ICSE Class 10 Hearts And Hands Workbook Solutions and Answers

Comprehension Passages

Passage 1

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

It was the summer of 1936. The Olympic Games were being held in Berlin. Because Adolf Hitler childishly insisted that his performers were members of a “master race,” nationalistic feelings were at an all-time high.

I wasn't too worried about all this. I'd trained, sweated and disciplined myself for six years, with the Games in mind. While I was going over on the boat, all I could think about was taking home one or two of those gold medals. I had my eyes especially on the running broad jump. A year before, as a sophomore at the Ohio State, I'd set the world's record of 26 feet 8 1/4 inches. Nearly everyone expected me to win this event.

Question 1. Who is Jesse Owens?
Answer: Jesse Owens is a black American athlete who set the world record in Long Jump
In simple words: Jesse Owens was an African American track and field athlete famous for his record-breaking long jump performance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key descriptive phrases about individuals mentioned in the passage.

Question 2. Why were nationalistic feelings running high during the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
Answer: Adolf Hitler believed in Aryan Superiority theory. He thought that his German athletes belong to a master's race and they would perform better than other participants in the 1936 Olympics, Berlin. So nationalistic feelings were running high.
In simple words: Nationalistic feelings were strong because Adolf Hitler promoted the idea of an "Aryan master race" and expected his German athletes to dominate the Olympics, showcasing their supposed superiority.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the historical context provided in the passage with the emotional atmosphere described.

Question 3. Why was Owens expected to win the gold medal in the Long Jump hands down?
Answer: Owens'had set a world record in Long Jump just the previous year. So Owens knew he could win the Olympics hands down. Additionally he had practiced hard for the Olympics.
In simple words: Owens was highly favored to win the long jump because he had set a new world record in the event the year before and had trained extensively.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for specific achievements or preparation details mentioned in the text that justify high expectations.

Question 4. Why does Jesse Owens dismiss the claim of Hitler as childish?
Answer: Hitler was a dictator, no doubt. But his casual remark to build up the spirit of his athletes had not been taken seriously by Owens because Owen had practiced hard and had even set the world record the previous year. Everyone was sure he would win the gold.
In simple words: Owens dismissed Hitler's claims as childish because he was confident in his own rigorous training and world-record performance, not believing in racial superiority.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Owens's personal reasons and achievements that counter Hitler's ideology.

Question 5. Explain, 'I wasn't too worried about all this. I'd trained, sweated disciplined myself for six years with the game in the mind.
Answer: This passage is taken from, “My Greatest Olympic Prize” written by Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens shares his Olympic experience and the friendship he won. Patriotic feeling was running high in Germany. Owens did not bother as he trusted in his efforts.
In simple words: Owens meant that despite the nationalistic tension, he remained focused on his personal goal of winning, trusting in his six years of dedicated training and discipline.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpret the speaker's internal thoughts and motivations based on the surrounding context.

Passage 2

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

I was in for a surprise. When the time came for the broad-jump trials, I was startled to see a tall boy hitting the pit at almost 26 feet on his practice leaps! He turned out to be a German named Luz Long. I was told that Hitler hoped to win the jump with him. I guessed that if Long won, it would add some new support to the Nazis' “master race” (Aryan superiority) theory. After all, I am a Negro. Angry about Hitler's ways, I determined to go out there and really show Der Fuhrer and his master race who was superior and who wasn't. An angry athlete is an athlete who will make mistakes, as any coach will tell you. I was no exception. On the first of my three qualifying jumps, I leaped from several inches beyond the takeoff board for a foul. On the second jump, I fouled even worse. "Did I come 3,000 miles for this?" I thought bitterly. “To foul out of the trials and make a fool of myself?" Walking a few yards from the pit, I kicked disgustedly at the dirt.

Question 1. Why did Owens become hot under the collar before the trials?
Answer: Owens was irritated about the Nazi's Aryan superiority theory.
In simple words: Owens was angered by the Nazis' belief in Aryan superiority, especially seeing Luz Long, whom Hitler was promoting to win.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the underlying cause of Owens's emotional reaction, specifically his opposition to Nazi ideology.

