Class 9 English · Chapter 7

Samacheer Class 9 English - The Christmas Truce

13 textbook Q&A13 verifiedFree Content

Chapter-wise textbook exercise answers for The Christmas Truce with validation-aware solutions.

Answers marked verified were checked during generation against the chapter context and source question text.
Sections in this chapter
A. Choose the correct answer. 5B. Identify the character, speaker or both of the following lines. 5C. Answer the following questions in about 100 - 120 words. 1D. Think and answer. 2
Your Progress - Chapter 70% complete
1A. Choose the correct answer.5 questions
Q.1The story is set during the _____________.v
  1. a. World War I
  2. b. World War II
  3. c. Kargil War
  4. d. Indo-China War
Solution

The Christmas Truce took place during World War I (1914).

Answer:

a

Q.2The story is about the celebration of _____________ festival.v
  1. a. Deepavali
  2. b. Pongal
  3. c. Ramzan
  4. d. Christmas
Solution

The event described is the soldiers' celebration of Christmas during the 1914 truce.

Answer:

d

Q.3Tom called the incidents happened there as a ____________.v
  1. a. fairy tale
  2. b. poetry
  3. c. tragedy
  4. d. comedy
Solution

Tom described the events as like a 'fairy tale' — unexpected, almost magical amid war.

Answer:

a

Q.4The Germans had placed Christmas trees in front of their__________.v
  1. a. houses
  2. b. trench
  3. c. tanks
  4. d. cars
Solution

The Germans put Christmas trees in front of their trenches, visible to the opposing side.

Answer:

b

Q.5One of the German soldiers worked as a _________ at Victoria Station.v
  1. a. tea-seller
  2. b. ticket-checker
  3. c. porter
  4. d. shop keeper
Solution

A German soldier mentioned in the account had formerly worked as a porter at Victoria Station.

Answer:

c

2B. Identify the character, speaker or both of the following lines.5 questions
Q.1Our first complete silence in months!v
Solution

Tom.

Answer:

Tom.

Q.2Come and see! See what the Germans are doing!v
Solution

Tom's friend John.

Answer:

Tom's friend John.

Q.3Hold your fire.v
Solution

The captain of the British troops.

Answer:

The captain of the British troops.

Q.4You no shoot, we no shoot.v
Solution

A German soldier.

Answer:

A German soldier.

Q.5My God, why cannot we have peace and all go home?v
Solution

The narrator
The narrator
The English captain
A German officer
An older German

Answer:

The narrator
The narrator
The English captain
A German officer
An older German

3C. Answer the following questions in about 100 - 120 words.1 questions
Q.1Narrate the Christmas celebration as happened in the war field.v
Solution

On Christmas eve, the soldiers had their first good freeze. Everything was tinged white with frost and a bright sun shone. It was perfect Christmas weather. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line and they had placed Christmas trees, lit by candles, lanterns, like beacons of goodwill. The Germans began singing, “ Stille Nacht.” The British applauded the Germans. Both the troops crossed the barbed wires and were in No Man’s Land.
They shared their joy, greeted, and wished each other. They exchanged wonderful presents with all that they had, badges, tea, coffee, buttons, knife, etc… The Christmas celebration was wonderful as joy prevailed everywhere and they longed for peace.
(OR)
The British and Germans celebrated Christmas during a temporary cessation of world war I. On Christmas Eve, the Germans invited the British to come out to celebrate Christmas. The Germans placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern, like beacons of goodwill. They sang, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” It was lovelier and more meaningful.
The British soldiers applauded the Germans. Then the British soldiers sang “The first Nowell, the angel did say” Britain and Germany were harmonizing across ‘No man’s Land.’ They exchanged gifts – tea with coffee, com meat for sausage. The narrator traded a jackknife for a leather equipment belt to keep as a fine souvenir. “Why cannot we have peace and all go home?” was a far cry of every soldier.
“Peace begins with a smile” – Mother Teresa.
“Never wage a war but peace”.

Answer:

On Christmas eve, the soldiers had their first good freeze. Everything was tinged white with frost and a bright sun shone. It was perfect Christmas weather. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line and they had placed Christmas trees, lit by candles, lanterns, like beacons of goodwill. The Germans began singing, “ Stille Nacht.” The British applauded the Germans. Both the troops crossed the barbed wires and were in No Man’s Land.
They shared their joy, greeted, and wished each other. They exchanged wonderful presents with all that they had, badges, tea, coffee, buttons, knife, etc… The Christmas celebration was wonderful as joy prevailed everywhere and they longed for peace.
(OR)
The British and Germans celebrated Christmas during a temporary cessation of world war I. On Christmas Eve, the Germans invited the British to come out to celebrate Christmas. The Germans placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern, like beacons of goodwill. They sang, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” It was lovelier and more meaningful.
The British soldiers applauded the Germans. Then the British soldiers sang “The first Nowell, the angel did say” Britain and Germany were harmonizing across ‘No man’s Land.’ They exchanged gifts – tea with coffee, com meat for sausage. The narrator traded a jackknife for a leather equipment belt to keep as a fine souvenir. “Why cannot we have peace and all go home?” was a far cry of every soldier.
“Peace begins with a smile” – Mother Teresa.
“Never wage a war but peace”.

4D. Think and answer.2 questions
Q.1Do you envision a similar truce taking place in any wars or fighting today? Explain.v
Solution

Yes. I feel the same enmity is between India and Pakistan borders. Both countries were united before the British left India. People who lived as brothers and sisters are now partitioned and called different nationalities. The bond of ‘ brotherhood still exists.

Answer:

Yes. I feel the same enmity is between India and Pakistan borders. Both countries were united before the British left India. People who lived as brothers and sisters are now partitioned and called different nationalities. The bond of ‘ brotherhood still exists.

Q.2Today, much of what we know about the truce comes from soldiers' postcards home. In the postcard given below, write a short message home, imagine that you took part in the 1914 Christmas Truce.v
Solution

Dear Mum and Dad, Believe it or not, today we laid down our rifles for a while. The Germans put up little Christmas trees and sang carols; we sang back and shook hands. We exchanged chocolates and cigarettes and even kicked a ball about. For a few hours, there was laughter instead of gunfire. I thought of home and you both. Please don't worry — I am safe for now. I'll write more when I can. Much love, Tom

Answer:

Dear Mum and Dad, Believe it or not, today we laid down our rifles for a while. The Germans put up little Christmas trees and sang carols; we sang back and shook hands. We exchanged chocolates and cigarettes and even kicked a ball about. For a few hours, there was laughter instead of gunfire. I thought of home and you both. Please don't worry — I am safe for now. I'll write more when I can. Much love, Tom