Chapter 8: Follow That Dream

Suggested Answer:
1. My dream is to become successful in a field that matches my talent and interest.
2. My parents, teachers and inspiring personalities motivate me to dream big.
3. To fulfil my dream, I need determination, discipline, patience, hard work, confidence and the ability to learn from failure.
4. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s statement means that a real dream is not a casual thought. It is a deep goal that keeps us motivated, active and focused until we achieve it.

Suggested Answer:
Parents and community can help children achieve their dreams by encouraging them, guiding them, providing emotional support, giving access to learning opportunities, appreciating their efforts and helping them make practical plans. They can also teach children discipline, values and resilience.

Suggested Answer:
It is important to follow a dream because it gives purpose to life, builds self-confidence, develops discipline, helps us use our talents, teaches us to face challenges, motivates us to work hard, gives direction to our efforts and brings personal satisfaction.

Answer:

Answer:

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

(ii) The correct option is B. an early abandonment of the dream.

(iii) The word “plunge” indicates a complete involvement in a task.

(iv) The author’s emphasis on “doing what you love best and are doing the right thing” works as intrinsic motivation because it gives inner satisfaction and keeps a person committed even when the journey becomes difficult.

(v) One motivating factor besides the prospect of success is the joy of doing what one loves and the belief that one is following the right path.

Answer:

(i) The phrase “life itself may change a person’s dreams” suggests that dreams are not static but rather dynamic.

(ii) The author means that later hopes and aspirations are as valuable and meaningful as the dreams one had in younger days.

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

(iv) The author says “people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more” because later dreams may involve more responsibilities, relationships, cooperation and support from others.

(v) The correct option is C. optimistic and encouraging.

1. The letter begins thus, “By all means follow that dream”. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?
Ming must have written to her mother about a dream or ambition she wanted to pursue. She may have expressed excitement as well as doubt about whether she should follow it. Her mother’s reply suggests that Ming needed advice, encouragement and practical guidance.

2. How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways.
One can attain an international level of skill by pursuing the chosen field singularly and intensively for many years. One must also invest effort, time, financial resources and sacrifice, while remaining committed despite obstacles.

3. What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers?
Mere dreamers remain at the level of wishful thinking, but actual achievers take action. Achievers count the cost, work hard, make sacrifices, stay committed and continue even when the path becomes difficult.

4. How does Ming’s mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively?
Ming’s mother asks her to think about the cost of effort, years, investment and sacrifice. She uses examples of people whose dreams changed due to circumstances and shares her own experience of publishing a book after ten years. These examples make her advice realistic and convincing.

5. How does Ming’s mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice?
She encourages Ming to follow her dream, but also asks her to consider the difficulties, sacrifices, financial investments and time involved. She does not discourage her; instead, she asks Ming to follow her dream after thoughtful planning.

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?
Yes, this advice is still relevant. Today, young people have many career choices, but every meaningful goal still requires effort, discipline, sacrifice, planning and support. Passion alone is not enough; one must also understand the practical challenges of pursuing a dream.

7. What “costs” in terms of effort, sacrifice, and time are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals?
I am willing to invest regular practice, focused study, discipline, patience and time to pursue my goals. I am also willing to reduce distractions such as excessive screen time. However, I would not want to sacrifice my health, values, family relationships or basic happiness while pursuing success.

Answer:
Dialogue Completion:
Sneha: Your Goa pictures were beautiful! That (i) seascape was dreamy.
Kiran: Thanks! It was way better than our usual (ii) cityscape, so peaceful.
Sneha: I get that. But sometimes the city lights have their own charm.
Kiran: True, but I’m craving a quiet (iii) landscape. Forests, hills—something real.
Sneha: Yes, nature clears the (iv) mindscape, doesn’t it?
Kiran: Exactly. Let’s plan a trip that soothes—inside and out.

Answer:

Answer:
1. If the idea excites you, follow it with proper planning.
2. If you hear strange noises, check carefully before reacting.
3. If this seems too hard, break it into smaller steps.
4. If you care about the issue, speak up and take action.
5. If you finish early, revise your work once again.

Answer:
Sentence Completion:
1. I wish I could travel the world without worrying about money. (unreal or hypothetical)
2. They could have taken the shorter route, but they didn’t know about it. (past possibility or speculative)
3. When I was younger, I could run for a long time without stopping. (past ability)
4. She could be in the library right now—she had mentioned it. (possibility)
5. Could you repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly. (formal/polite request)

Answer:
Experiential learning is an approach to education that focuses on learning through experience, action and reflection. It 1. helps students gain practical knowledge and develop real-world skills. Traditionally, students 2. learned by listening to lectures and memorising facts, but experiential learning has changed this process.

In an experiential setting, students 3. work on projects, solve problems, and take part in activities that reflect real-life challenges. They 4. apply what they have learned in class to new and unfamiliar situations. For example, a student studying science 5. conducts experiments to test a theory, while a business student 6. analyses a case study to understand market trends.

Reflection is key to this process. After completing a task, learners 7. must reflect on what went well and what could be improved. This reflection 8. helps them build a deeper understanding of the topic.

Educators believe that experiential learning 9. is more effective than passive learning methods because it is engaging and meaningful. In the future, more schools and universities 10. will incorporate experiential learning into their curriculum to prepare students for the real world.

Answer: This is an audio-based task. The exact answers should be filled after listening to the classroom audio or teacher transcript.

Questions:
1. Vocational courses will begin in the month of _____.
2. The objective of the courses is to prepare you with ______ for future studies and jobs.
3. Offered courses include Graphic Design, ______, Web Application, and Entrepreneurship Skills, etc.
4. Classes will be conducted by ______ at school.
5. The application forms will be available at the ______.
6. Choice of course will be given to ______ applicants.

Sample Role Play:

Dreamer: I know this might sound challenging, but I want to become a trekking guide. Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of working close to nature and helping others explore mountains safely.

Parent: I know you are passionate, but I am worried about financial stability. I only want what is best for you. What if this career does not give you a regular income?

Mentor: Remember, dreams need planning. Let us look at the long-term view. You can train professionally, learn first aid, study geography and also develop communication skills. There are ways to combine your dream with a stable career plan.

Friend/Sibling: You have always been good at outdoor activities. Do not give up now. I do not want to be a wet blanket, but you should also have a backup plan. If this dream makes you happy, pursue it wisely.

Dreamer: I understand the concern. It is an uphill journey, but I am ready for it because this dream gives me purpose.

Answer:

From: studentname@example.com
To: director@designinstitute.edu
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: Enquiry About Summer Design Workshop

Message:

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am a student of Class 9 and I am deeply interested in pursuing design as a future career. I recently came across information about the summer workshop being conducted by your reputed design institute. I would like to express my interest in joining the workshop.

Kindly provide me with details regarding the duration of the workshop, eligibility criteria, course content, fees, schedule, mode of registration and last date for application. I would also like to know whether beginners can participate and whether certificates will be provided after completion.

I believe this workshop will help me understand the basics of design and guide me in planning my future studies. I request you to share the required details at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,
[Student Name]
Class 9
Contact: [Phone Number]

Suggested Answer:

Suggested Answer:
Parents can shape dreams by giving children stories, values, courage and moral direction. Jijabai inspired Chhatrapati Shivaji with stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and instilled in him dharma, patriotism and justice. Queen Madālasa guided her sons towards wisdom and spiritual understanding. These examples show that parental guidance can influence a child’s character, choices and life purpose.