Chapter 2 – Strong Roots Explanation, Summary, Questions and Answers

Content Structure

1. About the author – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
2. Theme of the Strong Roots
3. Summary of the Strong Roots
4. Word meanings
5. Exercises solutions
6. Additional Question and Answer
- 6A. Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
- 6B. Fill in the blanks
- 6C. True or False
- 6D. Short questions & answers
- 6E. Long questions & answers
7. Grammar
- 7A. Voice change

1. About the author – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a famous Indian scientist and the 11th President of India. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. He is also known as the “Missile Man of India.” He played a key role in India’s space and missile programs and was deeply loved for his humble nature and inspirational speeches. He strongly believed in honesty, hard work, and the power of education. He wrote many books, such as Wings of Fire, which continue to encourage young people to dream big. He passed away on July 27, 2015, but his speeches, words, and ideas still inspire us today.

2. Theme of the Strong Roots

Kalam’s father strongly believed in the power of prayer not just as a daily habit but as a way to bring people closer and rise above differences like wealth or social status.
This story shows the beauty of religious harmony by describing how Hindus and Muslims in Rameswaram lived peacefully and respected each other’s beliefs.
Kalam’s simple and secure childhood, along with the guidance he received from his father, shaped his thoughts, values, and future.

3. Summary of the Strong Roots

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam looks back on his childhood in the island town of Rameswaram, then part of the Madras state, where he was born into a middle-class Tamil Muslim family. His father, Jainulabdeen, was a very religious man known for his wisdom, kindness, and simple way of living, even though he had no formal education or much money. His mother, Ashiamma, was caring and generous, often serving food not just to the family but also to many people in the neighbourhood. Kalam talks about their safe but simple life in a big, strong house on Mosque Street, where they always had the basics like food, medicine, and clothes, even though they didn’t spend on extra things. As a child, he and his mother would sit on the kitchen floor and eat meals served on banana leaves. Kalam often went with his father to the mosque for evening prayers, where people of all faiths waited for his father’s blessings, believing the water he touched during prayers could help the sick. His father’s close friendship with Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, the main priest of the Rameswaram temple, showed the strong bond between communities. His father taught him that prayer was not about religion, age, or wealth, but about feeling connected to a greater power, and that hard times were chances to think deeply. When Kalam asked why he didn’t tell this directly to the people who came to him, his father said that people often need someone to help them feel close to God. As Kalam grew up and worked in science and technology, he tried to follow the values his father had taught him. He believed that a higher power helps people move from confusion and sadness to their true path in life, and that real peace comes when we let go of fear and too much attachment to things.

Extract from the chapter Orientation from Wings of Fire.

4. Word meanings

Word	Meaning
Possessed	To have or own something
Generosity	Kindness
Undistinguished	Ordinary
Inessential	Unimportant
Predominantly	Mostly
Convinced	Confident about something
Transcend	Rise above
Manifest	Show
Introspection	Self-thinking
Comprehend	Understand
Enthusiasm	Excitement
Demonic	Evil
Grove	Small forest
Endeavoured	Tried hard to do or achieve something
Melancholy	Sadness

5. Exercises solutions

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given :

1. What is the significance of the title “Strong Roots” in this extract?
a) It refers to the author’s family tree
b) It symbolizes the important values instilled in the author during his childhood
c) It describes the strong trees near his childhood home
d) It foreshadows the author’s future achievements

Ans: b) It symbolizes the important values instilled in the author during his childhood

2. Who is Jainulabdeen in the extract?
a) A close friend of the author’s father
b) The author’s grandfather
c) The author’s father
d) A teacher of the author

Ans: c) The author’s father

3. What lesson does the author learn from his father’s words about troubles and sufferings?
a) To avoid difficulties at all costs.
b) To view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
c) To rely on others for help during difficult times.
d) To blame God for misfortune

Ans: b) To view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

6. Additional Question and Answer

6A. Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Where was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born?
(a) Chennai
(b) Mumbai
(c) Rameswaram
(d) Madras

Ans: (c) Rameswaram

2. What kind of house did Kalam’s family live in?
(a) Flat
(b) Small wooden cottage
(c) Large pucca house
(d) Hut

Ans: (c) Large pucca house

3. What did Kalam’s father do after morning prayer?
(a) Went to the market
(b) Went to the mosque
(c) Went to the coconut grove
(d) Went to the morning walk

Ans: (c) Went to the coconut grove

4. What was the name of Kalam’s father?
(a) Ashiamma
(b) Abdul Rahman
(c) Jainulabdeen
(d) Pakshi Lakshmana

Ans: (c) Jainulabdeen

5. What time did Kalam’s father begin his day?
(a) 5 am
(b) 6 am
(c) 4 am
(d) 7 am

Ans: (c) 4 am

6. How was Kalam’s father described in the passage?
(a) Rich and rude
(b) Wise and generous
(c) Strict and proud
(d) Rich and honest

