Verified step-by-step solutions for your class notes.
I State whether the following sentences are true or false. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. 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. Then if it is still burning in your blood and you are ready to commit yourself to the task, plunge. It could be in any field—sports, science, arts, business, or design. The road may be uphill most of the way and often you are buoyed up only by the knowledge that you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing. When stamina is running out, the prospect of success will keep you on track.
2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
From my own experience, life itself may change a person's dreams. These hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days. To fulfil them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. The dream will take a much longer time to realise, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more.
(i) The letter begins thus, 'By all means follow that dream'. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?
(i) Answer: Ming must have written to her mother about an ambitious aspiration or an uncommon career path she was passionate about pursuing, seeking her mother's blessing, advice, and emotional support.
(ii) How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways.
(ii) Answer: One can attain an international level of skill by (a) pursuing the subject exclusively and intensively for at least ten years, and (b) demonstrating readiness to make personal sacrifices, invest effort, and shoulder financial costs.
(iii) What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers?
(iii) Answer: Mere dreamers remain confined to wishful thinking and choose to trade their aspirations for security or ease. Actual achievers back their passion with deep conviction, count the costs honestly, and commit to the hard work needed to overcome hurdles.
(iv) How does Ming's mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively?
(iv) Answer: Ming's mother prompts her daughter to reflect on whether her conviction is strong enough to endure years of effort and sacrifice. She grounds this advice by sharing her personal experience of chasing the dream of publishing her book over a span of ten years, showing that long timelines and changing goals are natural parts of the journey.
(v) How does Ming's mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice?
(v) Answer: The mother encourages Ming by urging her to pursue her ambition if a burning conviction courses through her veins. At the same time, she cautions her by outlining practical costs—such as the required ten-year timeline, potential financial burdens, unexpected changes in circumstance, and the reality of obstacles along the way.
(vi) 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?
(vi) Answer: Yes, this advice remains very relevant today. While modern digital tools provide quicker visibility, mastering any trade still takes sustained effort over many years. Moreover, young people frequently navigate career uncertainties, financial pressures, and shifting responsibilities, making perseverance and resilience essential.
(vii) What 'costs' in terms of effort, sacrifice, and time are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals?
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