Students can use Kaveri Book Class 9 Solutions and Class 9 English Book Kaveri Chapter 8 Question Answer Follow That Dream as a quick reference guide.
Follow That Dream Class 9 Question Answer
Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 8 Question Answer
Kaveri Book Class 9 Chapter 8 Follow That Dream Question Answer
Reflect and Respond (NCERT Page 231)
I. Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Question 1.
What is your dream?
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Question 2.
Who inspires you to dream?
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Question 3.
What qualities should you have in order to fulfil your dream?
Answer:
To fulfil a dream, a person needs passion, determination and strong self-belief. Hard work, patience and discipline are essential because success takes time.
One must be ready to make sacrifices, stay focused despite challenges and keep learning from failures without giving up.
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Question 4.
Abdul Kalam said, “Dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep. ” Discuss.
Answer:
This quote means a real dream is not just an imagination but a strong goal that motivates a person to work continuously. It keeps one active, focused and determined.
A true dream creates excitement, pushes a person to overcome difficulties and inspires constant effort until success is achieved.
II. What role can parents and community play to help children achieve their dreams?
Answer:
Parents and the community can encourage children by believing in their abilities and supporting their interests. They can provide guidance, resources, good education and a positive environment.
Motivation, emotional support and opportunities help children stay confident and work towards their goals.
III. Complete the given web chart. Give as many reasons as you can.

Answer:
Reasons to follow your dream
- Gives purpose and direction in life
- Brings happiness and satisfaction
- Helps discover one’s talents
- Encourages hard work and discipline
Check Your Understanding (NCERT Page 234)
I. State whether the following sentences are true or false. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Reaching the peak of skill in a field typically demands a focused and intense dedication for about a decade.
Answer: True
2. The mother believes that significant effort and personal sacrifices are essential for turning aspirations into reality.
Answer: True
3. The path to achieving the deepest desires has very little difficulty or a few obstacles.
Answer: False
4. The mother is of the opinion that a person’s life goals and hopes can evolve over time.
Answer: True
5. Having a strong network of individuals can be a hurdle in pursuing one’s ambition.
Answer: False
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6. The mother feels that pursuing a major life goal will not involve any financial expense or sacrifice.
Answer: False
7. For many individuals, their aspirations remain just wishes because they don’t move beyond mere daydreaming.
Answer: True
Critical Reflection (NCERT Pages 235-237)
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract 1
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 only by the knowledge that you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing. When stamina is running out, the prospect of success will keep you on track.
(i) Complete the analogy with a suitable word from the extract.
enthusiasm : passion :: belief :
Answer:
conviction
(ii) Choose the correct option to complete the following sentence appropriately.
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
Answer:
B. an early abandonment of the dream
(iii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The word ‘plunge’ as used in the extract indicates ________ (complete/gradual) involvement in a task.
Answer:
complete
(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 ________.
Answer:
It gives inner satisfaction and keeps a person motivated even when the journey becomes difficult
(v) Mention one motivating factor besides ‘prospect of success’ that might keep a person on track, despite running out of stamina
Answer:
One motivating factor besides ‘prospect of success’ is the knowledge that a person is doing what they love and following the right path, which keeps them encouraged and determined.
Extract 2
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 fulfil them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. The dream will take a much longer time to realise, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more.
(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).
Answer:
evolving
(ii) What does the author mean by ‘hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days’?
Answer:
The author means that dreams formed later in life are just as valuable and meaningful as childhood dreams.
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(iii) Identify the phrase from the extract that indicates a complex and challenging journey.
Answer:
The phrase from the extract that indicates a complex and challenging journey is ‘a maze of hurdles’.
(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The author says, “people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more” because ________.
Answer:
achieving dreams requires support, guidance and contribution from many people
(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
Answer:
C. Optimistic and encouraging
II. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
The letter begins thus, ‘By all means follow that dream’. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?
