Let us learn NCERT Poorvi pages 9–12

Last updated at August 26, 2026 by

I. Expressions in Context
What is an expression?

An expression is a group of words used together to express one idea. Sometimes its meaning is not the same as the literal meaning of each individual word.

Example: cast a shadow does not mean that somebody literally creates a shadow. Here it means to make a situation feel sad, tense or gloomy .
Expression Simple meaning
cast a shadow make a situation gloomy or unhappy
a murmur swept through the room people began speaking softly among themselves
a hush fell over everyone suddenly became quiet
mind raced back quickly remembered something from the past
stormed off left suddenly and angrily
rippled through spread gradually from one person to another
How do we choose the correct expression? Read the words around the blank and ask: is the sentence talking about silence, anger, memory, spreading, soft voices, or a gloomy mood? Then choose the expression whose meaning matches that situation.
I
Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph by choosing suitable expressions from the box given below.
cast a shadow murmur swept through the room hush fell over mind raced back stormed off rippled through
My mother is quite witty, and her sense of humour always lightens stressful moments. Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. , making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter 2. the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument 3. . Everyone disapproved of the action and a 4. . My 5. to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have 6. over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.
How to answer: Read the words around each blank. Match the expression to the mood or action of the sentence; do not place expressions randomly.
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1. An argument began over a minor issue, and a hush fell over , making everyone feel uncomfortable.
Reason: “A hush fell over” means everyone suddenly went quiet because the argument made things awkward.
2. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter rippled through the gathering, making everyone relaxed.
Reason: “Rippled through” means the laughter spread from one person to the next across the crowd.
3. The person who started the argument stormed off .
Reason: “Stormed off” means the person left suddenly and in anger.
4. Everyone disapproved of the action and a murmur swept through the room .
Reason: It shows people reacted by talking softly among themselves.
5. My mind raced back to how my mother had saved other situations like this.
Reason: “Mind raced back” means the narrator quickly remembered similar moments from the past.
6. Without her, such moments would have cast a shadow over the gatherings.
Reason: “Cast a shadow” means the unpleasant moment would have made the gathering gloomy or tense.
II. Sound Words
What are sound words?

Some words tell us what kind of sound is being made or how a person is speaking or reacting . Before filling the blanks, know what each word means.

murmur a low, continuous sound of people speaking softly
sighed breathed out audibly, often because of relief or tiredness
mumble speak in a low and unclear voice
gasped took a sudden breath because of surprise or shock
snickers quiet or suppressed laughs
thud a dull sound when something hits a surface
groan a low sound showing effort, pain or discomfort
rattle a series of short, repeated knocking sounds
roared spoke or sounded very loudly
whispered spoke very softly
Shortcut: first identify the situation— quiet speech, surprise, laughter, impact, pain, repeated noise, loud speech or soft speech —and then choose the matching sound word.
II
The writer uses words like ‘roared’, ‘murmur’ in the text to indicate the sound produced. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from the box given below. You may refer to a dictionary.
murmur sighed mumble gasped snickers thud groan rattle roared whispered
  1. As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a of excitement spread through the classroom.
  2. Anaya in relief—she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.
  3. ‘Think carefully,’ the teacher began to , as she wrote a riddle on the board.
  4. When the question was revealed, a few students , realising it wasn’t as easy as they had expected.
  5. Some exchanged , wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.
  6. Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small , deep in thought.
  7. ‘Ah, I see it now!’ she said stretching with a , as if it had taken her great effort.
  8. A small breeze made the windows , adding to the suspense of the moment.
  9. ‘So, what’s the answer?’ the students , their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
  10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya , ‘Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.’
How to answer: Ask what sound or reaction the sentence describes. Then choose the sound word that naturally fits both meaning and grammar.
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1. As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a murmur of excitement spread through the classroom.
Reason: A “murmur” is a low, soft sound made by people talking quietly.
2. Anaya sighed in relief—she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.
Reason: “Sighed” fits because it is a long breath out that shows relief.
3. “Think carefully,” the teacher began to mumble , as she wrote a riddle on the board.
Reason: “Mumble” means to speak in a low, unclear voice.
4. When the question was revealed, a few students gasped , realising it wasn’t as easy as they had expected.
Reason: “Gasped” is a quick, surprised intake of breath.
5. Some exchanged snickers , wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.
Reason: “Snickers” are quiet, held-back laughs.
6. Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small thud , deep in thought.
Reason: A “thud” is a dull sound made when something hits a surface.
7. “Ah, I see it now!” she said stretching with a groan , as if it had taken her great effort.
Reason: A “groan” is a low sound that shows effort or tiredness.
8. A small breeze made the windows rattle , adding to the suspense of the moment.
Reason: “Rattle” means to make short, repeated knocking sounds.
9. “So, what’s the answer?” the students roared , their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
Reason: “Roared” shows the students spoke very loudly and with energy.
10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya whispered , “Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.”
Reason: “Whispered” means to speak very softly.
III. Compound Words
What is a compound word?

