CBSE Class 9 English Poem 8 Believe in Yourself Question Answers (Important) from Kaveri Book
Class 9 English Believe in Yourself Question Answers – Looking for Believe in Yourself question answers (NCERT solutions) for CBSE Class 9 English Kaveri Book Poem 8? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 9 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Poem 8: Believe in Yourself now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions (Textbook Questions) to the chapter’s, Extract Based Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, and Extra Question Answers
Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.
- Believe in Yourself Textbook Questions (NCERT Solution)
- Believe in Yourself Grammar Exercises
- Believe in Yourself Extract-Based Questions
- Believe in Yourself Multiple Choice Questions
- Believe in Yourself Extra Questions
Related:
Believe in Yourself Textbook Questions (NCERT Solution)
Check your Understanding
I. Based on your understanding of the poem, select the correct central idea for each stanza from the options given.
Stanza 1
(i) Facing challenges requires personal responsibility and a clear focus on one’s future.
(ii) Facing challenges is a journey best taken with support and guidance from others.
Stanza 2
(i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as the future approaches.
(ii) Facing the future with confidence makes choices easier and more straightforward.
Stanza 3
(i) Personal growth involves finding balance between comfort and change.
(ii) Personal growth requires leaving behind comfort and embracing change.
Stanza 4
(i) The first step towards change may feel easy if you place your trust in others to guide you and provide support.
(ii) The first step towards change is difficult, but having self-belief and confidence helps you stay on track.
Ans.
Stanza 1: (i) Facing challenges requires personal responsibility and a clear focus on one’s future.
Stanza 2: (i) Fear and uncertainty make it difficult to make choices as the future approaches.
Stanza 3: (ii) Personal growth requires leaving behind comfort and embracing change.
Stanza 4: (ii) The first step towards change is difficult, but having self-belief and confidence helps you stay on track.
II. Rhyme Scheme
Fill in the blank to complete the following sentence.
The poem follows a simple, yet effective rhyme scheme_________ that flows steadily through each stanza.
Ans. AABB
III. Tone
State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging.
2. The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to one of determination by the end of the poem.
Ans.
1. True
2. True
IV. Speaker
Fill in the blanks with the correct options from those given in the brackets.
The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/ she comes across as a _________ (stranger/guide) who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take ____________ (interest in/control of) his/her own future.
The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is __________. (talking directly to the reader/addressing the reader from a distance)
Ans.
The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/she comes across as a guide who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take control of his/her own future.
The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is talking directly to the reader.
V. Imagery
Match the phrases from the poem in Column 1 with the imagery they represent in Column 2. An extra representation is given.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| 1. There is no crowd to see… | (i) Represents the difficulty of beginning a new challenge or change. |
| 2. push you back in fear? | (ii) Suggests a solitary journey, stressing individual effort. |
| (iii) Evokes the mental barrier that prevents growth. |
Ans.
1. There is no crowd to see…
(ii) Suggests a solitary journey, stressing individual effort.
2. push you back in fear?
(iii) Evokes the mental barrier that prevents growth.
VI Symbolism
Select the words/phrases from the box below to complete the given sentences.
| unknown | self-improvement | courage |
| leap of faith | stagnation |
1. Comfort and the status quo represent ___________and fear of change, symbolising the comfort zone that holds one back.
2. The future symbolises the ____________, the potential for change and success that lies ahead but requires ___________to step into.
3. The first step symbolises the initial ___________ required to begin the journey of _____________ or personal development.
Ans.
1. stagnation
2. unknown, courage
3. leap of faith, self-improvement
VII. Metaphor
The poet uses a metaphor in the line, ‘The first step is the hardest’. Explain why this is metaphorical.
Ans.
The line “The first step is the hardest” is metaphorical because it does not refer to an actual physical step. Instead, it represents starting something new or facing a challenge.
It means that beginning a task or making a decision is the most difficult part, as it requires courage and self-belief.
