Class 9 Hindi Sparsh Chapter 7: धर्म की आड़ — 30 MCQs with Detailed Answers

The CBSE reduced the Class 9 Hindi syllabus in 2024–25 but increased the weight of objective-type questions. Examiners now test deeper reading comprehension and textual analysis through MCQs because they: 1. **Reduce subjective bias**: Two evaluators marking the same essay answer may assign different scores; MCQs have one correct answer. 2. **Test multiple cognitive levels**: Easy MCQs check recall ('Who is the author?'); medium ones demand inference ('Why does विद्यार्थी जी criticize blind faith?'); hard assertion-reason MCQs require critical analysis. 3. **Cover more syllabus in less time**: A 3-hour exam can now test 20–25 topics via MCQs, whereas essay questions might cover only 5–6. 4. **Prepare you for competitive exams**: JEE, NEET, and UPSC all rely on MCQs; Class 9 MCQs build this skill early. For Chapter 7, 'धर्म की आड़', the CBSE typically asks: Which statement best captures विद्यार्थी जी's warning? OR Identify the misuse of religion in the essay. OR Assertion–Reason questions linking धर्म and सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव. Mastering these question types ensures you score 9–10 out of 10 in the objective section, often the difference between 'A' and 'A+' grades.

**Q1.** Who is the author of the essay 'धर्म की आड़' in Class 9 Hindi Sparsh? A) हरिशंकर परसाई B) गणेश शंकर विद्यार्थी C) रामधारी सिंह दिनकर D) अयोध्या सिंह उपाध्यय **Correct Answer:** B) गणेश शंकर विद्यार्थी **Reason:** गणेश शंकर विद्यार्थी (1890–1931) was a renowned Hindi essayist, journalist, and freedom fighter; this essay is his most famous critique of religious hypocrisy. --- **Q2.** What does the title 'धर्म की आड़' literally mean? A) The strength of religion B) The shelter/pretext of religion C) The purity of dharma D) Religious duty **Correct Answer:** B) The shelter/pretext of religion **Reason:** आड़ means 'screen', 'shelter', or 'pretext'—the essay argues that people hide selfish motives behind religious language. --- **Q3.** What is the main theme of 'धर्म की आड़'? A) Praise of all religions B) How religion is misused to mask greed and hatred C) The history of Indian religions D) Spiritual awakening through prayer **Correct Answer:** B) How religion is misused to mask greed and hatred **Reason:** विद्यार्थी जी exposes how धर्म becomes a tool for exploitation, communal violence, and political manipulation rather than a force for moral good. --- **Q4.** Which social problem does विद्यार्थी जी address in this essay? A) Poverty alone B) Communal hatred disguised as religious devotion C) Only women's illiteracy D) Educational system failures **Correct Answer:** B) Communal hatred disguised as religious devotion **Reason:** The essay warns that गुंडों (goons) and selfish leaders exploit धर्म to incite violence between Hindus and Muslims while hiding their true greed. --- **Q5.** What does सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव mean in the context of this essay? A) Religious extremism B) Harmony and goodwill between different religious communities C) Political unity D) Charity work **Correct Answer:** B) Harmony and goodwill between different religious communities **Reason:** सद्भाव = good feeling; सांप्रदायिक = sectarian/communal; विद्यार्थी जी urges readers to build bonds across religions, not within them. --- **Q6.** Who does विद्यार्थी जी primarily criticize in 'धर्म की आड़'? A) All religious people B) Those who misuse religion for personal gain and communal violence C) Foreign rulers only D) Scientists and rationalists **Correct Answer:** B) Those who misuse religion for personal gain and communal violence **Reason:** His critique targets not faith itself, but self-serving leaders (priests, politicians, agitators) who manipulate धर्म to exploit the masses. --- **Q7.** What is विद्यार्थी जी's call to readers at the end of the essay? A) To abandon religion entirely B) To recognize दुरुपयोग (misuse) and work toward communal harmony C) To follow government orders blindly D) To become monks and nuns **Correct Answer:** B) To recognize दुरुपयोग (misuse) and work toward communal harmony **Reason:** He urges readers to become critically aware and to resist hatred dressed in religious garb, choosing unity and social welfare instead. --- **Q8.