NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 3 Winds of Change & Canvas of Soil

(Transcript for teacher on page 263)

1. Rohan thinks Grandma prefers heavier items because they feel more substantial.
2. Priya suggests getting a pankha that can be easily moved around.
3. Rohan believes Grandma enjoys siting in the verandah during the evenings.
4. Priya knows Grandma likes to keep special items close to her.
5. Rohan thinks a pankha with intricate designs would be too delicate for Grandma’s liking.
6. Priya suggests choosing between a bamboo pankha with beadwork or an embroidered pankha with mirror work.
7. Rohan decided they should buy the pankha without consulting their mom.

Answer: The four correct statements are:

2. Priya suggests buying a pankha that can be moved easily from one place to another.
3. Rohan thinks that Grandma likes sitting in the verandah in the evenings.
4. Priya understands that Grandma likes keeping special things close to her.
5. Priya suggests choosing either a bamboo pankha with beadwork or an embroidered pankha with mirror work.

Speaking Activity

I. Work in groups of four. Look at the pictures of the four different kinds of fans given below.

• Each of you in the group will pick one kind of fan.
• Imagine yourself to be that fan.
• Use the points given in the box below.

Introduce yourself as the fan which you have chosen.

• Describe yourself, for example, your features, etc.
• What do you like about yourself?
• What do you feel is your weakness?
• What makes you unique?
• What makes you unique?

Answer: I am a Hand Fan

Hello everyone! I am a hand fan. I am small, light, and easy to carry. I am usually made from materials such as bamboo, palm leaves, cloth, or paper. Sometimes, I am beautifully decorated with colourful patterns, embroidery, beadwork, or mirror work.

People use me by moving me back and forth with their hands to create cool air. I do not need electricity, so I am very useful during power cuts, outdoor travel, village fairs, and hot summer days.

What I like most about myself is that I am eco-friendly, portable, and simple to use. My weakness is that I can cool only one person at a time and need manual effort. I am unique because I represent traditional art, regional culture, and handmade craftsmanship.

Or

I am a Ceiling Fan

Hello everyone! I am a ceiling fan. I am fixed to the ceiling and usually have three or four blades. I am made of metal and plastic and am available in different colours, sizes, and designs.

I work with electricity and rotate quickly to circulate air throughout a room. I can cool many people at the same time, which makes me useful in homes, classrooms, offices, and shops.

What I like most about myself is that I am powerful and can cover a large area. My weakness is that I cannot work without electricity and cannot be moved easily from one place to another. I am unique because I provide comfort to everyone in the room equally.

Or

I am a Table Fan

Hello everyone! I am a table fan. I am usually placed on desks, tables, or shelves to provide cool air. I have strong blades and can move from side to side to spread air in different directions.

What I like most about myself is that I am useful, reliable, and easier to move than a ceiling fan. I can be shifted from one room to another whenever needed. My weakness is that I need electricity to work. I am unique because I provide direct airflow and can be used wherever personal cooling is required.

Or

I am a Handheld Fan

Hi everyone! I am a handheld fan. I am small, light, and easy to carry. I can easily fit into a hand or bag and provide quick personal cooling.

I usually work with batteries or rechargeable power. I am useful while travelling, walking outdoors, waiting in crowded places, or sitting where there is no proper airflow.

What I like most about myself is that I am portable and convenient. My weakness is that I depend on battery power and may stop working when the battery runs out. I am unique because I can offer comfort almost anywhere.

Page 80 – Writing Task

I. Describe an artefact you have made in your craft class or learnt from someone.

Begin with collection and organisation of the facts with the help of the pointers given above. Do not include your opinion in the factual description.

Answer: A Paper Hand Fan

A paper hand fan is a simple and attractive artefact that I made during my craft class. It is circular in shape and about 20 centimetres in diameter. The fan is made using colourful paper sheets and two wooden sticks, which serve as its handle. Its pleated folds give it a neat and beautiful look.

To make the fan, we first took a rectangular sheet of coloured paper and folded it back and forth in a zigzag pattern. Then, we tied one end firmly with a rubber band and attached two ice cream sticks on both sides to make the handle. After that, we opened the other end carefully to form the shape of a fan.

