Chapter 1
Personality Development
1. I call it my chicken drumstick,' joked Nick. What does 'it' refer to? How does it help him?
Answer: In the sentence "I call it my chicken drumstick," joked Nick, the word "it" refers to his small foot on his left hip.
This small foot helps him in several ways:
- It helps him balance.
- He uses it to kick.
- He can type, write with a pen, and pick things up between his toes.
Despite being born without arms and legs, Nick has learned to use this one foot to gain a surprising amount of independence and mobility.
2. What do you mean by 'right girl/boy' to marry?
Answer: The phrase "right girl" (or "right boy") to marry means the most suitable or ideal partner for someone—someone who:
- Loves and accepts the person as they are
- Shares similar values, goals, or beliefs
- Supports and encourages them through life's challenges
- Has a strong emotional connection and mutual respect
In Nick's case, when he says he's waiting for the "right girl," he means he's waiting for someone who truly sees him for who he is, connects with him deeply, and wants to build a life together with love and understanding.
3. 'His parents decided not to send him to a special school. Was Nick happy about his parents' decision? Why or why not? What do you think about this decision?
Answer: At first, Nick was not happy about his parents' decision not to send him to a special school, because it was very hard for him. He faced challenges like bullying and feeling different from other students. However, later on, he realized it was the best decision his parents could have made. It helped him become more independent, stronger, and more confident.
What I think about this decision:
4. How did Nick's parents help him to become independent?
Answer: Nick's parents helped him become independent in many ways:
- His dad put him in water when he was just 18 months old to help him learn how to swim and build confidence.
- His father taught him to type with his toe when he was only six years old.
- His mother invented a special plastic device so he could hold a pen and pencil and learn to write.
- They sent him to a mainstream school, even though it was hard, so he could learn to live in the real world.
- They encouraged him to do things by himself, like brushing his teeth with a wall-mounted brush and washing his hair with pump-action soap.
Their support and encouragement helped Nick become strong, independent, and capable of doing many things on his own.
5. Pick out the symptoms of Nick's depression. Do you think his depression was normal or something unique about him? Give reasons for your opinion.
Answer: Symptoms of Nick's depression included:
- Feeling deeply depressed at the age of eight
- Crying to his mother and saying he wanted to kill himself
- Feeling cold, bitter, and angry at God
- Being terrified about what would happen when his parents were no longer there to help him
- Trying to drown himself in the bath at age ten
Was his depression normal or unique?
His feelings were a human reaction to pain, fear, and frustration. What makes Nick’s story special is not that he felt depressed, but that he found a way to overcome it—with support from his family, faith, and a desire to help others. That strength and resilience are what truly make him unique and inspiring.
6. Which incident in this text is funny? What makes it funny?
Answer: The funny incident in the text is when Nick was sitting in a car and a girl at the traffic lights was looking at him curiously. Since she could only see his head, Nick decided to do a 360-degree spin in the car seat to freak her out. The girl was so shocked that she sped off quickly.
What makes it funny:
7. What made Nick choose Bethany Hamilton as his teacher to learn surfing?
Answer: Nick chose Bethany Hamilton as his teacher to learn surfing because she was someone who had also faced a major physical challenge—she lost her arm in a shark attack when she was just 12 years old. Despite that, she continued surfing and became a successful and inspiring athlete.
Nick found her amazing and likely felt a strong connection with her story. She understood what it meant to overcome fear and limitations, just like Nick. Her courage and success made her the perfect person to teach and inspire him as he took on a new challenge—learning to surf.
8. Which aspect of Nick's physical condition helps him to do a 360 degree spin?
Answer: The aspect of Nick's physical condition that helps him do a 360-degree spin is his very low centre of gravity. Because he has no arms or legs, his body is more compact and balanced, which makes it easier for him to spin smoothly without losing balance. This unique physical trait actually gives him an advantage in performing such moves, especially on a surfboard.
9. What are the distinct features of this text? List them.
Answer: The distinct features of this text are:
- Biographical – It tells the real-life story of Nick Vujicic, a person born without limbs.
- Inspirational/Motivational tone – It focuses on how Nick overcame huge challenges and now inspires others.
- Chronological order – Events are shared in the order they happened, from childhood to adulthood.
- Personal experiences – It includes Nick’s own thoughts, feelings, and quotes, making it very personal and emotional.
- Humor and positivity – Despite the serious subject, there are moments of lightness and humor, showing Nick's personality.
- Emotional appeal – The text touches on depression, bullying, hope, and self-acceptance, connecting deeply with readers.
- Descriptive language – The writing vividly describes Nick’s actions, challenges, and achievements.
- Message-driven – It delivers strong messages about resilience, self-love, and not giving up.
10. What do you learn from the life of Nick Vujicic?
Answer: From the life of Nick Vujicic, I learn many powerful lessons:
- Never give up, no matter how difficult life gets. Nick faced extreme challenges but kept going.
- Be thankful for what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t.
- Attitude matters more than appearance—Nick’s confidence, positivity, and sense of humor inspire millions.
