MAK LABS — Class 9 English Ch 8 Follow That Dream and Believe in Yourself

IRead the questions and share your answers.

1. What is your dream?
My dream is to become a doctor and serve people in villages. (Write your own answer.)

2. Who inspires you to dream?
My mother inspires me. She works hard and never gives up.

3. What qualities should you have to fulfil your dream?
Hard work, patience, self-discipline, confidence and the courage to face failure.

4. Abdul Kalam said, “Dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep.” Discuss.
A real dream is a goal we care about deeply. It keeps us thinking and working hard day and night until we achieve it.

IIWhat role can parents and community play to help children achieve their dreams?

Parents can encourage children, support their choices and guide them. The community can provide libraries, playgrounds, coaching and scholarships. Together they give children the confidence and resources to succeed.

IIIComplete the web chart: Why is it important to follow a dream?

It gives our life a clear purpose.
It keeps us motivated and hardworking.
It helps us grow and discover our talents.
It brings happiness and satisfaction.
It can inspire others and help society.

IState whether the sentences are true or false.

1. Reaching the peak of skill in a field demands focused dedication for about a decade. — True
2. The mother believes that effort and sacrifices are essential for turning aspirations into reality. — True
3. The path to achieving the deepest desires has very little difficulty. — False — The road may be uphill most of the way.
4. The mother feels a person’s life goals and hopes can evolve over time. — True
5. Having a strong network of individuals can be a hurdle in pursuing one’s ambition. — False — A support network helps a person succeed.
6. The mother feels a major life goal will not involve any financial expense or sacrifice. — False — She says one must count the cost in effort, money and sacrifice.
7. For many, aspirations remain wishes because they don’t move beyond daydreaming. — True

I.1Read the extract and answer the questions.

It starts with a passion for a particular interest, then comes the conviction that it is imperative to realise it. Count the cost in years of effort, financial investments and sacrifice. … When stamina is running out, the prospect of success will keep you on track.

(i) enthusiasm : passion :: belief : ______
conviction

(ii) A realistic assessment of effort, investment and sacrifice is crucial for preventing ______.
B. an early abandonment of the dream

(iii) The word ‘plunge’ indicates a ______ involvement in a task.
complete

(iv) Doing what you love best works as intrinsic motivation because ______.
the joy comes from within. It keeps a person going even without outside rewards.

(v) Mention one motivating factor besides the prospect of success.
The support and encouragement of family and friends.

I.2Read the extract and answer the questions.

From my own experience, life itself may change a person’s dreams. … To fulfil them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. … the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more.

(i) Dreams are not static but rather ______.
evolving

(ii) What does the author mean by ‘hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream’?
The new dreams that come later in life are just as important as the dreams of youth.

(iii) Identify the phrase that indicates a complex and challenging journey.
“negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles”

(iv) The author says more people would be participants in your dreamscape because ______.
bigger dreams need the help and support of many people.

(v) What is the tone of the author in this extract?
C. optimistic and encouraging

IIAnswer the following questions.

1. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?
Ming must have shared a dream she wished to follow, perhaps a career in some field, and asked for her mother’s advice and permission.

2. How can one attain an international level of skill? Mention two ways.
One must pursue the subject singly and intensively for at least ten years. One must also commit fully with passion, effort and sacrifice.

3. What differentiates mere dreamers from actual achievers?
Dreamers only wish. Achievers put in effort and sacrifice, and work steadily until the dream comes true.

4. How does Ming’s mother use questions and anecdotes to persuade Ming?
She asks, “Do you know that to reach world-class standard … at least ten years?” to make Ming think. She gives examples of Oscar winners, people whose dreams were changed by war, and her own book. These make her advice real and convincing.

5. How does Ming’s mother balance encouragement with caution?
She says “By all means follow that dream.” At the same time, she asks Ming to count the cost in years, money and sacrifice before plunging in.

6. Is this advice still relevant in contemporary society?
Yes. Even today, success needs years of practice and sacrifice. Many people give up dreams for security, so planning and support are still important.

7. What ‘costs’ are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals?
I am willing to give up some play time and study daily for years. I am not willing to give up my health or my family time.

IFind the meanings and fill in the dialogue.

mindscape – the inner world of a person’s thoughts and feelings
seascape – a view or picture of the sea
landscape – a view of an area of land
cityscape – a view of a city

(i) seascape (ii) cityscape (iii) landscape (iv) mindscape

IIChoose the best meaning and use the expression in a sentence.

burn in her blood — (ii) have a passionate desire. The dream of becoming a pilot burns in his blood.
an uphill task — (i) a tough challenge. Cleaning the whole house alone was an uphill task.
buoyed up — (iv) lifted in spirit. We were buoyed up by the teacher’s praise.
wishful thinking — (iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true. Expecting a holiday during exams is wishful thinking.
a wet blanket — (i) spoil-sport. Don’t be a wet blanket; join the game.
coursing through her veins — (ii) flowing through her body. Joy was coursing through his veins after the win.

