Synonyms
More meanings
Tip: select a single word for meaning & synonyms.
Select multiple words normally to copy text.
The Price of Bananas: WBBSE Class 9 English (Second) notes
Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 9 English textbook, chapter 10 The Price of Bananas by Mulk Raj Anand which is part of the syllabus of students studying under West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
The chapter “The Price of Bananas” by Mulk Raj Anand portrays an amusing yet thought-provoking incident at a railway station. The narrator waits for a train, observing monkeys scavenging for food on the platform. A humorous episode unfolds when one monkey snatches the loincloth of a man bathing near a water pump but eventually returns it.
A businessman, identified by his ornate clothing and commanding attitude, arrives. While berating a porter for moving his luggage too slowly, a monkey seizes his embroidered cap and climbs a tree. The businessman tries yelling at the monkey, but this only entertains the onlookers and frustrates him further. A fruit vendor approaches with a clever plan to retrieve the cap, offering bananas to the monkey as a trade. After some hesitation, the monkey agrees, returning the cap in exchange for the fruit. The crowd cheers the vendor’s ingenuity.
When the vendor politely asks the businessman for two annas to cover the cost of the bananas, the businessman dismisses him rudely. He reluctantly throws an anna at the vendor after protests from other passengers. The vendor persists in requesting fair payment, even clinging to the moving train. The businessman, however, ignores him, offering dismissive remarks instead.
The passengers, including the narrator, sympathise with the fruit vendor and feel disdain for the businessman’s coldness and greed. To lighten the mood, the narrator sketches a cartoon of the businessman, which the other passengers enjoy. The story ends with a sense of shared amusement and lingering discomfort over the businessman’s unkindness.
Textbook solutions
Exercise 1
Tick the correct answer from the given alternatives:
1. The author was on his way from Faizabad railway station to
A. Delhi
B. Kolkata
C. Lucknow
D. Ahmedabad
Answer: C. Lucknow
2. From the water pump, the passengers were filling up their
A. water bottles
B. earthen pitchers
C. brass jugs
D. steel buckets
Answer: B. earthen pitchers
3. The gentleman who came up to the author’s compartment looked like a
A. businessman
B. doctor
C. teacher
D. postman
Answer: A. businessman
4. The price the vendor asked for the bananas was
A. two annas
B. four annas
C. six annas
D. eight annas
Answer: A. two annas
5. The author drew the cartoon of
A. fruit vendor
B. monkey
C. porter
D. Sethji
Answer: D. Sethji
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions within fifteen words:
1. Where did the young monkeys sit?
Answer: On the boughs of neem and tamarind trees.
2. What did the monkey do to the loin cloth of the pious person?
Answer: Snatched it away while he was taking a bath under the pump.
3. What did Sethji’s luggage include?
Answer: A big steel trunk, several small baskets, and a brass jug.
4. Why, according to the fruit vendor, were the monkeys disturbing the passengers?
Answer: Because they were hungry.
Exercise 3
Answer the following question within twenty-five words:
1. What was the businessman wearing?
Answer: He was wearing a white muslin dhoti, a delicate tunic, and an embroidered cap.
2. What did the monkey do after accepting the fruit vendor’s bargain?
Answer: The monkey took the bananas with its right hand and released the embroidered cap with its left hand.
3. How did the whole amusing episode end?
Answer: It ended with a bitter sense of grievance against the rich businessman for being unkind to the vendor.
Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions:
1. _________ sun rises in the east.
Answer: The
Explanation: “The” is used here because we are talking about the specific sun, which everyone knows. Whenever we talk about a unique thing that is one of a kind, like the sun or the moon, we use “the” to show it is special.
2. The dog jumped _________ the log.
Answer: over
Explanation: “Over” is the correct preposition here because it describes the movement of the dog going above the log. Prepositions like “over” help us understand the direction or position of something. For example, “The bird flew over the tree.”
3. I love to watch _________ one-day match.
Answer: a
Explanation: “A” is used here because we are talking about any one-day match in general, not a specific one. We use “a” before words that begin with a consonant sound when talking about something general or nonspecific. For example, “I saw a bird.”
4. _________ a pen, Tiya also has an eraser.
Answer: Besides
Explanation: “Besides” is correct because it means “in addition to,” showing that Tiya has an eraser as well as a pen. Prepositions like “besides” add more information about what someone has. For example, “Besides an apple, I also have a banana.”
