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Students can refer to the Nine Gold Medals Summary Treasure Trove ICSE Class 10 which has been prepared for ICSE Class 10 English Students based on the latest syllabus and examination guidelines issued by ICSE. Students are requested to read and download these study notes for each chapter and topic and use them for understanding each important topic and also practice questions to get better marks in exams. You can also refer to the ICSE Class 10 Engish book for more details and after going through the summary trying solving ICSE Class 10 English Sample Papers
ICSE Class 10 Nine Gold Medals Summary
Students should refer to the summary provided below for Nine Gold Medals, this is an important chapter in ICSE Class 10 English book. You can refer to all Treasure Trove Poem Summary provided on our website. These have been prepared based on the latest books and syllabus issued by ICSE.
Nine Gold Medals Summary Treasure Trove and Questions
The Poem:
Only winning medals is not the sole purpose of sports. Sportsman spirit, compassion, sharing, competition and complementing are also very important. A real sportsman is the combination of all these qualities. In this poem Nine Gold Medals, David Roth has presented the idea of empathy and how human values are as important as the spirit of competition. In the poem, the contestants of a race leave aside their desire to win the medal to help a smaller and weaker contestant. They all go together to the finishing line. They have empathy – the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes. Gold medals were awarded to all the nine contestants and thus the authorities also honoured their display of empathy, sportsman spirit, helpful nature and human values.
The Poet:
David Roth, born on October 10, 1954 is an American rock vocalist, song writer, actor, author and former radio personality. He moved to California while he was a teenager. His passion for music was visible since childhood. He is best known as the lead singer of California based hard rock band: Van Halen.
In addition to performing at music festivals, clubs and venues across the US and Canada David leads singing, song writing and performance workshops. He has been the artist in residence for several years at New York’s Omega Institute leading adult education centres and recorded six albums of his works.
The Poem in Detail:
Stanza – 1, Stanza – 2 and Stanza – 3
Several athletes came from all over the country to win gold, silver and bronze medals. They were coming here to participate after weeks and months of training. The spectators in large numbers were present to cheer the contestants. Excitement grew high as the final event of the day was approaching. The blocks were all lined up on the racing ground. Nine determined athletes took position at the starting blocks and were ready for the signal for the race.
Stanza 4 and 5
The contestants began to run as soon as the pistol was fired. One of them – the smallest stumbled, lost his balance and fell on the track.
The athlete who fell cried out in sheer disappointment. He felt as if all his dreams and efforts of winning the race were broken and ruined.
Stanza 6 and 7
The running eight runners on seeing him fall, instead of continuing the race, stopped and turned back to help him. All of them had trained hard to contest and win the race but each of them stopped to help bring the young boy to his feet.
All the nine athletes joined hands and walked to finishing line together. The banner above read ‘Special Olympics’ was quite appropriate as the players’ behaviour was unique, making the event unique.
Stanza 8
The race ended with nine winners. Each of them was given a gold medal, as they had walked together to the finishing line. The audience was so touched by such behaviour that they gave them the standing ovation. The ‘Special Olympics’ turned out to be really special.
Literary Devices
The poem has eight stanzas, four lines each and there is no rhyming scheme but its rhythm heightens its effect.
Alliteration:
e.g. i) But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered.
Narration technique:
It is much more like a story. The poet is the narrator who gives us an account of a race organised in ‘Special Olympics’. The poem brings out the ideas of compassion, sportsman spirit and teamwork because of these ideas the Olympics in the poem become the Special Olympics.
Word meanings:
Athlete – persons who are trained in sports, games or exercises that require physical skill and strength.
Resolved – determined
Block – the two starting blocks because runners push their feet against at the beginning of the race.
Poised – ready
Stumbled – hit his foot against something while walking or running
Staggered – lost balance
Asphalt – black tarred road
Anguished – grief or pain
Dashed – ruined
Beaming – reflecting happiness
Assignments
Q1) Read the extract given below answer the questions that follow –
The athletes had come from all over the country.
To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze.
Many the weeks and the months of their training.
And all come down to these games.
The spectators gathered around the old field.
For cheering on all the young women and men.
The final event of the day was approaching.
Excitement grew high to begin.
1. Where did the athletes “come from all over the country? Why?
A1. The athletes from all over the country were coming to participate in the hundred yards race an event organised in the Special Olympics. They come to run in the race and wish to win the gold, silver or bronze medal.
2. What do the words gold, silver and bronze stand for in the extract? Do you think the contestants were prepared for the event? Give a reason for your answer.
A2. The words gold, silver and bronze stand for gold, silver and bronze medals. Yes, they were prepared well for the event. This line ‘Many the weeks and the months of their training’ shows they prepared well for the event.
