Follow that Dream — NCERT Solutions

The rhetorical questions are used to make the reader think deeply, question fear, and reflect on personal responsibility and courage. They do not need direct answers; instead, they encourage self-reflection and action.

These rhetorical questions aim to create urgency and make people realise that they have a responsibility to act now instead of waiting. They encourage the reader to think about duty and change.

This rhetorical question aims to challenge fear and encourage the reader to choose courage instead. It makes us think about whether we will let fear stop us or overcome it.

The situation deciding whether to stand up for what is right matches the rhetorical question "How can we stay silent when we know what is right?"

The situation owning up to a mistake made in a group project matches "If I don't take responsibility now, when will I?"

The situation deciding whether to try something challenging, like public speaking matches "How can we ever grow if we never try anything new?"

The situation choosing between two career paths matches "Can I really move forward without knowing which path to take?"

The situation deciding whether to apologise for a mistake matches "Isn't it better to admit our mistakes than to let them define us?"

The situation trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone matches "What's the point of playing it safe if it means staying stuck?"

In the analogy, achieve : goal and face : future. You achieve a goal; similarly, you face the future.

The line uses belief in the sense of strong inner certainty, which matches conviction from the extract. So: enthusiasm : passion :: belief : conviction.

A realistic assessment of effort, investment, and sacrifice helps prevent an early abandonment of the dream. If someone understands the cost beforehand, they are less likely to quit too soon.

The word 'plunge' means to throw oneself into something fully. So it indicates complete involvement in a task, not gradual involvement.

Because doing what you love and knowing it is the right thing gives satisfaction from within. This is intrinsic motivation since the drive comes from personal enjoyment, meaning, and belief in the task itself, not from outside rewards.

The best title for the extract is A Journey of Growth because the speaker talks about pursuing dreams, facing obstacles, and continuing through life’s changing paths.

The poem suggests that the first step may be the hardest, but once a person believes in themselves, they can begin the journey toward their goal. In a real situation, someone starting a new challenge may feel fear or uncertainty at first, but self-belief gives the courage to move forward. The message is that success begins when we trust our abilities and take that first step instead of staying stuck in fear.

1. Ming must have written about her dream, ambition, or goal and probably asked for her mother’s advice or support.
2. One can attain an international level of skill by pursuing the subject intensively and singularly for at least ten years and by putting in effort, sacrifice, and financial investment.
3. The difference is that dreamers only wish and imagine, while achievers act, commit themselves, and work persistently to make the dream come true.
4. Ming’s mother persuades her by using thought-provoking questions and personal examples. She asks Ming to consider the cost, effort, and obstacles, and then shares her own experience of chasing a dream for ten years. This makes her advice realistic, convincing, and encouraging at the same time.

1. have a passionate desire
2. a tough challenge
3. encouraged by the result / lifted in spirit
4. a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true
5. spoil-sport
6. flowing through her body

Sentences of my own:

• She had a dream that seemed to burn in her blood.
• Preparing for the test without revision felt like an uphill task.
• The team was buoyed up by the applause.
• Thinking he could win without practice was just wishful thinking.
• Do not be a wet blanket at the party.
• Joy was coursing through her veins as she received the award.

The phrase burn in her blood means a strong, passionate desire that deeply drives a person.

An uphill task means something difficult or demanding. So the correct meaning is a tough challenge.

Buoyed up means encouraged, supported, or lifted in spirit after success.

Wishful thinking means hoping for something without realistic basis; it is a belief that is unlikely to be true.

A wet blanket is a person who spoils others’ fun or enthusiasm, so the correct meaning is spoil-sport.

Coursing through her veins means moving strongly through her body, so the closest meaning is flowing through her body.

1. If the idea excites you, take the first step.
2. If you hear strange noises, call for help.
3. If this seems too hard, ask for guidance.
4. If you care about the issue, speak up.
5. If you finish early, check your work.

An appropriate imperative completion is: take the first step.

An appropriate imperative completion is: call for help.

An appropriate imperative completion is: ask for guidance.

An appropriate imperative completion is: speak up.

An appropriate imperative completion is: check your work.

