Class 9 › English › Kaveri Follow That Dream Class 9 English · Kaveri · Chapter 8
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This prose lesson is a letter written by Irene Chua to her teenage daughter Ming, taken from the collection My Daughter, My Friend. The mother warmly encourages Ming to pursue her dream while offering realistic, balanced advice. She argues that great men and women become great because they have a dream and pursue it until it comes true; what sets greatness apart from the ordinary is the effort and sacrifice invested. Reaching world-class standard in any field, she notes, demands singular, intensive pursuit for at least ten years. A dream begins with passion, then conviction, after which one must count the cost in effort, money and sacrifice before “plunging” in. The road is usually uphill, sustained only by the love of the work and the prospect of success. She points out that behind every winner stands a support network of people. Many people, however, never move beyond wishful thinking, trading dreams for security or being diverted by circumstances such as war or family duties. The mother is careful not to “put a wet blanket” on Ming’s dreams but reminds her to weigh the years required. From her own experience, she observes that life itself can change a person’s dreams – her own dream of publishing her book replaced her youthful one. The letter’s tone is loving, encouraging and gently cautionary.
I Irene Chua (author / Mum) The mother who writes the letter, sharing life wisdom with her daughter from the collection My Daughter, My Friend.
M Ming The teenage daughter to whom the letter is addressed; she has evidently written about a dream she wishes to follow.
T Ten-year rule The idea that reaching world-class standard in any field requires singular, intensive pursuit for at least ten years.
“ “Plunge” The decisive, complete commitment one must make once passion and conviction are tested against the costs.
S Support network The group of people who stand behind every achiever, as award winners always acknowledge.
T Theme – dreams, effort & sacrifice The balanced message that dreams are worth pursuing but demand realistic effort, sacrifice and time.
Q1 Who wrote the letter and to whom? Answer Q2 According to the mother, what makes great people great? Answer Q3 How long must one pursue a field to reach world-class standard? Answer Q4 What sequence does the mother describe for following a dream? Answer Q5 What does the word “plunge” suggest in the letter? Answer Q6 What keeps a person going when the road is uphill? Answer Q7 Why does the mother mention award winners thanking many people? Answer Q8 Why do many people’s dreams remain just dreams? Answer Q9 How can life itself change a person’s dreams? Answer Q10 How does the mother balance encouragement with caution? Answer Q1 I 1. What is your dream? Answer Q2 I 2. Who inspires you to dream? Answer Q3 I 3. What qualities should you have in order to fulfil your dream? Answer Q4 I 4. Abdul Kalam said, “Dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep.” Discuss. Answer Q5 II What role can parents and community play to help children achieve their dreams? Answer Q6 III Complete the given web chart. Give as many reasons as you can. Why is it important to follow a dream? Answer Q1 I 1. Reaching the peak of skill in a field typically demands a focused and intense dedication for about a decade. Answer Q2 I 2. The mother believes that significant effort and personal sacrifices are essential for turning aspirations into reality. Answer Q3 I 3. The path to achieving the deepest desires has very little difficulty or a few obstacles. Answer Q4 I 4. The mother is of the opinion that a person’s life goals and hopes can evolve over time. Answer Q5 I 5. Having a strong network of individuals can be a hurdle in pursuing one’s ambition. Answer Q6 I 6. The mother feels that pursuing a major life goal will not involve any financial expense or sacrifice. Answer Q7 I 7. For many individuals, their aspirations remain just wishes because they don’t move beyond mere daydreaming. Answer Q1 I 1. (i) Complete the analogy with a suitable word from the extract. enthusiasm: passion:: belief: _____________ Answer Q2 I 1. (ii) Choose the correct option to complete the following sentence appropriately. The author says that a realistic assessment of effort, investment and sacrifice is crucial for preventing _____________. A. the need for external support network B. an early abandonment of the dream C. initial excitement from fading over time D. others from questioning one’s commitment Answer Q3 I 1. (iii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets. The word ‘plunge’ as used in the extract indicates a _____________ (complete/gradual) involvement in a task. Answer Q4 I 1. (iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. The author’s emphasis on ‘when you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing’ works as a form of intrinsic motivation because _______________. Answer Q5 