CBSE Class 9 Words and Expressions NCERT Solutions Chapter 5

The provided text includes a dialogue between Rishabh and Rahul discussing the actions of snakes from 'The Snake and the Mirror' and the poems 'The Snake Trying' and 'Green Snake'.

Actions of the snakes: In the story, a cobra did not harm the writer even when it landed on his shoulder. In 'The Snake Trying', a snake slid away into the water to hide among reeds when it felt endangered. In 'Green Snake', the snake did not harm anyone.

Reactions of the writer and poets: The story writer felt fear but remained still. The poets, however, praised the beauty of the snakes and did not harm them.

Intentions of the snakes: It is suggested that none of the snakes intended to cause harm. Their actions seem to be driven by self-preservation when they feel threatened.

Human behavior: Human behavior towards snakes is often characterized by unnecessary fear and a tendency to kill them, even when the snakes pose no immediate threat. This behavior is seen as a reaction to the anticipation of potential harm, rather than actual harm caused by the snake.

The dialogue concludes with the friends deciding to raise awareness about the nature of snakes and the prevention of animal cruelty.

The narrator, who was once wealthy and comfortable, felt bored with his idle life and decided to go on a voyage. He boarded a ship with other merchants, and the journey began smoothly with fine weather and a calm sea.

However, on the fourth day, their ship was caught in a severe hurricane. The tempest lasted for several days, diverting them from their course and driving them near an island. Despite the captain's reluctance due to the island's reputation, the exhausted and hungry crew went ashore in search of food and water. They were fortunate to find fruit trees and a stream, which replenished their strength.

As darkness fell, they went to sleep but were startled by a rustling noise. A large python-like serpent was seen gliding swiftly towards them. They ran to save themselves, but the serpent managed to swallow one of the companions. The remaining crew members ran further and took shelter on top of a tree, believing they were safe.

Their relief was short-lived. Soon, they heard a hissing sound. The serpent coiled itself around the tree and reached another companion, swallowing him before leaving. The narrator, terrified, clung tightly to the branch and eventually fell asleep, only to wake up at daylight.

While resting on an island after a shipwreck, the narrator and his companions were suddenly startled by a rustling noise. They discovered a long and huge serpent, described as python-like, gliding swiftly towards them. This terrifying sight caused them to immediately run for their lives.

Despite their efforts to escape, the serpent was quick enough to catch and swallow one of the companions. The remaining survivors ran a considerable distance away and sought refuge by climbing a tree, hoping to find safety from the predator.

However, their safety was again threatened when the serpent found them. It coiled itself around the tree and reached another companion, who was positioned lower on the branch, and swallowed him. The narrator, witnessing these events and filled with terror, clung tightly to the branch of the tree. He was so overcome with fear that he eventually fell asleep and only awoke when daylight arrived.

After the serpent swallowed his first companion, the narrator and the remaining survivors felt a sense of relief from the immediate danger, but this was overshadowed by profound sadness over the loss of their friend. They continued to run until they reached a tree, where they climbed to escape the serpent.

When the serpent returned and swallowed a second companion, the narrator's feelings intensified into sheer terror. He reacted by clinging extremely tightly to the branch of the tree where he had taken shelter. This desperate act of holding on was his primary physical response to the extreme fear and danger. He was so traumatized and exhausted by the ordeal that he lost consciousness of time and eventually fell asleep, clinging to the branch throughout the night.

When the narrator and his companions went in search of food and water on the island, they were fortunate to find abundant resources. They discovered fruit trees laden with edible fruits and a stream of fresh, cool water. This discovery was crucial as it provided them with the necessary sustenance to regain their strength and energy, relieving them from their hunger and exhaustion after the ordeal of the hurricane.

However, this period of relief was short-lived. As it began to get dark, they went to sleep but were soon awakened by a terrifying encounter with a large serpent, which led to the loss of two of their companions.

After enduring a terrible hurricane that drove their ship off course, the narrator and his companions were exhausted and hungry. Upon finding fruit trees and a stream of fresh, cool water on the island, they experienced immense relief and rejuvenation. The availability of food and water provided them with much-needed strength and energy, alleviating their hunger and restoring their vitality. This discovery was a moment of fortune and comfort amidst their perilous journey.

When the narrator awoke the next day, it was daylight. He had spent the night clinging tightly to a tree branch in a state of extreme terror after witnessing the serpent swallow two of his companions. Although he had survived the night, his mind was likely still filled with the shock and horror of the events. The passage implies he was safe for the moment, having survived the serpent's attacks, but the experience would have left him deeply traumatized and fearful.

Before embarking on the voyage, the passage indicates that the narrator had experienced a life of significant wealth and prosperity. He possessed all the worldly pleasures and was leading a very comfortable existence. However, despite this affluence, he found himself bored with his idle life, which fueled a strong and persistent urge to go on a voyage.

During the voyage, the ship encountered a severe and violent storm. On the fourth day of their journey, the ship was caught in a terrific or terrible hurricane. This tempest continued for several days, causing the ship to be driven off its intended course and eventually leading the crew near an uncharted island.

The captain was reluctant to cast anchor at the port because it was a much-dreaded place. This implies that the island or the port area had a reputation for being dangerous or unsafe, possibly due to treacherous waters, hostile inhabitants, or other unknown perils, making it a place the sailors wished to avoid.

When the narrator and his companions found themselves tired and hungry after their ship was caught in a hurricane and driven near an island, they immediately went in search of food and water. Their priority was to find sustenance to regain their strength and energy. Fortunately, they were successful in finding fruit trees and a stream of fresh water, which helped them recover.

The serpent managed to swallow the narrator's companions through its predatory actions. First, it was quick enough to catch and swallow one companion as they ran to save themselves. Later, it found the remaining survivors who had taken shelter on a tree. The serpent coiled itself around the tree and reached another companion, who was positioned somewhat lower than the narrator, and swallowed him as well before moving away.

When the narrator heard the hissing sound, which alarmed and frightened him, he and his companions were already in a tree seeking shelter from the serpent. Upon hearing the sound, which indicated the serpent was approaching, the narrator reacted by clinging tightly to the branch of the tree. This action was a desperate attempt to secure himself and survive the imminent danger posed by the serpent coiling around their refuge.