Class 9 English · Original EZT practice
The World of Limitless Possibilities (Class 9 English Chapter 5): ability beyond disability
The chapter dates India's Paralympics debut to 1968, with a first medal in swimming in 1972 - and then interviews one of India's most decorated para-athletes: Dr. Deepa Malik, described in the interview as a Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee. Paralysed waist down after a spine tumour at 29, she chose, in her own words, not to squander her life in remorse but to transform it into a world of limitless possibilities. This page gives a summary, themes and practice questions. (Note: this is original practice, not a textbook exercise key.)
6 original worked examples, 6 fresh self-check questions and 4 mixed questions, with explained answers. These are not copied textbook exercises, an official chapter index or a full answer key. No affiliation with NCERT is claimed.
Official sources for topic and edition context, checked 24 October 2026:
1. Summary - the diagnosis and the decision
Dr. Malik tells the interviewer that at 29 she was diagnosed with a spine tumour; surgery followed, but doctors declared she would be bound to a wheelchair for life, paralysed waist down. Faced with two choices - to squander her life in remorse or to transform it - she drew on her love of sports and her swimming background and switched to para-athletics, beginning her Paralympics journey.
2. Summary - Rio 2016 and 'ability beyond disability'
Her breakthrough came at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games with a silver medal in the shot-put event - 'a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions'. In the interview, the interviewer describes her as the first Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics and India's first female Paralympics medallist across any sport, and notes the International Paralympic Committee listed her among the 10 most inspirational women para-athletes globally. Dr. Malik says her achievements testify to her belief that physical limitations do not define potential - 'ability beyond disability'.
3. Summary - challenges, advocacy and advice
Dr. Malik names societal perceptions - people underestimating her abilities - as a significant challenge, overcome with family support and fortitude, turning obstacles into stepping stones. Her advocacy covers the emotional health of persons with challenges, empowering women through outdoor sports and adventure, equipment support for para sportspersons, and disability-sports awareness sessions at schools and colleges. Her advice: treat every setback as an opportunity to prove your strength, surround yourself with a support system, believe in yourself - 'disability is not a limitation; it's a unique strength waiting to be unleashed.'
4. Theme - resilience and redefined possibilities
The interview's central claim is that sport can quell stereotypes: when people witness the strength, skill and competitive spirit of para-athletes, preconceived notions break down. Dr. Malik's own story - from a wheelchair prognosis to the Rio podium - embodies the chapter's message that every setback can become an opportunity to prove one's strength, and that potential is defined by determination, not by the body.
Choose, solve, check, then try a fresh question.
Before calculating, read the method prompt and name the condition that makes it useful. Write your own attempt. Open the steps only when you need them, and use the check to catch a wrong sign, unit or interpretation. Finish with the fresh question before reading its answer.
Trace the turning point
Choose the method: A diagnosis, then a decision.
EZT practice question
How did Dr. Deepa Malik's Paralympics journey begin?
Show the worked solution
- At 29 she was diagnosed with a spine tumour; after surgery, doctors declared she would be bound to a wheelchair, paralysed waist down.
- She saw two choices - squander her life in remorse, or transform it into a world of limitless possibilities.
- Because she loved sports and had been a swimmer, she switched to para-athletics.
Answer: After a spine tumour at 29 left her paralysed waist down, she refused to give in to remorse; drawing on her love of sports and her swimming background, she chose to switch to para-athletics - a deliberate decision to transform her life rather than waste it.
Check: The journey begins with a choice, not a competition - the decision comes before any medal.
Watch for this: Do not say she was always a para-athlete - the switch follows the diagnosis at 29.
Now try it yourself
When did India's Paralympics debut happen, and when was its first medal won?
Check your answer
The chapter dates the debut to 1968 and the first medal - in swimming - to 1972.
The interview opens by placing Dr. Malik inside this longer history.
Frame the choice
Choose the method: Remorse or transformation.
EZT practice question
What two choices did Dr. Malik face after her diagnosis?
Show the worked solution
- Doctors had declared she would be bound to a wheelchair for life.
- In her own words: 'I had two choices - squander my life in remorse or transform it into a world of limitless possibilities.'
- She chose transformation, channelling her energy into sport.
Answer: To squander her life in remorse, or to transform it into a world of limitless possibilities - she chose the second, turning to para-athletics.
Check: The chapter's title comes straight from this sentence of hers.
Watch for this: Do not soften the first option - naming remorse honestly is what makes her choice powerful.
Now try it yourself
What happened to Dr. Malik at 29?
Check your answer
She was diagnosed with a spine tumour; after surgery, doctors declared she would be bound to a wheelchair, paralysed waist down.
The prognosis is the fact her decision answers.
Mark the breakthrough
Choose the method: One throw, many perceptions.
EZT practice question
What was Dr. Malik's breakthrough moment, and how does she describe it?
Show the worked solution
- At the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games she secured the silver medal in the shot-put event.
- She calls it 'a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions'.
- The interviewer lists her firsts: first Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics and India's first female Paralympics medallist across any sport.
Answer: Her breakthrough was the shot-put silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games - in her words, a moment of personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions; the interviewer adds that her list of 'firsts' is never ending.
