In this page you can find Class 9 English Extra Questions and Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 8 Follow That Dream Extra Questions and Answers will make your practice complete.
Follow That Dream Extra Question Answer
Follow That Dream Class 9 Extra Question Answer
Question 1.
What can we infer about the mother’s attitude toward dreams?
Answer:
The mother is encouraging yet practical. She supports her daughter’s dreams but reminds her to stay realistic about the challenges involved. Her balanced approach shows wisdom and care, as she wants her daughter to succeed without being unprepared.
Question 2.
Why is perseverance important in achieving longterm dreams?
Answer:
Perseverance helps individuals stay focused despite obstacles and setbacks. Since meaningful dreams often take years to achieve, consistent effort and determination ensure progress and increase the chances of eventual success.
Question 3.
How does the phrase ‘burning conviction’ help us understand the author’s message?
Answer:
The phrase ‘burning conviction’ refers to strong determination and passion. The author suggests that only when a person truly believes in a dream and feels deeply about it should they pursue it, as such inner strength helps overcome difficulties.
Follow That Dream Class 9 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
How does the example of award winners thanking their support network strengthen the mother’s advice?
Answer:
This example shows that success is rarely achieved alone. Support from family, friends, and mentors plays an important role in helping individuals stay motivated and overcome challenges, reinforcing the idea that teamwork contributes to achievement.
Question 2.
Do you think dreams should be changed if life circumstances demand it? Give a reason.
Answer:
Yes, if life circumstances demand it, adapting dreams can be wise because life is unpredictable. Changing goals does not mean failure; instead, it reflects maturity and the ability to adjust to reality while continuing to seek purpose and fulfillment.
Question 3.
What does the mother mean by saying that greatness requires effort and sacrifice?
Answer:
The mother explains that greatness is not achieved easily. It demands years of dedication, hard work, and personal sacrifice. People must stay committed to their dreams and invest time and energy to transform their ambitions into reality.
Question 4.
What does the letter suggest about the effect of circumstances on people’s dreams?
Answer:
The letter suggests that external events such as war or family responsibilities can alter life paths. Even determined individuals may have to change their goals, showing that flexibility and resilience are important when facing unexpected situations.
Question 5.
Why does the mother emphasize counting the cost before pursuing a dream?
Answer:
The mother advises counting the cost to ensure that one is prepared for the years of effort, financial commitment, and sacrifices required. Careful consideration helps prevent disappointment and encourages responsible decision-making before dedicating oneself fully.
Question 6.
What does the lesson imply about the involvement of others in achieving dreams? [Inference]
Answer:
The lesson implies that achieving dreams often requires support and cooperation from many people, making success a shared journey rather than an individual effort.
Question 7.
What does the author mean by saying that life may change a person’s dreams? [Interpretation]
Answer:
The author means that as people grow older and face new experiences, responsibilities, and realities, their original dreams may change into new aspirations that better suit their circumstances.
Question 8.
Why is patience important in achieving long-term dreams? [Evaluation]
Answer:
Patience is important because meaningful dreams often take years to achieve, requiring sustained effort, resilience, and the ability to handle delays and setbacks.
Question 9.
How does the author’s example of publishing a book support her message? [Analysis]
Answer:
By sharing her ten-year journey to publish a book, the author shows that dreams can change over time and still be achieved through perseverance and dedication.
Question 10.
What can be inferred about the author’s attitude towards perseverance? [Inference]
Answer:
The author values perseverance greatly, believing that long-term effort and patience are essential for achieving dreams, especially those that take many years to fulfill.
Question 11.
Do you think changing dreams is a sign of failure? Why or why not? [Evaluation]
Answer:
No, changing dreams is not a failure. It reflects growth, adaptability, and a realistic understanding of life’s circumstances and opportunities.
Question 12.
Why does the author say that changed dreams are no less important than childhood dreams? [Analysis]
Answer:
The author believes changed dreams reflect maturity and experience. These dreams are meaningful because they represent growth, adaptability, and continued ambition despite life’s challenges.
Follow That Dream Class 9 Long Question Answer
Question 1.
How does the mother explain the process of turning a dream into reality?
Answer:
The mother explains that achieving a dream begins with passion for a particular interest. This passion must be followed by strong conviction and a clear determination to succeed. She advises her daughter to carefully consider the effort, time, financial investment, and sacrifices required before committing to a goal. According to her, the journey toward success is often difficult and filled with challenges, but love for one’s work provides the strength to continue. She also emphasizes the importance of perseverance, as reaching a world-class level may take many years of focused effort. Through her guidance, the mother interprets dreams not as mere wishes but as goals that demand dedication, courage, and consistent hard work.
