NCERT Solutions - The Sound of Music Part I –

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

Q1: How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Q2: When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Evelyn's deafness was first noticed when she was eight, after her mother called her name and she
didn't respond. By the time she was eleven, her hearing loss was confirmed, as her grades had
worsened and her headmistress suggested seeing a specialist. It was then revealed that nerve
damage had caused her hearing to decline.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30 – 40 words).
Q1: Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Percussionist Ron Forbes discovered Evelyn's potential by having her feel the vibrations of two tuned
drums. She realized she could sense different notes through vibrations in various parts of her body.
Q2: Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Evelyn amazed audiences with her music, touring the UK with a youth orchestra and maintaining a
busy international schedule. She gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals and prioritized teaching
young musicians, becoming an inspiring figure for deaf children.
III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100 – 150 words).
Q1: How does Evelyn hear music?
Evelyn experienced music through vibrations in her body. When Ron Forbes tuned two drums and
asked her to sense the sound, she felt the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the
waist down. While playing the xylophone, she sensed the sound through the stick in her fingertips. By
leaning against drums or standing on a wooden platform, she felt the vibrations through her body,
saying music poured in through her skin, cheekbones, and even her hair.
Part II - Tick the right answer
Q1: The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’ Tick the right answer
Ans: The pungi was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’
Q2: (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
Ans: A barber transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
Q3: Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, and professional musicians).
Ans: Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were professional musicians.
Q4: Bismillah Khan learned to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).
Ans: Bismillah Khan learned to play the shehnai from Ali Bux.
Q5: Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).
Ans: Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.
II. Find the words in the text which show Ustad Bismillah Khan’s feelings about the items listed below.
Then mark a tick (✔) in the correct column. Discuss your answers in class
III. Answers these question
Q1: Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Ans: Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi in the royal residence for it had a shrill and
unpleasant sound. It became the generic name for reeded noisemakers.
Q2: How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Ans: Shehnai is a pipe with a natural hollow stem that is longer and broader than the pungi. It has
seven holes on its body. When it is played, the closing and opening of some of the holes produce soft
and melodious sounds.
Q3: Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Ans: Traditionally, the shehnai was part of the traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal
courts. It was used only in temples and weddings. However, Ustad Bismillah Khan brought the
change by bringing it onto the classical stage.
Q4: When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break? Ans: At fourteen, Bismillah Khan attended
the Allahabad Music Conference, where Ustad Faiyaz Khan encouraged him. In 1938, he got his big
break with All India Radio in Lucknow and became a popular Shehnai player.
Q5: Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Ans: On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the shehnai from the Red Fort. It was a historic day
as India gained independence on that day. He became the first Indian to greet the nation with his
shehnai. His audience included illustrious names such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma
Gandhi.
Q6: Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.? Ans: Bismillah Khan
refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he couldn’t live outside India. Although his
student promised to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras, including its temples, Bismillah jokingly
asked if he could also bring the River Ganga, which was impossible. He always longed to return to
India whenever he was abroad.
Q7: Find at least two instances in the text that tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Ans: Bismillah Khan deeply loved India, especially Benaras and Dumraon. In his early years, he often
practiced in solitude at the temples of Balaji and Mangala Maiya, and by the banks of the River Ganga
in Benaras. The flowing Ganga inspired him to create new ragas for the shehnai. He refused to start a
shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he couldn't live outside India. When his student offered to
replicate Benaras' temples, Bismillah humorously asked if he could also bring the River Ganga, which
was impossible.
Thinking About Language I. Look at these sentences.
Evelyn was determined to live a normal life. Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from
friends and teachers. The italicised parts answer the questions:
“What was Evelyn determined to do?” and “What did Evelyn manage to do?”
They begin with a to-verb (to live, to conceal).
Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to Ans the questions in brackets.
Q1: The school sports team hopes __________ (What does it hope to do?)
Ans: The school sports team hopes to do better than the last time.
Q2: We all want __________ (What do we all want to do?)
Ans: We all want to go on a vacation.
Q3: They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother __________(What did they advise her to do?)
Ans: They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother to take her to a specialist.
Q4: The authorities permitted us to __________ (What did the authorities permit us to do?)
Ans: The authorities permitted us to organize a charity event.
Q5: A musician decided to __________ (What did the musician decide to do?)
Ans: A musician decided to take India’s music to the world.
II. From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions and write
them down.
The number of the paragraph where you will find the words/ phrases have been given for you in
brackets.
Q1: he home of royal people (1) __________
Ans: The home of royal people (1) the royal residence
Q2: the state of being alone (5) __________
Ans: The state of being alone (5) solitude
Q3: a part which is absolutely necessary (2) __________
Ans: A part which is absolutely necessary (2) indispensable
Q4: to do something not done before (5) __________
Ans: To do something not done before (5) invent
Q5: without much effort (13) __________
Ans: To do something not done before (5) invent
Q6: quickly and in large quantities (9) __________ and __________
Ans: Quickly and in large quantities (9) thick and fast
III. Tick the right Answer
Q1: When something is revived, it (remains dead/lives again).
Ans: When something is revived, it lives again.
Q2: When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).
Ans: When a government bans something, it wants it stopped.
Q3: When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it/avoid it).
Ans: When something is considered auspicious, welcome it.
Q4: When we take to something, we find it (boring/interesting).
