Skip to content

ICSE 9 Comprehension: Answers and 50-Word Summary

questionbuddy.in/icse/class-9/english-language/comprehension-and-summary/vocabulary-short-answers-and-the-fifty-word-summary

English LanguageICSE Class 9 · Comprehension and Summary

ICSE Class 9 Comprehension and Summary: Meanings, Short Answers and the 50-Word Summary

Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Question 4 gives an unseen passage of about 500 words. Choose word meanings by testing each option in the sentence, pick the opposite in the same part of speech, answer each short question in your own words with as many points as the marks, copy exactly one sentence for a "Which sentence tells us" item, and write a connected summary of the named part in not more than 50 words, covering about six points.

Notice that the summary and short answers carry 17 of the 20 marks, and the summary's 8 marks come from 6 content points plus style within 50 words.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9)

Layout. The chapter page describes the board layout as 20 marks: two word meanings in context (2), one opposite (1), five short answers (9) and a summary of not more than 50 words (8: six content points and two for expression). Your school sets the Class IX paper on the same syllabus.

Word meaning in context. Several options may be real meanings of the word. Read the whole sentence, replace the word with each option and choose the one that keeps the sense.

Opposites. First fix the meaning of the given word, then pick the option that reverses it and has the same part of speech.

Short answers. Return to the passage and answer only what is asked. A 2-mark question usually needs two points, or a what and a why. Use your own words. For "Why do you think...?" give a reason supported by the text, not outside knowledge.

Which sentence tells us...? Copy exactly one complete sentence, word for word, in quotation marks with its original punctuation. Quoting two sentences, a phrase, or turning it into indirect speech loses the mark.

Summary. Read the instruction twice because it names the idea or section. Bracket only those lines, list one point per line in passage order, and drop examples, figures of speech and repetition. Draft, count and trim: replace phrases with single words, join points with connectors, keep articles and write connected sentences. A summary is a ceiling of 50 words, not a target to be exceeded.

Method. Read the passage once for the gist, read the questions, then read again with the questions in mind.

Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9): key facts

Board layout
  • Meanings 2 marks
  • Opposite 1 mark
  • Short answers 9 marks
  • Summary 8 marks
Total 20 marks per the chapter page.
Summary steps
  • Bracket the lines
  • List six points
  • Draft
  • Count
  • Trim
Not more than 50 words.
Short answers
  • Marks = points
  • Own words
  • Evidence from the text
No outside knowledge.
Exact sentence
  • One full sentence
  • Same words
  • Same punctuation
  • Quotation marks
Never two sentences.

How to answer Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9) questions

Use this for an unseen passage.

  1. 1Skim the passage for the gist and read all questions.
  2. 2Answer vocabulary items by testing each option in the sentence.
  3. 3Answer each short question from the text in your own words with as many points as the marks.
  4. 4For the exact-sentence item copy one complete sentence.
  5. 5List six points for the summary, write a connected draft, count the words and trim.

Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9) in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Summarising a notice for a younger sibling

Suppose a student must tell a younger brother, in a few words, what a long school circular about a trip says.

Which comprehension skill is used and what must be left out?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Find the main points: date, place, cost, what to bring.
  2. Leave out repetition and examples.
  3. Say it in connected sentences, in order.

Answer: The skill is summary: keep the main ideas in order and drop examples, repetition and decoration.

Memory hook: Main points only.

Tricks to remember Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9)

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Swap and test

    Put each option into the sentence in place of the word.

    Use it when: Meaning in context.

  • Marks equal points

    A 2-mark answer needs two points.

    Use it when: Short answers.

  • Six and trim

    Six points, draft, count, trim.

    Use it when: Summary.

Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9): solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Meaning in context · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

In the sentence "The old clock was a relic of his grandfather's time", the word relic most nearly means:
(a) a broken toy (b) a surviving object from the past (c) a loud noise (d) a new gift

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Replace relic with each option (0.5)
  2. Only option b fits (0.5).

Answer: (b) a surviving object from the past.

Example 2: Opposite · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Which word is the opposite of scarce? (a) rare (b) plentiful (c) tiny (d) costly

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Scarce means little (0.5)
  2. Scarce means in short supply; the opposite is plentiful (0.5). Option (a) rare is a synonym, not an opposite.

Answer: (b) plentiful.

Example 3: Short answer in own words (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

From a passage: "Meena stayed back every evening to clean the lab, not because she was told to, but because she could not bear to leave it untidy." Why did Meena clean the lab? Answer in your own words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Not instructed (1)
  2. Inner reason (1)
  3. Own words (1).