Answer:
Ming must have written to her mother about her future plans and the dream she wanted to follow. She was probably asking for advice, support or approval before making an important decision about her career or the path she wished to choose in life.
Question 2.
How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways.
Answer:
One can attain an international level of skill by working with full dedication and focus for many years and by being ready to make sacrifices. A person must also invest time, effort and money while staying committed to continuous practice and improvement.
Question 3.
What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers?
Answer:
The difference between mere dreamers and actual achievers is that achievers take real action and work hard to fulfil their dreams. They invest time, effort and make sacrifices, while dreamers only wish for success without taking practical steps to achieve it.
Question 4.
How does Ming’s mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively?
Answer:
Ming’s mother uses critical questions to make Ming think deeply about the effort, time and sacrifices needed to achieve a dream. She also shares real-life examples and her own experience, which makes her advice practical, realistic and more convincing.
Question 5.
How does Ming’s mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice?
Answer:
Ming’s mother balances encouragement with caution by motivating her daughter to follow her dreams while also reminding her about the effort, time and sacrifices required. She shares real-life examples of challenges so that Ming stays hopeful but also realistic about the journey ahead.
Question 6.
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?
Answer:
This advice is still relevant in contemporary society because people today also face competition, financial pressure and family responsibilities while chasing their dreams. The need for hard work, patience and support from others remains the same, so the mother’s guidance continues to be meaningful and practical.
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Question 7.
What ‘costs’ in terms of effort, sacrifice, and time are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals?
Answer:
The costs in terms of effort, sacrifice and time that I am willing to invest include working hard, staying focused and giving up distractions. However, I would not be willing to sacrifice my health, family relationships or personal well-being while pursuing my goals.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context (NCERT Pages 237-240)
I. Read the following sentence from the text.
The dream will take a much longer time to realise, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more.
The word ‘dreamscape’ is a compound word where ‘-scape’ means ‘a view or scene of.
Now, refer to a dictionary and find out the meaning of the following words.

Answer:
- Mindscape – the inner world of thoughts and imagination.
- Seascape – a view of the sea.
- Landscape – a view of natural scenery like hills, forests and fields.
- Cityscape – a view of a city, especially its buildings and lights.
Fill in the blanks in the following dialogue between two friends with the words given in the box.
Sneha Your Goa pictures were beautiful! That (i) ________ was dreamy.
Kiran Thanks! It was way better than our usual (ii) ________ so peaceful.
Sneha I get that. But sometimes the city lights have their own charm.
Kiran True, but I’m craving a quiet (iii) ________ . Forests, hills-something real.
Sneha Yes, nature clears the (iv) ________ doesn’t it?
Kiran Exactly. Let’s plan a trip that soothesinside and out.
Answer:
(i) seascape
(ii) cityscape
(iii) landscape
(iv) mindscape
II. Read each sentence carefully and choose the best meaning for the underlined expression. Then, use that expression in a sentence of your own.
Question 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
Answer:
(ii) have a passionate desire
Question 2.
Preparing for the final exam without proper notes felt like an uphill task.
(i) a tough challenge
(ii) a slow progress
(iii) a hard routine
(iv) a difficult choice
Answer:
(i) a tough challenge
Question 3.
The team was buoyed up by their recent victory and felt confident about the next game.
(i) energised by success
(ii) encouraged by the result
(iii) motivated to improve
(iv) lifted in spirit
Answer:
(iv) lifted in spirit
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Question 4.
He thought he could ace the exam without studying, but that was just wishful thinking.
(i) a clever shortcut but no real effort behind it
(ii) a confident guess but lacking proper knowledge
(iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true
(iv) a strong desire but based on facts and planning
Answer:
(iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true
Question 5.
Don’t be a wet blanket-we’re trying to have fun!
(i) spoil-sport
(ii) latecomer
(iii) rule-breaker
(iv) daydreamer
Answer:
(i) spoil-sport
Question 6.
