Question 1

“ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?

Accepted Answer

The doctor heard the sound of rats. The sound was a familiar one. He heard this sound four times. The phrases are ‘Again I heard that sound from above’, ‘Again came that noise from above’, ‘Suddenly there came a dull thud as if a rubber tube has fallen’. The sounds stopped after the appearance of the snake.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 2

What two “important” and “earth¬shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?

Accepted Answer

The doctor took the following two ‘important’ and ‘earth shaking’ decisions:(a) He would shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.(b) He would always keep that attractive smile on his face.More Resources for CBSE Class 9NCERT SolutionsNCERT Solutions Class 9 MathsNCERT Solutions Class 9 ScienceNCERT Solutions Class 9 Social ScienceNCERT Solutions Class 9 EnglishNCERT Solutions Class 9 HindiNCERT Solutions Class 9 SanskritNCERT Solutions Class 9 ITRD Sharma Class 9 Solutions

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 3

“I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?

Accepted Answer

The doctor thought that he had a good smile when he first smiled. But when he smiled a little later, he laughed at his destiny. His life was in danger. His thoughts got changed because of the snake. He was quite near to death.II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous?(Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below).Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 4

The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

Accepted Answer

The doctor is a poor man. He does not have much money. His house has no electricity. It is a small rented room which has many rats. He has about sixty rupees in his suitcase. Along with some shirts and dhotis, he also possesses one solitary black coat.He wants to be a handsome person. So he decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache. He also wishes to accumulate wealth.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 5

The person he wants to marry
The person he actually marries

Accepted Answer

He intends to marry a woman doctor who has plenty of money and a good medical practice. He wishes to have a fat wife so that she cannot run after him and catch him when he would make a mistake.The person he actually marries is a thin reedy person with the gift of a sprinter.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 6

His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm

Accepted Answer

He thinks that he should look smart. So he decides to shave daily and retain his smile. He is happy and contented when he looks into the mirror.When the snake coiled around his left arm above the elbow, he kept sitting there holding his breath. He became motionless. He was afraid of the snake.Thinking about language(Page 61)

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 7

Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were very scared. You may have a competition to decide whose story was the most frightening.

Accepted Answer

For self-attempt.Dictation(Page 63)The following paragraph is about the Indian Cobra. Read it twice and close your book. Your teacher will then dictate the paragraph to you. Write it down with appropriate punctuation marks.The Indian cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes, known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras are recognized by the heads that they flare when angry or disturbed; the heads are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras’ heads. Obviously the best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. This is facilitated by the fact that humans are not the natural prey of any venomous snake. We are a bit large for them to swallow whole and they have no means of chopping us up into bite-size pieces. Nearly all snakebites in humans are the result of a snake defending itself when it feels threatened. In general snakes are shy and will simply leave if you give them a chance.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 8

Try to rewrite the story without its humour, merely as a frightening incident. What details or parts of the story would you leave out?

Accepted Answer

Do yourself.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Try, Rewrite, Story, Without, Humour, Merely. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q14: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw...
Q15: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 9

Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India, 4 September 1999). Make up a story about what the monkey is thinking, or why it is looking into a mirror. Write a paragraph about it.
The fairest of them all
A monkey preens itself using a piece of mirror, in the Delhi ridge.
(‘To preen oneself ’ means to spend a lot of time making oneself look attractive, and then admiring one’s appearance. The word is used in disapproval.)

