If by Rudyard Kipling

Reading II: If

A. Match the following words/phrases with their correct meanings.

Answer:

1. impostor: a person who cheats by pretending to be somebody else

2. triumph: a great success, achievement or victory

3. knave: a dishonest person

4. stoop: to bend the body forwards and downwards

5. worn-out: badly damaged and no longer useful

6. pitch-and-toss: a game of skill and chance

7. sinew: a strong band of tissues in the body

8. virtue: behaviour showing high moral standards

9. unforgiving: not giving a second chance; not happening again

B. Complete the summary of the poem using the given words/phrases.

[will, importance, success and failure, inspirational, truthfulness, virtue, value] Answer:

In 'If', Rudyard Kipling provides inspirational insights into life. In the first stanza, the poet suggests we keep calm, have self-trust and bear thoughtfulness. According to the poet, it is important to be thoughtful about an action before undertaking it. Similarly, balancing between success and failure is another important quality of a successful person. In the second stanza, the poet suggests we value our winnings. We must devote our intellect, heart and muscle to the work we do and we should always have a strong will to achieve success. In the final stanza, the poet suggests we maintain our virtue no matter who we are with. Most importantly, we must realize the importance of time.

C. Answer the following questions.

Answer:

a. What does the poet suggest about dealing with lies? Ans: The poet suggests that we should not deal in lies; we should be truthful.

b. What do you mean by 'not be tired by waiting'? Ans: 'Not be tired by waiting' means we should have patience to wait; our turn will surely come.

c. Why should we not aim only to dream in life? Ans: We should not aim only to dream in life because a dream without action is useless.

d. How do you think we can achieve our dream? Ans: I think we can achieve our dream by taking action.

e. What can knaves do to us? Ans: Knaves can trap us with sweet words.

f. Why should we forget our failures in life? Ans: We should forget our failures in life because dwelling on them brings nothing.

g. What should we do if we lose the 'pitch-and-toss'? Ans: If we lose the 'pitch-and-toss' we should start our business from the beginning.

D. What suggestions do your parents and teachers give you to be successful in life? Share with the class.

Answer:

Many parents and teachers often give the following suggestions to be successful in life.

Set goals: It is essential to have clear goals and a plan to achieve them. This can help provide focus, motivation, and direction in life.

Work hard: Hard work and perseverance are crucial for success in any field. It is important to put in the time and effort to achieve one's goals.

Stay disciplined: Discipline is the key to success in life. It involves setting priorities, managing time effectively, and staying committed to one's goals.

Learn continuously: Lifelong learning is crucial for personal and professional growth. It is important to be open to new experiences, ideas, and knowledge to stay relevant and succeed in today's rapidly changing world.

Build relationships: Building and maintaining positive relationships with family, friends, and colleagues is important for personal and professional success. Networking and collaborating with others can provide new opportunities and support when needed.

Stay positive: A positive attitude can help overcome challenges and setbacks. It is important to focus on the good and maintain a positive outlook on life.

Grammar II

A. Complete the sentences below with the correct prepositional phrases from the box.

[in cash, at playing, interested in, with each other, out of hand, in a hurry, out of reach, on a diet, at large, on board, out of control] Answer:

a. The accident took place as the bus and the lorry collided with each other.

b. Ram is brilliant at playing the violin.

c. Mr. Ram is not interested in politics.

d. The criminal who took the lives of five is still at large.

e. I cannot contact him. His phone is out of reach.

f. The concert went out of hand. They had to call the police to take control.

g. Ram is on a diet these days for fear that she will put on weight.

h. I can't talk to you now. I am in a hurry.

i. Even though the plane had to make an emergency landing, all the passengers were on board safe and sound.

j. Would you like to make the payment in cash or by cheque?

Writing II

Many people opine that we should not be discouraged by our failures in life. We should rather take our failures as an opportunity to correct our mistakes and achieve success next time. Draft a speech on 'Failure as Pillar of Success'. Include relevant examples from renowned and successful personalities in the world.

Answer:

Good afternoon everyone!

Today, I would like to talk to you about the concept of failure and how it can be a crucial pillar of success. Many of us fear failure and often see it as a negative thing, but I believe that failure can be a valuable learning experience that can ultimately lead to success.

There are many examples of successful people who have experienced failure before achieving their goals. For instance, a famous author was rejected by multiple publishers before finally finding one that believed in her work. A legendary athlete was cut from his high school team before going on to win multiple championships and awards. These individuals did not give up when they faced failure, but instead used it as a learning opportunity. They analysed their mistakes and used them to make improvements, which ultimately led them to success.

I believe that failure can be a powerful motivator. It can push us to work harder, be more creative, and take risks that we might not have taken otherwise. Failure can also help us develop resilience and mental toughness, which are valuable skills in any aspect of life. However, I want to emphasize that failure alone is not enough to achieve success. We must also be willing to learn from our failures, adapt our approach, and keep pushing forward. We should not let fear of failure hold us back from pursuing our goals and dreams.

In conclusion, I urge you all to embrace failure as a pillar of success. Use it as a learning experience, analyse your mistakes, and keep pushing forward. Remember, the path to success is rarely a straight line, but instead it is often full of obstacles and setbacks. It is up to us to use these challenges as opportunities to grow and ultimately achieve our goals. Thank you.