Section – B
B.1. Read the following views of great thinkers.
Views of Great Thinkers – Reflection
This section is for inspiration. Students can be encouraged to write which quote they relate to most and why. No fixed answers here.
B.2. Read the following sentences. Each one of them describes a state of mind. Choose the right word from those given in the Aid Box to describe each feeling and use it appropriately to fill in the blanks. Use a dictionary, if required.
Aid Box Words Used: depress, hopeful, repent, nervously, relief, nostalgic, elated, annoyed, astounded
(a) Ronit and Rohit were astounded when they saw the car move without a driver.
(b) Finish your work in time or you’ll repent later.
(c) Repeated blank calls annoyed Smita greatly.
(d) Tiny Tom heaved a sigh of relief after being rescued from the kidnappers.
(e) Looking at the old photographs in the album, Mr Chaturvedi felt nostalgic.
(f) I advise you not to watch this sad and gloomy film. It will depress you.
(g) Sukriti was elated on finding an email from her dearest friend in the mailbox.
(h) We are hopeful of his speedy recovery.
(i) Manohar buttoned his coat nervously as he readied to go for the interview.
B.3. Imagine that you are an eminent personality (a scientist, a leader, an artist, a dramatist, a dancer and so on). You have been invited by the Television news channel Ab Tak for an interview in the programme ‘What You Think’. Reply to the questions of the interviewer given on the next page.
Interview Script – “What You Think”
Imagine you are: A Scientist
Interviewer: How will you define success for yourself?
Eminent Personality: Success, to me, is not just achieving great things but creating a meaningful impact on the world. It’s about pushing boundaries of knowledge and inspiring others to do the same.
Interviewer: What high goals did you set for yourself?
Eminent Personality: I aimed to solve real-world problems through science. My goal was to create innovations that could improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development.
Interviewer: Which personal qualities helped you in climbing the ladder of success?
Eminent Personality: Perseverance, curiosity, and a never-give-up attitude were key. I also believe in teamwork and constant learning from both success and failure.
Interviewer: How did you manage to overcome the challenges that you faced during the initial years of your struggle?
Eminent Personality: I faced financial and academic obstacles. But I remained focused, sought guidance from mentors, and reminded myself of my purpose every time I felt like quitting.
Interviewer: If someone is not able to reach their goal despite their best efforts, would you call them a loser?
Eminent Personality: Absolutely not. Trying with sincerity is a success in itself. Real failure is when one stops trying or learning. Every attempt teaches us something valuable.
Interviewer: Any special message for our audience?
Eminent Personality: Believe in your dreams and work tirelessly toward them. Failures are stepping stones to greatness. Keep learning, stay kind, and never stop questioning.
B.4. Listen to a poem entitled ‘State of Mind’ and discover who a winner is.
On the basis of your listening of the poem, say whether the following sentences are true or false. Put ‘T’ or ‘F’ in the space provided.
On the basis of the poem “State of Mind”, mark the following statements T (True) or F (False):
Statement | Answer |
(a) Hard work alone leads to success. | F |
(b) One must set high targets. | T |
(c) The strongest man wins life’s battles. | F |
(d) It’s only a matter of chance that one wins. | F |
(e) A strong will power spells success. | T |
(f) A positive attitude is very important in life. | T |
B.5. What is the final message of the poem? Discuss in pairs.
Answer – Final Message of the Poem
Final Message:
The poem emphasizes that success is more about a person’s mindset than physical strength or external conditions. Confidence, self-belief, and a positive attitude are essential for winning life’s battles. If you believe you can, you’re halfway there.
B.6. In order to be a winner, one needs to inculcate certain qualities. Categorise the qualities given below. Match the qualities of a winner and a loser and write them down in the space provided.
Match the qualities into two categories:
🏆 Winner
- Determination
- Diligence
- Confidence
- Optimism
- Resolution
❌ Loser
- Pessimism
- Nervousness
- Despair
- Anxiety
- Doubt
Winner | Loser |
Determination | Pessimism |
Diligence | Nervousness |
Confidence | Despair |
Optimism | Anxiety |
Resolution | Doubt |
B.7. Read the beginning of a story.
‘The alarm went off with a sharp twang. Kalpana briskly got out of the bed and began to get ready to go to school. Her mother handed her the tiffin and the water bottle. Giving her a peck on the cheek, Kalpana rushed to be in time for the school bus ………’
Now form groups of four. Let each group select a specific state of mind. Let them complete the story using the chosen state of mind as the undercurrent in the story.
Story: Kalpana’s Big Test (State of Mind: Confidence)
The alarm went off with a sharp twang. Kalpana briskly got out of the bed and began to get ready to go to school. Her mother handed her the tiffin and the water bottle. Giving her a peck on the cheek, Kalpana rushed to be in time for the school bus.
Today was the Science Olympiad final round. The school was buzzing with energy. Some students were biting their nails, some revising formulae, and others walking nervously in circles. Kalpana, however, smiled calmly.
“I’ve studied well. I know I can do this,” she told herself. She had spent weeks preparing, staying up late, and practicing past questions. Her confidence wasn’t arrogance — it came from hard work.
As the test began, she focused with a clear mind. Even when she didn’t know an answer, she didn’t panic. She thought logically, stayed calm, and did her best.
Weeks later, the results came. Kalpana had not only passed — she topped the district.
Everyone clapped. But more than the prize, Kalpana felt proud that she believed in herself.