Reflect and Respond
I. Work in pairs. Discuss the difference between Olympics, Special Olympics, and Paralympics.
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II. Work in pairs to match the words ’empathy’, ‘sympathy’, and ‘compassion’ to the sentences given in the table.
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III. Work in pairs. List the words you associate with ’empathy’. Share your responses with your classmates and teacher.
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Words that relate to empathy include: understanding, kindness, sensitivity, compassion, caring, consideration, awareness, warmth, acceptance, patience, solidarity, inclusion, support, attentiveness, humanity, and selflessness.
Check Your Understanding
I. Work in pairs. Match the words and phrases in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.
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II. Identify the gist of each stanza. Write the number of the stanza in the boxes given.
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Gist 1 → Stanza 2
Gist 2 → Stanza 4
Gist 3 → Stanza 8
Gist 4 → Stanza 3
Gist 5 → Stanza 1
Gist 6 → Stanza 6
Gist 7 → Stanza 7
Gist 8 → Stanza 5
III. Let us appreciate the poem.
1. Two examples of alliteration from the poem are (i) __________ and (ii) __________.
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(i) “stumbled and staggered” — repetition of the ‘s’ sound, mimicking the unsteady movement of the fallen runner.
(ii) “gold… games” — repetition of the ‘g’ sound in the first stanza. (Other valid examples: “resolved… runners,” “beaming… banner”)
2. Give three examples of visual imagery from the poem.
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- (i) “Nine determined athletes lined up at the back of the starting line, waiting for the starting signal” — the runners are bent down, full of anticipation and concentration, ready for the race to begin.
- (ii) “The youngest participant tripped and lost balance, landing on the asphalt” — the image shows a small athlete falling onto the tough ground.
- (iii) “Together, all the competitors reached the finish line holding hands, greeted by a cheering audience and smiles on every face” — the athletes cross united, while spectators stand and celebrate their achievement.
3. Give an example of auditory imagery from the poem.
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“The signal was given, the pistol exploded” — the word “exploded” evokes the sharp, sudden crack of the starting pistol. (Also valid: “He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish.”)
4. How does the use of imagery make the poem more appealing?
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Imagery changes the poem from a basic story into a vivid, engaging experience for the reader. With visual imagery—like athletes ready at the starting line, someone falling onto the track, or nine joyful faces—the audience can picture the scenes as if they are happening right before them. Sounds in the poem, such as the starting pistol or a cry of pain, add a sense of immediacy. These images do more than convey information; they draw the reader into the emotions of the poem and make the themes of empathy and inclusion truly powerful.
5. How does the poet’s tone change from the beginning to the end of the poem?
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At the start, the poem’s tone is full of anticipation and energy, as the athletes get ready to compete. This changes to a tense and caring mood when the youngest runner trips. When the other athletes turn back to help, the atmosphere becomes gentle and inspiring. In the last stanza, the tone is joyful and respectful, capturing the admiration for the remarkable act of unity and kindness shown by all nine athletes.
6. What is the overall mood created by the poem?
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The poem creates an atmosphere that is both uplifting and inspiring. Although there is a short-lived sadness when the youngest runner falls, the main feelings expressed are hope, compassion, and joy—emotions that arise when people put aside their own goals to support each other. There is also a sense of amazement at the unexpected actions of the athletes, and a strong respect for their shared humanity. Ultimately, the true victory in the poem is not about winning the race, but about the triumph of kindness and togetherness.
7. What is the message being conveyed by the poem?
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The main idea of the poem is that showing empathy, kindness, and supporting each other matters more than winning by oneself. When the eight athletes gave up their own chances for a medal to help a fellow runner, they demonstrated that true sportsmanship is about helping others rather than beating them. The poem highlights the Special Olympics’ values, where everyone is included and human connection outweighs competition. It teaches that the most meaningful victories happen when people achieve something together.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract 1
The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.
(i) Select the correct option to complete the sentence. The phrase ‘pulled up on their heels’ means that the runners _______.
- A. moved aside
- B. stopped running
- C. tried to run faster
- D. jumped ahead
Ans: B. stopped running.
The phrase “pulled up on their heels” refers to stopping suddenly; it describes the quick action of coming to a halt by shifting weight backward onto the heels.
(ii) Mention one character trait common to all the eight other runners.
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Empathy, compassion, and selflessness were shared by all eight runners. Even after dedicating months to training and aiming for victory, each one put aside their individual goals to assist the fallen athlete. Their instant, collective response showed that they valued helping others more than personal achievement.
