Chapter 2

The Sound of Music


Question 1.
How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Answer:
Evelyn was not even seventeen when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.

Question 2.
When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Answer:
Her deafness was noticed when she was eight years old. It was confirmed by the time she was eleven.

Question 1.
Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer:
Ron Forbes helped Evelyn to continue with music. He recognised her hidden talent and encouraged her by saying, “Don’t listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way.” He tuned two drums to different notes and let her feel the vibrations.

Question 2.
Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Answer:
Evelyn performs in different places like concert halls, hospitals, and prisons. She gives free concerts for the sick and the needy. She also works for youth orchestras, bringing music to everyone, especially those in need.

III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words)

Question 1.
How does Evelyn hear music?
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing completely by the age of eleven, but she did not let her disability hinder her passion for music. A percussionist named Ron Forbes recognized her talent and encouraged her to sense music not through her ears but through vibrations in her body. He began by tuning two large drums to different notes and made her feel the vibrations through different parts of her body. Evelyn soon realized she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from the waist down.

She trained herself to open her mind and body to vibrations. Evelyn said that music poured into her body through her skin, cheekbones, and even hair. While playing the xylophone, she could feel the sound travel through the sticks into her fingertips. She would often lean against drums to feel the resonance and stand barefoot on wooden floors to let the vibrations pass through her feet. This is how Evelyn “heard” music—with her body and soul, instead of her ears.

Question 1. Tick the right answer.

  1. The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker’.
    Answer: Pungi

  2. (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
    Answer: A barber

  3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).
    Answer: Professional musicians

  4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).
    Answer: Ali Bux

  5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).
    Answer: Afghanistan


Question 2.

Find the words in the text which show Ustad Bismillah Khan’s feelings about the items listed below. Then mark a tick (✓) in the correct column.

Bismillah Khan’s feelings aboutPositiveNegativeNeutral
1. Teaching children music✓
2. The film world✓
3. Migrating to the U.S.A.✓
4. Playing at temples✓
5. Getting the Bharat Ratna✓
6. The banks of the Ganga✓
7. Leaving Benaras and Dumraon✓

Question 3. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.

Question 1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Answer:
Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because he considered its sound to be shrill and unpleasant. It was not suitable for the royal court’s music and lacked musical quality.

Question 2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer:
A shehnai is longer and broader than a pungi. It is made of a natural hollow pipe with seven holes and produces a soft and melodious sound, unlike the pungi's shrill noise.

Question 3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer:
Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples, royal courts, and during weddings. Bismillah Khan elevated it by bringing the shehnai to the classical music stage and making it a part of concert performances.

Question 4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 when the All India Radio was opened in Lucknow. His shehnai performances were regularly broadcast, which brought him widespread recognition and fame.

Question 5.

Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan played the shehnai on 15 August 1947 at the Red Fort in Delhi. This event was historic because India got its independence on that day. He became the first Indian to greet the nation with his music, in the presence of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and a large gathering.

Question 6.

Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he deeply loved India. He could never think of leaving his motherland. Even when he visited foreign countries, he always longed to return to Hindustan.

Question 7.

Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Answer:
Two instances that show Bismillah Khan’s love for India and Benaras are:

  1. Whenever he was abroad, he missed the holy Ganga and longed for India.

  2. When he stayed in Mumbai, he constantly thought of Benaras and its holy river, and while in Benaras, he remembered the unique atmosphere of Dumraon.

Question 1.

Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.

  1. The school sports team hopes – to win.
    (What does it hope to do?)

  2. We all want – to succeed.
    (What do we all want to do?)

  3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother – to take her to a specialist.
    (What did they advise her to do?)

  4. The authorities permitted us – to play.
    (What did the authorities permit us to do?)

  5. A musician decided – to play a new Raaga.
    (What did the musician decide to do?)

Question 2.

From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions:

  1. The home of royal people (1) – royal residence

  2. The state of being alone (5) – solitude

  3. A part which is absolutely necessary (2) – an indispensable component

  4. To do something not done before (5) – improvise

  5. Without much effort (13) – effortlessly

  6. Quickly and in large quantities (9) – thick and fast

Question 3.

Tick the right answer:

  1. When something is revived, it – ✅ lives again

  2. When a government bans something, it wants it – ✅ stopped

  3. When something is considered auspicious – ✅ welcome it

  4. When we take to something, we find it – ✅ interesting

  5. When you appreciate something, you – ✅ find it good and useful

  6. When you replicate something, you do it – ✅ for the second time

  7. When we come to terms with something, it is – ✅ no longer upsetting

Question 4.

Dictionary Work

The sound of the shehnai is auspicious.
The auspicious sound of the shehnai is usually heard at marriages.

The adjective auspicious can occur:

  • After the verb ‘be’ → The sound of the shehnai is auspicious.

  • Before a noun → The auspicious sound of the shehnai…

But there are some adjectives which can only be used after the verb be and not before a noun. For example:

  • afraid

    • ✅ Correct: The child is afraid.

