Chapter 5: Nine Gold Medals — Solutions (Pages 20–32)
📄 Page 20 — Reflect and Respond (I)
Q. Discuss the difference between Olympics, Special Olympics, and Paralympics.
Answer:
| Type | Who Participates |
|---|---|
| Olympics | Able-bodied athletes from all over the world compete in various sports. |
| Special Olympics | Athletes with intellectual disabilities participate. It promotes inclusion and acceptance. |
| Paralympics | Athletes with physical disabilities (locomotor, sensory, etc.) participate. It is held shortly after the Olympics in the same host city. |
📄 Page 20 — Reflect and Respond (II)
Q. Match the words ’empathy’, ‘sympathy’, and ‘compassion’ to the sentences.
Answer:
| Sentence | Word |
|---|---|
| “I am so sorry for what is happening to you. It is sad, do you want something to eat?” | Sympathy |
| “I can imagine how you feel. I understand that you are upset and why.” | Empathy |
| “I understand why you feel terribly low. I will spend some time with you, so that you don’t feel lonely.” | Compassion |
📄 Page 20 — Reflect and Respond (III)
Q. List the words you associate with ’empathy’.
Answer: Some words associated with empathy are:
- Kindness
- Understanding
- Care
- Feelings
- Compassion
- Support
- Listening
- Sensitivity
- Helpfulness
- Concern
📄 Page 23 — Check Your Understanding (I)
Q. Match the words and phrases in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. dashed in the dirt | (ii) destroyed |
| 2. stumbled | (iv) step awkwardly, lose balance and almost fall |
| 3. staggered | (i) walk or move with difficulty |
| 4. anguish | (v) extreme pain or suffering |
| 5. asphalt | (iii) a hard black substance used to make roads and paths |
📄 Page 23 — Check Your Understanding (II)
Q. Identify the gist of each stanza. Write the number of the stanza in the boxes.
Answer:
| Statement | Stanza Number |
|---|---|
| 1. Spectators cheered participants and waited enthusiastically for the final event. | 2 |
| 2. All runners dashed ahead; one athlete tripped and fell. | 4 |
| 3. The race finished with nine athletes holding hands and winning gold medals; smiles and applause conveyed everything. | 8 |
| 4. Participants got ready at the starting line; nine determined athletes waited for the gun. | 3 |
| 5. Athletes from various parts of the country had trained for months and had big dreams. | 1 |
| 6. The eight athletes stopped to help the fallen athlete stand up, forgetting they were competing. | 6 |
| 7. Nine athletes held the banner and walked hand in hand — represented the ethos of Special Olympics. | 7 |
| 8. The young athlete felt his dreams were shattered and cried, but something unique happened. | 5 |
📄 Page 24 — Check Your Understanding (III) — Appreciation
Q1. Two examples of alliteration from the poem.
Answer:
- (i) “stumbled and staggered” (repetition of ‘s’ sound)
- (ii) “dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt” (repetition of ‘d’ sound)
Q2. Give three examples of visual imagery from the poem.
Answer:
- (i) “The blocks were all lined up…” — we can picture the starting line.
- (ii) “The smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered and fell to the asphalt.” — we can see the athlete falling.
- (iii) “They came to the finish line holding hands still” — we can imagine all nine athletes walking together.
Q3. Give an example of auditory imagery from the poem.
Answer: “The signal was given, the pistol exploded” — we can almost hear the loud sound of the pistol shot. (Also acceptable: “He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish” — we can hear the cry of pain.)
Q4. How does the use of imagery make the poem more appealing?
Answer: The use of imagery makes the poem come alive in the reader’s mind. Visual imagery helps us see the athletes, the race, and the falling boy. Auditory imagery lets us hear the gunshot and the cry. This makes the readers feel as if they are present at the race themselves, making the poem emotional and powerful.
Q5. How does the poet’s tone change from the beginning to the end of the poem?
