Chapter 3.

5: Unbeatable Super Mom-Mary Kom

WARMING UP [PAGE 128]

Warming Up | Q 1 | Page 128

Discuss and find out the jobs which were done only by men in the past but
nowadays women too have started doing them.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

SOLUTION
HR Manager. Medical Manager. Financial Manager. Accountan t. Auditor. Budget
Analyst, Insurance Underwriter, Tax Examiner, Revenue Agent, Financial Specialist.
Medical Scientist. Psychologist, Advertising, and Promotions Manager. Social and
Community Service Manager, Police Force. Army, Airbus Pilot, Veterinarian , an
Autorickshaw driver.
Warming Up | Q 2 | Page 128
Complete the following web of India’s winning medals in the Olympics.

SOLUTION
Warming Up | Q 3 | Page 128
The text is about a famous female boxer, Mary Kom, who has brought laurels to our
country by winning many national and international boxing championships. Make a list
of famous men and women boxers across the world. You can take the help of the
internet or your school library to get this information to complete the table.

Name of boxer Gender Country

1. Mary Kom Female India
2.
3.
4.
5.

SOLUTION

Name of boxer
Gender Country

1. Mary Kom Female India

2. Muhammad Ali Male US

3. Vijender Singh Male India

5. Dolph Lundgren Male Sweden

6. Holly Holm Female US

7. Natascha Ragosina Female Russia

8. Lucia Rijker Female The Netherlands

 9. Dingko Singh Male India

ENGLISH WORKSHOP [PAGES 133 - 136]

English Workshop | Q 1. (a) | Page 133
Choose the correct alternative and underline it.
What is included in the text?
1. story
2. speech
3. interview
4. poem

SOLUTION
interview
English Workshop | Q 1. (b) | Page 133
Choose the correct alternative and underline it.
Which State does Mary Kom belong to?
1. Maharashtra
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Kerala
4. Manipur

SOLUTION
Manipur
English Workshop | Q 1. (c) | Page 133
Choose the correct alternative and underline it.
Who inspired Mary Kom and other youngsters in Manipur to choose boxing as a career?
1. Dingko Singh
2. Charles Atkinson
3. Mangte Tonpa Kom
4. Adams

SOLUTION
Dingko Singh
English Workshop | Q 1. (d) | Page 133
Choose the correct alternative and underline it.
What does Mary Kom prefer being called?
1. Super mom
2. Super boxer
3. Super woman
4. Super being
SOLUTION
Super mom
English Workshop | Q 2 | Page 133
Go through the text again and find out the name of cities and their importance in
Mary Kom’s life. One is given to you.

a. Kangthei - Mary Kom’s birth place

b. _________ - ______________
c. _________ - ______________
d. _________ - ______________
SOLUTION
(a) Kangathei Mary Kom birthplace
(b) Manipur home state of Dingko Singh and Mary Kom
(c) Bangkok the city that hosted the Asian games of 1998
(d) the United States A country that hosted the first AIBA Women's World Boxing
Championship

English Workshop | Q 3. (a) | Page 133

Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Mary Kom helped her parents with ____________________.

SOLUTION
Mary Kom helped her parents with Farm-related chores.
English Workshop | Q 3. (b) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
The success of Dingko Singh inspired ______________.

SOLUTION
The success of Dingko Singh inspired Many youngsters in Manipur to try boxing.
English Workshop | Q 3. (c) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Mary Kom made her debut at _________________.

SOLUTION
Mary Kom made her debut at The first AIBA Women’s World boxing championship
in the united state.
English Workshop | Q 3. (d) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
We can get more gold medals if _________________.

SOLUTION
We can get more gold medals if More and more people take up sports as a full-time
career.
English Workshop | Q 3. (e) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Mary Kom was able to increase her weight by ____________.

SOLUTION
Mary Kom was able to increase her weight by eating the right kind of healthy food
rather than bad saturated fats.
English Workshop | Q 3. (f) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Mary Kom is good at _________________.

