Chapter 5: The World of Limitless Possibilities — Solutions (Pages 1–19)
📄 Page 1 — Reflect and Respond (I)
Q1. Look at the picture carefully and share your observations with your classmates and teacher.
Answer: The picture shows Sheetal Devi, a young para-archer who is shooting with a bow and arrow using her feet, as she does not have arms. She is wearing a sports dress and looks focused and confident. Behind her, the Paralympics logo is visible, which shows she is a para-athlete representing India.
Q2. Does this personality inspire you? Explain how.
Answer: Yes, Sheetal Devi inspires me very much. Even though she does not have arms, she did not give up. She learnt archery using her feet and became so skilled that she won the Arjuna Award in January 2024. She teaches us that our limitations cannot stop us if we have determination and hard work.
Q3. Give a caption for this picture.
Answer: “Ability Beyond Disability — Aim High, Achieve Higher.”
📄 Page 2 — Reflect and Respond (II)
Q. Complete the table about Paralympics.
Answer:
| What I know | What I want to know |
|---|---|
| Paralympics is a sports event for athletes with disabilities. | When did Paralympics start? |
| Indian para-athletes have won many medals. | Which sports are included in Paralympics? |
| It is held every four years like the Olympics. | How are para-athletes trained for the games? |
📄 Page 7 — Check Your Understanding (I)
Q. Fill in the fact table based on the interview with Dr. Deepa Malik.
Answer:
| Fact Table | |
|---|---|
| 1. Diagnosed with spinal tumour at the age of | 29 years |
| 2. Result of the surgery | She was paralysed waist down and bound to a wheelchair for life |
| 3. Named as one of the 10 most effective para-athletes by | International Paralympic Committee |
| 4. First successful Paralympic event | Silver medal in shot-put at 2016 Rio Paralympic Games |
| 5. List of ‘firsts’ | (i) First ever Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics <br> (ii) India’s first ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport |
| 6. Awards won | (i) Khel Ratna <br> (ii) Arjuna Award <br> (iii) Padma Shri |
| 7. Two things supported by her | (i) Emotional health of persons with challenges and empowering women through outdoor sports <br> (ii) Supporting people from lower socio-economic groups and providing equipment to para-sportspersons |
📄 Page 7–8 — Check Your Understanding (II)
Q. Read the two sets of sentences. Choose whether the statements display fact-opinion or cause-effect.
Set (1):
- (i) In the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, I secured the silver medal in the shot-put event.
- (ii) I feel it was a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions.
Answer: Fact-Opinion (Sentence (i) is a fact that can be proved, while sentence (ii) is Dr. Malik’s personal opinion/feeling.)
Set (2):
- (i) I was diagnosed with a tumour in my spine.
- (ii) I had a surgery and was told that I would be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of my life.
Answer: Cause-Effect (The tumour was the cause, and being bound to a wheelchair after surgery was the effect.)
📄 Page 8 — Check Your Understanding (III)
Q. Identify which pairs show 1. cause-effect or 2. fact-opinion. Write 1 or 2.
(i) Dr. Deepa Malik was a member of the Working Group for the Formulation of Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012–17). / It is believed that she contributed greatly to create better sports policies for the persons with disabilities.
Answer: 2 (Fact-Opinion) (First sentence is a fact; the second is an opinion using “It is believed”.)
(ii) Paralympics showcases incredible talent and determination of para-athletes. / The global perception on disabilities shifts, inspiring para-athletes to pursue their dreams.
Answer: 1 (Cause-Effect) (Paralympics showing talent is the cause; changing global perception is the effect.)
📄 Pages 8–9 — Critical Reflection (I.1)
Extract 1: “I had two choices—squander my life in remorse or transform it to a world of limitless possibilities…”
Q(i). Give a reason: The speaker’s decision to transform her life can be likened to the concept of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
Answer: Just like a caterpillar struggles inside a cocoon and finally becomes a beautiful butterfly that can fly, Dr. Malik also faced a very difficult time after her surgery. Instead of giving up, she transformed her sad situation into a successful life full of achievements as a para-athlete.
Q(ii). Why could the speaker switch to para-athletics quite comfortably?