Ans: When we take to something, we find it interesting.
Q5: When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful/find it of no use).
Ans: When you appreciate something, you find it good and useful.
Q6: When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time/for the second time).
Ans: When you replicate something, you do it for the second time.
Q7: When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/no longer upsetting).
Ans: When we come to terms with something, it is no longer upsetting.
Extra important questions:
1 What is Evelyn’s secret of success and what message does she give to achievers?
Evelyn's secret of success lies in her strong determination and hard work. She inspires achievers with
her message: Work hard to achieve your goals. Believe in yourself, regardless of challenges. Stay
focused and committed to your passion. Her journey shows that with effort and perseverance,
success is attainable.
2.How has Evelyn Glennie inspired handicapped people?
Evelyn Glennie has inspired many people with disabilities through her remarkable achievements.
Observing her success, they often think: If she can do it, I can too. Her journey shows that
determination can overcome challenges. She has brought percussion to the forefront of music,
proving it can be deeply moving. Glennie's story encourages those facing difficulties to pursue their
dreams, demonstrating that limitations can be transcended.
Key Points of the Story: A young girl named Evelyn Glennie, despite being profoundly deaf, gains
admission to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. Evelyn's hearing loss was first
noticed when she was eight years old while waiting to play the piano. Her mother recalls, "They called
her name and she didn't move. I suddenly realised she hadn't heard." By age eleven, her marks had
declined, and her headmistress urged her parents to visit a specialist. It was then found that her
hearing was severely impaired due to gradual nerve damage. Determined not to let her condition
control her life, Evelyn learns to feel music through vibrations in her body, excelling in percussion. Her
teacher, Ron Forbes, encouraged her by saying, "Don't listen through your ears; try to sense it some
other way." She achieves great success in music, touring internationally, winning numerous awards,
and becoming a world-renowned multi-percussionist. Apart from regular concerts, Evelyn also gives
free concerts in prisons and hospitals, inspiring many with her outreach efforts. Ann Richlin of the
Beethoven Fund for Deaf Children states, "She is a shining inspiration for deaf children. They see that
there is nowhere that they cannot go." Despite her deafness, Evelyn's musical performances leave
audiences astounded, showing her extraordinary connection to music
What technique did Evelyn Glennie use to "hear" music despite being profoundly deaf?
a. Listening through hearing aids
b. Feeling vibrations in her body Correct Answer
c. Reading music notes visually
d. Memorizing musical compositions
Explanation - Evelyn Glennie learned to feel music through vibrations in her body, enabling her to
"hear" music despite her profound deafness. - By sensing vibrations with different parts of her body,
such as her feet, legs, and fingertips, she developed a unique connection to music that allowed her to
excel in percussion.

Difficult Words
1. Daunting: causing fear or intimidation.
2. Aspiring: having ambitions to achieve something.
3. Impaired: weakened or damaged.
4. Conceal: to hide or keep secret.
5. Orchestral: relating to an orchestra or orchestral music.
6. Solo Performances: musical performances by a single artist.
7. Workaholic: a person who compulsively works excessively hard.
8. Handicapped: having a physical or mental disability.
9. Resonances: echoes or vibrations of sounds.
10. Effortlessly: with ease and without effort.
11. Tingles: causes a slight pricking or stinging sensation.
12. Flawlessly: without any fault or mistake.
13. Lilt: a particular way of speaking.
14. Prestigious: inspiring respect and admiration.
15. Triumph: a great victory or achievement.
What does the word "triumph" mean in the context of the passage?
a. A great defeat or failure.
b. A significant challenge or obstacle.
c. A great victory or achievement. Correct Answer
d. A difficult situation or predicament.
What is the significance of the shehnai in North Indian culture?
a. It is used in temple ceremonies. Correct Answer
b. It is played at royal courts.
c. It is associated with inauspicious occasions.
d. It is primarily used in South Indian weddings.
Which term describes a musician who is highly praised and recognized for their work?
a. Maestro Correct Answer
b. Devout
c. Coveted d. Melodious
Very Short Question Answer:
Q1: Who has banned the musical instrument called pungi? Ans: Aurangzeb banned the musical
instrument called pungi.
Q2: Why did Aurangzeb not allow the pungi to be played in his royal residence? Ans: Aurangzeb did
not allow the pungi to be played in his royal residence because he felt that it had an unpleasant
sound.
Q3: Write the meaning of reeded. Ans: Reeded are wind instruments that have reeds like the flute.
Q4: Who had made the new instrument called shehnai? Ans: A nai or barber had made the new
instrument called shehnai.
Q5: Why was shehnai played only on good occasions? Ans: The sound of the shehnai was
considered auspicious, so it was played only on good occasions.
Q6: Where did Bismillah Khan live? Ans: Bismillah Khan lived in an old estate of Dumroon in Bihar.
Q7: Where did Bismillah Khan go to sing ‘Chaita’? Ans: Bismillah Khan went to the Biharji Temple to
sing ‘Chaita’.
Q8: What was the weight of the loddu? Ans: The weight of the loddu was 1.25 kg.
Q9: What was the award earned by Bismillah Khan at the age of 80? Ans: Bismillah Khan earned the
highest civilian award "Bharat Ratna".