Paper hand fans are commonly made in many parts of India using waste or recycled paper. They are eco-friendly, inexpensive, and easy to make. They can be used on hot days or kept as decorative craft items.

Making this fan helped me understand the value of traditional crafts. It also showed me how simple materials can be turned into something useful, creative, and beautiful.

 Page 80 – Learning Beyond the Text

I. Identify any art or craft item from your region and make a presentation describing its features, materials and process involved in making it, its usage, etc.

• Name of the object and its physical characteristics appearance, shape, size, colour, etc.
• What is it made up of?
• Which region does it belong to? How has it been used traditionally?
• Is there an origin story associated with it? How has it evolved over time?
• How can it be used effectively and safely in today’s time?

Answer: 

• Pottery is one of the oldest and most popular craft forms in India. Clay pots are usually round or oval in shape and are made in different sizes, ranging from small decorative pots to large vessels used for storing water. They are generally reddish-brown or earthy brown in colour, and their surface may be smooth or textured depending on the design.
• Pottery is made from natural clay, also called mitti. The clay is mixed with water to make it soft and easy to shape. Sometimes, materials like sand or straw are added to make the clay stronger. After the pot is shaped, it is dried, baked, and sometimes decorated with natural colours or paints.
• This craft is practised in many parts of India. Places such as Khurja in Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur in Rajasthan, and Manipur are especially known for their pottery traditions. Traditionally, clay pots were used for storing water, cooking food, and carrying grains. Clay lamps, known as diyas, are still widely used during festivals like Diwali.
• Pottery has a long history and dates back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Over thousands of years, it has developed from simple household items into a beautiful form of decorative art. Today, potters use both traditional hand wheels and modern electric wheels to create different pottery items.
• In modern times, pottery is used as decorative pieces, flower pots, kulhad cups, and artistic showpieces. Clay products are also eco-friendly because they are biodegradable. By buying handmade pottery, people can support local artisans and promote sustainable living.

NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Poem 3 Canvas of Soil Solutions

Page 86 – Reflect and Respond

I. Work in pairs. Discuss what all you see in a garden. Think of the colours you see and where you see them. Share your responses with your teacher.

Answer: In a garden, we can see many beautiful things. There are colourful flowers such as roses, marigolds, and sunflowers. We can also see green grass, tall trees, small shrubs, and creepers. Birds and butterflies are often seen flying around the garden. Some gardens also have benches, pathways, and small ponds.

A garden is full of colours. The leaves and grass are green, the flowers may be red, yellow, white, or pink, and the tree trunks and soil are brown. We can also see the blue colour of the sky reflected in the water.

II. Look at the picture of a garden and a painting given below. Speak about any similarities between the garden and the painting.

Speak using the following:

• Just as a garden ____________, similarly, a painting ____________
• A garden and a painting, both ____________.
• ____________ is common to both a garden and a painting.
• Like a garden, a painting too ____________.

Answer:

• Just as a garden has different colours and textures, similarly, a painting uses different colours and brush strokes to create beauty.
• A garden and a painting, both express creativity and bring joy to the viewer.
• Colour is common to both a garden and a painting.
• Like a garden, a painting too captures the beauty of nature and life in a vivid and colourful way.

III. Let us acquaint ourselves with the meanings of palette, hue, and canvas.

1. Palette: a thin oval or rectangular board or tablet that painter holds and mixes colours on.
2. Hue: shade of a colour
3. Canvas: (here) painting

Now, look at the painting given above and identify palette, canvas, and select a hue.

Answer: Looking at the given picture:

• Palette: The palette is shown on the left side of the image. It is a rectangular board that holds different colours such as pink, blue, red, yellow, green, and black. Paintbrushes are also placed near it.
• Canvas: The canvas refers to the paintings shown in the centre and on the right side of the image. These are the surfaces on which the landscape and garden scenes have been painted.
• Hue: One example of a hue in the picture is green, which can be seen in the trees, grass, and plants. Other hues such as blue, yellow, and red can also be observed in the image.

Page 87 – Check Your Understanding

I. Read the poem again and complete the summary of each stanza by filling in the blanks.

1. The _____________ is portrayed as a rich palette where gardeners’s _ _ _ a _ s flourish in the form of _____________, awaiting spring.

