The World of Limitless Possibilities Class 9- Summary & NCERT Solutions

Back to Class 9 English Notes

At a Glance

Genre	Non-fiction prose in interview format (a conversation between an interviewer and Dr. Deepa Malik)
Featured Personality	Dr. Deepa Malik — Paralympian, Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Padma Shri Awardee
Setting/Context	A conversational interview reflecting on Dr. Malik’s journey from a life-changing diagnosis to becoming India’s first female Paralympics medallist
Central Theme	Resilience, the power of choice in adversity, and the redefinition of ability beyond physical disability
Tone	Reflective, inspiring, and matter-of-fact, balancing personal struggle with quiet determination
Central Message	Physical limitations do not define one’s potential; setbacks can be transformed into opportunities through resilience, self-belief, and support
Related Visual Motif	The Paralympics symbol (the Agitos) and imagery of para-athletes in archery, athletics, and wheelchair sports

NCERT Solutions

Reflect and Respond

I. This is a picture of Sheetal Devi, a para-archer who was honoured with the Arjuna Award in January 2024.

 1. Look at the picture carefully and share your observations.

The picture shows Sheetal Devi, a para-archer, drawing her bow using her foot rather than her hands, demonstrating exceptional skill, balance, and adaptation in a sport that conventionally relies on hand and arm strength.

2. Does this personality inspire you? Explain how.

This personality is genuinely inspiring, as she demonstrates that determination and skilled adaptation can overcome physical limitations most people would consider insurmountable, redefining what is possible in competitive archery.

3. Give a caption for this picture.

 A suitable caption might be: ‘Aim Beyond Limits — Sheetal Devi, Redefining What’s Possible.’

II. Complete the table given below about Paralympics:

What I know	What I want to know
The Paralympics is an international sporting event in which athletes with disabilities compete in different sports.	I want to know how athletes qualify for the Paralympic Games.
Para-athletes participate in sports such as athletics, swimming, archery and other adapted sporting events.	I want to know how different categories of disabilities are classified for competitions.
The Paralympics demonstrates the determination, skill and sporting ability of athletes and challenges common ideas about disability.	I want to know how the Paralympic movement has changed people’s attitudes towards disability and inclusion.

Check Your Understanding

I. Fill in the fact table given below based on the interview with Dr. Deepa Malik.

Fact Table Item	Answer
1. Diagnosed with spinal tumour at the age of	29
2. Result of the surgery	She was paralysed waist down and told she would be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of her life
3. Named as one of the 10 most effective para-athletes by	The International Paralympic Committee
4. First successful Paralympic event	The 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where she won a silver medal in the shot-put event
5. List of ‘firsts’ —	(i)First-ever Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics (ii) India’s first-ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport
6. Awards won —	(i) Khel Ratna (ii) Arjuna Award (iii) Padma Shri
7. Two things supported by her —	(i) The emotional health of persons with challenges, and empowering women through outdoor sports and adventure activities
7. Two things supported by her —	(ii) Persons from lower socio-economic strata, by providing equipment to para sportspersons

II. Read the two sets of sentences given below. Choose whether the given statements display fact-opinion or cause-effect.

Set (1):

(i) In the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, I secured the silver medal in the shot-put event.

(ii) I feel it was a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions.

This pair displays a fact-opinion relationship.

Statement (i) is a verifiable fact — a specific, provable event with a medal and a date.

Statement (ii) is an opinion, expressing the speaker’s personal feeling and interpretation of that event.

Set (2):

 (i) I was diagnosed with a tumour in my spine.

 (ii) I had a surgery and was told that I would be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

This pair displays a cause-effect relationship.

 Statement (i), the diagnosis of the tumour, is the cause, while statement

(ii), the surgery and its permanent consequence, is the resulting effect.

III. Work in pairs to identify which of these pairs of sentences show cause-effect (1) or fact-opinion (2).

(i) Dr. Deepa Malik was a member of the Working Group for the Formulation of Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012–17).

 It is believed that she contributed greatly to create better sports policies for the persons with disabilities.

2 (fact-opinion).

(The first sentence is a verifiable fact about her official role, while the second sentence, introduced by ‘it is believed’, expresses an opinion or belief about the impact of her contribution rather than a strictly proven fact.)

(ii) Paralympics showcases incredible talent and determination of para-athletes.

The global perception on disabilities shifts, inspiring para-athletes to pursue their dreams.

1 (cause-effect).

(The first sentence describes the cause — the Paralympics showcasing talent and determination — while the second sentence describes the resulting effect, namely a shift in global perception that inspires para-athletes.)

Critical Reflection

Extract-Based Questions —

Extract 1

I had two choices—squander my life in remorse or transform it to a world of limitless possibilities. I love sports and had been a swimmer too, so I decided to switch to para-athletics. My breakthrough moment came in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, when I secured the silver medal in the shot-put event. In hindsight, I feel it was a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions.

(i) Give a reason for the following statement: The speaker’s decision to transform her life can be likened to the concept of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.

Just as a caterpillar undergoes a complete, almost unrecognisable transformation to emerge as a butterfly, Dr. Malik transformed a life-altering tragedy into an opportunity for reinvention, emerging from paralysis not as someone diminished but as an accomplished, celebrated para-athlete — a metaphorical rebirth from adversity into achievement.

(ii) Why could the speaker switch to para-athletics quite comfortably?

