In this post, ‘A House Is Not a Home Question Answer Class 9’, we’ll read NCERT Solutions for A House Is Not a Home Class 9th English Moments Chapter 8. Below are clear, exam-friendly answers to each Think About It & Talk About It question (based directly on the NCERT text). I’ve kept them precise so you can write them easily in the exam. You can also read the Summary of A House Is Not a Home to understand these questions better.
A House Is Not a Home Think About It
Q1. What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Ans. One Sunday afternoon, while the author was sitting at the dining table doing his homework, he noticed smoke coming through the seams of the ceiling. Soon, the entire room filled with thick smoke, and the house caught fire.
Both he and his mother rushed out, but his mother ran back inside the burning house twice, first to save a small metal box containing important documents, and then again to rescue photographs and letters of his late father. Though the author screamed for her to stop, she was determined to save those precious memories. Finally, the firefighters brought her out safely.
Q2. Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
Ans. After the fire, the author saw his entire house destroyed. Everything, his belongings, schoolbag, books, and clothes, was gone. But what hurt him most was the loss of his beloved cat, who had disappeared during the fire.
The combined pain of losing his home, possessions, and pet overwhelmed him. He felt that everything he loved had been taken away, and he cried uncontrollably out of grief and helplessness.
Q3. Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
Ans. The next day, the author had to go to school wearing borrowed clothes and tennis shoes from his aunt. He had no books, homework, or backpack; all had burned in the fire. He felt out of place, awkward, and humiliated.
He was afraid that everyone would make fun of him or judge him. His feelings are shown through words like “I walked around like a zombie,” “I felt like an outcast and a geek,” and “I just wanted to curl up and die.” These expressions reveal his deep fear, insecurity, and loneliness.
Q4. The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Ans. The author had rescued the cat when it was a small kitten, and since then, it always stayed close to him. The cat would sit on his papers while he studied, play with his pen, and sleep near him. This showed their close emotional bond.
After the fire, the cat got frightened and ran away. It went more than a mile away from home. A kind woman found the cat, took care of it, and tried to locate its owner. Later, she brought the cat back to the author, knowing that it was loved and missed. When the author saw his cat again, he was overwhelmed with joy and relief.
Q5. What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
Ans. When his classmates and teachers learned about his loss, they collected clothes, school supplies, and other items for him. They set up a table full of gifts and essentials and gave them to him with kindness and love.
Many students, who had never spoken to him before, came up to introduce themselves and invite him to their homes. This genuine care and support made him feel accepted and loved. His loneliness disappeared, and he started participating in school activities, making new friends, and feeling positive again. He realised that people are kind and that life always gives new chances.
Q6. What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
Ans. The line “My cat was back and so was I” is symbolic. It means that when the cat returned, the author regained his lost happiness, hope, and spirit.
He hadn’t gone anywhere physically, but emotionally he had been lost, sad, lonely, and disconnected after the fire. The return of his cat and the kindness of people around him helped him heal. He felt like his old, cheerful self again. It marked his emotional recovery and a new beginning in life.
A House Is Not a Home Talk About It
Question: Have any of your classmates/schoolmates had an experience like the one described in the story where they needed help? Describe how they were helped.
Below is a model answer for the Talk About It question written in simple, natural language.
Yes, one of my classmates once had an experience similar to the one described in the story. His family’s house caught fire due to an electrical short circuit one night. Luckily, everyone escaped safely, but they lost most of their belongings, including clothes, books, and important papers.
When our class teacher told us about the incident, all the students came together to help. We collected money to buy him new school uniforms, books, and stationery. Some teachers also contributed. A few parents helped his family find temporary accommodation.
Our class made sure that he didn’t feel alone or embarrassed. We treated him with care and encouraged him to return to school soon. When he finally came back, everyone welcomed him warmly. He said that our kindness gave him courage and made him feel hopeful again.
This incident taught us that helping others in their time of need gives real meaning to friendship and humanity. Even small acts of care can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Read all chapter: NCERT Solutions for Class 9th English