Nine Gold Medals - NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Kaveri

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Nine Gold Medals – NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Kaveri includes all the questions with solution given in NCERT Class 9 English textbook Kaveri.

NCERT Solutions Class 9

English Kaveri Hindi Ganga Sanskrit Sharada Maths Ganita Manjari Science Exploration Social Understanding Society

Nine Gold Medals – NCERT Solutions

Q.1:

Work in pairs. Match the words and phrases in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may read the poem again and infer the contextual meaning. Check your answers with the teacher.

Column 1	Column 2
(a) dashed in the dirt	(i) walk or move with difficulty
(b) stumbled	(ii) destroyed
(c) staggered	(iii) a hard black substance used to make roads and paths
(d) anguish	(iv) step awkwardly, lose balance and almost fall
(e) asphalt	(v) extreme pain or suffering

Solution:

(a) – (ii), (b) – (iv), (c) – (i), (d) – (v), (e) – (iii)

Q.2:

Identify the list of each stanza. Write the number of the stanza in the boxes given.

Spectators cheered participants of different events and waited enthusiastically for the final event to start.
All runners dashed ahead as soon as they heard the gun shot; suddenly, one of the athletes tripped and fell on the ground.
The race finished with nine athletes holding hands and winning the well-deserved gold medals; their smiles, and spectators standing up to applaud, conveyed everything.
Participants got ready at the starting line and nine determined athletes waited for the sound of the gun.
Athletes from various parts of the country had gone through months of training; had big dreams of winning a medal.
The eight athletes stopped to help the young fallen athlete stand up, forgetting that they were competing.
Nine athletes held the banner and walked hand in hand; this gesture represented the ethos of Special Olympics.
The young athlete felt his dreams were shattered and cried in pain and disappointment, but something unique happened.

Solution:

Spectators cheered participants of different events and waited enthusiastically for the final event to start. – Stanza 2
All runners dashed ahead as soon as they heard the gun shot; suddenly, one of the athletes tripped and fell on the ground. – Stanza 4
The race finished with nine athletes holding hands and winning the well-deserved gold medals; their smiles, and spectators standing up to applaud, conveyed everything. – Stanza 8
Participants got ready at the starting line and nine determined athletes waited for the sound of the gun. – Stanza 3
Athletes from various parts of the country had gone through months of training; had big dreams of winning a medal. – Stanza 1
The eight athletes stopped to help the young fallen athlete stand up, forgetting that they were competing. – Stanza 6
Nine athletes held the banner and walked hand in hand; this gesture represented the ethos of Special Olympics. – Stanza 7
The young athlete felt his dreams were shattered and cried in pain and disappointment, but something unique happened. – Stanza 5

Q.3:

Two examples of alliteration from the poem “Nine Gold Medals” are (i) ________ and (ii) ________.

Solution:

Two examples of alliteration:

“frustration and anguish”
“beaming faces”

Q.4:

Give three examples of visual imagery from the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

________.
________.
________.

Solution:

Three examples of visual imagery:

“The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them”
“fell to the asphalt instead”
“nine runners joined hands and continued”

Q.5:

Give an example of auditory imagery from the poem “Nine Gold Medals”. (i) ________.

Solution:

The signal was given, the pistol exploded.

Q.6:

How does the use of imagery make the poem more appealing? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

In “Nine Gold Medals,” the use of imagery allows readers to clearly picture the race, the athletes, and their actions. It appeals to the senses, making the scenes more lively and realistic. This vivid description helps readers connect emotionally with the athletes’ spirit of unity, making the poem more engaging, meaningful, and memorable.

Q.7:

How does the poet’s tone change from the beginning to the end of the poem? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

In “Nine Gold Medals,” the poet’s tone shifts noticeably as the poem progresses. At the beginning, it is filled with excitement and tension as the race begins and the athletes compete. By the end, the tone becomes warm, compassionate, and uplifting, celebrating unity, kindness, and the true spirit of sportsmanship over winning.

Q.8:

What is the overall mood created by the poem? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

In “Nine Gold Medals,” the overall mood of the poem is warm, inspiring, and joyful. As the events unfold, the athletes’ act of kindness and unity creates a deeply emotional atmosphere. The poem leaves readers feeling uplifted and hopeful, highlighting the importance of compassion, teamwork, and true sportsmanship over mere competition.

