CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 2 - The Sound of Music

1. Who is the author of the chapter "The Sound of Music"?
Ans. The author is Deborah Cowley.

2. How old was Evelyn when her hearing loss was first noticed?
Ans. Evelyn was eight years old.

3. What instrument did Evelyn decide she wanted to play after seeing a girl with it?
Ans. Evelyn decided she wanted to play the xylophone.

4. What was Evelyn’s challenge when joining the Royal Academy of Music?
Ans. Evelyn was profoundly deaf.

5. Who helped Evelyn realise she could feel music in her body?
Ans. Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn.

6. How did Evelyn Glennie lose her hearing?
Ans. Evelyn’s hearing loss was gradual due to nerve damage. Her mother first noticed something was wrong when Evelyn was eight years old and didn't respond when her name was called.

7. Why did Evelyn's headmistress suggest taking her to a specialist?
Ans. Evelyn's headmistress suggested this because her grades were getting worse, and it seemed like something was wrong with her ability to hear.

8. How did Evelyn learn to feel music?
Ans. Evelyn learned to feel music through vibrations in her body. Percussionist Ron Forbes helped her by tuning drums to different notes, and she realised she could sense the vibrations from different parts of her body.

9. What did Evelyn achieve at the Royal Academy of Music?
Ans. Evelyn scored one of the highest marks in the history of the Royal Academy of Music. She also won several top awards by the end of her three-year course.

10. How does Evelyn speak despite being deaf?
Ans. Evelyn speaks clearly because she could hear until she was eleven. She also uses lip reading and watches people's facial expressions to understand them.

11. What were the early signs of Evelyn Glennie's hearing loss, and how did her family react?
Ans. The early signs of Evelyn's hearing loss appeared when she was eight years old. Her mother noticed Evelyn didn’t respond when her name was called at her piano lesson. For a while, Evelyn tried to hide her growing deafness, but by age eleven, it affected her schoolwork. Her headmistress suggested seeing a specialist, who diagnosed her with severe hearing loss due to nerve damage. The family was advised to fit her with hearing aids and send her to a school for the deaf, which made Evelyn feel that everything suddenly looked dark.

12. How did Evelyn’s journey to become a musician begin, and who supported her?
Ans. Evelyn’s journey to becoming a musician began when she saw a girl playing a xylophone and decided she wanted to learn it too. Although many teachers discouraged her, percussionist Ron Forbes recognised her potential and encouraged her to learn music in a different way. He tuned two large drums to different notes and taught Evelyn to feel the sound through vibrations. This helped her discover how to sense music in different parts of her body, leading her to open her mind and body to the experience of music.

13. What challenges did Evelyn face at the Royal Academy of Music, and how did she overcome them?
Ans. Joining the Royal Academy of Music was a big challenge for Evelyn because she was profoundly deaf. Despite this, she worked extremely hard and practised tirelessly. She used her ability to feel the music through vibrations and scored one of the highest marks in the academy's history. Evelyn also moved from orchestral work to solo performances and won most of the top awards during her three-year course, proving that determination and hard work can overcome any obstacle.

14. How does Evelyn Glennie use her body to experience music, and what methods does she use to feel the vibrations?
Ans. Evelyn uses her body to experience music by feeling vibrations in different parts. When she plays the xylophone, she senses the vibrations passing through the sticks into her fingertips. By leaning against drums, she can feel the resonances through her body. She also removes her shoes on wooden platforms so that the vibrations pass through her bare feet and up her legs. This way, she experiences the music fully, even though she cannot hear it in the conventional sense.

15. What message does Evelyn Glennie’s story convey about overcoming difficulties?
Ans. Evelyn Glennie's story conveys the message that no obstacle is too great if one has determination and a positive attitude. Despite being profoundly deaf, Evelyn pursued her passion for music and became one of the world’s most famous percussionists. She worked very hard, learned to feel music through vibrations, and never let her disability stop her. Her story is an inspiration for anyone facing challenges, showing that with dedication and the right support, it is possible to achieve great success.

16. How did Ron Forbes change Evelyn’s approach to music, and what does this suggest about the importance of a good mentor?
Ans. Ron Forbes changed Evelyn’s approach by encouraging her to feel music through vibrations instead of just hearing it. This suggests that a good mentor can completely transform how a person approaches a challenge. A supportive mentor helps unlock a person's potential and provides the encouragement needed to overcome barriers.

