NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
Glossary
stoking the fire: feeding and tending the fire
zombie: a dull and apathetic person
surreal: strange; bizarre
milling around: moving in an aimless manner
shove: push hard
Question 1:
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is is mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Answer
One Sunday afternoon the author saw smoke coming in through the ceiling. His mother and he ran out into the front yard. His mother carried a small metal box. It had important documents. Then she ran into the house to get her husband’s pictures and letters.
NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
Question 2:
Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
Answer
Everything was completely burnt down. Suddenly, he realised that his pet cat was missing. He searched for her everywhere. It was a big loss for him. He was already missing his old school, old friends and now it was his pet cat. All this made him break down in tears.
NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
Question 3:
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
Answer
The next day in school, the author is embarrassed because the clothes he was wearing looked weird, he had no books or homework, and his backpack was gone. He felt insecure and frustrated.
The words that show his fear and insecurity are: “I didn’t want to grow up, change, or have to handle life if it was going to be this way. I just wanted to curl up and die.”
NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
Question 4:
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Answer
The author loved his cat very much. He never considered her far from him. She kept sitting beside him when he did his homework and other household work. When the author found his cat back, his happiness was beyond the limits. He grabbed her quickly and felt relieved. This proved that they were very fond of each other.
The cat ran over a mile away when the house was on fire. A stranger lady brought it back as there was a phone number written on the collar of the cat.
NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
Question 5:
What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
Answer
The schoolmates collected notebooks, clothes, tops and sweatsuits for him. People met him and showed concern. These actions changed the author’s understanding of life and people. This all touched him emotionally. He made many friends that day.
NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
Question 6:
What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
Answer
The meaning is that his cat came back. He felt that he came to the earlier phase of life. In it he had lots of friends and had no worry. He had not gone anywhere. But he felt lonely in the change at his new school. He says so because now he has many friends. Also he does not feel lonely.
NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Chapter 8 A House Is Not a Home