She could switch comfortably because she already loved sports and had been a swimmer before her injury, meaning she already possessed athletic discipline, competitive spirit, and a genuine passion for sport that could be redirected into a new discipline.

(iii) Complete the sentence: The speaker calls the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games a ‘breakthrough moment’ because…

The speaker calls it a breakthrough moment because it was there that she won her first major international medal, the shot-put silver, marking a turning point that brought her personal validation and began visibly shifting public perceptions about what people with disabilities could achieve.

(iv) Select the correct option: The phrase ‘in hindsight’ indicates the speaker is…

B. reflective.

(The phrase shows the speaker looking back on a past event with the benefit of later understanding and perspective, characteristic of reflective thinking.)

(v) The speaker uses the phrase ‘changing perceptions’. List one likely perception the speaker might have changed.

One likely perception she changed is the assumption that people with disabilities cannot compete or excel at the highest levels of international sport, an assumption her own achievements directly disproved.

Extract 2

Honestly, I feel sports, especially Paralympics, have the extraordinary ability to challenge stereotypes and change attitudes towards disability. When people witness the strength, skill, and competitive spirit of para-athletes, it breaks down preconceived notions. Paralympics has given me a new lease of life and helped me push boundaries.

(i) Choose the option that lists the words to describe the tone of the speaker.

(a) A and D — appreciative and optimistic.

(The speaker’s tone reflects genuine gratitude for what Paralympics has given her, combined with a forward-looking, hopeful outlook on changing societal attitudes.)

(ii) Complete the analogy: ability : potential :: preconceived notions : …

stereotypes.

(Just as ‘ability’ and ‘potential’ are closely related concepts referring to capability, ‘preconceived notions’ and ‘stereotypes’ are closely related terms, both referring to fixed, often inaccurate assumptions held about a group of people.)

(iii) State whether the sentence ‘Paralympics is a platform that not only showcases the remarkable abilities of para-athletes but also questions stereotypes’ is true or false.

True.

(The extract directly supports this, as the speaker states that witnessing the strength and skill of para-athletes breaks down preconceived notions, meaning the Paralympics functions as both a showcase of ability and a challenge to societal stereotypes.)

(iv) What does ‘helped me push boundaries’ tell us about the speaker?

This phrase tells us that the speaker is someone who continually strives to exceed both her own limitations and society’s expectations of her, reflecting ambition, resilience, and an unwillingness to be confined by preconceived limits.

(v) Which phrase from the extract suggests that the speaker was able to transform her life?

The phrase ‘a new lease of life’ suggests that the speaker was able to transform her life, as it conveys a renewed sense of purpose, energy, and possibility following her turn towards Paralympic sport.

II. Answer the Following Questions

1. Explain how Dr. Malik’s achievements challenge societal perceptions.

Dr. Malik’s achievements — becoming India’s first female Paralympics medallist across any sport and the first Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics — directly challenge the assumption that disability limits capability. By excelling on the world stage despite being paralysed waist down, she demonstrates that physical impairment does not equate to reduced potential, prompting society to reconsider its often limited expectations of people with disabilities.

2. What can be the long-term impact of involving youth in schools and colleges in advocacy with respect to disability?

Involving youth early in disability advocacy can help build a generation that views inclusivity as a norm rather than an exception, gradually reducing stigma and discrimination over the long term. Such exposure can shape future employers, policymakers, and community leaders who are more likely to design accessible systems and treat people with disabilities with dignity and equal opportunity throughout their lives.

3. Rationalise the appropriateness of the title of this text with reference to Dr. Deepa Malik’s attitude and achievements.

The title ‘The World of Limitless Possibilities’ is highly appropriate, as it directly echoes Dr. Malik’s own words about choosing to transform her life ‘to a world of limitless possibilities’ rather than succumbing to remorse. Her subsequent achievements — international medals, prestigious national awards, and sustained advocacy work — demonstrate precisely the kind of boundary-pushing, limitless potential the title suggests is possible even after a life-altering disability.

4. ‘Every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength.’ How might this be a life lesson for every individual, and not just sportspersons?

This statement applies universally because everyone, regardless of profession or circumstance, encounters setbacks — whether personal, academic, or professional — that can either be viewed as defeats or as opportunities for growth. Dr. Malik’s philosophy suggests that resilience and a positive reframing of adversity are not skills unique to athletes but valuable life tools that anyone can apply to turn difficult circumstances into stepping stones for personal development.

5. Examine how Dr. Deepa Malik’s recognition as one of the 10 most inspirational women para-athletes globally contributes to the larger discourse on gender equality in sports.

Her recognition highlights the specific challenges faced by women with disabilities in sport, who often confront a double barrier of gender bias and disability-related stereotypes. By being celebrated on a global stage, Dr. Malik’s achievements help spotlight women’s capabilities in a domain traditionally dominated by men, encouraging greater visibility, funding, and opportunity for women para-athletes worldwide and contributing meaningfully to broader conversations about gender equity in sports.

6. How might Dr. Deepa Malik’s thought, ‘ability beyond disability’, serve as a guideline for success for all future para-athletes?

This philosophy encourages future para-athletes to define themselves by their skills, determination, and achievements rather than by their physical limitations, fostering a mindset focused on possibility rather than restriction. As a guideline, it can inspire athletes to pursue rigorous training and high ambitions with confidence, trusting that their abilities, properly developed, can lead to genuine excellence regardless of the challenges they face.

