Verghese Kurien—I Too Had a Dream

 Complete Questions and Answers

The answers below are based on the attached chapter PDF. Discussion questions have sample answers; students may express the same ideas in different words.

 

Before We Read

I. Arrange the means of communication from old to new

Order	Means of communication
1	Carrier pigeons
2	Telegraph
3	Postcard
4	Telephone
5	Email
6	Mobile phone

II. Discussion questions

1. Why have the means of communication changed over the years?

 

The means of communication have changed because people need faster, easier, cheaper, and more convenient ways to exchange information. Technological progress, the growth of the internet, and the need to communicate across long distances have encouraged this change.

 

2. Which means of communication do you prefer and why?

 

I prefer using a mobile phone because it allows me to call, send messages, share photographs, and attend online meetings from almost anywhere. For important personal messages, however, writing a letter or email can be more thoughtful and lasting.

 

3. What are the benefits of social-media communication, and what precautions should we take?

 

Social media helps people stay connected, share information quickly, learn new things, and promote useful causes. We should protect our personal information, use strong passwords, check facts before sharing messages, avoid speaking abusively, and never meet online strangers without proper caution.

 

Let Us Discuss

I. Facts and opinions

A fact can be verified, while an opinion expresses a belief, feeling, or judgement.

 

No.	Statement type	Answer and reason
1	Opinion	The claim that telephone conversations give only fleeting joy expresses the writer’s judgement.
2	Fact	The writer gives a verifiable detail about when he began working.
3	Opinion	It describes the writer’s personal career preference.
4	Opinion	“More meaningful contribution” is a personal judgement.
5	Fact	It states the values the writer saw in his mentor, Tribhuvandas Patel.
6	Opinion	The statement expresses a moral judgement about life.
7	Opinion	It presents the writer’s personal understanding of failure.
8	Fact	The Padma Vibhushan ceremony and its date are verifiable historical details.

Let Us Think and Reflect

I. Extract-based questions

1. Extract on telephone conversations and writing

(i) Fill in the blank.

 

When the writer refers to a “fast-paced world”, he is speaking of a world where communication happens quickly but lacks depth.

 

(ii) Assertion and Reason

 

Answer: C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false. Letters can be treasured and reread over the years, whereas the writer says that telephone conversations provide immediate but fleeting joy, not lasting joy.

 

(iii) State whether the statement is true or false.

 

The statement is true. The writer says that writing, even in the form of a letter, becomes a lasting possession that can be reread with abiding pleasure.

 

(iv) Choose the most appropriate title.

 

C. The Lasting Joy of Written Words

 

2. Extract on the grandmother’s support

(i) How can we say that the grandmother shared her husband’s dedication to a greater cause?

 

The grandmother supported Dr. Kurien’s decision to live and work in Anand even though life there offered few comforts. By standing by him and accepting the difficulties, she also dedicated herself to the larger cause of serving the nation’s farmers.

 

(ii) Complete the sentence.

 

The fact that the writer praises his wife tells us that he truly values her role in his life.

 

(iii) Complete the sentence.

 

The grandmother had all of the following traits except comforting. She was encouraging, understanding, and thoughtful, but the extract does not describe her as providing comfort.

 

(iv) Identify the phrase that conveys the meaning “showed grace under pressure and carried out my duties with dignity and confidence”.

 

The phrase is “shouldered my responsibilities with poise.”

 

II. Answer the following questions

1. What event does Dr. Kurien refer to when he mentions receiving the Padma Vibhushan?

 

He refers to the ceremony in Delhi in 1999 at which the President of India awarded him the Padma Vibhushan. His grandson Siddharth was present and proudly placed the medal around his neck.

 

2. How did Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand affect his life?

 

The decision transformed his life. Although serving dairy farmers was not the career he had originally imagined, he chose to work in Anand because he believed that he could make a more meaningful contribution there. The choice led him to a life of service and national contribution.

 

3. Dr. Kurien’s decision to work in Anand reveals his values and sense of duty. Explain.

 

His decision shows that he valued service above personal comfort, wealth, or status. He gave up other attractive career options and worked for dairy farmers because he wanted to help them gain control over their lives. His choice reflects humility, integrity, responsibility, and commitment to the common good.

 

4. Why did Dr. Kurien write the letter to his grandson?

 

He wrote the letter to share his memories, explain the choices he had made, and help Siddharth understand his life of service to the nation’s farmers. He also hoped that Siddharth and other young people would be inspired to work sincerely for the good of the country and humanity.

 

5. According to Dr. Kurien, “life is a privilege and it is wrong to waste it”. What is your opinion?

 

I agree with Dr. Kurien. Life gives us opportunities to learn, develop our talents, help others, and contribute to society. We should accept responsibility for our actions and use our abilities well instead of wasting time in selfish or unproductive activities.

 

6. What message does Dr. Kurien convey about selfless service and its long-term impact on society?

 

He conveys that selfless service creates benefits that continue long after the individual’s work is completed. When people use their talents to help others and contribute to the common good, they strengthen the community and inspire future generations. True rewards come from meaningful work, not merely from awards or personal fame.