** In 'धर्म की आड़', what emotion motivates hatred between communities according to विद्यार्थी जी? A) Intellectual disagreement B) Fear and ignorance exploited by selfish leaders C) Geographical distance D) Difference in languages **Correct Answer:** B) Fear and ignorance exploited by selfish leaders **Reason:** The essay shows that ordinary people are manipulated through fear ('the other religion is a threat') by leaders seeking power and wealth. --- **Q9.** Which literary device does विद्यार्थी जी use extensively in 'धर्म की आड़'? A) Fantasy and fairy tales B) Satire and direct criticism of hypocrisy C) Love stories D) Historical fiction **Correct Answer:** B) Satire and direct criticism of hypocrisy **Reason:** The essay employs sharp, satirical language to expose the gap between claimed religious morality and actual selfish, violent behaviour. --- **Q10.** Why is 'धर्म की आड़' still relevant for Class 9 students in 2024–25? A) It is an old essay with no modern value B) It teaches critical thinking about how beliefs can be weaponized in society C) It is only a history lesson D) It has been removed from the CBSE syllabus **Correct Answer:** B) It teaches critical thinking about how beliefs can be weaponized in society **Reason:** Communal tensions persist globally; the essay's message—distinguish genuine faith from manipulation—remains urgent for informed citizenship.

**Q11.** In the essay, विद्यार्थी जी says that कुछ लोग (some people) use religion as a weapon. Which of the following best explains his concern? A) Religion itself is violent B) People with hidden greed and ambition exploit धर्म language to gain power and incite hatred C) All religious leaders are dishonest D) Religion should not be discussed in public **Correct Answer:** B) People with hidden greed and ambition exploit धर्म language to gain power and incite hatred **Reason:** विद्यार्थी जी's argument is nuanced: not religion, but its दुरुपयोग by manipulative individuals causes communal violence. --- **Q12.** What does विद्यार्थी जी imply when he describes गुंडे (thugs) hiding behind religious symbols? A) Thugs are genuinely religious B) Religion naturally produces violence C) Criminal intent wears a mask of religiosity to gain social acceptance and avoid punishment D) Thugs and religious people are the same **Correct Answer:** C) Criminal intent wears a mask of religiosity to gain social acceptance and avoid punishment **Reason:** By pairing 'thug' with 'religion', he shows that anti-social behaviour is sanitized and justified through religious language, making it socially acceptable. --- **Q13.** According to the essay, who suffers most from the misuse of religion? A) Religious leaders B) Wealthy landowners C) Ordinary people—both Hindu and Muslim—who are pitted against each other for someone else's benefit D) Foreign rulers **Correct Answer:** C) Ordinary people—both Hindu and Muslim—who are pitted against each other for someone else's benefit **Reason:** विद्यार्थी जी shows how common citizens are victims: they are emotionally manipulated and sometimes harmed, while leaders gain power or wealth. --- **Q14.** What is the relationship between अज्ञानता (ignorance) and सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव in this essay? A) They are unrelated concepts B) Ignorance prevents communal harmony; विद्यार्थी जी advocates education and awareness C) Ignorance strengthens religious faith D) सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव causes ignorance **Correct Answer:** B) Ignorance prevents communal harmony; विद्यार्थी जी advocates education and awareness **Reason:** The essay implies that when people lack critical awareness, they fall prey to divisive rhetoric; knowledge and rationality build bridges between communities. --- **Q15.** When विद्यार्थी जी writes 'धर्म की आड़', which of the following is he NOT attacking? A) Blind faith in religious leaders B) Genuine spiritual practice and moral living based on faith C) The use of religious sentiment for political or personal gain D) Communal violence justified by religious rhetoric **Correct Answer:** B) Genuine spiritual practice and moral living based on faith **Reason:** His essay targets abuse, not faith itself; he calls for conscious, ethical religion—not abandonment of spirituality. --- **Q16.** How does विद्यार्थी जी suggest people can resist the misuse of religion? A) By leaving all religions B) By becoming political activists C) By developing critical thinking, questioning manipulative leaders, and prioritizing human welfare over religious slogans D) By supporting violent counter-movements **Correct Answer:** C) By developing critical thinking, questioning manipulative leaders, and prioritizing human welfare over religious slogans **Reason:** The essay calls for सचेतता (consciousness) and विवेक (discernment)—people must think independently rather than blindly follow leaders. --- **Q17.