Ans: (b) Wise and generous

7. How far was the coconut grove from Kalam’s house?
(a) Three miles
(b) Two miles
(c) Four miles
(d) One mile

Ans: (c) Four miles

8. What was usually served along with rice on the banana leaf?
(a) Rasam and curd
(b) Sambar and coconut chutney
(c) Rice and dal
(d) Curd chutney

Ans: (b) Sambar and coconut chutney

9. What language did Kalam’s father use to explain spiritual ideas?
(a) Arabic
(b) English
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Simple Tamil

Ans: (d) Simple Tamil

10. What does Kalam say every desire and pain finds?
(a) A rich friend
(b) A special helper
(c) A quick solution
(d) A clear path

Ans: (b) A special helper

11. Which book contains this passage ‘Strong Roots’?
(a) Wings of Fire
(b) Ignited Minds
(c) My Journey
(d) India 2021

Ans: (a) Wings of Fire

12. What title was given to one of Kalam’s mother’s ancestors by the British?
(a) Khan
(b) Bahadur
(c) Nawab
(d) King

Ans: (b) Bahadur

13. Who was the high priest of the Rameswaram temple and a close friend of Kalam’s father?
(a) Lakshmana Sastry
(b) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
(c) Swami Vivekananda
(d) Raghunandan Iyengar

Ans: (b) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry

14. What kind of childhood did Kalam describe?
(a) Lonely and hard
(b) Sad and travel
(c) Emotionally and materially secure
(d) Luxurious

Ans: (c) Emotionally and materially secure

15. Why did people offer water to Kalam’s father during evening prayers?
(a) For cooking
(b) As a religious rule
(c) For blessings to heal the sick
(d) To cool him down

Ans: (c) For blessings to heal the sick

6B. Fill in the blanks

1. Kalam’s mother’s name was ____________________. (Ashiamma)
2. Kalam described his childhood as ________________ and emotionally secure. (materially)
3. People brought ___________________ to Kalam’s father to be blessed during prayers. (bowls of water)
4. The food was served on _________________ leaves. (banana)
5. The area where Kalam lived had both ____________________ and Muslims. (Hindus)
6. Kalam’s father returned home carrying ___________ coconuts. (about a dozen)
7. Kalam’s father prayed in the ___________________ early in the morning. (namaz)
8. Kalam felt a strange energy and _______________ after hearing his father’s wise words. (enthusiasm)
9. The Shiva temple was about a ______________ walk from their house. (ten-minute)
10. Kalam and his mother ate their meals sitting on the ____________________. (floor)

6C. True or False

1. Kalam’s father was a well-educated man with a high-paying job. (False)
S/S: “My father, Jainulabdeen, had neither much formal education nor much wealth.”

2. Kalam described his childhood as full of luxury and wealth. (False)
S/S: “My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries.”

3. Kalam’s family lived in a pucca house made of limestone and brick. (True)
S/S: “It was a fairly large pucca house, made of limestone and brick.”

4. There was religious harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Kalam’s locality. (True)
S/S: “…Hindu families too, living amicably with their Muslim neighbours.”

5. Kalam understood all the Arabic prayers he heard at the mosque. (False)
S/S: “I had not the faintest idea of the meaning of the Arabic prayers chanted…”

6. Kalam’s father believed prayer connected people beyond caste and wealth. (True)
S/S: “Prayer made possible a communion of the spirit between people… which knows no division of wealth, age, caste, or creed.”

7. Kalam tried to follow his father’s values in his own scientific career. (True)
S/S: “I have, throughout my life, tried to emulate my father in my own world of science and technology.”

8. Kalam described himself as a tall and handsome child. (False)
S/S: “A short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents.”

9. Kalam’s father thought he was a messenger between people and God. (True)
S/S: “For the people who come to me in distress, I am but a go-between in their effort to propitiate demonic forces…”

10. Kalam’s father thought he was a messenger between people and God. (True)
S/S: “For the people who come to me in distress, I am but a go-between in their effort to propitiate demonic forces…”

6D. Short questions & answers

1. Where was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born?
Ans: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born into a Tamil family in Rameswaram, in the Madras State. It was a small island where people of different religions, especially Hindus and Muslims, lived peacefully and respected each other’s beliefs and traditions.

2. What kind of house did Kalam live in during childhood?
Ans: During his childhood, Kalam lived in a pucca house made of brick and limestone. It was located on Mosque Street and was built in the 19th century.

3. How did Kalam describe his mother, Ashiamma?
Ans: Kalam described his mother, Ashiamma, as a caring and generous woman who fed many people every day, including neighbors and guests. Her kindness and support made a deep impact on Kalam’s childhood and reflected her strong character.

4. What was the religious environment like in Kalam’s area?
Ans: In Kalam’s area, people of different religions lived together peacefully. Hindus and Muslims respected each other’s traditions. Kalam’s father was a Muslim, but his closest friend was a Hindu priest, which showed strong communal harmony.

5. Why did people bring water to Kalam’s father?
Ans: In the evening, people brought bowls of water to Kalam’s father, believing that his prayers would bless the water. He would dip his fingers into the bowls after praying, and people believed this blessed water helped heal the sick.

6. What role did the mosque play in Kalam’s life?
Ans: The mosque near Kalam’s house played an important role in his life. Every evening, he and his father went there to pray. Though Kalam did not understand Arabic, he believed deeply in the power of prayer and faith.

7. What did Kalam learn from his father about prayer?
Ans: Kalam learned that prayer is not a mystery but a way to connect with the divine. His father taught him that prayer helps people rise above material things and strengthens the spirit, bringing inner peace and unity.

8. What did Kalam’s father think about fear and destiny?
Ans: Kalam’s father believed that people should not fear destiny or depend on rituals out of fear. He said one should face life with courage, seek spiritual growth, and understand that true strength comes from within.

9. What advice did Kalam’s father give about facing problems?
Ans: Kalam’s father advised him to face life’s challenges without fear. He taught that hard work and inner strength help overcome problems. His advice encouraged Kalam to stay strong, understand life deeply, and never give up.

10. What did Kalam try to follow from his father’s life?
Ans: Kalam tried to follow his father’s values of honesty, simplicity, spirituality, and respect for all. Although Kalam chose science and technology as his career, he always remembered the life lessons his father taught him.

11. What final message did Kalam take from his father’s teachings?
Ans: Kalam learned from his father that true peace comes from a deep understanding of life and emotions. His father taught him that both joy and sorrow are natural parts of life, and embracing them with acceptance leads to inner peace and lasting happiness.

12. What was the daily routine of Kalam’s father?
Ans: Kalam’s father began his day at 4 a.m. with Namaz, showing his spiritual devotion. After he finished praying, he would walk four miles to a coconut grove and then return home for breakfast. He spent the rest of the day in a simple routine and went to the mosque in the evening for prayers, to bless those who came to seek his guidance.

13. What was the relationship between Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
Ans: Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, the high priest of the Rameswaram temple, was a close friend of Kalam’s father. Their relationship reflected deep mutual respect, showing that people of different faiths could live with peace and harmony.

14. What kind of education and financial background did Kalam’s father have?
Ans: Kalam’s father was not highly educated and led a simple life. Though not wealthy, he was spiritually rich and deeply respected. He believed in honesty, faith, and offered blessings to the sick with a humble heart.

15. How did Kalam’s father react when people thanked him for healing?
Ans: When people thanked him after recovering from illness, Kalam’s father humbly smiled and told them to thank Allah. He believed he was only a medium and that healing came from divine grace, not from his own power.

6E. Long questions & answers

1. What values and spiritual lessons did Kalam learn from his father, Jainulabdeen?
Ans: Kalam learned many values and spiritual lessons from his father. He learned to live simply, speak truthfully, and believe deeply in God. His father taught him that prayer connects people to a higher power and brings peace. Kalam also learned that true faith is not about religion or money, but about kindness, honesty, and understanding. He saw how his father helped people with love and care, and this shaped Kalam’s thoughts about life, faith, and service to others.

2. How does Kalam describe the spirit of religious unity in his neighborhood?
Ans: Kalam describes his neighborhood as a place where people of different religions lived together peacefully. Hindus and Muslims respected each other’s beliefs and took part in each other’s lives. His father, a Muslim, was a close friend of the Hindu temple priest, which showed that religion never came in the way of friendship. People prayed in different places but shared the same values of love and respect this taught Kalam the true meaning of unity and harmony among religions.

3. Why did people seek blessings from Kalam’s father during prayer time?
Ans: During evening prayers at the mosque, people brought bowls of water to Kalam’s father, believing that his prayer and touch could make the water holy. He would dip his fingers into the water while praying, and the sick would take it home, hoping to get better. Many came back later to thank him after they recovered but Kalam’s father never praised himself; he simply told them to thank Allah. He believed he was only a link between God and the people. This showed his humble nature and strong faith in God.

4. What understanding of prayer did Kalam gain from his father?
Ans: Kalam learned from his father that prayer is not a secret or ritual but a way to connect with the divine and unite people beyond barriers like caste, religion, or wealth. His father taught him that when a person prays sincerely, their soul becomes one with the universe. This idea left a deep impression on Kalam. He realized that prayer brings inner peace, strength, and harmony.

5. What did Kalam’s father believe about the role of adversity in life?
Ans: Kalam’s father taught him that adversity should not be feared but understood as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. He believed that difficult times help individuals explore their inner strength and develop spiritually. He told Kalam that every challenge carries a purpose and offers a chance to become wiser and stronger. This belief shaped Kalam’s positive mindset and helped him face life’s hardships with courage, patience, and hope.

6. How did the friendship between Kalam’s father and the temple priest reflect communal harmony?
Ans: Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, the temple priest, shared a strong and respectful friendship despite belonging to different religions. They often discussed spiritual matters with deep mutual understanding. Their bond was a powerful symbol of communal harmony, showing that faith can unite rather than divide. For young Kalam, this friendship was a lasting memory that taught him the value of tolerance, respect, and peaceful Shared existence.

7. In what way did Kalam’s childhood environment influence his outlook on religion and community?
Ans: Kalam grew up in a peaceful place where people from different religions lived together with respect. His parents taught him to be kind, helpful, and to believe in God. His father’s close friendship with the Hindu temple priest showed how people of different faiths could be good friends. These experiences helped Kalam believe that all religions teach love and care. This way of thinking stayed with him throughout his life, and he always supported togetherness, respect for all, and the idea that being a good human is more important than religious differences.

7. Grammar

7A. Voice change

A-P	A divine power can lift one from failure.	One can be lifted from failure by a divine power.
A-P	I have tried to emulate my father.	My father has been tried to be emulated by me.
A-P	He started his day at 4 am.	His day was started at 4 am by him.
A-P	He read the namaz before dawn.	The namaz was read before dawn by him.
A-P	I was filled with energy and enthusiasm.	Energy and enthusiasm filled me.
A-P	He tied coconuts together and threw them over his shoulder.	Coconuts were tied together and thrown over his shoulder by him.
A-P	He put his hands on my shoulders.	My shoulders were held by his hands.
A-P	Prayer makes possible a communion of the spirit.	A communion of the spirit is made possible by prayer.
A-P	I remember the two men discussing spiritual matters.	The discussion of spiritual matters by the two men is remembered by me.
A-P	He judged my capacity to understand.	My capacity to understand was judged by him.
A-P	People visited our home to offer thanks.	Our home was visited by people to offer thanks.
A-P	My father could convey spiritual concepts in simple Tamil.	Spiritual concepts could be conveyed in simple Tamil by my father.
A-P	I asked my father about the relevance of prayer.	My father was asked about the relevance of prayer by me.
A-P	My father dipped his fingertips in the water.	His fingertips were dipped in the water by my father.
A-P	My father asked them to thank Allah.	They were asked to thank Allah by my father.
A-P	My father would take me for evening prayers.	I would be taken for evening prayers by my father.
A-P	My mother placed a banana leaf before me.	A banana leaf was placed before me by my mother.
A-P	People offered bowls of water to my father.	Bowls of water were offered to my father by people.
A-P	My father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries.	All inessential comforts and luxuries used to be avoided by my father.
A-P	She ladled rice and sambar on the leaf.	Rice and sambar were ladled on the leaf by her.
A-P	The manager approved the new proposal.	The new proposal was approved by the manager.
A-P	Someone is knocking at the door.	The door is being knocked at by someone.
A-P	They are watching a documentary on climate change.	A documentary on climate change is being watched by them.
A-P	She will deliver the speech tomorrow.	The speech will be delivered by her tomorrow.
A-P	We must follow traffic rules.	Traffic rules must be followed by us.
A-P	The teacher had praised the student for his honesty.	The student had been praised for his honesty by the teacher.
A-P	They elected him the chairman of the committee.	He was elected the chairman of the committee by them.
A-P	He has solved all the questions.	All the questions have been solved by him.
A-P	People speak English all over the world.	English is spoken all over the world.
A-P	Somebody has stolen my bike.	My bike has been stolen by somebody.
A-P	They will complete the project by next week.	The project will be completed by them by next week.
A-P	They were watching the match with great interest.	She was working on a novel at the time.
A-P	I am reading a fascinating article.	A fascinating article is being read by me.
A-P	You should water the plants daily.	The plants should be watered daily by you.
A-P	She was writing a novel.	A novel was being written by her.
A-P	They are repairing the old bridge.	The old bridge is being repaired by them.
A-P	The chef is preparing a special dish.	A special dish is being prepared by the chef.
A-P	He can finish the work in two hours.	The work can be finished by him in two hours.
A-P	The police caught the thief red-handed.	The thief was caught red-handed by the police.
A-P	She had cleaned the kitchen before we arrived.	The kitchen had been cleaned by her before we arrived.