Q10: Who is the grandfather of Bismillah Khan? Ans: The famous shehnai nawaz of the Bhojpur
king's court, Rasool Bux Khan, is the grandfather of Bismillah Khan.
Q11: What is the name of Bismillah Khan's father? Ans: The name of Bismillah Khan's father is
Paigambar Bux.
Q12: What is the name of Bismillah Khan's uncle? Ans: The name of Bismillah Khan's uncle is Ali
Bux.
Q13: Who was impressed by the performance of Bismillah Khan in the Allahabad Conference? Ans:
Renowned classical vocalist Ustaad Faiyaz Khan was impressed by the performance of Bismillah
Khan in the Allahabad Conference.
Q14: What was the raag played by Ustaad Bismillah Khan on the occasion of India's Independence at
Red Fort? Ans: Ustaad Bismillah Khan played Raag Kafi on the occasion of India's Independence at
Red Fort.
Q15: What was the famous speech of Jawaharlal Nehru on the occasion of India's Independence?
Ans: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous speech 'Tryst with Destiny' on the occasion of India's
Independence.
Q16: Name the movie inspired by the work of Ustaad Bismillah Khan? Ans: The movie inspired by the
work of Ustaad Bismillah Khan was 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai'.
Q17: What was the song composed by Ustaad Bismillah Khan in the movie 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai'?
Ans: The song was "Dil Ka Khilona Hai Toot Gaya".
Q18: When did Ustaad Bismillah Khan pass away? Ans: Ustaad Bismillah Khan passed away on
August 21, 2006.
Q19: Who heard the sound without hearing it? Ans: Evelyn Glennie heard the sound without hearing
it.
Q20: What was the extraordinary ability that Evelyn had? Ans: Evelyn Glennie had the extraordinary
ability to hear and feel music without hearing it conventionally.
Q21: How did Evelyn realize that the train was about to come? Ans: Evelyn realized that the train was
about to come by feeling its vibrations through the ground.
Q22: Where had Evelyn got admission to learn music? Ans: Evelyn had got admission to the Royal
Academy of Music to learn music.
Q23: What was the name of Evelyn's mother? Ans: The name of Evelyn's mother was Isabel Glennie.
Q24: What is a hearing aid? Ans: A hearing aid is a device that is fitted into the ear to assist in hearing
to some extent.
Q25: Who had suggested Evelyn's parents send her to a day school? Ans: A doctor had suggested
Evelyn's parents send her to a day school.
Q26: What was the decision taken by Evelyn? Ans: Evelyn took the decision to lead a normal life like
other people and to pursue her interest in music.
Q27: What is a xylophone? Ans: A xylophone is a musical instrument with a row of wooden bars of
different lengths.
Q28: Who is called a percussionist? Ans: A person who plays drums, tabla, and other similar musical
instruments is called a percussionist.
Q29: Who spotted the potential of Evelyn in music? Ans: Ron Forbes, a percussionist, spotted the
potential of Evelyn in music.
Q30: What did Ron Forbes do with drums? Ans: Ron Forbes took two large drums and tuned them to
different notes for Evelyn to feel the vibrations.
Worksheet Solutions: The Sound of Music
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1: Where was the Shehnai played traditionally?
(a) In wedding ceremonies (b) In temples (c) Auspicious ceremonies (d) All of these
Ans: (d)
Q2: Who banned pungi from the royal residence?
(a) Jahangir (b) Emperor Akbar (c) Shah Jahan (d) Emperor Aurangzeb
Ans: (d) Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of a musical instrument called pungi in the royal
residence because of its shrill and unpleasant sound.
Q3: Name India's highest civilian award that Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded in the year 2001.
(a) The Padmashri (b) The Padma Bhushan (c) The Bharat Ratna (d) The Padma Vibhushan
Ans: (c) Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna regarded to be India's highest civilian
award in the year 2001.
Q4: From whom did Bismillah Khan learn shehnai?
(a) Akbar Ali (b) Ali Bux (c) Ghulam Ali (d) Ali Ahmed
Ans: (b) Bismillah Khan learnt from his maternal uncle Ali Bux who lived in Benaras.
Q5: What does the title of the text The Sound of Music denote?
(a) The sound of a particular instrument (b) The sound of a song (c) The life in music (d) The sound of
various musical instruments
Ans: (c) The chapter is divided into two parts portray the development of two well-known, revered
personalities within the world of music in the West as well as in the East, whose life developed and
revolved solely around music which taught them the meaning of life.
Q6: When did Evelyn feel everything so dark in life?
(a) When she was advised to go to a deaf school (b) When she performed poorly at the examination
(c) When she failed in her music audition (d) When she was advised to use hearing aids and go to the
deaf school Ans: (d)
Q7: The instrument of shehnai was brought to the ________ stage in the history of Indian music by
Ustad Bismillah Khan. (a) classical (b) western (c) folk (d) popular music
Ans: (a) The shehnai was played only in temples and weddings in the Northern parts of India until
Ustad Bismillah Khan extended it to the field of classical music, therefore giving it a space in the
history of music in India.