17. Why do you think Evelyn Glennie gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals?
Ans. Evelyn Glennie gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals because she believes in using her talent to bring joy and inspiration to those who may be struggling. It shows her empathy and her desire to use music to make a difference in people’s lives, especially those who are in difficult circumstances.

18. What can we learn from Evelyn's refusal to see her achievements as 'heroic'?
Ans. Evelyn’s refusal to see her achievements as 'heroic' teaches us the value of humility and hard work. She believes that if someone works hard and knows their goal, they can achieve it. Her attitude shows that she focuses on effort rather than seeing herself as extraordinary, inspiring others to strive for their goals without seeking praise.

19. How does Evelyn Glennie’s story challenge common perceptions of people with disabilities?
Ans. Evelyn Glennie's story challenges the perception that people with disabilities are limited in what they can achieve. Despite being deaf, she became a top musician, showing that disabilities do not define a person’s abilities. Her success proves that with the right mindset and support, anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of physical limitations.

20. What role does determination play in Evelyn’s success, and how does it inspire others?
Ans. Determination played a key role in Evelyn's success. She did not give up when faced with the challenge of deafness; instead, she found new ways to experience music and worked tirelessly to master her skills. Her determination inspires others to persevere in the face of difficulties and shows that with dedication, almost anything is possible.

21. What did Evelyn achieve at the Royal Academy of Music that was remarkable?
Ans. Evelyn achieved one of the highest marks in the history of the Royal Academy of Music and won most of the top awards by the end of her three-year course.

22. Why did Evelyn feel that “everything suddenly looked black” when her deafness was confirmed?
Ans. Evelyn felt this way because the diagnosis meant a big change in her life. She feared that her dream of becoming a musician might be over, and she felt hopeless about her future.

23. How does Evelyn manage to understand what people are saying without hearing them?
Ans. Evelyn uses lip reading, facial expressions, and body language to understand what people are saying. She pays attention to every detail, which helps her follow conversations even without hearing the words.

24. What recognition did Evelyn receive in 1991, and why was it significant?
Ans. In 1991, Evelyn received the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Soloist of the Year Award. This recognition was significant because it acknowledged her talent and hard work, proving that she was one of the best musicians despite her disability.

25. What does the statement by James Blades, “What we hear, she feels — far more deeply than any of us,” mean?
Ans. This statement means that Evelyn experiences music in a unique way, feeling the vibrations deeply in her body. Her connection to music goes beyond just hearing; she feels it emotionally and physically, which allows her to express music in a powerful and moving way.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions for Chapter 2 The Sound of Music

• The PDF includes a wide range of important questions from the Beehive textbook, covering all chapters and ensuring that students get exposure to key concepts, themes, and types of questions.

• The questions are designed to align with the CBSE exam pattern, helping students familiarize themselves with the kinds of questions likely to appear in their exams (e.g., short answers, long answers, and value-based questions).

• It helps students delve deeper into the prose and poetry of the Beehive textbook, improving their literary analysis and interpretation skills.

• A curated list of important questions eliminates the need to sift through the textbook to identify key topics, saving students valuable preparation time.

• By practising these questions, students can gain confidence in tackling the exam, reducing anxiety and improving overall performance.

• The PDF typically includes model answers or tips on how to structure responses, helping students enhance their writing skills and score better marks.

• The digital format ensures easy access anywhere, anytime, allowing students to revise on-the-go without carrying heavy books.

Conclusion:

"The Sound of Music" in Class 9 English (Beehive) tells the inspiring story of Evelyn Glennie, who overcame her hearing loss to become a world-renowned percussionist. Her journey teaches us about perseverance, passion, and the power of never giving up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles. Vedantu’s important questions FREE PDF for this chapter helps students prepare well for exams, focusing on the key themes and messages of Evelyn's story, ensuring a thorough understanding.

Additional Study Material for Class 9 English (Beehive) Chapter 2

Important Questions Class 9 English Beehive (Prose)

Important Questions Class 9 English Beehive (Poem)

Important Study Materials for Class 9 English