Question 2.
Analyze how the mother balances encouragement with practicality in her advice.
Answer:
The mother carefully balances motivation with realism throughout the letter. While she strongly encourages her daughter to follow her dreams, she also reminds her to evaluate the challenges involved. She discusses the years of dedication, sacrifice, and financial commitment required for success, ensuring that Ming understands the seriousness of pursuing a goal. By giving examples of people whose dreams were affected by war or family responsibilities, she highlights how circumstances can shape one’s future. Yet, she does not discourage dreaming; instead, she promotes thoughtful planning and perseverance. This balanced approach reflects her wisdom and concern as a parent. She wants her daughter to remain hopeful but also prepared, teaching her that true success lies in combining passion with responsibility.
Question 3.
What can be inferred about the mother-daughter relationship from the letter?
Answer:
The letter suggests a close, trusting, and affectionate relationship between the mother and daughter. The mother openly shares her experiences, thoughts, and concerns, indicating that she values honest communication. Her tone is warm and supportive, showing that she genuinely wants her daughter to succeed and be prepared for life’s challenges. Rather than imposing decisions, she offers guidance and encourages independent thinking, which reflects respect for Ming’s individuality. The personal nature of the letter also implies emotional intimacy, as the mother feels comfortable discussing both hopes and practical realities. Overall, the relationship appears nurturing and understanding, built on love, mutual respect, and a desire to help the daughter grow into a confident adult.
Question 4.
Do you agree with the mother’s view that dreams require sacrifice? Justify your answer.
Answer:
Yes, the mother’s view is realistic because meaningful achievements often demand sacrifices. To pursue a dream, individuals may need to give up leisure time, financial comfort, or alternative opportunities. Such sacrifices demonstrate commitment and help maintain focus on long-term goals. However, these challenges also build resilience and character, making success more rewarding. At the same time, it is important to maintain balance and not lose one’s well-being while striving for ambition. The mother’s advice encourages thoughtful sacrifice rather than blind struggle. Her perspective teaches that while the path to success may be demanding, the satisfaction of achieving a cherished dream makes the effort worthwhile.
Question 5.
What message does the mother convey about changing dreams over time? [Interpretation]
Answer:
The mother conveys that dreams are not always fixed; they may evolve as a person grows and encounters new experiences. She shares her own example of pursuing the dream of publishing a book, which was different from her earlier aspirations. This shows that changing dreams does not mean abandoning ambition but adapting to life’s realities and opportunities. The mother reassures her daughter that new hopes can be just as meaningful as childhood dreams. However, fulfilling them may involve navigating obstacles and working with many people. Her message highlights the importance of flexibility, resilience, and openness to change. Ultimately, she encourages Ming to accept life’s transitions while continuing to pursue goals with enthusiasm and determination.
Question 6.
Examine the role of perseverance in achieving success as presented in the letter. [Analysis]
Answer:
Perseverance is portrayed as a key ingredient for success in the letter. The mother explains that reaching excellence often requires many years of intense effort, during which one may face exhaustion and setbacks. She compares the journey to an uphill road, suggesting that difficulties are inevitable. However, the belief that one is doing the right thing and the vision of future success help maintain motivation. The mother also points out that strong determination-described as “burning conviction”keeps individuals on track even when stamina fades. By emphasizing persistence, she teaches that talent alone is not enough; continuous effort is what transforms dreams into reality. Her advice encourages Ming to remain patient and steadfast despite challenges.
Question 7.
What does the letter imply about the importance of support from others in achieving dreams? [Inference]
Answer:
The letter implies that success is rarely achieved in isolation. By mentioning award winners who thank their support networks, the mother highlights the significant role played by family, friends, mentors, and well-wishers. Such support provides encouragement during difficult times and helps individuals stay focused on their goals. It also suggests that collaboration and guidance can make challenges easier to overcome. Additionally, the mother’s own letter serves as an example of emotional support, reinforcing the idea that having people who believe in you strengthens confidence. From this, we can infer that while determination is essential, a strong support system often contributes greatly to turning dreams into reality.
Question 8.