Q8: What was the source of inspiration for Bismillah? (a) Royal Palaces (b) Red Fort (c) Ganga Ghats
(d) None of these Ans: (c)
Q9: When did Bismillah get his first big break as a Shehnai performer? (a) 1945 (b) In 1938, when All
India Radio came into existence (c) 1987 (d) 1989 Ans: (b)
Q10: Who was Ali Bux? (a) Bismillah’s grandfather (b) Bismillah’s maternal uncle (c) Bismillah’s friend
(d) Bismillah’s father Ans: (b)
Short Answer Questions
Q1: How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music? Why was she nervous on
her way to the academy?
Ans: Evelyn was only seventeen years of age when she was selected to the Royal Academy of Music,
London. She had come straight from a farmland in Scotland, she had not experienced much of the
world. In addition, she was profoundly deaf and was going to a big institute like The Royal Academy of
Music. Her nervousness was the result of her young age, her lack of exposure and her hearing
disability.
Q2: Why was Evelyn Glennie going to face a bigger challenge at the prestigious Royal Academy of
Music in London?
Ans: Evelyn Glennie was passionate about music, and would not let anything stand in her way, but
studying music at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London was a challenge for her for two
reasons: in the first place she was deaf and in the second, she was brought up on a Scottish farm. It
was a challenge for a deaf village girl to compete with other singers who had perfect hearing.
Q3: Who advised Evelyn’s parents to take her to a specialist? Why?
Ans: Evelyn managed to hide her growing deafness from students and teachers for some time.
However, by the time she was eleven years old, her performance in school deteriorated and her
marks began to fall. It was then that the headmistress advised her parents to consul a specialist.
Q4: “Everything suddenly looked black”. Why did Evelyn feel this way?
Ans: When Evelyn was advised to use hearing aids and join a school for the deaf, she felt that her
future was bleak and dark. She was depressed, as she felt she would not be able to lead a normal life
nor pursue her interest in music.
Q5: How did Evelyn’s teachers respond when she expressed her desire to play a xylophone?
Ans: Evelyn had always loved music and despite her deafness, she expressed a desire to play the
xylophone when she saw another girl playing it. However her teachers felt that she would not be able
to play it because of her impaired hearing and they discouraged her from doing so.
Long Answer Questions
Q1: “If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get there,” remarks Evelyn Glennie. What
does it reveal about her character?
Ans: Evelyn’s firm determination, her hard work and her focus on her goal are well revealed in her
statement. These values of her character have enabled her to successfully overcome her handicap of
deafness. Though she developed hearing impairment at the young age of eight, and became
profoundly deaf by the age of twelve, she has never let it become a stumbling block in her way to
success. Firmly determined to pursue music and to lead a normal life, Evelyn did not let her disability
stand in her way. The encouragement and training provided by percussionist Ron Forbes paved the
way for her advancement and she stuck to the path with unshakeable self-confidence. It was this
confidence and faith in herself that made her dare to audition for the Royal Academy of Music,
London where she received the top most awards. Evelyn is very hard working. She has worked hard,
in fact much harder than the other classical musicians to bring percussion to the front stage in
orchestra. She believes that no goal is unachievable for those who work hard and are focussed on the
goal. With her earnest efforts, she moved from orchestra to solo performances and eventually
became an internationally renowned percussionist owing to her command over a large number of
instruments. Her courage and confidence to rise above her disability has made her a soprce of
inspiration for all.
Q2: Evelyn is an inspiration to all. Justify.
Ans: Despite her disability, Evelyn rose to great heights as a musician. When talking of music, she
explains, “It pours in through every part of my body. It tingles in the skin, my cheekbones and even in
my hair.” When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound passing up the stick into her
fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she can feel the resonances flowing into her body. On a
wooden platform, she removes her shoes so that the vibrations pass through her bare feet and up her
legs. Not surprisingly, Evelyn delights her audiences. In 1991 she was presented with the Royal
Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Soloist of the Year Award. Says master percussionist James
Blades, “God may have taken her hearing but he has given her back something extraordinary. What
we hear, she feels — far more deeply than any of us. That is why she expresses music so beautifully.”
Evelyn confesses that she is something of a workaholic. “I’ve just got to work … often harder than
classical musicians. But the rewards are enormous.” Apart from the regular concerts, Evelyn also
gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also gives high priority to classes for young
musicians. Ann Richlin of the Beethoven Fund for Deaf Children says, “She is a shining inspiration for
deaf children. They see that there is nowhere that they cannot go.” Evelyn Glennie has already
accomplished more than most people twice her age. She has brought percussion to the front of the
orchestra, and demonstrated that it can be very moving. She has given inspiration to those who are
handicapped, people who look to her and say, ‘If she can do it, I can.’ And, not the least, she has
given enormous pleasure to millions.
Q3: Evelyn did not succumb to her disability. Comment.
Ans: Evelyn Glennie was always interested in music. In fact, her mother realised she was having
problems with her hearing when at the age of eight years Evelyn was to give a piano recital and she
didn’t hear her name being called. By the age of twelve, Evelyn had lost her hearing. However, she
did not let this stand in the way of her pursuing her passion music. Though she was advised to wear a
hearing aid and to attend a special school for the deaf, Evelyn did not give up. Despite facing
discouragement from her teachers, she wanted to lead a normal life and play xylophone. However,
Ron Forbes, a great percussionist, trained her to listen to the musical sounds and vibrations not
through ears, but through other parts of her body. He created two drums with different sounds to
make her hear the higher beats from the upper part of her body and the lower beats from below her
waist. The experiment was so effective that Evelyn opened her mind and body to the fine sounds of
music. Evelyn now believes that music penetrates into her through every part – through her skin,
cheekbones and even her hair. When she plays xylophone, she feels that the sounds move from the
stick into the tips of her fingers. When the drums are played, she can feel the resonant sounds
pouring into her body. She takes off her foot wears on a wooden stage and the vibrations of the
instruments pass from her bare feet into her legs. Thus, Evelyn has sensitized the different parts of
her body to the different sounds of music.