SOLUTION
Mary Kom is good at cooking and other household work too.
English Workshop | Q 3. (g) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Mary Kom loves to be __________________.

SOLUTION
Mary Kom loves to be A mom, acknowledge that it is the best thing that has ever
happened to her.
English Workshop | Q 3. (h) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Mary Kom apologised the nation for _____________.

SOLUTION
Mary Kom apologised to the nation for not being able to win gold.
English Workshop | Q 3. (i) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Kom’s parents were ____________ Her father was _________________.

SOLUTION
Kom’s parents were farmers, Her father was a Tenant farmer.
English Workshop | Q 3. (j) | Page 133
Go through the text again and complete the following sentence.
Kom was the first woman boxer to _____________.
SOLUTION
Kom was the first woman boxer to become the World Amateur Boxing champion for
a record six times.
English Workshop | Q 4 | Page 133
You will find some Acronyms (short forms) in the text. Go to the library or search the
internet to find their full forms. Discuss it with your partner. One is given to you.
a. OGQ - Olympic Gold Quest
b. IBN -
c. MTV -
d. YPA -
e. AIBA -
f. CNN -

SOLUTION

a. OGQ- Olympic gold quest

b. IBN - India broadcasting network
c. MTV - music television
d. YPA - young players association
e. AIBA - association Internation de boxe amateur
f. CNN - cable news network

English Workshop | Q 5 | Page 134

Fill in the fact file of Mary Kom.
(a) Full name :
(b) Native of :
(c) Early life and interests :
(d) Special sports taken up :
(e) Inspired by :
(f) Coach :
(g) Early achievements :
(h) International achievements :
(i) Her passion :
(j) Future plans :

SOLUTION

(a) Full name: Chungneijang Mary Kom Mangte

(b) Native of Manipur, India
(c) Early life and interest: Athletics, Boxing
(d) Special sport taken up: Boxing
(e) Inspired by Dingko Singh of Manipur
(f) Coach: Charles Atkinson
(g) Early achievements: Manipur State Women's Boxing Championship Regional
championship in West Bengal
(h) International achievements:

• 2001: International debut at the first AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in the
United States - won the silver medal in the 48 kg category
• 2012: Bronze medal at the Olympics, flyweight (51 kg category)
• five times World Amateur Boxing Champion
(i) Her passion: cooking
(j) Future plans: coaching Indian women
English Workshop | Q 6 | Page 134
Glance through the text and find the special qualities of Mary Kom. Complete the web
by putting different qualities of Mary Kom in the boxes.

SOLUTION
Qualities of Mary Kom
1. Confident
2. Humble
3. Fair
4. Underplays the faults of others
5. Ability to perform under stress
6. Willingness to take responsibility for her Losses
English Workshop | Q 7 | Page 134
‘Super Mom’ refers to an excellent mother. Give three reasons why ‘super’ has been
added to the word ‘mom’ as in the title.
1._____________________________________________
2._____________________________________________
3._____________________________________________
SOLUTION
a. The word 'Super' is used to describe a person who aims for the highest
standards o excellence. As a boxer Mary Kom aimed for the highest standards.
As a result, she achieved success at the Olympics.
b. When asked if she preferred the title 'Super Mom to 'Super Boxer', she opted for
the former. It was her joy to be a mother. In her words, it was the best thing that
ever happened to her.
c. This title gives us an idea of the priorities in Mary Kom's Iife. Motherhood is her
first preference, Hence the writer uses this word in the title.

English Workshop | Q 8. (a) | Page 134

Answer the following question in your own words.
What makes the writer call Mary Kom ‘a legend’?

SOLUTION
The writer calls Mary Kom a legend not only because of her exceptional achievements
as a woman boxer but also because of her truthful admission and apology to the nation
about not being able to win the Gold at the Olympics.
English Workshop | Q 8. (b) | Page 134
Answer the following question in your own words.
What prime quality did Mary Kom display during her first attempt in the Olympic games?
What was her bad luck?