Answer: The speaker could switch to para-athletics easily because she already loved sports and had been a swimmer earlier. So she had a sporting background and natural interest, which made the switch comfortable.
Q(iii). Complete the sentence: The speaker calls 2016 Rio Paralympic Games as a ‘breakthrough moment’ because ________.
Answer: …she won the silver medal in the shot-put event, which became a moment of personal victory and a big step forward in changing how society viewed persons with disabilities.
Q(iv). The phrase ‘in hindsight’ indicates the speaker is __________.
Answer: B. reflective (Because “in hindsight” means thinking back and reflecting on past events.)
Q(v). List one likely perception the speaker might have changed.
Answer: One perception she might have changed is that people with physical disabilities cannot achieve great things or compete in sports at a high level. By winning a Paralympic medal, she proved that disability does not limit one’s potential.
📄 Page 10 — Critical Reflection (I.2)
Extract 2: “Honestly, I feel sports, especially Paralympics, have the extraordinary ability to challenge stereotypes…”
Q(i). Choose the option that lists the words to describe the tone of the speaker.
Answer: (a) A and D — appreciative and optimistic (The speaker appreciates the power of Paralympics and speaks with hope about changing attitudes.)
Q(ii). Complete the analogy: ability : potential :: preconceived notions : __________
Answer: stereotypes (Just as ability relates to potential, preconceived notions relate to stereotypes — both mean fixed opinions formed without knowing the truth.)
Q(iii). State whether true or false: Paralympics is a platform that not only showcases the remarkable abilities of para-athletes but also questions stereotypes.
Answer: True (Dr. Malik clearly says Paralympics challenges stereotypes and changes attitudes towards disability.)
Q(iv). What does ‘helped me push boundaries’ tell us about the speaker?
Answer: It tells us that the speaker is brave, determined, and willing to go beyond her limits. She did not allow her disability to stop her; instead, she kept challenging herself to do more than what people thought was possible.
Q(v). Which phrase from the extract suggests that the speaker was able to transform her life?
Answer: The phrase “a new lease of life” suggests that Paralympics helped her transform her life and gave her a fresh start.
📄 Pages 10–11 — Critical Reflection (II)
Q1. Explain how Dr. Malik’s achievements challenge societal perceptions.
Answer: Society often believes that people with disabilities cannot achieve big goals. Dr. Malik proved this wrong. Even though she is paralysed waist down, she became India’s first female Paralympics medallist and won the Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Padma Shri awards. Her achievements show that physical limitations do not define one’s potential and that disability is not a weakness but a strength.
Q2. What can be the long-term impact of involving youth in schools and colleges in advocacy with respect to disability?
Answer: When youth become aware about disability at a young age, they grow up with kindness, respect, and an inclusive mindset. In the long term, this will create a society where persons with disabilities are treated equally, given fair opportunities, and not pitied. The youth will become future leaders, employers, and citizens who support inclusion in every field.
Q3. Rationalise the appropriateness of the title with reference to Dr. Deepa Malik’s attitude and achievements.
Answer: The title “The World of Limitless Possibilities” is very appropriate because Dr. Malik’s life proves there are no limits when one has determination. After being paralysed at 29, instead of feeling sorrowful, she chose to transform her life. She won a Paralympic medal, several national awards, and became a strong voice for disability rights. Her journey shows that possibilities are endless if one believes in oneself.
Q4. “Every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength.” How might this be a life lesson for every individual, and not just sportspersons?
Answer: Every person faces problems in life — failures in exams, family issues, health problems, or job loss. Instead of feeling sad, we should see setbacks as chances to become stronger. Just like Dr. Malik turned her paralysis into a successful sports career, any individual can use difficult times to discover their hidden strengths, learn new things, and grow as a person.
Q5. Examine how Dr. Deepa Malik’s recognition as one of the 10 most inspirational para-athletes globally contributes to the larger discourse on gender equality in sports.
Answer: Dr. Malik’s global recognition is a big achievement for women in sports. For a long time, women athletes, especially para-athletes, were not given equal importance. Her name being listed by the International Paralympic Committee shows that women can also reach the top in sports. It inspires young girls to take up sports without fear and encourages society to give equal opportunities and respect to female athletes.
