If you are preparing for Class 9 CBSE English, this chapter is important for understanding ambition, perseverance, and practical decision-making. Follow That Dream is written as a letter that guides students on how to pursue their dreams realistically.
Students often find reflective and interpretation-based questions difficult. This page provides complete NCERT solutions to help you understand answers clearly and improve your writing in exams.
All sections are covered, including Reflect and Respond, Check Your Understanding, Critical Reflection, Vocabulary and Structures in Context, Listen and Respond, Speaking Activity, Writing Task, and Learning Beyond the Text.
Reflect and Respond
I Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
- What is your dream?
Answer:
My dream is to become a successful designer who creates useful and beautiful things for people. - Who inspires you to dream?
Answer:
My parents, teachers, and inspiring personalities like Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inspire me to dream. - What qualities should you have in order to fulfil your dream?
Answer:
I should have determination, discipline, courage, patience, confidence, and the willingness to work hard. - Abdul Kalam said, “Dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep.” Discuss.
Answer:
This means that a true dream is not just an imaginary wish. It is a strong goal that fills a person with passion and pushes them to work hard. A real dream keeps a person motivated, restless, and focused until it is achieved.
II What role can parents and community play to help children achieve their dreams?
Answer:
Parents and the community can encourage children, guide them, provide emotional support, help them discover their interests, create opportunities for learning, and stand by them during difficulties. They can also motivate children to stay focused and confident.
III Complete the given web chart. Give as many reasons as you can.
Why is it important to follow a dream?
Answer:
It gives purpose to life.
It motivates us to work hard.
It helps us grow and improve.
It builds confidence and self-belief.
It gives direction to our efforts.
It helps us use our talents well.
It makes life meaningful.
It encourages perseverance.
Check Your Understanding
I State whether the following sentences are true or false. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
- Reaching the peak of skill in a field typically demands a focused and intense dedication for about a decade.
Answer: True - The mother believes that significant effort and personal sacrifices are essential for turning aspirations into reality.
Answer: True - The path to achieving the deepest desires has very little difficulty or a few obstacles.
Answer: False - The mother is of the opinion that a person’s life goals and hopes can evolve over time.
Answer: True - Having a strong network of individuals can be a hurdle in pursuing one’s ambition.
Answer: False - The mother feels that pursuing a major life goal will not involve any financial expense or sacrifice.
Answer: False - For many individuals, their aspirations remain just wishes because they don’t move beyond mere daydreaming.
Answer: True
Critical Reflection
I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
- It starts with a passion for a particular interest, then comes the conviction that it is imperative to realise it. Count the cost in years of effort, financial investments and sacrifice. Then if it is still burning in your blood and you are ready to commit yourself to the task, plunge. It could be in any field—sports, science, arts, business, or design. The road may be uphill most of the way and often you are buoyed up only by the knowledge that you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing. When stamina is running out, the prospect of success will keep you on track.
(i) Complete the analogy with a suitable word from the extract.
enthusiasm: passion:: belief: _
Answer: conviction
(ii) Choose the correct option to complete the following sentence appropriately.
The author says that a realistic assessment of effort, investment and sacrifice is crucial for preventing _.
A. the need for external support network
B. an early abandonment of the dream
C. initial excitement from fading over time
D. others from questioning one’s commitment
Answer: B. an early abandonment of the dream
(iii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The word ‘plunge’ as used in the extract indicates a _ (complete/gradual) involvement in a task.
Answer: complete
(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The author’s emphasis on ‘when you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing’ works as a form of intrinsic motivation because _.
Answer: it gives a person inner satisfaction and purpose, which helps one continue even when the work becomes difficult.
(v) Mention one motivating factor besides ‘prospect of success’, that might keep a person on track, despite running out of stamina.
Answer: The love for the work itself or the feeling that one is doing the right thing. - From my own experience, life itself may change a person’s dreams. These hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days. To fulfil them you will need to negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles. The dream will take a much longer time to realise, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more.
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase ‘life itself may change a person’s dreams’ suggests that dreams are not static but rather__________. (evolving/dynamic)
Answer: dynamic
(ii) What does the author mean by, ‘hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days’?
Answer:
The author means that the dreams a person develops later in life are just as meaningful and valuable as the dreams of youth.
(iii) Identify the phrase from the extract that indicates a complex and challenging journey.
Answer: negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles
(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The author says, ‘people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more’ because_________________.
Answer: achieving later dreams often requires the support, involvement, and cooperation of many more people.
(v) What is the tone of the author in this extract?