    • ❌ Incorrect: An afraid child.

  • ready

    • ✅ Correct: She is ready.

    • ❌ Incorrect: A ready girl.


Question 1.

Make notes from the passage about Kishori Amonkar:

  • Parentage:

    • Born in 1931

    • Daughter of Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar (a great artist)

  • School of Music:

    • Initially followed Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

    • Learned from Ustad Alladiya Khan’s tradition

    • Later developed her own unique style

  • Achievements:

    • Considered finest female vocalist of her generation

    • Known for deep, intellectual approach to raaga performance

    • Helped revive study of khayal

  • Inspiration:

    • Teachings of ancient Vedic sages

    • Devotional and soulful approach to music

  • Awards:

    • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985)

    • Padma Bhushan (1987)

    • Sangeet Samradhini Award (1997)

Question 2.

Introducing Kishori Amonkar to the audience:

I feel truly privileged to introduce the legendary classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar, one of the finest female singers of her generation. Born in 1931, she is the daughter of the great artist Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar.

She began her musical journey with the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, learning under the influence of Ustad Alladiya Khan. However, as she evolved, she developed her own distinct and thoughtful style, deeply rooted in tradition yet highly personal.

Kishori Amonkar draws great inspiration from the teachings of ancient Vedic sages, and her music reflects a soul-searching, devotional quality that has moved audiences across India.

Her immense contributions to Indian classical music have earned her several prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), the Padma Bhushan (1987), and the Sangeet Samradhini Award (1997).

We are deeply honoured to welcome such a gifted and inspiring artist among us today.

Question 1.

Answer:

Yes, they both worked hard. Evelyn Glennie was profoundly deaf, yet she was determined not to let her disability hinder her passion for music. She was focused and dedicated. With great effort and willpower, she learned to sense music through different parts of her body. Her hard work led her to win the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year Award in 1991, and she became one of the most admired percussionists in the world.

Ustad Bismillah Khan, on the other hand, belonged to a family of traditional musicians from Bihar. From a young age, he was devoted to practicing and perfecting his art. He transformed the pungi into the shehnai and elevated it to the classical stage. His dream was to make the shehnai a respected instrument in Indian classical music, and he succeeded. He received India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 2001, along with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan earlier. His contribution reflected the cultural richness of India.

Extract-Based Questions (3 Marks Each)

Question 1:

Answers:

  1. Isabel suspected Evelyn’s hearing ability when she didn’t respond to her name being called to play the piano.

  2. The headmistress advised Evelyn’s parents to consult a specialist because her marks were deteriorating.

  3. Conceal – means to hide.

Question 2:

Answers:

  1. Evelyn hears the sound of the xylophone through the vibrations that pass up the stick into her fingertips.

  2. She removes her shoes on a wooden platform to feel the vibrations through her bare feet and up her legs.

  3. Removes – means take off.

Question 3:

Answers:

  1. When Evelyn was sixteen years old, she decided to make music her life.

  2. Evelyn reached the top through hard work, dedication, and strong determination.

  3. Auditioned – means gave a short performance so that the director could decide whether she was good enough.

Question 4:

Answers:

  1. The headmistress urged Evelyn’s parents to consult specialists because her performance was declining, indicating possible hearing issues.

  2. Symptoms of deafness were noticed in Evelyn when she was eleven years old.

  3. Impaired – means damaged.

Question 5:

Answers:

  1. The ‘girl’ in the above lines is Evelyn Glennie.

  2. She was going to the Royal Academy of Music in London.

  3. Daunting – means frightening.

Question 1: When was Evelyn’s deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Answer:
Evelyn’s deafness was first noticed at the age of 8 when her mother saw that she did not respond to her name being called to play the piano. It was confirmed at the age of 11 when her school marks deteriorated and the specialist diagnosed her with severe hearing loss.

Question 2: When and how did Evelyn lose her power of hearing?
Answer:
Evelyn lost her power of hearing gradually due to nerve damage. The symptoms started appearing at the age of 8 and were confirmed when she was 11 years old.

Question 3: Why was Evelyn nervous while going to Royal Academy of Music?
Answer:
Evelyn was nervous because it was her first day at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. She was only 16 years old and had come from a Scottish farm, so the big city and the academy felt intimidating to her.

Question 4: How did Evelyn’s deafness come to light?
Answer:
Evelyn’s deafness came to light when she was 8 years old and did not respond to her name being called. Later, at the age of 11, her academic performance dropped, and the specialist confirmed her hearing loss.

Question 5: Who helped Evelyn to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer:
Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn. While others discouraged her, he encouraged her to feel the vibrations of the music through her body instead of hearing it through the ears. He opened a new world of music to her.