Q6. How might Dr. Deepa Malik’s thought, ‘ability beyond disability’, serve as a guideline for success for all future para-athletes?
Answer: The thought ‘ability beyond disability’ teaches para-athletes to focus on what they CAN do rather than what they cannot. It reminds them that their abilities are far greater than their physical limitations. This positive thinking will give future para-athletes the courage to dream big, work hard, and not let their disability stop them from winning medals and making their country proud.
Q7. What have you learnt from this interview, and how can you implement these learnings in your life?
Answer: From this interview I have learnt that:
- Never give up, no matter how difficult life becomes.
- Every setback is a chance to prove our strength.
- We must believe in ourselves and our abilities.
- We should respect and support people with disabilities.
I can apply these lessons by working hard in studies, helping classmates who face difficulties, never quitting after failures, and treating everyone equally with respect and dignity.
📄 Page 11 — Vocabulary and Structures in Context (I)
Q. Match the phrases in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. defy the odds | (iii) succeed in doing something when most people think it would result in failure |
| 2. a new lease of life | (v) an occasion when you become more energetic and active than earlier |
| 3. in hindsight | (iv) ability to understand something after it has happened |
| 4. breakthrough moment | (i) a time of significant development or discovery |
| 5. turn obstacles into stepping stones | (ii) overcome challenges and achieve goals |
Sample sentences:
- Defy the odds — Sheetal Devi defied the odds and won the Arjuna Award.
- A new lease of life — After joining sports, Rahul got a new lease of life.
- In hindsight — In hindsight, I should have studied harder for my exam.
- Breakthrough moment — Winning the gold medal was her breakthrough moment.
- Turn obstacles into stepping stones — Successful people turn obstacles into stepping stones.
📄 Page 12 — Vocabulary (II)
Q. Arrange the words on the word cline in increasing order of pace from slowest to fastest.
Answer (slowest to fastest):
Crawl → Creep → Plod → Amble → Saunter → Stroll → Walk → Jog → Run → Sprint → Dart
📄 Pages 12–13 — Vocabulary (III)
Q. Match the highlighted verbs with their functions.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. I could hear the audience clapping. | (v) past ability |
| 2. It couldn’t be helped. | (vi) impossibility |
| 3. I should give it my best shot. | (iv) obligation |
| 4. I knew if I tried, I would win. | (iii) prediction |
(Extra functions not needed: (i) promise, (ii) possibility)
📄 Page 13 — Vocabulary (IV)
Q. Make sentences with the modal verbs given in the table with each function. Mention the function in brackets.
Answer:
1. could
- It could rain tonight. (possibility)
- If I had wings, I could fly. (unreal ability)
- Could you please pass me the book? (request)
- We could go to the park today. (suggestion)
2. couldn’t
- I couldn’t solve the maths problem yesterday. (inability)
3. should
- The train should arrive at 5 p.m. (probability)
- You should drink more water daily. (advice)
4. would
- Would you help me carry this bag? (request)
- When I was young, I would play cricket every evening. (past habit)
📄 Pages 13–14 — Vocabulary (V) Direct & Reported Speech
Q. Fill in the blanks: The sentences given above are in ______. (Direct Speech/Reported Speech)
Answer: Direct Speech
Q. The sentences given above are ______ sentences. (declarative/interrogative/exclamatory/imperative)
Answer: Declarative
Q. Note the changes in Column 3:
Answer:
Row 2 — Dr. Malik: “I love sports and had been a swimmer too, and so I decided to switch to para-athletics.”
| Changes Noted |
|---|
| 1. ‘said’ added |
| 2. ‘that’ — linking word added |
| 3. I → she |
| 4. love → loved |
| 5. quotation marks removed |
| 6. decided → had decided |
Row 3 — Interviewer: “Your story is indeed a testament to the power of determination.”
| Changes Noted |
|---|
| 1. ‘said’ added |
| 2. ‘that’ — linking word added |
| 3. your → her |
| 4. is → was |
Row 4 — Dr. Malik: “I believe youth is the voice of tomorrow.”
