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1. Who is the first musician profiled in "The Sound of Music"?
A. Bismillah Khan
B. Evelyn Glennie
C. Ravi Shankar
D. Lata Mangeshkar
Answer: B. Evelyn Glennie
Explanation: The chapter's first section profiles Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish percussionist who became profoundly deaf but built a remarkable career in music.
2. What instrument is Evelyn Glennie primarily known for playing?
A. Violin
B. Percussion instruments
C. Shehnai
D. Flute
Answer: B. Percussion instruments
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie is celebrated as a solo percussionist, playing a wide range of drums and other percussion instruments.
3. At what age did Evelyn Glennie begin to lose her hearing?
A. Around eight years old
B. From birth
C. In her twenties
D. Twelve years old
Answer: A. Around eight years old
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie's hearing began deteriorating around the age of eight, and by the time she was twelve, she was profoundly deaf.
4. How does Evelyn Glennie perceive and understand music despite her deafness?
A. By reading written musical scores only
B. By sensing vibrations through her body
C. By relying entirely on lip reading
D. By using a hearing aid at all times
Answer: B. By sensing vibrations through her body
Explanation: Evelyn learned to sense the vibrations of musical notes through different parts of her body, allowing her to "hear" music in her own way.
5. Who helped Evelyn realise that she could sense music through vibrations?
A. Ron Forbes, her percussion teacher
B. Her mother
C. A doctor
D. Bismillah Khan
Answer: A. Ron Forbes, her percussion teacher
Explanation: Percussion teacher Ron Forbes helped Evelyn discover that she could feel the different pitches of sound as vibrations in different parts of her body.
6. Which prestigious institution did Evelyn Glennie study at?
A. Royal Academy of Music, London
B. Harvard University
C. Juilliard School
D. Oxford University
Answer: A. Royal Academy of Music, London
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she also faced and overcame doubts about a deaf musician's ability to succeed.
7. How does Evelyn Glennie usually perform on stage, regarding footwear?
A. She wears heavy boots
B. She performs barefoot to feel vibrations better
C. She wears special headphones
D. She always sits during performances
Answer: B. She performs barefoot to feel vibrations better
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie often performs barefoot so she can feel the vibrations of the music more clearly through the floor.
8. Who is the second musician featured in "The Sound of Music"?
A. Bismillah Khan
B. Zakir Hussain
C. Ali Akbar Khan
D. Amjad Ali Khan
Answer: A. Bismillah Khan
Explanation: The second part of the chapter is about Ustad Bismillah Khan, the legendary Indian shehnai player.
9. Which instrument made Bismillah Khan famous?
A. Sitar
B. Shehnai
C. Tabla
D. Sarod
Answer: B. Shehnai
Explanation: Bismillah Khan is renowned for elevating the shehnai, a traditional wind instrument, to a celebrated classical concert instrument.
10. In which town was Bismillah Khan born?
A. Dumraon, Bihar
B. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
C. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
D. Patna, Bihar
Answer: A. Dumraon, Bihar
Explanation: Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, a small town in Bihar, into a family associated with the shehnai tradition.
11. Which city did Bismillah Khan associate himself with most closely throughout his career and life?
A. Mumbai
B. Kolkata
C. Varanasi (Benaras)
D. Chennai
Answer: C. Varanasi (Benaras)
Explanation: Bismillah Khan spent most of his life in Varanasi (Benaras), which became deeply associated with his identity and music.
12. Which temple in Varanasi did Bismillah Khan regularly play at in his early years?
A. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
B. Balaji Temple
C. Meenakshi Temple
D. Somnath Temple
Answer: B. Balaji Temple
Explanation: Bismillah Khan used to practise and play the shehnai regularly at the Balaji Temple in Varanasi during his early years.
13. On what significant national occasion did Bismillah Khan famously perform?
A. India's Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort in 1947
B. A cricket match final
C. A film premiere
D. The inauguration of a bridge
Answer: A. India's Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort in 1947
Explanation: Bismillah Khan had the honour of performing on the eve of India's independence, from the Red Fort, marking a historic moment for the nation and his career.
14. Which prestigious Indian civilian award did Bismillah Khan receive?
A. Bharat Ratna
B. Param Vir Chakra
C. Ashoka Chakra
D. Padma Vibhushan only
Answer: A. Bharat Ratna
Explanation: In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical music, Bismillah Khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
15. What common quality do both Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan share, according to the chapter's message?
A. Both overcame personal or social challenges through immense dedication to music
B. Both were born deaf
C. Both played the same instrument
D. Both refused to perform in public
Answer: A. Both overcame personal or social challenges through immense dedication to music
Explanation: The chapter highlights how both musicians overcame significant obstacles, Glennie's deafness and Khan's humble beginnings, to achieve greatness through hard work and passion.
16. What did doubters at the Royal Academy of Music initially question about Evelyn Glennie?
A. Whether a deaf musician could have a career in music
B. Whether she could read musical notation
C. Whether she liked classical music
D. Whether she could travel abroad
Answer: A. Whether a deaf musician could have a career in music
Explanation: Some doubted that a deaf musician could pursue a serious career, but Evelyn Glennie proved them wrong through her extraordinary talent and determination.
17. How did Evelyn Glennie's family and community initially react to her deafness and interest in music?
A. They discouraged her completely
B. Many supported her, and she worked hard to pursue music despite her hearing loss
C. They were entirely indifferent
D. They forced her to switch instruments
Answer: B. Many supported her, and she worked hard to pursue music despite her hearing loss
Explanation: With support and her own determination, Evelyn Glennie continued pursuing music seriously despite the challenges posed by her deafness.