7. What have you learnt from this interview, and how can you implement these learnings in your life?

This is a personal, open-ended reflection. A suitable response might note the importance of resilience in the face of unexpected setbacks, the value of redirecting existing skills and passions towards new goals when circumstances change, and the idea that support systems and self-belief together can help transform adversity into achievement — lessons that could be implemented by approaching one’s own challenges with a similarly determined, solution-focused mindset.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context

I. Match the Phrases with Their Meanings

Phrase	Meaning
1. defy the odds	(iii) succeed in doing something when most people think it would result in failure
2. a new lease of life	(v) an occasion when you become more energetic and active than earlier
3. in hindsight	(iv) ability to understand something after it has happened
4. breakthrough moment	(i) a time of significant development or discovery
5. turn obstacles into stepping stones	(ii) overcome challenges and achieve goals

Sample sentences using the phrases:

1. The young athlete managed to defy the odds and qualify for the national team despite her injury.
2. Recovering from illness gave him a new lease of life and a fresh sense of purpose.
3. In hindsight, she realised that the setback had actually prepared her for greater challenges ahead.
4. Winning the scholarship was a breakthrough moment in her academic career.
5. He learned to turn obstacles into stepping stones, using every failure as a lesson for future success.

II. Word Cline — Movement Words by Pace

The given movement words are arranged below in increasing order of pace, from slowest to fastest.

Order	Word
1 (slowest)	crawl
2	creep
3	plod
4	stroll
5	saunter
6	amble
7	walk
8	jog
9	run
10	dart
11 (fastest)	sprint

Note: The precise ordering of near-synonyms such as stroll, saunter, and amble (all leisurely paces) may reasonably vary by a position or two; the key requirement is that crawl anchors the slowest end and sprint anchors the fastest end of the cline, as given in the textbook’s own examples.

III. Matching Modal Verbs with Their Functions

Sentence	Function
1. I could hear the audience clapping.	(v) past ability
2. It couldn’t be helped.	(vi) impossibility
3. I should give it my best shot.	(iv) obligation
4. I knew if I tried, I would win.	(iii) prediction

Note: Two functions listed in the original set — (i) promise and (ii) possibility — are extra and do not match any of the four given sentences, as instructed in the exercise.

IV. Modal Auxiliaries — Functions and Sample Sentences

Modal Verb	Function	Sample Sentence
could	possibility	It could rain later this evening, so carry an umbrella.
could	unreal ability	If I trained harder, I could win the state championship.
could	request	Could you please pass me the water bottle?
could	suggestion	We could visit the sports museum this weekend.
couldn’t	inability	I couldn’t lift the heavy equipment on my own.
should	probability	The results should be announced by tomorrow morning.
should	advice	You should warm up properly before every practice session.
would	request	Would you please explain the rules of the event again?
would	past habit	She would practise archery every single morning before school.

V. Direct Speech, Sentence Type, and Reported Speech Conversion

The two given sentences from the interview are in Direct Speech, and they are declarative sentences.

Reported Speech Conversion Table:

Direct Speech	Reported Speech	Changes Noted
Interviewer: You’ve been listed as one of the ten most inspirational women para-athletes globally by the International Paralympic Committee.	The interviewer said that she had been listed as one of the 10 most inspirational women para-athletes globally by the International Paralympic Committee.	1. ‘said’ added   2. that—linking word added   3. have been → had been   4. you → she
Dr. Malik: I love sports and had been a swimmer too, and so I decided to switch to para-athletics.	Dr. Malik said that she loved sports and had been a swimmer too, and so she had decided to switch to para-athletics.	1. ‘said’ added   2. that—linking word added   3. I → she   4. love → loved   5. had been → had been (unchanged)   6. decided → had decided
Interviewer: Your story is indeed a testament to the power of determination.	The interviewer said that her story was indeed a testament to the power of determination.	1. ‘said’ added   2. that—linking word added   3. Your → her   4. is → was
Dr. Malik: I believe youth is the voice of tomorrow.	Dr. Malik says that she believes youth is the voice of tomorrow.	1. that—linking word added   2. I → she; believe → believes

Steps to Remember:

• Use reporting verbs said, told, or says.
• Remove quotation marks.
• Add the linking word ‘that’ after the reporting verb.

VI. Converting the Siya–Tarun Conversation to Reported Speech

Siya said that (1) she had watched a documentary on the para equestrian event on television the previous night. Tarun replied that he hadn’t known that Paralympics had equestrian events. Siya added (2) that it did and that it had been so interesting to watch. Tarun remarked that it was wonderful and that para equestrians must be training for months for that. Siya replied that (3) they also had to find and develop their own style of communication with their horse. Tarun said that (4) he would watch that documentary the following weekend.

Listen and Respond

1. The venue for the special assembly is the school auditorium.

2. A presentation on inclusion will be made by the Interact Club.

3. The dance performance will focus on the themes of diversity and acceptance.

4. A panel discussion will be conducted by experts who support inclusion.

5. The celebration will end with a song to encourage team work.

Speaking Activity

A. Interview with the Sports Captain

Informal Interview

Interviewer: Hello! I’m so glad that you agreed to meet me for this interview.

Sports Captain: Hi! I’m happy to talk about something I enjoy so much.

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself and your love for sports.

Sports Captain: I have always enjoyed playing badminton. I like the speed of the game and the concentration it demands. More than winning, I enjoy the feeling of improving a little with every practice session.

