A1. Choose two sentences that appropriately mention the theme of the passage :
(1) The extract deals with the writer’s concern over Chaitanya's handicap.
(2) The extract depicts the writer’s proud feelings towards her son’s achievement.
(3) The extract deals with how Chaitanya made the writer see positively towards life.
(4) The extract deals with how the writer helps Chaitanya to buy the bus ticket.
Early in 1997-98, when he returned from state-level inter-school sports, he had two prizes to his credit and a silver medal. He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
When I saw the prizes and read the citation Chaitanya had received, I was stupefied, in total disbelief, then–hugged him, kissed him and cried unabashedly to my heart’s content. That day, I cried for the first time out of joy and a sense of being vindicated. Without practice, he had competed with approximately 1,800 children drawn from various schools all over the state. He was subsequently selected for the marathon race, but he could not participate due to a health problem. “Maybe next year, he would”, I assured myself. And I, as his proud mother, would proudly chronicle his future achievements and success to inspire other - mothers of the world.
Looking back at my own life, I feel that it is the spirit with which we can accept our life gracefully is what
matters ultimately; and it is love that nourishes us. All other things are unimportant. Chaitanya has made me look inwards. His handicap doesn’t disturb me any longer. He and I shall live with it and still be happy. The mental strength which he has given to me is inexhaustible.
One day, as both of us got onto a public transport bus, Chaitanya offered to buy the tickets for us.
“One full, one half ”, he said to the conductor beaming with joy.
Looking at him, I wondered whether he was really only a half? An incomplete person? Was I really full?
Complete in all respects? Why do then normal people feel that they are ‘full’ and others like Chaitanya are ‘half’ or incomplete? Chaitanya’s world is complete in itself, pure and innocent while our lives are full of deceit, jealousies, ill-feelings.
A2. Point out -
Point out two instances where you find Chaitanya's victory over his disability.
A3. Give reasons -
Chaitanya’s silver medal in a running race was very special for the writer, because :
(i) __________________
(ii) __________________
A4. Vocabulary -
Match the pairs of the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’:
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ | ||
| (1) | stupefied | (a) | official statement about the special act of courage |
| (2) | chronicle | (b) | record events in the order they happened |
| (3) | vindicated | (c) | surprised or shocked |
| (4) | citation | (d) | justified |
A5. Personal response -
Explain, your views about the ill-treatment the special children receive in society.
A6. Grammar -
Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :
(i) He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘not only...but also’.)
(ii) When I saw the prizes, I was stupefied.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘No sooner.... than’.)
Solution
A1.
(1) The extract depicts the writer's proud feelings towards her son’s achievement.
(2) The extract deals with how Chaitanya made the writer see positively towards life.
A2.
The two instances where we can find Chaitanya's victory over his disability are”
(i) Chaitanya won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
(ii) Chaitanya participated and got selected for a marathon race without practice where he had completed with approximately 1800 children.
A3.
Chaitanya's silver medal in a running race was very special for the writer because:
(i) He was a special child (disable) & despite that disability, he won many laurels medals & achievements.
(ii) These achievements of Chaitanya made his mother feel really proud of her child & she would proudly chronicle his future achievements & success to inspire other mothers of the world.
A4.
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ | ||
| (1) | stupefied | (c) | surprised or shocked |
| (2) | chronicle | (b) | record events in the order they happened |
| (3) | vindicated | (d) | justified |
| (4) | citation | (a) | official statement about the special act of courage |
A5.
Special children if compared were always isolated in the past because of their disability whether physical or mental. But with time, perception towards children with disabilities has changed significantly. There is no more bias attitude towards them & they are not isolated anymore In fact everyone is considered equal & given equal rights. We have seen people now not showing any kind of sympathy towards but care for them. Normal people make them feel comfortable & motivate them to do several things even if it is a challenge for them as they are also like other people in society. Even kids in school do not make fun or comment on such special kids but become friends with them & help them further. Hence, with time the perception & attitude towards such special children is changing in a positive way as expected.
A6.
(i) He had won his laurels not only in athletic events but also received a silver medal in running race.
(ii) No sooner did I see the prizes than I was stupefied.
