Students can use Kaveri Class 9 English Book Solutions and Class 9 English Kaveri Book Poem 8 Question Answer Believe in Yourself as a quick reference guide.
Believe in Yourself Poem Class 9 Question Answer
Class 9 English Kaveri Poem 8 Question Answer
Class 9 Kaveri Poem 8 Believe in Yourself Question Answer
Reflect and Respond (NCERT Page 245)
I. Imagine that you are the person in the image.
Question 1.
What emotions do you feel standing at the base of a difficult task?
Answer:
Standing at the base of a difficult task, I would feel scared and nervous. I might feel confused about how to start. But at the same time, I would also feel a little excited and determined to try.
Question 2.
What might make you take the first step?
Answer:
I would take the first step if I believe that I can do it. Thinking about my goal and success would motivate me. Encouragement from my parents or friends would also help me move forward.
II. Think about a time when you had to face a challenge.
Question 1.
What was it, and how did you feel at the start of the journey?
Answer:
One challenge I faced was preparing for my final exams. At the beginning, I felt worried and scared because the syllabus was very vast. I was not sure if I could complete it on time.
Question 2.
How did you feel once you made the decision to move forward?
Answer:
When I decided to study properly and not give up, I felt more confident. I felt motivated and ready to work hard. Slowly, my fear started to fade.
III. What does the phrase ‘believe in yourself’ mean to you? Write some words or phrases you associate with believing in yourself.
Answer:
‘Believe in yourself’ means trusting your own abilities. It means having confidence that you can do something even if it is difficult.
Words related to believing in yourself:
Confidence, courage, self-trust, hard work, positive thinking.
IV. Select the correct meaning of ‘status quo’ based on the given sentence.
Even though some kids wanted to try new activities, most of them were happy with the status quo and didn’t want any changes.
1. A plan to make things more exciting.
2. A situation to keep things the same.
3. A decision where everything is completely different.
4. A choice to change things quickly without thinking.
Answer:
2. A situation to keep things the same.
Check your Understanding (NCERT Page 217)
I. Based on your understanding of the poem, 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.
Answer:
(i) Facing challenges requires personal responsibility and a clear focus on one’s future.
Stanza 2
(i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as the future approaches.
(ii) Facing the future with confidence makes choices more straightforward.
Answer:
(i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as the future approaches.
Stanza 3
(i) Personal growth involves finding a balance between comfort and embracing change.
(ii) Personal growth requires leaving behind comfort.
Answer:
(ii) Personal growth requires leaving behind comfort.
Stanza 4
(i) The first step towards change may feel easy if you place your trust in others to guide you and provide support.
(ii) The first step towards change is difficult, but having self-belief and confidence helps you stay on track.
Answer:
(ii) The first step towards change is difficult, but having self-belief and confidence helps you stay on track.
II. 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.
Answer:
ABCB
III. Tone
State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging.
Answer: True
2. The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to one of determination by the end of the poem.
Answer: True
IV. 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 ________ (talking directly to the reader/addressing the reader from a distance).
Answer:
guide, control of, talking directly to the reader
V. Imagery
Match the phrases from the poem in Column 1 with the imagery they represent in Column 2. An extra representation is given.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| 1. There is no crowd to see… | (ii) Suggests a solitary journey stressing individual effort. |
| 2. push you back in fear? | (iii) Evokes the mental barrier that prevents growth. |
VI. Symbolism
Select the words/phrases from the box below to complete the given sentences.
1. Comfort and the status quo represent ________ and fear of change, symbolising the comfort zone that holds one back.
Answer:
stagnation
2. The future symbolises the ________ the potential for change and success that lies ahead but requires one to step into the ________ .
Answer:
unknown; courage
3. The first step symbolises the initial ________ required to begin the journey of ________ or personal development.
Answer:
leap of faith; self-improvement
VII. Metaphor The poet uses a metaphor in the line, ‘The first step is the hardest’. Explain why this is metaphorical.
Answer:
The line ‘The first step is the hardest’ is metaphorical because it does not only mean a physical step. It represents starting something new in life. The poet uses ‘first step’ to show the beginning of a challenge. It is called the hardest because starting anything new is difficult due to fear and doubt.
