoroughly by researching topics related to [Competition Theme, e.g., Anti-Corruption campaign] using various resources like newspapers, magazines, and library materials. I made sure everyone was well-prepared. Our hard work paid off, and we successfully won the competition! It was a proud moment for all of us, and I felt I exhibited qualities like problem-solving (in strategy), ability to take decisions (during the competition), and being meticulous (in preparation). Our success was a result of teamwork and focused effort.

Love,

[Your Name]

Q3: Arrange the following eight incidents from the story in the correct chronological sequence.

Following are eight incidents from the story but their order is mixed up. Put them in the right sequence.

(a) The scientist rushed home anticipating the disappointment of his children.

(b) Scientists were working for 12-18 hours at Thumba.

(c) The boss consented.

(d) Scientists had heavy work pressure but they were loyal.

(e) A scientist approached the boss for permission to leave at 5.30 pm to take his children to the exhibition.

(f) To his surprise, he learnt that his boss had kept his appointment for him.

(g) Suddenly, he remembered his promise to his children.

(h) The scientist became so engrossed in his work that he continued working till 8.15 pm.

Solution:

To arrange the incidents in the correct sequence, we need to follow the logical flow of the narrative. Here is the correct order:

  1. (b) Scientists were working for 12-18 hours at Thumba. (This sets the context of intense work.)
  2. (d) Scientists had heavy work pressure but they were loyal. (This describes the general work environment and attitude.)
  3. (e) A scientist approached the boss for permission to leave at 5.30 pm to take his children to the exhibition. (This introduces a specific personal need conflicting with work.)
  4. (c) The boss consented. (The boss initially agrees to the request.)
  5. (h) The scientist became so engrossed in his work that he continued working till 8.15 pm. (The scientist gets carried away by work, exceeding the agreed time.)
  6. (g) Suddenly, he remembered his promise to his children. (He realizes he has forgotten his commitment due to work.)
  7. (a) The scientist rushed home anticipating the disappointment of his children. (He hurries home, expecting his children to be upset.)
  8. (f) To his surprise, he learnt that his boss had kept his appointment for him. (A surprising turn where the boss facilitated the missed appointment.)

Q4: Select appropriate descriptive words for 'The Scientist' and 'The Boss' from the given list.

When we talk about people, we discuss their qualities. The box below contains some words which best describe people.

authoritative

sympathetic

unassuming

egoist

kind-hearted

thoughtful

tireless

domineering

laborious

diligent

irresponsible

careless

workaholic

sagacious

tiresome

Work in pairs and select the appropriate words for the following characters.

The Scientist:

The Boss:

Solution:

Based on the narrative and common interpretations of characters in such stories, here are appropriate words to describe the scientist and the boss:

The Scientist:

  • Laborious / Diligent / Tireless / Workaholic: These words describe his dedication and long working hours (12-18 hours).
  • Thoughtful / Kind-hearted: He remembered his promise to his children, showing he cares about them.
  • Careless / Irresponsible: Despite his dedication, he became so engrossed in work that he forgot his promise and missed the exhibition, which could be seen as irresponsible towards his family.

The Boss:

  • Sympathetic / Thoughtful: He initially consented to the leave and later, surprisingly, kept the appointment for the scientist, showing consideration.
  • Authoritative / Sagacious: He is in a position of authority and his actions (keeping the appointment) suggest wisdom or a deeper understanding.
  • Potentially Egoist / Domineering (depending on interpretation): While the story leans towards a positive portrayal, some might interpret his authority or the initial pressure as potentially domineering or self-centered if viewed negatively. However, the provided solution leans towards positive traits.

Q5: Rewrite the end of the story, starting with the provided sentence.

A story can have more than one ending. Rewrite the end of the story you have just read. You can begin like this ...... " As he drove home, he felt guilty for having let his children down. He reached home, entered the house and saw his wife and children watching the television..."
Solution:

This is a creative writing task that allows students to explore different outcomes and perspectives. Here is one possible way to rewrite the ending:

As he drove home, he felt guilty for having let his children down. He reached home, entered the house and saw his wife and children watching the television. A wave of relief washed over him as he saw their relaxed faces, but the guilt lingered. He walked into the living room, and his youngest daughter looked up, her eyes wide. "Daddy! You're home!" she exclaimed, running to hug him. His wife smiled warmly, "We were just about to start the exhibition show we recorded. Don't worry, we saved you a seat." He sat down, his heart heavy, and watched the screen. The exhibition was fascinating, filled with wonders he had promised to share. He realized then that while work was important, the moments with his children were irreplaceable. He resolved to manage his time better, ensuring his work didn't overshadow his family commitments again. That evening, he promised them a special outing the following weekend, and their excited cheers were the sweetest sound he had heard all day.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing positive and negative leadership traits.
  • Difficulty in logically sequencing narrative events.
  • Inability to differentiate between subjective opinions and objective analysis.
  • Using inappropriate vocabulary to describe characters.
  • Struggling to maintain a consistent tone in creative writing.

Revision tips

  • Focus on understanding the core qualities of a good leader discussed in the chapter.
  • Practice sequencing the events from the story to improve narrative comprehension.
  • Review the vocabulary list and try to use the words in different contexts.
  • Attempt the creative writing prompt to enhance storytelling skills.
  • Discuss the scenarios with peers to gain different perspectives on leadership.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which quality is essential for a leader to understand their team's strengths and weaknesses?

Q2. If a boss consistently denies leave requests without valid reasons, which trait might they be exhibiting?

Q3. Which word best describes a scientist who works extremely long hours due to deep involvement in their work?

Q4. What does it mean for a boss to consent to a request?

Q5. If a scientist forgets a promise to their children due to work, they might be seen as:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 1, 'An Exemplary Leader'?

The main theme of Chapter 1 is to understand and analyze the qualities of an exemplary leader, exploring concepts like decision-making, work pressure, loyalty, and empathy through various scenarios and character studies.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions, helping students understand the concepts thoroughly, practice analytical and creative skills, and revise key points for their examinations.

What kind of exercises are included in this chapter's solutions?

The chapter includes exercises on discussing leadership scenarios, sequencing story events, describing character traits using appropriate vocabulary, and rewriting story endings, all of which are addressed in the solutions.

Are the answers in the solutions directly copied from the textbook?

No, the solutions are rewritten to provide clearer explanations and more detailed guidance, while ensuring the original questions and their core answers remain the same.

What is the purpose of the vocabulary exercise in this chapter?

The vocabulary exercise helps students identify and use appropriate words to describe the qualities and characteristics of different people, enhancing their descriptive writing skills.

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