IIIComplete the sentences using imperatives.

If the idea excites you, go for it.
If you hear strange noises, call an adult at once.
If this seems too hard, ask your teacher for help.
If you care about the issue, raise your voice for it.
If you finish early, check your answers again.

IVMatch the sentences with the functions of ‘could’.

It could be in any field… — Possibility
“I wish I could be this or the other…” — Unreal or hypothetical situation
They could have preferred to trade their dream for security. — Past possibility or speculation
…so that they could support their siblings through school. — Past ability or purpose

VComplete the sentences using ‘could’.

I wish I could travel the world without worrying about money.
They could have taken the shorter route, but they didn’t know about it.
When I was younger, I could run for miles without stopping.
She could be at the library right now—she had mentioned it.
Could you please repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly.

VIFill in the blanks with suitable grammatical forms.

1. helps 2. learnt 3. work 4. apply 5. conducts 6. analyses 7. must reflect 8. helps 9. is 10. will incorporate

IListen to the announcement and fill in the blanks.

Vocational courses will begin in the month of April.
The objective is to prepare you with practical skills for future studies and jobs.
Offered courses include Graphic Design, Basic Coding, Web Application, and Entrepreneurship Skills, etc.
Classes will be conducted by trained professionals at school.
The application forms will be available at the school office.
Choice of course will be given to early applicants.

The courses start with the new academic year, and registration forms are given out from 4 April.

IRole play: the Dreamer, a Parent, a Mentor and a Friend.

Dreamer: Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of becoming a trekking guide. It’s an uphill journey, but I’m ready for it.

Parent: I know you’re passionate, but what if it doesn’t give a steady income?

Mentor: Remember, dreams need planning. There are ways to combine your dream and a degree in tourism.

Friend: You’ve always been good at climbing. I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but what’s your backup plan?

Dreamer: I will complete my studies and take a mountaineering course alongside.

IWrite an email to the Director of a design institute about a summer workshop.

From: neha.desai@example.com
To: director@designinstitute.edu
Date: 2 April 20XX
Subject: Enquiry about the Summer Design Workshop

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am Neha Desai, a student of Class IX at ABC Public School, Pune. I am passionate about designing and wish to pursue it as a career. I came across the summer workshop being conducted by your esteemed institute.

I would be grateful if you could share details of the workshop, such as the dates, duration, timings, fees, eligibility and the registration process. I would also like to know whether any materials need to be brought.

I am very keen to join the workshop. Kindly let me know how I may register.

Yours sincerely,
Neha Desai
Class IX, ABC Public School, Pune
Phone: 98XXXXXX10

I–IICreate a Vision Board / Personalities inspired by their parents.

Make a vision board with five sections: My Dreams, I Want to Try, Goals, Places I Will Go and Inspiration. Read about Jijabai and Queen Madālasa and discuss how parents shape their children’s values.

IImagine that you are the person in the image.

1. What emotions do you feel standing at the base of a difficult task?
I feel nervous and a little afraid, but also excited.

2. What might make you take the first step?
My belief in myself and the encouragement of my family would make me take the first step.

IIThink about a time when you had to face a challenge.

My challenge was speaking on stage for the first time. At the start, I felt scared and my hands were shaking. Once I decided to go ahead, I felt brave and confident. (Write your own answer.)

IIIWhat does ‘believe in yourself’ mean to you?

self-confidence, trust in my abilities, courage, positive attitude, never giving up

IVSelect the correct meaning of ‘status quo’.

2. A situation to keep things the same.

ISelect the correct central idea for each stanza.

Stanza 1 — (i) Facing challenges requires personal responsibility and a clear focus on one’s future.
Stanza 2 — (i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as the future approaches.
Stanza 3 — (ii) Personal growth requires leaving behind comfort and embracing change.
Stanza 4 — (ii) The first step towards change is difficult, but self-belief helps you stay on track.

IIRhyme scheme.

The poem follows the rhyme scheme ABCB (see – be, fear – near, quo – grow, back – track).

IIITone — true or false.

1. The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging. — True
2. The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to determination by the end. — True

IVSpeaker — fill in the blanks.

The speaker comes across as a guide who is encouraging the reader to take control of his/her own future. The direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is talking directly to the reader.

VImagery — match the phrases.

Phrase	Imagery
1. There is no crowd to see…	(ii) Suggests a solitary journey, stressing individual effort.
2. push you back in fear?	(iii) Evokes the mental barrier that prevents growth.

(i) is the extra representation.

VISymbolism — complete the sentences.

Comfort and the status quo represent stagnation and fear of change.
The future symbolises the unknown, … but requires courage to step into.
The first step symbolises the initial leap of faith required to begin the journey of self-improvement.

VIIExplain why ‘The first step is the hardest’ is metaphorical.

The ‘first step’ is not a real step taken with the feet. It stands for the beginning of any new task or change. Starting is the most difficult part, which is why it is called the hardest.