I 1. (v) Mention one motivating factor besides ‘prospect of success’, that might keep a person on track, despite running out of stamina. Answer Q6 I 2. (i) Complete the sentence appropriately. The phrase ‘life itself may change a person’s dreams’ suggests that dreams are not static but rather__________. (evolving/dynamic) Answer Q7 I 2. (ii) What does the author mean by, ‘hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days’? Answer Q8 I 2. (iii) Identify the phrase from the extract that indicates a complex and challenging journey. Answer Q9 I 2. (iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. The author says, ‘people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more’ because_________________. Answer Q10 I 2. (v) What is the tone of the author in this extract? A. appreciative and celebratory B. excited and cheerful C. optimistic and encouraging D. eager and inquisitive Answer Q11 II 1. The letter begins thus, ‘By all means follow that dream’. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about? Answer Q12 II 2. How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways. Answer Q13 II 3. What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers? Answer Q14 II 4. How does Ming’s mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively? Answer Q15 II 5. How does Ming’s mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice? Answer Q16 II 6. In the letter, Ming’s mother specifically addresses the challenges people face in pursuing their dreams. Do you think this advice is still relevant in contemporary society? If yes, why? If no, why not? Answer Q17 II 7. What ‘costs’ in terms of effort, sacrifice, and time are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals? Answer Q1 I Refer to a dictionary and find out the meaning of the following words: mindscape, seascape, landscape, cityscape Answer Q2 I 1. Fill in the blanks in the dialogue: Sneha: Your Goa pictures were beautiful! That (i) ___________ was dreamy. Answer Q3 I 1. (ii) Kiran: Thanks! It was way better than our usual (ii) ___________, so peaceful. Answer Q4 I 1. (iii) Kiran: True, but I’m craving a quiet (iii) ___________. Forests, hills—something real. Answer Q5 I 1. (iv) Sneha: Yes, nature clears the (iv)___________, doesn’t it? Answer Q6 II 1. She had a dream that seemed to burn in her blood, and she wasn’t going to give up on it easily. (i) make her angry (ii) have a passionate desire (iii) cause physical pain (iv) become violent Answer Q7 II 2. Preparing for the final exam without proper notes felt like an uphill task. (i) a tough challenge (ii) a slow progress (iii) a hard routine (iv) a difficult choice Answer Q8 II 3. The team was buoyed up by their recent victory and felt confident about the next game. (i) energised by success (ii) encouraged by the result (iii) motivated to improve (iv) lifted in spirit Answer Q9 II 4. He thought he could ace the exam without studying, but that was just wishful thinking. (i) a clever shortcut but no real effort behind it (ii) a confident guess but lacking proper knowledge (iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true (iv) a strong desire but based on facts and planning Answer Q10 II 5. Don’t be a wet blanket—we’re trying to have fun! (i) spoil-sport (ii) latecomer (iii) rule-breaker (iv) daydreamer Answer Q11 II 6. Excitement was coursing through her veins as she stepped onto the stage for the first time. (i) hiding deep inside (ii) flowing through her body (iii) lingering in her thoughts (iv) causing numbness Answer Q12 III 1. If the idea excites you, ____________________________. Answer Q13 III 2. If you hear strange noises, ____________________________. Answer Q14 III 3. If this seems too hard, ______________________________. Answer Q15 III 4. If you care about the issue, ______________________________. Answer Q16 III 5. If you finish early, ______________________________. Answer Q17 IV 1. It could be in any field—sports, science, arts, business or design. Answer Q18 IV 2. “I wish I could be this or the other,” they have never got beyond just wishful thinking. Answer Q19 IV 3. They could have preferred to trade their dream for security. Answer Q20 IV 4. I know too, of people who had wished to finish secondary school but they had to go out to work so that they could support their siblings through school. Answer Q21 V 1. I wish ____________ without worrying about money. (unreal or hypothetical) Answer Q22 V 2. They ____________ the shorter route, but they didn’t know about it. (past possibility or speculative) Answer Q23 V 3. When I was younger, I ____________ without stopping. (past ability) Answer Q24 V 4. She ____________ the library right now—she had mentioned it. (possibility) Answer Q25 V 5. ____________ repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly. (formal/polite request) Answer Q26 VI 1. Experiential learning is an approach to education that focuses on learning through experience, action and reflection. It 1. _______ (help) students gain practical knowledge and develop