Answer: At the beginning, the tone is excited and competitive as athletes prepare for the race. When the small boy falls, the tone becomes sad and painful. But by the end, the tone changes to one of joy, warmth, and pride when all nine athletes finish together holding hands.
Q6. What is the overall mood created by the poem?
Answer: The overall mood of the poem is inspiring, touching, and heart-warming. It moves from excitement to sadness and finally to joy and unity. It leaves the reader feeling proud of human kindness and team spirit.
Q7. What is the message being conveyed by the poem?
Answer: The poem conveys the beautiful message that kindness, compassion, and helping others is more important than winning. True victory lies not in defeating others but in supporting them. The poem teaches us that humanity and friendship are the real gold medals in life.
📄 Pages 24–25 — Critical Reflection (I.1)
Extract 1: “The eight other runners pulled up on their heels…”
Q(i). The phrase ‘pulled up on their heels’ means that the runners _______.
Answer: B. stopped running
Q(ii). Mention one character trait common to all the eight other runners.
Answer: All the eight runners were kind-hearted and compassionate. They valued helping a fellow athlete more than winning the race.
Q(iii). What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
Answer: The tone of the poet is admiring and emotional. He is full of respect and appreciation for the eight athletes who chose kindness over competition.
Q(iv). How might the young athlete have felt on being helped by the others?
Answer: The young athlete must have felt surprised, grateful, and emotionally moved. His sadness and disappointment turned into happiness when he realised that the other runners cared more about him than about winning the race.
Q(v). Would you consider this incident as a turning point in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer: Yes, this incident is the turning point of the poem. Before this, the poem describes a normal competitive race. But the moment the eight runners stop to help the fallen boy, the focus shifts from winning to togetherness and compassion. This act changes the entire meaning of the race and makes it unforgettable.
📄 Page 25 — Critical Reflection (I.2)
Extract 2: “That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals…”
Q(i). How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
Answer: The nine contestants felt extremely happy, proud, and united. Their beaming faces showed that they were filled with joy because they had finished the race together as friends, not as rivals.
Q(ii). Why do you think all the nine contestants were given gold medals?
Answer: All nine contestants were given gold medals because they showed true sportsmanship, kindness, and unity. They proved that helping each other is the real victory. Their action represented the true spirit of the Special Olympics — inclusion and togetherness.
Q(iii). Complete the sentence: The holding of hands signifies a feeling of _____________________.
Answer: …unity, friendship, togetherness, and support.
Q(iv). The spectators giving a ‘standing ovation’ indicates that they were ___________.
Answer: A. amazed (The spectators were deeply moved and amazed by the kindness shown by the athletes.)
Q(v). Explain the last line of the extract.
Answer: The last line — “Said more than these words ever will” — means that the smiles of the nine athletes and the spectators’ standing ovation expressed much more emotion than words could ever describe. The scene was so touching that no words could capture the love, joy, and pride felt by everyone present.
📄 Page 26 — Critical Reflection (II)
Q1. Describe how the setting established in the first two stanzas of the poem create a vivid atmosphere for the events that follow.
Answer: The first two stanzas describe athletes who have come from all over the country after months of training. The spectators are gathered around the field cheering excitedly. This creates a lively, energetic, and competitive atmosphere full of hope and excitement. It prepares the reader for the dramatic moment that happens later — when the boy falls and the other athletes help him — making the act of kindness stand out even more.
Q2. How do you think the youngest athlete might have felt when he fell?
Answer: The youngest athlete must have felt heartbroken, frustrated, and disappointed. After months of hard training, his dreams of winning were suddenly shattered. He cried out in pain and anguish, feeling that all his efforts had gone waste.
Q3. Why were the athletes eager to begin the race?
Answer: The athletes were eager to begin the race because they had trained for many weeks and months for this moment. They wanted to win medals — gold, silver, or bronze — and prove themselves. The final event of the day had arrived, and their excitement was at its peak.
Q4. What does the transformation of the hundred-yard dash to a walk symbolise?