Matching the uses of could:

1. It could be in any field... → Possibility
2. I wish I could be this or the other... → Unreal or hypothetical situation
3. They could have preferred... → Past possibility or speculation
4. so that they could support... → Past ability or purpose

1. I wish I could travel without worrying about money.
2. They could have taken the shorter route, but they didn’t know about it.
3. When I was younger, I could run without stopping.
4. She could be in the library right now—she had mentioned it.
5. Could you repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly.

The correct completion for an unreal/hypothetical situation is could travel.

For past possibility or speculation, the correct form is could have taken.

For past ability, the correct form is could run.

For possibility, the correct form is could be in.

For a formal/polite request, the correct phrase is Could you.

1. helps
2. learned / used to learn
3. work
4. apply
5. conducts
6. analyses
7. must reflect
8. helps
9. is
10. will incorporate

The dialogue fits these words from the -scape group:

• (i) seascape
• (ii) landscape
• (iii) landscape
• (iv) mindscape

The sentence refers to throwing oneself into an activity, which the chapter explains with the word plunge. So the suitable word is plunge.

The phrase “I wish I could be this or the other” shows longing or wishful thinking. The chapter gives the meaning of wistfully as longingly.

The sentence needs the modal verb used in the text: “They could have preferred...”. So the blank is could.

The sentence from the chapter is: “so that they could support their siblings through school.” Therefore the correct word is could.

A formal/polite request uses Could you. The sentence becomes: Could you repeat the question?

The subject It is singular, so the correct verb form is helps: It helps students gain practical knowledge and develop real-world skills.

The sentence is in the past tense and contrasts with the present idea of experiential learning, so the correct form is learnt (or learned in standard English). Based on the chapter’s school-level usage, learnt fits best: Traditionally, students learnt by listening...

The sentence describes what students do in an experiential setting, so the present tense plural verb is work: students work on projects...

The subject They is plural, so the correct verb is apply: They apply what they have learned...

The sentence gives two actions in present tense with singular subjects: a student studying science conducts experiments and a business student analyses a case study. Since the question has two blanks, the correct forms are conducts and analyses. If only the base forms are expected in the exercise key, the context still requires the singular present forms.

The sentence needs the modal must plus the base verb reflect: learners must reflect on what went well...

The subject This reflection is singular, so the verb should be helps: This reflection helps them build a deeper understanding of the topic.

The subject experiential learning is singular, so the correct verb is is: Educators believe that experiential learning is more effective...

The phrase In the future calls for the future tense. So the correct form is will incorporate: more schools and universities will incorporate experiential learning...

The expression burn in her blood means a strong passion or deep desire. So the correct meaning is have a passionate desire.

The phrase uphill task means something difficult and demanding. So the correct option is a tough challenge.

Buoyed up means encouraged or lifted in spirit. Among the options, the best meaning is lifted in spirit.

Wishful thinking means hoping for something without practical basis. So the correct option is a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true.

A wet blanket is someone who spoils others’ fun. So the correct option is spoil-sport.

Coursing through her veins means moving or flowing strongly through the body. So the correct option is flowing through her body.

Possible imperative completions are:

1. take the first step.
2. call for help.
3. break it into smaller parts.
4. raise your voice.
5. help someone else.

These are open-ended and many answers may be correct if they are imperatives.

Match the uses of could as follows:

1. It could be in any field... → Possibility.
2. I wish I could be... → Unreal or hypothetical situation.
3. They could have preferred... → Past possibility or speculation.
4. so that they could support... → Past ability or purpose.

The sentence needs an unreal or hypothetical idea with could. One correct completion is: I could travel anywhere without worrying about money.

Using the context and correct grammar:

1. helps
2. learned/learnt
3. work
4. apply
5. conducts
6. analyses
7. must reflect
8. helps
9. is
10. will incorporate

So the completed passage uses these forms.

Possible imperative completions are:

1. take action now.
2. stay calm and call for help.
3. ask for assistance.
4. do something about it.
5. share your ideas.

These are open-ended, so several answers can be correct if they are imperatives.

The correct formal/polite request is “Could you”.

So the sentence is: Could you repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly.

The blanks should be filled with the correct grammatical forms:

1. helps
2. used to learn
3. work
4. apply
5. conducts
6. analyses
7. must reflect
8. helps
9. is
10. will incorporate

Completed passage:

Experiential learning is an approach to education that focuses on learning through experience, action and reflection. It helps students gain practical knowledge and develop real-world skills. Traditionally, students used to learn by listening to lectures and memorising facts, but experiential learning has changed this process.