Interviewer: Did you face any challenges? How did you deal with them?

Sports Captain: Yes, managing schoolwork along with regular practice was difficult at first. I started planning my day better and made sure that I used my time wisely. That helped me give proper attention to both studies and sports.

Interviewer: What are some impressive achievements you’ve had? How do you feel about them?

Sports Captain: I am especially proud of reaching the finals of an inter-school badminton tournament. I felt really happy because I had worked steadily for it. The experience also taught me that a result becomes meaningful when I know I have given my best.

Interviewer: What would you like to say to your peers or juniors who are interested in sports?

Sports Captain: Choose a sport that you genuinely enjoy and give it regular practice. Do not lose confidence just because you lose a match. Every competition can teach you something useful.

B. Interview with the Sports Coach

Formal Interview

Interviewer: Good morning, Sir. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to interact with you.

Sports Coach: Good morning. It is a pleasure to speak with you.

Interviewer: Could you tell me how your journey in sports began?

Sports Coach: My interest in sports developed during my school years when I began participating in athletics. With time, I became interested not only in competing but also in understanding how training, discipline and encouragement could help young athletes improve. This eventually led me towards coaching.

Interviewer: Could you share something about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them?

Sports Coach: One significant challenge was learning to work with athletes who had different levels of ability and confidence. I gradually understood that every athlete requires an individual approach. Patience, careful observation and suitable training methods helped me respond to their needs more effectively.

Interviewer: You’ve received many accolades. What do these accomplishments mean to you?

Sports Coach: I value them as recognition of years of commitment, but I do not consider awards to be the sole measure of success. For me, an athlete gaining confidence, developing discipline and performing better than before is equally rewarding.

Interviewer: What advice do you have for aspiring athletes?

Sports Coach: I would encourage aspiring athletes to remain disciplined and consistent in their training. They should respect their coaches, learn from setbacks and maintain a healthy balance between sports, studies and other responsibilities. Most importantly, they should continue to believe in their ability to improve.

Writing Task

II.

Learning Beyond the Text

II. Group Presentation

Choice of topic: Two Paralympians from India

Short Chapter Summary

‘The World of Limitless Possibilities’ introduces readers to the Paralympic Games through the inspiring example of Dr. Deepa Malik, a decorated Indian Paralympian. The chapter opens by celebrating athletes with locomotor, sensory, or intellectual disabilities who compete on the global stage, noting that India’s Paralympic journey began in 1968, with its first medal won in swimming in 1972. It then presents an extended interview with Dr. Malik, who recounts being diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the age of 29, undergoing surgery, and being told she would be permanently paralysed waist down. Rather than succumbing to remorse, she chose to redirect her existing passion for sport — she had previously been a swimmer — into para-athletics. Her breakthrough came at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where she won a silver medal in the shot-put event, becoming the first Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics and India’s first-ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport. Throughout the interview, she discusses the societal underestimation she faced, the mental resilience and family support that helped her overcome it, and her belief in ‘ability beyond disability’. She also describes her ongoing advocacy work, supporting the emotional health of persons with challenges, empowering women through outdoor sports, and providing equipment to para-athletes from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The chapter closes with her advice that every setback is an opportunity to prove one’s strength, and that disability is not a limitation but a unique strength waiting to be unleashed.

Author/Text Background & Literary Style

This chapter is presented as a non-fiction interview, a text type that allows readers direct access to a real person’s own words and reflections rather than a narrator’s account. The interview format lends the chapter immediacy and authenticity, as Dr. Deepa Malik’s responses are presented largely unmediated, in a conversational question-and-answer structure. This structure mirrors real journalistic or documentary interviews and is a common feature of contemporary competency-based English textbooks, which increasingly draw on non-fiction and real-world texts to build reading skills alongside factual and inspirational content.

Style and Tone

The overall tone of the chapter is reflective, inspiring, and matter-of-fact. Dr. Malik discusses a profoundly difficult period of her life — her diagnosis, surgery, and permanent paralysis — with candour rather than melodrama, allowing the gravity of her experience to register without overstatement. As the interview progresses, the tone shifts towards quiet pride and optimism, particularly when she discusses her Paralympic achievements and her ongoing advocacy work. The interviewer’s own tone remains consistently respectful and admiring, framing each question in a way that allows Dr. Malik’s achievements and philosophy to take centre stage. This balance of honesty about hardship and genuine celebration of achievement gives the chapter its distinctive, motivational character, well suited to its title’s promise of ‘limitless possibilities’.

Detailed Explanation — Part I

(Introduction to the Paralympics and Dr. Deepa Malik)

The chapter opens with a rhetorical question — ‘Ever wondered what happens when incredible athletes defy the odds…’ — a direct address that draws the reader into the world of the Paralympic Games from the very first line. This opening frames the Paralympics not merely as a sporting event but as a ‘celebration of resilience’, immediately establishing the chapter’s central theme. The text is careful to specify that Paralympic athletes may have locomotor, sensory, or intellectual disabilities, offering readers a precise, accurate understanding of the diversity of conditions represented at the Games, rather than a vague or generalised notion of disability.