Question 2. "I was no exception: - Explain.
Answer: An angry athlete is prone to making mistakes. Despite knowing this, Owens got angry that resulted in his underperformance which disallowed him to qualify in the first jump.
In simple words: Owens, despite being a top athlete, was not immune to making mistakes when he was angry, just like any other athlete.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the general truth being stated and how it applies to Owens's specific situation.

Question 3. Why did Owens kick the pit in disgust?
Answer: Owens leaped for several inches beyond the take-off point that ended up in disqualification in the first jump of his trials. He kicked the pit in disgust at his own poor performance.
In simple words: Owens kicked the pit in frustration because he fouled on his first two qualifying jumps due to anger, jeopardizing his chance to compete.

🎯 Exam Tip: Directly link Owens's action to his performance and emotional state.

Question 4. I was in for a surprise. When the time came for the long jump trials, I was startled to see a tall boy hitting the pit at almost 26 feet on his practice leaps. What do these words mean?
Answer: This passage is taken from, “My Greatest Olympic Prize” written by Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens shares his Olympic experience. Here he refers to Luz Long, the tall blond German athelete. He was surprised by his performance.
In simple words: These words describe Owens's astonishment at seeing Luz Long, a German athlete, perform exceptionally well in practice, hitting distances close to the world record.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the context and the specific person being referred to, along with the speaker's reaction.

Question 5. What shattered the confidence of Jesse Owens?
Answer: He faulted twice in the qualifying jump.
In simple words: Owens's confidence was shattered when he committed two fouls in his qualifying jumps, putting him at risk of not advancing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pinpoint the specific event in the narrative that caused Owens's loss of confidence.

Question 6. "Did I come all the way from America for this?" I thought bitterly. “To foul out of the trials and make a fool of myself?" What does this show?
Answer: Here Owens shows his frustration after failing twice in the qualifying jumps.
In simple words: This shows Owens's intense frustration and self-reproach, questioning the purpose of his journey if he couldn't even qualify due to his own mistakes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyze the rhetorical questions to understand the speaker's inner turmoil and disappointment.

Question 7. I supposed that if Long won, it would add some new support to the Nazis' Aryan- superiority theory. What did Jesse Owens want to show to Hitler?
Answer: Jesse wanted to show Hitler that he was not inferior .These lines are taken from, “My Greatest Olympic Prize” written by Jesse Owens. In, these lines Owen thinks what will happen if Germany wins. Then it would add truth to Hitler's theory that the German race was superior and his athletes were meant to win.
In simple words: Jesse Owens wanted to prove to Hitler that his Aryan superiority theory was false by winning the event himself, thereby demonstrating that skill and effort, not race, determined victory.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect Owens's personal motivation with the broader political context and Hitler's ideology.

Passage 3

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Then, trying to hide my nervousness, I added, “How are you?"
"I'm fine. The question is: How are you?“
"What do you mean?” I asked “Something must be eating you,” he said-proud the way foreigners are when they've mastered a bit of American slang. “You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed."
“Believe me, I know it,” I told him-and it felt good to say that to someone.

For the next few minutes we talked together. I didn't tell Long what was “eating” me, but he seemed to understand my anger, and he took pains to reassure me. Although he'd been schooled in the Nazi youth movement, he didn't believe in the Aryan-supremacy business any more than I did. We laughed over the fact that he really looked the part, though. An inch taller than I, he had a lean, muscular frame, clear blue eyes, blond hair and a strikingly handsome, chiseled face. Finally, seeing that I had calmed down somewhat, he pointed to the take-off board.

"Look,” he said. “Why don't you draw a line a few inches in back of the board and aim at making your take-off from there? You'll be sure not to foul, and you certainly ought to jump far enough to qualify. What does it matter if you're not first in the trials? Tomorrow is what counts.”

Question 1. What was actually eating Jesse Owens?
Answer: Owens was preoccupied with the disturbing thought of fouling in the finals.
In simple words: Jesse Owens was deeply troubled by his repeated fouls in the qualifying jumps, fearing he might not make it to the finals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific worry or problem that Owens was experiencing, as indicated by the idiom "eating you."

Question 2. Did Owens tell Long what was eating him? If not, why?
Answer: Owens did not admit to Long what was eating him because Long was just an acquaintance then, apart from being a Nazi rival.
In simple words: Owens did not tell Long his worries because Long was a competitor and German, and Owens wasn't ready to confide in him yet.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider the relationship dynamics and political tensions between the two athletes at that point in the narrative.

