Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Poem What is Success 4.1 Solutions

Warming Up:

Chit-chat

1. Do you have a hobby?
2. Do you play a musical instrument?
3. What is the latest thing that you learnt to do?
4. Have you ever taught someone else to do something?

Prepare A Speech To Deliver In An Interschool Competition On 'How To Achieve Success In Life' With The Help Of The Following Web Chart:

Question 1. Prepare a speech to deliver in an interschool competition on 'How to achieve success in life' with the help of the following web chart:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र 'जीवन में सफलता कैसे प्राप्त करें' विषय पर एक वेब चार्ट दिखाता है। केंद्र में 'How to achieve success in life?' लिखा है, जिसके चारों ओर विभिन्न कारक हैं जैसे समर्पण (devotion), दृढ़ संकल्प (determination), समर्पण (dedication), आत्मविश्वास (confidence), अभ्यास (practice), अपनी गलतियों से सीखना (learning from own mistakes), बलिदान (sacrifice), धैर्य (patience), समय प्रबंधन (time management), जुनून (passion), प्राप्त करने योग्य लक्ष्य निर्धारित करना (setting achievable goal), योजना (planning), कड़ी मेहनत (hard work - perseverance), सफल लोगों के उदाहरण (examples of successful people - motivation), और सकारात्मक सोच (positive thinking)। यह चार्ट सफलता के विभिन्न पहलुओं को एक साथ दर्शाता है।
Answer: How to achieve success in life?
Honourable chairperson, respected headmaster, teachers and my dear friends,
Today I am going to limit my speech on "How to achieve success in life:" I request you to listen to me carefully. So my friends, success is very important in everyone's life. Everyone has a dream of becoming a successful human being in life. There is a good saying that, "Success is a journey and not a destination."
How true it is! If we look at the life of all successful people, we realize the truthfulness of the statement. The definition of success is different for every person. For a child success is to solve a puzzle, for a S.S.C. student, a success is to get good marks, for a businessman, a success is to get a contract and for grandparents, success is to see the whole family together.
Everyone wants to become rich and successful in life. To achieve ambition, there are many steps which are to be followed. First of all, we have to set our goal, means we have to decide what we are and what we want to be. So proper plan and execution of the plan are very important. The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal, the tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.
For a great success we need a lot of confidence, patience, knowledge, perseverance and hard work. We should not waste our time because time is money. Don't compare yourself with any other person in the world. If you do so you are demeaning yourself. The main thing is that we should always think positively and never give up hope because many of our failures are the people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
Always remember that the word "Impossible" means, I'm possible and if destiny is accompanied with the three D's: determination, dedication, and devotion then everything becomes possible. We should learn from our own mistakes. We should always follow in the footsteps of great, successful people. Let's take an example of Dhirubhai Ambani.
He was born in a poor family, but struggled a lot to achieve his ambition and never gave up hope because he knew that there is always a room at the top. He kept the hope alive in his heart and tried his level best and as you know he was one of the richest industrialists in the world. After all, no gains, without pains.
There is a great saying that successful people do not do different things, they do things differently. So work hard, continuously. God's blessings are always there with you. Thank you for listening to me carefully.
Jai Hind.
In simple words: Success is a personal journey, not just a destination. It involves setting goals, working hard with determination, dedication, and devotion, learning from mistakes, and maintaining a positive attitude. It's about constant effort and believing in oneself despite challenges.

🎯 Exam Tip: When preparing a speech, organize your thoughts logically with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Use vivid language and examples to make your points clear and impactful, ensuring you address all aspects of the prompt.

2. What Might Success Mean To The Following People? Think About It And Write:

Question 1. A student
Answer: Showing consistent improvement in his academic pursuit, participating in sports and different competitions.
In simple words: For a student, success means getting better in studies and doing well in extracurricular activities like sports and competitions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining success for different people, consider their primary roles and goals. For a student, academic and personal growth are key indicators.