Exercise 5
(a) Mr. Khan is known to me.
Answer: I know Mr. Khan.
Explanation: To change from passive voice to active voice, the subject and object switch places. In the original sentence, “Mr. Khan” is the subject, but in the active voice, “I” becomes the subject, and “Mr. Khan” becomes the object.
(b) Trina had composed a poem.
Answer: A poem had been composed by Trina.
Explanation: This is a change from active voice to passive voice. The object, “a poem,” becomes the subject in the passive voice, and the verb “had composed” changes to “had been composed” to maintain proper tense.
(c) I will always remember you.
Answer: You will always be remembered by me.
Explanation: To change from active to passive voice, the object “you” becomes the subject, and the verb “will remember” changes to “will be remembered” to maintain the future tense.
(d) They have made him the President of the club.
Answer: He has been made the President of the club by them.
Explanation: In the passive voice, the object “him” becomes the subject, and the verb “have made” changes to “has been made” to preserve the present perfect tense. The agent “by them” is optional but included for clarity.
Exercise 6
(a) They __________ __________ their puja vacation in the hills. (spend)
Answer: They have spent their puja vacation in the hills.
Explanation: The present perfect tense, “have spent,” is used here because it indicates that the action of spending their vacation has been completed recently or has relevance to the present.
(b) We __________ __________ in this city for over ten years. (live)
Answer: We have been living in this city for over ten years.
Explanation: The present perfect continuous tense, “have been living,” is used because the action of living in the city started in the past and continues into the present, with the duration (over ten years) specified.
(c) I __________ just __________ reading the book. (finish)
Answer: I have just finished reading the book.
Explanation: The present perfect tense, “have finished,” is appropriate here because the action (finishing the book) has been completed very recently, as indicated by the word “just.”
(d) The project __________ __________ __________ by June next year. (complete)
Answer: The project will have been completed by June next year.
Explanation: The future perfect tense, “will have been completed,” is used to show that the project will be finished by a specific point in the future (June next year).
Exercise 7
(a) Rahul said, “Alas! Brazil has lost the match.”
Answer: Rahul exclaimed with sorrow that Brazil had lost the match.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the exclamation “Alas!” is replaced with the phrase “exclaimed with sorrow” to convey the emotion. The verb tense changes from “has lost” to “had lost” because of the rules of reported speech.
(b) “Let us go for a walk,” said Shabnam to Chandni.
Answer: Shabnam suggested to Chandni that they should go for a walk.
Explanation: In indirect speech, “Let us” becomes “suggested that they should,” as it indicates a proposal or suggestion. The pronouns are adjusted appropriately based on the speaker and listener.
(c) “Good morning, madam,” said the students to the teacher.
Answer: The students greeted the teacher good morning.
Explanation: In indirect speech, greetings like “Good morning” are converted into the verb “greeted.” The formality of addressing “madam” is conveyed by “the teacher.”
(d) My father said to me, “Do not pluck flowers.”
Answer: My father advised me not to pluck flowers.
Explanation: In indirect speech, commands or prohibitions like “Do not” are changed to “advised not to,” reflecting the tone and intent of the statement. The word “advised” is used to indicate the instructional nature of the statement.
Exercise 8
Write a story in about 100 words using the given hints. Give a suitable title to the story:
Hints: two cats find a piece of bread—fight over it—monkey arrives—decides to settle the dispute—monkey breaks the bread into two—uneven size—eats a portion from the larger share—dispute continues—monkey eats both pieces of bread
Answer: The Monkey’s Trick
One sunny afternoon in a quiet corner of Amritsar, two cats, Meenu and Ramu, found a piece of bread near a tea stall. Both wanted it, and soon, a fight broke out. They scratched and hissed, neither willing to share.
A monkey sitting on a neem tree nearby noticed them. He climbed down and offered to help. The monkey broke the bread into two pieces, but one was bigger than the other. “Let me fix this,” he said, biting the larger piece. The pieces still looked uneven, so he kept nibbling.
Before long, he had eaten all the bread and scampered away, leaving the cats stunned and hungry.
Exercise 9
Using the following points write a paragraph in about 100 words on how your locality looks like at dawn:
your place of stay—early morning sky—description of the nature around—sounds that are heard—reasons for enjoyment—conclusion
Answer: A Serene Morning in Pune
I live in a quiet neighbourhood in Pune. At dawn, the sky is painted in soft shades of orange and pink as the sun rises. The trees in the nearby park glisten with dew, and flowers gently sway in the cool breeze. Birds chirp melodiously, while the occasional crow caws from a rooftop. Stray dogs stretch lazily, and the faint sound of temple bells can be heard in the distance.
