Question

Maggu’s achievements are particularly noteworthy because – as is well known – academic institutions in India are less than sold on the idea of inclusive education. In fact, when Maggu lost her sight in class IV, her school (which she declines to name) expelled her while suggesting she attend a “blind school”. Though shocked, Maggu rejected the advice. “Attending a special school would have tarred me with a handicap forever, which was not how I saw my future. Therefore I did the rounds of other public schools with my father, a small – time merchant, explaining that my case was different Since I had vision till the age of ten,” she recalls.
Impressed by her persistence and ambition, Delhi’s Bluebells School not only admitted her but pulled out all the stops to support her in academics sporting events and also notched up a respectable 73 percent average in the class XII exam with the help of Braille, interactive textbooks and extra coaching.
The respectable average in her CBSE exam paved the way for admission into LSR where again she proved her mettle by winning medals in a slew of inter – collage events (100 200 and 400 metre sprints) high jump, long jump, javelin and discuss throw: resulting in her being declared ‘Athlete of the year’ 2003’ at a sports meet for 100 physically challenged athletes. And the cherry on the cake was the selection to the IBSA Games last year. “It was a tough regimen,” recalls Maggu. “I had to attend sports camps manage my studies and officiates as sports president. But I managed.”

Questions:
(1) What qualities of Maggu are highlighted in this passage?
(2) Why did Maggu refuse to attend a ‘blind school’?
(3) Quote the lines that show that Jyoti Maggu was good in academics as well as in sports.
(4) Use any two phrases in sentences of your own :
(a) To win laurels
(b) To pave the way
(c) To prove one’s mettle
(d) A tough regimen
(5)
(a) I did the rounds of other public schools with my father [Change the voice]
(b) though shocked Maggu rejected the advice [Rewrite as a simple sentence]
(6) Should the physically challenged be sent to special schools? Express your views.

 

Answer 1

(1) Qualities such as Maggu’s persistence and ambition are highlighted in the passage.
(2) Since Maggu didn’t want to be tarred with a handicap forever, she refused to attend a ‘blind school’.
(3) The line ‘Not surprisingly she won laurels in the inter-school sporting events and also notched up a respectable 73 percent average in the Class XII exam with the help of Braille, interactive textbooks and extra coaching’ suggests that Jyoti Maggu was good in academics as well as in sports.
(4) (a) To win laurels: The athlete won laurels for his country with his superb performance.
     (b) To pave the way: The Prime Minister’s relentless efforts paved the way for the country’s progress.
     (c) To prove one’s mettle: Time and again, the young man has proved his mettle to the entire company.
     (d) A tough regimen: The students are expected to follow a tough regimen as part of their preparations.
(5) (a) The rounds of other public schools were done by me with my father.
     (b) A shocked Maggu rejected the advice.
(6) In support of the view:
Physically challenged students should be sent to special schools because adapting to regular schools may be stressful for them. Regular schools are not equipped to cater to their special needs. Apart from this, they will be made to compete with regular students who will have an advantage over them.