3. Give the meaning of – ‘excitement grew high to begin’
A3. The spectators were highly excited as the event approached and the race started.
4. What event is being referred to?
A4. The event referred to is the Special Olympics, in which the contestants have some problems in a part of the body.
5. Why did the spectators gather around the field? Who is referred to as young women and men?
A5. The spectators gathered around the field to see the race and cheer up the participants. The young women and men are referred to the spectators who have come to see the race.
Q2) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them
The hundred-yard dash was the race to be run
There were nine resolved athletes in back of the starting line
Poised for the sound of the gun
The signal was given, the pistol exploded
And so did the runners all charging ahead
But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered
And fell to the asphalt instead
1. Why were the blocks lined up? Who all are referred to as ‘those’ in the above extract?
A1. The blocks were lined up for those who would like to use them. The runners are referred to as ‘those’ in the above extract.
2. Show how the suspense was built up before the competition began.
A2. As it was the final event, the excitement was building up. The spectators were shouting to cheer up the competitors. The contestants were excitedly waiting for the pistol to be exploded and for the race to start. The atmosphere was such that naturally the suspense was building up.
3. What did the pistol signify?
A3. The pistol signified that as soon as it exploded, the race would begin. The firing of the pistol was the signal for the race to start.
4. During the race who had the bad luck? What happened to him? What were his feelings then?
A4. During the race, the smallest among them had the bad luck. He stumbled and fell. He felt that not only did he fall on the dirt but all his dreams also fell on the dirt and vanished forever. Now, he felt, he had no chance to win the race.
5. What happened after he fell? Did the rest of the runners go on running?
A5. When he fell, the runners looked back. No, they did not continue their race. They stopped to help the runner who had fallen and pulling him up again continued the race taking him with them.
Q3) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He gave out a cry in frustration and anguish
His dreams and efforts all dashed in the dirt
But as sure as I am standing here telling this story
The same goes for what next occurred
The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet
3. State in your words what the other eight runners did. What did their action reflect on their attitude?
A3. The other eight runners, when they saw the ninth runner fall, stopped and one by one they turned to the fallen runner. They helped him to stand up and walked towards the finishing point along with the ninth runner who had fallen. This action of those eight players shows their empathy, attitude of co-operation, unselfishness and above all, the real sportsman spirit and humanity.
4. How do these lines bring out the main theme of the poem?
One by one they all turned around and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet
A4. The poem’s main theme is that caring and sharing are more important than winning and losing. Sports is not only about winning medals but also about learning the values of sympathy and co-operation. By bringing the young boy, the eight contestants showed that they cared about winning medals but they cared and believed more in humanity, co-operation and compassion. These lines bring out the main theme of the poem and show that these athletes were sportsmen in the real sense of the word.
5. Give the meaning of frustration and anguish.
A5. Frustration means the feeling of extreme helplessness and anguish means extreme suffering and pain.
Q4) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Then all the nine athletes joined hands and continued
The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk
And banner above them said “Special Olympics”
Could not have been more on the mark
That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
For they came to the finish line holding hands still
And the standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will
1. Why did the nine athletes join hands?
A1. The nine athletes joined hands and this joining of hands shows their friendliness, kindness, teamwork, co-operation and unselfish attitude. The race was reduced to a walk because the ninth athlete who fell, could not run and they did not want to leave him. Therefore, the race was reduced to a walk.
2. Give the meaning and significance of:
“And the banner above that said,” Special Olympics”
Could not have been more on the mark”
A2. The poet says that the banner above said ‘Special Olympics’ and it was not possible to have a more appropriate banner for that occasion.
3. The significance of the above lines is that the Olympics was named Special Olympics and it became more special because of the incident of a runner’s fall and the other runners’ sacrifice of their own desires to win the contest and helping their fellow runner. That’s why the poet has said the banner saying ‘Special Olympics’ could not have been more on the mark.
How did the race end: in what way was the ending appropriate?
A3. The race ended with nine gold medals awarded to nine participants. The ending was appropriate as the authorities also honoured their display of empathy and human values by awarding each participant a gold medal.
4. How did the contestants feel when they crossed the finish line together? Which words in the extract indicate their mood? How did the spectators react?
A4. The contestants felt happy and contented when they crossed the finishing line. The following line in the extract shows their mood “For they came to the finish line holding hands still”.
5. This phrase in the next line “nine beaming faces” also reflects their mood.
The spectators were also very happy and excited. They gave standing ovation showing their feelings.
Why is this race conducted every two years? Who conducts it?
A5. The hundred-yard race is an event organised by Special Olympics. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organisation for people with disabilities. This organisation helps people to build self-confidence and social skills. These games are conducted every two years and children and adults with intellectual disabilities are provided year-round training. As a global movement, it aims at making this world a better, healthier and happier place.
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