The World of Limitless Possibilities Questions & Answers | Class 9 English | CBSE NCERT

(b) locomotor, sensory or intellectual

(c) quell stereotypes and redefine possibilities

(d) swimming

'Resilience' means the ability to recover quickly from difficult circumstances.

'Quell' means to overcome.

Bharat's debut in the Paralympics dates back to 1968.

(b) Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri

(c) International Paralympic Committee

(d) enduring or permanent

She has left an indelible (enduring and permanent) mark on innumerable aspiring athletes.

The interviewer greets Dr. Malik with 'Namaste' and says it is a privilege to meet such a famous Paralympic personality.

The interviewer asks how she braved the odds to become who she is today.

(c) 29

(b) bound to a wheelchair for the rest of her life

(c) waste

Although she had undergone surgery for the spine tumour, she was paralysed waist down and told she would be wheelchair-bound for life.

She could either squander her life in remorse or transform it into a world of limitless possibilities.

She loved sports and had been a swimmer, so switching to para-athletics was a natural choice.

(c) shot-put

(b) an Asian Games medal in athletics

(b) strongly desired by many

Because she secured the silver medal in shot-put there, a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions.

It means the ability to understand something after it has happened.

(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.

(b) physical limitations don't define one's potential

(c) praise and honours

(b) societal perceptions and underestimation

She is a proponent of the school of thought 'ability beyond disability'.

'Testimony' means proof or evidence.

Overcoming it required both physical strength and mental resilience.

(b) opportunities to prove her capabilities

(c) strength to face adversity or difficulty

(b) challenge stereotypes and change attitudes towards disability

The support of her family, coupled with her own fortitude, allowed her to turn obstacles into stepping stones.

The interviewer calls her story a testament to the power of determination.

It means to use difficulties as means of progress and success rather than letting them block one's path.

(b) witnessing the strength, skill and competitive spirit of para-athletes

(b) an occasion when one becomes more energetic and active than earlier

(b) about something even before knowing the truth

Paralympics has given her a new lease of life, helped her push boundaries and made her what she is today.

She has realised that individuals with disabilities can be as capable as, if not more than, their able-bodied counterparts.

She has become vocal for inclusivity and accessibility.

(b) the voice of tomorrow

(b) outdoor sports and adventure activities

(b) is treated with dignity and given a fair chance to succeed

She supports persons from lower socio-economic strata and provides equipment to para sportspersons.

They organise disability sports awareness and advocacy sessions at various schools and colleges.

It means advocacy is an essential, inseparable part of her life's mission of serving persons with disabilities.

(b) an opportunity to prove your strength

(c) a unique strength waiting to be unleashed

(c) released powerfully

Surround yourself with a support system, believe in yourself, and let your journey inspire others.

The interviewer thanks Dr. Malik, calling her story inspirational, and she thanks him for having her, saying it has been a pleasure.

Individuals facing challenges or setbacks, especially those with disabilities who aspire to achieve their goals.

Dr. Deepa Malik is an Indian Paralympian who has left an indelible mark on innumerable aspiring athletes. She is a Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri Awardee, and has been listed among the ten most inspirational women para-athletes globally.

At twenty-nine, Dr. Malik was diagnosed with a spine tumour. She underwent surgery, but misfortune struck again: the doctors declared that she was paralysed waist down and would be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

She refused to squander her life in remorse. Instead, she chose to transform her life into a world of limitless possibilities. Loving sports, and having been a swimmer, she switched to para-athletics and began her Paralympic journey.

Dr. Malik says she had two choices after being paralysed waist down: either squander her life in remorse, or transform it into a world of limitless possibilities. She deliberately chose the second option and rebuilt her life.

She loved sports and had been a swimmer before her tragedy. Her passion for sports and her earlier athletic experience made the transition to para-athletics natural and comfortable, allowing her Paralympic journey to begin smoothly.

Her breakthrough came at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where she won the silver medal in shot-put. In hindsight, she calls it a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions about disability.

The interviewer calls her a trailblazer because she is the first ever Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics, and India's first ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport.

She truly appreciates the accolades showered on her. For her, these achievements are a testimony to her belief that physical limitations do not define one's potential; she champions the thought 'ability beyond disability'.

By 'proponent' she means she supports and speaks for the idea that physical limitations do not define a person's potential; talent, determination and capability exist beyond any disability a person may have.

Her most significant challenge was societal perceptions — people often underestimated her abilities because of her disability. Overcoming this required both physical strength and mental resilience, and she had to prove her capabilities repeatedly.

The support of her family, coupled with her own fortitude, gave her the strength to face adversity. Together they allowed her to turn obstacles into stepping stones and embrace challenges as opportunities.

When people witness the strength, skill and competitive spirit of para-athletes, their preconceived notions break down. Stereotypes about disability are challenged, and attitudes change, making society more accepting of persons with disabilities.

Paralympics has given her a new lease of life and helped her push boundaries. It has made her what she is today and made her realise that individuals with disabilities can be as capable as able-bodied counterparts.

