April 10, 2026
No Comments
Poem 6: A Friend Found in Music
Complete Poem Solutions | CBSE Class 9 English Kaveri
Reflect and Respond
R1DiscussionPage 194
Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. What kind of music do you prefer to listen to—vocal or instrumental?
2. Name your favourite musician(s).
3. Give reasons for your choice.
1. What kind of music do you prefer to listen to—vocal or instrumental?
2. Name your favourite musician(s).
3. Give reasons for your choice.
Suggested Answer:
1. I prefer to listen to instrumental music because it helps me relax and concentrate.
2. My favourite musicians are A.R. Rahman, Zakir Hussain and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.
3. I like their music because it is soulful, peaceful and expressive. Their compositions can change my mood and make me feel calm, cheerful and inspired.
1. I prefer to listen to instrumental music because it helps me relax and concentrate.
2. My favourite musicians are A.R. Rahman, Zakir Hussain and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.
3. I like their music because it is soulful, peaceful and expressive. Their compositions can change my mood and make me feel calm, cheerful and inspired.
Check Your Understanding
1Diary CompletionPage 195
Read the poem again to complete the poet’s diary about her feelings on music. Fill in the blanks with words from the poem.
Answer:
Today, I’ve been thinking about how essential music is to me. It is like an ocean that calls me to its 1. shore. Music is the 2. rhythm that harmonises with my 3. core, moving me in ways I can’t explain. When I feel sad or upset about things, music is the 4. therapy that eases the ache. It is amazing how music has the power to lift my 5. spirits, and give me strength to pull through difficult times. I know that it is the effect of music whenever I feel 6. cheerful. Music is the much 7. needed, dependable friend when there is no one to 8. care. Thank you, my dear music, for being my all-time comfort.
Today, I’ve been thinking about how essential music is to me. It is like an ocean that calls me to its 1. shore. Music is the 2. rhythm that harmonises with my 3. core, moving me in ways I can’t explain. When I feel sad or upset about things, music is the 4. therapy that eases the ache. It is amazing how music has the power to lift my 5. spirits, and give me strength to pull through difficult times. I know that it is the effect of music whenever I feel 6. cheerful. Music is the much 7. needed, dependable friend when there is no one to 8. care. Thank you, my dear music, for being my all-time comfort.
Poem Appreciation
A1Poetic DevicePage 195
The phrase ‘moves me’ in the line ‘That moves me to the core,’ is an example of _____________.
Answer:
The phrase “moves me” is an example of an idiomatic expression. Here, it means that music deeply affects the poet emotionally.
The phrase “moves me” is an example of an idiomatic expression. Here, it means that music deeply affects the poet emotionally.
A2Metaphors and SimilesPage 195
The poet uses metaphors for music. List these metaphors and rewrite them as similes.
Answer:
| Metaphor from the Poem | Simile Form |
|---|---|
| Music is the ocean. | Music is as vast and deep as the ocean. |
| Music is the rhythm. | Music is as rhythmic as a heartbeat. |
| Music is the therapy. | Music is as healing as therapy. |
| Music is the needed friend. | Music is as dependable as a true friend. |
A3Rhyme SchemePage 195
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? What impact does it have?
Answer:
The poem follows the rhyme pattern ABCB DEFE GHIH. In each group of four lines, the second and fourth lines rhyme, such as shore/core, blue/through, and there/care.
This rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical, smooth and memorable quality. It also suits the subject of the poem because the poem itself is about the emotional power of music.
The poem follows the rhyme pattern ABCB DEFE GHIH. In each group of four lines, the second and fourth lines rhyme, such as shore/core, blue/through, and there/care.
This rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical, smooth and memorable quality. It also suits the subject of the poem because the poem itself is about the emotional power of music.
A4RepetitionPage 195
What is the poet’s purpose in using the word ‘music’ repetitively?
Answer:
The poet repeats the word “music” to emphasise its importance in her life. Repetition makes music appear like a constant presence that comforts, heals, supports and uplifts the poet. It also creates rhythm and reinforces the central idea of the poem.
The poet repeats the word “music” to emphasise its importance in her life. Repetition makes music appear like a constant presence that comforts, heals, supports and uplifts the poet. It also creates rhythm and reinforces the central idea of the poem.
A5MessagePage 195
What is the message the poet wishes to convey through the poem?
Answer:
The poet wishes to convey that music is more than entertainment. It can become a source of comfort, healing, emotional strength and companionship. Music helps people overcome sadness, lifts their spirits and acts like a true friend in lonely moments.
The poet wishes to convey that music is more than entertainment. It can become a source of comfort, healing, emotional strength and companionship. Music helps people overcome sadness, lifts their spirits and acts like a true friend in lonely moments.
A6MoodPage 195
Identify the mood of the poem from the options: nostalgic, thoughtful, amused, playful.
