Question Bank — Follow That Dream

NCERT Class 9 English · Chapter 8 · CBSE Board Pattern

Class 9 English Chapter 8 Question Bank CBSE Board Pattern

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

  1. According to the letter, what is required to reach world-class standard in any field?
    A) Natural talent alone
    B) Singular and intensive pursuit for at least ten years
    C) Financial investment only
    D) Support from a large crowd

  2. The mother advises Ming to “plunge” only after:
    A) Counting the cost in effort, money and sacrifice
    B) Securing a guaranteed job
    C) Getting everyone’s approval
    D) Waiting for the right opportunity

  3. Which statement is true about many people’s dreams according to the letter?
    A) They always come true with hard work
    B) They remain dreams because people stop at wishful thinking
    C) They are replaced by better dreams
    D) They are never affected by circumstances

  4. The phrase “wet blanket” in the letter means:
    A) A person who discourages dreams
    B) A warm covering
    C) A financial supporter
    D) A successful achiever

Assertion-Reason Questions

  1. Assertion (A): The mother believes that life itself may change a person’s original dreams.
    Reason (R): Publishing the book became her new dream after ten years of pursuit.
    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.

  2. Assertion (A): The road to a dream is described as “uphill most of the way”.
    Reason (R): External support networks are unnecessary for success.
    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.

  3. In the poem “Step up to the challenge”, the line “There is no crowd to see” suggests that:
    A) Success needs public recognition
    B) Facing challenges is a solitary journey
    C) Challenges are always easy
    D) Comfort is the best choice

  4. The rhyme scheme of the poem is:
    A) ABAB
    B) AABB
    C) ABBA
    D) Free verse

  5. What does the poet mean by “maintain the status quo”?
    A) Embracing change
    B) Keeping things the same
    C) Taking the first step
    D) Seeking external help

  6. The overall tone of both the letter and the poem can be described as:
    A) Pessimistic and discouraging
    B) Optimistic yet realistic and encouraging
    C) Humorous and light-hearted
    D) Critical and sarcastic

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

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.”

(i) Who is the speaker and to whom is the letter addressed?
(ii) What does the phrase “burning in your blood” mean in this context?
(iii) Identify the literary device used in “plunge”.
(iv) Why does the mother ask Ming to “count the cost” before plunging?

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.”

(i) What does the phrase “maze of hurdles” suggest?
(ii) How does the mother’s personal experience support her advice?
(iii) Name the figure of speech in “maze of hurdles”.
(iv) Infer one reason why dreams may take longer to realise later in life.

Extract 3 (Poem)
“Step up to the challenge
There is no crowd to see,
It’s just you and the future
And where you want to be.”

(i) What does “There is no crowd to see” imply about facing challenges?
(ii) Who is the speaker addressing and what is the tone?
(iii) Identify the rhyme scheme of these lines.
(iv) How does this extract connect with the mother’s message in the letter?

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

  1. Why does the mother say that reaching world-class standard requires at least ten years of singular pursuit?
  2. How does the mother differentiate between wishful thinking and actually pursuing a dream?
  3. Mention two examples from the letter that show how circumstances can change people’s dreams.
  4. In the poem, why is the first step described as the hardest?
  5. What role does a support network play according to the mother?

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

  1. “By all means follow that dream.” How does the mother balance encouragement with practical caution in her letter?
  2. “The first step is the hardest.” How does this idea appear in both the letter and the poem? Discuss with reference to the challenges of pursuing a dream.

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

  1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in brackets (taken from the unit’s grammar focus):
    If you (a) __ (have) a burning conviction, then (b) _ (plunge) into your goal. Dreams (c) (remain) dreams unless one (d) ___ (count) the cost and acts.

  2. Write a short diary entry (80–100 words) as Ming, expressing how her mother’s letter has influenced her thoughts about following her dream.

▶ Answer Key Attempt all questions first,
then tap to reveal

Section A

  1. B
  2. A
  3. B
  4. A
  5. A
  6. C
  7. B
  8. B
  9. B
  10. B

Section B

Extract 1 (i) Mother (Irene Chua) to daughter Ming (ii) Strong inner passion (iii) Metaphor / Imperative (iv) To make a realistic assessment before committing years of effort.
Extract 2 (i) Many difficult obstacles (ii) Her own changed dream of publishing the book (iii) Metaphor (iv) Family responsibilities and changed circumstances add more participants and hurdles.
Extract 3 (i) Challenges are faced alone (ii) The reader; motivational and direct (iii) AABB (iv) Both stress personal responsibility and self-belief.

Section C (Key points – 1 mark each)
1. Requires singular, intensive focus for a decade.
2. Wishful thinking stops at “I wish”; pursuit involves effort and sacrifice.
3. Japanese invasion changed education plans; siblings’ education forced early work.
4. It demands leaving comfort and facing fear.
5. Winners thank a support network that stands by them.

Section D (Key content points)
1. Encourages passion and conviction; warns to count cost, accept uphill journey, and consider changed dreams later.
2. Letter shows stamina runs out but conviction keeps one going; poem states first step is hardest but self-belief keeps future on track.

Section E

  1. (a) have (b) plunge (c) remain (d) counts
  2. Diary entry should include: date, personal reflection on mother’s advice, mention of passion vs. realistic planning, decision to pursue dream with awareness of hurdles (format 1 mark, content 2 marks, language 1 mark).
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All questions are answerable from the NCERT chapter text. Reviewed by GFIS faculty.