The Race
1. Read the diary entry made by Ram Narayan. A few expressions in it are underlined.
Tarun had to pass through a Herculean task. I could see everything in black and white. Tears were rolling down his cheeks. ‘Those were not crocodile tears. I felt pity for him and wished that he would never give up his determination to win. He didn’t disappoint me. I think Tarun would turn out to be a promising athlete.
Here is another diary entry about Tarun’s performance. Fill in the blanks using the expressions underlined in the above passage.
My son will never be the same. He will ......... (a) .... to be a hard-working and ambitious young man. It was a ..... (b) ..... for him to win the race. When he fell the third time, I doubted that he would .... (c)........ I was startled to see things.................(d).................. . There were many in the gallery shedding tears for him. In that circumstance, I felt certain that those were not ........ (e)..............
a) turn out
b) Herculean task
c) give up
d) in black and white
e) crocodile tears.
2. Fill in the blanks using suitable linkers given in the box.
(soon, and, once again, At first, later)
The race started. ____(a)____ Tarun was leading. Seeing himself ahead of everybody, Tarun felt very proud of himself. ____(b)____ everything changed. Tarun did not notice the shallow path on the track ___ (c) ___ he slipped. Seeing the other kids going past him he got up and started running ______ (d).
a) At first b) Soon
c) and d) once again
Learning The Game
3. Sachin writes a letter to his friend describing his experience in the summer camp. Write the likely letter.
Dear Vinod,
It has been a long time since I wrote a letter to you. Hope you are doing well.
I attended a summer camp during the last summer vacation. It was an incredible experience for me. The camp was held at Corbett Park, Nainital and Ranikhet where we not only learned many things but enjoyed a lot of local sightseeing. We did many activities like sport climbing, star gazing, outdoor cooking, valley crossing, team games, treasure hunt, map reading, jeep safari, elephant safari, village farm visit, etc. It really helped me to develop many qualities like confidence, creativity, communication skills, team spirit, leadership and many more.
I wish you were there with me. We would have enjoyed a lot together. Next time I will definitely inform you about such camps. See you soon.
Yours lovingly
Sachin
4. The following excerpt is taken from the lesson ‘Learning The Game’. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
From a very early age. I played tennis-ball cricket with my colony friends. I loved watching cricket on television and in our games, I often tried to emulate the mannerism of my favourite players, Sunil Gavaskar and the West Indian legend Viv Richards. But it wasn’t just the batsmen that I studied. I also loved bowling. Throughout my career, I have actually bowled a lot in the nets.
I was then studying in the New English School, Mumbai. But my brother Ajit knew that compared to other schools in Mumbai, Sharadashram Vidhyamandir where Ramakant Achrekar Sir was the cricket coach, gave due importance to the game of cricket. He ran summer camp too. Ajit, one day, took me to the camp to get trained under Sir. Anyone could come for a trial at the camp; but then it was up to Sir to decide who to accept. I was eleven years old then. It was up to Sir, as I refer to him, started playing cricket at the age of eleven in 1943, which is the age I was when I went to him for the first time.
a. Who were the favourite cricket players of Sachin?
b. What was special about Sharadashram Vidyamandir?
c. Why did Ajit take Sachin to the summer camp?
d. What is the common factor referred to in the passage about Achrekar and Sachin?
e. Pick out the word from the passage which means ‘to limitate’.
Answers:
a. Sunil Gavaskar and Vivian Richards
b. They gave importance to cricket. Achrekar Sir was the cricket coach there.
c. For training Sachin under Achrekar Sir.
d. Both Achrekar and Sachin started playing cricket at the age of 11.
e. Emulate
5. Determination, hardwork and motivation played a major role in shaping Sachin’s career as a true cricketer. Prepare a speech on ‘The Role of Motivation in Success’ to be delivered in the school assembly highlighting the life of Sachin.
Good morning, teachers and students.
The subject of my speech is the role of motivation in the success of a person’s life. Let me share a few thoughts of mine with you, now.
Motivation can be said to be a stimulation. It is an internal process, a condition inside us that desires a change in one’s self or the environment.
Let us examine the subject on the basis of the great cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
It is true that Sachin had an inborn talent for cricket. It was his brother Ajith who discovered this ability of his in
cricket. He thought deeply about it. He found out a way to let him have good coaching. He understood that
Shardashram Vidhyamandir gave due importance to cricket and that the great cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar Sir was there in that school. Mr. Ajith consulted his father and transferred Sachin to this school. Ajith also persuaded Achrekar Sir to take him into the coaching class. He gave support to Sachin in all possible ways. Achrekar Sir also encouraged Sachin to play the game well. Thus the two persons, Ajith and Achrekar Sir, promoted interest and enthusiasm in Sachin. Their motivation helped Sachin to become a great player.
This is true about many great personalities who have played important roles in changing the world. They had all motivators who helped them develop their abilities.
So motivation is an important factor in the success of all individuals.
Thank you for your patient listening.
6. Edit the following profile of Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was born (a)in 24th April 1974 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He is (b)a Indian cricketer and captain, widely regarded as one of the (c)great cricketers of all time. In 2012, Tendulkar (d) is nominated to the Rajya Sabha. He retired (e) with cricket on 16th November, 2013. ‘Learning the Game’ is an extract from his autobiography.
Answers:
(a) on
(b) an
(c) greatest
(d) was nominated
(e) from
The Race & Learning The Game
7. On the basis of your reading of the lessons ‘The Race’ and ‘Learning the Game’, prepare a write-up on the topic ‘Winners are not born, they are made’.
Winners are made, not born. We’ve seen that champions overcome great obstacles in their life. They may not have perfect surroundings and a happy life. Yet they’re still able to hone their skills and develop leadership traits that position them to win. They turn every adversity in life into a winning formula. If everyone believed that only certain people are blessed with the gift of talent and others aren’t, then champions such as Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan and MS Dhoni wouldn’t have existed. They believed in their abilities. Even in the face of great adversities a champion pushes himself forward. They teach us some valuable lessons. They tell us not to let obstacles discourage one from aiming one’s goal. Never give up, but save your ammunition for another day. Optimism, perseverance, and endurance are the qualities of a champion.
8. The Sports Meet in your school is proposed to be held next month. You are asked to prepare a notice to invite the parents, officials and public for the meet. Draft a notice.
2. Though Tarun was the last to finish the race, he was appreciated by everyone. His
mother hugged him and declared him as the best son a mother could ever have. What may be the conversation between Tarun and his mother? Prepare the likely conversation. (at least five exchanges)
Mother : My son, don't be ashamed. You have done a great job.
Tarun : But mom, you saw I slipped three times which was a great fault on my part. I was a careless child.
Mother : No dear, I knew that you could not be a loser today, so without wasting a second you got up and ran again. This shows your will power.
Tarun : Mom, I heard your words, ‘Get up son, get up and run’. It made me energetic. Thank you mom.
Mother : The audience also cheered for your determination and your valour for never giving up.
Tarun : Mom, Ram Narayan sir encouraged me a lot. His training made me bold. I am indebted to him for my achievement.
Mother : That is great son. You are the best son in the world. I am proud of you.
Tarun : Thank you so much, mom.