VIII. The poem uses antithesis in a couple of lines.
Antithesis is a rhetorical device that pairs contrasting or opposite ideas in a parallel grammatical structure to highlight differences or create emphasis. It simplifies complex ideas through contrast, making them easier for readers or listeners to understand.
Consider the famous quote from Neil Armstrong when he first stepped onto the moon: ‘Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant leap for mankind’.
Here, the antithesis lies in contrasting ‘the small step’ for an individual with ‘the giant leap’ for all humanity. The parallel structure of the two phrases highlights the incredible significance of this event, presenting it as both a personal and massive achievement.
Other examples
- Speech is silver, but silence is gold.
- Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
- Man proposes, God disposes.
Identify two lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so.
Answer:
One line that shows antithesis is
‘Will it pull you forward / Or push you back in fear?’
This line shows contrast between ‘pull you forward’ and ‘push you back’. One shows progress and courage, while the other shows fear and stopping. The opposite ideas are placed together to highlight the choice.
Another example is: ‘There is such ease in comfort / But this isn’t how we grow’.
Here, ‘ease in comfort’ is contrasted with ‘grow’. Staying comfortable means no change, but growth requires effort and change. The poet uses opposite ideas to show that comfort and growth cannot happen together.
Critical Reflection (NCERT Page 250)
I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Step up to the challenge
There is no crowd to see,
It’s just you and the future
And where you want to be.
(i) What does the line, ‘There is no crowd to see’ suggest about facing challenges?
Answer:
The line ‘There is no crowd to see’ suggests that when we face challenges, we are alone. No one else can fight our battles for us. We have to take responsibility for our own decisions.
(ii) Complete the following suitably.
The line ‘It’s just you and the future’ suggests that
Answer:
a person is fully responsible for shaping his or her own future
(iii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate word/phrase. from the extract.
Latha will ________ her efforts to improve her vocal performance by practising harder each day.
Answer:
step up
(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
Answer:
B. Facing the Future Alone
(v) Complete the analogy by using a word from the extract.
achieve : goal :: face : ________.
Answer:
challenge
II. Answer the following questions.
Question 1
What is the significance of the metaphor, The first step is the hardest’ in the context of personal growth?
Answer:
The metaphor ‘The first step is the hardest’ means that starting something new is very difficult. In personal growth, the biggest problem is fear and doubt in the beginning. Once we take the first step, things slowly become easier. It shows that growth begins with courage. Without starting, we cannot improve or achieve our goals in life.
Question 2.
What message does the antithesis in the poem convey about the nature of personal development?
Answer:
The antithesis in the poem shows opposite ideas like moving forward and being pushed back in fear. It tells us that personal development is a choice between comfort and growth. If we stay comfortable, we do not grow. But if we face fear and challenges, we improve. The poet uses contrast to explain that growth needs effort and bravery.
Question 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 overcome obstacles or other factors are also necessary.)
Answer:
Yes, the poet’s message is realistic, but believing in yourself alone is not always enough. Self-belief is important because it gives confidence and strength.
However, hard work, patience, and support from others are also necessary. In real life, people face many problems. So along with confidence, we also need effort, planning and determination to succeed.
Question 4
Consider a situation where you or someone you know had to take a difficult first step towards a goal. How does the poem’s message about the importance of self-belief apply to this situation?
Answer:
When my friend decided to speak in public for the first time, she was very scared. Taking that first step was difficult for her. But she believed in herself and practised daily. Slowly, her confidence improved. The poem’s message fits this situation because self-belief helped her overcome fear and move closer to her goal successfully.
Vocabulary in Context (NCERT Page 251)
I. The phrase ‘status quo’ is a Latin expression that translates to ‘the state in which’ or ‘the existing state of affairs’. Over time, it has become a popular term used in English to refer to the current situation or condition, especially when things remain unchanged.