Answer: The earth/soil is portrayed as a rich palette where gardeners’ dreams flourish in the form of seeds, awaiting spring.

2. The garden flowers __________ into a beautiful display of different b __ __ __ __ __ m s, resembling a __________ by Mother Nature, in the light of morning.

Answer: The garden flowers bloom into a beautiful display of different blossoms, resembling a painting/artwork by Mother Nature, in the light of morning.

3. Each garden is likened to a wide __ __ n __ __ s, integrating art and __________. Through the efforts of gardeners, gardens transform into still-life __________.

Answer: Each garden is likened to a wide canvas, integrating art and life. Through the efforts of gardeners, gardens transform into still-life paintings.

II. Select the appropriate title for each stanza from those given below. There are two extra titles.

1. Nature’s Work of Art
2. Sweet-smelling Blossoms
3. Gardens as Living Canvas
4. Earth and Possibilities
5. The Painter’s Canvas

Answer: 

• Stanza 1 — 4. Earth and Possibilities
• Stanza 2 — 1. Nature’s Work of Art
• Stanza 3 — 3. Gardens as Living Canvases

III. Match the poetic devices in Column 1 to the examples in Column 2.

Discuss your responses in pairs. Then share the responses with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: 

Page 89 – Critical Reflection

I. Read the given extracts from the poem and answer the questions that follow.

Brushstrokes of seeds, planted true, Awaiting spring’s vibrant hue.

(i) The poet has used a metaphor in ‘Brushstrokes of seeds’. Which option from those given below uses a mataphor?

1.  Her mother’s heart heard her heartfelt request with kindness.
2. She has a heart of gold.
3. Her heart did a dance of joy on seeing the new doll.
4. She has very kind heart.

Answer: B. She has a heart of gold.

(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately.

The phrases ‘planted true’ is significant because it implies ____________.

Answer:The phrase “planted true” is significant because it suggests that the seeds are planted with care, honesty, and dedication. It shows that gardeners put sincere effort, hope, and patience into their work, just like an artist who creates a painting with full commitment.

(iii) Why has the poet used the word ‘ hue’ instead of ‘colours’ in the extract?

Answer: The poet uses the word “hue” instead of “colours” because “hue” sounds more poetic and artistic. It refers to different shades and tones of colour, which matches the poem’s theme of comparing gardening with painting. The word also supports the artistic imagery of the poem and helps maintain the rhyme with “true.”

(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from the extract.

Summer: hot: :: Spring : ___________

Answer:

Summer: hot :: Spring : vibrant

(v) Read the Assertion (A) and the Reason (R) and selecting the option that is correctly suited.

(A): Gardeners wait for Spring.

(R): Gardens are worth painting in Spring.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

B. Both (A) and (R) are rue but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

C. (A) is true but (R) is false.

D. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

2. Each plot, a canvas wide, Where art and life coincide.

(i) What does ‘Each plot’ refer to in this extract?

Answer: “Each plot” refers to every small section or part of a garden. The poet compares each garden plot to a wide canvas, suggesting that every part of the garden becomes a beautiful and unique artwork created by the gardener.

(ii) Select which option imitates the rhyme scheme of the extract.

A. beautiful and clear

laughter and cheer

B. beautiful and clear

laughter and tears

Answer:

A. beautiful and clear

laughter and cheer

(iii) Select the line from the extract that conveys that gardening blends aesthetic beauty with natural growth.

Answer: The line “Where art and life coincide” means that gardening brings together artistic beauty and natural growth. A garden is not only a place where plants grow, but also a space where creativity, colours, and life come together beautifully.

(iv) Complete the following sentence appropriately.

The plot is likened to a canvas suggesting that ___________.

Answer: The plot is likened to a canvas suggesting that a garden, like a painting, is a place of creativity and imagination. Just as a painter uses colours and designs to create art on a canvas, a gardener uses plants, flowers, and patterns to turn a plot of land into a living work of art.

(v) Why has the poet most likely used the word ‘wide’ instead of ‘long’ in ‘canvas wide’?

