Follow That Dream

(i) Complete the analogy: enthusiasm : passion :: belief : _______

Answer: conviction

Explanation: Just as enthusiasm is the stronger, more intense form of passion, conviction is the stronger, more certain form of belief. The analogy establishes synonymous intensity relationships.

(ii) The author says that a realistic assessment of effort, investment and sacrifice is crucial for preventing _________.

Answer: B. an early abandonment of the dream

If a person counts the true cost upfront and still feels committed, they are less likely to quit when the reality of the work hits them. Knowing what you are getting into prevents early drop-out, not the need for a support network (A), nor initial excitement fading (C), nor others questioning one (D).

(iii) The word ‘plunge’ as used in the extract indicates a _________ involvement in a task.

Answer: complete

The word “plunge” means to throw oneself fully into something — like diving into deep water. It suggests wholehearted, unreserved, complete commitment — the opposite of a tentative, gradual entry.

(iv) The author’s emphasis on ‘when you are doing what you love best and are doing the right thing’ works as a form of intrinsic motivation because _________.

Answer:

…it provides deep inner satisfaction and a sense of purpose that sustains a person even when external rewards are absent or distant. When the work itself is a source of joy, a person does not need constant praise or payment to continue — the love of what they are doing becomes its own fuel. This kind of motivation is more durable than any external reward because it comes from within.

(v) Mention one motivating factor besides ‘prospect of success’ that might keep a person on track despite running out of stamina.

One powerful motivating factor is the love and passion for the work itself — the joy of doing what one truly cares about. When a person deeply loves what they are doing, even exhaustion cannot completely extinguish their desire to continue. Another factor could be the support and belief of loved ones, which provides emotional energy when physical and mental stamina runs low.

(i) The phrase ‘life itself may change a person’s dreams’ suggests that dreams are not static but rather _______.

Answer: evolving

Both “evolving” and “dynamic” are valid here. “Evolving” captures the gradual, organic way in which dreams shift and grow as life experiences shape a person. Dreams are living things — they grow with us.

(ii) What does the author mean by ‘hopes and aspirations are no less than the original dream of younger days’?

The author means that when life changes our dreams — when we outgrow old goals or circumstances redirect our path — the new hopes and aspirations that take shape are equally worthy and meaningful. They should not be considered inferior simply because they were not the original dream. In other words, a dream is not diminished by being a revised or evolved version of an earlier dream. Its worth comes from its sincerity and the passion behind it, not from how long we have held it.

(iii) Identify the phrase from the extract that indicates a complex and challenging journey.

Answer: “negotiate a path through a maze of hurdles”

A “maze” suggests a complex, confusing structure with multiple dead ends and false turns. “Negotiate” implies careful, strategic manoeuvring. Together, the phrase paints a vivid picture of a journey that is neither straight nor simple.

(iv) The author says ‘people who are participants in your dreamscape would be many more’ because _________.

…as dreams grow more complex and take longer to realise, they inevitably involve a larger community of collaborators, supporters, mentors, and helpers. A young person’s dream might be pursued somewhat alone, but a mature, evolved dream — like writing and publishing a book — requires editors, publishers, readers, family members, and many others who become integral to the process. The bigger and more enduring the dream, the more people share in its journey.

(v) What is the tone of the author in this extract?

Answer: C. optimistic and encouraging

The mother speaks from personal experience with quiet confidence. She acknowledges difficulty (“maze of hurdles”) but her overall stance is positive — dreams evolve, remain meaningful, and can still be achieved. She ends the extract with personal excitement about her own evolved dream, which is the mood of encouragement, not anxiety.

1. The letter begins, ‘By all means follow that dream’. What do you think Ming must have written to her mother about?

Ming most likely wrote to her mother about a particular dream or ambition she was considering pursuing — possibly something unconventional, creative, or uncertain in terms of outcome. She may have expressed doubt about whether to commit to this path, perhaps worried about what others would think or whether it was a realistic goal. The tone of the mother’s reply — affirming, but also cautionary and honest — suggests Ming was seeking both encouragement and practical guidance. The mother’s response begins by immediately validating her daughter’s dream, which indicates that Ming had perhaps hesitated or expressed uncertainty herself.

2. How can one attain an international level of skill in any field? Mention any two ways.

According to the mother in the letter, two key ways to attain an international level of skill are: (i) Singular, intensive focus over at least ten years — one must dedicate themselves exclusively and relentlessly to the subject, refusing distraction; (ii) Starting with genuine passion and building deep conviction — without a true inner love for the field and an unshakeable belief that pursuing it is necessary, no amount of mechanical effort can sustain the journey to world-class standards.

