NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 4 Question Answer

The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 4 Keeping It from Harold provide detailed answers that align with the latest  CBSE Class 9 English syllabus, helping students understand the chapter’s themes, characters, and plot in depth.

These solutions are structured to match the exam pattern, making them useful for revision and writing accurate answers in the board exams. Practicing with these solutions alongside CBSE Class 9 English previous year papers boosts confidence and improves answer-writing skills.

By using these NCERT solutions, students can effectively prepare for both school tests and final exams, ensuring comprehensive understanding and performance-oriented preparation.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 4 Keeping It From Harold

Chapter 4 of the Class 9 English Literature Reader, Keeping It From Harold by P.G. Wodehouse, is a humorous and engaging story that revolves around a family trying to hide the truth about the father's profession from his highly intellectual son, Harold. Mr. Bramble, a professional boxer, is gentle and modest, and both he and his wife fear that revealing his real job might disappoint Harold, who is a studious and sensitive boy.

The story highlights the gap between appearances and reality, and through its light-hearted tone, it explores themes of identity, parental concern, and the unexpected maturity of children.

Below are the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 4: Keeping It From Harold, designed as per the CBSE curriculum.

These solutions help students grasp the story's plot, character traits, and underlying themes. Ideal for exam preparation, they follow the question pattern often seen in school tests and previous year papers, ensuring thorough understanding.

3. Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.

(a) Mrs Bramble was a proud woman because
(iv) she was the mother of a child prodigy.

(b) "The very naming of Harold had caused a sacrifice on his part." The writer's tone here is
(iii) satirical

(c) Harold had defied the laws of heredity by
(ii) being good at academics.

(d) Harold felt that he was deprived of the respect that his classmates would give him as
(i) they did not know his father was the famous boxer, 'Young Porky'.

4. Answer the following questions

(a) What was strange about the manner in which Mrs. Bramble addressed her son? What did he feel about it?
Mrs. Bramble addressed her son Harold in a babyish tone, often referring to herself in the third person, like saying, "Mother will hear you, precious." This annoyed Harold, a ten-year-old child who saw himself as mature and intellectual. He found it jarring and unsuitable for someone who had won academic prizes.

(b) Why was it necessary to keep Harold's father's profession a secret from him?
Harold was seen as an unusually intelligent, studious, and refined child. His parents feared that knowing his father was a professional boxer might disappoint or shame him. They wanted to preserve his admiration and did not want to ruin his impression by revealing a profession considered less intellectual or refined.

(c) When Mr. Bramble came to know that he was to become a father what were some of the names he decided upon? Why?
Mr. Bramble wanted to name the child John (after the boxer John L. Sullivan) if it was a boy, or Marie (after music hall artist Marie Lloyd) if it was a girl. However, he agreed to the name "Harold" because his wife liked it, showing his mild and obliging nature.

(d) Describe Mr. Bramble as he has been described in the story.
Mr. Bramble was a professional boxer, known in the ring as "Young Porky." Despite his profession, he was extremely mild, obliging, and gentle in nature. He was humble and often yielded to others’ wishes. He was proud of his boxing skills but agreed to hide his identity for Harold's sake.

(e) Why was Mrs. Bramble upset when she came to hear that Bill had decided not to fight?
Mrs. Bramble was upset because the fight was expected to earn them a large sum of money—either £500 if Bill won or £120 if he lost. The money was to be used for Harold's education and future. She was frustrated that he gave it all up due to Percy’s influence.

(f) Who was Jerry Fisher? What did he say to try and convince Bill to change his mind?
Jerry Fisher was Bill Bramble’s boxing trainer. He was shocked that Bill decided not to fight. He reminded him of the money he would lose, the fame he’d gain, the hard work already done in training, and how much trouble he (Jerry) had taken to get him in shape.

(g) How did Harold come to know that his father was a boxer?
Harold unexpectedly returned home and overheard the conversation between his father, mother, Percy, and Jerry Fisher. Jerry, out of frustration and wanting revenge, directly told Harold that his father was a boxer known as "Young Porky."

(h) Why was Harold upset that his father had not told him about his true identity? Give two reasons.
First, he was upset because he had bet two shillings on his father's match and felt betrayed. Second, he felt robbed of social prestige—had his friends known his father was a famous boxer, they would have respected and admired him instead of mocking him with names like "Goggles."

(i) Do you agree with Harold's parents' decision of hiding from him the fact that his father was a boxer? Why / Why not?
No, their decision was unnecessary. Harold was mature and capable of handling the truth. In fact, he admired boxing and knew more about it than they thought. Their lack of trust in his understanding led to confusion, disappointment, and a missed opportunity for honest communication.

5. The sequence of events has been jumbled up. Rearrange them and complete the given flowchart.

Correct sequence:

1. Harold is alone with his mother in their home.

2. Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.

3. Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.

4. Major Percy and Bill come to the house.

5. Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.

6. Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.

7. Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.

8. Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.

9. Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.

6. Choose extracts from the story that illustrate the characters of these people in it.