VIII. The poem uses antithesis in a couple of lines.
| Antithesis is a rhetorical device that pairs contrasting or opposite ideas in a parallel grammatical structure to highlight differences or create emphasis. It simplifies complex ideas through contrast, making them easier for readers or listeners to understand. Consider the famous quote from Neil Armstrong when he stepped onto the moon: “Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man, but a giant leap for mankind.” Here, the antithesis lies in contrasting the ‘small step’ for an individual with the ‘giant leap’ for all humanity. The parallel structure of the two phrases highlights the incredible significance of this event, presenting it as both a personal and massive achievement. Other examples:
|
Identify the lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so.
Ans.
Lines showing antithesis:
“Will it pull you forward / Or push you back in fear?”
Explanation:
This line shows antithesis because it presents two opposite ideas—moving forward (progress, courage) and being pushed back (fear, hesitation). The parallel structure highlights the contrast, making the reader understand the conflict between growth and fear more clearly.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Step up to the challenge
There is no crowd to see,
It’s just you and the future
And where you want to be.
(i) What does the line, ‘There is no crowd to see’ suggest about facing challenges?
Ans. It suggests that challenges must be faced individually without depending on others.
(ii) Complete the following suitably.
The line ‘It’s just you and the future’ suggests that _________.
Ans. your future depends on your own choices and efforts.
(iii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate word/phrase from the extract.
Latha will ________ her efforts to improve her vocal performance by practicing harder each day.
Ans. step up to
(iv) Select the most suitable title for the extract.
A. The Struggles of Change
B. Facing the Future Alone
C. A Journey of Growth
D. The Power of Fear
Ans. B. Facing the Future Alone
(v) Complete the analogy by using a word from the extract.
achieve: goal : : face : ___________
Ans. challenge
II. Answer the following questions.
1. What is the significance of the metaphor, ‘The first step is the hardest’ in the context of personal growth?
Ans.The metaphor means that starting something new is the most difficult part of personal growth, as it requires courage and determination.
2. What message does the antithesis in the poem convey about the nature of personal development?
Ans.The antithesis shows that personal development involves choosing between fear and progress, highlighting the importance of making the right choice.
3. Do you think the poet’s message is realistic in the context of real-world struggles? (Clue: Evaluate whether simply ‘believing in yourself’ is enough to overcome obstacles or other factors are also necessary.)
Ans. Yes, the message is realistic, but self-belief alone is not enough. Hard work, persistence, and support from others are also important.
4. Consider a situation where you or someone you know had to take a difficult first step towards a goal. How does the poem’s message about the importance of self-belief apply to this situation?
Ans. Example: When preparing for exams, the first step of starting studies is difficult. Self-belief helps overcome fear and build confidence, leading to success.
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Believe in Yourself Grammar Exercises
Vocabulary in Context
I. The phrase ‘status quo’ is a Latin expression that translates to ‘the state in which’ or ‘the existing state of affairs.’ Over time, it has become a popular term used in English to refer to the current situation or condition, especially when things remain unchanged.
There are other Latin terms commonly used in English. Read a few given below along with their meanings.
| Latin expression | Meaning |
| 1. et cetera (etc.) | And other things; and so on |
| 2. exempli gratia (e.g.) | For example |
| 3. ad hoc | For a specific purpose or situation, often temporary |
| 4. in media res | Into the middle of things; starting at a crucial point of the story or situation |
| 5. per se | By itself; fundamentally |
| 6. quid pro quo | A favour or advantage given in return for something |
Now, fill in the blanks in the given sentences with the Latin expressions used in English from the table.
(i) I enjoy reading fantasy books, _________ Harry Potter and Magical Paint Brush.
(ii) After helping Tanya with the homework, Ritu asked for a _________ to borrow her notes next time.
(iii) I love all kinds of outdoor activities, such as trekking, hiking, biking, _________.
(iv) The park is not very special _________; it becomes more fun when you visit with friends.
(v) We created an _________ team to organise the school festival.
(vi) The movie started _________, with the hero already fighting the villain in a huge battle.
