MCQs NCERT Class 9 English Lesson 2 The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
1. Why did Emperor Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
(a) It had a melodious sound
(b) It had a shrill unpleasant sound
(c) It was too loud
(d) It was a foreign instrument
Answer
Answer: (b) It had a shrill unpleasant sound
2. Who was responsible for improving the tonal quality of the pungi?
(a) A royal musician
(b) A barber from a family of professional musicians
(c) A prince
(d) A foreign traveler
Answer
Answer: (b) A barber from a family of professional musicians
3. What was the new name given to the improved pungi?
(a) Flute
(b) Shehnai
(c) Clarinet
(d) Sarangi
Answer
Answer: (b) Shehnai
4. Where was the shehnai first played?
(a) In temples
(b) In the Shah’s chambers
(c) At weddings
(d) In concerts
Answer
Answer: (b) In the Shah’s chambers
5. What made the sound of the shehnai considered auspicious?
(a) Its association with royalty
(b) Its melodious and soft tone
(c) Its origin from a holy place
(d) Its use in classical music
Answer
Answer: (b) Its melodious and soft tone
6. Who brought the shehnai onto the classical stage?
(a) Ali Bux
(b) Ustad Bismillah Khan
(c) Rasool Bux Khan
(d) Paigambar Bux
Answer
Answer: (b) Ustad Bismillah Khan
7. Where did Bismillah Khan play the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’ as a child?
(a) In his school
(b) In a palace
(c) At the Bihariji temple
(d) At a festival
Answer
Answer: (c) At the Bihariji temple
8. What inspired Bismillah Khan to improvise and invent new raagas?
(a) The flowing waters of the Ganga
(b) His uncle’s teachings
(c) Classical music books
(d) Foreign musicians
Answer
Answer: (a) The flowing waters of the Ganga
9. Which event gave Bismillah Khan his big break in music?
(a) His performance at a wedding
(b) Opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow
(c) His first international concert
(d) The launch of his album
Answer
Answer: (b) Opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow
10. What did Bismillah Khan play on 15 August 1947?
(a) Raag Bhairav
(b) Raag Kafi
(c) Raag Yaman
(d) Raag Desh
Answer
Answer: (b) Raag Kafi
11. Which film director named a movie after the shehnai?
(a) Satyajit Ray
(b) Vijay Bhatt
(c) Guru Dutt
(d) Raj Kapoor
Answer
Answer: (b) Vijay Bhatt
12. What was Bismillah Khan’s opinion about the film world?
(a) He loved the glamour
(b) He was fascinated by it
(c) He found it artificial
(d) He wanted to work in more films
Answer
Answer: (c) He found it artificial
13. Where was Bismillah Khan invited to perform in the United States?
(a) Carnegie Hall
(b) Lincoln Centre Hall
(c) Madison Square Garden
(d) Hollywood Bowl
Answer
Answer: (b) Lincoln Centre Hall
14. Which prestigious award did Bismillah Khan receive in 2001?
(a) Padma Bhushan
(b) Padma Vibhushan
(c) Bharat Ratna
(d) Padma Shri
Answer
Answer: (c) Bharat Ratna
15. What was Bismillah Khan’s advice regarding music?
(a) Learn Western music
(b) Teach children music
(c) Focus on classical dance
(d) Avoid modern instruments
Answer
Answer: (b) Teach children music
16. Which place did Bismillah Khan consider the most wonderful town in the world?
(a) Delhi
(b) Mumbai
(c) Benaras
(d) Kolkata
Answer
Answer: (c) Benaras
17. What was Bismillah Khan’s response to heading a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
(a) He accepted the offer
(b) He refused the offer
(c) He asked for a high salary
(d) He demanded to bring the River Ganga
Answer
Answer: (d) He demanded to bring the River Ganga
18. Which river did Bismillah Khan yearn to see while abroad?
(a) Yamuna
(b) Godavari
(c) Narmada
(d) Ganga
Answer
Answer: (d) Ganga
19. How did Bismillah Khan describe his feelings about Hindustan?
(a) He felt detached
(b) He yearned for it
(c) He preferred foreign countries
(d) He was indifferent
Answer
Answer: (b) He yearned for it
20. What did Bismillah Khan play every morning at the Kashi Vishwanath temple?
(a) Tabla
(b) Sitar
(c) Shehnai
(d) Harmonium
Answer
Answer: (c) Shehnai
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