The passage then situates India within this global context, noting that the country’s Paralympic debut dates back to 1968, with its first medal won in swimming in 1972 — factual details that lend historical weight and credibility to the chapter before it turns to an individual case study. The introduction of Dr. Deepa Malik is handled with deliberate emphasis: she is described through her formal honours — Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Padma Shri Awardee — before the text notes that she has left an ‘indelible mark’ on aspiring athletes, establishing her as a figure of lasting national significance even before her personal story is told. This sets up the interview that follows as an encounter with someone of genuine, verified achievement, lending authority to the reflections and advice she goes on to share.

Word Meanings — Part I

Word/Phrase	Meaning as Given in the Text
resilience	ability to recover quickly from difficult circumstances
locomotor	related to bones, joints, or muscles
quell	to overcome
indelible	enduring or permanent

Literary Devices & Terms — Part I

Device	Example / Explanation
Rhetorical Question	The opening line, ‘Ever wondered what happens when incredible athletes defy the odds…’, draws the reader directly into the topic and creates immediate engagement.
Direct Address	The informal, conversational opening (‘Well, enter the world of Paralympic Games’) speaks directly to the reader, characteristic of engaging non-fiction writing aimed at young audiences.
Factual Exposition	Precise historical facts — India’s 1968 Paralympic debut and 1972 first medal — are used to ground the chapter’s inspirational content in verifiable reality.
Formal Register Shift	The listing of Dr. Malik’s awards (Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Padma Shri) briefly shifts to a more formal, honorific register, appropriate to introducing a distinguished public figure.
Metaphorical Language	The phrase ‘left an indelible mark’ uses figurative language to convey the lasting, immeasurable impact of Dr. Malik’s influence on other athletes.

Detailed Explanation — Part II

(The Interview with Dr. Deepa Malik)

The interview begins with a respectful, formal greeting from the interviewer, immediately establishing Dr. Malik as a figure worthy of admiration (‘a famous personality in the world of Paralympics’). Her response — naming her diagnosis with a spine tumour at 29 and the resulting permanent paralysis — is delivered candidly and without self-pity, before she frames her situation as a stark, deliberate choice: to ‘squander’ her life in remorse, or to transform it. This framing is central to the chapter’s message, presenting resilience not as an automatic trait but as an active, ongoing decision.

As the interview progresses, Dr. Malik traces the practical path of her transformation — from her existing love of swimming to her switch into para-athletics, culminating in her ‘breakthrough moment’ at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. The interviewer’s subsequent question, highlighting her status as a ‘trailblazer’ and listing her string of ‘firsts’, allows Dr. Malik to reflect on the meaning of her many ‘coveted’ awards and ‘accolades’, which she frames not as personal glory but as ‘testimony’ to her belief that physical limitations do not define potential. Her declared identity as a ‘proponent’ of the idea ‘ability beyond disability’ functions as something of a thesis statement for the entire chapter.

The interview then turns to the challenges Dr. Malik faced, particularly societal underestimation, which she overcame through a combination of personal ‘fortitude’ and family support — turning, in her words, ‘obstacles into stepping stones’. The final section broadens the scope from personal achievement to social responsibility, as Dr. Malik discusses how Paralympic sport breaks down ‘preconceived notions’ and describes her own advocacy work supporting ‘inclusivity’, emotional health, women’s empowerment through sport, and equipment access for under-resourced para-athletes. The interview closes with a piece of direct, universally applicable advice — that every setback is an opportunity to prove one’s strength, and that disability is a strength waiting to be ‘unleashed’ — bringing the chapter’s central message to a clear, memorable conclusion.

Word Meanings — Part II

Word/Phrase	Meaning as Given in the Text
squander	waste
remorse	regret
trailblazer	pioneer or leader
coveted	strongly desired by many
accolades	praise and honours
proponent	a person who speaks in support of a particular idea or action
fortitude	strength to face adversity or difficulty
testament	proof
preconceived notions	opinions about something even before knowing the truth
inclusivity	including everyone and their thoughts and treating them equally
advocating	supporting or suggesting an idea
unleashed	release of something powerful that cannot be controlled

Literary Devices & Terms — Part II

Device	Example / Explanation
Antithesis	The phrase ‘squander my life in remorse or transform it to a world of limitless possibilities’ sets up a deliberate contrast between two opposing paths, sharpening the sense of decisive choice.
First-Person Testimony	The entire interview is delivered in Dr. Malik’s own first-person voice, lending authenticity and emotional immediacy to her account of hardship and achievement.
Metaphor	The description of obstacles being turned ‘into stepping stones’ presents challenges as a constructive path forward rather than a barrier, reframing adversity in positive terms.
Repetition of Motif	The idea of ‘ability beyond disability’ recurs conceptually throughout the interview, functioning as a unifying thread that ties together her personal story, her achievements, and her advocacy.
Interview (Q&A) Structure	The alternating question-and-answer format allows the chapter to build tension and revelation gradually, guiding the reader from the initial diagnosis through to a message of hope and empowerment.
Symbolism	The word ‘unleashed’ in the closing line symbolically frames disability not as a limitation but as contained, powerful potential waiting to be released.

Personality Sketch: Dr. Deepa Malik

Dr. Deepa Malik is the featured personality of this chapter, presented through her own words in a first-person interview. Diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the age of 29 and left paralysed waist down after surgery, she faced a moment of profound personal crisis, which she describes candidly as a choice between ‘squandering’ her life in remorse or transforming it into ‘a world of limitless possibilities’. Her decisive embrace of the latter path reveals a personality defined by resilience, self-determination, and an unwillingness to be confined by circumstance.