18. Which country does Evelyn Glennie belong to?
A. Scotland
B. India
C. United States
D. Australia
Answer: A. Scotland
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie is a Scottish percussionist whose achievements are highlighted as an inspiring example of overcoming adversity.
19. What did Bismillah Khan's family traditionally do, connecting him to the shehnai from an early age?
A. They were farmers with no connection to music
B. His family were traditional shehnai players associated with royal courts
C. They ran a textile business
D. They were classical dancers
Answer: B. His family were traditional shehnai players associated with royal courts
Explanation: Bismillah Khan came from a family with a long tradition of playing the shehnai, connected historically to royal court musicians.
20. What broader message does "The Sound of Music" convey through both profiles?
A. That music requires no dedication or hard work
B. That determination, passion and hard work can help individuals overcome great obstacles to achieve excellence
C. That only formally trained musicians can succeed
D. That deafness makes a career in music impossible
Answer: B. That determination, passion and hard work can help individuals overcome great obstacles to achieve excellence
Explanation: The chapter's central message is that unwavering commitment to one's passion, as shown by both Glennie and Khan, can help overcome even significant personal and social challenges.
21. What did Bismillah Khan feel about the connection between his music and religious harmony?
A. He believed music like his transcended religious divisions and could be enjoyed by people of all faiths
B. He believed music should only be played for one religion
C. He refused to play at any religious place
D. He had no views on this topic
Answer: A. He believed music like his transcended religious divisions and could be enjoyed by people of all faiths
Explanation: Bismillah Khan, though Muslim, is noted for his deep connection to Hindu temple traditions and his belief that music unites people beyond religious boundaries.
22. How does Evelyn Glennie primarily "listen" to an orchestra while performing?
A. Through vibrations felt in various parts of her body, including her hands, arms, and cheekbones
B. Through a hearing aid alone
C. By reading lips of the conductor
D. She does not perform with an orchestra
Answer: A. Through vibrations felt in various parts of her body, including her hands, arms, and cheekbones
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie has trained herself to sense different pitches and rhythms as vibrations across different parts of her body, enabling her to perform with orchestras.
23. Why is Bismillah Khan's connection to Varanasi considered significant in the chapter?
A. It shows his deep roots and loyalty to his hometown despite fame and opportunities elsewhere
B. He never actually lived in Varanasi
C. He disliked Varanasi
D. It has no significance
Answer: A. It shows his deep roots and loyalty to his hometown despite fame and opportunities elsewhere
Explanation: Despite achieving national and international fame, Bismillah Khan remained deeply attached to Varanasi, reflecting his humility and connection to his roots.
24. What kind of instrument is a shehnai classified as?
A. A stringed instrument
B. A wind instrument
C. A percussion instrument
D. An electronic instrument
Answer: B. A wind instrument
Explanation: The shehnai is a traditional Indian wind instrument, similar to an oboe, which Bismillah Khan mastered and popularised.
25. Which of these best describes how Evelyn Glennie's career developed despite the initial doubts?
A. She became one of the most accomplished and celebrated percussionists in the world
B. She gave up music entirely
C. She only performed in small local venues
D. Her career had no further development
Answer: A. She became one of the most accomplished and celebrated percussionists in the world
Explanation: Despite early scepticism, Evelyn Glennie went on to have an internationally acclaimed career as a solo percussionist, performing with major orchestras worldwide.
26. What role did practice and discipline play in both musicians' success, according to the chapter?
A. They played no role at all
B. Both musicians dedicated years of rigorous practice and discipline to perfect their craft
C. Success came to them without any effort
D. Practice was discouraged by their teachers
Answer: B. Both musicians dedicated years of rigorous practice and discipline to perfect their craft
Explanation: The chapter emphasises that years of disciplined practice were central to both Glennie's and Khan's extraordinary musical achievements.
27. What is one reason Bismillah Khan is remembered as more than just a talented musician?
A. He is remembered as a cultural icon symbolising national unity and secular values through his music
B. He is remembered only for his wealth
C. He is remembered for retiring early from music
D. He is remembered for switching to a different profession
Answer: A. He is remembered as a cultural icon symbolising national unity and secular values through his music
Explanation: Bismillah Khan's life and music came to represent India's composite culture, transcending religious and regional boundaries.
28. What does the chapter suggest about the relationship between physical disability and artistic ability?
A. Physical disability always prevents artistic achievement
B. Physical disability does not have to be a barrier to exceptional artistic achievement, as shown by Evelyn Glennie
C. Only able-bodied people can excel in music
D. Disability guarantees artistic success
Answer: B. Physical disability does not have to be a barrier to exceptional artistic achievement, as shown by Evelyn Glennie
Explanation: Evelyn Glennie's story challenges the assumption that deafness must limit musical ability, showing that alternative approaches can lead to great achievement.
29. Why might the chapter title "The Sound of Music" be considered fitting for both profiles?
A. Because it captures how both musicians found unique, personal ways to connect with and create music
B. Because it refers only to a popular film unrelated to either musician
C. Because neither musician actually made any sound
D. Because the title has no connection to the chapter's content
Answer: A. Because it captures how both musicians found unique, personal ways to connect with and create music
Explanation: The title reflects how both Glennie and Khan found deeply personal and powerful connections to sound and music, despite very different circumstances.
30. What is the overall inspirational lesson readers are meant to take from this chapter?
A. That passion, perseverance, and self-belief can help individuals achieve greatness despite significant challenges
B. That talent alone, without effort, guarantees success
C. That music is not a serious career option
D. That challenges should discourage people from pursuing their passions
Answer: A. That passion, perseverance, and self-belief can help individuals achieve greatness despite significant challenges
Explanation: The chapter's overarching message, through both Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan, is that dedication and perseverance can overcome even the toughest obstacles to achieve remarkable success.
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