Class 10 English Solution New Course | Unit 16 If by Rudyard Kipling - II

Unit 16

Reading II

If by Rudyard Kipling

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

a. unforgiving- vii. not giving a second chance: not happening again

b. virtue- iii. behaviour showing high moral standards

c. sinew- vi. a strong band of tissues in the body

d. pitch-and-toss- v. a game of skill and chance

e. worn-out- ii. badly damaged and no longer useful

f. stoop- ix. to bend the body forwards and downwards

g. knave- viii. a person who cheats by pretending to be somebody else

h. triumph- iv. a great success, achievement or victory

i. impostor- vi. a dishonest person

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

[will importance, success, failure value, inspirational, truthfulness, virtue]

In 'If', Rudyard Kipling provides inspirational insights into life. In the first stanza, the poet suggests us to keep calm, have self- trust and bear failure. 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 third stanza, the poet suggests us to value our winnings. We must devote our intellect, heart, and muscle in the work we do, and we should always have a strong virtue to achieve success. In the final stanza, the poet suggests us to maintain our truthfulness no matter who we are with. Most importantly, we must realize the importance of time.

C. Answer the following questions.

a. What does the poet suggest about dealing with lies?

The poet suggests that one should never lies in their life, and maintain truthfulness and rise above negativity.

b. What do you mean by 'not be tired by waiting'?

'Not be tired by waiting' means having patience and endurance without becoming weary or frustrated while waiting for something. It suggests the importance of perseverance and not losing hope.

c. Why should we not aim only to dream in life?

The poet suggests that merely dreaming in life is not enough. One should not make dreams the sole focus or master, implying that action and practicality are also essential for achieving success.

d. How do you think we can achieve our dream?

I think when we emphasize qualities such as perseverance, self-belief, truthfulness, resilience, and the ability to handle both triumph and disaster, and when applied these qualities in life, we can potentially help ourselves achieve our dream.

e. What Can knaves do to us?

The poem suggests that knaves can twist the truth spoken by others to trap fools. It implies that deceitful individuals can manipulate or distort the words and actions of honest people to their advantage.

f. Why should we forget our failures in life?

The poem encourages forgetting failures in life because dwelling on past failures can hinder progress and growth. To move forward and succeed, it is important to learn from failures, let go of the past, and focus on the present and future opportunities.

g. What should we do if we lose the 'pitch-and-toss'?

If one loses in the game of "pitch-and-toss," the poem suggests starting again at the beginning without dwelling on the loss or revealing it to others. It implies the importance of resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks without losing hope or being discouraged.

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

Some common suggestions that parents and teachers often give us to be successful in life: - Setting clear and achievable goals to provide direction and purpose in life - Hard work, dedication, and maintaining discipline in daily routines and tasks - Maintaining a positive attitude, believing in oneself, and having confidence in one's abilities - Acquiring new knowledge, developing new skills, and staying updated in the respective fields - Being willing to take calculated risks to grow and learn from - Building positive relationships, fostering effective communication, and collaborating with others to achieve mutual success

Grammar II

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

[in cash, at playing, interested in, with each other, out of their hand, in a hurry, out of reach, on a diet, at large, on board of the situation]

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

b. Amin is brilliant .....at playing...... the violin.

c. Mr. Sharma 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. Sanskriti is ...on a diet....these days for fear that she will put on weight.

h. I cannot talk to you now. I am ......in a hurry.....

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

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

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.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you to shed light on a topic 'Failure as Pillar of Success. 

It is commonly said that failure is the pillar of success, and indeed, it holds an invaluable role in shaping our lives and propelling us towards greatness. While it is easy to become disheartened by our failures, we must learn to embrace them as stepping stones on the path to achievement. Allow me to share with you some powerful examples from renowned personalities who have turned their failures into triumphs, inspiring us all.

One of the most iconic figures in history, Thomas Edison, once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison's relentless pursuit of creating the electric light bulb encountered countless setbacks and disappointments. However, he refused to let failure define him, viewing each attempt as a valuable lesson learned. Ultimately, his persistence paid off, and his invention transformed the world, illuminating our lives.

Walt Disney, the visionary behind the magical kingdom that has brought joy to millions, faced numerous rejections and failures throughout his career. He was fired from a newspaper company for lacking imagination and was told that Mickey Mouse would never appeal to anyone. But Disney refused to give up. He used these setbacks as fuel to build an empire that would shape the dreams and imagination of generations to come. His perseverance and unwavering belief in his vision led him to create the iconic Walt Disney Company.

Another towering figure in history, Abraham Lincoln, experienced a series of failures and defeats on his journey to becoming one of America's greatest presidents. He failed in business, lost several elections, and suffered personal tragedies. Yet, Lincoln refused to let these setbacks define him. He drew strength from his failures, learning from them and using them as motivation to strive for greatness. Eventually, he led his nation through one of its most challenging times, proving that failure can indeed be the foundation for remarkable success.

These extraordinary individuals serve as a testament to the transformative power of failure. They did not allow their setbacks to deter them from their aspirations. Instead, they used their failures to build resilience, learn valuable lessons, and ultimately achieve greatness.

Failure, in its essence, provides us with invaluable feedback and insights into our own abilities and limitations. It forces us to reassess our approach, recalibrate our efforts, and grow stronger. Each failure brings us one step closer to success by unveiling new paths, untapped potentials, and unforeseen opportunities.

Moreover, failure instills in us the qualities of perseverance, determination, and resilience. It tests our mettle and pushes us to our limits, revealing the depth of our character. It is through failure that we develop the mental fortitude required to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger than ever before.

Therefore, let us embrace failure as an indispensable companion on our journey towards success. Let us cherish it as a teacher that guides us, molds us, and sharpens our abilities. The world's greatest accomplishments have often emerged from the ashes of failure, reminding us that it is not the absence of failure that defines us, but rather our response to it.

As we stand on the precipice of our own dreams and aspirations, let us remember the words of Winston Churchill: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." So, let us cultivate the courage to learn from our failures, to persist in the face of adversity, and to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Thank you.