Chapter 3.1 It Can Be Done
Textbook Questions and Answers
1. Answer the following questions in one sentence each.
Question a.
Who misses all the fun?
Answer:
The man who has a negative approach in trying out new things and says ‘it can’t be done’ is the man who misses all the fun.
Question b.
What does the title of the poem suggest?
Answer:
The title of the poem positively suggests that the things that we set our mind to complete can most definitely be done.
Question c.
What does the man who misses all the fun do?
Answer:
The man who misses all the fun wears an expression of solemn pride, remains away from other people and harshly criticizes any kind of new venture.
Question d.
What does ‘who misses all the fun’ mean?
Answer:
In the poem, this line refers to a person who likes to remain away from other people because of his solemn pride and is never ready to face any obstacle with a positive attitude of overcoming it.
Question e.
What would he do if he had the power in him?
Answer:
If he had the power in him, he would happily erase all the developments made by man and also the history of the human race.
Question f.
What examples of man’s progress have been given in the poem?
Answer:
The examples of man’s progress given in the poem are – radio, motor cars, street lights, telegraph and the telephone.
Question g.
What should human beings do to make progress?
Answer:
Human beings should have a positive outlook towards life which will help them overcome their difficulties and fears, and certainly help them to go ahead in the path of progress.
2. Form groups. List a few articles of everyday use. Discuss how they can be improved.
Question 1.
Form groups. List a few articles of everyday use. Discuss how they can be improved.
Answer:
1. Doorbell: The doorbell that everyone has in their homes can only be clearly heard in one room. In order to improve the doorbell, we can install the doorbell device in the other rooms too.
2. Mosquito racket: Mosquitoes are the worst nuisance for man. The rackets work pretty well, but it would be better if we had a bigger net to easily capture the sly mosquitoes.
3. Mobile phones: Even though the mobile phone is owned by almost everyone, its battery life is pretty less, so it would be feasible if the battery life sustains for a longer time.
3. Form pairs. Discuss and prepare a list of things which can be and will be done in future. (5 things) Spot the modal verbs in your answer.
Question 1.
Form pairs. Discuss and prepare a list of things which can be and will be done in future. (5 things) Spot the modal verbs in your answer.
Answer:
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa may be straightened.
- Cars will be travelling through air rather than by road.
- People might make trips to the moon for a vacation.
- We could have floating homes on water.
- People would be skating or cycling to their place of work.
The modal verbs in the above sentences are:
- may
- will
- might
- could
- would Let us do some more:
4. Complete the following sentences using your ideas.
(a) I can …………….., (b) They can …………….., (c) We can ……………..
Question 1.
Complete the following sentences using your ideas. :
a. I can ……………..
b. They can ……………..
c. We can ……………..
Answer:
a. I can succeed.
b. They can overcome their fears.
c. We can conquer the world.
Important Questions and Answers
Reading Skills and Poetic Device
Read the following extract and complete the activities that follow:
Question 1.
Complete the web diagram with words from the extract:
Answer:
Question 2.
Explain: The man who misses all the fun. Is he who says, “It can’t be done.”
Answer:
The man who lacks courage to try out new things, and does not have positive attitude towards life is a man who misses all the fun and progress in life.
Question 3.
Pick out a word from the extract which means ‘an adventure’.
Answer:
venture
Question 4.
Pick out two pairs of rhyming words from the poem.
Answer:
- fun – done
- aloof – reproof
- efface – race
- cars – stars
- telephone – stone
- run – done
Question 5.
What would you do to achieve success?
Answer:
I would try my very best in everything I do.
I would not be disheartened with failures, instead it would motivate me to strive harder. I would not shirk my responsibilities when faced with difficult situations but would try my level best to come out of it successfully.
Writing Skills:
Question 1.
Write a paragraph on ‘Never Giving Up’.
Answer:
Always complete well whatever you have begun even if you come across difficulties. God has given us the capacity and the capability so we should use it to the fullest. Never let the word ‘cannot do’ come into your mind. Always be positive. The small spider in the story of ‘King Bruce’ shows us that if we keep trying, we will surely succeed. Remember, never give up easily, ‘Try, try till you succeed’.
Project Wheels:
Question 1.
Think carefully for a minute. Tag your memory and recall all the things/objects on which you have seen wheels. Write them down.
Answer:
Cycles, cars, trucks, trains, aeroplanes, carts, watches, toys, our National Flag, chair, table, trolley, skateboard, motorbike, bags, vacuum cleaner, baby carriage.
Question 2.
Now talk to your friend or elders; refer to books and read about all the objects in which wheels are used. List them (How many did you miss out on in your first list? Why?)
Answer:
Students should go through books and list down as many things they can find with wheels. (There was a time limit of one minute and so could not list down more.)
Question 3.
The wheel which was probably invented more than 6000 years ago is thought of as one of the greatest technological advances made by man. Why do you think the wheel is so important in human civilisation?
Answer:
Though the wheel was made during the Stone Age period, it was the beginning of a revolution. Wheels helped the early man to transport goods from one place to another and thus began trade. Wheels moved slowly at first and caught momentum. Today we have progressed so far just because of wheels that is why I think the wheel is very important in human civilisation.
Question 4.
Can you imagine life without wheels? Try and think of what life would be like if there were no wheels around.
Answer:
I cannot imagine life without wheels. Things would all be done at a very slow pace. There would be no technological development and we would not have reached the moon and other places without wheels.
Question 5.
Have you seen how wheels move on different surfaces like sand, gravel, grass or on a proper road? What are the differences you see?
Answer:
Experience it yourself and write down how the wheels move on different surfaces. The first one is done for you.
(a) On sandy surfaces, wheels find it difficult to move. It is not smooth at all.
(Tip: Students can ride their bicycles on the above mentioned surfaces and jot down their findings.)
Summary in English
Introduction:
The poem “It Can Be Done” generalises that a person who lacks confidence and motto is the type of a person who remains stagnant in life and naturally unsuccessful. The poem explains that without hard work and sheer determination, man’s life wouldn’t be as developed as it is now.
Paraphrase:
The poem suggests that the things that we set our mind to complete can most definitely be done. The man who misses all the fun wears an expression of solemn pride, remains very aloof and harshly criticizes any kind of new venture.
If he had the power, he would happily erase all the developments made by man and also the history of the human race. We would then have no radio, no motorcars, no streetlights, no telegraphs, no telephone. We would still be living in the Stone Age. The poet says that the world would sleep if things were run by such men who had a negative approach to life saying, ’It can’t be done’.
Glossary:
- in solemn pride (phrase) – here it means looking very serious, grand and important
- aloof (adj) – separately, without getting involved in
- venture (n) – adventure, a dangerous or risky task
- reproof (n) – criticism, negative comments
- efface (v) – wipe out, remove
- linger (v) – to stay or remain in a place