Question 3. Describe Luz Long.
Answer: Luz Long was taller than Owens with a lean muscular frame with clear blue eyes, fair hair and a strikingly handsome face.
In simple words: Luz Long is described as a tall, muscular German athlete with clear blue eyes, blond hair, and a handsome, chiseled face.

🎯 Exam Tip: Extract all physical and descriptive details given for the character directly from the passage.

Question 4. How did Owens manage to qualify for the finals with a foot to spare?
Answer: Owens accepted Long's advice to draw a line a few inches behind the take-off board which helped him qualify for the finals with a foot to spare.
In simple words: Owens qualified for the finals by following Luz Long's advice to draw a line a few inches behind the actual take-off board, ensuring he wouldn't foul again.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific strategy or advice that enabled Owens to overcome his qualifying difficulties.

Question 5. Why did Jesse Owens foul the first two jumps in the trial?
Answer: Despite knowing that anger spoils the spirit of an athlete, forcing him to make mistakes, he was angered at Hitler's sly introduction of Luz Long to prove Aryan superiority. Owens, being a Negro, hated it and his angered at Hitler's way belittled his determination to win the Olympics. Anger ruled his mind and made him foul in the first two attempts in the trials.
In simple words: Jesse Owens fouled his first two jumps because his anger and resentment towards Hitler's Aryan superiority claims and the pressure to perform affected his concentration and technique.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyze the psychological and emotional factors impacting Owens's performance, as described in the text.

Passage 4

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Suddenly all the tension seemed to ebb out of my body as the truth of what he said hit me. Confidently, I drew a line a full foot in back of the board and proceeded to jump from there. I qualified with almost a foot to spare.

That night I walked over to Luz Long's room in the Olympic village to thank him. I knew that if it hadn't been for him I probably wouldn't be jumping in the finals the following day. We sat in his quarters and talked for two hours-about track and field, ourselves, the world situation, a dozen other things.

When I finally got up to leave, we both knew that a real friendship had been formed. Luz would go out to the field the next day trying to beat me if he could. But I knew that he wanted me to do my best-even if that meant my winning.

Question 1. How did Luz Long help Jesse Owens?
Answer: Luz Long, a true sportsman and an amazing human being, eased Owens' tension by being compassionate. He gave him a genuinely friendly advice to draw a line a few inches from the takeoff board to avoid over-stepping and thus fouling. Owens took his advice and was able to qualify with a clean mind.
In simple words: Luz Long helped Jesse Owens by offering compassionate advice to draw a line behind the take-off board, which allowed Owens to qualify without fouling and cleared his mind.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight both the practical advice and the emotional support Long provided to Owens.

Question 2. How did the rivalry of Owens and Long end?
Answer: With Owens developing a misconception, the battle in his mind took over his determination to win. Long, who noticed Owens fouling, understood what Owens would be going through. Long's decision to get acquainted with Owens eased Owens. Owens, after the trials, met Long in his quarters and both spent some quality time together knowing each other, thus leading to a long lasting true friendship.
In simple words: The rivalry ended when Long offered genuine help, easing Owens's tension, and they later spent time talking, realizing they had formed a true and lasting friendship despite being competitors.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the shift from competition to camaraderie, detailing the actions and interactions that fostered their friendship.

Question 3. How did Owens manage to qualify for the finals with a foot to spare?
Answer: Luz Long was a tall German long jumper. Though he was trained by Hitler, he did not believe in Hitler's theory. Jesse Owens was his opponent player but he was friendly with him and even helped him to get qualified for final. He suggested that Owen should draw a line behind take off board and then jump. Because of him, Jesse managed to qualify for the final.
In simple words: Owens qualified for the finals by following Luz Long's selfless advice to draw a line behind the take-off board, which prevented him from fouling and allowed him to secure his spot.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the practical step taken by Owens based on Long's suggestion, leading to his successful qualification.

Question 4. Suddenly all the tension seemed to ebb out of my body as the truth of what he said hit me.
Answer: This passage is taken from, “My Greatest Olympic Prize” written by Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens shares his Olympic experience and the friendship he won with Luz Long. After Long's advice of marking few inches behind board Owens felt relaxed and confident at winning
In simple words: This refers to Owens realizing the simple yet effective truth in Long's advice, which immediately relieved his stress and instilled confidence, allowing him to qualify.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the emotional and psychological impact of Long's words on Owens's state of mind and performance.