There are other Latin terms commonly used in English.
Read a few given below along with their meanings.
Now, fill in the blanks in the given sentences with the Latin expressions used in English from the table.
(i) I enjoy reading fantasy books, ________ Harry Potter and Magical Paint Brush.
Answer: e.g.
(ii) After helping Tanya with the homework, Ritu asked for a ________ to borrow her notes next time.
Answer: quid pro quo
(iii) I love all kinds of outdoor activities, such as trekking, hiking, biking, ________ .
Answer: etc.
(iv) The park is not very special ________ ; it becomes more fun when you visit with friends.
Answer: perse
(v) We created an ________ team to organise the school festival.
Answer: ad hoc
(vi) The movie started ________ with the hero already fighting the villain in a huge battle.
Answer: in media res
II. The line, ‘Will it pull you forward or push you back in fear?’ is a rhetorical question.
A rhetorical question is a question that doesn’t require an answer because it is used to make the reader think or reflect on a particular idea.
Question 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?
Answer:
‘Isn’t it obvious that we must act now? Don’t we all have a responsibility to make a change?’ These questions make us think about our duty. They try to motivate us to take action and not ignore problems. They remind us that everyone has responsibility.
(ii) Will we let fear control us, or will we rise above it?
Answer:
‘Will we let fear control us, or will we rise above it?’ This question makes us think about our choice. It encourages us to be brave and not let fear stop us from moving forward.
Question 2.
Match the situations in Column 1 to the rhetorical questions in Column 2.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| (i) Deciding whether to stand up for what is right | F. How can we stay silent when we know what is right? |
| (ii) Owning up to a mistake made in a group project | C. If I don’t take responsibility now, when will I? |
| (iii) Deciding whether to try something challenging, like public speaking | A. How can we ever grow if we never try anything new? |
| (iv) Choosing between two career paths | D. Can I really move forward without knowing which path to take? |
| (v) Deciding whether to apologise for a mistake | B. Isn’t it better to admit our mistakes than to let them define us? |
| (vi) Trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone | E. What’s the point of playing it safe if it means staying stuck? |
Writing Task (NCERT Page 255)
I. Your class is conducting the morning assembly. You have been asked to deliver a speech on the topic, ‘Turning Challenges into Opportunities’. Draft this speech by following the guidelines given below.
- Opening paragraph: Greet the audience and introduce yourself. Begin with a quotation, a question or a surprising fact. State the purpose of your speech and provide an overview of what you will be talking about.
- Paragraphs 2 and 3 – Body of the speech: Divide the body of your speech into two paragraphs, each focusing on a different main point or idea. Use transition words, anecdotes, statistics, and other supporting evidence to strengthen your points.
Concluding paragraph: Summarise the main points of your speech. End with a statement that leaves a lasting impression on the audience and conveys your thanks.
Use formal language to present ideas clearly.
Use persuasive tone – don’t you agree… isn’t it?
Refer to the guidelines given below
- Consider how challenges can lead to new learning experiences, growth or unexpected benefits.
- Why do you think people often feel scared or anxious when faced with change?
- How can change open doors to new opportunities? Can you think of an example from your own life or someone you know?
- What are some strategies or attitudes you can adopt to approach change with a positive mindset?
- Think about how facing challenges builds skills, determination, and confidence, all of which are essential for success.
Answer:
Good morning respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. I am here to speak on the topic ‘Turning Challenges into Opportunities’. Someone once said, ‘Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations’. Challenges are not meant to stop us; they are meant to help us grow. When we face problems, we learn new skills and discover our true strength.
Many people feel scared when change comes. We fear failure and judgement. However, every challenge gives us a chance to improve. For example, when I had to speak in class for the first time, I was nervous. But that experience made me more confident. Challenges teach us patience, hard work and courage.
If we keep a positive mindset and believe in ourselves, we can turn problems into success. So let us not fear change. Let us face it bravely and grow stronger each day.
Thank you.