The fresh air and serene atmosphere make the mornings enjoyable, offering a peaceful start to the day. Dawn here feels like nature’s calm embrace before the city awakens to its buzz.
Extras
Additional MCQs
1. What was the author’s destination from Faizabad railway station?
A. Delhi
B. Kolkata
C. Lucknow
D. Ahmedabad
Answer: C. Lucknow
2. What were the passengers filling up at the water pump?
A. Water bottles
B. Earthen pitchers
C. Brass jugs
D. Steel buckets
Answer: B. Earthen pitchers
3. Who was the gentleman that came up to the compartment?
A. Businessman
B. Doctor
C. Teacher
D. Postman
Answer: A. Businessman
4. How much did the fruit vendor ask for the bananas?
A. Two annas
B. Four annas
C. Six annas
D. Eight annas
Answer: A. Two annas
5. Whom did the author draw a cartoon of?
A. Fruit vendor
B. Monkey
C. Porter
D. Sethji
Answer: D. Sethji
6. What did the businessman wear on his head?
A. Woollen cap
B. Embroidered cap
C. Plain cap
D. Silk cap
Answer: B. Embroidered cap
7. What did the monkey initially snatch from the businessman?
A. Loin cloth
B. Embroidered cap
C. Food
D. Bag
Answer: B. Embroidered cap
8. How did the fruit vendor coax the monkey to return the cap?
A. With peanuts
B. By clapping
C. By offering bananas
D. By throwing stones
Answer: C. By offering bananas
9. How many annas did Sethji finally throw at the fruit vendor?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: A. One
10. What did the author and other passengers feel about Sethji’s behaviour?
A. Amused
B. Supportive
C. Sympathetic to the vendor
D. Indifferent
Answer: C. Sympathetic to the vendor
11. What did the monkeys collect on the platform?
A. Pebbles
B. Half-sucked mango stones
C. Small leaves
D. Train tickets
Answer: B. Half-sucked mango stones
12. Where did the young monkeys sit?
A. On the ground
B. On the boughs of neem and tamarind trees
C. On the train roof
D. Near the water pump
Answer: B. On the boughs of neem and tamarind trees
13. What did the monkey snatch from the pious man at the pump?
A. His turban
B. His bag
C. His loin cloth
D. His earthen pitcher
Answer: C. His loin cloth
14. How did the monkey return the loin cloth to the bather?
A. By throwing it on the ground
B. By handing it to the fruit vendor
C. By dropping it from the neem tree
D. By placing it near the pump
Answer: C. By dropping it from the neem tree
15. What did Sethji wear besides his embroidered cap?
A. Cotton shirt and trousers
B. Muslin dhoti and delicate tunic
C. Silk robe and sandals
D. Woollen kurta and shawl
Answer: B. Muslin dhoti and delicate tunic
16. What did the porter carry for Sethji?
A. A steel trunk, baskets, and a brass jug
B. Two suitcases and a water bottle
C. Only a small backpack
D. A wooden chest and a food packet
Answer: A. A steel trunk, baskets, and a brass jug
17. How did Sethji respond to the vendor’s plea for payment?
A. He ignored him completely
B. He offered two annas immediately
C. He angrily threw one anna at him
D. He gave the full amount generously
Answer: C. He angrily threw one anna at him
18. What did the fruit vendor do when the train began moving?
A. Walked away silently
B. Pleaded with Sethji through the window
C. Sat down on the platform
D. Shouted at Sethji
Answer: B. Pleaded with Sethji through the window
19. What was the reaction of the passengers to Sethji’s behaviour?
A. They supported him
B. They scolded the vendor
C. They laughed at Sethji
D. They sympathised with the vendor
Answer: D. They sympathised with the vendor
20. What did the author do to express his opinion about Sethji?
A. Wrote a complaint
B. Drew a cartoon of Sethji
C. Spoke out against him
D. Gave money to the vendor
Answer: B. Drew a cartoon of Sethji
Additional questions and answers
1. Where was the narrator traveling?
Answer: From Faizabad railway station to Lucknow.
2. What did the narrator do while waiting for the train?
Answer: Sat on a bench watching monkeys.