Passage 5

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

As it turned out, Luz broke his own past record. In doing so, he pushed me on to a peak performance. I remember that at the instant I landed from my final jump-the one which set the Olympic record of 26 feet 5-5/16 inches-he was at my side, congratulating me. Despite the fact that Hitler glared at us from the stands not a hundred yards away, Luz shook my hand hard-and it wasn't a fake “smile with a broken heart” sort of grip, either.

You can melt down all the gold medals and cups I have, and they couldn't be a plating on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment. I realized then, too, that Luz was the epitome of what Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, must have had in mind when he said, "The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”

Question 1. How did Luz Long respond to Jesse winning the gold?
Answer: Long was beside Owens congratulating him when Owens finished his jump. He gave Owens a firm handshake that was devoid of any jealousy.
In simple words: Luz Long immediately congratulated Jesse Owens with a firm, sincere handshake, showing no jealousy despite Hitler's presence and Long's own loss.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe Long's actions and emotional state, emphasizing the absence of negative feelings like jealousy.

Question 2. Why did Hitler glare at Luz Long and Jesse Owens?
Answer: Hitler had nurtured Long to win the Olympics. Not only did Luz Long lose but was congratulating Owens heartily on his victory. This angered Hitler.
In simple words: Hitler glared because his chosen athlete, Long, had not only lost to Owens but was also genuinely congratulating Owens, undermining Hitler's Aryan supremacy narrative.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect Hitler's reaction to his political ideology and his expectations for his athletes.

Question 3. What, according to Coubertin, is the true spirit of the Olympics? Explain the reference to Coubertin.
Answer: Coubertin had declared that taking part in Olympics was more important than winning. Coubertin had declared that taking part in Olympics was more important than winning. Luz Long, being a true sportsman and an amazing human being, helped his fellow sportsman to qualify in his jump that made him win. This shows Long believed in participating rather than winning. His rival's winning did not make him jealous. On the contrary, he congratulated him with all his heart. This clearly exemplifies that Long believed in Coubertin's words and passed the thought to Owens.
In simple words: According to Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, the true spirit lies in participation and striving, not just winning. Luz Long embodied this by helping and genuinely congratulating Owens, showing sportsmanship over rivalry.

🎯 Exam Tip: Quote or paraphrase Coubertin's statement and then explain how Luz Long's actions exemplify this philosophy.

Question 4. What do you understand of Hitler from Jesse's account?
Answer: Hitler had secretly nurtured a very strong Nazi youth and had kept him hidden until the day, to petrify other athletes, especially Owens. Hitler would have been fully aware that an angry athlete often errs and that perhaps was what he wanted. His slyness in doing so would allow his athlete to win, if not through competence, thus strengthening the Aryan superiority.
In simple words: From Owens's account, Hitler is portrayed as sly and manipulative, using his athletes to promote racial superiority and even exploiting others' anger to ensure his team's victory.

🎯 Exam Tip: Synthesize details from the passage that reveal Hitler's character and motivations, particularly concerning his political agenda.

Question 5. You can melt down all the gold medals and cups I have, and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment.
Answer: This passage is taken from, “My Greatest Olympic Prize” written by Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens shares his Olympic experience. Jesse Owens feels that his friendship with Luz Long is greater than that of all the medals he has won. His friendship with his German rival and friend was worth more than anything and his greatest prize.
In simple words: Owens means that the genuine friendship he formed with Luz Long was far more valuable and precious to him than any material Olympic prize, including his gold medals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpret the metaphorical language to understand the depth of Owens's appreciation for his friendship with Long.