In an experiential setting, students work on projects, solve problems, and take part in activities that reflect real-life challenges. They apply what they have learned in class to new and unfamiliar situations. For example, a student studying science conducts experiments to test a theory, while a business student analyses a case study to understand market trends.

Reflection is key to this process. After completing a task, learners must reflect on what went well and what could be improved. This reflection helps them build a deeper understanding of the topic.

Educators believe that experiential learning is more effective than passive learning methods because it is engaging and meaningful. In the future, more schools and universities will incorporate experiential learning into their curriculum to prepare students for the real world.

The announcement says vocational courses will begin in the month of July.

The objective is to prepare students with skills for future studies and jobs.

The offered courses include Graphic Design, Animation, Web Application, and Entrepreneurship Skills, etc.

Classes will be conducted by expert teachers at school.

The application forms will be available at the school office.

Choice of course will be given to limited applicants.

Before the play, the boy felt nervous.

According to the girl, confidence comes from preparation.

The girl was finally sure that he would do well.

This statement is false because the boy is not described as confident; he is doubtful and nervous.

This statement is true because the girl encourages him to trust his preparation and push through his doubts.

This statement is false because the boy does not think the audience will be supportive regardless of his performance; he is worried about how he will do.

This statement is true because the girl treats self-doubt as a normal part of facing a big performance.

This statement is true because the boy feels his preparation is not enough and doubts his abilities even though he has practiced.

This statement is false because the girl does not tell him to avoid nervousness and perform perfectly; she encourages him to work through it.

This statement is true because the girl believes facing nervousness helps the boy grow and build confidence.

From: Priya Sharma <priya.sharma@example.com>

To: The Director, ABC Design Institute <director@abcdesign.in>

Date: 2 August 2026

Subject: Enquiry about summer workshop in designing

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a student interested in pursuing a course in designing in the future. I recently came across the information about the summer workshop being conducted by your reputed institute, and I would like to know more about it.

Kindly share the details of the workshop, including the dates, duration, eligibility criteria, course content, fee structure, and the procedure for registration. I am very keen to join the workshop, as I believe it will help me learn more about designing and strengthen my interest in this field.

I request you to send me the required information at the earliest. I look forward to your response and hope to be part of this workshop.

Yours sincerely,

Priya Sharma
Student
Contact: 9876543210
Email: priya.sharma@example.com

Good morning respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends.

I am [Your Name], and today I feel honoured to speak on the topic “Turning Challenges into Opportunities.” Challenges are a part of life, but they do not have to stop us. In fact, they can become the very stepping stones to success if we face them with courage and determination.

Every challenge teaches us something valuable. When we meet difficulties, we learn to be patient, strong, and creative. For example, a student who struggles in one subject can improve through regular practice, guidance, and self-belief. In this way, a difficulty becomes an opportunity to grow. Challenges also help us discover our hidden talents and make us more confident. They teach us that failure is not the end, but a chance to begin again with greater wisdom.

Moreover, when we face change with a positive attitude, we open doors to new possibilities. Many great people turned their hardships into success. Their stories show us that problems can lead to progress if we do not give up. Instead of fearing obstacles, we should ask ourselves what we can learn from them and how we can move forward.

To conclude, challenges are not roadblocks; they are opportunities in disguise. If we believe in ourselves and keep trying, we can turn every difficulty into a chance to succeed. Let us remember that growth begins when we decide not to give up.

Thank you.

The blanks are filled using the Latin expressions as follows:

1. e.g.
2. quid pro quo
3. etc.
4. per se
5. ad hoc
6. in media res

Completed sentences:

• I enjoy reading fantasy books, e.g. Harry Potter and Magical Paint Brush.
• After helping Tanya with the homework, Ritu asked for a quid pro quo to borrow her notes next time.
• I love all kinds of outdoor activities, such as trekking, hiking, biking, etc.
• The park is not very special per se; it becomes more fun when you visit with friends.
• We created an ad hoc team to organise the school festival.
• The movie started in media res, with the hero already fighting the villain in a huge battle.