Check: Records here are the interview's own account - the interviewer states the firsts, Dr. Malik states what they mean.
Watch for this: Do not confuse the event - it was shot-put, not her earlier swimming.
Now try it yourself
Which honours does the chapter mention she has received?
Check your answer
The Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri awards, and a listing by the International Paralympic Committee among the 10 most inspirational women para-athletes globally.
The honours frame why the textbook chose to interview her.
Explain the key phrase
Choose the method: Potential over limitation.
EZT practice question
What does Dr. Malik mean by 'ability beyond disability'?
Show the worked solution
- She calls herself a proponent of the school of thought 'ability beyond disability'.
- Her medals testify that physical limitations do not define one's potential.
- Ability can grow beyond the disability - the body is not the ceiling.
Answer: That a physical limitation does not cap what a person can achieve - potential is defined by determination and skill, not by the body; the disability exists, but the ability grows beyond it.
Check: Her own career is the evidence she offers for the phrase.
Watch for this: Do not read the phrase as denying disability - it acknowledges it and refuses its limits.
Now try it yourself
What is her advice to people facing setbacks?
Check your answer
Treat every setback as an opportunity to prove your strength - surround yourself with a support system, believe in yourself, and let your journey inspire others.
The advice is the phrase turned into practice.
Connect sport and attitudes
Choose the method: Watching changes minds.
EZT practice question
How do Paralympics challenge societal stereotypes, in Dr. Malik's view?
Show the worked solution
- She names societal perceptions - people underestimating her abilities - as one of her significant challenges.
- When people witness the strength, skill and competitive spirit of para-athletes, preconceived notions break down.
- Sport shows that individuals with disabilities can be as capable as, if not more than, their able-bodied counterparts.
Answer: When people witness the strength, skill and competitive spirit of para-athletes, it breaks down preconceived notions - sport changes attitudes towards disability by showing that individuals with disabilities can be as capable as, if not more than, their able-bodied counterparts.
Check: The argument is about spectators as much as athletes - watching sport is what shifts perception.
Watch for this: Do not say she blames only institutions - she begins with everyday underestimation by people.
Now try it yourself
How did she overcome the challenge of societal perceptions?
Check your answer
With physical strength, mental resilience, her family's support and fortitude - embracing challenges as opportunities and turning obstacles into stepping stones.
Her answer pairs inner resources with a support system.
Map the advocacy
Choose the method: Medals into mission.
EZT practice question
What forms does Dr. Malik's advocacy work take?
Show the worked solution
- Strengthening the emotional health of persons with challenges.
- Empowering women through outdoor sports and adventure.
- Equipment support for para sportspersons, and disability-sports awareness and advocacy sessions at schools and colleges.
Answer: Her advocacy covers the emotional health of persons with challenges, empowering women through outdoor sports and adventure, equipment support for para sportspersons, and disability-sports awareness sessions at schools and colleges.
Check: Notice the range - emotional health, gender, equipment, and education all appear in her list.
Watch for this: Do not reduce her advocacy to motivational speaking alone - the chapter lists concrete programmes.
Now try it yourself
What does she mean by calling disability 'a unique strength waiting to be unleashed'?
Check your answer
That disability is not a limitation - with belief and support, it can become a source of strength and inspiration for oneself and others.
It is the closing form of her 'ability beyond disability' belief.
Try a mixed set
Choose a method or explanation before opening each answer.
1. Who is interviewed in the chapter?
Show answer and reason
Para-athlete Dr. Deepa Malik.
The chapter calls her a Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee.
2. What happened at 29?
Show answer and reason
A spine tumour; after surgery she was paralysed waist down.
Doctors said she would be wheelchair-bound for life.
3. Her Rio 2016 result?
Show answer and reason
Silver in shot-put.
She calls it a personal victory and a step forward in changing perceptions.
4. Her school of thought?
Show answer and reason
'Ability beyond disability.'
Physical limitations do not define potential.
Try it yourself
Work these on paper before checking any notes. Answers are deliberately not shown here.
- Quote Dr. Malik's two choices after her diagnosis.
- Name two forms her advocacy work takes.
- In one sentence, explain 'ability beyond disability'.
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Questions about this practice page
- What is The World of Limitless Possibilities about?
- It is an interview, in Unit 5 of the NCERT Class 9 English textbook Kaveri, with para-athlete Dr. Deepa Malik about her journey from a spine tumour at 29 to a 2016 Rio Paralympics silver medal in shot-put, and her advocacy for disability rights and inclusivity.
- Who is Dr. Deepa Malik?
- In the chapter's account, an Indian para-athlete and Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee, paralysed waist down after a spine tumour at 29, who won the shot-put silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
- When did India first take part in the Paralympics?
- The chapter dates Bharat's Paralympics debut to 1968, with the first medal - in swimming - in 1972.
- What does 'ability beyond disability' mean?
- Dr. Malik's belief that physical limitations do not define a person's potential - ability can grow beyond disability.
- What is the theme of The World of Limitless Possibilities?
- Resilience and the redefinition of possibilities: sport can quell stereotypes, and every setback can become an opportunity to prove one's strength.