3. What differentiates the mere dreamers from actual achievers?

The mother makes this distinction with clarity. Mere dreamers stop at wishful thinking — they say “I wish I could be this or the other” but never act. They may prefer to trade their dream for the safety of security, or they let the reality of obstacles discourage them. Actual achievers, on the other hand, begin with the same passion but then honestly count the cost — the years, the money, the sacrifices — and despite all of it, their conviction still burns. They then take the plunge. The difference is not talent or even passion alone; it is the courage to commit fully to the cost of the dream and take concrete action.

4. How does Ming’s mother use critical questions and personal anecdotes to persuade Ming and convey her message effectively?

The mother uses rhetorical questions to make Ming pause and think: “Do you know that to reach world-class standard in any field, one has to be singularly and intensively pursuing the subject for at least ten years?” This is not a real question — it is a device to make Ming internalise the information.

Her personal anecdotes are equally effective. She tells of people whose dream to attend Raffles College was destroyed by the Japanese invasion during World War II, and of others who had to leave school to support their siblings. These are not abstract warnings — they are real stories of real people whose circumstances overrode their dreams. By grounding her advice in lived experience, she gives it authenticity and emotional weight that no general statement could achieve.

Finally, she ends with her own most personal anecdote: the dream of writing and publishing this very book — a ten-year journey that changed from her original dream but became equally precious. This makes her a credible, relatable guide, not a distant authority.

5. How does Ming’s mother balance encouragement with caution in her advice?

The letter is a masterclass in balanced parenting. The mother opens with unequivocal support: “By all means follow that dream.” This immediately establishes that she is not trying to dampen Ming’s enthusiasm. She celebrates the very idea of having a dream and affirms that great people are defined by how they pursue theirs.

Yet she follows this with honest caution. She insists that Ming “count the cost” — in years, money, and sacrifice. She shares the stories of those whose dreams were destroyed by circumstances beyond their control: war, poverty, family obligation. She specifically says, “No, I am not going to put a wet blanket on your dreams,” which paradoxically acknowledges that what follows could sound discouraging — but she believes Ming deserves the full truth.

The balance is achieved by always returning to the central condition: if, after all the obstacles are honestly faced, the burning conviction still persists — then go ahead. In this way, the mother neither blindly endorses nor fearfully discourages. She equips her daughter to make an informed, self-aware choice.

6. Is this advice still relevant in contemporary society? If yes, why?

Yes, this advice remains profoundly relevant today — perhaps even more so. Contemporary society offers more choices and fields than ever before, which can make it harder, not easier, to commit deeply to one path. The internet creates the illusion that success can be fast and easy, but the reality of mastery — in medicine, music, software, sport, or any other field — still demands years of intense, focused effort.

Financial pressures, social expectations, and the fear of failure continue to cause many people to trade their dreams for security. The wisdom of assessing the true cost of a dream before committing, of building a support network, and of remaining open to the evolution of one’s dreams — all of this is timeless, transcending the specific social context of 1995 Singapore.

1. "burn in her blood"

✓ Answer: (ii) have a passionate desire

Why: The idiom uses heat and blood to convey a deep, innate, irresistible passion — not anger or pain.

Example sentence: Music has always burned in his blood — he would play for hours without stopping.

2. "uphill task"

✓ Answer: (i) a tough challenge

Why: An uphill task requires sustained effort against resistance — like climbing a slope. It's hard, not just slow or routine.

Example sentence: Convincing the committee to change the rules was an uphill task.

3. "buoyed up"

✓ Answer: (iv) lifted in spirit

Why: Like a buoy keeps something afloat on water, being 'buoyed up' means your spirit is kept afloat — lifted from a low point.

Example sentence: The players were buoyed up by the crowd's enthusiastic cheering.

4. "wishful thinking"

✓ Answer: (iii) a hopeful belief but unlikely to be true

Why: Wishful thinking is believing in something not because evidence supports it, but because you want it to be true.

Example sentence: Thinking she would finish the project in one day was wishful thinking.

5. "wet blanket"

✓ Answer: (i) spoil-sport

Why: A wet blanket dampens flames just as a person who kills excitement and enthusiasm 'damps down' the fun.

Example sentence: Don't be a wet blanket — join us for the trip instead of listing reasons why it might go wrong.

6. "coursing through her veins"

✓ Answer: (ii) flowing through her body

Why: The idiom uses the imagery of blood racing through the body to describe an intense, full-body feeling of emotion or energy.

Example sentence: Adrenaline was coursing through his veins as he sprinted towards the finish line.