A. appreciative and celebratory
B. excited and cheerful
C. optimistic and encouraging
D. eager and inquisitive
Answer: C. optimistic and encouraging
II Answer the following questions. - The letter begins thus, ‘By all means follow that dream’. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?
Answer:
Ming must have written to her mother about a dream or ambition she wanted to pursue and perhaps about her doubts regarding whether she should follow it. - How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways.
Answer:
One can attain an international level of skill by pursuing the field singularly and intensively for many years and by investing great effort, practice, and sacrifice. - What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers?
Answer:
Actual achievers move beyond wishful thinking. They commit themselves to hard work, sacrifice, and sustained action to realise their dreams. - How does Ming’s mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively?
Answer:
Ming’s mother uses thoughtful questions to make Ming reflect seriously on the costs, effort, and commitment needed to fulfil a dream. She also gives examples from life and her own experience, such as her dream of publishing a book, to make her advice realistic and convincing. - How does Ming’s mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice?
Answer:
She encourages Ming to follow her dream, but she also advises her to count the cost in time, effort, sacrifice, and money before fully committing herself. - In the letter, Ming’s mother specifically addresses the challenges people face in pursuing their dreams. Do you think this advice is still relevant in contemporary society? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer:
Yes, this advice is still relevant in contemporary society because even today dreams require effort, patience, financial planning, sacrifice, and support. Many people still struggle with obstacles and changing circumstances. - What ‘costs’ in terms of effort, sacrifice, and time are you willing or unwilling to invest to pursue your goals?
Answer:
I am willing to invest time, regular effort, discipline, and some sacrifice of comfort and leisure to pursue my goals. However, I would not want to sacrifice my health, honesty, or important relationships.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I Read the following sentence from the text.
The dream will take a much longer time to realise, and the people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more.
The word ‘dreamscape’ is a compound word where ‘-scape’ means ‘a view or scene of’.
Now, refer to a dictionary and find out the meaning of the following words.
mindscape
Answer: the inner world of the mind; a mental landscape
seascape
Answer: a view or picture of the sea
landscape
Answer: a view of natural scenery such as land, hills, or fields
cityscape
Answer: a view of a city
- Fill in the blanks in the following dialogue between two friends with the words given in the box.
Sneha Your Goa pictures were beautiful! That (i) was dreamy.
Answer: seascape
Kiran Thanks! It was way better than our usual (ii) , so peaceful.
Answer: cityscape
Sneha I get that. But sometimes the city lights have their own charm.
Kiran True, but I’m craving a quiet (iii) . Forests, hills—something real.
Answer: landscape
Sneha Yes, nature clears the (iv), doesn’t it?
Answer: mindscape
II Read each sentence carefully and choose the best meaning for the underlined expression. Then, use that expression in a sentence of your own. - She had a dream that seemed to burn in her blood, and she wasn’t going to give up on it easily.
(i) make her angry
(ii) have a passionate desire
(iii) cause physical pain
(iv) become violent
Answer: (ii) have a passionate desire
Sentence: The wish to become a doctor burned in her blood from an early age. - Preparing for the final exam without proper notes felt like an uphill task.
(i) a tough challenge
(ii) a slow progress
(iii) a hard routine
(iv) a difficult choice
Answer: (i) a tough challenge
Sentence: Completing the project in one day felt like an uphill task. - The team was buoyed up by their recent victory and felt confident about the next game.
(i) energised by success
(ii) encouraged by the result
(iii) motivated to improve
(iv) lifted in spirit
Answer: (ii) encouraged by the result
Sentence: The students were buoyed up by their success in the competition. - He thought he could ace the exam without studying, but that was just wishful thinking.
(i) a clever shortcut but no real effort behind it
(ii) a confident guess but lacking proper knowledge
(iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true
(iv) a strong desire but based on facts and planning
Answer: (iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true
Sentence: Hoping to win without practice was only wishful thinking. - Don’t be a wet blanket—we’re trying to have fun!
(i) spoil-sport
(ii) latecomer
(iii) rule-breaker
(iv) daydreamer
Answer: (i) spoil-sport
Sentence: Do not be a wet blanket; join the game and enjoy yourself. - Excitement was coursing through her veins as she stepped onto the stage for the first time.
(i) hiding deep inside
(ii) flowing through her body
(iii) lingering in her thoughts
(iv) causing numbness
Answer: (ii) flowing through her body
Sentence: Joy was coursing through his veins when he heard the good news.
III Read the following sentence from the text.
After all the obstacles are considered, if the burning conviction is still coursing through your veins, then go ahead and do something about it.
Here, the first conditional is used to talk about real or possible situations in the future. Sometimes, instead of saying ‘will + verb’ in the main clause, we use an imperative (a command or advice).
Complete the sentences using your own words (imperatives): - If the idea excites you, ________________.
Answer: pursue it with confidence. - If you hear strange noises,_____________.
Answer: call for help immediately. - If this seems too hard, __________________.
Answer: break it into smaller steps. - If you care about the issue, _____________.
Answer: speak up now. - If you finish early, __________________.
Answer: revise your answers.
IV Read the following sentences from the text. Analyse the usage of ‘could’ and match the sentences with their functions given in the box below.
Past ability or purpose Possibility
Past possibility or speculation
Unreal or hypothetical situation - It could be in any field—sports, science, arts, business or design.
Answer: Possibility - “I wish I could be this or the other,” they have never got beyond just wishful thinking.
Answer: Unreal or hypothetical situation - They could have preferred to trade their dream for security.
Answer: Past possibility or speculation - I know too, of people who had wished to finish secondary school but they had to go out to work so that they could support their siblings through school.
Answer: Past ability or purpose
V Complete the following sentences using ‘could’ with the functions mentioned within brackets. - I wish __ without worrying about money. (unreal or hypothetical)
Answer: I could study abroad - They __ the shorter route, but they didn’t know about it. (past possibility or speculative)
Answer: could have taken - When I was younger, I __ without stopping. (past ability)
Answer: could run for miles - She __ the library right now—she had mentioned it. (possibility)
Answer: could be at - _ repeat the question? I didn’t hear it clearly. (formal/polite request)
Answer: Could you
VI Fill in the blanks with suitable grammatical forms of the words given in brackets.
Experiential learning is an approach to education that focuses on learning through experience, action and reflection. It 1. (help) students gain practical knowledge and develop real-world skills. Traditionally, students 2. (learn) by listening to lectures and memorising facts, but experiential learning has changed this process.
In an experiential setting, students 3. (work) on projects, solve problems, and take part in activities that reflect real-life challenges. They 4. (apply) what they have learned in class to new and unfamiliar situations. For example, a student studying science 5. (conduct) experiments to test a theory, while a business student 6. (analyse) a case study to understand market trends.
Reflection is key to this process. After completing a task, learners 7. (must/reflect) on what went well and what could be improved. This reflection 8. (help) them build a deeper understanding of the topic.
Educators believe that experiential learning 9. (be) more effective than passive learning methods because it is engaging and meaningful. In the future, more schools and universities 10. _ (incorporate) experiential learning into their curriculum to prepare students for the real world.
Answer:
helps
learned
work
apply
conducts
analyses
must reflect
helps
is
will incorporate
Listen and Respond
I You will listen to an announcement regarding vocational courses starting in school. As you listen, fill in the blanks with one to three exact words that you hear. (Transcript for teacher on page 275)
- Vocational courses will begin in the month of _.
Answer: April - The objective of the courses is to prepare you with __ for future studies and jobs.
Answer: practical skills - Offered courses include Graphic Design, __,Web Application, and Entrepreneurship Skills, etc.
Answer: Basic Coding - Classes will be conducted by __ at school.
Answer: trained professionals - The application forms will be available at the __.
Answer: school office - Choice of course will be given to __ applicants.
Answer: early
Speaking Activity
I Work in groups of four. Each member of the group takes up one of the roles given below. Use the sentence prompts given under each role to present your role play.
- The Dreamer (for example: wants to be a trekking guide)
h I know this might sound challenging, but…
h Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of…
h I understand it’s not a usual path, but I believe…
h It’s an uphill journey, but I’m ready for it because… - A Parent (worried about financial stability)
h I know you’re passionate, but…
h I only want what’s best for you, and…
h You can always pursue your dream later…
h What if it doesn’t…? - A Mentor or Teacher (offers balanced advice)
h Remember dreams need planning…
h Let’s look at the long-term view…
h There are ways to combine your dream and…
h Are you ready to…? - A Friend/Sibling (neutral or supportive voice)
h You’ve always been good at…don’t give up now.
h I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but what’s your backup plan?
h If anyone can do this, it’s you, so…
h If this dream makes you happy…
Answer:
The Dreamer: I know this might sound challenging, but I want to become a trekking guide. Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of exploring mountains and helping others enjoy nature. I understand it is not a usual path, but I believe I can succeed with training and hard work. It is an uphill journey, but I am ready for it because this is what I truly love.