A compound word is made when two words combine to create one new idea.

Type How it is written Examples from this exercise
Closed compound The two words join completely. household , bookstore
Hyphenated compound The two words are joined with a hyphen (-). quick-witted , soft-spoken , ill-tempered
Open compound The two words stay separate but have one combined meaning. common sense , sky blue , dance hall
Example: quick + witted → quick-witted = able to think and respond cleverly and quickly.
How do we solve a matching question? Make a possible word pair, say it naturally, and check whether the pair has a recognised meaning. Do not match only because two words “sound okay”.
III
As you have learnt, a compound word is formed when two or more words are combined to create a new word with a distinct meaning. These are of three types: closed compounds (sunlight, courtroom), hyphenated compounds (well-planned), and open compounds (paddy seeds).
1. Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2.
Column 1 Column 2
(i) quick A. hall
(ii) soft B. tempered
(iii) common C. spoken
(iv) house D. blue
(v) book E. store
(vi) ill F. sense
(vii) sky G. witted
(viii) dance H. hold
How to answer: Join the two words and check whether the result is a natural compound word with a clear meaning.
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Column 1 Correct Match
(i) quick
quick-witted
quick + witted — means able to think and respond cleverly and quickly.
(ii) soft
soft-spoken
soft + spoken — describes a person who speaks gently and calmly.
(iii) common
common sense
common + sense — means ordinary practical judgement.
(iv) house
household
house + hold — refers to the people living together in one home.
(v) book
bookstore
book + store — means a shop where books are sold.
(vi) ill
ill-tempered
ill + tempered — means easily annoyed or angry.
(vii) sky
sky blue
sky + blue — describes the blue colour of the sky.
(viii) dance
dance hall
dance + hall — means a hall used for dancing or performances.
2. Fill in the blanks with the words created in the previous question.
Ravi was (i) , always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) , where he learned to handle different personalities. His friend Arun, however, was (iii) and often lost his patience. Despite this, Arun admired Ravi’s (iv) thinking. One evening, as they passed a (v) , they saw some performers rushing out. Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a (vi) book on the ground. “Is this yours?” he asked. “Oh thank you, young man!” the performer smiled. “It’s a recent purchase from the (vii) round the corner.” True to his nature Arun promptly said to Ravi, “It’s (viii) that it’s not from a bakery but bookshop!” Ravi smiled and they walked on.
How to answer: Use the compound word that fits the sentence meaning and grammar. Read the completed sentence once to check it sounds natural.
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(i) Ravi was soft-spoken , always speaking calmly even in arguments.
Reason: “Soft-spoken” means a person who speaks gently and calmly.
(ii) He grew up in a lively household , where he learned to handle different personalities.
Reason: “Household” means the people living together in one home, so it fits growing up around different personalities.
(iii) His friend Arun, however, was ill-tempered and often lost his patience.
Reason: “Ill-tempered” means someone who gets annoyed or angry easily, which matches “often lost his patience”.
(iv) Despite this, Arun admired Ravi’s quick-witted thinking.
Reason: “Quick-witted” means able to think and reply cleverly and fast.
(v) One evening, as they passed a dance hall , they saw some performers rushing out.
Reason: A “dance hall” is a place used for dancing or shows, so it fits performers rushing out.
(vi) Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a sky blue book on the ground.
Reason: “Sky blue” describes the colour of the book.
(vii) “It’s a recent purchase from the bookstore round the corner.”
Reason: A “bookstore” is a shop where books are sold.
(viii) “It’s common sense that it’s not from a bakery but bookshop!”
Reason: “Common sense” means simple, everyday good judgement, which fits Arun’s remark.
IV. Conditionals — Clauses, Tenses and Modal Verbs
Before Conditionals: understand clauses, tenses and modal verbs
1
First: what is a clause?

