DAY 1 The Snake IX CLASS 9 AUTUMN CHAPTER BENGALI TO ENGLISH
The Snake
An encounter with nature's "cold, dark and splendid" beauty.
English Stanzas
Sun-warmed in the late season’s grace
under the autumn’s gentlest sky
we walked and froze half-through a pace.
The great black snake went reeling by.
Head down, tongue flickering on the trail
He quested through the parting grass.
Sun glazed his curves of diamond scale
And we lost breath to see him pass.
What track he followed, what small food
Fled living from his fierce intent,
we scarcely thought; still as we stood
our eyes went with him as he went.
Cold, dark and splendid he was gone
Into the grass that hid his prey.
We took a deeper breath of day,
Looked at each other, and went on.
বঙ্গানুবাদ (Bengali Translation)
ঋতুর শেষের কৃপায় সূর্য-উষ্ণ শরতের মৃদু আকাশের নিচে আমরা হাঁটছিলাম এবং অর্ধেক পদক্ষেপে জমে গেলাম। বিশাল কালো সাপটি এঁকেবেঁকে চলে গেল।
মাথা নিচু করে, পথের ওপর জিভ লকলক করে সে সরে যাওয়া ঘাসের মধ্যে দিয়ে খুঁজছিল। সূর্য তার হীরক-আঁশের বাঁকগুলিকে চকচকে করে দিল এবং তাকে পার হতে দেখে আমাদের দম বন্ধ হয়ে গেল।
সে কোন পথ অনুসরণ করছিল, কোন ছোট প্রাণী তার হিংস্র উদ্দেশ্য থেকে বেঁচে পালাচ্ছিল, আমরা তা ভাবিনি; স্থির হয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে সে যেমন গেল আমাদের চোখও তার সাথে গেল।
ঠান্ডা, অন্ধকার এবং চমৎকার সে চলে গেল সেই ঘাসের মধ্যে যা তার শিকারকে লুকিয়ে রেখেছিল। আমরা দিনের এক গভীরতর শ্বাস নিলাম, একে অপরের দিকে তাকালাম, এবং চলতে লাগলাম।
Interactive Practice Zone
Activity 1: Choose the correct answer
1. The poet was sun-warmed under the gentlest sky of:
2. The tongue of the snake was:
Activity 3: Grammar - Do as directed
Change into Assertive:
"How happy we are here!"
Change into Interrogative:
"Everybody knows the name of Tagore."
Activity 4: Change Parts of Speech
Newspaper Report
Topic: Boat Capsize (Hints: place, date, cause, casualties, rescue, govt. steps)
Summary Writing
Topic: Teaching values to children.
Class IX: Bliss (English)
The Snake (Poem Analysis)
Comprehensive Question Bank with Detailed Solutions
Short Answer Questions (20)
1. Under what kind of sky was the poet walking?
Ans: The poet was walking under the gentlest sky of the autumn season.
2. What happened when the poet and her companion saw the snake?
Ans: They froze half-through a pace as the great black snake reeled by.
3. How is the snake's movement described in the first stanza?
Ans: The snake is described as "reeling by," suggesting a winding or swaying motion.
4. What was the snake's tongue doing?
Ans: The snake's tongue was flickering on the trail as it moved.
5. What effect did the sun have on the snake's scales?
Ans: The sun glazed the snake's curves of diamond scales, making them shine.
6. Why did the walkers "lose breath"?
Ans: They lost their breath out of awe or fear while watching the snake pass by.
7. What was the snake questing through?
Ans: The snake was questing through the parting grass.
8. Did the poet know what the snake was hunting?
Ans: No, the poet scarcely thought about what small food was fleeing from the snake.
9. How did the poet's eyes follow the snake?
Ans: The poet stood still and their eyes went with the snake as it moved.
10. List three adjectives used to describe the snake in the final stanza.
Ans: The adjectives are "cold," "dark," and "splendid."