Q4: Evelyn is very down-to-earth and does not succumb to hero worship. Comment.
Ans: Evelyn Glennie did not let her loss of hearing get her down. She was determined to make a
career in music, and with the help of percussionist Ron Forbes, she trained herself to feel music
through every part of her body. She never looked back from that point onwards. She toured the United
Kingdom with a youth orchestra and by the time she was sixteen, she had decided to make music her
life. She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and scored one of the highest marks in the
history of the academy. She gradually moved from orchestral work to solo performances. At the end
of her three-year course, she had captured most of the top awards. And for all this, Evelyn doesn’t
accept any hint of heroic achievement. “If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get
there.” And she got right to the top, the world’s most sought-after multi-percussionist with a mastery of
some thousand instruments, and hectic international schedule.
Reference Based Questions Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Q1: It was her first day at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and daunting enough for
any teenager fresh from a Scottish farm. But this aspiring musician faced a bigger challenge than
most. (a) Who is referred to as the ‘aspiring musician’? Ans: Evelyn Glennie is referred to as the
aspiring musician.
(b) How old was this ‘aspiring musician’ when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Ans: She was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music in London.
(c) What was likely to ‘daunt any teenager’? Ans: The first day in a great and renowned institute like
The Royal Academy of Music, London was likely to daunt any teenager.
(d) Why did she face “a bigger challenge than most”? Ans: She faced a ‘bigger challenge’ than most
as she was profoundly deaf and was yet joining a music academy.
Q2: Evelyn Glennie’s loss of hearing had been gradual. Her mother remembers noticing something
was wrong when the eight-year-old Evelyn was waiting to play the piano. “They called her name and
she didn’t move. I suddenly realised she hadn’t heard,” says Isabel Glennie.
(a) Who is Isabel Glennie? Ans: Isabel Glennie is Evelyn Glennie’s mother.
(b) Why did Evelyn Glennie not move to play the piano? Ans: Evelyn did not move because she had
not heard her name being called.
(c) When was her deafness first noticed? Ans: Evelyn’s deafness was first noticed when she was
eight years old.
(d) How did Evelyn lose her hearing? Ans: Evelyn’s hearing impairment happened as a result of
gradual nerve damage.
Q3: They were advised that she should be fitted with hearing aids and sent to a school for the deaf.
(a) Who are ‘they’? By whom were they advised? Ans: ‘They’ are the parents of Evelyn Glennie. They
were advised by the specialist to whom Evelyn’s parents had taken her for a check-up.
(b) Who is ‘she’? Ans: ‘She’ is Evelyn Glennie.
(c) What was the course of action recommended for her? Ans: It was recommended that she should
be provided with hearing aids in order to be able to hear and that she be sent to a school for the deaf.
(d) How had her mother realised that Evelyn was having problems with her hearing? Ans: Evelyn’s
mother realised she was having problems with her hearing when Evelyn did not go for her piano
recital when her name was called.
Q4: But Evelyn was not going to give up. She was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her
interest in music. One day, she noticed a girl playing a xylophone and decided that she wanted to play
it too. Most of the teachers discouraged her, but percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential.
(a) Why was Evelyn not going to give up? Ans: She was not going to give up because of her interest
in music. Music was her passion.
(b) What did she want to do? Ans: She wanted to learn to play the xylophone.
(c) Why did her teachers not encourage her? Ans: They did not encourage her because they felt it
was impossible for a deaf girl to pursue her career in music.
(d) Who encouraged her? What did he say? Ans: Ron Forbes, who saw her potential and capabilities,
encouraged her. He suggested she ‘hear’ with the whole of her body.
Q5: She never looked back from that point onwards. She toured the United Kingdom with a youth
orchestra, and by the time she was sixteen, she had decided to make music her life.
(a) Who is ‘she’? Ans: She refers to Evelyn Glennie.
(b) What does ‘that point’ refer to? Ans: ‘That point’ refers to the time when Evelyn learnt to listen to
music by feeling the vibrations through her body.
(c) Where did she go with a youth orchestra? Ans: She toured the United Kingdom with a youth
orchestra.
(d) What was her age when she decided to make music her life? Ans: She was just sixteen when she
decided to make music her life.
Q6: She gradually moved from orchestral work to solo performances. At the end of her three-year
course, she had captured most of the top awards.
(a) How did Evelyn advance in her career? Ans: Initially Evelyn performed in a group of orchestra.
Gradually, she started giving solo performances.
(b) Where did she pursue her three-year course? Ans: She pursued her three-year course in the most
prestigious institute of music in England, The Royal Academy for Music, London.
(c) What were her achievements at the end of her course? Ans: At the end of her course, she had
bagged the biggest awards in her field.
(d) What made her achievements so great? Ans: The fact that she had won the awards despite her
hearing disability made her achievements so great.