A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.

If you like + I will try my best

If you like = condition.   I will try my best = result.

2
Main clause and subordinate clause
  • Subordinate clause / if clause: gives the condition. It usually begins with if .
  • Main clause: tells us what happens as a result of that condition.
If it rains tomorrow , we will stay indoors .
condition / if clause → result / main clause
3
Now understand the tense words used in the NCERT table
Term What it means Simple example
Simple Present The basic present form of the verb. With he/she/it, we often add -s/-es . I like it. / It rains .
Simple Past The past form of the verb. I knew . / I were invisible (hypothetical use).
Past Perfect had + past participle (V3) I had known . / You had listened .
Modal verb A helping verb such as will, would, can, may . It helps show possibility, ability, prediction or an imagined result. I will try. / I would go.
would have + V3 Used for a result that did not actually happen in the past. I would have chosen another day.
What is V3 / past participle? It is the third form of a verb: know → knew → known , ring → rang → rung , choose → chose → chosen .
4
There are three conditional patterns in this NCERT exercise
A. Possible future situation
If + Simple Present → will + base verb
If you like , I will try my best.
The condition may really happen.
B. Hypothetical / imaginary situation
If + Simple Past → would + base verb
If I were invisible, I would sneak into the secret room.
We are imagining something that is not real now.
C. Unreal past situation
If + Past Perfect → would have + V3
If I had known , I would have chosen another day.
The past cannot be changed; we are imagining a different past result.
5
How to identify the pattern in an exam
  1. Find the if clause .
  2. Look at the verb inside it: present, past, or had + V3?
  3. Then check the main clause: will, would, or would have?
  4. Match it with Pattern A, B or C above.
You now know every term used in the NCERT table below. Read the table again—it should now make sense instead of feeling like a list of grammar labels.
IV
Read the sentences from the text and their explanation given in the table below.
Sentences from the Text Tenses Explanation
1. If you like , I will try my best to resolve this matter. Simple Present + Present Modal The condition in the ‘if’ clause may or may not be fulfilled. The present tense refers only to a possible future action.
2. If, by chance something were to go wrong, our farmers would suffer . Simple Past + Past Modal The condition in the ‘if’ clause expresses a hypothetical or imaginary situation.
3. If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day. Past Perfect + would have + Past Participle The condition in the ‘if’ clause describes what the speaker would have done differently if the past situation had been different; it cannot now be rectified.

In sentence 1 ‘if you like’ is the subordinate clause (if clause) and ‘I will try my best to resolve this matter’ is the main clause.

Identify the subordinate and main clauses in sentences 2 and 3.

How to answer: First identify the ‘if’ clause, then the main clause. Use the tense pattern in the table to confirm your choice.
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Sentence Subordinate / if clause Main clause Why?
2. If, by chance, something were to go wrong, our farmers would suffer. If, by chance, something were to go wrong our farmers would suffer The if clause gives the condition; the main clause gives the result.
3. If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day. If I had known this would happen I would have chosen another day The first part states the unreal past condition; the second states its imagined result.