11. Where did the snake finally disappear?
Ans: It disappeared into the grass that hid its prey.
12. What did the walkers do after the snake was gone?
Ans: They took a deeper breath, looked at each other, and continued their walk.
13. What is meant by "fierce intent"?
Ans: It refers to the snake's focused and deadly determination to catch its prey.
14. What time of year is the "late season"?
Ans: It refers to the autumn season.
15. How did the walkers stand while the snake passed?
Ans: They stood perfectly still.
16. What does "diamond scale" imply about the snake's appearance?
Ans: It implies that the snake had a pattern on its skin that looked like diamonds and shone in the sun.
17. What does "sun-warmed" suggest about the atmosphere?
Ans: It suggests a pleasant, warm, and peaceful afternoon.
18. What was the snake's head position as it moved?
Ans: Its head was down as it followed the trail.
19. Why did the poet use the word "splendid" for the snake?
Ans: To show admiration for the snake's majestic and impressive physical presence.
20. What is the significance of "deeper breath of day"?
Ans: It signifies a sense of relief and a return to normalcy after the intense encounter.
Long Answer Questions (20)
1. Describe the setting of the poem and how it contrasts with the appearance of the snake.
The poem is set in the "late season's grace" under a "gentlest sky" in autumn. The atmosphere is sun-warmed, peaceful, and calm. This tranquility is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a "great black snake." While the surroundings are soft and gentle, the snake is described as "cold," "dark," and possessing a "fierce intent." This contrast highlights the raw, predatory nature of the snake existing within the beautiful, peaceful landscape of autumn.
2. How does the poet describe the physical appearance and movement of the snake?
The poet provides a vivid description of the snake. It is a "great black snake" with "curves of diamond scale" that glaze in the sun. Its movement is described as "reeling by," with its "head down" and "tongue flickering" on the trail. It "quested" through the parting grass. By the end, it is summarized as "cold, dark and splendid," emphasizing both its dangerous nature and its magnificent beauty.
3. Analyze the reaction of the poet and her companion to the snake's presence.
The walkers are immediately struck by a sense of awe and fear. They "froze half-through a pace" and "lost breath" as the snake passed. They stood perfectly still, showing respect for the creature's power. Their eyes followed the snake's every move, indicating they were mesmerized. Only after the snake disappeared did they take a "deeper breath" and look at each other, signaling a shared moment of intense experience before moving on.
4. What does the phrase "we scarcely thought" suggest about the observers' state of mind?
The phrase "we scarcely thought" suggests that the observers were in a state of pure observation or shock. They were so captivated by the physical presence and movement of the snake that they didn't analyze its motives or the fate of its prey. Their intellectual thoughts were suspended, replaced by a primal, instinctive focus on the magnificent predator passing right before them.
5. Discuss the significance of the snake's "fierce intent" in the context of the poem.
The "fierce intent" represents the snake's role as a predator in the natural world. It highlights that while the snake is beautiful ("diamond scale," "splendid"), it is also a lethal hunter. This intent is what makes the observers freeze; they recognize the deadly purpose in the snake's quest. It serves as a reminder that nature, even when appearing gentle, contains elements of survival and violence.
6. Why does the poet call the snake "splendid" despite its "cold" and "dark" nature?
The poet uses "splendid" to acknowledge the aesthetic and majestic quality of the snake. Even though it is "cold" (reptilian/unfeeling) and "dark" (mysterious/dangerous), its physical form, its shining scales, and its graceful, powerful movement command admiration. It reflects the poet's ability to appreciate the beauty of nature's more fearsome creatures without ignoring their danger.
7. Explain the ending of the poem: "We took a deeper breath of day, / Looked at each other, and went on."
The ending signifies the release of tension. The "deeper breath" shows that the walkers had been holding their breath in suspense. Looking at each other is a silent acknowledgement of the shared, profound experience they just had. "Went on" suggests that life continues; the encounter was a brief, intense moment of connection with the wild, after which they returned to their own path.