Answer:
The mood of the poem is thoughtful. The poet reflects on how music supports her emotionally and helps her through different moments of life.
The mood of the poem is thoughtful. The poet reflects on how music supports her emotionally and helps her through different moments of life.
A7SpeakerPage 195
Give evidence from the poem to support that the speaker is the poet herself.
Answer:
The speaker appears to be the poet herself because the poem uses first-person expressions such as “me”, “I need”, “I feel blue”, “my spirits” and “I pull through”. These expressions show that the poet is sharing her personal feelings about music.
The speaker appears to be the poet herself because the poem uses first-person expressions such as “me”, “I need”, “I feel blue”, “my spirits” and “I pull through”. These expressions show that the poet is sharing her personal feelings about music.
Critical Reflection
CR 1Extract BasedPage 196
Read the extract beginning “Music is the therapy...” and answer the questions.
Answer:
(i) The phrase “feel blue” indicates feeling sad, low or unhappy.
(ii) The line which shows that music makes the poet happy is: “Music lifts my spirits.”
(iii) The last line signifies that music helps the poet overcome difficult times. It gives her strength, courage and emotional support when she feels sad.
(iv) True. Music plays a vital role in the poet’s life.
(v) The central idea of the extract is A. Music brings comfort during sadness.
(i) The phrase “feel blue” indicates feeling sad, low or unhappy.
(ii) The line which shows that music makes the poet happy is: “Music lifts my spirits.”
(iii) The last line signifies that music helps the poet overcome difficult times. It gives her strength, courage and emotional support when she feels sad.
(iv) True. Music plays a vital role in the poet’s life.
(v) The central idea of the extract is A. Music brings comfort during sadness.
CR 2Long AnswerPage 196
Answer the following questions.
1. How is music able to move the poet ‘to the core’?
Music is able to move the poet “to the core” because it touches her deepest emotions. It affects her mind and heart, changes her mood and helps her feel understood. The phrase suggests that music has a powerful emotional influence on her inner self.
2. Why does the poet compare music to a ‘needed friend’?
The poet compares music to a “needed friend” because music supports her when no one else seems to care. Like a true friend, music comforts her in sadness, lifts her spirits and gives her the strength to continue during difficult times.
3. Explain the poet’s attitude towards music.
The poet’s attitude towards music is loving, grateful and deeply appreciative. She sees music as an ocean, rhythm, therapy and friend. This shows that music is essential to her emotional well-being and gives her comfort, joy and strength.
4. Support the opinion that this poem has a universal appeal.
The poem has universal appeal because music is loved and experienced by people across cultures, ages and languages. Many people turn to music when they feel sad, lonely, cheerful or inspired. The emotions expressed in the poem are common to human experience, so readers can easily connect with it.
5. Compare your experience of music with the feelings expressed in the poem.
My experience of music is similar to the poet’s feelings. When I feel tired or low, music helps me relax and feel better. When I am happy, music makes the moment more joyful. Like the poet, I feel that music can act as a companion and give emotional strength.
Music is able to move the poet “to the core” because it touches her deepest emotions. It affects her mind and heart, changes her mood and helps her feel understood. The phrase suggests that music has a powerful emotional influence on her inner self.
2. Why does the poet compare music to a ‘needed friend’?
The poet compares music to a “needed friend” because music supports her when no one else seems to care. Like a true friend, music comforts her in sadness, lifts her spirits and gives her the strength to continue during difficult times.
3. Explain the poet’s attitude towards music.
The poet’s attitude towards music is loving, grateful and deeply appreciative. She sees music as an ocean, rhythm, therapy and friend. This shows that music is essential to her emotional well-being and gives her comfort, joy and strength.
4. Support the opinion that this poem has a universal appeal.
The poem has universal appeal because music is loved and experienced by people across cultures, ages and languages. Many people turn to music when they feel sad, lonely, cheerful or inspired. The emotions expressed in the poem are common to human experience, so readers can easily connect with it.
5. Compare your experience of music with the feelings expressed in the poem.
My experience of music is similar to the poet’s feelings. When I feel tired or low, music helps me relax and feel better. When I am happy, music makes the moment more joyful. Like the poet, I feel that music can act as a companion and give emotional strength.
Vocabulary in Context
V1EmotionsPage 197
Classify the phrases from the poem as positive emotions and negative emotions.
Answer:
| Positive Emotions | Negative Emotions |
|---|---|
| lifts my spirits, most cheerful | feel blue |
V2Word ChoicePage 197
Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct word from those given in brackets.
Answer:
1. The familiar tune stimulated a rush of nostalgia, transporting listeners back to cherished moments from their past.
2. The soulful ballad expressed the singer’s anguish, leaving the audience moved by the intensity of their emotions.
3. The pianist played a soulful melody on the stage, creating an ambience of melancholy.
4. The festive symphony filled the air with jubilant tones, lifting the spirits of everyone present on the joyous occasion.
