Overcoming physical disabilities (Evelyn Glennie) and the life of Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan

Evelyn Glennie was a renowned percussionist. She performed by sensing the sounds and vibrations of percussion instruments such as drums and the xylophone. String music, played on instruments like the violin, is a plausible distractor but was not her special field. Exam tip: Remember Evelyn Glennie as a percussionist who overcame hearing impairment.

Evelyn's story is an inspiring example of victory over difficulty. When asked the summary, choose the positive message.

Ron Forbes played a decisive role in Evelyn Glennie’s musical development. Instead of treating her deafness as a reason to abandon music, he encouraged her to listen to and recognise sound through vibrations in different parts of her body. His guidance helped her understand that music could be experienced physically, not only through ordinary hearing. Thus, option A is correct. Options B and D contradict his supportive role, while option C has no connection with the account. Forbes did not remove the obstacle for Evelyn; he showed her a practical and imaginative way to work with it. His mentorship strengthened her confidence and helped begin her journey towards becoming a remarkable percussionist.

Evelyn accepted disability as a challenge. In life-value questions, take the lesson from struggle.

Evelyn Glennie relied on sustained hard work, determination, and self-confidence to succeed in music. Her increasing deafness created a serious obstacle, but she refused to define herself by that limitation. With guidance from Ron Forbes, she trained herself to sense vibrations and to understand musical sounds in a different way. Her achievement therefore resulted from disciplined practice and a positive belief in her own ability, not from luck or pity. Option A is correct. Option B ignores her years of effort, option C misrepresents her independent achievement, and option D contradicts the entire account because she continued and excelled in music. The lesson presents perseverance as an active choice supported by training.

Ustad Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, Bihar. He later became a celebrated shehnai maestro and had a close association with Varanasi. Varanasi is in Uttar Pradesh, but his birthplace, Dumraon, is in Bihar. Exam tip: remember to distinguish a person's birthplace from their place of work or association.

Bismillah Khan’s father was Paigambar Bux, a professional shehnai player from a family of court musicians. Ali Bux was his maternal uncle, not his father. Exam tip: Learn the names in the chapter along with their family relationships, such as father, uncle, and teacher.

Bismillah Khan learned to play the shehnai from his maternal uncle, Ali Bux. Ali Bux played the shehnai at the Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and trained Bismillah Khan in music. Zakir Hussain is a renowned tabla player, so he is not the correct answer. Exam tip: Remember Ali Bux as Bismillah Khan's guru and uncle.

Ustad Bismillah Khan had a deep and lasting connection with Varanasi, also called Banaras. The city was important not only as a place where he lived and performed, but also as a source of artistic inspiration. He played the shehnai in the atmosphere of its temples and along the Ganga, and he valued the city’s cultural traditions. His music was closely linked with the sound, spirit, and identity of Varanasi.

The lesson presents his attachment to Banaras as stronger than an ordinary professional association. Although he travelled widely and performed before large audiences, he continued to feel drawn to Varanasi and did not want to abandon it. Therefore option A is correct. Mumbai, Jaipur, and Chennai are not the city identified in this part of the chapter. Remembering the connection between the maestro, the Ganga, temples, and Banaras leads directly to the answer.

Ustad Bismillah Khan practised beside the River Ganga in Varanasi. The chapter highlights his deep attachment to Varanasi and the Ganga. Kaveri, Sutlej and Tapi are other Indian rivers, but they are not linked with his place of practice. Exam tip: Remember Bismillah Khan with Varanasi and the Ganga.

He gave the shehnai a high place in classical music. In contribution questions, connect the instrument and field.

The shehnai was earlier linked with auspicious occasions like weddings and temples. Remember its traditional use as a simple fact.

Bismillah Khan was a world-famous shehnai player. He performed the shehnai from the Red Fort in Delhi on 15 August 1947, the day India became independent. The tabla is a percussion instrument, while the sarangi and dholak are different instruments. Exam tip: Link Bismillah Khan with the shehnai and the Red Fort Independence Day event.

Bismillah Khan played Raga Kafi on the occasion of independence. Remember the raga and occasion together.

Bismillah Khan received the honour for his great contribution to music. Link awards with contributions.

Bismillah Khan had a deep emotional bond with India, especially Banaras and the Ganga. When he was offered a chance to settle abroad, he felt that the warmth and belonging he associated with Banaras and the Ganga could not be found there. Hence, option A is correct. Option D is close but incorrect: he was not against living in every other city; his special attachment was to Banaras and India. Exam tip: Remember Bismillah Khan’s love for Banaras and India as a key trait in this chapter.

Bismillah Khan devoted his life to the shehnai and music. In value-based questions, choose dedication.

His music reflected the culture of Banaras and the Ganga. In city-based questions, remember Banaras.

Bismillah Khan became famous as a remarkable shehnai player. He helped raise the status of the shehnai from an instrument mainly heard in traditional or ceremonial settings to one respected on major concert stages. His careful practice, musical skill, and deep understanding of the instrument made him a celebrated maestro. His fame was therefore based on performance and mastery of the shehnai, not on a general connection with the arts.

The question asks for his main professional identity. Option A names the instrument for which he was nationally and internationally admired. The other choices describe drawing, writing, and dancing, none of which is the central subject of his life in the lesson. His achievements, public performances, and contribution to Indian classical music all relate to shehnai playing. Thus the correct choice follows directly from the chapter’s focus on his musical career.

Both had deep love for music in their lives. In combined questions, identify the common value.