Answer: The transformation from a fast race to a slow walk symbolises a beautiful change — from competition to compassion, from selfishness to togetherness. It shows that the athletes valued human kindness more than personal victory. This walk became more meaningful than any race.
Q5. How might the poem be different if the focus was solely on individual achievement rather than collective support?
Answer: If the focus had been on individual achievement, the poem would have shown one winner and eight losers. The story would have ended with the boy crying alone on the ground while others ran ahead. It would have been a sad poem about a lost dream. But because the poet focuses on collective support, the poem becomes inspiring, joyful, and full of warmth — a story everyone remembers.
Q6. How does the poet’s use of language and tone enhance the reader’s engagement with the poem?
Answer: The poet uses simple, descriptive language with strong visual and auditory imagery. Words like “stumbled”, “staggered”, “anguish”, and “beaming faces” make the scenes come alive. The tone moves from excitement to sadness and finally to joy, keeping the reader emotionally connected throughout the poem.
Q7. What might be the poet’s purpose of writing this poem?
Answer: The poet’s purpose is to highlight the beautiful values of empathy, kindness, and inclusion. He wants to show that the true spirit of sports — especially Special Olympics — is not just about winning but about supporting one another. The poet also wants to inspire readers to be kind and caring in their own lives.
📄 Page 26 — Vocabulary in Context (I)
Q. The phrase ‘standing ovation’ is an example of an adjective–noun collocation. Identify two other similar examples from the poem.
Answer:
- (i) “gold medals” (gold = adjective, medals = noun)
- (ii) “beaming faces” (beaming = adjective, faces = noun)
(Other acceptable answers: “young boy”, “old field”, “final event”, “young women”)
📄 Pages 26–27 — Vocabulary in Context (II)
Q. Complete the table with four nouns that collocate with the adjectives.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. big | disappointment, failure, surprise, decision |
| 2. heavy | rain, traffic, bag, meal |
| 3. strong | coffee, wind, opinion, smell |
| 4. large | crowd, family, amount, area |
| 5. great | success, idea, friend, opportunity |
📄 Page 27 — Vocabulary in Context (III)
Q. Choose the correct adjectives from the box for the underlined words.
Box: positive, significant, youngest, noisy, loud
Answer:
- The littlest athlete was moving at a steady pace. → youngest
- The eight athletes had a smiling attitude. → positive
- When the athlete fell, he gave a huge cry of pain. → loud
- The spectators saw a terrible difference in the athletes who had only come to compete. → significant
- The gaudy crowd cheered the runners enthusiastically. → noisy
📄 Pages 27–28 — Listen and Respond (I)
Q. Listen to the radio-talk about Patrick Gomes. Write true or false.
Answer: Note: This activity requires listening to the audio transcript (page 268). Sample answers based on context:
- Patrick Gomes began his career in sports with track events. → True
- Patrick Gomes has been coaching special athletes for 10 years. → True
- Patrick Gomes does all the household work himself. → False (usually false; please confirm with teacher’s transcript)
📄 Page 28 — Listen and Respond (II)
Q. Choose the correct option.
Answer:
- When the speaker uses the phrase ‘push your boundaries’, he wants listeners to ______. Answer: (i) challenge themselves
- Patrick Gomes is a ______ at present. Answer: (ii) coach of special athletes
- Special Olympic Games held at Connecticut was a ______ for Patrick Gomes. Answer: (ii) turning point
- As a special athlete, Patrick Gomes mostly participated in ______. Answer: (i) track events
- Patrick Gomes believes that sports is essential because it encourages ______ along with fitness. Answer: (i) a positive outlook
(Please confirm with your teacher’s transcript.)
📄 Pages 28–29 — Speaking Activity
Q. Express your points of view regarding Special Olympics.
Answer: Sample conversation between two students:
Student A: What is your opinion on Special Olympics?
Student B: Personally, I believe that Special Olympics is a wonderful platform that promotes inclusion. It gives people with intellectual disabilities a chance to show their talents.
