1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Answer:- Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music in London. Although she was profoundly deaf, she was excited and determined to begin her musical journey.
2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Answer:- Evelyn's deafness was first noticed when she was eight years old, as she did not respond when her name was called. It was confirmed at the age of eleven after a specialist found that her hearing had been severely damaged due to gradual nerve damage.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer:- Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn continue with music. He encouraged her to feel sounds through vibrations instead of listening with her ears. He tuned two drums to different notes and told her, "Don't listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way." This helped Evelyn discover her unique ability to feel music.
2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Answer:- Evelyn performs at concerts around the world as a famous percussionist. She also gives free performances in prisons and hospitals. In addition, she conducts classes for young musicians, especially inspiring deaf children to follow their dreams.
III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).
1. How does Evelyn hear music?
Answer:- Although Evelyn Glennie is profoundly deaf, she experiences music through the vibrations it creates. Instead of hearing with her ears, she feels the sound with different parts of her body. She learned this skill with the help of her teacher, Ron Forbes, who trained her to recognise different musical notes through vibrations.
When Evelyn plays the xylophone, she feels the vibrations travel through the sticks into her fingertips. While playing the drums, she senses the vibrations by leaning against them. She even removes her shoes while performing on wooden platforms so that the vibrations pass through her bare feet and legs. According to Evelyn, music flows through her skin, cheekbones, and even her hair.
Her remarkable ability, combined with hard work and determination, made her one of the world's greatest percussionists. Her life proves that with courage and dedication, no obstacle is too great to overcome.
