Bright Tutorials Bright Tutorials
CBSE Class 9 English Question 19 of 63

The Sound of Music — Question 22

Back to all questions
22
Question
“If you work hard and know where you’re going, you’ll get there,” says Evelyn Glennie. You have now read about two musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Do you think that they both worked hard? Where did they want to ‘go’? Answer these questions in two paragraphs, one on each of the two musici
Answer

Answer:
Yes, they both worked hard. It is a fact that dedication and determination help one in attaining one’s long cherished goals. Evelyn Glennie was profoundly deaf. She was not ready to give up. She was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music. She worked hard and got Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Soloist of the Year Award in 1991. She accomplished more than most people twice her age.
Ustad Bismillah Khan belongs to a well known family of musicians from Bihar. He took to music early in life. He gave many memorable performances in India and abroad. He practised hard and reached his destination in 2001 when he was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. The other National Awards like the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan were also conferred on him. His life has been a perfect example of the rich, cultural heritage of India.
Extract Based Questions (3 marks each)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Overview: The Sound of Music

Part I tells the story of Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish girl diagnosed profoundly deaf at age eleven, who became one of the world's leading percussionists by learning to feel music through vibrations in different parts of her body. Ron Forbes, her teacher, encouraged this unconventional approach. Part II chronicles Ustad Bismillah Khan, who elevated the shehnai from a wedding/folk instrument to classical concert stage. Born in Dumraon, Bihar, he remained devoted to Benaras and Indian classical music throughout his life, refusing lucrative offers abroad.

Key Points

  • Part I: Evelyn Glennie — Scottish, profoundly deaf since age 11
  • Percussionist Ron Forbes taught her to sense music through vibrations
  • She plays barefoot to feel vibrations through the floor
  • She became one of the most acclaimed percussionists in the world
  • Part II: Bismillah Khan — shehnai maestro from Dumraon, Bihar
  • He elevated shehnai from folk/wedding instrument to concert classical
  • Played shehnai at Red Fort on India's first Independence Day (1947)
  • Awarded Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour
  • Refused to settle abroad — deeply attached to Benaras and the Ganga
  • Both parts share themes of passion, dedication, and overcoming obstacles

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Evelyn Glennie hear music despite being deaf?
Evelyn learned to feel music through vibrations. Ron Forbes tuned two drums and asked her to sense the sound without hearing aids. She felt higher notes in her upper body and lower notes in her legs. She plays barefoot on wooden platforms to feel vibrations through her feet.
Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to leave India?
Bismillah Khan was deeply attached to Benaras (Varanasi) and the river Ganga. When offered a position in the USA with the promise of replicating the Ganga there, he asked, "But will you also transport Benaras there?" His love for his homeland surpassed all material offers.

Common Mistakes

  • Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
  • Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
  • Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
  • Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

  • For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
  • For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
  • For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
  • Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.