It Can be Done

1. Answer the following questions in one sentence each.

Question a.
Who misses all the fun?
Answer:
The man who has a negative approach in trying out new things and says ‘it
can’t be done’ is the man who misses all the fun.

Question b.
What does the title of the poem suggest?
Answer:
The title of the poem positively suggests that the things that we set our mind
to complete can most definitely be done.

Question c.
What does the man who misses all the fun do?
Answer:
The man who misses all the fun wears an expression of solemn pride,
remains away from other people and harshly criticizes any kind of new
venture.

Question d.
What does ‘who misses all the fun’ mean?
Answer:
In the poem, this line refers to a person who likes to remain away from other
people because of his solemn pride and is never ready to face any obstacle
with a positive attitude of overcoming it.

Question e.
What would he do if he had the power in him?
Answer:
If he had the power in him, he would happily erase all the developments
made by man and also the history of the human race.

Question f.
What examples of man’s progress have been given in the poem?
Answer:
The examples of man’s progress given in the poem are – radio, motor cars,
street lights, telegraph and the telephone.

Question g.
What should human beings do to make progress?
Answer:
Human beings should have a positive outlook towards life which will help
them overcome their difficulties and fears, and certainly help them to go
ahead in the path of progress.

2. Form groups. List a few articles of everyday use. Discuss how they can be
improved.

Question 1.
Form groups. List a few articles of everyday use. Discuss how they can be
improved.
Answer:
1. Doorbell: The doorbell that everyone has in their homes can only be
clearly heard in one room. In order to improve the doorbell, we can install
the doorbell device in the other rooms too.

2. Mosquito racket: Mosquitoes are the worst nuisance for man. The rackets
work pretty well, but it would be better if we had a bigger net to easily
capture the sly mosquitoes.

3. Mobile phones: Even though the mobile phone is owned by almost

everyone, its battery life is pretty less, so it would be feasible if the battery
life sustains for a longer time.

Question 1.
Form pairs. Discuss and prepare a list of things which can be and will be
done in future. (5 things) Spot the modal verbs in your answer.
Answer:

1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa may be straightened.

2. Cars will be travelling through air rather than by road.
3. People might make trips to the moon for a vacation.
4. We could have floating homes on water.
5. People would be skating or cycling to their place of work.

The modal verbs in the above sentences are:

 may
 will
 might
 could
 would Let us do some more:

4. Complete the following sentences using your ideas.

(a) I can …………….., (b) They can …………….., (c) We can ……………..
Question 1.
Complete the following sentences using your ideas. :
a. I can ……………..
b. They can ……………..
c. We can ……………..
Answer:
a. I can succeed.
b. They can overcome their fears.
c. We can conquer the world.

Read the following extract and complete the activities that follow:

Question 1.
Complete the web diagram with words from the extract:
Answer:

Question 2.
Explain: The man who misses all the fun. Is he who says, “It can’t be done.”
Answer:
The man who lacks courage to try out new things, and does not have
positive attitude towards life is a man who misses all the fun and progress in
life.

Question 3.
Pick out a word from the extract which means ‘an adventure’.
Answer:
venture

Question 4.
Pick out two pairs of rhyming words from the poem.
Answer:

 fun – done
 aloof – reproof
 efface – race
 cars – stars
 telephone – stone
  run – done

Question 5.
What would you do to achieve success?
Answer:
I would try my very best in everything I do.
I would not be disheartened with failures, instead it would motivate me to
strive harder. I would not shirk my responsibilities when faced with difficult
situations but would try my level best to come out of it successfully.

Writing Skills:

Question 1.
Write a paragraph on ‘Never Giving Up’.
Answer:
Always complete well whatever you have begun even if you come across
difficulties. God has given us the capacity and the capability so we should
use it to the fullest. Never let the word ‘cannot do’ come into your mind.
Always be positive. The small spider in the story of ‘King Bruce’ shows us
that if we keep trying, we will surely succeed. Remember, never give up
easily, ‘Try, try till you succeed’.

Project Wheels:

Question 1.
Think carefully for a minute. Tag your memory and recall all the
things/objects on which you have seen wheels. Write them down.
Answer:
Cycles, cars, trucks, trains, aeroplanes, carts, watches, toys, our National
Flag, chair, table, trolley, skateboard, motorbike, bags, vacuum cleaner,
baby carriage.

Question 2.
Now talk to your friend or elders; refer to books and read about all the
objects in which wheels are used. List them (How many did you miss out on
in your first list? Why?)
Answer:
Students should go through books and list down as many things they can
find with wheels. (There was a time limit of one minute and so could not list
down more.)

Question 3.
The wheel which was probably invented more than 6000 years ago is
thought of as one of the greatest technological advances made by man. Why
do you think the wheel is so important in human civilisation?
Answer:
Though the wheel was made during the Stone Age period, it was the
beginning of a revolution. Wheels helped the early man to transport goods
from one place to another and thus began trade. Wheels moved slowly at
first and caught momentum. Today we have progressed so far just because
of wheels that is why I think the wheel is very important in human
civilisation.

Question 4.
Can you imagine life without wheels? Try and think of what life would be like
if there were no wheels around.
Answer:
I cannot imagine life without wheels. Things would all be done at a very slow
pace. There would be no technological development and we would not have
reached the moon and other places without wheels.

Question 5.
Have you seen how wheels move on different surfaces like sand, gravel,
grass or on a proper road? What are the differences you see?
Answer:
Experience it yourself and write down how the wheels move on different
surfaces. The first one is done for you.
(a) On sandy surfaces, wheels find it difficult to move. It is not smooth at all.
(Tip: Students can ride their bicycles on the above mentioned surfaces and
jot down their findings.)