** Which of the following statements aligns with विद्यार्थी जी's message? A) Different religions cannot coexist peacefully B) True religion promotes hatred C) Communal harmony requires recognizing that all communities share human values and common needs, and rejecting leaders who profit from division D) Government should enforce one religion **Correct Answer:** C) Communal harmony requires recognizing that all communities share human values and common needs, and rejecting leaders who profit from division **Reason:** The essay's core argument is that धर्म, when genuine, serves humanity; सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव emerges when people transcend artificial divisions. --- **Q18.** The essay uses examples of communal riots. What is विद्यार्थी जी's explanation for their occurrence? A) Religious beliefs inherently cause violence B) One community is naturally superior C) Selfish leaders deliberately provoke tensions over small incidents, exploiting religious identity for political power or wealth D) Violence is unrelated to religion **Correct Answer:** C) Selfish leaders deliberately provoke tensions over small incidents, exploiting religious identity for political power or wealth **Reason:** Rather than blaming religions, विद्यार्थी जी identifies the mechanism: cynical manipulation of communal identity by those seeking to benefit. --- **Q19.** How does the essay distinguish between धर्म (religion) and सांप्रदायिकता (communalism)? A) There is no difference B) Communalism is the misuse and politicization of religion for divisive ends; true धर्म is about ethics and spiritual growth C) धर्म is political; सांप्रदायिकता is spiritual D) They are used interchangeably **Correct Answer:** B) Communalism is the misuse and politicization of religion for divisive ends; true धर्म is about ethics and spiritual growth **Reason:** This distinction is crucial to understanding विद्यार्थी जी: he defends ethical religion while condemning its weaponization for sectarian violence. --- **Q20.** Which of the following would विद्यार्थी जी most likely support? A) A political party based on one religion B) Religious organizations that promote inter-faith dialogue and social welfare regardless of creed C) Banning all religious discussions D) Government that privileges one faith over others **Correct Answer:** B) Religious organizations that promote inter-faith dialogue and social welfare regardless of creed **Reason:** The essay advocates for धर्म in its pure, humanistic form—service to humanity, not divisive sectarianism.

**Q21. Assertion–Reason Type 1** **Assertion (A):** विद्यार्थी जी argues that religious texts themselves are blameless; the fault lies in their interpretation by self-serving leaders. **Reason (R):** The essay shows that पवित्र ग्रंथ (sacred texts) teach morality, but गुंडे और राजनेता (thugs and politicians) twist religious language to justify hatred. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) Both A and R are false **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** The essay distinguishes between pure spiritual teachings and their corrupt application, directly supporting this assertion–reason pair. --- **Q22. Assertion–Reason Type 2** **Assertion (A):** The essay 'धर्म की आड़' is not anti-religion but anti-misuse. **Reason (R):** विद्यार्थी जी calls readers to develop धार्मिकता (genuine religiosity) rooted in social welfare and सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव, not to abandon faith. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) A is false; R is true **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** His call to readers is constructive and values-based, not nihilistic; R directly supports A. --- **Q23. Assertion–Reason Type 3** **Assertion (A):** Communal riots, as described in the essay, are not inevitable outcomes of religious diversity. **Reason (R):** The essay reveals that riots occur when manipulative leaders deliberately create fear and anger, not because different faiths inherently conflict. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) Both A and R are false **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** By showing that deliberate provocation causes violence, विद्यार्थी जी proves that coexistence is possible—riots are manufactured, not organic. --- **Q24.