Her background as a swimmer before her injury reveals a lifelong passion for sport, which she resourcefully redirected into para-athletics rather than abandoning altogether — a decision that speaks to both her adaptability and her deep-rooted love of competition. Her achievements, including a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, status as India’s first-ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport, and prestigious honours such as the Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Padma Shri awards, reflect not only exceptional athletic talent but also sustained discipline and ambition over many years.

Beyond her personal accomplishments, Dr. Malik emerges as a thoughtful advocate and mentor. Her description of societal underestimation as one of her greatest challenges, and her calm, considered response — ’embracing challenges as opportunities’ with the support of her family — reveals emotional maturity and quiet strength rather than bitterness. Her ongoing advocacy work, supporting the emotional health of persons with disabilities, empowering women through outdoor sport, and providing equipment to under-resourced para-athletes, demonstrates a generous, socially conscious character that extends her personal triumph into meaningful contribution for others. Her closing philosophy — that ‘disability is not a limitation; it’s a unique strength waiting to be unleashed’ — encapsulates her identity as both an accomplished athlete and a compassionate, forward-looking advocate for inclusivity.

Key Personality Traits at a Glance

Trait	Evidence from the Interview
Resilient	Chose to transform her life after paralysis rather than ‘squander’ it in remorse.
Determined	Successfully switched from swimming to para-athletics and achieved international success within a relatively short span.
Reflective	Frequently uses phrases such as ‘in hindsight’ to thoughtfully consider the meaning of her own journey.
Generous and Socially Conscious	Actively supports the emotional health of others, women’s empowerment through sport, and equipment access for under-resourced para-athletes.
Articulate Advocate	Clearly and confidently expresses her philosophy of ‘ability beyond disability’ and advocates for inclusivity and disability rights.
Grounded and Humble	Attributes her success not solely to herself but also to the support of her family, described as central to her fortitude.

Important Exam Questions (NEP 2020 Aligned)

Section A: Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1

One of the significant challenges for me was societal perceptions. People often underestimated my abilities. Overcoming this required not only physical strength but also mental resilience. I embraced challenges as opportunities to prove my capabilities. The support of my family, coupled with my fortitude, allowed me to turn obstacles into stepping stones.

(a) What specific challenge does the speaker identify in this extract?

(b) Besides physical strength, what other quality did overcoming this challenge require?

(c) Choose the correct option:

The phrase ‘turn obstacles into stepping stones’ suggests the speaker’s approach to challenges is —

 (i) avoidant

(ii) constructive

(iii) indifferent

(iv) fearful.

(d) What role did the speaker’s family play in her journey, according to this extract?

Answers:

 (a) The speaker identifies societal perceptions — specifically, people underestimating her abilities — as one of her most significant challenges.

(b) Overcoming this challenge required mental resilience, in addition to physical strength.

(c) (ii) constructive.

(d) According to this extract, the speaker’s family provided crucial support that, combined with her own fortitude, allowed her to transform obstacles into opportunities for growth rather than being defeated by them.

Extract 2

I would say, every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength. Surround yourself with a support system, believe in yourself, and let your journey inspire others. Remember, disability is not a limitation; it’s a unique strength waiting to be unleashed.

(a) According to the speaker, what should every setback be viewed as?

(b) List two pieces of advice the speaker gives to individuals facing challenges.

(c) Choose the correct option: The word ‘unleashed’ in this extract suggests that disability is being compared to — (i) a burden (ii) a contained, powerful force (iii) an illness (iv) a temporary setback.

(d) What is the overall message conveyed by this closing extract?

Answers:

 (a) According to the speaker, every setback should be viewed as an opportunity to prove one’s strength, rather than as a simple defeat.

 (b) Two pieces of advice include surrounding oneself with a support system and believing in oneself.

(c) (ii) a contained, powerful force.

(d) The overall message is that disability should not be seen as a limitation but as untapped strength and potential, and that resilience, self-belief, and support can help individuals transform their own journeys into a source of inspiration for others.

Section B: Short Answer Questions (40–50 words)

1. When was Dr. Deepa Malik diagnosed with a spinal tumour, and what was the outcome of her subsequent surgery?

Dr. Deepa Malik was diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the age of 29. Following surgery, she was told by doctors that she would be permanently paralysed waist down and bound to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

2. What choice did Dr. Malik describe herself as having faced after her diagnosis?

Dr. Malik described facing a choice between squandering her life in remorse over her paralysis, or transforming her circumstances into what she calls ‘a world of limitless possibilities’, and she deliberately chose the latter path.

3. How did Dr. Malik’s earlier interest in sports help her transition into para-athletics?

Since Dr. Malik had already been a swimmer and loved sports before her injury, she possessed existing athletic discipline and passion, which allowed her to redirect these qualities comfortably into a new sporting discipline, para-athletics.

4. What was Dr. Malik’s breakthrough moment, and why was it significant?

Her breakthrough moment came at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where she won a silver medal in the shot-put event. It was significant as a personal victory and as a step forward in changing broader public perceptions of disability.

5. List two of Dr. Malik’s ‘firsts’ as mentioned in the interview.

According to the interview, Dr. Malik was the first-ever Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics, and she also became India’s first-ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport.

6. What does Dr. Malik mean by the phrase ‘ability beyond disability’?

By this phrase, Dr. Malik means that a person’s true capabilities are not determined or limited by their physical disability, and that individuals with disabilities can achieve as much as, or more than, their able-bodied counterparts.