1. The familiar tune stimulated a rush of nostalgia, transporting listeners back to cherished moments from their past.
2. The soulful ballad expressed the singer’s anguish, leaving the audience moved by the intensity of their emotions.
3. The pianist played a soulful melody on the stage, creating an ambience of melancholy.
4. The festive symphony filled the air with jubilant tones, lifting the spirits of everyone present on the joyous occasion.
V3Phrasal VerbsPages 197–198
Choose the correct meaning from the box for the underlined phrasal verbs.
Answer:
| Sentence | Phrasal Verb | Correct Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| He’s planning to move out of his parents’ house next month. | move out | to leave a place where one has been living |
| Our new neighbours moved in yesterday. | moved in | to begin living in a new home or place |
| I’ve been in this job long enough—it’s time I moved on. | moved on | to start doing or discussing something new |
| Can you move over a bit so I can sit down? | move over | to shift position to make space for someone or something |
| The police officer told the crowd to move along. | move along | to go to a new position, especially in order to make room for other people |
| The bus moved off as soon as all the passengers were seated. | moved off | to start moving; to leave |
V4Phrasal Verb CreationPage 198
Create phrasal verbs from the verbs ‘put’, ‘get’, ‘look’, ‘break’. Find the meanings and make sentences.
Answer:
| Verb | Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| put | put off | postpone | We had to put off the music practice because of heavy rain. |
| put | put up with | tolerate | She cannot put up with loud noise while studying. |
| get | get over | recover from | Music helped him get over his sadness. |
| get | get along | have a friendly relationship | The students get along well during group activities. |
| look | look after | take care of | My sister looks after her musical instruments carefully. |
| look | look up to | admire | I look up to musicians who practise with discipline. |
| break | break down | stop working or lose emotional control | The old speaker broke down during the performance. |
| break | break into | enter suddenly or begin suddenly | The audience broke into applause after the recital. |
Listen and Respond
L1Audio BasedPage 199
Before you listen, read the questions and guess the responses. Then listen to the conversation and check your answers.
Answer:
This is an audio-based task. The exact answers should be checked after listening to the classroom audio or teacher transcript.
Questions:
1. How are the two speakers connected?
Options: parent-child / teacher-student / brother-sister
2. Where is the conversation taking place?
Options: music centre / park / school reception area
3. Which musical instrument is the reason for the problem?
Options: sitar / santoor / sarod
4. What is the problem being discussed?
Options: inability to play the musical instrument / irregularity of the music class / lack of choice of the musical instrument
5. What has been the unsuccessful solution?
Options: practising for longer hours / singing while playing the instrument / watching videos about playing the instrument
6. What is the final decision taken?
Options: change classes / pick a simpler instrument / purchase the musical instrument
This is an audio-based task. The exact answers should be checked after listening to the classroom audio or teacher transcript.
Questions:
1. How are the two speakers connected?
Options: parent-child / teacher-student / brother-sister
2. Where is the conversation taking place?
Options: music centre / park / school reception area
3. Which musical instrument is the reason for the problem?
Options: sitar / santoor / sarod
4. What is the problem being discussed?
Options: inability to play the musical instrument / irregularity of the music class / lack of choice of the musical instrument
5. What has been the unsuccessful solution?
Options: practising for longer hours / singing while playing the instrument / watching videos about playing the instrument
6. What is the final decision taken?
Options: change classes / pick a simpler instrument / purchase the musical instrument
Speaking Activity
S1Role PlayPage 200
Work in groups of four and choose a role each: music teacher, student 1, student 2 and parent. Present a role play in class.
Sample Role Play:
Music Teacher: Good morning. I think music classes can help students develop concentration, creativity and emotional balance. I encourage you to take them seriously.
Student 1: Sir, I am confused. I feel music class may take away time from my studies. I already have homework and tests to prepare for.
Student 2: I understand your concern, but I have been learning music for a year. It has helped me manage stress and focus better. With proper planning, we can manage both studies and music.
Parent: I was also doubtful at first because academics are important. But after listening to both of you, I feel music can support learning rather than disturb it.
Music Teacher: Exactly. Music does not have to be a distraction. It can become a healthy routine if you practise for a fixed time every day.
Student 1: That sounds practical. I will try joining the class and prepare a timetable.
Parent: I will support you if you balance your studies and music responsibly.
Music Teacher: Good morning. I think music classes can help students develop concentration, creativity and emotional balance. I encourage you to take them seriously.
Student 1: Sir, I am confused. I feel music class may take away time from my studies. I already have homework and tests to prepare for.
Student 2: I understand your concern, but I have been learning music for a year. It has helped me manage stress and focus better. With proper planning, we can manage both studies and music.