Accepted Answer

It was a sunny day. A monkey was walking in the garden. Fortunately he came to the comer of the garden and found a piece of miiTor. The monkey started looking in the mirror. First of all he looked his face in the mirror and was very happy. He thought that God has given him a human face. Again he looked his hands and fingers in the mirror. He was very proud because he realised that his hands were long and he could hold things easily. At last he decided to look his body in the mirror. This time he was not so much happy because it was full of hair. The monkey was sad and his hands started trembling. Unfortunately, the mirror fell down from his hand and broke into several pieces. When he tried to look his face in the pieces of mirror, he saw his cut faces. This time he became angry and left the place.Translation(Page 64)The text you read is a translation of a story by a well-known Malayalam writer, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.In translating a story from one language to another, a translator must keep the content intact. However, the language and the style differ in different translations of the same text.– Here are two translations of the opening paragraphs of a novel by the Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami. Read them and answer the questions given below :ABWhen the phone rang I was in the kitchen, boiling a potful of spa­ghetti and whistling along with FM broad­cast of the overture to Rossini’s The Thiev­ing Magpie, which has to be the perfect music for cooking pasta.I wanted to ignore the phone, not only because the spaghetti was nearly done, but because Claudio Ab- bado was bringing the London Symphony to its musical climax.I’m in the kitchen cooking spaghetti when the woman calls. Another moment until the spaghetti is done ; there I am, whistling the prelude to Rossini s La Gazza Ladra along with the FM radio. Perfect spaghetti­cooking music!I hear the telephone ring but tell myself, Ignore it. Let the spa­ghetti finish cooking. It’s almost done, and besides, Claudio Ab- bado and the London Symphony Orchestra are coming to a cre­scendo.Compare the two translations on the basis of the following points :the tense of narration (past and present tense)short, incomplete sentencessentence lengthWhich of these translations do you like? Give reasons for your choice.Answer:The tense of narration (past and present tense)Opinion:In Column A, sentences are written in the past tense whereas in Column B, they are written in the future tense.Short, incomplete sentences Opinion: In Column B short sentences are used. They are framed in the present tense.Sentence lengthOpinion :The Column B has short sentences. They are simple and easily comprehensible. Besides, they are framed in the present tense.Reason :I like the paragraph marked as B. The sentences are framed in the present tense. They give out clear-cut ideas in its simple form. We can easily remember the facts expressed in the present tense.Extract Based Questions (3 marks each)Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 10

It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw its reflection. I do not claim that it was the first snake that ever looked into the mirror. But it was certain » that the snake was looking into the mirror. Was it admiring its own beauty ? Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead ?
Where did the snake move its head ?
Why did the narrator call

Accepted Answer

The snake moved its head towards the mirror.The narrator calls it the “first snake” because this was the first snake he had seen which enjoyed looking into the mirror.Admiring.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Seemed, God, Appreciated, Snake, Turned, Head. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q15: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we...
Q16: I didn’t jump. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any such thing. The...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 11

“I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we had little to carry.”
Why did narrator want to remove his things ?
Why was there little to carry ?
Write the opposite of “friend”.

Accepted Answer

The narrator wanted to remove his things as he wanted to leave his house because of the fear. of the snake.There was little to carry because thieves had stolen his things.Foe.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Took, Friend, Others, Room, Move, Things. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q14: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw...
Q16: I didn’t jump. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any such thing. The...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 12

I didn’t jump. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any such thing. The snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm above the elbow. The hood was spread out and its head was hardly three or four inch from my face!
It would not be correct to say merely that I sat there holding my breath I was turned to stone.
Why did the author not jump, tremble and cry ?
Did the snake bit the speaker ? What was his reaction ?
What does the word “tremble” from the above

Accepted Answer

The author did not jump, tremble and cry because a snake had fallen on his shoulders.No, the snake did not bite the speaker. He said, “Oh!” He had a relief as he was not bitten by the snake.Shiver.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 13

The snake unwound itself from my arm and slowly slithered into my lap. From there it crept onto the table and moved towards the mirror. Perhaps it wanted to enjoy its reflection at closer quarters.
Where did the snake settle after uncoiling from the writer’s arm ?
Why did the snake move towards the mirror ?
What does the word “slithered” mean ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-041)

Accepted Answer

The snake settled in the writer’s lap after uncoiling from the writer’s arm.The snake moved towards the mirror to have a closer look of its image.Crept.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Snake, Unwound, Itself, Arm, Slowly, Slithered. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q14: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw...
Q15: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 14

I did not tremble. I didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any such thing. The snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm above the elbow. The hood was spread out and its head was hardly three or four inches from my facet.
What did the snake do to him (doctor) ?
How far was death from him ?
Find a word from th$ passage which means the same as “stretched”.
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-023)