She works to strengthen the emotional health of persons with challenges and empowers women through outdoor sports and adventure activities, giving them confidence, opportunity and a pathway to richer, more independent lives.

Dr. Malik believes youth is the voice of tomorrow. Therefore, she and her team organise disability sports awareness and advocacy sessions at various schools and colleges, so that young minds learn inclusion early.

Besides advocacy, she supports persons from lower socio-economic strata and provides equipment to para sportspersons. This practical help removes financial barriers and enables talented athletes to train and compete despite limited means.

Her goal is to contribute to creating a society where everyone, regardless of ability, is treated with dignity and given a fair chance to succeed. She wants inclusion and equal opportunity for all.

She advises that every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength. One should surround oneself with a support system, believe in oneself, and let one's journey inspire others. Disability, she says, is a unique strength waiting to be unleashed.

The text calls the Paralympic Games a thrilling celebration of resilience and the extraordinary talent of athletes with locomotor, sensory or intellectual disabilities — games that go beyond competition to quell stereotypes and redefine possibilities.

Bharat's debut in the Paralympics dates back to 1968, and the first medal was clinched in swimming in 1972. Since then, many Indian Paralympians have brought incredible honour to our country.

At twenty-nine, Dr. Malik was diagnosed with a spine tumour; surgery left her paralysed waist down, bound to a wheelchair for life. Refusing to squander her life in remorse, she switched from swimming to para-athletics and won the silver medal in shot-put at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

Her significant challenge was societal perceptions; people often underestimated her abilities because she used a wheelchair. Overcoming this required physical strength and mental resilience. She embraced challenges as opportunities to prove her capabilities, and with family support and her own fortitude, turned obstacles into stepping stones.

Dr. Malik believes 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, preconceived notions break down, and society realises that disabled individuals can be as capable as able-bodied counterparts.

As an advocate, she works to strengthen the emotional health of persons with challenges; empowers women through outdoor sports and adventure activities; supports persons from lower socio-economic strata and provides equipment to para sportspersons; and organises disability sports awareness and advocacy sessions at schools and colleges.

The interviewer calls her a trailblazer because she is the first ever Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics and India's first ever female Paralympics medallist across any sport. Her never-ending list of 'firsts' opened doors for future generations of Indian women para-athletes.

Paralysed waist down at twenty-nine, Dr. Malik refused a life of remorse. She switched to para-athletics, won Paralympic silver, and became India's first female Paralympics medallist. Her achievements testify to her belief that physical limitations don't define potential — there is always ability beyond disability.

A 'new lease of life' means a fresh opportunity to live fully and energetically. Paralympics gave Dr. Malik purpose, identity and renewed energy after her tragedy; it helped her push boundaries, made her what she is today, and changed society's perceptions.

After her paralysis, Dr. Malik could have surrendered to self-pity; instead she treated her setback as a challenge. She transformed her tragedy into sporting excellence and advocacy, proving her inner strength and showing that setbacks can become the foundation of remarkable achievement.

Advocacy is integral to her mission. Alongside being a medallist, she strengthens the emotional health of persons with challenges, empowers women through outdoor sports, supports athletes from lower socio-economic strata, and spreads awareness among youth in schools and colleges, for her, sport and service go together.

The interviewer means that Dr. Malik's life is living proof of what determination can achieve. Despite a spine tumour and lifelong paralysis, she became a trailblazing medallist and advocate; her story demonstrates that firm resolve can conquer even the greatest adversity.

Dr. Deepa Malik's achievements dismantle the stereotype that disability means inability. Paralysed waist down at twenty-nine after a spine tumour, she did not retreat into remorse but switched to para-athletics and won the silver medal in shot-put at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. She became 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. Such 'firsts' prove her belief that physical limitations do not define one's potential. When society sees para-athletes' strength, skill and competitive spirit, preconceived notions break down. Her recognition by the International Paralympic Committee as one of the ten most inspirational women para-athletes globally further shifts attitudes. Thus her life shows that with fortitude, family support and opportunity, persons with disabilities can excel at the highest level.

Involving youth in advocacy can transform society from its roots. Young people carry open minds, and sensitising them early makes inclusive attitudes a lifelong habit rather than a lesson to be unlearned later. As Dr. Malik says, youth is 'the voice of tomorrow' — today's students become tomorrow's policymakers, employers, teachers and neighbours who will design accessible infrastructure, frame inclusive policies and treat persons with disabilities with dignity. Awareness sessions in schools and colleges also reduce bullying and isolation of children with disabilities, giving them confidence and fair opportunities to learn and grow alongside their peers. Over time, such advocacy builds a society where inclusion is the norm, where ability is judged beyond disability, and where everyone, regardless of ability, receives dignity and a fair chance to succeed — exactly the goal Dr. Malik works for.

The title 'The World of Limitless Possibilities' is highly appropriate. Faced with a spine tumour and lifelong paralysis, Dr. Malik had two choices: squander her life in remorse or transform it into a world of limitless possibilities. She chose the latter, and her life since then embodies limitless possibility — she turned from swimmer to Paralympic shot-put medallist, became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in para-athletics and India's first female Paralympics medallist, and earned the Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri. Beyond personal triumph, she pushes boundaries for others through advocacy — empowering women through outdoor sports, supporting athletes from lower socio-economic strata and spreading awareness in schools and colleges. Her belief that 'disability is not a limitation; it's a unique strength waiting to be unleashed' proves the title right: possibilities become truly limitless when determination replaces despair.