Ans.
1. e.g
2. quid pro quo
3. etc.
4. per se
5. ad hoc
6. In media res,
II. The line , ‘Will it pull you forward/or push you back in fear?’ is a rhetorical question.
| A rhetorical question is a question that doesn’t require an answer because it is used to make the reader think or reflect on a particular idea. |
1. Read the following rhetorical questions and state what they intend to achieve.
(i) Isn’t it obvious that we must act now? Don’t we all have a responsibility to make a change?
(ii) Will we let fear control us, or will we rise above it?
Ans.
(i) sense of urgency and responsibility, encouraging people to take action.
(ii) self-reflection and motivates choosing courage over fear.
2. Match the situations in Column 1 to the rhetorical questions in Column 2.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| (i) Deciding whether to stand up for what is right | A. How can we ever grow if we never try anything new? |
| (ii) Owning up to a mistake made in a group project | B. Isn’t it better to admit our mistakes than to let them define us? |
| (iii) Deciding whether to try something challenging, like public speaking | C. If I don’t take responsibility now, when will I? |
| (iv) Choosing between two career paths | D. Can I really move forward without knowing which path to take? |
| (v) Deciding whether to apologise for a mistake | E. What’s the point of playing it safe if it means staying stuck? |
| (vi) Trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone | F. How can we stay silent when we know what is right? |
Ans.
| Column 1 (Situation) | Column 2 (Rhetorical Question) |
| (i) Deciding whether to stand up for what is right | F. How can we stay silent when we know what is right? |
| (ii) Owning up to a mistake made in a group project | C. If I don’t take responsibility now, when will I? |
| (iii) Deciding whether to try something challenging | E. What’s the point of playing it safe if it means staying stuck? |
| (iv) Choosing between two career paths | D. Can I really move forward without knowing which path to take? |
| (v) Deciding whether to apologise for a mistake | B. Isn’t it better to admit our mistakes than to let them define us? |
| (vi) Trying something new and stepping out of comfort zone | A. How can we ever grow if we never try anything new? |
Listen and Respond
I. You will listen to a conversation between two friends. As you listen, answer the following questions in one to three exact words that you hear. (Transcript for teacher on page 275)
1. How did the boy feel before the play ?
2. According to the girl, where does confidence come from?
3. What was the girl finally sure about regarding the boy?
Ans.
1. Nervous
2. Practice (or preparation)
3. He would do well
II. You will once again listen to the conversation. As you listen, select the four true statements from 1–7 given below.
1. The boy feels confident but is worried about freezing on stage.
2. The girl encourages the boy to push through his doubts by trusting in his preparation.
3. The boy thinks that the audience will be supportive regardless of his performance.
4. The girl believes that self-doubt is a normal part of preparing for a big performance.
5. The boy feels that his preparation is not enough and doubts his abilities, even though he has practiced.
6. The girl suggests that the boy should avoid feeling nervous and perform perfectly.
7. The girl believes that pushing through nervousness will help the boy grow and build confidence.
Ans.
(2) Girl encourages trust in preparation
(4) Self-doubt is normal
(5) Boy doubts himself despite practice
(7) Pushing through nervousness builds confidence
Incorrect:
(1) He is not confident
(3) No such belief shown
Writing Task
I. Your class is conducting the morning assembly. You have been asked to deliver a speech on the topic, ‘Turning Challenges into Opportunities’. Draft this speech by following the guidelines given below.
- Opening paragraph: Greet the audience and introduce yourself. Begin with a quotation, a question or a surprising fact. State the purpose of your speech and provide an overview of what you will be talking about.
- Paragraphs 2 and 3 — Body of the speech: Divide the body of your speech into two paragraphs, each focusing on a different main point or idea. Use transition words, anecdotes, statistics, and other supporting evidence to strengthen your points.
- Concluding paragraph: Summarise the main points of your speech. End with a statement that leaves a lasting impression on the audience and convey your thanks.