Q.9:

What is the message being conveyed by the poem? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

In “Nine Gold Medals,” the poem conveys that true victory is not about coming first but about showing kindness and understanding. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, teamwork, and inclusion. The athletes’ actions show that compassion and helping others bring greater joy and meaning than individual success or winning a race.

Q.10:

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.

Select the correct option to complete the sentence.
The phrase ‘pulled up on their heels’ means that the runners ________.
1. moved aside
2. stopped running
3. tried to run faster
4. jumped ahead
Mention one character trait common to all the eight other runners.
What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
How might the young athlete have felt on being helped by the others?
Would you consider this incident as a turning point in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Solution:

(B) stopped running
kindness/compassion
admiring and heart-warming
How the young athlete might have felt: supported, relieved, encouraged, and grateful
Yes, because this is the moment when the focus shifts from individual competition to teamwork and empathy, changing the outcome and meaning of the race.

Q.11:

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.

How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
Why do you think all the nine contestants were given gold medals?
Complete the sentence appropriately.
The holding of hands signifies a feeling of ________.
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
The spectators giving a ‘standing ovation’ indicates that they were ________.
1. amazed
2. speechless
3. distracted
4. thoughtful
Explain the last line of the extract.

Solution:

They felt happy, proud, and joyful, celebrating their teamwork and mutual support.
They were given gold medals because they showed kindness, empathy, and teamwork, which is the true spirit of the Special Olympics.
unity and friendship.
(A) amazed
The last line, “Said more than these words ever will,” means that the actions of the athletes-holding hands, supporting each other, and finishing together-expressed a message of compassion and teamwork more powerfully than words could describe.

Q.12:

Describe how the setting established in the first two stanzas of the poem “Nine Gold Medals” create a vivid atmosphere for the events that follow.

Solution:

The first two stanzas establish the setting with athletes arriving from across the country, weeks of training, and a field full of spectators. This creates excitement and anticipation, highlighting the importance of the race. By describing the final event, the crowd, and the preparation, the poet sets a vivid, energetic atmosphere that draws the reader into the tension and emotions of the upcoming race.

Q.13:

How do you think the youngest athlete might have felt when he fell? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

The youngest athlete likely felt shock, disappointment, and frustration when he fell. After months of preparation, stumbling at the start would have made him feel vulnerable and afraid that his efforts had been wasted, as indicated by his cry of anguish.

Q.14:

Why were the athletes eager to begin the race? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

The athletes were eager to begin the race because they had trained for weeks and months and wanted to test their skills, compete for medals, and experience the excitement of the event. The anticipation of the final event also heightened their enthusiasm.

Q.15:

What does the transformation of the hundred-yard dash to a walk symbolise? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

The transformation from a competitive sprint to a walk symbolizes compassion, empathy, and unity. It shows that human kindness and supporting one another are more important than individual success, emphasizing the values of inclusivity and teamwork over winning.

Q.16:

How might the poem “Nine Gold Medals” be different if the focus was solely on individual achievement rather than collective support?

Solution:

If the poem focused solely on individual achievement, the emotional impact would be lessened. The story would celebrate personal victory and speed, but it would lose its message of empathy, collective support, and the heartwarming display of humanity that makes the poem memorable.

Q.17:

How does the poet’s use of language and tone enhance the reader’s engagement with the poem? In the poem “Nine Gold Medals”.

Solution:

The poet uses vivid imagery, descriptive language, and an uplifting tone to engage readers. Words like “staggered,” “cry of frustration,” and “beaming faces” evoke emotions, while the narrative style makes the story relatable, drawing readers into the tension, compassion, and triumph of the race.

Q.18:

What might be the poet’s purpose of writing this poem “Nine Gold Medals”?

Solution:

The poet’s purpose is to highlight the importance of kindness, empathy, and teamwork. By showing that supporting others can be a greater victory than winning, the poem teaches moral values, inspires readers to act with compassion, and celebrates the spirit of inclusiveness in sports and life.