Question 6: How did Evelyn hear music despite being deaf?
Answer:
Evelyn sensed music through vibrations in her body. She felt the vibrations in her fingertips while playing the xylophone, in her body when leaning against drums, and through her feet when she removed her shoes on a wooden platform.

Question 7: What is Evelyn’s secret of success and what message does she give to achievers?
Answer:
Evelyn’s secret of success is her strong determination and hard work. Her message to other achievers is: “Work hard and know where you’re going—you’ll get there.”

Question 8: How has Evelyn Glennie inspired handicapped people?
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie inspired handicapped people by showing them that disability is not a barrier to success. Many said, “If she can do it, I can too,” which encouraged them to pursue their own dreams.

Question 9: Write down Evelyn’s message for the people.
Answer:
Evelyn’s message to people is that strong determination, hard work, and sincerity lead to success. She encourages everyone to aim for their goals and achieve them with dedication.

Question 1:
How did Evelyn Glennie fight with her physical disability?
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie was a brave girl. She learned to open her body and mind to the sounds and vibrations of music. She felt as if the music was flowing through her body. She joined an orchestra and later the Royal Academy of Music. She gave solo performances in many countries and became famous without letting her disability stop her.

Question 2:
In spite of her towering success Evelyn Glennie does not accept any hint of heroic achievement. Explain.
Answer:
Although Evelyn had hearing loss and was discouraged by teachers, she didn’t give up. With the help of Ron Forbes, she learned to feel music through her body. She scored the highest marks in the Royal Academy of Music, won awards, and gave pleasure to millions. Still, she remains simple and humble, never considering herself a hero.

Question 3:
Evelyn’s determination to overcome her disability has made her a source of inspiration for deaf children. Comment.
Answer:
Evelyn was determined to live a normal life despite her deafness. With her teacher’s support, she sensed music through vibrations. She mastered many instruments, including the xylophone and drums. She used to perform barefoot to feel the music through her feet. Her journey inspires many deaf children to follow their dreams.

Question 4:
How is Evelyn Glennie helping others with her popularity and skill?
Answer:
Evelyn joined the Royal Academy of Music and won the “Soloist of the Year” award. She practiced hard, learned languages, and earned fame. Despite all this, she is kind-hearted and gives free performances in hospitals and prisons. She sets an example of hard work and generosity.

Question 5:
How did Evelyn succeed in pursuing her interest in music?
Answer:
Evelyn never gave up. Ron Forbes encouraged her to feel music through vibrations in her body. She practiced hard and learned to identify different notes with different body parts. This technique helped her master music and succeed in her passion despite her deafness.

Question 1:
“A problem is only as big as we make it.” This thought has been very beautifully brought out in the lesson. Discuss.
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie was profoundly deaf and could not hear at all. But she did not let her disability stop her. She learned to feel music through vibrations in her body. She scored the highest marks at the Royal Academy of Music and became a world-famous musician. Her life proves that no problem is too big if we have courage, determination, and a positive mindset.

Extract Based Questions (3 Marks Each)

Question 1:
Where did the young boy spend his life at the age of three?
What fascinated the young boy?
Who was Ali Bux and where was he employed?

Answer:
– At the age of three, the young boy spent his life at his maternal uncle’s house in Benares.
– The practice of shehnai by his uncles fascinated the young boy.
– Ali Bux was Bismillah Khan’s maternal uncle. He was employed at the Vishnu Temple of Benares.

Question 2:
What special recognition did Bismillah Khan achieve?
Bismillah Khan promoted Shehnai to international level. How?
The word in the passage means “prominent”.

Answer:
– Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall in the USA.
– He promoted Shehnai to international levels by performing at the World Exposition in Montreal, Cannes Art Festival, and Osaka Trade Fair.
– Prestigious.

Question 3:
How did Bismillah Khan greet the nation?
Who delivered the speech “Tryst with Destiny”?
Find a word from the passage that means “gathering of persons for the purpose of hearing a speaker”.

Answer:
– Bismillah Khan greeted the nation by playing Raag Kafi on his shehnai.
– Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the “Tryst with Destiny” speech.
– Audience.

Question 4:
Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to which country?
What did Zahir Shah present Bismillah Khan?
Find a word from the passage which has the same meaning as “momenta”.

Answer:
– His first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.
– Zahir Shah gifted him Persian carpets and other souvenirs.
– Souvenirs.

Question 5:
When did India gain Independence?
Which Raag did Bismillah Khan play from Red Fort?
What do the words “poured his heart out” here refer to?

Answer:
– India gained Independence on 15th August 1947.
– He played Raag Kafi from the Red Fort.
– It means he played the shehnai with deep emotion and feeling.

Short Answer Type Question (2 Marks Each)

Question 1:
How did ‘pungi’ transform into a Shehnai?

Answer:
The pungi was banned due to its unpleasant sound. A barber from a family of musicians improved its sound and played it in the Shah’s chamber. Since he was a nai (barber) and played it in the Shah’s court, it was named Shehnai.