Class 9 English

Chapter 8 Solutions — Follow That Dream

Open Solutions PDF →Also seeTextbook page→

Open Solutions PDFReads in your browser→Also seeTextbook page→

Solutions

Overview

Step-by-step NCERT solutions for Follow That Dream (Chapter 8, NCERT Class 9 English) — the full working for every question, not just the final answer. You can also read the Follow That Dream textbook chapter.

Solved

What these solutions cover

All 34 questions in Follow That Dream are solved in the PDF. Here's what's inside, exercise by exercise:

Check Your Understanding — Follow That Dream

State whether the following sentence is true or false: Reaching the peak of skill in a field typically demands a focused and intense dedication for about a decade.
State whether the following sentence is true or false: The mother believes that significant effort and personal sacrifices are essential for turning aspirations into reality.
State whether the following sentence is true or false: The path to achieving the deepest desires has very little difficulty or a few obstacles.
State whether the following sentence is true or false: The mother is of the opinion that a person's life goals and hopes can evolve over time.
State whether the following sentence is true or false: Having a strong network of individuals can be a hurdle in pursuing one's ambition.
State whether the following sentence is true or false: The mother feels that pursuing a major life goal will not involve any financial expense or sacrifice.
State whether the following sentence is true or false: For many individuals, their aspirations remain just wishes because they don't move beyond mere daydreaming.

Critical Reflection I — Extract Questions (Follow That Dream)

1.
Read the extract …
- (i) Complete the analogy with a suitable word from the extract: enthusiasm : passion :: belief : _____________
- (ii) The author says that a realistic assessment of effort, investment and sacrifice is crucial for preventing _____________. (A) the need for external support network (B) an early abandonment of the dream (C) initial excitement from fading over time (D) others from questioning one's commitment
- (iii) The word 'plunge' as used in the extract indicates a _____________ (complete/gradual) involvement in a task.
- (iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason: The author's emphasis on 'when you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing' works as a form of intrinsic motivation because _____________.
- (v) Mention one motivating factor besides 'prospect of success', that might keep a person on track, despite running out of stamina.
2.
Read the extract …
- (i) Complete the sentence appropriately: The phrase 'life itself may change a person's dreams' suggests that dreams are not static but rather __________. (evolving/dynamic)
- (ii) What does the author mean by, 'hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days'?
- (iii) Identify the phrase from the extract that indicates a complex and challenging journey.
- (iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason: The author says, 'people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more' because ________________.
- (v) What is the tone of the author in this extract? (A) appreciative and celebratory (B) excited and cheerful (C) optimistic and encouraging (D) eager and inquisitive

Critical Reflection II — Answer Questions (Follow That Dream)

The letter begins thus, 'By all means follow that dream'. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?
How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways.
What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers?
How does Ming's mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively?
How does Ming's mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice?
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?
What 'costs' in terms of effort, sacrifice, and time are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals?

Vocabulary and Structures in Context I–VI (Follow That Dream)

1.
The word 'dreamscape' is a compound word where '-scape' means 'a view or scene of'. Refer to a dictionary and find out the meaning of: mindscape, seascape, landscape, cityscape. Then fill in the blanks in the following dialogue with these words:
- (i) 'Your Goa pictures were beautiful! That ___________ was dreamy.'
- (ii) 'It was way better than our usual ___________, so peaceful.'
- (iii) Kiran…
2.
Read each sentence carefully and choose the best meaning for the underlined expression. Then, use that expression in a sentence of your own. 1. She had a dream that seemed to burn in her blood, and she wasn't going to give up on it easily.
- (i) make her angry
- (ii) have a passionate desire
- (iii) cause physical pain
- (iv) become violent 2. Preparing for the final exam without proper notes felt like…
The text uses the first conditional with an imperative in the main clause (e.g., 'if the burning conviction is still coursing through your veins, then go ahead and do something about it'). Complete the following sentences using your own words (imperatives): 1. If the idea excites you, ____________________________. 2. If you hear strange noises,_________________________. 3. If this seems too…
Analyse the usage of 'could' and match the sentences with their functions: Past ability or purpose | Possibility | Past possibility or speculation | Unreal or hypothetical situation 1. It could be in any field—sports, science, arts, business or design. 2. 'I wish I could be this or the other,' they have never got beyond just wishful thinking. 3. They could have preferred to trade their dream for…
Complete the following sentences using 'could' with the functions mentioned within brackets: 1. I wish ____________ without worrying about money. (unreal or hypothetical) 2. They ____________ the shorter route, but they didn't know about it. (past possibility or speculative) 3. When I was younger, I ____________ without stopping. (past ability) 4. She ____________ the library right now—she had…
Fill in the blanks with suitable grammatical forms of the words given in brackets: Experiential learning is an approach to education that focuses on learning through experience, action and reflection. It 1. _______ (help) students gain practical knowledge and develop real-world skills. Traditionally, students 2. _______ (learn) by listening to lectures and memorising facts, but experiential…