SOLUTION
A good sportsperson should be hardworking and persevering. He/She should be
humble enough to accept defeat and ambitious enough to pursue success. He/She
must have pride in his/her country and team. Above all, he/she must have the all -
important sportsman spirit.
English Workshop | Q 8. (c) | Page 134
Answer the following question in your own words.
What does Mary Kom suggest, for India to win more Olympic Gold Medals?

SOLUTION
Mary Kom feels that If more corporates sponsored players, the players would not have
any financial pressure and could focus on their games This would help Indian
sportsmen win more Olympic Medals.
English Workshop | Q 9 | Page 134
Rearrange the facts below in their proper order, as per the text.
(a) Mary Kom made her first appearance at the international level.
(b) She sparred with male boxers in Pune.
(c) Mary Kom won the Manipur State’s Women’s Boxing Championship.
(d) She won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics.
(e) Mary Kom decided to take up boxing.

SOLUTION
[Link] Kom decided to take up boxing.
2. Mary Kom won the Manipur State's Women's boxing championship.
3. Mary Kom made her first appearance at the international level.
4. She sparred with male boxers in Pune.
5. She won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics.
English Workshop | Q 10 | Page 134
Mary Kom prepared rigorously to win many championships. Read the text again and
make a list of various things done by Kom regarding her preparations.
• Variety of preparations
• Diet
• Focus

SOLUTION
Variety of preparations
1. coaching under Charles Atkinson
2. sparring with male boxers at Pune
Diet
1. eating healthy foods, not saturated fats
Focus
1. on what to eat.

English Workshop | Q 11. (a) | Page 135

Make sentences of your own using the following word.
debut

SOLUTION
He wanted his daughter to make a debut as a dancer at the prestigious Manipuri Folk
Festival.
English Workshop | Q 11. (b) | Page 135
Make sentences of your own using the following word.
elation
SOLUTION
His elation increased at the sight of the little girl he had saved.
English Workshop | Q 11. (c) | Page 135
Make sentences of your own using the following word.
sponsor

SOLUTION
The college students wanted a sponsor for their fashion show.
English Workshop | Q 11. (d) | Page 135
Make sentences of your own using the following word.
reinforced

SOLUTION
His reputation as a brave soldier was reinforced by the many stories told about him by
his comrades who fought alongside him.
English Workshop | Q 11. (e) | Page 135
Make sentences of your own using the following word.
humble surroundings

SOLUTION
Abraham Lincoln grew up in humble surroundings.
English Workshop | Q 12. (a) | Page 135
Find antonyms of the following word from the text.
Arrogant × _______________.

SOLUTION
Arrogant × humble
English Workshop | Q 12. (b) | Page 135
Find antonyms of the following word from the text.
Finally × _____________

SOLUTION
Finally × initially
English Workshop | Q 12. (c) | Page 135
Find antonyms of the following word from the text.
Depressed × ___________

SOLUTION
Depressed × exhilarated
English Workshop | Q 12. (d) | Page 135
Find antonyms of the following word from the text.
Disqualify × ____________

SOLUTION
Disqualify × qualify
English Workshop | Q 12. (e) | Page 135
Find antonyms of the following word from the text.
Diffident × _______________

SOLUTION
Diffident × confident
English Workshop | Q 12. (f) | Page 135
Find antonyms of the following word from the text.
Float × _______________

SOLUTION
Float × sink
English Workshop | Q 13. (a) | Page 135
Underline the subordinate clause and state their kind.
Enough has been said about this great warrior, who conquered the world. (Subordinate
clause)

SOLUTION
Adjectives
English Workshop | Q 13. (b) | Page 135
Underline the subordinate clause and state their kind.
The male boxers kindly practiced with me whenever I required them.

SOLUTION
Adverb
English Workshop | Q 13. (c) | Page 135
Underline the subordinate clause and state their kind.
I think that more people should take up sports as a full-time career.

SOLUTION
Noun
English Workshop | Q 13. (d) | Page 135
Underline the subordinate clause and state their kind.
Do you think nutrition is a neglected area in Indian sports?
SOLUTION
Noun
English Workshop | Q 13. (e) | Page 135
Underline the subordinate clause and state their kind.
That’s the best thing, that has happened to me.

SOLUTION
Adjective
English Workshop | Q 13. (f) | Page 135
Underline the subordinate clause and state their kind.
India managed just 6 medals in the 2012 Olympics even though we are a nation of 1.3
billion people.

SOLUTION
Adverb
English Workshop | Q 14. (a) | Page 135
Pick out from the lesson the Verb forms of :
(a) qualification: ___________________
(b) negligence: ___________________
(c) company: ___________________
(d) decisions: ___________________
(e) practice: ___________________
(f) birth: ___________________

SOLUTION
(a) qualification: to qualify
(b) negligence: to neglect
(c) company: to accompany
(d) decisions: to decided
(e) practice: to practice
(f) birth: to born
English Workshop | Q 14. (b) | Page 135
Pick out the Noun forms of :
(a) represent: ___________________
(b) change: _______________
(c) prepare: _______________
(d) achieve: _______________
(e) aware: _______________
(f) succeed: _______________

SOLUTION
(a) represent: representation
(b) change: achievement
(c) prepare: preparation
(d) achieve: change
(c) aware: awareness
(f) succeed: success
English Workshop | Q 14. (c) | Page 135
Pick out the Adjective forms of :
(a) favour
(b) proportion
(c) finance
(d) nutrition
(e) female
(f) addition

SOLUTION
(a) favour: to be favorate
(d) nutrition: nutritional
(b) proportion: proportionate
(c) finance: financial
(e) female: femenene
(f) addition: additionate
English Workshop | Q 15 | Page 136
Imagine that you are the Captain of your team. A famous cricketer is going to visit
your school. You are assigned the task to conduct an interview with that famous
cricketer. Frame a set of 10 questions that you will ask the cricketer. Take the
help of the points given below.
(a) Early life
(b) Interest in this field
(c) Inspiration
(d) Coaching and guidance
(e) Achievements/ Records
(f) Future plans
(g) Advice to youngsters

SOLUTION
questions of the Interviewer:
Sir, welcome to our school. May I ask you a few questions? Thank you.
(1) Could you tell us something about your early life?
(2) Which field of sports were you interested in your Early life?
(3) Who was your inspiration?
(4) Who was your coach and your guide during your early years of training?
(5) Which aspect of cricket do you prefer - batting, bowling, or fielding?
(6) Just for the record, could You list your achievements and records?
(7) Surely you must have some future plans. What are they?
(8) What difficulties did you face when you started your career?
(9) Who do you think is a model cricketer today?
(10) What is your advice to youngsters?
English Workshop | Q 16 | Page 136
Write a short paragraph describing the life and work of Mary Kom. Take the help
of the points given below. You can take the help of the fact file that you have
prepared earlier.
(a) Early life
(b) Training
(c) Achievements
(d) Future Plans

SOLUTION
Mary Kom's full name is Chungneijang Mary Kom Mangte. She hails from a village in
Manipur. Her father was an ex-wrestler. Right from an early age, Mary Kom was
interested in athletics and boxing, Finally, she took up boxing, despite objections from
her father. He was worried that boxing would mar her face and that would make it
difficult for him to arrange a suitable marriage for her. She trained under Charles
Atkinson and sparred with some of the finest male boxers in Pune. Mary Kom has a list
of National and International achievements. She won the Manipur State Women's
Boxing Championship. Then she won the Regional championship for boxing in West
Bengal. She made her International debut in 2001 at the first AIBA Women's World
Boxing Championship in the United States. There she won the silver medal in the 48 kg
category. In 2012, she won the bronze medal at the Olympics in the flyweight (51 kg
category). She has been five times World Amateur Boxing Champion. She plans to take
up coaching for women boxers with potential.
English Workshop | Q 17 | Page 136
‘What men can do, women can do better.’ Divide your class into 2 groups. Let one
group offer points ‘For the topic’ and the other, ‘Against the topic.’ Note down the points
in your notebooks and expand the points in two separate write-ups, as views and
counterviews. Suggest suitable titles for each.

SOLUTION
View: Men cannot compare to women
Women have naturally inherent qualities, not possessed by men, that enable them to do
things better than men do. There was a time when certain professions or careers were
considered the sole domain of men. In recent years, women have pooh -poohed the very
idea.
Women have more patience and endurance than men. Hence when entrusted with any
task, they stick it out and see it through. They are painstaking and focus on every detail.
They are able to see the overall picture, unlike men who work for short-term benefits
and instant solutions.
Women tend to communicate more effectively than men, focussing on how to create a
solution that works for the group, talking through issues, and utilize nonverbal cues such
as tone, emotion, and empathy whereas men tend to be more task-oriented, less
talkative, and more isolated. Men have a more difficult time understanding emotions that
are not explicitly verbalized, while women tend to intuit emotions and emotional cues.
Men tend to have a 'fight or flight' response to stressful situations while women seem to
approach these situations with a tend or befriend' strategy.
Hence women do very well as PR Managers, HR Managers, Psychologists.
Psychiatrists, etc., - which were previously considered exclusive male-dominated fields
of work.
Counterview: Men are the superior species
With no disrespect or offence intended. when it comes to the job-front, men are superior
to women. They have the discipline, the psychological assurance and presence, and the
most important. the time to sit over time and meet targets.
Women tend to be straightforward, outspoken, and curt in their dealings with cl ients.
Men are more polite, patient, and considerate, especially with irate customers. This is
because they are more hormonally stable and balanced than women. They tend to view
things from a long-term viewpoint and are focused on the goals of the establishment
they work for
Men tend to process better in the left hemisphere of the brain while women tend to
process equally well between the two hemispheres. This difference explains why men
are generally stronger with left-brain activities and approach problem-solving from a
task-oriented perspective.
English Workshop | Q 18 | Page 136
Two famous proverbs - ‘Actions speak louder than words’ and ‘Fortune favours the
brave’ are best suited to the personality of Mary Kom. Form two groups in the class.
Each group should write a paragraph on one proverb with reference to the life and
achievements of Mary Kom.

SOLUTION
(1) Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Mary Kom's life and personality exemplify the proverb 'Actions speak louder than
words'. Right from an early age, she was interested in athletics and boxing. Her father, a
former wrestler, was against her entering the field of boxing for fear of disfigurement,
but Mary Kom went ahead, trained rigorously, left her home state, and pursued her
goal.
There are many who express desires ad ambitions, but limit themselves to highfaluting
talks. Mary Kom made her dreams a reality and went on to win a medal at the Olympics
for India. Her words always echoed humility. She avoided blaming others for her losses
but took the responsibility upon herself.
Mary Kom's life has been a journey of high -voltage action, despite the fact that she is by
nature a shy, soft-spoken gentle girl.
(2) Fortune Favours The Brave
It is not easy for a girl to enter and participate in a male-dominated field such as boxing.
Mary Kom hailed from Manipur, which is a conservative state, to say the least.
Mary Kom, however. was brave enough to challenge gender-bias, opposition from her
father, and the tough rigours of sparring with professional male boxers at Pune.
Her daring and courage were rewarded with awards and national recognition. But the
icing on the cake was when she went on to win international events. finally culminating
in winning the bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic event.
Lady luck had smiled on her for her persistence, her continual efforts, and her
unwavering focus on her goals. Indeed, Mary Kom has proved by her life and her
achievements that if one has the spirit of challenging odds, one will surely reap rich
dividends.