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🏅 Poem: Nine Gold Medals • Critical Reflection

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Q1

I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.

  • (i) The phrase 'pulled up on their heels' means that the runners ________________.
    A. moved aside
    B. stopped running
    C. tried to run faster
    D. jumped ahead
  • (ii) Mention one character trait common to all the eight other runners.
  • (iii) What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
  • (iv) How might the young athlete have felt on being helped by the others?
  • (v) Would you consider this incident as a turning point in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
  • (i) Answer: B. stopped running
  • (ii) Answer: Empathy / Compassion
  • (iii) Answer: Admiring, respectful, and deeply appreciative.
  • (iv) Answer: Reassured, deeply comforted, and relieved from the overwhelming despair of his fall.
  • (v) Answer: Yes, because it instantly transforms an individual sprint competition into a collective display of unity and compassion.
Q2

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.

  • (i) How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
  • (ii) Why do you think all the nine contestants were given gold medals?
  • (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
    The holding of hands signifies a feeling of ________________.
  • (iv) The spectators giving a 'standing ovation' indicates that they were ________________.
    A. amazed
    B. speechless
    C. distracted
    D. thoughtful
  • (v) Explain the last line of the extract.
  • (i) Answer: Overjoyed, proud, united, and completely fulfilled.
  • (ii) Answer: Because each athlete crossed the finish line together, proving that selflessness and mutual support are worthier of the highest honor than individual speed.
  • (iii) Answer: unity, brotherhood, and collective triumph.
  • (iv) Answer: A. amazed
  • (v) Answer: The pure joy radiating from the nine athletes' faces and the emotional response of the crowd conveyed a message of love and empathy that words alone could never fully capture.