Excitement was coursing through her veins as she stepped onto the stage for the first time.
(i) hiding deep inside
(ii) flowing through her body
(iii) lingering in her thoughts
(iv) causing numbness
Answer:
(ii) flowing through her body
III. Read the following sentence from the text.
After all the obstacles are considered, if the burning conviction is still coursing through your veins, then go ahead and do something about it.
Here, the first conditional is used to talk about real or possible situations in the future. Sometimes, instead of saying ‘will + verb’ in the main clause, we use an imperative (a command or advice).
Complete the sentences using your own words (imperatives).
1. If the idea excites you, ________.
Answer:
start working on it immediately
2. If you hear strange noises, ________.
Answer:
check the source carefully
3. If this seems too hard, ________.
Answer:
break it into smaller steps
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4. If you care about the issue, ________.
Answer:
raise your voice and take action
5. If you finish early, ________ .
Answer:
revise your work once again
IV. Read the following sentences from the text. Analyse the usage of ‘could’ and match the sentences with their functions given in the box below.

1. It could be in any field-sports, science, arts, business or design.
Answer:
Possibility
2. “I wish I could be this or the other,” they have never got beyond just wishful thinking.
Answer:
Unreal or hypothetical situation
3. They could have preferred to trade their dream for security.
Answer:
Past possibility or speculation
4. 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.
Answer:
Past ability or purpose
V. Complete the following sentences using ‘could’ with the functions mentioned within brackets.
1. I wish I ________ without worrying about money. (unreal or hypothetical)
Answer:
could travel the world
2. They ________ the shorter route, but they didn’t know about it. (past possibility or speculative)
Answer:
could have taken
3. When I was younger, I ________ without stopping. (past ability)
Answer:
could run for hours
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4. She ________ the library right now-she had mentioned it. (possibility)
Answer:
could be at
5. ________ you repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly. (formal/polite request)
Answer:
Could
VI. Fill in the blanks with suitable grammatical forms of the verbs 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 learning has changed this process. In an experiential setting, students 3. ________ (work) on projects, solve problems, and take part in activities that reflect real-life challenges. They 4. ________ (apply) what they have learned in class to new and unfamiliar situations. For example, a student studying science 5. ________ (conduct) experiments to test a theory, while a business student 6. ________ (analyse) a case study to understand market trends. Reflection is key to this process. After completing a task, learners 7. ________ (must/reflect) on what went well and what could be improved. This reflection 8. ________ (help) them build a deeper understanding of the topic. Educators believe that experiential learning 9. ________ (be) more effective than passive learning methods because it is engaging and meaningful. In the future, more schools and universities 10. ________ (incorporate) experiential learning into their curriculum to prepare students for the real world.
Answer:
1. helps
2. learned
3. work
4. apply
5. conducts
6. analyses
7. must reflect
8. helps
9. is
10. will incorporate
Writing Task (NCERT Pages 242 & 243)
An email (electronic mail) is a method of composing, sending, storing, and receiving messages over an electronic communication system.
I. You are passionate about pursuing a course in designing in future. You come across a summer workshop being conducted by a reputed design institute.
Write an email to the Director of the institute enquiring the details of the workshop and expressing your interest in joining it. Follow the guidelines given below to write the email.
- Use formal language
- Avoid use of abbreviations
- Include the following components:
- Header consisting of sender, receiver, date, and subject
- The message-introduction, seeking permission, conclusion
- Complimentary close-Yours sincerely, Name, (designation), and contact details of the sender
Format of an email

Answer:
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: –
Bcc:-
Subject Enquiry about Summer Design Workshop
Respected Sir/Madam,
I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across information about the summer workshop on design conducted by your reputed institute. I am deeply interested in pursuing a career in designing and would like to know more about this
programme.
I would be grateful if you could share details regarding the duration of the workshop, eligibility criteria, course content, fee structure and the registration process. I am very keen to participate and would like to apply at the earliest.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
ABC