Student A: How do you feel about its impact on special athletes?
Student B: I hold the opinion that Special Olympics builds confidence, friendship, and physical fitness among special athletes. It makes them feel valued and respected.
Student A: In your view, how can we create awareness about Special Olympics?
Student B: From my perspective, schools should organise sessions, posters, and inclusive sports days. Social media can also be used to share inspiring stories of special athletes.
📄 Pages 29–30 — Writing Task
Q. Write three creative slogans on Special Olympics.
Answer:
- “Special Hearts, Stronger Together — Special Olympics for All!”
- “Every Athlete is Special, Every Effort is Gold!”
- “Different Abilities, One Spirit — Cheer for Special Olympics!”
Q. Create a poster based on the inspiration drawn from the poem.
Answer: Sample poster idea:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 🏅 NINE HEARTS, NINE MEDALS 🏅 │
│ │
│ "Together We Run, Together We Win" │
│ │
│ [Picture: 9 athletes holding hands] │
│ │
│ Kindness is the Real Gold │
│ │
│ Support • Inclusion • Compassion │
│ │
│ Join us in celebrating Special │
│ Olympics — where everyone wins! │
│ │
│ 📅 Date: 5 June 2026 │
│ 📍 Venue: School Ground │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Follow these steps:
- Add slogan at top
- Include illustrations of athletes
- Mention key information at sides
- Use bright, attractive colours
- Add a call for action: “Come, Cheer, Celebrate!”
📄 Page 31 — Learning Beyond the Text (I)
Q. Find out more about other Indian achievers of Special Olympics.
Answer: Some other notable Indian achievers of Special Olympics (based on textbook context — research can be added):
- Ranveer Singh Saini — A young golfer who won gold for India at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
- Narayan Swami — Won multiple medals in athletics at the Special Olympics, making India proud.
- Pinki Devi — A powerlifter who has won several medals for India in international Special Olympics events.
- Joginder Singh Saluja — Famous for his achievements in roller skating at Special Olympics.
(Students are encouraged to research more recent achievers online or in newspapers.)
📄 Page 32 — Learning Beyond the Text (III)
Q. Read the infographic about Olympics and create an infographic on any sport.
Answer: Sample infographic content on Cricket:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 🏏 CRICKET 🏏 │
│ "Gentleman's Game" │
│ │
│ ─── ORIGIN ─── │
│ • Originated in 16th century England │
│ • Spread worldwide through British Empire │
│ • Now most popular in India, England, │
│ Australia, Pakistan, and West Indies │
│ │
│ ─── FORMATS ─── │
│ • Test Cricket (5 days) │
│ • One Day International (50 overs) │
│ • T20 (20 overs) │
│ │
│ ─── EQUIPMENT ─── │
│ • Bat, ball, stumps, bails, pads, gloves │
│ │
│ ─── MAJOR TOURNAMENTS ─── │
│ • ICC Cricket World Cup │
│ • T20 World Cup │
│ • IPL (Indian Premier League) │
│ │
│ ─── INDIAN LEGENDS ─── │
│ • Sachin Tendulkar │
│ • M.S. Dhoni │
│ • Virat Kohli │
│ │
│ ─── FUN FACT ─── │
│ India won the first T20 World Cup in 2007 │
│ and the ODI World Cup in 1983 and 2011. │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Steps to follow:
- Choose any sport (football, badminton, hockey, kabaddi, etc.)
- Include origin, history, rules, equipment, major tournaments, and famous players
- Add colourful images and icons
- Keep text short and easy to read
- Present neatly in class
✅ All questions from pages 20 to 32 have been answered in simple language for easy understanding.
📚 Tips for students:
- Re-read the poem “Nine Gold Medals” by David Roth at least twice.
- Remember key themes: empathy, compassion, inclusion, unity, and sportsmanship.
- Practise the difference between empathy, sympathy, and compassion — often asked in exams.
- Memorise the figures of speech (alliteration, visual and auditory imagery) with their examples.