Comprehensive, textbook-grounded solutions for DAV Class 5 Moral Science Chapter 6: The Story of Wilma Rudolph (Child & Family – Welfare). Learn the triumphant biography of Wilma Rudolph, who defeated polio to win three Olympic gold medals, with complete question answers and inspirational evaluations according to the DAV CMC curriculum.
The Inspiring Story of Wilma Rudolph
With determination and perseverance, all obstacles can be overcome. Wilma Rudolph was born into a poor African-American family in Tennessee, USA. At the age of four, she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her left leg paralyzed due to polio. Doctors told her family that she would never walk again, and she was forced to wear an orthopedic leg brace.
The Path to Olympic Glory:
- Mother’s Unshakable Faith: Wilma’s mother constantly encouraged her, telling her that with faith, hard work, and persistence, God would allow her to achieve whatever she set her heart upon.
- First Steps: At age 9, against medical odds, Wilma discarded her brace and took her first independent steps. By age 12, she was walking normally.
- Early Defeats: When she began competing at age 13, she finished dead last in every race. Yet she never surrendered to disappointment.
- Coach Ed Temple: At Tennessee State University, coach Ed Temple saw her burning resolve and trained her for international track and field.
- 1960 Rome Olympic Games: Facing the reigning world champion Jutta Heine of Germany, Wilma won gold in the 100m sprint, gold in the 200m sprint, and gold in the 400m relay (even after momentarily dropping the baton, she surged ahead like lightning). She became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics!
Thought of the Day: “If you think you can, you can.”
Textbook Exercises & Solved Questions
A. Answer the Following Questions
Q1. Where was Wilma Rudolph born?
Answer: Wilma Rudolph was born in Tennessee, USA.
Q2. How did pneumonia and scarlet fever affect her when she was four years old?
Answer: The severe attack of double pneumonia and scarlet fever resulted in polio, which paralyzed her left leg and forced her to wear an orthopedic metal brace.
Q3. Who encouraged Wilma Rudolph?
Answer: Wilma Rudolph was constantly encouraged by her loving mother, who reassured her that with faith and determination, she could achieve anything she wished.
Q4. What was Wilma’s dream?
Answer: Wilma’s cherished childhood dream was to become the fastest runner on earth.
Q5. How many gold medals did Wilma win at the Olympics?
Answer: Wilma won three gold medals at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games (in the 100m sprint, 200m sprint, and 400m relay race).
B. Character Qualities of Wilma Rudolph
| Quality | Selection | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Lazy | ❌ | She was never lazy; she trained with relentless stamina. |
| (b) Hardworking | ✓ Yes | She practiced for hours daily to overcome muscular weakness. |
| (c) Brave | ✓ Yes | She bravely removed her metal braces at age 9 despite fears. |
| (d) Determined | ✓ Yes | She remained steadfast even after finishing last in her initial races. |
C. Famous Physically Challenged Sports Champions
Two world-famous athletes who overcame severe disabilities:
- Károly Takács (Hungary): A world-class pistol shooter whose right shooting hand was severely damaged by a grenade explosion in 1938. Undeterred, he taught himself to shoot with his left hand and went on to win two consecutive Olympic Gold Medals in 1948 and 1952.
- Devendra Jhajharia (India): Lost his left hand at the age of eight due to accidental electrocution. With unparalleled resolve, he became India’s greatest Paralympian, winning two Paralympic Gold Medals and one Silver Medal in the javelin throw.