Question 2. A businessman
Answer: Gaining a huge profit, and achieving his target in business.
In simple words: A businessman considers success to be making significant profits and achieving the set business objectives.

🎯 Exam Tip: For a businessman, success is often measured by financial growth and the accomplishment of specific business targets and goals.

Question 3. A doctor
Answer: Diagnosing and treating patients and even saving a dying person.
In simple words: For a doctor, success means accurately diagnosing illnesses, effectively treating patients, and ultimately saving lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: A doctor's success is intrinsically linked to patient recovery and their ability to provide life-saving care, reflecting a direct positive impact on individuals.

Question 4. A sportsperson
Answer: Setting his/her own record by participating in different tournaments, winning medals and trophies.
In simple words: A sportsperson defines success as achieving personal bests, competing in various events, and winning awards like medals and trophies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Success for a sportsperson is typically evaluated through personal achievements, competitive performance, and tangible recognition in the form of awards.

Question 5. A politician
Answer: Winning an election and working for the welfare of society.
In simple words: For a politician, success means winning elections and then actively working to improve the well-being of the community.

🎯 Exam Tip: A politician's success is a dual measure: electoral victory and the subsequent positive impact through public service and welfare initiatives.

Question 6. A person who has applied for a job
Answer: Getting a job with a huge package of salary.
In simple words: For someone seeking employment, success is securing a job that offers a substantial salary and benefits.

🎯 Exam Tip: When considering job applicants, success is typically defined by securing a desirable position with good remuneration, aligning with their career aspirations.

Question 7. A teacher
Answer: Helping his/her students to excel, reaching every child of his/her class.
In simple words: A teacher's success is seen in their students' achievements and their ability to effectively teach and support every child in their classroom.

🎯 Exam Tip: A teacher's success is measured by the academic and personal growth of their students, and their ability to engage and support all learners.

Question 8. A Parent
Answer: Raising a child and to make him/her a good human being.
In simple words: For a parent, success is guiding their child to grow into a well-rounded and good person.

🎯 Exam Tip: Parental success is often viewed through the development of their children into responsible, kind, and capable individuals, reflecting effective upbringing.

English Workshop:

1. Tick The Correct Alternative:

Question 1. The poet says that success is:
(a) to laugh less and work more
(b) to laugh never at all
(c) to laugh often and much
(d) to laugh less and low
Answer: (c) to laugh often and much
In simple words: The poet suggests that a key aspect of success involves frequent and joyful laughter, indicating happiness and contentment.

🎯 Exam Tip: For multiple-choice questions, carefully read all options and refer back to the poem's context to select the most accurate answer that reflects the poet's sentiment.

Question 2. The poet wants us to:
(a) earn a lot of money
(b) earn profits
(c) earn property
(d) earn the appreciation of honest critics
Answer: (d) earn the appreciation of honest critics
In simple words: The poet emphasizes that true success comes from earning respect and positive feedback from those who evaluate with integrity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the underlying values the poet promotes, which often go beyond material gains to include intangible rewards like respect and genuine appreciation.

Question 3. The poet wants us to appreciate:
(a) riches
(b) God
(c) beauty
(d) society
Answer: (c) beauty
In simple words: The poet encourages us to find and appreciate the aesthetic qualities and inherent beauty in the world around us.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to words related to sensory experiences and emotional responses in the poem. The appreciation of beauty often signifies a deeper, more artistic understanding.

Question 4. The poet wants us to leave the world a bit
(a) bitter
(b) better
(c) broader
(d) bared
Answer: (b) better
In simple words: The poet's message is to contribute positively to the world, leaving it in a somewhat improved state than how we found it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for phrases in the poem that suggest a lasting, positive impact or contribution to society, as this often reveals the poet's core message about purpose.

2. Compare This Poem With 'Walk A Little Slower ............' And Fill In The Chart:

Question 1. Compare this poem with 'Walk a little slower ............' and fill in the chart:
The poem 'What is Success?' is an example of free verse.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing poems, focus on structural elements like rhyme scheme, rhythm, and stanza format. Free verse poems deliberately break from these traditional structures.