VIIIIdentify the lines that show antithesis.

“Will it pull you forward / Or push you back in fear?” — ‘pull forward’ is contrasted with ‘push back’. It shows two opposite results of our choices.

“There is such ease in comfort … But this isn’t how we grow.” — comfort is contrasted with growth.

IRead the extract and answer the questions.

Step up to the challenge / There is no crowd to see, / It’s just you and the future / And where you want to be.

(i) What does ‘There is no crowd to see’ suggest about facing challenges?
We face our challenges alone. No one is there to watch or cheer, so it depends on us.

(ii) ‘It’s just you and the future’ suggests that ______.
our future depends on our own choices and efforts.

(iii) Latha will ______ her efforts to improve her vocal performance.
step up

(iv) Select the most suitable title for the extract.
B. Facing the Future Alone

(v) achieve : goal :: face : ______
challenge

IIAnswer the following questions.

1. What is the significance of the metaphor ‘The first step is the hardest’?
Starting something new needs the most courage. Once we take the first step, the rest of the journey becomes easier.

2. What message does the antithesis convey about personal development?
Our choices can either take us forward or hold us back. Growth comes only when we leave comfort and face fear.

3. Is the poet’s message realistic in the context of real-world struggles?
Partly. Self-belief is the most important start. But we also need hard work, planning, skills and support from others to overcome real obstacles.

4. How does the poem’s message about self-belief apply to a difficult first step you know of?
My cousin was afraid to join a swimming class because she had never swum before. She believed she could learn and took the first step. Today she swims well. This shows that self-belief starts the journey.

IFill in the blanks with the Latin expressions.

I enjoy reading fantasy books, e.g. Harry Potter and Magical Paint Brush.
Ritu asked for a quid pro quo to borrow her notes next time.
I love trekking, hiking, biking, etc.
The park is not very special per se; it becomes more fun with friends.
We created an ad hoc team to organise the school festival.
The movie started in media res, with the hero already fighting the villain.

II.1State what the rhetorical questions intend to achieve.

They urge people to act at once and remind everyone of their responsibility to bring change.
It inspires courage, asking us to rise above fear instead of letting it control us.

II.2Match the situations with the rhetorical questions.

Situation	Rhetorical question
(i) Deciding whether to stand up for what is right	F. How can we stay silent when we know what is right?
(ii) Owning up to a mistake made in a group project	C. If I don’t take responsibility now, when will I?
(iii) Deciding whether to try something challenging, like public speaking	A. How can we ever grow if we never try anything new?
(iv) Choosing between two career paths	D. Can I really move forward without knowing which path to take?
(v) Deciding whether to apologise for a mistake	B. Isn’t it better to admit our mistakes than to let them define us?
(vi) Stepping out of your comfort zone	E. What’s the point of playing it safe if it means staying stuck?

IAnswer in one to three exact words.

How did the boy feel before the play? — nervous
According to the girl, where does confidence come from? — taking action
What was the girl finally sure about regarding the boy? — you’ll shine

IISelect the four true statements.

True statements: 2 4 5 7

The girl encourages the boy to push through his doubts by trusting in his preparation.
The girl believes that self-doubt is a normal part of preparing for a big performance.
The boy feels that his preparation is not enough and doubts his abilities, even though he has practised.
The girl believes that pushing through nervousness will help the boy grow and build confidence.

IUse a saying in a real-life situation and role play.

Saying: Actions speak louder than words.

Meaning: What we do shows our true intentions better than what we say.

Situation: My friend kept saying he would improve his Maths marks, but never practised. Another friend quietly solved ten sums every day and scored well.

Lesson: Promises mean little without effort. Real change comes from doing.

IDraft a speech on ‘Turning Challenges into Opportunities’.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Good morning to our respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. I am Aditya from Class IX. Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before inventing a working bulb. Isn’t it amazing? Today, I will speak on ‘Turning Challenges into Opportunities’.

Firstly, challenges teach us new lessons. When we fail a test, we learn where we are weak. Many people fear change because it takes them out of their comfort zone. Yet every change brings a chance to learn something new.

Secondly, challenges build strength and confidence. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam sold newspapers as a boy to support his studies. That hardship taught him discipline and made him the Missile Man of India. If we stay positive, plan well and keep trying, every problem can open a new door.

To sum up, challenges are not walls but stepping stones. Let us face them bravely and turn them into opportunities. Don’t you agree that the toughest roads lead to the most beautiful places? Thank you.

IStories of leaders who turned challenges into opportunities.

Read about Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Find out about such personalities from your village, town, city or state and present their success stories in class. Enjoy the poem ‘Always Believe in Yourself’.

Follow That Dream & Believe in Yourself

Follow That Dream

Reflect and Respond

Check Your Understanding

Critical Reflection

Vocabulary and Structures in Context

Listen and Respond

Speaking Activity

Writing Task

Learning Beyond the Text

Believe in Yourself