real-world skills. Answer Q27 VI 2. _______ (learn) by listening to lectures and memorising facts, but experiential learning has changed this process. Answer Q28 VI 3. In an experiential setting, students 3. _______ (work) on projects, solve problems, and take part in activities that reflect real-life challenges. Answer Q29 VI 4. They 4. _______ (apply) what they have learned in class to new and unfamiliar situations. Answer Q30 VI 5. For example, a student studying science 5. _______ (conduct) experiments to test a theory Answer Q31 VI 6. while a business student 6. _______ (analyse) a case study to understand market trends. Answer Q32 VI 7. After completing a task, learners 7. _______ (must/reflect) on what went well and what could be improved. Answer Q33 VI 8. This reflection 8. _______ (help) them build a deeper understanding of the topic. Answer Q34 VI 9. Educators believe that experiential learning 9. _______ (be) more effective than passive learning methods Answer Q35 VI 10. In the future, more schools and universities 10. _______ (incorporate) experiential learning into their curriculum Answer Q1 1. Vocational courses will begin in the month of _____. Answer Q2 2. The objective of the courses is to prepare you with ______ for future studies and jobs. Answer Q3 3. Offered courses include Graphic Design, ______, Web Application, and Entrepreneurship Skills, etc. Answer Q4 4. Classes will be conducted by ______ at school. Answer Q5 5. The application forms will be available at the ______. Answer Q6 6. Choice of course will be given to ______ applicants. Answer Q1 I Work in groups of four. Each member of the group takes up one of the roles given below. Use the sentence prompts given under each role to present your role play. 1. The Dreamer 2. A Parent 3. A Mentor or Teacher 4. A Friend/Sibling Answer Q1 I You are passionate about pursuing a course in designing in future. You come across a summer workshop being conducted by a reputed design institute. Write an email to the Director of the institute enquiring the details of the workshop and expressing your interest in joining it. Include header, message, complementary close, name and contact details. Answer Q1 I Create a Vision Board for yourself. My Dreams, I Want to Try, Goals, Places I Will Go, Inspiration Answer Q2 II Great personalities in history were inspired by their parents. Now, find out about such personalities from your village, town, city, or state and present their success stories in class. Answer Q1 I 1. What emotions do you feel standing at the base of a difficult task? Answer Q2 I 2. What might make you take the first step? Answer Q3 II 1. What was it, and how did you feel at the start of the journey? Think about a time when you had to face a challenge. Answer Q4 II 2. How did you feel once you made the decision to move forward? Answer Q5 III What does the phrase ‘believe in yourself’ mean to you? Write some words or phrases you associate with believing in yourself. Answer Q6 IV Select the correct meaning of ‘status quo’ based on the given sentence. Even though some kids wanted to try new activities, most of them were happy with the status quo and didn’t want any changes. 1. A plan to make things more exciting. 2. A situation to keep things the same. 3. A decision where everything is completely different. 4. A choice to change things quickly without thinking. Answer Q1 I Stanza 1 (i) Facing challenges requires personal responsibility and a clear focus on one’s future. (ii) Facing challenges is a journey best taken with support and guidance from others. Answer Q2 I Stanza 2 (i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as the future approaches. (ii) Facing the future with confidence makes choices easier and more straightforward. Answer Q3 I Stanza 3 (i) Personal growth involves finding balance between comfort and change. (ii) Personal growth requires leaving behind comfort and embracing change. Answer Q4 I Stanza 4 (i) The first step towards change may feel easy if you place your trust in others to guide you and provide support. (ii) The first step towards change is difficult, but having self-belief and confidence helps you stay on track. Answer Q5 II The poem follows a simple, yet effective rhyme scheme _________ that flows steadily through each stanza. Answer Q6 III 1. The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging. Answer Q7 III 2. The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to one of determination by the end of the poem. Answer Q8 IV The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/she comes across as a _________ (stranger/guide) who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take ____________ (interest in/control of) his/her own future. The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is __________ (talking directly to the reader/addressing the reader from a distance) Answer Q9 V 1. There is no crowd to see... Answer Q10 V 2. push you back in fear? Answer Q11 VI 1. Comfort and the status quo represent ___________ and fear of