Answer: The poet uses “wide” instead of “long” because “wide” gives a sense of openness, space, and freedom. It suggests that the garden spreads out beautifully in many directions, just like a canvas full of creative possibilities. The word also shows that a garden, like art, has endless scope for imagination. Additionally, “wide” fits better with the rhythm and flow of the poem.

II. Give reason for the comparisons made by the poet in the poem.

1. A painter is compared to a gardener because ___________.
2. A palette is like earth as ___________.
3. The brushstrokes are like seeds because ___________.
4. A canvas is similar to a garden plot as ___________.

Answer: 

1. A painter is compared to a gardener because both use creativity, imagination, and skill to create something beautiful.
2. A palette is compared to the earth because both contain different colours and provide the base for a beautiful creation.
3. Brushstrokes are compared to seeds because both begin the process of creation. Brushstrokes create a painting, while seeds grow into plants and flowers.
4. A canvas is similar to a garden plot because both are open spaces where creativity can be expressed.

III. Answer the following questions.

1. How does the metaphor ‘Brushstrokes of seed’, enhance the understanding of gardening as an art form?

Answer: The metaphor ‘Brushstrokes of seed’ helps us understand gardening as an art form by comparing the act of planting seeds to the act of painting. Just as every brushstroke on a canvas is carefully made and adds beauty to a painting, every seed planted in the soil is placed with care and contributes to the beauty of a garden.

This metaphor shows that gardening is not only a simple activity of growing plants, but also a creative process. It requires imagination, patience, skill, and effort, just like painting.

2. What can you infer about the poet’s perspective on the relationship between nature and creativity from the following lines? ‘Each plot, a canvas wide,/Where art and life coincide.’

Answer: From these lines, we can infer that the poet sees nature and creativity as closely connected. The poet compares each garden plot to a canvas, suggesting that a garden is a place where artistic expression and natural life come together.

The lines show that creativity is not limited to paintings or drawings. It can also be seen in nature, especially when a gardener shapes a garden with plants, flowers, colours, and patterns. Thus, the poet believes that art and life exist together beautifully in a garden.

Do you think the imagery in the poem successfully paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind? If yes, why?

Answer: Yes, the imagery in the poem successfully creates a clear and beautiful picture in the reader’s mind. The poet uses colourful and lively images such as “shades of green, red, and blue,” “blossoms bloom,” and “brushstrokes of seeds.”

These images help the reader imagine a bright and colourful garden. The comparison of a garden to a painting, with a canvas, palette, and brushstrokes, makes the poem more visual and meaningful. It allows the reader to see gardening as a creative and artistic activity.

3. Support the view that the poet’s mention of the colour yellow, besides red, blue and green, would have lent effectively to the imagery.

Answer: The mention of the colour yellow would have made the imagery of the poem more effective and complete. Yellow is a common and bright colour found in gardens through flowers like sunflowers, marigolds, and daffodils. It is also associated with sunlight, warmth, and freshness.

Adding yellow along with red, blue, and green would have made the garden’s picture more colourful and realistic. It would also have strengthened the comparison between a garden and a painting, as yellow is often used by artists to show light, energy, and brightness.

4. Considering the line ‘Gardens become paintings still’, what can you interpret about the poet’s view on the timelessness of nature’s beauty?

Answer: From the line ‘Gardens become paintings still’, we can understand that the poet sees nature’s beauty as timeless. The word ‘still’ can suggest something calm and motionless, like a painting, and also something that continues to exist over time.

The poet suggests that a garden captures the beauty of nature just as a painting captures beauty on a canvas. Even though flowers may bloom and fade, the beauty of nature continues to inspire people. This shows that, for the poet, nature’s beauty is lasting and meaningful.

5. Justify the title of the poem, ‘Canvas of Soil’.

Answer: The title ‘Canvas of Soil’ is suitable and meaningful because it connects gardening with art. A canvas is the surface on which a painter creates a painting. In the poem, the soil is compared to a canvas because it holds seeds, plants, flowers, and colours that together create the beauty of a garden.

The title highlights the main idea of the poem: gardening is a creative art form. Just as a painter uses colours and brushstrokes to create art, a gardener uses soil, seeds, and plants to create a living work of art. Therefore, the title clearly reflects the theme and message of the poem.