 

Let Us Learn

I. Replace the underlined words with synonyms from the box

No.	Completed answer
1	He received the award in a splendid ceremony.
2	I felt a momentary joy when I received the appreciation for my song.
3	With today’s swift communication, we can share information across the world in seconds.
4	Our school focuses on the essential values—collaboration, innovation, and unity.
5	My teacher’s advice on time management is a useful reminder of the importance of planning.
6	Reading books and listening to music can give lifelong pleasure.

II. Match the expressions with their meanings

Expression	Correct meaning
1. In all humility	(iv) Being humble and having no feeling of self-importance
2. Hold their heads high	(vi) Be confident and have a positive feeling
3. To be quite honest	(i) To speak in a truthful way
4. To the best of your ability	(ii) Doing something using all your skills, talents, and knowledge
5. Looked at in awe	(iii) Observed with great respect and wonder
6. Somewhere deep down	(v) In the innermost part of the self

III. Make words from the given words

The following are examples. Other valid words may also be possible.

 

Word	Words that can be formed
Important	import, port, part, art, main, pot, train
Magnificent	magic, sign, fine, cent, magnet, magnificent
Satisfied	sat, fit, side, tied, state, date, satisfied
Generation	gene, nation, ratio, rain, age, rate, generation
Achievement	achieve, chief, theme, meat, height, item, achievement

IV. Antakshari word game

The answers below give suitable synonyms or related words for the clues.

 

Clue	Answer
(i) Major	Important
(ii) Problem	Trouble
(iii) Antonym of uneven	Even
(iv) Related to post office	Postal
(v) Our moral duty	Obligation
(vi) Related to time	Temporal
(vii) Prosperous	Wealthy
(viii) Related to being alive	Vital

V. Insert an en dash or em dash

No.	Correct sentence
(i)	The conference will be held from March 15–March 20.
(ii)	I have lived in Kanpur–Raipur for five years now.
(iii)	The artist—known for her vibrant paintings—will be showcasing her work in Guwahati.
(iv)	The scores for the final match were 2–3.
(v)	My favourite snacks—samosas, pakoras, and jalebis—are all from India.
(vi)	The train journey from Belagavi–Bengaluru takes less than ten hours.
(vii)	I just finished reading the book—it was absolutely amazing!
(viii)	The event will take place on September 1–September 5.

VI. Choose the correct word

No.	Answer
(i)	Please remember to bring your assignment book.
(ii)	The team celebrated their victory after the match.
(iii)	It’s important to stay hydrated during the hot summer days.
(iv)	I can’t believe you’re going to the mango festival today.
(v)	The students said they’re excited for the trip tomorrow.
(vi)	The tree lost its leaves in the winter.

VII. Complete the sentences with suitable prepositional phrases

Several answers are possible. The following are suitable examples.

 

1       The children played happily in the park.

2       Nisha placed the vase on the table.

3       We discussed the project in the classroom.

4       Preethi found the lost book under the bed.

5       The cat slept on the sofa.

 

VIII. Rearrange the words and phrases

6       The dog barked loudly at the strangers walking by the house.

7       My classmate wrote a story during the summer vacations.

8       They enjoyed a picnic by the lake under the trees.

9       He hung the painting in his grandfather’s room.

10    The students studied for the exam with great determination.

 

Let Us Listen

The listening passage concerns Evelyn Glennie, a percussionist who overcame hearing loss and achieved success through determination and music.

 

I. Match the words with their meanings

Word	Correct meaning
1. Percussionist	(i) A person who plays drums and similar instruments
2. Impaired	(v) Damaged or weakened
3. Vibrations	(iv) Physical sensations caused by sound
4. Determination	(ii) The ability to keep going despite difficulties
5. Gradual	(iii) Slow and steady over time

II. State whether the statements are true or false

No.	Statement	Answer
1	Evelyn Glennie became deaf suddenly.	False. Her hearing loss developed gradually.
2	Her headmistress ignored the signs of her hearing loss.	False. Her headmistress noticed the problem and helped her receive support.
3	Ron Forbes was a percussionist who helped Evelyn.	True. He guided her in understanding and feeling music.
4	Evelyn used her skin and bones to sense music.	True. She learned to experience sound through vibrations in her body.
5	She gave up on music after her diagnosis.	False. She continued practising and became a successful musician.

III. Answer in one or two words

1. How did Evelyn turn her disability into strength?

 

Through music.

 

2. What role did Ron Forbes play in her life?

 

He mentored her.

 

3. What lesson can we learn from Evelyn’s story about people with different abilities or challenges?

 

Show empathy. We should respect people with different abilities, encourage them, and focus on their strengths rather than judging them by their limitations.

 

Short Summary of the Chapter

Dr. Verghese Kurien writes to his grandson Siddharth about the value of writing, meaningful choices, integrity, responsibility, and service. He explains that he chose to work with dairy farmers in Anand instead of pursuing more comfortable or prestigious careers. His wife supported this decision, and his work eventually earned national recognition. However, he teaches that awards are not the greatest rewards; the true reward is using one’s abilities to serve others and contribute to the common good. He encourages young people to live courageously, work sincerely, and value happiness, humility, and selfless service.