Std 10 English chapters › Unit 2
In short: The life of Stephen Hawking, the physicist who did world-famous work on black holes and the universe while a disease slowly paralysed his body.
(स्टीफन हॉकिंग यांचे जीवन; एका आजाराने शरीर हळूहळू निकामी होत असतानाही त्यांनी कृष्णविवरे आणि विश्वावर जगप्रसिद्ध संशोधन केले.)
- Type: Prose (biographical)
- About: Stephen Hawking (1942–2018), British theoretical physicist
- Unit: 2
2.4 An Epitome of Courage: English Workshop Question Answers
Answers to every activity in the Std 10 English Kumarbharati textbook (Maharashtra Board), written by a practising English teacher. Read the lesson in your textbook first, then try each activity here before you check the answer.
Warming up 1: Polite terms for people with disabilities
👉 Match each old term with its polite new term, then tap Check my answers.
Answer key
| Previously used term | New polite term | Note |
|---|---|---|
| blind | Visually challenged | (a) The old term for "visually challenged" is "blind". |
| deaf | Hearing impaired | (b) "Hearing impaired" is the polite term. |
| dumb | Speech impaired | (c) The old term for "speech impaired" is "dumb". |
| mad | Mentally challenged | (d) "Mentally challenged" is the polite term. |
| lame | Physically challenged | (e) "Physically challenged" (or orthopedically challenged) is the polite term. |
मराठी टीप: अपंग व्यक्तींसाठी नेहमी आदरपूर्वक शब्द वापरा. शब्द बदलल्याने दृष्टिकोनही बदलतो.
Warming up 2: Complete Sumit’s story with a positive ending
✍️ Write your own ending first.
Show a sample ending
…Sumit suffered from polio and could not walk without crutches. His family was poor, and many people told his father that further studies were not meant for a boy like him. But Sumit refused to give up. His Maths teacher helped him get a scholarship, and the school arranged a ground-floor classroom for him. Sumit studied day and night and scored 98 out of 100 in Mathematics in the SSC exam. He went on to study engineering, and today he designs low-cost wheelchairs for people like him. His teacher proudly says, “I always knew my little Einstein would shine.”
Chit-chat: “Handicapped are those who refuse to take up challenges…”
✍️ Discuss 4 to 5 ways to encourage such people.
Show sample answers
Meaning: A person is truly handicapped not because of a disability, but because of fear and an unwillingness to try. Someone with a healthy body who never takes up a challenge is weaker than a disabled person who keeps trying.
- Share inspiring stories of people like Dr Stephen Hawking and Helen Keller.
- Praise even their small efforts and achievements.
- Give them small, achievable tasks to build confidence step by step.
- Be patient and never laugh at their mistakes.
- Involve them in group activities so they feel valued.
Short questions from the lesson (margin questions)
- What did Stephen Hawking’s parents fail to know about him?
They did not know that their little boy would one day be hailed as one of the greatest scientists of the century, that his mind would soar into space, and that he would be the very epitome of courage. - What is courage?
Courage is the quality that makes people not lose heart when they face a great calamity. - Where was Stephen Hawking sent for studying mathematics?
He went to the University of Oxford. As Oxford had no mathematics course at that time, he studied physics instead. - What happened when he was seventeen?
He noticed that he was becoming clumsy, and he fell down a couple of times for no reason. - What did his family doctor diagnose?
An extremely rare disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which affects the nervous system and slowly weakens all the muscles of the body. - In spite of no control over his body, how did Hawking express his ideas?
With the help of a computer, using the one finger he could still control. - What did he study to get his Ph.D.?
The concept of “Black Holes”. - What does the writer say about the books authored by Dr Hawking?
He wrote them keeping a layman in mind. They are full of wit and humour, and his style is so lucid that even non-scientists can understand them. “A Brief History of Time” is one of the best-selling books of our times.
| Guess the meaning | Meaning | मराठी |
|---|---|---|
| profound | very deep; showing great knowledge | सखोल |
| awesome ideas | amazing, wonderful ideas | अद्भुत कल्पना |
Q1. Match the following
👉 Choose the correct match, then tap Check my answers.
Answer key
| Group A | Group B | Pair |
|---|---|---|
| Galileo | the greatest scientist 300 years before Hawking | 1 – (d) |
| Dr Stephen Hawking | the greatest scientist of this century | 2 – (c) |
| Black Holes | the concept which helped Stephen to get his Ph.D. | 3 – (a) |
| Stephen's favourite subjects | music and mathematics | 4 – (b) |
Q2. Complete the web: qualities of Dr Stephen Hawking
✍️ Add at least 5 qualities first.
Show sample web
Qualities of Dr Stephen Hawking: courageous (given) · humble · optimistic · determined · brilliant / intelligent · witty and humorous · hardworking · simple and down to earth
Q3. Arrange the events in the order they happened in Dr Hawking’s life
Arrange these 8 statements in the order they happened:
- Stephen was born on 8th January, 1942 and then grew up like an average child and a normal teenager.
- At the age of 17, Stephen noticed that he fell down a couple of times for no reason.
- Stephen was diagnosed with a rare disease – ALS or LOU.
- Stephen decided to continue his doctoral research work with renewed vigour.
- The disease worked its way into Stephen's body and left him disabled.
- Though confined to a wheelchair he worked on computer and expressed his thoughts.
- He became a fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the US National Academy of Science.
- He believes that in the next millennium, science will discover the core secrets of the universe.
Answer key: correct order
- Stephen was born on 8th January, 1942 and then grew up like an average child and a normal teenager.
- At the age of 17, Stephen noticed that he fell down a couple of times for no reason.
- Stephen was diagnosed with a rare disease – ALS or LOU.
- Stephen decided to continue his doctoral research work with renewed vigour.
- The disease worked its way into Stephen's body and left him disabled.
- Though confined to a wheelchair he worked on computer and expressed his thoughts.
- He became a fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the US National Academy of Science.
- He believes that in the next millennium, science will discover the core secrets of the universe.
Textbook order letters: (d), (a), (g), (f), (e), (h), (b), (c).
Q4. Homographs: use each word in two different meanings
✍️ Make pairs of sentences for at least 3 words first.
Show sample sentences
| Word | Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 |
|---|---|---|
| couple | A young couple (husband and wife) moved in next door. | I will be back in a couple of minutes (two or a few). |
| mind | He has a brilliant mind (brain, intellect). | Do you mind if I open the window? (object to) |
| space | Astronauts travel into space (the universe beyond the earth). | There is no space in the bag for a book (room). |
| sound | I heard a strange sound at night (noise). | The doctor said the child was safe and sound (healthy). |
| left | Turn left at the signal (direction). | She left for Pune yesterday (went away). |
Q5. Use the words and phrases in your own sentences
✍️ Write your own sentences first.
Show sample sentences
- quirk of fate: By a quirk of fate, the two old friends met again at the same railway station after twenty years.
- confined to: After the accident, my grandfather was confined to bed for a month.
- exaggeration: It is no exaggeration to say that she is the best singer in our school.
- an epitome of: Our principal is an epitome of discipline and kindness.
- millennium: The year 2000 marked the beginning of a new millennium.
Q6. Expand the themes using the hints
✍️ Choose a theme and write your own first.
Show model answers
(a) If you fall ill during your final exam: The first step is to stay calm and tell my parents and the exam supervisor at once. I would see a doctor and take the medicine on time. With my parents’ support and plenty of rest, I would try to appear for the remaining papers. If I miss a paper, I would ask the school about the rules for a later exam.
(b) If you meet a disabled person who needs help: I would first ask politely, “May I help you?” and act only as they wish. I would behave with respect, not pity. If they needed more help, I would contact their family, the police helpline or a nearby hospital.
(c) If your friend is in trouble: I would listen patiently without judging. A kind gesture, a hand on the shoulder or a smile, tells a friend that I care. I would be tolerant even if my friend was angry or upset, and help find a solution together.
(d) If you meet a great person like Dr Stephen Hawking: I would plan my questions in advance. I would ask how he faced and overcame his disability, how he handled failure, and how he organised his work. His answers would inspire me to succeed and accomplish my own goals.
Q7. Imaginary dialogue with a successful person who is disabled
✍️ Write your own dialogue first, using the hints.