- Use formal language to present ideas clearly
- Use persuasive tone — don’t you agree …/…, isn’t it?
Refer to the guidelines given below.
|
Ans.
Speech: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Good morning respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends.
I stand before you today to speak on the topic “Turning Challenges into Opportunities.” As Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.” Have you ever wondered why challenges come into our lives? Today, I will share how challenges help us grow and how we can turn them into opportunities.
Firstly, challenges are not obstacles but stepping stones to success. Whenever we face difficulties, we learn something new. For instance, when students prepare for exams, they may feel stressed and anxious. However, this pressure helps them improve their time management, discipline, and focus. In addition, many successful people, like scientists and athletes, faced failures before achieving success. Therefore, challenges teach us patience, resilience, and determination.
Secondly, fear of change often stops us from moving forward. Don’t you agree that we feel comfortable staying in our comfort zone? However, real growth begins when we step out of it. For example, trying something new, like public speaking or learning a new skill, may feel difficult at first, but it opens doors to confidence and new opportunities. To overcome fear, we should adopt a positive mindset, believe in ourselves, and stay consistent in our efforts. Consequently, challenges become opportunities for self-improvement.
In conclusion, challenges are a necessary part of life. They shape our personality, build our confidence, and prepare us for the future. Instead of fearing them, we should embrace them with courage and determination. After all, isn’t it true that every challenge brings a hidden opportunity? Let us promise ourselves today that we will face every difficulty with a positive attitude and turn it into success.
Thank you and have a great day!
CBSE Class 9 English Poem 8 Believe in Yourself Extract-Based Questions
A.
Step up to the challenge
There is no crowd to see,
It’s just you and the future
And where you want to be.
Q1. What does the poet mean by “step up to the challenge”?
Ans. The poet means that we must face our challenges directly and courageously rather than avoiding or running away from them. It is a call to personal responsibility and individual courage.
Q2. What does “there is no crowd to see” suggest about facing challenges?
Ans. It suggests that facing a challenge is a deeply personal and individual journey. There is no audience watching, it is entirely our own responsibility and our own deeply personal choice to make.
Q3. What does “it’s just you and the future” mean?
Ans. This line means that facing a challenge is ultimately a deeply personal and individual experience between oneself and one’s own future showing that no one else can take this journey for us.
Q4. What poetic device is used in this stanza?
Ans. The poet uses direct address or second person narration using “you” to speak personally and directly to the reader creating an immediate warm and intimate connection with every individual reader.
Q5. What is the central idea of this stanza?
Ans. The central idea is that facing challenges is a deeply personal individual responsibility with no crowd watching showing that the choice to step forward belongs entirely to each person alone.
B.
Will it pull you forward
Or push you back in fear?
Difficult are choices
When the future is getting near.
Q1. What does the poet mean by “pull you forward or push you back in fear”?
Ans. The poet means that a challenge can either motivate and excite us pulling us forward with hope or frighten and discourage us pushing us back with fear and hesitation showing the two possible responses to any challenge.
Q2. What poetic device is used in “will it pull you forward or push you back in fear”?
Ans. The poetic device used is antithesis, the contrasting ideas of being pulled forward and pushed back are placed together to highlight the fundamental choice between courage and fear that every person must make.
Q3. Why does the poet say choices become difficult when the future is near?
Ans. Choices become difficult when the future is near because the consequences become more immediate and real. The uncertainty of the unknown future creates fear and hesitation making every decision feel more difficult and more significant.
Q4. What does this stanza tell us about the nature of challenges?
Ans. This stanza tells us that challenges always present us with a fundamental choice between moving forward with courage or retreating with fear showing that our response to challenges is always a deeply personal and consequential decision.
Q5. What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?
Ans. The rhyme scheme of this stanza is ABCB where “fear” and “near” rhyme with each other creating a flowing and musical quality that makes the stanza pleasant and memorable to read aloud.
C.
There is such ease in comfort
To maintain the status quo,
But this isn’t what we are made for
This isn’t how we grow.