Q7: And for all this, Evelyn won’t accept any hint of heroic achievement. “If you work hard and know
where you are going, you’ll get there.”
(a) What does ‘all this’ refer to? Ans: “All this” refers to the fact that by the end of her three-year
course at the Royal Academy she had captured most of the top awards.
(b) Why is it a heroic achievement? Ans: It is a heroic achievement as she has achieved success in
music despite being profoundly deaf.
(c) To what does Evelyn give credit for her achievement? Ans: Evelyn gives credit for her
achievements to her focus on her aims and her hard work.
(d) What quality of Evelyn’s character is reflected in this? Ans: This shows Evelyn is a humble and
down-to-earth person.
Q8: In our two-hour discussion she never missed a word. “Men with bushy beards give me trouble,”
she laughed. “It is not just watching the lips, it’s the whole face, especially the eyes.”
(a) Who is ‘she’? Why is it strange that she never missed a word? Ans: She refers to Evelyn Glennie.
She is profoundly deaf yet she heard each word.
(b) How does she hear the words? Ans: She hears the words by reading lips and by studying the
whole face and eyes of the speaker.
(c) Why do men with bushy beards give her trouble? Ans: She is unable to read their lips and their
face.
(d) Which are the languages that she speaks? Ans: She has managed to learn French and master
basic Japanese.
Q9: As for music, she explains, “It pours in through every part of my body. It tingles in the skin, my
cheekbones and even in my hair.” When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound passing
up the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she can feel the resonances flowing into
her body.
(a) Who is the speaker in the first line? Ans: In the first line, the speaker is Evelyn Glennie, the famous
multi-percussionist.
(b) What is it that pours in through every part of her body? Ans: Music and its vibrations pour in
through every part of her body.
(c) How was she able to hear sounds and vibrations? Ans: She was able to hear sounds and
vibrations by sensing them through her body and her mind. Being deaf, she could not hear with her
ears so she had trained and sensitized her body and mind.
(d) How did Ron Forbes help her to continue with music? Ans: Percussionist Ron Forbes tuned two
large drums to different notes. He asked her not to listen to them through her ears but to try and
sense the sound in some other manner.
Q10: “I’ve just got to work… Often harder than classical musicians. But the rewards are enormous.”
Apart from the regular concerts, Evelyn also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also
gives high priority to classes for young musicians. Ann Richlin of the Beethoven Fund for Deaf
Children says, “She is a shining inspiration for deaf children. They see that there is nowhere that they
cannot go.”
(a) Evelyn works harder than classical musicians. What does it imply? Ans: Classical music needs a
lot of practice. However, Evelyn works even harder than the others.
(b) For whom does Evelyn perform for free? Ans: Evelyn gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals.
(c) “…there is nowhere that they cannot go.” Who are they here? Ans: They are deaf children.
(d) What quality of Evelyn’s character is shown by her actions? Ans: Evelyn is committed to music.
She is also compassionate and generous towards those in need.

NCERT Solutions: Poem - Wind I.

Q1: What are the things the wind does in the first stanza? Ans: The poem starts with the poet
describing the violent face of the wind. Wind, with its violent action, especially during a natural
calamity, breaks off the shutters of windows and scatters the papers in the room. It also throws down
books from the shelf, tears the pages of the books, and brings down showers.
Q2: Have you seen anybody winnow grain at home or in a paddy field? What is the word in your
language for winnowing? What do people use for winnowing? (Give the words in your language, if you
know them.) Ans: Yes, I have seen many women winnowing grain in villages. Pachhorana is the word
in my language for winnowing. People use chaaj or winnowing fan for winnowing purposes.
Q3: What does the poet say the wind god winnows? Ans: The poet has compared the traditional
farming practices of winnowing with the destruction that the wind creates during a natural calamity.
Winnowing is a constructive process and helps us collect grains for survival. On the other hand, the
fierce wind, like the process of winnowing uproots all the crumbling homes, wood, bodies, lives, and
hearts. It crushes and removes them entirely and only the best survives.
Q4: What should we do to make friends with the wind? Ans: To make friends with the wind we need
to build strong homes with firm doors. We should also make ourselves physically and mentally strong
by building strong, firm bodies and having steadfast hearts.
Q5. What do the last four lines of the poem mean to you? Ans: In the last four lines poem reminds
everyone to be strong-willed because it is highly unlikely that a storm will not hit them again. We
should be mentally strong to face all the challenges that life throws at us. These challenges do make
the weak heart crumble and extinguish like weak fires. Contrary to its effect on weak people,
challenges make the strong people stronger, just like wind makes strong fires roar and flourish.
Having a positive attitude towards hardships not only makes them easier to deal with but also teaches
a lesson that we carry with us throughout our lives.
Q6: How does the poet speak to the wind — in anger or with humour? You must also have seen or
heard of the wind “crumbling lives”. What is your response to this? Is it like the poets? Ans: There is a
tinge of anger in the poet's tone while speaking to the wind. Strong wind breaks away the fragile items
human beings have put together. They cause plenty of damage and destruction to both life and
property and human beings are bound to submit to the cruelty of nature. Storms, cyclones, gales, and
intense winds cause havoc on the land. They uproot trees, bring down houses, electric posts, and
claim an encumber of lives. Yet, I do not agree with the poet that the wind only ‘crumbles lives.’ The
wind is also responsible for bringing rains and contributing to the water cycle. It lowers the
temperature of the land and helps as a carrier of pollen grains too. With advancements in technology,
the wind is also utilized for the purposes of energy harnessing using wind power plants.