Evaluate the relevance of the mother’s advice for young people today. [Evaluation]
Answer:
The mother’s advice remains highly relevant for young people today, as they face increasing competition and numerous career choices. Her emphasis on passion, dedication, and careful planning helps students make informed decisions about their futures. The reminder that success takes time encourages patience in a fast-paced world that often expects quick results. Additionally, her acknowledgment that dreams may change prepares young people to adapt to evolving circumstances. The importance she places on support networks also reflects modern realities, where guidance and collaboration are valuable. Overall, her message inspires youth to dream boldly while staying realistic, making her guidance both practical and timeless.
Follow That Dream Extract Based Questions and Answers
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. Great men and women become great because they have a dream and they pursue it till it comes true. What differentiates greatness from the ordinary is how much effort and sacrifice people invest to realise their dream. Do you know that to reach world-class standard in any field, one has to be singularly and intensively pursuing the subject for at least ten years? (Page 232)
(i) Complete the analogy with a suitable word from the extract.
exceptional: ordinary :: casually: _______.
Answer:
intensively
(ii) What can be inferred about people who become great?
(a) They depend mostly on luck.
(b) They avoid challenges.
(c) They work hard and remain committed to their dreams.
(d) They achieve success quickly.
Answer:
They work hard and remain committed to their dreams.
(iii) Do you think sacrifice is necessary to achieve greatness? Why?
Answer:
Yes, sacrifice is necessary because achieving greatness requires dedication, effort, and the willingness to give up comforts to focus on one’s dream.
(iv) Complete the following sentence with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The phrase ‘follow that dream’ suggests pursuing one’s ambition with _______ (unwillingness/ determination) and not giving up despite difficulties.
Answer:
determination
(v) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
The author mentions that it takes at least ten years to reach a world-class standard to emphasize that _________.
Answer:
success takes time, patience, and continuous hard work.
2. 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 by the knowledge that you are doing what you love best and that it is the right thing. When stamina is running out, the prospect of success will keep you on track. (Page 232)
(i) What can be inferred from the phrase ‘burning in your blood’?
(a) A temporary interest
(b) A strong passion and deep determination
(c) Fear of failure
(d) Pressure from others
Answer:
(b) A strong passion and deep determination
(ii) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
Before pursuing a dream, it is important to understand the effort, time, and sacrifices required so that _______ .
Answer:
one can stay committed to the dream
(iii) What does the phrase ‘uphill road’ symbolize in the extract?
Answer:
The phrase ‘uphill road’ symbolizes the challenges and difficulties faced while achieving a goal.
(iv) How can the prospect of success help a person when stamina is running out?
Answer:
The prospect of success motivates the person to continue working hard and not give up.
(v) Find the phrase from the extract which means ‘supported and encouraged’.
Answer:
‘buoyed up’
3. I know of people whose dream was to go to the then Raffles College, now the National University of Singapore, but the Japanese invasion during World War II changed forever their destiny. I know too, of people who had wished to finish secondary school but they had to go out to work so that they could support their siblings through school.
(Page 233)
(i) Complete the analogy with a suitable word from the extract.
conquering: invasion: : fate: _______ .
Answer:
destiny
(ii) What can be inferred about the impact of the Japanese invasion on people’s lives?
(a) It helped them achieve their dreams.
(b) It had no effect on their education.
(c) It forced many people to change their life plans.
(d) It made education easier.
Answer:
(c) It forced many people to change their life plans.
(iii) Do you think family responsibilities can affect a person’s dreams? Why?
Answer:
Yes, family responsibilities can affect a person’s dreams, because some people may have to prioritize supporting their family over pursuing their personal goals.
(iv) Complete the following sentence with an appropriate reason.
Some people had to leave school early because _______。
Answer:
they had to work to support their siblings and help their family financially.
(v) State whether the following statement is True or False.
This extract teaches us that unexpected events and responsibilities CANNOT change a person’s dreams.
Answer:
False
4. When you watch the Academy Awards for the best actors and actresses and films, the winner always thanks a host of people that formed his/her support network. So, you see that for one winner, there is a group of people who stood by him/her.
It is good to be able to fulfil your dreams but for a lot of people, dreams remain dreams. Although everyone at one time or other has wistfully said to oneself, “I wish could be this or the other,” they have never got beyond just wishful thinking. They could have preferred to trade their dream for security. Perhaps circumstances changed their lives.
(i) What can be inferred about success from the reference to the Academy Awards?
(a) Winners succeed only because of luck.
(b) Success is achieved without help from others.
(c) Behind every successful person, there is strong support from others.
(d) Awards are more important than effort.