change, symbolising the comfort zone that holds one back. Answer Q12 VI 2. The future symbolises the ____________, the potential for change and success that lies ahead but requires ___________to step into. Answer Q13 VI 3. The first step symbolises the initial ___________ required to begin the journey of _____________ or personal development. Answer Q14 VII The poet uses a metaphor in the line, ‘The first step is the hardest’. Explain why this is metaphorical. Answer Q15 VIII Identify the lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so. Answer Q1 I 1. (i) What does the line, ‘There is no crowd to see’ suggest about facing challenges? Answer Q2 I 1. (ii) Complete the following suitably. The line ‘It’s just you and the future’ suggests that _________. Answer Q3 I 1. (iii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate word/phrase from the extract. Latha will ________ her efforts to improve her vocal performance by practicing harder each day. Answer Q4 I 1. (iv) Select the most suitable title for the extract. A. The Struggles of Change B. Facing the Future Alone C. A Journey of Growth D. The Power of Fear Answer Q5 I 1. (v) Complete the analogy by using a word from the extract. achieve: goal :: face : ___________ Answer Q6 II 1. What is the significance of the metaphor, ‘The first step is the hardest’ in the context of personal growth? Answer Q7 II 2. What message does the antithesis in the poem convey about the nature of personal development? Answer Q8 II 3. Do you think the poet’s message is realistic in the context of real-world struggles? (Clue: Evaluate whether simply ‘believing in yourself’ is enough to overcome obstacles or other factors are also necessary.) Answer Q9 II 4. Consider a situation where you or someone you know had to take a difficult first step towards a goal. How does the poem’s message about the importance of self-belief apply to this situation? Answer Q1 I (i) I enjoy reading fantasy books, _________ Harry Potter and Magical Paint Brush. Answer Q2 I (ii) After helping Tanya with the homework, Ritu asked for a _________ to borrow her notes next time. Answer Q3 I (iii) I love all kinds of outdoor activities, such as trekking, hiking, biking, _________. Answer Q4 I (iv) The park is not very special _________; it becomes more fun when you visit with friends. Answer Q5 I (v) We created an _________ team to organise the school festival. Answer Q6 I (vi) The movie started _________, with the hero already fighting the villain in a huge battle. Answer Q7 II 1. (i) Isn’t it obvious that we must act now? Don’t we all have a responsibility to make a change? (ii) Will we let fear control us, or will we rise above it? State what they intend to achieve. Answer Q8 II 2. (i) Deciding whether to stand up for what is right Answer Q9 II 2. (ii) Owning up to a mistake made in a group project Answer Q10 II 2. (iii) Deciding whether to try something challenging, like public speaking Answer Q11 II 2. (iv) Choosing between two career paths Answer Q12 II 2. (v) Deciding whether to apologise for a mistake Answer Q13 II 2. (vi) Trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone Answer Q1 I 1. How did the boy feel before the play ? Answer Q2 I 2. According to the girl, where does confidence come from? Answer Q3 I 3. What was the girl finally sure about regarding the boy? Answer Q4 II Select the four true statements from 1–7: 1. The boy feels confident but is worried about freezing on stage. 2. The girl encourages the boy to push through his doubts by trusting in his preparation. 3. The boy thinks that the audience will be supportive regardless of his performance. 4. The girl believes that self-doubt is a normal part of preparing for a big performance. 5. The boy feels that his preparation is not enough and doubts his abilities, even though he has practiced. 6. The girl suggests that the boy should avoid feeling nervous and perform perfectly. 7. The girl believes that pushing through nervousness will help the boy grow and build confidence. Answer Q1 I Work in pairs. Read the three Sayings/Proverbs given below. For each one, think of a real-life situation where it could apply. Do the suggested role play and use the Saying/Proverb. 1. Don’t judge a book by its cover. 2. Actions speak louder than words. 3. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Answer Q1 I Your class is conducting the morning assembly. You have been asked to deliver a speech on the topic, ‘Turning Challenges into Opportunities’. Draft this speech by following the guidelines given below. Answer Q1 I Explore the stories of Indian leaders who faced significant challenges and turned them into opportunities for success. Now, find out about such personalities from your village, town, city, or state and present their success stories in class. Answer
In what form is "Follow That Dream" written?
A A newspaper report B A short story C A letter from a mother to her daughter D A poem
Flashcards & interactive practice 
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