SHREE NIKETAN PATASALA (CBSE) SCHOOLS
CLASS NOTES / ENGLISH / CLASS VI / 2024 -
25
MCB UNIT – 4 SEC - 1 - “Forged in Fire: Glenn
Cunningham”
I. Glossary:
1. agony (noun) - extreme physical or mental suffering
2. miserable (adjective) - extremely unhappy or uncomfortable
3. chipped in (phrasal verb) - contributed
4. shattered (adjective) - break
5. folks (noun) - people
II. Extracts:
1. On Christmas eve gave his mother a delightful surprise with
flattering steps like that of a baby Glenn managed to walk up to her
while she was standing by the door of his room.
a. How does the author compare Glenn's walking, and why? (guided)
Answer: The author compares Glenn’s walking to the unsteady
steps of a baby. This comparison highlights Glenn’s struggle as he
recovers from an injury, making his ability to walk a significant and
heartwarming achievement.
b. What surprise did Glenn give his mother on Christmas Eve?
(independent)
Answer: Glenn surprised his mother on Christmas Eve by walking
up to her with unsteady, baby-like steps, showing his progress in
overcoming his injury.
2. The pain was so unbearable that he thought he was going crazy. He
used to fantasize about running again. Deep inside he seemed to
just hold on to his faith in himself.
What does Glenn’s fantasy about running again suggest about his
desires or hopes? (guided)
a) Answer: Glenn's fantasy suggests a strong desire to regain his
physical abilities, showing his hope for a full recovery.
b) During his painful moments, which activity did Glenn dream of?
(independent)
Answer: During his pain, Glenn dreamed of running again.
III. Short answers: Q1, Q2 a,b,c,e,f to be written in book itself.
How did the doctor assess Glenn’s burns, and what was Glenn’s attitude
toward his situation? (guided)
1. Answer: The doctor believed that Glenn’s legs had a high risk of
infection, which might lead to amputation, and doubted that Glenn
would walk again. However, Glenn remained steadfast in his faith and
was determined to walk once more.
In what ways did the outcomes of Glenn's two Olympic appearances
differ? (independent)
Answer: During Glenn’s first Olympic appearance in 1932, he suffered
from a tonsil infection right before his race, which prevented him from
winning. In contrast, when he competed again in 1936, he achieved a
silver medal.
3. Why is Glenn remembered even today? (U) (guided)
(Hints)
Glenn Cunningham - perseverance and determination-little boy- Legs
burnt- doctor said-would not be able to walk again -trained himself-
Keep his hopes up-be the fastest person -running the fastest mile- one
silver- Berlin Olympics.
Answer : Glenn Cunningham’s story is one of incredible perseverance
and determination. As a young boy, his legs were severely burned, and
doctors doubted he would ever walk again. But Glenn held onto hope
and trained himself relentlessly, aiming to be the fastest runner. His
dedication led him to set the record for the fastest mile and win a silver
medal in the Berlin Olympics.
IV. Long answers:
Every cloud has a silver lining. Justify this proverb using the
instances from the story. (A) (Guided)
Ans:He proverb "Every cloud has a silver lining" reminds us that even
in the darkest times, there’s often something positive to be found if we
look for it. It encourages us to stay hopeful during challenging
moments. Glenn faced numerous obstacles on his journey to walk and
run again. Initially, his legs wouldn’t respond, and doctors believed
he’d never regain full use of them. However, Glenn stayed positive,
finding gratitude in life’s small comforts. He faced every setback with a
smile, working harder each day. His determination ultimately paid off,
allowing him to start winning races and represent his country in the
Olympics twice. Through his unwavering hope, Glenn achieved what
once seemed impossible.
2. Read the following passage about the Sports Personality.
Glenn Cunningham
Despite suffering severe burns in a childhood accident that left doctors
doubting he’d ever walk again, Glenn Cunningham defied the odds.
Through relentless determination and hard work, he not only walked
but became an Olympic runner, inspiring millions with his story of
resilience and triumph over adversity.
Mention any 2 ways in which you will incorporate the lessons you learnt
from Glen's life in 80-100 words. (independent)
Verbs - Tenses
The simple tenses are usually just called past, present, and
future
1.Present - expresses action that is happening in the present,
now, relative to the speaker or writer.
Past -expresses actions that are completed at any time (recent
or distant past) or for any duration (length of event).
Future-expresses actions that will certainly occur at any time
later than now.
Read the passage, identify the verbs and write whether it is
a present / past or future tense
The Paris Olympics take place in 2024, bringing together
athletes from around the world. Last year, the organizers
announced exciting new events. Athletes train hard every day
to prepare for the competitions. Fans anticipate thrilling
performances, while the city prepares to welcome everyone to
this grand event.
Answers:
take - Present
announced - Past
train - Present
anticipate - Present
prepares - Present
Simple Present Tense:
The simple present tense is used to describe habits, general truths, and
actions that are currently happening or are always true.
Form: Subject (s)+ base verb(v)+ s/es for third-person singular
Example: She writes a letter.
Present Continuous Tense:
Present continuous tense refers to an ongoing action at the time of
speaking.
Form: Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing
Example: They are playing football.
Write a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) about what you do on a typical day.
Use at least three sentences in the simple present tense and two sentences in
the present continuous tense.
Answer:
Example:
"Every morning, I wake up at 7 AM. I eat breakfast quickly. Right now, I am
getting ready for school. My brother is playing video games while I prepare
my bag."