II. The poem you have just read is originally in Tamil. Do you know any such poems in your
language?
Ans: Yes, I have read another poem on wind. It is titled 'Toofan' and was originally written in Hindi by
Naresh Aggarwal.
About the Poet
Subramania Bharati is considered a prominent writer and poet in the Tamil literary world. He was also
a journalist and an Independence activist. He was regarded as the Father of the modern Tamil style of
writing.
1 What does the poet compare the wind's destructive power to in the poem?
a. A gentle breeze b. A playful child c. A powerful storm Correct Answer d. A protective shield
2. Which of the following best describes the poet's advice in the poem?
a. To make the wind our friend, we should build strong homes, firm our bodies, and make our hearts
steadfast. Correct Answer b. To control the wind, we should ask it to be gentle and not harm us. c. To
be safe from the wind, we should ask for help from others. d. To avoid the wind, we should hide inside
our homes.
3. What literary device is used when a word is repeated at the start of two or more consecutive lines?
a. Metaphor b. Anaphora Correct Answer c. Personification d. Alliteration
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1: The poem Wind was originally written in which language? (a) Kannada (b)Malayalam (c) Telugu
(d)Tamil Ans:(d) The poem had been originally written in Tamil by poet Subramania Bharati and later
translated by A.K.Ramanujan.
Q2: The wind has been compared to (a) god (b)flood (c)earthquake (d)fire Ans:(a)
Q3: What does the poet want the wind to do? (a)All of these (b) Don’t scatter the papers (c)Don’t
throw down the books (d)Don’t break the shutters of windows Ans:(a)
Q4:Who breaks the shutters of the window? (Wind) (a)Wind (b) Children (c)A naughty boy (d) A boy
Ans:(a)
Q5: What is the message of the poem Wind? (a) Make strong windows (b) Stop the wind (c)All of
these (d)Be firm and strong Ans:(d)
Q6: Which figure of speech has been used in the following line from the poem Wind? 'Wind comes
softly' (a)Irony (b)Simile (c)Oxymoron (d) Personification Ans:(d) The phenomenon of wind has been
given a human attribute.
Q7: Whom does the poet make a request to and address? (a) Wind (b)The people (c) His children (d)
All of these Ans:(a)
Q8: What does the word winnows in the poem mean? (a) None of these (b)Sorts grains (c) Blows
strongly (d)Cleams grains Ans:(c)
Q9: Name the poet of the poem "Wind". (a)J.K Krishna Murti (b)Subramania Bharati (c) Mahadevi
Verma (d) Ruskin Bond Ans: (b) The poem "Wind" has been composed by Subramania Bharati.
Q10: Who is negatively affected by the wind? (a)None of these (b) Strong people (c)Both weaklings
and strong people (d)Weaklings Ans:(d)
Short Answer Questions
Q1: Why does the poet ask wind to blow softly? Ans: The poet asks wind to blow softly because he
knows that a strong wind will causes a lot of damage to structures that are not very strong. It will
break the shutters of windows, throw the books from the shelves, and tear their pages and bring rain.
Q2: What is winnowing? What, according to the poet, does the wind god winnow? Ans:Winnowing
refers to blowing away or removing the chaff from grain before it can be used as food. It thus implies
segregating people or things by judging their quality. The poet says that the wind god separates the
weak from the strong like the chaff from grain.
Q3: What harm does wind do when it blows hard? Ans:When a strong wind blows, it destroys
everything. It breaks the shutters of the windows, scatters the papers, throws the books off the
shelves, and tears the pages of the books.
Q4: What does ‘crumbling’ suggests in the poem ‘Wind’? Ans: The word ‘crumbling’ in the poem
‘Wind’ suggests fragile or frail. He feels that wind separates the frail or derelict houses, doors, rafters,
wood, and weak bodies, lives, and hearts from those that are strong and crushes them all.
Q5: What should we do to make friends with the winds? Ans: The wind makes fun of weak things.
Thus, wind teaches us to be strong and determined, as a time friend should. We should make
ourselves physically and mentally strong to overcome the troubles and turmoil we may face in life.
Long Answer Questions
Q1: What advice does the poet offer the people? Write your answer in the context of the poem,
‘Wind’. Ans: According to the poet, the wind is very powerful. It can break the shutters of the windows,
scatter the papers, throw the books down from the shelves and tear their pages. When it blows
violently, it brings the clouds. It mocks at the weak and destroys their homes. But the poet is not
dismayed. He realises thinks that when the people build strong houses, they can challenge the wind.
The poet suggests that we should face the challenges and hardships with courage, grit and firm
determination. The wind is a symbol of problems and obstacles which are to be dealt without fear.
Q2: What challenges are posed by wind in the life of the poet and the common man? Ans: According
to the poet, wind disrupts our everyday life. Wind, and accompanying rain, are forces of nature that
are perceived as the tempest forces which create impediments in a man’s life. Just as our problems
which can arise from nowhere, wind can hit us at any time of our life It mocks the weak and the frail.