Now, match the subordinate clauses (if clauses) in Column 1 with the appropriate main clauses in Column 2 to make complete sentences.

Column 1 Column 2
(i) If I had a magic wand, A. We will go to the theatre.
(ii) If it rains tomorrow, B. I would sneak into the secret room.
(iii) If you had listened carefully, C. I would give myself wings.
(iv) If you finish your homework, D. The boys would have woken up on time.
(v) If I were invisible, E. We will stay indoors and play board games.
(vi) If the alarm had rung, F. You would have solved the puzzle.
How to answer: Match clauses by both meaning and conditional pattern; the two halves must form one logical sentence.
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Column 1 Correct Match
(i) If I had a magic wand,
I would give myself wings. (C)
This is an imaginary present situation, so the result uses would + base verb .
(ii) If it rains tomorrow,
we will stay indoors and play board games. (E)
This is a possible future condition, so the result uses will + verb .
(iii) If you had listened carefully,
you would have solved the puzzle. (F)
This is an unreal past condition, so the result uses would have + past participle .
(iv) If you finish your homework,
we will go to the theatre. (A)
This is a real future possibility: present tense in the if-clause and will in the result clause.
(v) If I were invisible,
I would sneak into the secret room. (B)
This is an imaginary present situation, so the result uses would + base verb .
(vi) If the alarm had rung,
the boys would have woken up on time. (D)
This is an unreal past condition, so the result uses would have + past participle .
V. Conditionals — Completing Sentences
Which conditional pattern should I use?
Possible future: if + simple present → will + base verb
Imaginary present: if + simple past → would + base verb
Unreal past: if + had + V3 → would have + V3
Example: If she knew the answer, she would tell us.
V
Complete the following sentences appropriately with either the main clause or the subordinate clause (if clause).
  1. Your teacher will be unhappy if .
  2. They would have caught the train if .
  3. if you continue to stay up late every night.
  4. If she knew the answer, .
  5. if she had studied harder.
  6. If I had a million rupees, .
How to answer: Complete each sentence using the same conditional pattern already started. Keep the meaning logical.
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1. Your teacher will be unhappy if you do not complete your homework .
Reason: This is a possible future condition, so the if part uses the simple present.
2. They would have caught the train if they had left home earlier .
Reason: This is about the past that did not happen, so the if part uses “had + verb” (past perfect).
3. You will fall ill if you continue to stay up late every night.
Reason: This is a likely result of a real present/future condition.
4. If she knew the answer, she would tell us .
Reason: This is an imaginary situation, so the main part uses “would + base verb”.
5. She would have passed the examination if she had studied harder.
Reason: This is an unreal past result, so the main part uses “would have + past participle”.
6. If I had a million rupees, I would travel around the world .
Reason: This is an imaginary present situation, so the result uses “would + base verb”.
VI. Conditionals — Imaginary and Unreal Situations
Two patterns you need here
If I were... → imaginary present → would + base verb
If I had + V3... → unreal past → would have + V3
Examples:
If I were a bird, I would fly over the mountains.
If I had studied harder, I would have scored better marks.
VI
Complete the following sentences. One example has been done for you.
  1. If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds.
  2. If I were the Head Teacher of my school, .
  3. If I were a bird, .
  4. If I were a magician, .
  5. If I had studied harder, .
How to answer: These are open responses. Keep the conditional form correct and make the second half sensible.
View Sample Answers Hide Answer
1. If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds. (given example)
Reason: This is an imaginary present situation and uses “if + past form” with “would + verb”.
2. If I were the Head Teacher of my school, I would add more sports periods .
Reason: The sentence describes an imaginary present situation.
3. If I were a bird, I would fly over the mountains .
Reason: The sentence imagines an unreal present situation and its possible result.
4. If I were a magician, I would help people in need .
Reason: The sentence uses the same imaginary “if” structure.
5. If I had studied harder, I would have scored better marks .
Reason: This is about the past that did not happen — an unreal past condition and result.
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