Q II — Rhyme Scheme

The poem follows a simple, yet effective rhyme scheme ABCB that flows steadily through each stanza.

In each stanza, the 2nd and 4th lines rhyme (see / be; fear / near; quo / grow; back / track). The 1st and 3rd lines do not rhyme. This pattern is called the ABCB scheme.

Q III — Tone (True or False)

Q IV — Speaker

The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/she comes across as a guide who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take control of his/her own future. The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is talking directly to the reader.

Q V — Imagery (Matching)

Note: Option (i) — “Represents the difficulty of beginning a new challenge or change” — best applies to the phrase “The first step is the hardest” from the final stanza. It is the extra option in this exercise.

Q VI — Symbolism

Q VII — Metaphor: “The first step is the hardest”

This is a metaphor because it does not literally mean a physical footstep. The “first step” is used as a metaphor for the act of beginning any significant change, challenge, or journey in life. The poet compares making a decision and starting action to physically stepping forward — but in reality, the “step” is a mental and emotional act of courage.

The metaphor is effective because it takes an abstract idea — the difficulty of initiating change — and makes it concrete and physical. We all understand from experience that the first physical step down a dark staircase or onto an unfamiliar path is the most hesitant. The poet applies this bodily sensation to our psychological experience of facing change.

Q VIII — Antithesis in the Poem

The poem contains antithesis in the following lines:

Q I.1(i) — What does “There is no crowd to see” suggest about facing challenges?

The line suggests that facing a challenge is a deeply personal, private experience. There is no audience to impress, no applause to anticipate, and no judges to satisfy. The only person who truly matters in that moment of decision is the individual himself. This removes any social motivation or performance pressure and places the entire responsibility — and freedom — squarely on the person’s own shoulders.

Q I.1(ii) — “It’s just you and the future” suggests that _________.

The journey towards one’s future is ultimately a solo endeavour — no one else can determine your direction or walk the path for you. The future is neither fixed nor inherited; it is shaped by the individual’s own choices, courage, and action.

Q I.1(iii) — Fill in the blank: Latha will ______ her efforts to improve her vocal performance.

Answer: step up

From the opening line “Step up to the challenge.” To step up means to increase effort, rise to a higher level of performance.

Q I.1(iv) — Most suitable title for the extract (Stanza 1):

Answer: C. A Journey of Growth

The stanza speaks of stepping up, facing the future, and taking responsibility — all elements of a personal growth journey. “Facing the Future Alone” is too negative; “The Struggles of Change” misses the opportunity aspect; “The Power of Fear” contradicts the empowering tone.

Q I.1(v) — Analogy: achieve : goal :: face : _______

Answer: challenge

Just as you achieve a goal, you face a challenge. The relationship is object-action: goal is what you achieve; challenge is what you face.

Q II.1 — Significance of the metaphor “The first step is the hardest” in personal growth.

The metaphor captures a universal truth about human psychology: inertia is our default state. Whether we want to start exercising, begin a new project, speak up in class, or pursue an unconventional career, the act of beginning — of breaking from what is familiar and safe — is the point at which most people fail. Once started, momentum takes over; the second step is always easier than the first.

In the context of personal growth, the metaphor is particularly powerful because it validates the reader’s fear without surrendering to it. It says: yes, beginning is hard — but it is only one step. And if that step is taken, the journey becomes possible.

Q II.2 — What message does the antithesis in the poem convey about personal development?

The antitheses — between being pulled forward and pushed back, between comfort and growth — convey that personal development is never comfortable or automatic. It always involves a choice between two opposing forces: the familiar safety of where we are versus the uncertain possibility of where we could be. The poem’s message is that real development requires actively choosing the harder path — growth will never come to us while we remain in the comfort of the status quo.

Q II.3 — Is the poet’s message realistic in the context of real-world struggles?

The poet’s message is partially realistic. Self-belief is indeed a necessary condition for personal growth — without it, no amount of talent or opportunity can be effectively harnessed. Research in psychology also supports the idea that self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability) is one of the strongest predictors of perseverance and achievement.

However, the poem’s message is incomplete as a prescription for real-world struggles. Believing in yourself is essential but not sufficient. Success also requires practical skills, resources, social support, access to opportunities, and sometimes fortunate circumstances. A child who believes deeply but lacks access to quality education or is burdened by poverty cannot simply believe their way out. The poem’s power lies in its inspirational force — it reminds us what is within our control (our attitude, our choice to step up) — but it should be read alongside the more nuanced wisdom of Irene Chua’s letter, which honestly acknowledges the real costs and constraints.

1. What do these rhetorical questions intend to achieve?

2. Match situations to rhetorical questions: