Question Bank — The World of Limitless Possibilities

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

1. What does the word “quell” mean in the context of the Paralympics description?
   A) To celebrate
   B) To overcome
   C) To ignore
   D) To increase

2. Dr. Deepa Malik was diagnosed with a spine tumour at the age of:
   A) 19
   B) 29
   C) 39
   D) 49

3. Which of the following is not listed among Dr. Deepa Malik’s awards?
   A) Khel Ratna
   B) Arjuna Award
   C) Padma Shri
   D) Dhyan Chand Award

4. Assertion (A): Dr. Deepa Malik decided to switch to para-athletics after her paralysis.
   Reason (R): She had been a swimmer earlier and loved sports.
   Choose the correct option:
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

5. The phrase “new lease of life” in the interview means:
   A) A fresh opportunity to live actively
   B) A medical treatment
   C) Winning a medal
   D) Joining a new sport immediately

6. Assertion (A): The eight runners in “Nine Gold Medals” stopped to help the fallen athlete.
   Reason (R): They valued compassion over individual victory.
   Choose the correct option:
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

7. What does the banner “Special Olympics” signify in the poem?
   A) Only competition matters
   B) Empathy and inclusion matter more than winning
   C) The race was cancelled
   D) Only nine athletes participated

8. Which modal verb in the interview expresses Dr. Malik’s past ability before the accident?
   A) could
   B) should
   C) would
   D) must

9. The literary device used in “nine beaming faces / Said more than these words ever will” is:
   A) Simile
   B) Personification
   C) Metaphor
   D) Alliteration

10. Dr. Deepa Malik advocates for:
    A) Only medal winners
    B) Inclusivity, accessibility and empowerment of persons with disabilities
    C) Ending all sports for the disabled
    D) Separate events only for women

Section B — Reference to Context (3 extracts, 4 marks each)

Extract 1

“I had two choices—squander my life in remorse or transform it to a world of limitless possibilities. I love sports and had been a swimmer too, so I decided to switch to para-athletics.”

(i) Who is the speaker and what context prompted these words?
(ii) What does the speaker mean by “transform it to a world of limitless possibilities”?
(iii) Identify the literary device used in the phrase “world of limitless possibilities”.
(iv) What does the word “squander” mean in this context?

Extract 2

“The eight other runners pulled up on their heels / The ones who had trained for so long to compete / One by one they all turned round and went back to help him / And brought the young boy to his feet.”

(i) What event is described in these lines?
(ii) Why did the runners stop despite having trained for months?
(iii) Name the figure of speech in “pulled up on their heels”.
(iv) What does this action reveal about the athletes’ values?

Extract 3

“Honestly, I feel sports, especially Paralympics, have the extraordinary ability to challenge stereotypes and change attitudes towards disability.”

(i) Who is speaking and to whom?
(ii) How, according to the speaker, do Paralympics change attitudes?
(iii) Identify one literary device used in the line.
(iv) What does the phrase “challenge stereotypes” imply in the given context?

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

1. Why did Dr. Deepa Malik call the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games her “breakthrough moment”?
2. How did societal perceptions pose a challenge for Dr. Malik, and how did she overcome them?
3. What message does the poet convey through the line “nine gold medals / They came to the finish line holding hands still”?
4. Explain the meaning of the phrase “ability beyond disability” as used by Dr. Deepa Malik.
5. How does the poem “Nine Gold Medals” show that empathy is more important than victory?

Section D — Long Answer (2 questions, 6 marks each)

1. “Every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength.” How does Dr. Deepa Malik’s life illustrate this statement? Write a character sketch highlighting her resilience, determination and advocacy.
2. “The World of Limitless Possibilities” is an appropriate title for the unit. Justify the title with reference to both the interview with Dr. Deepa Malik and the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Section E — Language and Writing (2 questions, 4 marks each)

1. Change the following sentences from direct to reported speech (as practised in the unit):
   a) Dr. Malik said, “I had two choices—squander my life in remorse or transform it.”
   b) The interviewer said, “You have been listed as one of the ten most inspirational women para-athletes globally.”

2. As the Sports Captain of your school, draft a diary entry (80–100 words) expressing how the story of Dr. Deepa Malik and the poem “Nine Gold Medals” inspired you to promote inclusivity in sports.