A Parent: I know you are passionate, but I worry about your financial stability. I only want what is best for you, and I want you to have a secure future. You can always pursue your dream later, after gaining qualifications. What if it does not work out?
A Mentor or Teacher: Remember dreams need planning as well as passion. Let us look at the long-term view and think about training, safety, and career options. There are ways to combine your dream and a stable future. Are you ready to prepare seriously for the work this path will require?
A Friend/Sibling: You have always been good at outdoor activities, so do not give up now. I do not want to be a wet blanket, but what is your backup plan? If anyone can do this, it is you, so keep working hard. If this dream makes you happy, then pursue it wisely.
Writing Task
An email (electronic mail) is a method of composing, sending, storing, and receiving messages over an electronic communication system.
I You are passionate about pursuing a course in designing in future. You come across a summer workshop being conducted by a reputed design institute. Write an email to the Director of the institute enquiring the details of the workshop and expressing your interest in joining it.
Follow the guidelines given below to write the email.
Use formal language
Avoid use of abbreviations
Include the following components:
Header consisting of—sender, receiver, date, and subject
The message—introduction, seeking permission, conclusion
Complementary close—Yours sincerely,
Name, (designation), and contact details of the sender
Answer:
From: ananya.sharma09@email.com
To: director@creativevisiondesign.in
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: 15 May 2026
Subject: Enquiry about Summer Workshop in Designing
Message:
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Ananya Sharma, a student of Grade 9. I am writing to enquire about the summer workshop in designing being conducted by your reputed institute. I have a deep interest in designing and wish to pursue it as a career in the future. Therefore, I am very eager to know more about this workshop.
I would be grateful if you could kindly provide me with details regarding the duration of the workshop, eligibility criteria, course content, fee structure, timings, and the process of registration. I would also like to know whether students of my age group are eligible to participate and whether any materials need to be brought by the participants.
I am very interested in joining this workshop, as I believe it will help me improve my creative skills and understand the field of design better. Kindly let me know the necessary details at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Ananya Sharma
Student, Grade 9
Contact No.: 9876543210
Learning Beyond the Text
I Create a Vision Board for yourself.
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and inspirations. It helps you focus on what you want to achieve and stay motivated. Vision boards often include pictures, words, or symbols that reflect your hopes and intentions for the future.
- My Dreams—Think about what you wish for in the future. This could be becoming an artist, serving the Nation, or learning a new skill. Write or draw it in the ‘My dreams’ section.
Answer:
My dream is to become a designer and create meaningful products. - I Want to Try—List new things you want to experience this year. These might include trying out for a play, starting a journal, learning to ride a bicycle, etc.
Answer:
I want to try public speaking, sketching regularly, and learning basic coding. - Goals—Think about specific things you want to achieve. Use this space to write goals like ‘Read 10 books this year’ or ‘Improve my writing’.
Answer:
Read 10 books this year. Improve my writing. Score better in Mathematics. Practise drawing every week. - Places I Will Go—These can be real or imaginary places you’d like to visit. Draw or paste pictures of cities, nature spots, or even dream destinations like the space or the ocean.
Answer:
I would like to visit Jaipur, the Himalayas, and a design museum. - Inspiration—Who or what inspires you? It could be a family member, teacher, a famous personality, or a quote that gives you strength.
Answer:
My parents inspire me. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inspires me. The quote “Believe in yourself and work hard” inspires me.
II Great personalities in history were inspired by their parents. - Chhatrapati Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, instilled in him a strong sense of dharma, patriotism, and justice. She told him tales from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which shaped his leadership ideals and bravery.
- Queen Madālasa, wife of King Ritudhwaja, a revered figure from Indian scriptures, nurtured in her children a deep understanding of the soul and detachment from material desires. Her wisdom led her sons to seek spiritual liberation. Madalasa is a timeless example of a mother guiding her children on the path of enlightenment.
Answer:
These examples show that parents play a major role in shaping the values, dreams, character, and future of children. Jijabai and Madālasa inspired their childr
How to Use These NCERT Solutions
Read the chapter carefully to understand the advice given in the letter.
Try answering questions on your own before checking the answers. This will improve your thinking and writing.
Focus on ideas like planning, effort, sacrifice, and determination because these are commonly asked in exams.
Why This Chapter is Important
This chapter explains that dreams require planning, effort, and commitment.
It shows that success is not only about passion but also about realistic preparation and persistence.
Questions from this chapter often test interpretation, life skills, and value-based understanding.
Who Should Use This
This content is useful for:
- Class 9 CBSE students
- Students preparing for English exams
- Learners improving answer writing
- Students focusing on value-based questions