Parent: I was also doubtful at first because academics are important. But after listening to both of you, I feel music can support learning rather than disturb it.
Music Teacher: Exactly. Music does not have to be a distraction. It can become a healthy routine if you practise for a fixed time every day.
Student 1: That sounds practical. I will try joining the class and prepare a timetable.
Parent: I will support you if you balance your studies and music responsibly.
Writing Task
W1Invitation LetterPages 200–201
Your school is organising a musical evening on 21 June, World Music Day. You are presenting a Sitar recital at the event. Draft an invitation letter requesting your grandparents to attend the event.
Answer:
24, Green Park Colony
New Delhi
12 June 2026
Dear Grandparents,
I hope both of you are in good health and high spirits. I am writing this letter to invite you to a special musical evening being organised by my school on 21 June, World Music Day.
I am very excited to share that I will be presenting a Sitar recital at the event. The programme will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Our teachers and students have prepared many musical performances for the evening, and I would feel very happy if you could attend the event and bless me.
Your presence will encourage me and make the day memorable. Please do come if your health and schedule permit. I am eagerly waiting to perform before you.
Yours affectionately,
Aarav
24, Green Park Colony
New Delhi
12 June 2026
Dear Grandparents,
I hope both of you are in good health and high spirits. I am writing this letter to invite you to a special musical evening being organised by my school on 21 June, World Music Day.
I am very excited to share that I will be presenting a Sitar recital at the event. The programme will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Our teachers and students have prepared many musical performances for the evening, and I would feel very happy if you could attend the event and bless me.
Your presence will encourage me and make the day memorable. Please do come if your health and schedule permit. I am eagerly waiting to perform before you.
Yours affectionately,
Aarav
Learning Beyond the Text
LB 1Music TherapyPage 201
Find out how music is used as an alternative therapy in the present times.
Suggested Answer:
Music therapy is used to support emotional, mental and physical well-being. Trained therapists use songs, rhythm, instruments and guided listening to help people reduce stress, manage anxiety, improve memory, express emotions and relax. It is used in hospitals, counselling centres, schools, old-age homes and rehabilitation programmes. Music therapy does not replace medical treatment, but it can support healing and emotional recovery.
Music therapy is used to support emotional, mental and physical well-being. Trained therapists use songs, rhythm, instruments and guided listening to help people reduce stress, manage anxiety, improve memory, express emotions and relax. It is used in hospitals, counselling centres, schools, old-age homes and rehabilitation programmes. Music therapy does not replace medical treatment, but it can support healing and emotional recovery.
LB 2Indian Classical MusicPage 201
Speak to your music teacher and find out about the origin of the seven swaras of Indian classical music.
Suggested Answer:
The seven swaras of Indian classical music are Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. They form the foundation of Indian melody. Traditionally, these swaras are associated with natural sounds and are believed to have developed through observation of nature, voice and musical vibration. Together, they create ragas, melodies and musical compositions.
The seven swaras of Indian classical music are Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. They form the foundation of Indian melody. Traditionally, these swaras are associated with natural sounds and are believed to have developed through observation of nature, voice and musical vibration. Together, they create ragas, melodies and musical compositions.
LB 3Collection ActivityPage 201
Share poems and songs about music in English and in your own language. Create a collection together.
Suggested Answer:
Students can collect poems, songs, bhajans, folk songs and film songs that celebrate music. The collection may include the title, poet or lyricist, language, theme and a short explanation. The class may arrange the collection under headings such as classical music, folk music, devotional music, patriotic songs and songs about friendship or hope.
Students can collect poems, songs, bhajans, folk songs and film songs that celebrate music. The collection may include the title, poet or lyricist, language, theme and a short explanation. The class may arrange the collection under headings such as classical music, folk music, devotional music, patriotic songs and songs about friendship or hope.
LB 4Reading ActivityPage 202
Read and enjoy the poem “Music” by Walter de la Mare.
Suggested Response:
Walter de la Mare’s poem “Music” presents music as a magical force that changes how the world appears to the listener. Like “A Friend Found in Music”, it suggests that music can transform emotions and imagination. Both poems show that music has the power to comfort, uplift and transport the listener into a more beautiful inner world.
Walter de la Mare’s poem “Music” presents music as a magical force that changes how the world appears to the listener. Like “A Friend Found in Music”, it suggests that music can transform emotions and imagination. Both poems show that music has the power to comfort, uplift and transport the listener into a more beautiful inner world.
Study materials
- Refernce Books
- NCERT Solutions
- Syllabus
Send Us A Message
Latest posts
News
Navigating the Shift: A Comprehensive Guide to the Revised NCERT Class 9 Syllabus (2026-27)
Read More »
February 25, 2026
No Comments
Blog
January 24, 2026
No Comments