** Which of the following best captures the implicit argument of 'धर्म की आड़'? A) Religion is always a source of division B) All religious people are hypocrites C) Society can distinguish between faith grounded in ethics and faith weaponized for power; education and critical thought enable this D) Government should eliminate religion **Correct Answer:** C) Society can distinguish between faith grounded in ethics and faith weaponized for power; education and critical thought enable this **Reason:** The essay assumes readers can learn to recognize manipulation; it is optimistic about the power of awareness and reason. --- **Q25. Assertion–Reason Type 4** **Assertion (A):** विद्यार्थी जी's advocacy for सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव is not naive idealism but grounded in practical social benefit. **Reason (R):** The essay shows that communal violence wastes human life, destroys property, and diverts resources from addressing poverty and education—goals all communities share. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) Both A and R are false **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** By linking harmony to shared survival needs, विद्यार्थी जी makes his case pragmatic, not merely moral. --- **Q26.** According to the essay's logic, which scenario would most concern विद्यार्थी जी? A) A religious scholar quietly studying ancient texts B) A community gathering to celebrate a religious festival C) A political leader who invokes religious identity to mobilize voters, but whose actual policies benefit only the wealthy D) A person who is deeply spiritual but questions the interpretations of religious authorities **Correct Answer:** C) A political leader who invokes religious identity to mobilize voters, but whose actual policies benefit only the wealthy **Reason:** This exemplifies the दुरुपयोग he warns against: cynical exploitation of धर्म for personal or class gain at the expense of masses. --- **Q27. Assertion–Reason Type 5** **Assertion (A):** The phrase 'धर्म की आड़' (the pretext/shelter of religion) implies that religion itself is not the problem. **Reason (R):** The word 'आड़' suggests that something else (greed, power-seeking) is hidden behind religion, like a mask or screen. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) Both A and R are false **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** Linguistically, आड़ = screen; the title's metaphor supports the interpretation that religion is misused, not that it is inherently evil. --- **Q28.** If a student reads 'धर्म की आड़' and concludes, "All religious people are criminals," what has the student misunderstood? A) The essay's target and tone B) The meaning of कुछ and सब (some vs. all) C) The essay's distinction between genuine faith and its abuse D) All of the above **Correct Answer:** D) All of the above **Reason:** विद्यार्थी जी criticizes specific abusers (some people), not all religious people; he respects genuine faith—a nuance the student has completely missed. --- **Q29. Assertion–Reason Type 6** **Assertion (A):** The essay suggests that building सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव requires people to first become aware of their shared material interests. **Reason (R):** विद्यार्थी जी emphasizes that all communities suffer from poverty, illness, and ignorance; recognizing this commonality breaks down artificial divisive walls. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) A is false; R is true **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** By grounding सद्भाव in material reality (shared needs), the essay appeals to reason and self-interest, making harmony a pragmatic choice. --- **Q30. Assertion–Reason Type 7** **Assertion (A):** विद्यार्थी जी's essay is a call to action, not merely a philosophical critique. **Reason (R):** The essay ends by urging readers to question religious rhetoric, resist divisive leaders, and actively work toward communal harmony and social welfare. A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A B) Both A and R are true; R does not explain A C) A is true; R is false D) Both A and R are false **Correct Answer:** A) Both A and R are true; R correctly explains A **Reason:** The essay's conclusion is imperative, not descriptive; it mobilizes readers to become agents of change against communal manipulation.

