The World of Limitless Possibilities & Nine Gold Medals

1. Share your observations.
Sheetal Devi has no arms. She holds the bow with her foot and pulls the string using her shoulder and jaw. She looks calm and focused.

2. Does this personality inspire you? Explain how.
Yes. She did not let her disability stop her. Her hard work and courage teach me never to give up.

3. Give a caption for this picture.
Aiming High, Beyond All Limits

(i) Why can her decision be likened to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly?
A caterpillar changes into a beautiful butterfly. In the same way, she changed her painful life into one of success and freedom.

(ii) Why could the speaker switch to para-athletics quite comfortably?
She loved sports and had been a swimmer earlier.

(iii) She calls the 2016 Rio Games a ‘breakthrough moment’ because ______.
she won a silver medal there. It was her first big success and it changed people’s views.

(iv) The phrase ‘in hindsight’ indicates the speaker is ______.
B. reflective

(v) List one likely perception the speaker might have changed.
That persons with disabilities cannot win in sports.

(i) Choose the option that describes the tone of the speaker.
(a) A and D — appreciative and optimistic

(ii) ability : potential :: preconceived notions : ______
stereotypes

(iii) Paralympics showcases abilities and also questions stereotypes. True or false?
True

(iv) What does ‘helped me push boundaries’ tell us about the speaker?
She keeps challenging herself and goes beyond her limits.

(v) Which phrase suggests that she was able to transform her life?
“Paralympics has given me a new lease of life”

1. Explain how Dr. Malik’s achievements challenge societal perceptions.
People thought she would be bound to a wheelchair for life. She became India’s first female Paralympic medallist. Her success proves that disability does not limit ability.

2. What can be the long-term impact of involving youth in advocacy for disability?
Young people will grow up with respect for persons with disabilities. They will build an inclusive society with equal chances for all.

3. Rationalise the title with reference to Dr. Malik’s attitude and achievements.
She chose to see her life as full of possibilities, not limits. She won many medals and awards. So the title ‘The World of Limitless Possibilities’ suits her well.

4. “Every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength.” How is this a life lesson for everyone?
Everyone faces failure in studies, work or health. If we treat a setback as a chance to grow, we become stronger. This applies to all, not only sportspersons.

5. How does her recognition contribute to gender equality in sports?
It shows that women can reach the top in sports. It inspires more girls to take up sports and changes the belief that sports are mainly for men.

6. How might ‘ability beyond disability’ guide future para-athletes?
It tells them to focus on what they can do, not on what they cannot. With training and belief, they too can succeed.

7. What have you learnt from this interview?
I learnt that courage and a positive attitude can overcome any problem. I will treat my failures as chances to improve and respect everyone equally.

1. Two examples of alliteration.
(i) “dashed in the dirt” (ii) “stumbled and staggered”

2. Three examples of visual imagery.
(i) “nine resolved athletes in the back of the starting line” (ii) “fell to the asphalt” (iii) “nine beaming faces”

3. One example of auditory imagery.
“The signal was given, the pistol exploded”

4. How does imagery make the poem more appealing?
The images help us see the race, hear the gun and feel the boy’s pain. We feel as if we are watching the race ourselves.

5. How does the poet’s tone change?
In the beginning, the tone is excited and tense. When the boy falls, it becomes sad. By the end, it is warm, proud and joyful.

6. What is the overall mood?
The mood is uplifting and heart-warming.

7. What is the message of the poem?
Kindness and togetherness are greater than winning. True victory lies in helping others.

(i) ‘pulled up on their heels’ means that the runners ______.
B. stopped running

(ii) Mention one trait common to all the eight runners.
They were kind and compassionate.

(iii) What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
The tone is admiring and warm.

(iv) How might the young athlete have felt on being helped?
He must have felt surprised, grateful and happy.

(v) Would you consider this incident a turning point in the poem?
Yes. Here the race changes from a competition into an act of kindness.

(i) How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finish line together?
They felt proud, happy and united.

(ii) Why were all nine contestants given gold medals?
They showed true sportsmanship and finished the race together. Their kindness made each of them a winner.

(iii) The holding of hands signifies a feeling of ______.
unity and togetherness

(iv) The spectators giving a ‘standing ovation’ indicates that they were ______.
A. amazed

(v) Explain the last line of the extract.
The applause and happy faces expressed feelings that no words could describe.

1. How do the first two stanzas create a vivid atmosphere?
They describe athletes from all over the country, months of training and an excited crowd at the old field. This builds up the excitement for the final race.

2. How might the youngest athlete have felt when he fell?
He must have felt hurt, frustrated and heartbroken. His dream seemed to be over.

3. Why were the athletes eager to begin the race?
They had trained for weeks and months. They wanted to win a medal.

4. What does the change of the dash into a walk symbolise?
It shows that winning was no longer important. Friendship and caring became more important than speed.

5. How might the poem be different if it focused only on individual achievement?
The runners would not have stopped. One person would win and the fallen boy would be left behind. The poem would lose its message of kindness.

6. How do the poet’s language and tone engage the reader?
The poet tells it like a story to a listener: “as sure as I’m standing here telling this story”. Simple words, vivid images and a warm tone keep us interested.

7. What might be the poet’s purpose in writing this poem?
The poet wants to show the true spirit of the Special Olympics — compassion, inclusion and togetherness.