3. Based On The Poet's Idea Of True Success, Think Of Four People In Your Surroundings- Your Family, Neighbours, Friends, Teachers, Classmates, Etc. Who Have Achieved True Success. Write In Short What Makes Them Successful.

Question 1. Based on the poet's idea of true success, think of four people in your surroundings- your family, neighbours, friends, teachers, classmates, etc. who have achieved true success. Write in short what makes them successful.
Answer: My family
My father is the backbone of my family. He works hard to fulfil our dreams. He has been working with determination continuously so that we can enjoy happy family life. We can understand his feelings and help him whenever he wants our help. We try to keep him happy and satisfied. He has made positive impact on our family members as well as on his circle of friends. So he is a role model for all of us.
In simple words: My father embodies success through his relentless dedication to our family's happiness, his hard work, and the positive influence he has on both family and friends, making him a role model.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying successful individuals based on a poetic theme, consider how their actions align with the poem's values, focusing on impact, character, and consistency rather than just material wealth.

4. List All The 'To Infinitives' Verbs Used In The Poem.

Question 1. List all the 'to infinitives' verbs used in the poem.
Answer: to laugh, to win, to appreciate to find, to leave, to know, to have.
In simple words: The 'to infinitives' in the poem describe actions or states, like to laugh or to know, highlighting the various aspects of life the poet discusses.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify 'to infinitives', look for the word "to" immediately followed by the base form of a verb. Ensure you extract all such instances from the text.

5. In Your Opinion What Things Will Help To Make The World A Better Place? Discuss With Your Friends And Write Down At Least Three Of The Things.

Question 1. In your opinion what things will help to make the world a better place? Discuss with your friends and write down at least three of the things.
Answer: To make the world a better place, I think the following things will help a lot:
1. No fights, quarrels on the basis of caste, creed and religion.
2. Everyone should get a chance to earn his/her bread and butter.
3. Everyone should be mentally and physically fit and able.
4. Education: Basic right of education to all.
In simple words: Making the world better involves promoting peace by ending discrimination, ensuring everyone has basic livelihood, supporting mental and physical well-being, and guaranteeing universal access to education.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for personal opinions on societal improvement, provide concrete, actionable points. Focus on fundamental human rights and social harmony as key areas for positive change.

6. Think Of Different Types Of People Who Have To Face Great Difficulties. Write What You Can Do To Help At Least One Of Them.

Question 1. Think of different types of people who have to face great difficulties. Write what you can do to help at least one of them.
Answer: There are number of people in our society who have to face great difficulties. There are people like physically disabled, poor, old, sick, etc. The people who are poor, are under poverty line. So we can provide them various facilities related to education and fulfil their basic needs so that their standard of living would be improved.
In simple words: Many people face difficulties due to physical disability, poverty, old age, or sickness. To help the poor, we can provide educational support and basic necessities to uplift their living standards.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing social challenges, categorize the vulnerable groups. Offer specific and practical solutions that address their fundamental needs, like education or basic provisions.

7. Prepare A Set Of Questions To Interview:

Question 1. Prepare a set of questions to interview:
(a) A famous author
(b) A well-known social worker in your area.
Answer: (a) A famous author:
1. What are your feelings after the overwhelming response to your newly published book?
2. Had you thought about such amazing response to your book?
3. What inspires you to write such a lovely book?
4. Are you working on any new book?
5. Do you think about the readers' choice before writing?
6. Who is your favourite writer? Why?
7. Have you thought about the Booker prize while writing this book?
8. What is your ambition as a writer?
9. What message would you like to give to your readers?

(b) A well-known social worker in your area:
1. Are you really grateful to the voters of your area? Why?
2. How will you help this area to develop?
3. What are your future plans for the development of this area?
4. Are there any social problems that the people in this area are facing?
5. According to you, what is the role of education to develop society?
6. What have you done to make available educational facilities in our area?
7. What measures should be taken to fight against illiteracy, superstitions in our society?
8. What motivated you to be a social worker?
9. Is there any message that you would like to give to the citizens of this area?
In simple words: To interview an author, ask about their inspiration, writing process, and audience connection. For a social worker, focus on their community impact, future plans, and solutions for local issues.