7. What two causes does Dr. Malik say she supports through her advocacy work?

Dr. Malik says she supports strengthening the emotional health of persons with challenges and empowering women through outdoor sports and adventure activities, as well as providing equipment to para sportspersons from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

8. What final piece of advice does Dr. Malik offer to individuals facing setbacks?

Dr. Malik advises that every setback should be seen as an opportunity to prove one’s strength, and encourages individuals to build a support system, believe in themselves, and remember that disability is a strength waiting to be unleashed, not a limitation.

Section C: Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)

Extrapolation Questions

1. Imagine Dr. Malik is invited to address a group of newly injured patients who have just learnt they will need to use a wheelchair. Write, in your own words, what she might say to them, drawing on the philosophy expressed in the interview.

Dr. Malik might begin by acknowledging the very real grief and shock such a diagnosis brings, drawing on her own memory of facing a similarly life-altering choice at the age of 29. She would likely emphasise that this is, in fact, a genuine choice — between allowing remorse to define the rest of one’s life, or actively working to transform one’s circumstances into new opportunities. She might encourage them to think carefully about existing passions or skills, much as her own love of swimming eventually led her towards para-athletics, and stress the importance of building a strong support system of family and friends. She would likely close by reassuring them that their disability does not define or limit their potential, and that with resilience and self-belief, setbacks can become powerful sources of personal strength rather than permanent barriers.

2. If Dr. Malik were to write a short letter to her 29-year-old self, just after receiving her diagnosis, what might she include, based on everything she later achieved?

In such a letter, Dr. Malik might reassure her younger self that although the diagnosis will feel overwhelming and permanent, it will not define the limits of what she is capable of achieving. She might mention that her existing love of sport will find a new outlet, eventually leading her to a silver medal at the Rio Paralympic Games and a series of historic ‘firsts’ for Indian women in Paralympic sport. She could remind her younger self of the importance of leaning on her family’s support during the hardest moments, and of choosing, again and again, to see obstacles as opportunities rather than as insurmountable defeats. She might conclude by encouraging her younger self to trust that disability will ultimately become not a limitation, but a unique and defining strength.

Theme and Personality-Based Questions

1. Discuss how Dr. Deepa Malik’s story illustrates the theme of resilience as an active choice rather than a passive trait.

Throughout the interview, Dr. Malik repeatedly frames her resilience not as something she simply possessed by nature, but as a series of deliberate decisions made in response to adversity. Her description of facing ‘two choices’ after her diagnosis — to squander her life in remorse or transform it — directly presents resilience as an act of will rather than an automatic reaction. This is reinforced by her account of switching to para-athletics, training for the Rio Paralympic Games, and continuing her advocacy work despite societal underestimation, each of which required ongoing, conscious effort rather than passive endurance. By presenting resilience in this way, the chapter offers readers a more empowering and actionable understanding of the concept, suggesting that anyone facing hardship retains meaningful agency in how they choose to respond, rather than being simply subject to circumstance.

2. Examine how the chapter uses Dr. Malik’s personal journey to advocate for broader social change regarding disability.

While the chapter is framed as a personal interview, it consistently moves beyond individual achievement to address broader social attitudes towards disability. Dr. Malik explicitly discusses how witnessing the strength and skill of para-athletes can ‘break down preconceived notions’, positioning sport as a tool for societal transformation rather than merely personal accomplishment. Her description of her advocacy work — supporting emotional health, empowering women through sport, and providing equipment to under-resourced athletes — further extends her personal story into concrete social action. By closing the interview with universally applicable advice about resilience and self-belief, rather than advice specific only to athletes, the chapter positions Dr. Malik’s individual journey as a case study intended to inspire wider social change in how disability is perceived and accommodated across society as a whole.

Section D: Case-Based Question (Competency-Based)

Read the following case and answer the questions that follow, applying your understanding of the chapter ‘The World of Limitless Possibilities’.

Case: Aditya, a talented school football player, met with a road accident that left him unable to use his right leg fully. His coach and classmates initially assumed his sporting career was over, and Aditya himself felt deep despair for several months, avoiding the school sports ground altogether. However, after watching a documentary on Paralympic athletes, Aditya began researching para-sports available in his region and eventually joined a wheelchair basketball team.

(a) Which aspect of Dr. Deepa Malik’s journey does Aditya’s initial reaction most closely resemble?

(b) What change in Aditya’s situation reflects the ‘choice’ Dr. Malik describes facing after her own diagnosis?

(c) How might Dr. Malik’s philosophy of ‘ability beyond disability’ apply to Aditya’s decision to join a wheelchair basketball team?

(d) Suggest one way Aditya’s school and classmates could better support him, drawing on ideas from the chapter.

Answers:

(a) Aditya’s initial despair and avoidance of the sports ground closely resembles the emotional weight Dr. Malik describes when first receiving her diagnosis, before she made her deliberate choice to transform her circumstances.

(b) Aditya’s eventual decision to research para-sports and join a wheelchair basketball team reflects the same kind of active choice Dr. Malik describes — choosing to redirect his passion for sport into a new form rather than allowing his injury to end his sporting life altogether.

(c) Dr. Malik’s philosophy suggests that Aditya’s physical injury does not diminish his underlying athletic ability or potential; by joining wheelchair basketball, he demonstrates that his capability as an athlete persists and can be expressed through an adapted sporting discipline.