(iii) What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
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The poet uses a heartfelt and respectful tone, expressing deep admiration for the runners’ actions. The calm and thoughtful description of how each athlete turned back shows great appreciation for their spontaneous choice. There is also a soft warmth in the way the poet describes the young boy being helped up, highlighting the compassion in the moment.
(iv) How might the young athlete have felt on being helped by the others?
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At first, the young athlete probably felt frustrated and upset after falling during the race. But when he saw the other eight runners stop and come back to help him, his feelings would have changed quickly. He might have felt grateful, relieved, and comforted by their support. This act of kindness would have turned an embarrassing moment into an unforgettable one, making him feel appreciated, accepted, and part of the group.
(v) Would you consider this incident as a turning point in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
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Yes, this moment clearly marks the main turning point of the poem. Up until this event, the narrative is focused on the competition itself. When the eight runners choose to stop and help, the story shifts dramatically—from a simple race to a celebration of empathy and unity. Without this pivotal act, the poem would just recount an ordinary race. Instead, it becomes a powerful commentary on compassion and the true meaning of sportsmanship.
Extract 2
That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.
(i) How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
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The nine participants experienced happiness, satisfaction, and a strong sense of togetherness—their smiling faces showed true, heartfelt joy. Instead of the usual thrill of winning against others, their happiness came from finishing the race side by side, guided by empathy and teamwork. This sense of shared victory was much greater than any single gold medal could represent.
(ii) Why do you think all the nine contestants were given gold medals?
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All nine contestants received gold medals because they each displayed the finest values that sports encourage—bravery, determination, empathy, and generosity. The boy who fell showed strength by getting back up, while the other eight runners showed remarkable kindness and willingness to help. At the Special Olympics, the focus is on inclusion and shared happiness, so every athlete was worthy of recognition. The gold medals were awarded for their character and spirit, not for where they finished in the race.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. The holding of hands signifies a feeling of ___________________.
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…unity, solidarity, mutual support, and collective belonging — a shared recognition that they faced the race not as rivals but as companions, completing it together rather than separately.
(iv) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. The spectators giving a ‘standing ovation’ indicates that they were _________.
- A. amazed
- B. speechless
- C. distracted
- D. thoughtful
Ans: A. amazed.
A standing ovation shows that the audience felt great admiration and were deeply moved—the spectators stood up because what they saw went beyond a typical sports event and connected with a universal human feeling.
(v) Explain the last line of the extract.
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The line “Said more than these words ever will” means that actions can speak louder than any poem or description. The poet suggests that the standing ovation and joyful faces revealed a depth of emotion and meaning that words alone cannot express. By saying this, the poet admits that sometimes, the most powerful moments of kindness and togetherness go beyond what language can describe, inviting the reader to experience those feelings for themselves.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. Describe how the setting established in the first two stanzas of the poem creates a vivid atmosphere for the events that follow.
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In the first stanza, we learn that athletes have traveled from across the country and dedicated many weeks and months to training, which shows how much this event means to them. The second stanza introduces the audience, describing a crowd gathered for the “final event of the day,” with excitement running high. By showing both the athletes’ commitment and the crowd’s eager anticipation, the poet builds a tense, energetic atmosphere. This tension makes the acts of kindness and compassion that follow even more unexpected and meaningful.
2. How do you think the youngest athlete might have felt when he fell?
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Falling on the hard track hurt him physically, but the emotional pain was even deeper. After spending months training, all his hard work seemed lost in a single moment, especially with everyone watching. He likely felt embarrassed, powerless, and crushed by disappointment. The poem shows this through his “cry of frustration and anguish” and by saying his “dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt.” This intense sadness made the kindness he received afterward even more powerful and life-changing.
3. Why were the athletes eager to begin the race?
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The athletes spent months training and came from various parts of the country, with the hundred-yard dash representing the peak of their efforts. They are described as “nine resolved athletes,” which highlights their strong determination and focus. For those with intellectual disabilities, participating in the Special Olympics added even more meaning to the race, as it gave them the chance to be acknowledged and celebrated for their abilities, making the moment even more special.
4. What does the transformation of the hundred-yard dash to a walk symbolise?
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- Compassion taking precedence over competition: What started as a race to determine the fastest participant became a collective journey, completed together in unity.
- Choosing inclusion over exclusion: By adjusting their pace to support the runner who had fallen behind, the athletes made sure everyone finished together—a principle that captures the spirit of the Special Olympics.
- Valuing how we treat others above speed: The focus shifted from racing for individual victory to walking as a group, showing patience, unity, and shared goals.
- A metaphor for life’s path: We don’t always move forward alone; sometimes, walking with others makes the journey more meaningful than racing ahead.