| Changes Noted |
|---|
| 1. ‘says’ added and ‘that’ added |
| 2. I → she (no tense change because reporting verb is in present tense — ‘says’) |
📄 Page 15 — Vocabulary (VI)
Q. Change the conversation to reported speech.
Answer:
Siya said that she (1) had watched a documentary on the para equestrian event on television the previous night. Tarun replied that he hadn’t known that Paralympics had equestrian events. Siya added that (2) it did and it had been so interesting to watch. Tarun remarked that it was wonderful and that para equestrians must be training for months for that. Siya replied that (3) they also had to find and develop their own style of communication with their horse. Tarun said that (4) he would watch that documentary the next weekend.
📄 Page 16 — Listen and Respond (I)
Q. Fill in the blanks about the announcement for special assembly.
Answer: Note: This activity requires listening to the audio transcript provided to the teacher (page 268). Sample answers based on context:
- The venue for the special assembly is the school auditorium.
- A presentation on inclusion will be made by the students.
- The dance performance will focus on the themes of unity and inclusion.
- A workshop will be conducted by experts who support inclusion.
- The celebration will end with a group activity / team game to encourage team work.
(Please confirm the exact answers from your teacher’s transcript.)
📄 Pages 16–17 — Speaking Activity
Q. Interview the Sports Captain (informal) and the Sports Coach (formal).
Answer: This is a speaking activity to be done in pairs in class. Use the question patterns given in the textbook:
- Informal (Sports Captain): Use friendly tone — “Hello!”, “Tell me about yourself”, “Did you face any challenges?”
- Formal (Sports Coach): Use polite, respectful tone — “Good morning, it is my privilege…”, “Could you tell me…”, “What advice do you have for aspiring athletes?”
Take turns playing the role of interviewer and interviewee with your partner.
📄 Pages 17–18 — Writing Task (II)
Q. Draft a notice (in not more than 50 words) for an Inter-school Athletic Meet asking students to register for selection.
Answer:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ KAVERI PUBLIC SCHOOL │
│ │
│ NOTICE │
│ │
│ 15 May 2026 │
│ │
│ INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET │
│ │
│ The Sports Club is organising an │
│ Inter-school Athletic Meet on 5 June 2026. │
│ Interested students of classes 6 to 10 │
│ may register for selection in running, │
│ long jump, high jump, and relay events. │
│ Submit your names to the undersigned by │
│ 25 May 2026 in the sports room. │
│ │
│ Aarav Sharma │
│ Sports Captain │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
📄 Pages 18–19 — Learning Beyond the Text
Q(I). Did you know? (Reading passage about origin of Paralympics)
Answer: This is a reading passage to be understood. Key facts to remember:
- Paralympics origin: 1948, started by Sir Ludwig Guttmann in England.
- First organised for war veterans with spinal cord injuries.
- Stoke Mandeville Games — Olympic-style games for differently-abled athletes.
- First held in Rome in 1960.
- Split into Summer and Winter Games, held every two years alternately.
- Held in the same city that hosts the Olympics, shortly after the Olympic Games.
Q(II). Work in groups of four. Choose any one topic and make a presentation.
Answer: Sample topics and points to include:
Topic 1: Two lesser-known Paralympic sports
Para Equestrian: Horse-riding event where para-athletes ride and perform dressage. Athletes are grouped based on their disability levels.
Para Rowing: A water sport where para-athletes row boats over a 2000-metre course. There are different categories based on physical ability.
Topic 2: Two Paralympians from India
Dr. Deepa Malik: First Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal (silver in shot-put, Rio 2016). Awardee of Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Padma Shri.
Sheetal Devi: Youngest Indian para-archer, born without arms, shoots with her feet. Won the Arjuna Award in January 2024.
Follow the steps in the textbook:
- Make 1 intro slide + 2 slides on history + 4–5 slides on chosen topic + 1 conclusion slide
- Balance text and images
- Use appropriate colour scheme
✅ All questions from pages 1 to 19 have been answered based on the textbook content in simple language for easy understanding.
📚 Tip for students: Read the interview of Dr. Deepa Malik twice before revising the answers. Remember the key vocabulary — resilience, fortitude, accolades, advocating, inclusivity.