English: Class 9 — Chapter 8: Follow That Dream

This section features an excerpt from a letter in the collection titled 'My Daughter, My Friend' by Irene Chua, written to her teenage daughter, Ming. The letter offers valuable life insights, encouraging Ming to passionately pursue her dreams while realistically preparing for the challenges, sacrifices, and dedication required to achieve them.

• The Price of Greatness: Greatness is differentiated from the ordinary by the amount of effort, sacrifice, and time invested. Reaching a world-class standard typically requires at least ten years of singular, intensive pursuit.
• The Path to Realisation: It begins with passion, followed by the conviction that it is imperative to realise the dream, counting the costs, and finally taking the plunge.
• The Role of Support Networks: Success is rarely achieved alone; even high achievers (like Academy Award winners) rely on a strong support network of people standing by them.
• Evolving Dreams: Dreams are not static; circumstances, age, and life experiences can change a person's aspirations. These evolved dreams are no less valuable than the original ones.

• insight: Clear and deep understanding.
• singularly: Exclusively.
• imperative: Necessary; crucial.
• plunge: To throw oneself into an activity with complete commitment.
• buoyed up: Kept afloat; encouraged or sustained.
• wistfully: Longingly; with a feeling of vague or regretful longing.
• dreamscape: A world of dreams.
• burn in her blood: To have an extremely passionate, unstoppable desire.
• uphill task: A very difficult challenge requiring major effort.
• wishful thinking: A hopeful belief that is unlikely to come true.
• wet blanket: A spoil-sport; someone who dampens enthusiasm.
• coursing through her veins: Flowing intensely through one's body (used for strong emotions like excitement or conviction).

1. Suffix "-scape"

The suffix -scape denotes a view or scene of something. Examples include:

• Mindscape: A mental view or the range of a person's thoughts/imagination.
• Seascape: A view of the sea.
• Landscape: A view of natural land scenery.
• Cityscape: A view of a city.

2. First Conditional with Imperatives

Instead of using the standard "will + verb" in the main clause of a first conditional sentence, an imperative (command or advice) can be used to give direct guidance:

• Example: "If the burning conviction is still coursing through your veins, then go ahead and do something about it."

3. Varied Functions of "Could"

• Possibility: "It could be in any field—sports, science, arts..."
• Unreal or Hypothetical Situation: "I wish I could be this or the other..."
• Past Possibility or Speculation: "They could have preferred to trade their dream for security."
• Past Ability or Purpose: "...so that they could support their siblings through school."

Guidelines for drafting a formal email inquiring about a summer design workshop:

• Formal Tone: Use formal language and avoid abbreviations.
• Header: Include Sender, Receiver, Date, and Subject.
• Structure: Introduction, seeking permission/information, and conclusion.
• Sign-off: Use a complementary close like "Yours sincerely," followed by name and contact details.

Written by Robert Langley, this motivational poem encourages readers to step up to challenges, embrace personal growth, leave comfort zones behind, and maintain unwavering self-belief to keep their future on track.

Step up to the challenge
There is no crowd to see,
It’s just you and the future
And where you want to be.

Will it pull you forward
Or push you back in fear?
Difficult are choices
When the future is getting near.

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.

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.

• Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an abcb rhyme scheme in each stanza (e.g., see/be, fear/near, quo/grow, back/track).
• Tone: Highly motivational, encouraging, thoughtful, and determined.
• Speaker: Acts as a guide or mentor who understands the struggle and directly addresses the reader ("You") to build a close connection.
• Metaphor: "The first step is the hardest" is metaphorical, representing the immense mental effort and courage required to initiate a major life change or challenge.
• Antithesis: The pairing of contrasting ideas in a parallel structure to highlight conflict or choice:
  • "Will it pull you forward / Or push you back in fear?" (Contrasts progress/forward movement with fear/regression).
• Imagery & Symbolism:
  • "There is no crowd to see": Symbolises a solitary journey, stressing individual effort and personal responsibility.
  • Comfort / Status Quo: Symbolises stagnation and the comfort zone that holds one back.
  • The Future: Symbolises the unknown, potential for change, and success.
  • The First Step: Symbolises a leap of faith, courage, and the initiation of self-improvement.

1. Latin Expressions in English

• status quo: The existing state of affairs; keeping things the same.
• et cetera (etc.): And other things; and so on.
• exempli gratia (e.g.): For example.
• ad hoc: For a specific, temporary purpose or situation.
• in media res: Into the middle of things; starting at a crucial point of a story.
• per se: By itself; fundamentally.
• quid pro quo: A favour or advantage given in return for something.

2. Rhetorical Questions

A rhetorical question is a question asked to make the reader think or reflect, rather than to elicit a direct answer.

• Example: "Will it pull you forward or push you back in fear?"

Written by Dorothy Hewitt, this poem reinforces the theme of self-worth, resilience, and optimism.

Always believe in yourself.
Do not limit yourself.
Be kind to yourself
And always believe in all that is good.

You have all the intelligence and ability that you need.
You can attain whatever you are after.
Even though it may not always come the way you
believe it should.
Be ready to achieve your dreams.

Believe in yourself when you’re tested beyond
your endurance, continue and persist.
Hold on to courage.
Let laughter and encouragement surround you.

The world has much to give;
Always think big,
And keep your hands and heart open
For then you will receive
All of life’s gifts.

• Jijabai (Mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji): Instilled a strong sense of dharma, patriotism, and justice in Shivaji by sharing tales from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, shaping his bravery and leadership.
• Queen Madalasa: Nurtured a deep spiritual understanding and detachment from material desires in her children, guiding them toward enlightenment.

• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Faced severe humiliation and discrimination at school, yet through sheer grit and perseverance, studied Politics and Economics, became a great jurist, and served as the Chairperson of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution of India.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri: Overcame extreme poverty and financial distress after his father passed away early. He walked miles barefoot to attend school, joined the freedom struggle, was imprisoned multiple times, and eventually became the Prime Minister of India.
• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Faced financial difficulties and delivered newspapers early in the morning before school. This taught him the value of hard work, discipline, and responsibility, leading him to become a renowned scientist ("Missile Man of India") and the 11th President of India.