CBSE examiners craft distractor options that look plausible but contradict the essay's actual message. Here are the most common traps in questions on 'धर्म की आड़': **Trap 1: "विद्यार्थी जी opposes all religion"** Why it's a trap: The essay critiques abuse, not faith. Choosing this shows you've missed the central distinction. How to avoid it: Ask yourself: Does the essay call for abandoning धर्म, or for purifying it? Answer: purifying it through conscious, ethical practice. **Trap 2: "Different religions naturally cannot coexist"** Why it's a trap: This contradicts विद्यार्थी जी's core belief in सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव. It treats communal conflict as inevitable rather than manufactured. How to avoid it: Remember that the essay explicitly shows communal violence is artificially provoked by selfish leaders, not a natural outcome of religious difference. **Trap 3: "All religious leaders are dishonest"** Why it's a trap: विद्यार्थी जी condemns specific abusers (गुंडे, राजनेता), not all priests, scholars, or spiritual figures. How to avoid it: Look for qualifying words. The essay says 'कुछ लोग' (some people), not 'सभी' (all). Answer choices using 'all' or 'every' are almost always wrong. **Trap 4: "The essay teaches that religion should not be discussed in public"** Why it's a trap: This misreads the essay's intent. विद्यार्थी जी wants MORE critical public discussion, not silence. How to avoid it: The essay is a passionate public argument for rational debate, not censorship. If an option suggests silencing religion, reject it. **Trap 5: "Communal riots are caused by genuine theological disagreement"** Why it's a trap: The essay shows riots are orchestrated political events, not spontaneous theological debates gone wrong. How to avoid it: Distinguish between academic or spiritual differences in faith (which can be peaceful) and politically engineered violence (which is deliberate and motivated by power/wealth). **Trap 6: "विद्यार्थी जी is anti-Hindu or anti-Muslim"** Why it's a trap: His critique is universal—he targets misuse of any religion. Including this bias in an answer is a reading comprehension failure. How to avoid it: Notice that the essay criticizes सांप्रदायिकता across all faiths and appeals to all communities. He is not sectarian; he is anti-sectarianism. **Trap 7: "The essay is only a historical document with no modern relevance"** Why it's a trap: The CBSE curriculum includes this essay precisely because communal tensions persist. This underestimates the text's enduring importance. How to avoid it: Recognize that structural problems (demagoguery, exploitation of religious identity) are timeless. Modern examples—election campaigns using religious rhetoric, riots instigated by politicians—confirm the essay's ongoing validity. **How to spot traps in assertion–reason questions:** - If Reason (R) is factually true but unrelated to Assertion (A), the answer is "Both true; R does not explain A." - If Reason uses extreme language ("all", "always", "never") while Assertion is moderate, they likely do not align. - If Reason reverses the essay's logic, it is false—reject it immediately.

In a 3-hour Class 9 Hindi exam, you may face 15–25 MCQs worth 20–25 marks. Poor time allocation here directly costs grades. Here's a tested strategy: **Before the exam:** - Allocate 45–50 minutes for all MCQs (not more). This leaves 1 hour 40 minutes for short and long answers. - Read the question paper quickly (2 min) to identify question types: recall, comprehension, assertion–reason. **During the exam:** **Phase 1: Quick Answers (15 min for 10 questions)** Answer all easy recall MCQs first ("Who is the author?", "What does धर्म की आड़ mean?"). You should score 9/10 here. Do NOT spend more than 1.5 min per question. **Phase 2: Deliberate Reading (20 min for 10 medium questions)** For comprehension MCQs, re-read the relevant section of the essay. Eliminate one or two obviously wrong options, then choose the best remaining answer. Spend 2 min per question maximum. If stuck after 2 min, mark it and move on. **Phase 3: Reason-Based Logic (15 min for assertion–reason questions)** Read both Assertion and Reason carefully. Ask: (1) Is A true? (2) Is R true? (3) Does R explain A? Proceed in this order—it prevents confusion. Spend 2–3 min per question. **Emergency triage (if running out of time):** If you have only 5 min left for 3 questions, do NOT guess randomly. Instead: - Eliminate option A immediately (statistically, it is right only 25% of the time in CBSE papers). - Eliminate any option using extreme words: "all", "never", "always". - Between the remaining two, choose the one closest to विद्यार्थी जी's moderate, rational tone. You'll likely get 1–2 right. **After completing MCQs:** Do NOT revisit MCQs unless you finish all written answers early. Changing your answer under pressure often worsens your score. **Common time-wasters to avoid:** 1. Re-reading the entire essay for every MCQ. Instead, use your familiarity and context clues. 2. Dwelling on hard assertion–reason questions. If you're unsure after 3 min, make an educated guess and move on. 3. Second-guessing yourself. Your first instinct is usually correct; override it only if you spot a logical error. **Tip for Chapter 7 specifically:** Because 'धर्म की आड़' is a social critique essay (not a narrative or poem), most MCQs test: - Ability to distinguish genuine faith from abuse (20% of questions) - Understanding of why communal violence occurs (30%) - Recognizing whom विद्यार्थी जी criticizes (20%) - Identifying his call to action and values (30%) If you've practiced these 30 MCQs, you've seen nearly all question types. Trust your preparation and manage time aggressively. Start a 3-day free trial at cbsetutor.ai to get personalized feedback on your answers and timing strategies.