 (d) Drawing on the chapter’s emphasis on family and community support, Aditya’s school and classmates could actively encourage his involvement in para-sports, celebrate his achievements as they would any other athlete’s, and work to break down any preconceived notions about his capabilities following the accident.

Section E: Higher-Order Thinking Questions (HOTS)

Analytical Thinking

1. Analyse why the chapter chooses an interview format rather than a straightforward biographical account to convey Dr. Deepa Malik’s story.

The interview format offers several distinct advantages over a conventional biographical account. By allowing Dr. Malik to speak directly in her own words, the chapter grants her authentic ownership over her own narrative, avoiding the potential distancing or interpretive filtering that a third-person biography might introduce. The question-and-answer structure also mirrors real journalistic practice, lending the chapter credibility and immediacy, as though the reader is present at the actual conversation. Furthermore, the interviewer’s carefully framed questions allow the chapter to guide readers naturally through key themes — challenge, transformation, achievement, and advocacy — without requiring an external narrator to explicitly state these themes, instead letting them emerge organically through Dr. Malik’s own reflections and choice of words.

Evaluation-Based Questions

1. Do you think the chapter’s closing focus on Dr. Malik’s advocacy work, rather than ending on her medal-winning achievement, is an effective choice? Justify your evaluation.

This can be evaluated as a highly effective structural choice, since ending on advocacy rather than personal achievement broadens the chapter’s message from individual triumph to collective social responsibility. Had the interview concluded with her Rio 2016 medal, the chapter might have left readers with an impression centred solely on personal glory, potentially framing her story as exceptional rather than instructive. By instead closing with her advocacy for emotional health, women’s empowerment, and equipment access, alongside her universally applicable advice about resilience, the chapter reinforces its title’s promise of ‘limitless possibilities’ as something achievable and relevant to every reader, not only to elite athletes, making the ending both more inspiring and more practically useful for a young audience.

Application-Based Questions

1. Drawing on Dr. Malik’s approach to overcoming societal underestimation, suggest three strategies a student might use to respond constructively to being underestimated by peers or teachers.

Firstly, a student might focus on building genuine mental resilience by consciously reframing moments of being underestimated as motivation to demonstrate their actual capabilities, much as Dr. Malik ’embraced challenges as opportunities to prove her capabilities’. Secondly, the student could actively seek out a support system — trusted family members, friends, or mentors — who can offer encouragement during difficult moments, mirroring the crucial role Dr. Malik’s family played in her own journey. Thirdly, the student might look for concrete opportunities to showcase their skills and achievements, whether academic, artistic, or sporting, allowing consistent action and results to gradually shift others’ preconceived notions, just as Dr. Malik’s visible achievements in para-athletics helped change broader societal attitudes towards disability.

Assertion-Reason Questions

Question 1

Assertion (A): Dr. Deepa Malik believes that physical limitations completely determine a person’s potential for achievement.

Reason (R): She describes herself as a proponent of the philosophy ‘ability beyond disability’.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

(c) A is false, but R is true.

(d) Both A and R are false.

Answer: (c) A is false, but R is true.

(Dr. Malik explicitly rejects the idea that physical limitations determine potential; her described philosophy, ‘ability beyond disability’, directly asserts the opposite — that ability exists independently of physical circumstance.)

Question 2

Assertion (A): Dr. Deepa Malik’s achievements are presented in the chapter as evidence that societal perceptions of disability can be challenged and changed.

Reason (R): She states that when people witness the strength, skill, and competitive spirit of para-athletes, it breaks down preconceived notions.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

(c) A is true, but R is false.

(d) Both A and R are false.

Answer:

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

(Dr. Malik’s own explanation of how witnessing para-athletes’ abilities breaks down preconceived notions directly supports and explains the chapter’s broader claim that her achievements help challenge and change societal perceptions of disability.)

Section F: Language and Literature (Competency-Based)

1. Rewrite the following sentence in reported speech: The interviewer asked, ‘How did you brave the odds to be who you are today?’

The interviewer asked Dr. Malik how she had braved the odds to become who she was at that point.

2. Identify the modal verb and its function in the sentence: ‘I would say, every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength.’

The modal verb is ‘would’, functioning here to soften the statement politely, similar to a request or gentle assertion of opinion, a common function of ‘would’ in spoken, advisory contexts.

3. Combine the following two sentences using an appropriate conjunction: ‘Dr. Malik loved sports. She had been a swimmer before her injury.’

Dr. Malik loved sports, and she had been a swimmer before her injury.

4. Classify the following sentence as fact or opinion, and justify your answer: ‘Dr. Deepa Malik won a silver medal in the shot-put event at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.’

This is a fact, as it states a specific, verifiable event with concrete details (the medal, the event, and the year) that can be confirmed through official records, rather than expressing a personal feeling or interpretation.

5. Using vocabulary from the chapter, write one original sentence each using the words ‘fortitude’ and ‘trailblazer’ in a context different from the chapter.

Sample sentences: The mountaineer showed remarkable fortitude, continuing her climb despite the sudden storm. As a trailblazer in renewable energy research, the scientist inspired an entire generation of young engineers.

6. Arrange the following movement words in increasing order of pace: jog, sprint, walk, crawl.

In increasing order of pace: crawl, walk, jog, sprint.

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