8. How does the poet use light and shadow imagery in the poem?
The poet uses light imagery through the "sun-warmed" setting and the "sun glazed" diamond scales, which gives the snake a brilliant, shining appearance. This is contrasted with shadow imagery, as the snake is "black," "dark," and eventually disappears into the "grass that hid his prey." This interplay suggests that beauty and danger, light and darkness, are inextricably linked in nature.
9. What is the role of the "parting grass" in the poem?
The "parting grass" serves two purposes. First, it illustrates the snake's physical path as it moves through the environment. Second, it acts as a veil of mystery. The grass "hides his prey," emphasizing the hidden dramas of life and death occurring in nature that humans often walk past without noticing, until a "great black snake" makes them stop and look.
10. How does the poem reflect the theme of human-nature interaction?
The poem depicts a moment of intersection between the human world and the wild. The humans are visitors in the snake's domain. The interaction is one of silent observation and mutual non-interference. The humans "freeze" and "stand still," showing a primal respect for the snake's space and power, while the snake continues its "quest" regardless of their presence.
11. Analyze the use of the word "quested" to describe the snake's hunt.
The word "quested" elevates the snake's search for food to something almost noble or mythological. It suggests a purposeful and determined journey. Instead of just "looking" for food, the snake is on a "quest," which adds to the "splendid" and "great" characterization the poet gives to the creature throughout the poem.
12. What is the significance of the "diamond scale" metaphor?
The "diamond scale" metaphor serves to highlight the snake's exquisite beauty and value in the natural world. Diamonds are hard, brilliant, and precious. By describing the scales this way, the poet suggests that the snake is a masterpiece of nature, possessing a hard, glittering exterior that is both beautiful and protective.
13. How does the poet convey the speed or rhythm of the encounter?
The rhythm is conveyed through the transition from the slow, peaceful walk ("sun-warmed," "gentlest sky") to the sudden "froze half-through a pace." The snake "reels by," suggesting a fluid, continuous motion. The observers' stillness contrasts with the snake's steady movement, creating a rhythmic tension that only resolves when the snake is "gone" and they "went on."
14. Why do you think the poet chose autumn as the season for this poem?
Autumn, the "late season," often represents a time of transition and cooling. The "gentlest sky" of autumn provides a soft backdrop that makes the "cold, dark" snake stand out more sharply. It is a season where nature is preparing for dormancy, yet the snake is still active in its "fierce intent," creating a poignant contrast between the dying season and the snake's vital hunt.
15. Describe the snake's tongue and its importance in the poem's imagery.
The tongue is described as "flickering on the trail." This is a classic predatory image that evokes the snake's sensory perception. It adds to the realism of the description and emphasizes the snake's focus. The flickering tongue is a sign of the snake's "questing" nature, showing it is actively sensing and pursuing its prey.
16. What does the poem suggest about the "small food" that fled?
The "small food" represents the vulnerable side of nature. The poet mentions it "fled living," highlighting the life-and-death struggle. By not dwelling on what the food was, the poet keeps the focus on the snake's power. It suggests that in the wild, the identity of the prey matters less than the inevitable cycle of the hunt.
17. How does the poet's perspective change from the beginning to the end of the poem?
At the beginning, the poet is a relaxed walker enjoying the "grace" of the season. Upon seeing the snake, the poet becomes a frozen, breathless observer, fully absorbed in the snake's presence. By the end, the poet is a reflective survivor of the encounter, having gained a deeper appreciation for nature's "splendid" but "cold" reality before resuming the walk.
18. Discuss the use of the word "froze" in the first stanza.
The word "froze" is highly effective. It describes a physical reaction to sudden fear or shock, but it also mirrors the "cold" nature of the snake. It suggests that the walkers became like statues, losing their human movement to match the stillness required when a predator is nearby. It marks the exact moment the peaceful walk turned into an intense encounter.
