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Extended, composition-style answers, about 120-150 words each.
12.
You are the head of your school’s sports club. Using ideas from the poem, write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly on the topic ‘True Victory Lies in Helping Others’ (120-150 words).
How to answer:
Use speech format: greeting, a strong opening line, 2-3 body points with evidence from the poem, and a closing call to action.
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Answer:
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends, good morning to all. Today I want to speak about a poem called ‘
Nine Gold Medals
’ by David Roth, and the lesson it teaches us about
true victory
. In the poem, nine athletes at the
Special Olympics
are running a race everyone has trained hard for. But when the smallest runner
falls
, something remarkable happens — all
eight other runners stop
, go back, and help him to his feet. They then
walk together to the finish line
, and every single athlete is given a gold medal. This teaches us that winning is not only about being first; it is about
compassion, teamwork and looking out for one another
. In our own lives, in sports, studies and friendships, we should remember that helping someone in need is a far greater achievement than any medal. Let us all choose kindness over competition. Thank you.
13.
Imagine you are one of the eight athletes who stopped to help the fallen runner at the Special Olympics. Write a diary entry about that day (120-150 words).
Diary Entry
How to answer:
Use diary format (date + ‘Dear Diary’), write in the first person, and describe the race, the fall, your decision, and how you felt at the finish line.
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Answer:
12 August, Evening
Dear Diary, today was the day of the Special Olympics race, and I will never forget it. I had trained for months and wanted so badly to win. As we ran, I heard a cry — the smallest boy in our race had fallen and hurt himself. For one second I thought about running on. Then, without even discussing it, all of us turned back together. We helped him up, held his hands, and walked the rest of the race side by side . When we crossed the finish line together, the whole stadium stood and cheered louder than I had ever heard. Every one of us was given a gold medal that day. I did not win the race the way I had imagined, but I felt prouder than I have ever felt . I learned that some victories are far greater than crossing a line first.
Dear Diary, today was the day of the Special Olympics race, and I will never forget it. I had trained for months and wanted so badly to win. As we ran, I heard a cry — the smallest boy in our race had fallen and hurt himself. For one second I thought about running on. Then, without even discussing it, all of us turned back together. We helped him up, held his hands, and walked the rest of the race side by side . When we crossed the finish line together, the whole stadium stood and cheered louder than I had ever heard. Every one of us was given a gold medal that day. I did not win the race the way I had imagined, but I felt prouder than I have ever felt . I learned that some victories are far greater than crossing a line first.
14.
Write a short article for your school magazine titled ‘More Than a Medal’, citing ideas from the poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’ (120-150 words).
Article
How to answer:
Use article format: a catchy title, 2-3 short paragraphs connecting the poem’s message to real life, and a concluding thought.
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Answer:
More Than a Medal
What does it truly mean to win? David Roth’s poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’ answers this question beautifully. In the poem, nine athletes at the Special Olympics are racing for glory when the smallest runner suddenly falls . Instead of racing ahead, all eight other athletes stop, turn back, and help him up , then walk together to the finish line — and every single one of them receives a gold medal. This simple act shows us that empathy and teamwork matter more than individual success . In our daily lives — in exams, sports and friendships — we are often taught to compete and win at any cost. This poem reminds us that supporting someone else, even if it means slowing down ourselves, is a victory of its own kind. True champions are not only fast; they are kind . That is a medal no one can take away.
What does it truly mean to win? David Roth’s poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’ answers this question beautifully. In the poem, nine athletes at the Special Olympics are racing for glory when the smallest runner suddenly falls . Instead of racing ahead, all eight other athletes stop, turn back, and help him up , then walk together to the finish line — and every single one of them receives a gold medal. This simple act shows us that empathy and teamwork matter more than individual success . In our daily lives — in exams, sports and friendships — we are often taught to compete and win at any cost. This poem reminds us that supporting someone else, even if it means slowing down ourselves, is a victory of its own kind. True champions are not only fast; they are kind . That is a medal no one can take away.