Answer:
(b) Unrealistic hope without action.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with an appropriate reason.
A support network is important in achieving dreams because
Answer:
encouragement and help from others provide motivation and strength during difficult times
(iii) What does the phrase ‘dreams remain dreams’ mean in the context?
Answer:
The phrase ‘dreams remain dreams’ means that many people never take action to achieve their dreams, so their dreams are never realized.
(iv) Why do some people choose security over their dreams?
Answer:
Some people choose security over their dreams because they fear risks and uncertainty involved in pursuing their dreams.
(v) What does the phrase ‘wishful thinking’ mean?
(a) Practical planning
(b) Unrealistic hope without action
(c) Hard work
(d) Strong determination
Answer:
(a) Practical planning
5. 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 fulfill them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. The dream will take a much longer time to realize, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more. For example, publishing this book is a dream I have chased in the last ten years.
(i) Complete the following analogy with a suitable word from the extract.
wishes: hopes :: obstacles: _______.
Answer:
hurdles
(ii) What can be inferred about dreams from the author’s experience?
(a) Dreams never change with time.
(b) Changed dreams are less valuable.
(c) New dreams can be as meaningful as earlier ones.
(d) Dreams should be abandoned in adulthood.
Answer:
(c) New dreams can be as meaningful as earlier ones.
(iii) Complete the following sentence with an appropriate reason.
It is acceptable for a person’s dreams to change over time because _______.
Answer:
life experiences and responsibilities can shape new goals that are meaningful and realistic.
(iv) What does the phrase ‘maze of hurdles’ suggest?
Answer:
The phrase ‘maze of hurdles’ suggests that achieving dreams involves many difficulties and complex challenges.
(v) Why does the author mention that the dream may take a longer time to realize?
Answer:
The author mentions that the dream may take a longer time to realize to emphasize the need for patience, perseverance, and sustained effort while pursuing long-term goals.
Extra Questions of Follow That Dream for Practice
I. Reference to Context
Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. Although everyone at one time or other has wistfully said to oneself, “I wish I could be this or the other,” they have never got beyond just wishful thinking. They could have preferred to trade their dream for security. Perhaps circumstances changed their lives. I know of people whose dream was to go to the then Raffles College, now the National University of Singapore, but the Japanese invasion during World War II changed forever their destiny.
(i) What can be inferred about people who only indulge in wishful thinking?
(Page 2533)
(a) They always achieve their dreams.
(b) They take strong action to succeed.
(c) They do not make serious efforts to fulfill their dreams.
(d) They are highly confident.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with an appropriate reason.
Choosing security over dreams is not always wrong because _______ .
(iii) What does the phrase ‘trade their dream for security’ mean?
(iv) Why does the author mention the Japanese invasion during World War II?
(v) What does the word ‘wistfully’ most nearly mean?
(a) Happily
(b) With regretful longing
(c) Angrily
(d) Carelessly
2. To fulfill them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. The dream will take a much longer time to realize, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more. For example, publishing this book is a dream I have chased in the last ten years. This was not the dream I had in my youth but my original dream has changed over the years. I am really quite excited about it. So, I wish at least one of your dreams comes true too.
(i) What can be inferred about achieving dreams from the author’s experience?
(a) Dreams are easy to achieve quickly.
(b) Dreams never change over time.
(c) Achieving dreams may take time and effort.
(d) Only childhood dreams are important.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with an appropriate reason.
Long-term effort is necessary to achieve dreams because _______.
(iii) What does the extract suggest about the nature of dreams as a person grows older?
(iv) Complete the following analogy with an appropriate word from the extract.
handle: negotiate :: anxious: _______.
(v) Why does the author feel excited about achieving her changed dream?
II. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What does the phrase ‘wishful thinking’ suggest about people’s attitudes towards their dreams?
Question 2.
Why do some people choose security over their dreams?
Question 3.
What can we infer about the importance of determination from the excerpt?
Question 4.
Do you think circumstances should stop a person from pursuing their dreams? Why or why not?
Question 5.
How did historical events influence people’s dreams in the extract?
III. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How does the reference to Raffles College help convey the author’s message about dreams?
Question 2.
How do external circumstances shape or redirect a person’s dreams?
Question 3.
What can we infer about the author’s attitude towards dreams and life’s challenges?
Question 4.
Do you think it is wiser to pursue dreams despite risks or to choose security? Justify your answer.
Question 5.
Analyze the reasons why people might trade their dreams for security.