- Use your strengths—even if you have limitations, you can still achieve great things in your own way.
- Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you.
- Help and inspire others—Nick turned his pain into a purpose by encouraging people around the world.
- Love yourself—true confidence comes from within, not from how you look on the outside.
- Challenges make you stronger—they build character, courage, and compassion.
Overall, Nick’s life teaches us that with faith, determination, and a positive mindset, anything is possible.
11. Do you think disability is an obstacle to achieve success in life? Substantiate your argument citing evidences from Nick Vujicic's biographical account Attitude is Altitude.'
Answer: No, I do not think disability is an obstacle to achieving success in life. While disabilities may bring challenges, they do not define a person's potential. The biographical account "Attitude is Altitude" about Nick Vujicic clearly proves this.
Despite being born without arms and legs, Nick:
- Learned to swim, surf, golf, and play football
- Uses his one small foot to write, type, and pick up objects
- Faced bullying, depression, and even suicidal thoughts, but overcame them with faith and determination
- Became an international motivational speaker, traveling to over 24 countries and speaking to audiences of over 110,000 people
- Was featured on the cover of Surfer magazine for doing a 360-degree spin on a surfboard
- Won the Australian Young Citizen of the Year award for his courage and inspiration
Nick’s story shows that with the right attitude, support, and self-belief, anyone can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. His life proves that disability is not the end—it can be the beginning of something extraordinary.
I. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. What is the aim of a bright student?
Answer: The aim of a bright student, as shown in the text, is to get admission into one of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). For students who are intelligent and ambitious, studying at IIT is considered the ultimate goal, as it is known for academic excellence and promising career opportunities.
2. 'His heart sank in sorrow. Whose heart sank in sorrow? Why?
Answer: The heart that sank in sorrow was that of the young boy in the story, who later became Narayana Murthy.
His heart sank because, although he had passed the IIT entrance exam with a high rank, his father could not afford to send him to IIT due to financial constraints. His dream of studying at IIT felt crushed, and he was deeply disappointed, though he did not express his pain outwardly.
3. How did Murthy react when his father expressed his helplessness to send him to IT?
Answer: When Murthy’s father expressed his helplessness to send him to IIT due to financial difficulties, Murthy did not argue or complain. Though he was deeply disappointed and his heart sank in sorrow, he remained silent and did not show anger or frustration. Being an introvert, he kept his pain to himself and accepted the reality with maturity and grace, without blaming anyone.
4. The author calls Murthy an introvert. What action of Murity substantiate this claim of the author about Murthy?
Answer: The author calls Murthy an introvert, and this is supported by his behavior during emotional and difficult moments. When his father told him that he couldn't afford to send him to IIT, Murthy did not express his disappointment or frustration to anyone. He kept his sorrow to himself, saying nothing and choosing not to burden others with his feelings. Even at the railway station, when his friends were leaving for IIT, he stood silently, did not join their excitement, and simply wished them well. His quiet acceptance of the situation and his tendency to hide his emotions reflect his introverted nature
5. What, according to Narayana Murthy, can change the life of a person?
Answer: According to Narayana Murthy, it is not the institution that changes a person’s life, but the person themselves. He believed that hard work, determination, and self-belief are what truly shape a person’s future. As he said to himself, "It is not the institution; ultimately it is you and you alone who can change your life by hard work." This shows that he believed success comes from within, not just from studying at a prestigious place.
6. How does the motto 'Powered by intellect and driven by values' describe Murthy's life?
Answer: The motto "Powered by intellect and driven by values" perfectly describes Narayana Murthy's life because it reflects both his brilliance and his strong ethical principles.
- Powered by intellect: Murthy was extremely intelligent from a young age. He was the brightest boy in his class, easily solved complex science and math problems, and later became a pioneer in India’s IT industry by using his knowledge and vision.
- Driven by values: Despite facing financial hardships and personal disappointments, Murthy always followed a path of honesty, simplicity, and integrity. He built his success ethically, without using any caste, community, or political support, and he shared his success with others through philanthropy.
This motto captures the balance between intelligence and strong moral values, which has defined Murthy’s journey and achievements.
7. What message does the writer have for educated youth who reach at a high positions in the society by virtue of their education? Justify your view point with supporting evidence from the text 'I Will Do It
Answer: The message the writer gives to educated youth who reach high positions in society is that they should remain humble, value ethics, and give back to society. Education should not just be a tool for personal success, but a means to uplift others and create a better community.
This is justified in the text “I Will Do It” through the example of Narayana Murthy:
- Despite his own struggles, Murthy never used shortcuts like caste, community, or political influence. He rose through hard work, dedication, and values.
- He shared his wealth with others, showing that success should be used to benefit society, not just oneself.
- Even after becoming a pioneer of India’s IT industry and founding Infosys, he maintained simplicity and fairness, earning respect across the country.
- His life proves that true success is not only about achieving high positions, but also about remaining grounded and using one’s education for the greater good.
So, the writer encourages educated youth to stay rooted in values, be socially responsible, and inspire others through their journey—just like Narayana Murthy did.