19. How does the poem portray the snake as a "great" creature?
The snake is "great" not just in size, but in its presence. The poet uses words like "splendid," "diamond scale," and "fierce intent" to build an image of a creature that is superior and commanding. Its ability to make humans "lose breath" and "freeze" confirms its "greatness" as a dominant force in its environment.
20. Summarize the central theme of the poem "The Snake."
The central theme is the awe-inspiring and formidable power of nature. The poem explores the beauty and danger inherent in the wild, represented by the snake. It highlights the human reaction to this power—a mix of fear, respect, and admiration. Ultimately, it portrays nature as a world that exists alongside ours, following its own "fierce" rules of survival, which we can only observe with "lost breath."
DAY 2 The Snake IX CLASS 9 AUTUMN CHAPTER NOTES
WBBSE AI Engine: Mock Test Bank
Class: IX | Subject: Bliss (English) | Topic: Blossom (The Snake)
View Source Text (Poem: The Snake)
WBBSE INTERACTIVE ASSESSMENT
Subject: Bliss (English) | Class: IX
Topic: Blossom - The Snake & Grammar
Exam Submitted!
You scored out of 10 in Section A. Section B (Descriptive) has been submitted for teacher review.
Word Meanings
Comprehensive vocabulary from "The Hunting Snake" & Activities
সূর্য-উষ্ণ → Sun-warmed
কৃপা → Grace
মৃদু → Gentlest (Mildest)
জমে যাওয়া → To become motionless (Freeze, Froze, Frozen)
পদক্ষেপ → Pace
এঁকেবেঁকে চলা → Moving in a swaying manner (Reel, Reeled, Reeled)
লকলক করা → Moving quickly to and fro (Flicker, Flickered, Flickered)
পথ বা চিহ্ন → Trail
খোঁজ করা → To search (Quest, Quested, Quested)
সরে যাওয়া বা বিভক্ত হওয়া → To divide or move aside (Part, Parted, Parted)
চকচকে করা → To make glassy or shiny (Glaze, Glazed, Glazed)
বাঁক → Curves
আঁশ → Scale
পালিয়ে যাওয়া → To run away (Flee, Fled, Fled)
হিংস্র → Fierce
উদ্দেশ্য → Intent
কদাচিৎ → Scarcely
চমৎকার → Splendid
শিকার → Prey
নৌকা উল্টে যাওয়া → To overturn in water (Capsize, Capsized, Capsized)
Generated by WBBSE AI Engine • Subject: Bliss IX
DAY 3 The Snake IX CLASS 9 AUTUMN CHAPTER ONLINE MOCK TEST
CLASS 9 BLOSSOM
Subject: BLISS IX | West Bengal Board of Secondary Education
Para-by-Para Translation (English | Bengali)
under the autumn’s gentlest sky
we walked and froze half-through a pace.
The great black snake went reeling by.
শরতের মৃদু আকাশের নিচে
আমরা হাঁটছিলাম এবং অর্ধেক পদক্ষেপে জমে গেলাম।
বিশাল কালো সাপটি এঁকেবেঁকে চলে গেল।
He quested through the parting grass.
Sun glazed his curves of diamond scale
And we lost breath to see him pass.
সে সরে যাওয়া ঘাসের মধ্যে দিয়ে খুঁজছিল।
সূর্য তার হীরক-আঁশের বাঁকগুলিকে চকচকে করে দিল
এবং তাকে পার হতে দেখে আমাদের দম বন্ধ হয়ে গেল।
Fled living from his fierce intent,
we scarcely thought; still as we stood
our eyes went with him as he went.
তার হিংস্র উদ্দেশ্য থেকে বেঁচে পালাচ্ছিল,
আমরা তা ভাবিনি; স্থির হয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে
সে যেমন গেল আমাদের চোখও তার সাথে গেল।
Into the grass that hid his prey.
We took a deeper breath of day,
Looked at each other, and went on.
