NCERT Solutions Kaveri Chapter 8 Believe in Yourself — Check your Understanding

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.

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.

Tone The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging.

The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to one of determination by the end of the poem.

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)

Imagery Match the phrases from the poem in Column 1 with the imagery they represent in Column 2. An extra representation is given.

Symbolism Comfort and the status quo represent ___________ and fear of change, symbolising the comfort zone that holds one back.

The future symbolises the ____________, the potential for change and success that lies ahead but requires ___________to step into.

The first step symbolises the initial ___________ required to begin the journey of _____________ or personal development.

Metaphor The poet uses a metaphor in the line, ‘The first step is the hardest’. Explain why this is metaphorical.

The poem uses antithesis in a couple of lines. Identify the lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so.