For frail people, literally and metaphorically, wind creates barriers. Winds do not let a frail body or a
frail mind survive but on the other hand If you are strong, you have the power and the will to survive
and fight back, wind can never be a threat to your being.
Reference to Context
Q1: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
There, look what you did-you threw them all down You tore the pages of the books. You brought rain
again. You are very clever at poking fun at weaklings
(a) Whom are these lines addressed to? What is the figure of speech? Ans: These lines are
addressed to the wind; personification
(b) What kind of destruction does wind cause when it blows hard? Ans: When wind blows hard, it
destroys everything. It breaks the shutters, scatters the papers, throws the books, and tears the pages
of the books.
(c) What word is repeated and why? Ans: You is repeated as the poet accuses the wind of wreaking
chaos
(d) What does the wind symbolise? Ans:Wind symbolises the challenges and hardships we face in
life.
Q2: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Wind, come softly. Don’t break the shutters of the windows. Don’t scatter the papers. Don’t throw
down the books on the shelf.
(a) Who is the poet addressing in the above lines? Ans: The poet is addressing the wind in the above
lines.
(b) How does the poet want the wind to blow? Ans: The poet wants the wind to blow gently without
causing destruction
(c) What has the wind done to the books? Ans: Wind has thrown the books down from the
shelves/tom their pages.
(d)Name the poetic device used in the above lines. Ans: Apostrophe: Wind, come softly. Anaphora:
Don’t break the shutters of the windows. Don’t scatter the papers. Don’t throw down the books on the
shelf.
Q3: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
There, look what you did – you threw them all down. You tore the pages of the books. You brought
rain again.
(a) What is the poet’s tone in the above lines? Ans: The poet remonstrates with the wind. He accuses
the wind of making a mess.
(b) What has the wind done? Ans: Wind has thrown down his books from the shelves and has tom
them.
(c)What has wind brought with it? Ans: Wind has brought rain with it.
(d) Name a poetic device used in the lines above. Ans: Personification: The poet addresses the wind
like a mischief maker.
Q4: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
You ’re very clever at poking fun at weaklings. Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling
rafters, Crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives, Crumbling hearts— the wind god winnows
and crushes them all.
(a) Who is very clever? What is it clever at? Ans: The wind is very clever. It makes fun of weaklings.
(b) How does wind make fun of weaklings? Ans: Wind makes fun of the weak by making them
crumble.
(c) What does the wind god do to the weak? Ans: The wind god separates the weak from the strong
and crushes them.
(d) What should we do to make friends with the wind? Ans: To make friends with wind we need to
build strong homes with firm doors. We should also make ourselves physically and mentally strong by
building strong, firm bodies and having steadfast hearts.
Q5: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
He won’t do what you tell him. So, come, let’s build strong homes, Let’s joint the doors firmly. Practise
to firm the body. Make the heart steadfast.
(a) Who is referred to as ‘He’ in the above lines? Ans: He in the above lines refers to the wind.
(b) What is he being told to do? Ans: He is being told to blow softly and not break the shutters of the
windows, scatter the papers or throw down the books from the shelves.
(c) What advice does the poet give the reader? Ans: The poet asks people to build strong houses and
firm doors and keep our bodies and hearts strong unyielding.
(d) What does wind do to the strong? Ans: Wind befriends those who are strong.
Q6: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
He won’t do what you tell him. So, come, let’s build strong homes, Let’s joint the doors firmly. Practise
to firm the body. Make the heart steadfast.
(a) Who is the ‘you’ in the above lines? Ans: You refers to the listener/reader/mankind in general.
(b) What does the poet imply when he says ‘He won’t do what you tell him’? Ans: The poet implies
that difficulties and troubles do not listen to entreaties; they have to be faced boldly.
(c) Why should we make the heart steadfast? Ans: The poet says that the wind makes fun of the
weaklings only. Therefore, it is necessary for us to be strong.
(d) What does the poet mean by ‘make the heart steadfast’? Ans: We must be determined and
resolute.
Q7: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
He won 7 do what you tell him. So, come, let’s build strong homes, Let’s joint the doors firmly.
Practise to firm the body. Make the heart steadfast.
(a) Who does the poet advise? Ans: The poet advises the listener/reader/mankind in general.
(b) What advice does he offer? Ans: The poet advises to build strong houses, join doors firmly and to
make ourselves firm and strong in body and mind.
(c) What quality of ‘his’ character is revealed in these lines? Ans: He, the wind, does not listen to
anyone’s pleadings or entreaties. He does what he wants to do.
(d) Write any two destructive actions of the wind? Ans: Scatters papers/ throws books down from the
shelf/breaks the shutters of the windows/tears pages from books.
Q8: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Do this, and the wind will be friends with us. The wind blows out weak fires. He makes strong fires
roar and flourish. His friendship is good. We praise him every day.
(a) What does the poet mean when he says ‘do this’? Ans: By saying do this the poet says we must
build strong houses and have firm doors. We must be strong in mind and body.
(b) How does wind affect fires? Ans: Wind blows out weak fires, but it makes strong fires bum more
fiercely.
(c) Who is referred to as ‘He’? Why does the poet say ‘his friendship is good’? Ans: He refers to wind.
The poet says so because its friendship gives us strength and makes us flourish.
(d) What message do we get from the poem? Ans: We grow stronger when we face challenges in life
with courage and confidence.