'Every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength' is a universal lesson because setbacks visit everyone — students who fail an exam, workers who lose jobs, families struck by illness. Dr. Malik's insight is that a setback is not a full stop but a test of character. When she lost the use of her legs, she could have surrendered to remorse; instead she treated the tragedy as a challenge to prove her inner strength and emerged a medallist and advocate. Similarly, any individual can respond to failure with resilience rather than self-pity — analysing what went wrong, seeking support from family and friends, and returning with greater determination. Each difficulty surmounted builds confidence and empathy, making us stronger for the next challenge. Thus setbacks, rightly viewed, become stepping stones that reveal our hidden strength — in classrooms, workplaces and homes, not only on sports fields.

Dr. Malik's global recognition strengthens the discourse on gender equality in sports in several ways. First, it spotlights a woman excelling in a domain where both disability and gender historically invite underestimation — her success counters the double stereotype that women and persons with disabilities cannot compete at the highest level. Second, her list of 'firsts' — the first Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games athletics medal and India's first female Paralympics medallist — creates visible role models, encouraging girls and women with disabilities to take up sport. Third, she deliberately empowers women through outdoor sports and adventure activities, converting her fame into opportunity for other women. When the International Paralympic Committee honours such athletes, attention and resources follow, gradually narrowing the gap in respect, support and participation between men and women in sport.

As a guideline, 'ability beyond disability' teaches future para-athletes to define themselves by their talents and determination rather than their limitations. It encourages them to view a wheelchair or prosthesis not as the end of a dream but as one condition of pursuing it — Dr. Malik switched from swimming to para-athletics rather than abandoning sport altogether. The thought builds mental resilience: obstacles become stepping stones, setbacks become opportunities to prove strength, and societal underestimation becomes motivation rather than discouragement. It also guides athletes to seek support systems, believe in themselves, and let their journeys inspire others, just as Dr. Malik advises. Finally, it reminds them that success is not measured only in medals but also in changing perceptions and advocating dignity and inclusion for all, carrying the movement forward for the next generation.

The interview has taught me that attitude determines altitude. Dr. Malik's refusal to squander her life in remorse after paralysis shows that our response to misfortune — not the misfortune itself — shapes our future. I learnt that physical limitations do not define potential, that every setback is an opportunity to prove one's strength, and that self-belief combined with a support system is vital in adversity. I can implement these learnings by treating my failures in studies as feedback rather than defeat, by including and encouraging classmates who face challenges instead of underestimating them, by volunteering in disability awareness programmes at school, and by refusing to let stereotypes — mine or others' — decide what I or anyone else can achieve. Above all, I have learnt to transform difficulties into opportunities, as Dr. Malik transformed her tragedy into a world of limitless possibilities.

(b) 1968 A5-Q2. India's first Paralympic medal was won in:

(c) swimming A5-Q3. Dr. Deepa Malik won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in the ________ event.

(b) shot-put A5-Q4. Dr. Deepa Malik was diagnosed with a spine tumour at the age of:

(c) 29 A5-Q5. The interview text describes Dr. Deepa Malik as a ________ awardee.

(a) Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri A5-Q6. Dr. Deepa Malik is India's first ever female Paralympics medallist:

(b) across any sport A5-Q7. The Paralympic Games originated in 1948, when Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised a sports competition for:

(b) war veterans with spinal cord-related injuries in England (the Stoke Mandeville Games) A5-Q8. The Stoke Mandeville Games were first organised as Olympic-style games for differently-abled athletes in:

(b) Rome, 1960 A5-Q9. The Paralympic symbol is known as the 'Agitos', which in Latin means:

(b) "I move" A5-Q10. Sheetal Devi, shown at the start of the unit, is a ________ honoured with the Arjuna Award in January 2024.

(b) para-archer A5-Q11. The Paralympics celebrate athletes with ________ disabilities.

(a) locomotor, sensory, or intellectual A5-Q12. Fill in the blank: According to Dr. Malik, "disability is not a limitation; it's a unique strength waiting to be ________."

(b) unleashed A5-Q13. State whether the following is True or False: Dr. Deepa Malik was paralysed from the neck down after her surgery. False. She was paralysed waist down. A5-Q14. State whether the following is True or False: Dr. Deepa Malik is described as a proponent of the school of thought 'ability beyond disability'. True A5-Q15. Identify whether the following pairs of sentences show cause-effect (1) or fact-opinion (2). Write 1 or 2. (2 marks)

(a) 2 (fact-opinion); (b) 1 (cause-effect) A5-Q16. Complete the fact table about Dr. Deepa Malik based on the interview:

creep → crawl → plod → amble → stroll → saunter → walk → jog → run → dart → sprint A5-Q20. Word meanings from the prose glossary (match/define): (6 × 1 = 6 marks)