Q1. What does the poet mean by “ease in comfort”?
Ans. The poet means that staying in our comfort zone and keeping things exactly as they are feels safe easy and pleasant. It requires no effort no risk and no courage making it an extremely tempting but ultimately limiting choice.
Q2. What does “maintain the status quo” mean in this context?
Ans. Maintaining the status quo means keeping things exactly as they are without any change challenge or growth. The poet uses this phrase to describe the comfortable but ultimately stagnating tendency to avoid all challenges and remain safely within familiar boundaries.
Q3. What does the poet mean by “this isn’t how we grow”?
Ans. The poet means that personal growth and development are impossible if we stay within our comfort zone. True growth always requires facing challenges embracing change and being willing to step into the uncertain and sometimes frightening territory of the unknown.
Q4. What is the antithesis used in this stanza?
Ans. The antithesis is between “ease in comfort” and “how we grow” contrasting the safety and stagnation of staying comfortable with the challenge and growth that comes from stepping forward showing that comfort and growth are fundamentally opposed to each other.
Q5. Why is this stanza considered the moral heart of the poem?
Ans. This stanza is the moral heart because it delivers the poem’s most important and most fundamental truth, that staying comfortable leads to stagnation while embracing challenge is the only way human beings can truly grow develop and realize their full potential.
D.
The first step is the hardest
There is no turning back,
You just need to believe in yourself
For your future to be on track.
Q1. Why does the poet say “the first step is the hardest”?
Ans. The first step is the hardest because beginning any new challenge or journey is always the most frightening and most difficult part. Once started momentum builds naturally but the decision to begin requires the greatest courage and self-belief.
Q2. What does “there is no turning back” suggest?
Ans. It suggests that once we commit to taking the first step toward a challenge we must follow through completely. This might seem frightening but the poet presents it as liberating showing that true commitment is both necessary and empowering.
Q3. What is the central message of this final stanza?
Ans. The central message is that while the first step is always the hardest all we need to move forward and keep our future on track is the simple but profound and powerful belief in ourselves and our own ability to succeed.
Q4. What poetic device is used in “the first step is the hardest”?
Ans. The poetic device used is metaphor. The “first step” is not literally just a physical step but represents the beginning of any new challenge or journey in life making it a powerful and universally meaningful metaphorical expression.
Q5. How does this stanza bring the poem to a satisfying and inspiring conclusion?
Ans. This stanza brings the poem to a deeply satisfying conclusion by delivering the most essential piece of advice, believe in yourself. After honestly acknowledging all the difficulties and fears the poet ends with this simple powerful and genuinely inspiring message leaving every reader feeling motivated and ready to take their own first step forward.
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Class 9 Believe in Yourself Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the main theme of the poem?
A. Fear of failure
B. Importance of comfort
C. Self-belief and courage
D. Importance of luck
Ans. C. Self-belief and courage
2. Who is the poet of the poem?
A. Robert Frost
B. William Wordsworth
C. Robert Langley
D. Charles Swain
Ans. C. Robert Langley
3. What does “Step up to the challenge” suggest?
A. Avoid difficulties
B. Face challenges bravely
C. Wait for help
D. Give up
Ans. B. Face challenges bravely
4. “There is no crowd to see” means:
A. No one supports you
B. No one is watching
C. You must act independently
D. You are alone in a room
Ans. C. You must act independently
5. What does the future represent in the poem?
A. Fear
B. Unknown possibilities
C. Past memories
D. Failure
Ans. B. Unknown possibilities
6. What makes choices difficult?
A. Comfort
B. Fear and uncertainty
C. Friends
D. Time
Ans. B. Fear and uncertainty
7. What does “status quo” mean?
A. Big change
B. New beginning
C. Same situation
D. Sudden action
Ans. C. Same situation
8. Why is comfort not good for growth?
A. It creates fear
B. It stops progress
C. It wastes time
D. It causes pain
Ans. B. It stops progress
9. What is the hardest part according to the poem?
A. Ending
B. Middle
C. First step
D. Planning
Ans. C. First step
10. What helps you stay on track?
A. Friends
B. Luck
C. Self-belief
D. Money
Ans. C. Self-belief
11. The tone of the poem is:
A. Sad
B. Angry
C. Motivational
D. Humorous
Ans. C. Motivational
12. The poem encourages readers to:
A. Stay safe
B. Avoid risks
C. Take action
D. Follow others
Ans. C. Take action
13. “Push you back in fear” shows:
A. Courage
B. Weakness
C. Fear stopping progress
D. Success
Ans. C. Fear stopping progress
14. The rhyme scheme of the poem is:
A. ABAB
B. AABB
C. ABCD
D. AAAA
Ans. B. AABB
15. What does “believe in yourself” mean?
A. Trust others
B. Trust your abilities
C. Avoid work
D. Follow crowd
Ans. B. Trust your abilities
16. The journey in the poem is:
A. Easy
B. Short
C. Personal
D. Fun
Ans. C. Personal
17. What is needed to move forward?
A. Fear
B. Doubt
C. Courage
D. Laziness
Ans. C. Courage
18. The poem suggests growth happens when:
A. You stay comfortable
B. You avoid change
C. You accept challenges
D. You rest
Ans. C. You accept challenges
19. The speaker acts like a:
A. Stranger
B. Guide
C. Enemy
D. Judge
Ans. B. Guide
20. The central message of the poem is:
A. Life is easy
B. Change is harmful
C. Self-belief leads to success
D. Fear is good
Ans. C. Self-belief leads to success
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CBSE Class 9 English Kaveri Book Poem 8 – Believe in Yourself Extra Question and Answers
Q1. Who is the poet of “Believe in Yourself”?
Ans. The poet is Robert Langley. The poem appears in the NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book as Poem 8. It is a beautifully motivational poem encouraging every reader to face challenges with courage and unshakeable self-belief.
Q2. How many stanzas are there in the poem?
Ans. There are four stanzas in the poem. Each stanza explores a different and meaningful aspect of facing challenges, personal responsibility, fear vs courage, comfort zone and finally the importance of self-belief.
Q3. What does the poet say about facing challenges in the first stanza?
Ans. The poet says that facing challenges is a deeply personal and individual journey with no crowd watching. It is just the individual and their future showing that the choice to step forward belongs entirely to each person alone.
Q4. What two choices does the poet present in the second stanza?
Ans. The poet presents two fundamental choices, being pulled forward by excitement and hope or being pushed back by fear and hesitation showing that our response to any challenge is always a deeply personal and consequential decision.
Q5. Why does the poet say there is ease in comfort?
Ans. The poet says there is ease in comfort because staying within our comfort zone and maintaining the status quo requires no effort no risk and no courage making it an extremely tempting but ultimately limiting and growth-preventing choice.
Q6. What does the poet mean by “this isn’t how we grow”?
Ans. The poet means that personal growth and development are completely impossible if we stay within our comfort zone. True growth always requires facing challenges embracing change and stepping courageously into the uncertain territory of the unknown.
Q7. Why does the poet say the first step is the hardest?
Ans. The first step is the hardest because beginning any new challenge is always the most frightening and most difficult part. Once the first step is taken momentum builds naturally but the decision to begin requires the greatest courage and self-belief.
Q8. What does “there is no turning back” mean in the poem?
Ans. “There is no turning back” means that once we commit to taking the first step toward a challenge we must follow through with complete determination. True commitment requires moving forward without hesitation or retreat.
Q9. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Ans. The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme where the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other creating a flowing musical and pleasantly rhythmic quality throughout the entire poem.
Q10. What is the central message of the poem “Believe in Yourself”?
Ans. The central message is that self-belief and the courage to take the first difficult step are the most essential qualities for facing any challenge and achieving any goal. Staying comfortable leads to stagnation while stepping forward with self-belief leads to genuine growth and lasting achievement.