3. What did the monkeys collect on the platform?
Answer: Half-sucked mango stones and food remainders.
4. What tree did the monkeys climb after stealing food?
Answer: Neem tree.
5. What seat did the narrator secure on the train?
Answer: A window seat overlooking the platform.
6. What caused amusement among the passengers?
Answer: A monkey snatched the bather’s loin cloth.
7. What was the businessman wearing?
Answer: A white muslin dhoti, a tunic, and an embroidered cap.
8. What did the monkey snatch from the businessman?
Answer: His embroidered cap.
9. Who offered to retrieve the businessman’s cap?
Answer: A fruit vendor.
10. What did the vendor offer the monkey in exchange for the cap?
Answer: Bananas.
11. How did Sethji compensate the fruit vendor?
Answer: By throwing an anna towards him.
12. What did the other passengers feel about Sethji?
Answer: Sympathy for the fruit vendor and grievance against Sethji.
13. What did the narrator draw?
Answer: A cartoon of Sethji.
14. How did the passengers react to the cartoon?
Answer: They laughed.
15. How did the monkeys behave at the railway station?
Answer: The monkeys frolicked on trees and the platform, collecting food remnants.
16. Why was the narrator amused while waiting for the train?
Answer: A monkey snatched the loin cloth of a man bathing under a pump.
17. What happened when the businessman’s cap was snatched?
Answer: The monkey climbed a neem tree, and the businessman shouted in frustration.
18. How did the vendor retrieve the cap?
Answer: By coaxing the monkey with bananas, he successfully exchanged the cap.
19. What was Sethji’s attitude toward paying the vendor and the porter?
Answer: He was reluctant and scornful, giving minimal payment begrudgingly.
20. How did the train passengers view Sethji’s behavior?
Answer: They sympathized with the vendor and disapproved of Sethji’s actions.
21. What was the final reaction of the narrator and passengers?
Answer: They laughed at a cartoon of Sethji, making him uncomfortable.
22. How did the narrator spend time before the train arrived?
Answer: The narrator arrived at Faizabad station half an hour early and sat on a bench watching monkeys. The monkeys frolicked on the trees and the platform, collecting food remnants like half-sucked mango stones. The younger monkeys were on neem and tamarind tree branches, ready to jump at visible food. This observation kept the narrator engaged until the train was announced by the station bell.
23. What incident caused amusement among the passengers at the station?
Answer: A monkey snatched the loin cloth of a man bathing under a water pump, causing great amusement. The man pleaded with the monkey to return the cloth. Eventually, the monkey generously threw the loin cloth down from the neem tree. This incident entertained the spectators and highlighted the mischievous nature of the monkeys.
24. Describe the businessman who boarded the train.
Answer: The businessman appeared wealthy and well-dressed. He wore a white muslin dhoti, a delicate tunic, and an embroidered cap. A porter carried his luggage, which included a large steel trunk, several small baskets, and a brass jug. He was shouting impatiently at the porter to hurry with the luggage, showing his authoritative demeanor.
25. What was the monkey’s second mischief involving the businessman?
Answer: The same monkey that had snatched the loin cloth earlier leapt down from the train compartment and took the businessman’s embroidered cap. It climbed the neem tree with the cap, causing the businessman great distress. Despite his shouting and threats, the monkey remained distant, adding to the platform’s amusement.
26. How did the fruit vendor manage to retrieve the businessman’s cap?
Answer: The fruit vendor approached the monkey with bananas. Coaxing it with soft calls like “Ao, ao,” he managed to lure the monkey to a lower branch. The monkey hesitated but eventually accepted the bananas in exchange for the cap, which it released. This action brought relief to the businessman and earned applause from the crowd.
27. What was Sethji’s reaction to paying the fruit vendor?
Answer: Sethji was reluctant to pay the fruit vendor. When the vendor asked for two annas for the bananas used to retrieve the cap, Sethji shouted in disgust. He threw a single anna towards the vendor and ignored further pleas, showing his dismissive and miserly attitude. His behavior drew criticism from the passengers.
28. How did the passengers express their disapproval of Sethji?
Answer: The passengers sympathized with the fruit vendor and were annoyed by Sethji’s unfairness. The narrator drew a cartoon of Sethji and shared it with the other passengers, excluding Sethji. This gesture made everyone laugh and further embarrassed Sethji, who became increasingly uncomfortable.