সেই ঘাসের মধ্যে যা তার শিকারকে লুকিয়ে রেখেছিল।
আমরা দিনের এক গভীরতর শ্বাস নিলাম,
একে অপরের দিকে তাকালাম, এবং চলতে লাগলাম।
Textual Exercises
Activity 1: Choose the correct answer
- The poet was sun-warmed under the gentlest sky of __________.
- The tongue of the snake was __________.
- The snake finally disappeared into the __________.
Activity 2: Answer the questions
(i) How did the snake appear as it was moving through the grass?
(ii) What did the poet and her companions do when the snake was gone?
Activity 3: Do as directed
- (a) How happy we are here! (Change into assertive)
- (b) Everybody knows the name of Tagore. (Change into interrogative)
- (c) The painting is very beautiful. (Change into exclamatory)
- (d) Can we ever forget our childhood days? (Change into assertive)
Activity 4: Change Parts of Speech
- (a) We are proud of our heritage. (Use noun form of ‘proud’)
- (b) We should have sympathy for the poor. (Use adjective form of ‘sympathy’)
- (c) His success was due to his labour. (Use verb form of ‘success’)
- (d) The song of the nightingale is very sweet. (Use adverb form of ‘sweet’)
Activity 5: Newspaper Report
Hints: place—date—cause—casualties—rescue operations—steps by government.
Activity 6: Summary Writing
Write a summary of the provided passage about teaching values to children.
DAY 4 The Snake IX CLASS 9 AUTUMN CHAPTER ONLINE ALL ACTIVITIES
CLASS IX
BLOSSOM / BLISS
Chapter Activities & Exercise Solutions
Poem Context
"Sun-warmed in the late season’s grace...
The great black snake went reeling by."
"ঋতুর শেষের কৃপায় সূর্য-উষ্ণ...
বিশাল কালো সাপটি এঁকেবেঁকে চলে গেল।"
1 Activity 1: Choose the correct answer
1. The poet was sun-warmed under the gentlest sky of —
Answer: autumn
2. The tongue of the snake was —
Answer: flickering
3. The snake finally disappeared into the —
Answer: grass
2 Activity 2: Answer the questions
(i) How did the snake appear as it was moving through the grass?
(ii) What did the poet and her companions do when the snake was gone?
3 Activity 3: Do as directed
(a) Exclamatory to Assertive
"How happy we are here!"
Ans: We are very happy here.
(b) Assertive to Interrogative
"Everybody knows the name of Tagore."
Ans: Who does not know the name of Tagore?
(c) Assertive to Exclamatory
"The painting is very beautiful."
Ans: How beautiful the painting is!
(d) Interrogative to Assertive
"Can we ever forget our childhood days?"
Ans: We can never forget our childhood days.
4 Activity 4: Change Parts of Speech
We are proud of our heritage. (Noun form)
Ans: We take pride in our heritage.
We should have sympathy for the poor. (Adjective form)
Ans: We should be sympathetic to the poor.
His success was due to his labour. (Verb form)
Ans: He succeeded due to his labour.
The song of the nightingale is very sweet. (Adverb form)
Ans: The nightingale sings very sweetly.
5 Activity 5: Newspaper Report
TRAGIC BOAT CAPSIZE IN RIVER HOOGHLY: 5 DEAD
By a Staff Reporter
Kolkata, Oct 24: A tragic boat capsize occurred yesterday evening in the River Hooghly near the Kalna ghat. The incident took place around 6:30 PM when a motorized boat carrying nearly 40 passengers was returning from a local fair. According to eyewitnesses, the primary cause was overcrowding and a sudden gust of wind that tilted the vessel.
So far, 5 bodies have been recovered, while 10 people remain missing. Rescue operations were launched immediately by local divers and later joined by the NDRF team. The State Government has announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and has ordered a strict inquiry into the violation of safety norms by boat operators.