Assignment

Question 1. How did Luz Long exemplify the true sporting spirit?
Answer: Luz Long, noticing a world record holder pathetically fouling, understood the reason behind it, Without hesitation, despite being an opponent, he extends an arm of friendship to Owens. Long was expected to beat Owens in the finals, His being friendly with Owens only resulted in angering his leader, Hitler. Without paying heed to that, he also gave his rival crucial tips to avoid fouling, Owens took the advice and won. When Owens finished his jump, he found Long by his side congratulating him on his victory, not bothering about his leader's glares. He didn't seem to mind his loss. His demeanor and handshake, at Owens' victory, showed no sign of jealousy either. Long was the epitome of the message of Coubertin that not winning, but taking part in Olympics is more important.
In simple words: Luz Long exemplified true sporting spirit by offering crucial advice to his rival, Owens, despite the political pressure and his own ambition to win, and then genuinely congratulating Owens on his victory without any jealousy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail specific actions and attitudes of Luz Long that demonstrate fair play, camaraderie, and selfless sportsmanship, even in the face of rivalry and political tension.

Question 2. Describe the professional rivalry and professional friendship of Owens and Long.
Answer: Initially Owens saw Luz Long as his professional rival since Long was indeed brought in by Hitler to beat Owens. His anger led to his fouling in the trials. Long, who noticed the unnatural development of a crisis in a world record holder, counseled Owens to focus on the jump by giving him a valuable tip. This not only took Owens by surprise, but also eased him and allowed him the opportunity to believe in himself. Long thus broke the ice and they developed a bond. He later visited Long at his quarters and they spent some time knowing each other. This paved way for building a genuine friendship between the two. When Owens won the finals, Long was beside him congratulating him on his victory. Owens could sense no jealousy or regret in Long's demeanor or handshake. It was a genuine wish coming right from the bottom of Long's heart. He respected Long for it and knew that a strong friendship had bloomed between them.
In simple words: Initially, Owens saw Long as a rival, but Long's selfless advice during the trials transformed their competition into a genuine friendship, characterized by mutual respect and support, culminating in Long's heartfelt congratulations for Owens's victory.

🎯 Exam Tip: Trace the evolution of their relationship, highlighting the turning points and the actions of each character that transformed rivalry into friendship.

Question 3. Which is considered as the greatest Olympic prize? Why?
Answer: Luz Long's friendship was the greatest Olympic Prize that Owens ever won in his life. Luz Long's compassion and camaraderie touched Owens. Luz Long recognized the battle in Owens' mind and offered him a valuable tip. He was genuinely happy for Owens when he won the gold. He was by Owens' side, congratulating him. It is very rare for a rival to offer professional tips but Long did. It is very rare for a rival to congratulate the winner without feeling a pang of jealousy. But Long felt none. What Long felt was evident in what he said and how he looked. His selflessness proves that he was an epitome of goodness and true sportsmanship. His congratulating Owens on his victory was of greater value to Owens than the gold medal itself. His genuine heart was so that Owens felt nothing could equalize the friendship that formed between the two.
In simple words: Luz Long's friendship is considered the greatest Olympic prize because his compassion, selfless advice, and genuine joy for Owens's success demonstrated a human connection more valuable than any medal, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain why the friendship surpassed material prizes by elaborating on the unique qualities and actions of Luz Long that made his camaraderie so profound and meaningful to Owens.

Question 4. Analyze the character of Luz Long.
Answer: Luz Long, though trained in the Nazi youth school, evidently did not possess the sly characteristics of Nazis. His leader had brought him to take part in the Olympics to win. Long, though knowing the pressure on him, had not lost the spirit of a true sportsman. He had no inhibitions in offering his rival a very important tip even though it could have meant his failure. He saw his rival as a friend. Not just that, he was a good human being; he helped a person in distress. Long had nothing to hide. His intentions were clear. He had come to participate and winning to him was just a matter of effort. Knowing that Owens was a record holder, he did not try any foul means to win the event. His camaraderie won the heart of Owens. Owens was swept off his feet at this magnificent Nazi's pure heart and led to a friendship beyond all material richness of the game. Long nurtured no jealousy at his failure. He genuinely congratulated Owens. He remained unbothered about having to face the wrath of his leader for losing. Long broke the hope of his leader and his nation, but helped an able world record holder to set yet another record which he rightfully deserved. He also was by his rival's side when he won the event. Long is the perfect example of a true sportsman.
In simple words: Luz Long is portrayed as a noble, selfless, and true sportsman who prioritized fair play and human connection over nationalistic ideology or personal victory, demonstrating remarkable integrity and compassion even towards a rival.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a comprehensive character analysis, citing specific actions and dialogues from the text that illustrate Long's integrity, sportsmanship, and divergence from Nazi ideology.