Show model dialogue
Me: Good morning, Ma’am. Welcome to our school. It is an honour to meet you.
Mrs Neha Joshi: Good morning! Thank you for inviting me.
Me: Congratulations on winning the state award for painting. May I ask how you lost the use of your legs?
Mrs Joshi: Thank you. I had a road accident when I was twelve, and I have used a wheelchair ever since.
Me: How did you decide to become a painter?
Mrs Joshi: I could not run or play, so I started drawing. I planned my day carefully, practised for four hours daily and joined a correspondence course in fine arts.
Me: Who is your idol?
Mrs Joshi: Dr Stephen Hawking. He taught me that the body may be weak, but the mind can fly.
Me: Did your family support you?
Mrs Joshi: Yes, completely. My parents sold their gold to buy my first set of paints. Today my paintings are shown in galleries across India.
Me: What is your message for students?
Mrs Joshi: Never hide behind your weaknesses. Find what you can do, and do it with all your heart.
Language Study: Question Answers
1. Complete the word chains
In a word chain, each new word begins with the last letter of the word before it.
- Adjectives: cruel → lazy → young → good → dark → kind
- Nouns: medicine → engine → egg → garden → nest → tiger
- Verbs: grow → walk → keep → pull → laugh → help
- Any words: physics → sun → name → elephant → tree → earth
2 (A). Change to exclamatory sentences
👉 Tap the correct exclamatory sentence.
Dr Hawking is a very humble man.
Answer: What a humble man Dr Hawking is! Use “What a/an” + adjective + noun.
He was very clumsy.
Answer: How clumsy he was! Use “How” + adjective when there is no noun.
He was very simple and intelligent.
Answer: How simple and intelligent he was! “How” + adjectives + subject + verb.
Courage is a truly wonderful thing.
Answer: What a wonderful thing courage is! “What a” + adjective + noun + subject + verb.
मराठी टीप: very + adjective + noun असेल तर “What a/an…!”, फक्त very + adjective असेल तर “How…!” वापरा.
2 (B). Change to interrogative (question) form
👉 Tap the correct question.
The prognosis was bad.
Answer: Was the prognosis bad? Move “was” before the subject.
Stephen decided to continue his research.
Answer: Did Stephen decide to continue his research? After “did”, use the base form: decide, not decided.
There are many people who display exemplary courage.
Answer: Are there many people who display exemplary courage? Move “are” before “there”.
His mind would soar up into space like light.
Answer: Would his mind soar up into space like light? Move the helping verb “would” before the subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the lesson 'An Epitome of Courage' about?
It is about Dr Stephen Hawking, the great scientist who continued his research with courage in spite of suffering from a rare disease, ALS.
What does 'epitome' mean?
'Epitome' means a very fine example of something. Dr Hawking is called an epitome of courage.
Which disease did Stephen Hawking suffer from?
He suffered from ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, which affects the nervous system and slowly weakens the muscles of the body.
How did Dr Hawking express his ideas?
He used a computer, controlled with the one finger he could still move, to express his thoughts.
What is the message of 'An Epitome of Courage'?
We should not hide behind our weaknesses or disabilities. With courage and hope, we can do our best even in very difficult circumstances.
Summary in English
Stephen Hawking was born in Oxford, England, in 1942. He loved mathematics and science. As a young man at university, he was found to have motor neurone disease (ALS), which slowly stops a person’s muscles from working, and doctors expected him to live only a few more years.
Hawking refused to give up. He completed his PhD and went on to do ground-breaking research on black holes and the origin of the universe. As the disease advanced he lost the use of his body and later his voice, and he worked from a wheelchair, speaking through a computer.
He received many honours and wrote the best-selling book A Brief History of Time, which explained the universe to ordinary readers. His life shows that courage and determination can overcome even the hardest physical limits.
मराठीत सारांश (Summary in Marathi)
स्टीफन हॉकिंग यांचा जन्म १९४२ मध्ये इंग्लंडमधील ऑक्सफर्ड येथे झाला. त्यांना गणित आणि विज्ञानाची आवड होती. विद्यापीठात शिकत असताना तरुण वयातच त्यांना मोटर न्यूरॉन (ALS) हा आजार असल्याचे निदान झाले; या आजारात स्नायू हळूहळू काम करणे बंद करतात. ते फक्त काही वर्षेच जगतील असे डॉक्टरांना वाटले.