Accepted Answer

The snake coiled around his left arm above the elbow and spread out its hood’Death was just three or four inches away from him.Spread.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Tremble, Didn, Cry, Out, There, Time. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q14: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw...
Q15: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 15

What was the doctor thinking while he was seated before the mirror ?
(SA-1,2014-15)

Accepted Answer

The doctor thought of various medicine he had and if any medicine was good enough to save him if the snake did bite him. He also realized that God had punished him for being so proud and arrogant.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 16

Why did the doctor run from his house ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-014)
Or
Why did the doctor run away to his friend’s house ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-052)

Accepted Answer

From writer’s arm the snake slithered into his lap, crept onto the table and then moved towards the mirror. The writer revived, got up from the chair and leapt into the yard and ran to his friend’s house to save his life.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 17

How did the doctor show the presence of mind when he encountered the snake ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-021)

Accepted Answer

The doctor showed great presence of mind on seeing the snake: He neither jumped nor cried out.He sat on the chair holding his breath. His body was still but his mind remained very active.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Doctor, Presence, Mind, Encountered, Snake, Board. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q14: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw...
Q15: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 18

How did the snake change the writer’s opinion about himself ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-025)

Accepted Answer

The writer was proud of being a doctor. Coming face-to-face with the snake made him humble. Hethought he was only a poor and stupid doctor who should not be proud of his profession.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Snake, Change, Writer, Opinion, Himself, Board. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Related Questions from The Snake and the MirrorQ1: “ The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many...
Q11: Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were...
Q13: Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India,...
Q14: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw...
Q15: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we...
Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 19

While looking into the mirror, what important and earth-shaking decisions did the doctor make ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-027)
Or
What were the two important decisions taken by the doctor while looking into the mirror ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-039)

Accepted Answer

The important decision m^de by the doctor was that he would shave daily and grow a thin moustache, to look more handsome.The earth-shaking decision made by the doctor was that he would always keep that attractive smile on his face.

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.

Question 20

What did the doctor do on seeing the snake ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-029)

Accepted Answer

The doctor saw the snake’s reflection in the mirror. He, then, went to have a closer look. He got up from the chair and ran away from the house.

Source: This question is from The Snake and the Mirror, English &mdash; Class 9, CBSE Board.
Key Concepts CoveredThis question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter The Snake and the Mirror: Doctor, Seeing, Snake, Board, Term, Eli. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This QuestionRead the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to RememberUse quotations from the text to support your points.
Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
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Practice more questions from The Snake and the Mirror &mdash; English, Class 9 CBSE

Overview: The Snake and the Mirror
A young homeopathic doctor, living alone in a small room, sits before a mirror one night admiring his appearance and making plans about his future wife. A cobra falls from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Terrified and frozen, he cannot move. The snake eventually slides off and moves towards the mirror, apparently admiring its own reflection. The doctor escapes. When he returns, his room has been robbed — everything taken except a dirty vest. The story uses self-deprecating humour to explore vanity and fear.

Key Points

Narrator is a young, vain homeopathic doctor living alone
Sits before a mirror admiring himself; plans to find a wife
A full-blooded cobra falls from the ceiling onto his shoulder
The snake coils around his arm — he freezes in terror
He reflects on the irony: he was thinking about beauty while facing death
The snake slides off and moves towards the mirror
The snake appears to admire its own reflection — comic irony
The doctor escapes; returns to find room robbed
Only a dirty vest was left — thieves took everything else
Themes: vanity, fear, humour in adversity, self-awareness

Frequently Asked Questions
What was the narrator doing when the snake appeared?The narrator was sitting before a mirror, admiring his appearance. He was thinking about how to make himself more handsome and was planning what kind of wife he would marry — one who would be fat so she could not run after him if he made mistakes.
What is the significance of the mirror?The mirror symbolises vanity. The narrator admires himself in it, and later the snake appears to do the same. The story gently mocks human (and perhaps even animal) vanity.

Common Mistakes

Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.