🎯 Exam Tip: When formulating interview questions, tailor them to the profession. For authors, focus on creativity and impact; for social workers, focus on community service and practical solutions.

My English Coursebook 9th Class Solutions Chapter 4.1 What Is Success? Additional Important Questions And Answers

Simple Factual Activities:

Question 1. There are lines in the poem.
(a) two
(b) fourteen
(c) seven
(d) four
Answer: (b) fourteen.
In simple words: The poem consists of fourteen lines, which is a key structural detail for analysis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Simple factual activities often test basic comprehension like the number of lines or stanzas. Always count carefully if unsure.

Question 2. Complete the following sentences with the help of the given poem: (Answers are directly given.)
Answer:
1. A person who takes wise decisions and works for the benefit of everyone wins the respect of intelligent people.
2. A person who is kind, sweet and helpful wins the affection of children.
3. A person who puts a lot of efforts and works against all odds is appreciated by honest critics.
4. A friend who is selfish and dishonest betrays a friend.
In simple words: The poem suggests that wise and selfless actions earn respect, kindness wins children's affection, perseverance gains critical appreciation, and selfishness leads to betrayal.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing sentences based on a poem, ensure your answers directly reflect the poem's themes and wording. Pay attention to how different actions lead to specific outcomes.

Complex Factual Activities:

Question 1. What is success according to the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Answer: According to the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, success lies in winning the respect, affection and appreciation of the people around us and to be able to respect, appreciate and care for people in return and how you make them happy.
In simple words: For Emerson, success is earning genuine respect, affection, and appreciation from others, alongside having the capacity to reciprocate these feelings and bring happiness to people.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a poet's definition of a concept, summarize the core values and impacts mentioned in the poem, focusing on both giving and receiving positive human connections.

Question 2. Which lines tell you that a parent, a good gardener, a social reformer are all successful people?
Answer: The lines that tell us that a parent, a good gardener, a social reformer are all successful people are: "To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a gardener patch or a redeemed social condition To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded."
In simple words: The lines indicate success comes from leaving the world improved, whether through raising a healthy child, nurturing a garden, or bettering society, and knowing you've made someone's life easier.

🎯 Exam Tip: To answer questions about specific examples, locate the exact lines in the poem that refer to the specified roles or activities and directly quote them to support your explanation.

Poetic Device Activities:

Question 1. Give your own rhyming words for the following – (i) find (ii) patch.
Answer:
1. find - mind
2. patch – match.
In simple words: Rhyming words for 'find' include 'mind', and for 'patch', 'match' is a suitable rhyme.

🎯 Exam Tip: When providing rhyming words, ensure they have similar ending sounds. Practice identifying phonetic similarities rather than just similar spellings.

Appreciation Of Poem:

Point Format

1. Title: What is success?
2. Poet/Poetess: The poet of the poem is Ralph Waldo Emerso.
3. Theme/Central Idea: The theme of the poem is quite evident from the title of the poem itself. As the answer to the question posed in the title, the poet defines success as precisely as possible in the following lines.
4. Rhyme Scheme: The poem is an example of 'free verse'.
5. Figure of Speech: Repitition, Euphemism.
6. Special Features: This poem is an example of 'free verse'. The lines of a 'free verse' do not have any steady rhythm. The lines are of irregular length and lack clear-cut stanza divisions. It has no rhyme scheme.
7. Favourite Line: My favourite lines from the poem are:
(1) To find the best in others;
(2) To appreciate beauty To find the best in others
8. Why I like the poem: I like this poem because it defines 'success' in a very special way.
Here, 'success' is not just an individual achievement. It is not taking advantage of others around us. It is, instead, giving back to society it is about making society a better place by our little contribution.