हॉकिंग यांनी हार मानली नाही. त्यांनी पीएच.डी. पूर्ण केली आणि कृष्णविवरे व विश्वाच्या उत्पत्तीवर क्रांतिकारी संशोधन केले. आजार वाढत गेला तसे त्यांचे शरीर आणि नंतर आवाजही गेला; ते व्हीलचेअरवरून संगणकाच्या मदतीने बोलत आणि काम करत राहिले.
त्यांना अनेक सन्मान मिळाले आणि त्यांनी A Brief History of Time हे लोकप्रिय पुस्तक लिहिले, ज्यात सामान्य वाचकांसाठी विश्व समजावून सांगितले आहे. धैर्य आणि जिद्द असेल तर शरीराच्या कठीण मर्यादांवरही मात करता येते, हे त्यांचे जीवन दाखवते.
Theme and Message (मध्यवर्ती कल्पना)
Courage and a strong will can overcome the greatest physical difficulties. A person’s mind and spirit matter more than their limitations.
धैर्य आणि दृढ इच्छाशक्तीने मोठ्यात मोठ्या शारीरिक अडचणींवर मात करता येते. माणसाच्या मर्यादांपेक्षा त्याचे मन आणि जिद्द महत्त्वाची असते.
Useful Words (शब्दार्थ)
| Word | मराठी अर्थ | Use it in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| epitome | मूर्तिमंत उदाहरण | She is the epitome of kindness. |
| determination | जिद्द, निर्धार | With determination, he finished the race. |
| disability | अपंगत्व | Disability did not stop him from studying. |
| paralysed | अर्धांगवायू झालेला, निकामी | His legs were paralysed after the accident. |
| theory | सिद्धांत | Scientists tested the new theory. |
| inspire | प्रेरणा देणे | Great lives inspire us to work hard. |
For the Exam (परीक्षेसाठी)
- Be ready to write about Hawking’s qualities (courage, determination, optimism) and his achievements.
- The activities use exclamatory and interrogative sentences. Revise sentence types in Lesson 2: Types of Sentences.
Think and Write (विचार करा, लिहा)
- Name one person you know who has overcome a difficulty. Write about them.
- What can students learn from Stephen Hawking’s life?
- Write three questions you would ask Stephen Hawking in an interview.
🎮 Practice Games: An Epitome of Courage
Extra practice for revision, beyond the textbook activities. Play every game, then check your total score and stars! (उजळणीसाठी खेळ.)
🎬 Hawking’s life in order
Put Stephen Hawking’s life events in order.
A life of courage
- He was born in Oxford in 1942.
- He was found to have motor neurone disease at university.
- He completed his PhD.
- He researched black holes and the origin of the universe.
- He lost his voice and spoke through a computer.
- He wrote A Brief History of Time.
🔤 Word meanings
🎯 Tap the English word and its Marathi meaning.
English ↔ मराठी
⚡ Quick quiz
👉 Tap the correct answer.
What disease did Hawking have?
Answer: It slowly stops the muscles from working.
What did Hawking study?
Answer: He did ground-breaking research in cosmology.
How did he speak after losing his voice?
Answer: A speech-generating device spoke for him.
Why is he called ‘an epitome of courage’?
Answer: Doctors expected him to live only a few years, but he worked for decades.
✏️ Word forms
🎯 Tap a word and its noun form.
Word ↔ noun
Online test · 15 questions
2.4 An Epitome of Courage: Lesson Test
Multiple choice · instant score with answers · certificate for 80% and above · free, no login
शिक्षकांसाठी: धडा शिकवून झाल्यावर ही test वर्गाला पाठवा. प्रत्येक विद्यार्थ्याचे गुण तुम्हाला आपोआप मिळतील.
These are original study notes and answers by englishresources.in to help you revise. Read the chapter in your Balbharati textbook first: these notes do not replace it. Only short phrases from the lesson and the activities are quoted, for reference.