6 Activity 6: Summary Writing
Summary: Teaching Values to Children
Teaching values to children is essential for their character development and future social integration. It involves instilling qualities like honesty, empathy, and respect through both instruction and personal example. When children learn these core values early, they develop a strong moral compass that guides them in making responsible decisions throughout their lives.
DAY 5 The Snake IX CLASS 9 AUTUMN CHAPTER ONLINE EXAM
Class 9: Blossom (The Snake)
Expert Analysis & High-Yield Revision Summary
Mistake Analysis: Common Pitfalls
| Common Student Mistake | Correct Understanding / Correction |
|---|---|
| Thinking the poem is set in Summer because of the word "sun-warmed". | The text explicitly mentions "autumn’s gentlest sky" and "late season’s grace". It is an autumn setting. |
| Misinterpreting "diamond scale" as literal diamonds on the snake. | It refers to the pattern and the way the sun glazed (shone) on the snake's scales, making them look like diamonds. |
| Assuming the poet ran away in fear. | The poet "froze half-through a pace" and stood "still" in awe. They watched it pass before moving on. |
| Grammar: Converting "How happy we are here!" to "We are happy here." | Correction: "We are very happy here." (The word 'How' in exclamatory usually transforms to 'very' or 'great' in assertive). |
| Confusing "Success" (Noun) with "Succeed" (Verb). | The verb form of 'success' is 'succeed'. (e.g., "He succeeded because he laboured hard.") |
Power Revision Summary
Poem Essence
- • Setting: A sun-warmed autumn day under a gentle sky.
- • The Snake: Great, black, with diamond scales and a flickering tongue.
- • Movement: Reeling through parting grass, following a track with "fierce intent."
- • Human Reaction: Breathless awe, standing still, eyes following the snake until it disappears.
- • Conclusion: The snake enters the grass to find prey; the walkers take a deep breath and continue.
Grammar & Vocabulary Key
- • Vocabulary: Questing (searching), Glazed (made shiny), Reeling (moving in curves).
- • Parts of Speech:
— Proud (Adj) → Pride (Noun)
— Sympathy (Noun) → Sympathetic (Adj)
— Sweet (Adj) → Sweetly (Adverb) - • Sentence Transformation:
— Assertive to Interrogative: "Everybody knows..." → "Who does not know...?"
— Interrogative to Assertive: "Can we ever forget...?" → "We can never forget..."
Exam Tip:
When writing the Newspaper Report (Activity 5), remember to include a catchy headline and a by-line (e.g., By a Staff Reporter). Use the hints provided in the text sequentially to ensure full marks.
Active Recall Toolkit
Subject: Bliss (English) | Class: IX | Chapter: Blossom (The Snake)
1. Blind Questions (Memory Test)
1. In which season was the poet walking?
2. What color was the "great snake" mentioned in the poem?
3. What did the walkers do when the snake went reeling by?
4. What was the snake's tongue doing as it moved?
5. What did the sun do to the snake's scales?
6. What shape were the scales of the snake?
7. Where did the snake eventually disappear?
8. What three adjectives describe the snake in the last stanza?
9. What did the walkers do after the snake was gone?
10. Convert "How happy we are here!" into an assertive sentence.
11. Convert "Everybody knows the name of Tagore" into interrogative.
12. What is the noun form of the word 'proud'?
13. Use the adjective form of 'sympathy' in a concept.
14. What is the verb form of 'success'?
15. What is the adverb form of 'sweet'?
2. The Feynman Method (Explain to a 5-Year-Old)
3. Spaced Repetition Schedule
Day 1: Recall
Focus on the poem's imagery. Can you describe the snake's appearance (scales, tongue, movement) without looking at the text?
Day 3: Application
Practice the grammar transformations (Assertive to Interrogative) and the Parts of Speech table (Pride, Sympathetic, Succeed, Sweetly).
Day 7: Synthesis
Review the Newspaper Report format (Boat Capsize) and try to write a 50-word summary of the poem's main theme.
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