5. How might the poem be different if the focus was solely on individual achievement rather than collective support?
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If the poem focused only on individual achievement, it would simply tell the story of one winner finishing first and the fallen boy being left behind, his efforts unnoticed. There would be no shared medals, no standing ovation, and no joyful faces at the finish. Such a version would be just another account of a race. What makes “Nine Gold Medals” remarkable is the way it shifts from competition to compassion, turning a sporting event into a lesson about humanity and the importance of supporting one another.
6. How does the poet’s use of language and tone enhance the reader’s engagement with the poem?
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- Direct storytelling: The poet uses clear and straightforward language, making the poem feel authentic and easy to relate to—almost as if the events are being shared firsthand.
- Strong emotional words: Expressions such as “anguish,” “stumbled,” “staggered,” “dashed in the dirt,” and “beaming” help the reader imagine the emotions and actions within the poem.
- Shifting tone: The poem’s mood changes from excitement to empathy and finally to celebration, allowing readers to experience the same progression of feelings.
- Impactful ending: The line “Said more than these words ever will” encourages readers to look beyond the poem’s words and feel the deeper meaning for themselves.
- Imagery: The use of vivid descriptions—like the sound of the starting pistol, the rough track, and the image of nine hands at the finish line—keeps the reader emotionally and visually engaged from start to finish.
7. What might be the poet’s purpose of writing this poem?
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- Honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics: By capturing this remarkable example of empathy in poetry, Roth makes sure that the act of collective kindness will be remembered and valued.
- Redefining what it means to succeed: While society often celebrates individual achievement, this poem suggests that the most meaningful victories are those that come from compassion and standing with others.
- Promoting inclusion and respect: The poem shows athletes with disabilities as people of great strength and character, not as individuals to be pitied, but as role models for moral and sporting excellence.
- A lesson for all: True success in life is found in the moments when we lift others up and support them in times of need.
Vocabulary in Context
I. The phrase ‘standing ovation’ is an example of an adjective–noun collocation. Identify two other similar examples from the poem.
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Other valid examples: “final event,” “resolved athletes,” “young boy.”
II. Complete the table given below by writing four nouns in Column 2 that collocate with the adjectives in Column 1.
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III. Choose the correct adjectives from those given in the box for the underlined words given in the sentences below. Ensure you do not use the same adjective twice.
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️ Speaking Activity
I. Work in pairs. Take turns to express your points of view regarding Special Olympics. Use the key points and sentence starters given.
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Student A: What do you think about the significance of the Special Olympics in today’s society?
Student B: I feel that the Special Olympics stands out as one of the most impactful sporting events. It offers athletes with intellectual disabilities the chance to train, compete, and be recognised for their skills and talents. In my view, it does more to promote inclusion and social acceptance than many other initiatives.
Student A: I agree that the Special Olympics can truly change athletes’ lives. What are your thoughts on its effect on people with special abilities?
Student B: I believe that being part of the Special Olympics gives athletes a sense of identity, pride, and belonging—something they may not always experience elsewhere. It helps build their confidence, encourages physical fitness, and fosters lasting friendships. Do you think there is enough awareness about Special Olympics in schools and communities?
Student A: I think we need to do much more to raise awareness. While many people know about the Olympics and Paralympics, the Special Olympics is not discussed as often. We could help promote it by inviting Special Olympics athletes to our school, organizing inclusive sports events, and sharing inspirational stories like those found in the poem.
Writing Task
I. Work in pairs to write three creative slogans on Special Olympics.
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Slogan 1: “Step Forward, Shine Together — Special Olympics Unites Us All!”
Slogan 2: “Unique Talents, Shared Victories — Celebrate the Spirit!”
Slogan 3: “Every Finish Line Matters — Success is Crossing It Together.”
Now, create a poster inspired by the poem’s message. (Steps and guidance below)
Ans: Sample Poster Outline
Title (large, bold): NINE GOLD MEDALS — A Journey of Unity
Slogan (central, prominent): Step Forward, Shine Together — Special Olympics Unites Us All!
Key message: When someone stumbles, everyone offers support. The Special Olympics honors the courage, empathy, and perseverance of every participant. True victory comes not from being the fastest, but from finishing side by side.
Illustration suggestion: Nine athletes holding hands as they cross the finish line, with a lively audience and gold medals above; the Special Olympics logo at the top center.
Call to action: Encourage, Include, Empower — Become a Champion for Change.
Footer: Inspired by “Nine Gold Medals” — Special Olympics: Unlocking Limitless Potential
(Students should use color and creativity to present this as a poster activity, following the textbook’s poster design steps.)