Check Your Understanding — Believe in Yourself (Poem)

1.
Based on your understanding of the poem 'Step up to the challenge', select the correct central idea for each stanza from the options given. Stanza 1:
- (i) Facing challenges requires personal responsibility and a clear focus on one's future.
- (ii) Facing challenges is a journey best taken with support and guidance from others. Stanza 2:
- (i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as…
Rhyme Scheme: Fill in the blank to complete the following sentence: The poem follows a simple, yet effective rhyme scheme _________ that flows steadily through each stanza.
Tone: State whether the following statements are true or false. 1. The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging. 2. The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to one of determination by the end of the poem.
Speaker: Fill in the blanks with the correct options from those given in the brackets. The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/she comes across as a _________ (stranger/guide) who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take ____________ (interest in/control of) his/her own future. The use of direct address 'You' creates a close connection, as though the speaker is…
5.
Imagery: Match the phrases from the poem in Column 1 with the imagery they represent in Column 2 (an extra representation is given). Column 1: 1. 'There is no crowd to see...' | 2. 'push you back in fear?' Column 2:
- (i) Represents the difficulty of beginning a new challenge or change.
- (ii) Suggests a solitary journey, stressing individual effort.
- (iii) Evokes the mental barrier that prevents…
Symbolism: Select the words/phrases from the box below to complete the given sentences. [unknown | self-improvement | leap of faith | stagnation | courage] 1. Comfort and the status quo represent ___________ and fear of change, symbolising the comfort zone that holds one back. 2. The future symbolises the ____________, the potential for change and success that lies ahead but requires…
Metaphor: The poet uses a metaphor in the line, 'The first step is the hardest'. Explain why this is metaphorical.
Antithesis: Identify the lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so.

Critical Reflection — Poem (Believe in Yourself)

1.
Read the extract …
- (i) What does the line, 'There is no crowd to see' suggest about facing challenges?
- (ii) Complete the following suitably: The line 'It's just you and the future' suggests that _________.
- (iii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate word/phrase from the extract: Latha will ________ her efforts to improve her vocal performance by practicing harder each day.
- (iv) Select the most suitable title for the extract. A. The Struggles of Change B. Facing the Future Alone C. A Journey of Growth D. The Power of Fear
- (v) Complete the analogy by using a word from the extract: achieve : goal :: face : ___________
Answer the following questions. 1. What is the significance of the metaphor, 'The first step is the hardest' in the context of personal growth? 2. What message does the antithesis in the poem convey about the nature of personal development? 3. Do you think the poet's message is realistic in the context of real-world struggles? (Clue: Evaluate whether simply 'believing in yourself' is enough to…

Vocabulary in Context I–II (Believe in Yourself)

1.
The phrase 'status quo' is a Latin expression meaning 'the existing state of affairs.' Fill in the blanks in the given sentences with the Latin expressions from the table (et cetera / e.g. / ad hoc / in media res / per se / quid pro quo):
- (i) I enjoy reading fantasy books, _________ Harry Potter and Magical Paint Brush.
- (ii) After helping Tanya with the homework, Ritu asked for a _________ to…
2.
A rhetorical question is a question that doesn't require an answer but is used to make the reader think or reflect. 1. Read the following rhetorical questions and state what they intend to achieve:
- (i) 'Isn't it obvious that we must act now? Don't we all have a responsibility to make a change?'
- (ii) 'Will we let fear control us, or will we rise above it?' 2. Match the situations in Column 1 to…

Keep solving