Answer: No one asked her to; she did it by choice because an untidy lab troubled her.

Example 4: Exact sentence (2 marks) · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

From a passage: "The bus stopped suddenly. Did anyone see the child? A woman shouted for help." Which sentence tells us that someone was looking for a child? Write the exact words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Pick one sentence (1)
  2. Copy it exactly with its question mark (1).

Answer: "Did anyone see the child?"

Example 5: Summarise (8 marks) · 8 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Summarise in not more than 50 words: "Parks in the town were once crowded, but a new mall and a busy road have taken their space. Children now play indoors on screens. Residents have asked the council to protect the last green plot and add trees along the road." Summarise what has happened to the parks and what residents want.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Parks lost space (1)
  2. Mall and road (1)
  3. Children indoors (1)
  4. Residents ask council (1)
  5. Protect plot (1)
  6. Add trees (1)
  7. Own words, within 50 words (2).

Answer: The town's parks have shrunk because a mall and a busy road occupy the space, so children now stay indoors. Residents have therefore asked the council to protect the last green plot and plant trees along the road.

Where students lose marks in Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9)

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Choosing a meaning without checking the sentence

    Several options are real meanings.

    Wrong working

    Picking the first familiar meaning.

    Right working

    Testing each option in the sentence.

    Do this: Substitute and read aloud.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Quoting two sentences

    The item asks for one.

    Wrong working

    "Did anyone see the child? A woman shouted."

    Right working

    "Did anyone see the child?"

    Do this: Stop at the full stop or question mark.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Over-length summary

    Points are not trimmed.

    Wrong working

    70 words

    Right working

    50 words or fewer

    Do this: Draft, count and trim.

    Usually costs: Expression marks

Exam tips

  • Test each vocabulary option in the sentence.
  • Give as many points as the marks.
  • Quote one complete sentence exactly.
  • Bracket only the lines asked for in the summary.
  • Count the summary and trim to the limit.

Practice questions on Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9)

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    For the item "Which sentence tells us..." you should:
    (a) copy two sentences (b) write a phrase (c) copy one complete sentence exactly (d) use indirect speech

    Hint

    Think of what is penalised.

    Answer

    (c) copy one complete sentence exactly.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

    A 2-mark question asks "Why was the shopkeeper worried?" What should your answer contain? (2 marks)

    Hint

    Marks equal points.

    Answer

    Two points: what he feared and the reason for it, in your own words and from the text.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Write the opposite of reluctant (same part of speech) and use both words in separate sentences. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Same part of speech.

    Answer

    Willing. She was reluctant to speak; her brother was willing to help.

  4. Q4 · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Passage: "The village well had gone dry. Women now walked three kilometres for water, and the school lost its morning hours because children had to carry pots. A new pump installed by the panchayat changed everything." Summarise in not more than 40 words. (6 marks)

    Hint

    Cause, effect, solution.

    Answer

    The well dried up, so women and children walked far for water and the school lost morning hours. The panchayat's new pump has solved the problem.

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    A pupil answers a 3-mark question by copying a whole paragraph from the passage. Explain why this loses marks and how to answer correctly. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Own words and relevance.

    Answer

    Copying brings in unneeded lines and is not in the pupil's own words. The right way is to pick the relevant points, state them in two or three sentences and add nothing else.

  6. Q6 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

    A summary of 70 words covers the right points but copies phrases and drops articles ("Parks shrink, children play screen"). Identify two faults and say how to correct them. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Think of the limit and expression.

    Answer

    The limit of 50 words is exceeded, and note-style writing without articles is penalised. Trim decorative words, replace phrases with single words, and write connected sentences with articles.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.How long is the passage?Show answer

    About 500 words.

  2. 2.Summary limit?Show answer

    Not more than 50 words, usually.

  3. 3.Marks for the summary in the layout?Show answer

    8: six content and two expression.

  4. 4.Marks for short answers?Show answer

    9 across five questions.

  5. 5.Should a summary use notes?Show answer

    No; write connected sentences.

  6. 6.Is Class IX set by CISCE?Show answer

    No; by the school.

Vocabulary, Short Answers and the Fifty-Word Summary (ICSE Class 9): frequently asked questions

Can I use words from the passage in a summary?

Use your own words as far as possible.

How many points?

About six.

Must I count words?

Yes; the limit is a ceiling.