NCERT Solutions Archives

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 6 The Duck and the Kangaroo

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Kishen

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew (Poem) Chapter 6 The Duck and the Kangaroo are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 6 The Duck and the Kangaroo.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew (Poem) Chapter 6 The Duck and the Kangaroo

STANZAS FOR COMPREHENSION

I. Said the Duck to the Kangaroo,
‘Good gracious ! how you hop !
Over the fields and the water too,
As if you never would stop ! (Page 97)

हिंदी अनुवाद- बत्तख कंगारू से बोली कि कंगारू की कूद लगाने की क्षमता पर वह चकित है। यह पानी को भी ऐसे ही लांघ जाता है जैसे कि मैदानों को। कंगारू को फुदकते देखकर ऐसा लगता है मानो यह कभी रूकेगा ही नहीं।

Paraphrase. The Duck said to the Kangaroo that he was surprised at his capacity to hop. Kangaroo jumps as easily over the water as it does over the fields. Seeing, a Kangaroo hop, one feels that he would never stop.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who was it that couldn’t hop ?
(a) the Duck
(b) the Kangaroo
(c) the frog
(d) some other animal.

2. The phrase ‘Good gracious’ here, shows
(a) shock
(b) fear
(c) anger
(d) surprise.

3. The one which moves easily over the fields and water too’ is
(a) the Duck
(b) the Kangaroo
(c) the deer
(d) the lion.

4. The word ‘gracious’ means
(a) decent
(b) good-looking
(c) kind
(d) happy.

Answers
1. (a) the Duck
2. (d) surprise
3. (b) the Kangaroo
4. (c) kind

II. My life is a bore in this nasty pond,
And I long to go out in the world beyond !
I wish I could hop like you !
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo. (Page 97)

हिंदी अनुवाद- बत्तख ने कंगारू को कहा कि उसका (बत्तख का) जीवन उबाऊ है। उसे सारा समय तालाब के गंदे पानी में बिताना पड़ता है। बत्तख की इच्छा थी कि वह तालाब के बाहर के संसार की यात्रा करे। उसे बड़ी इच्छा थी कि वह कंगारू की तरह उछला करे।

Paraphrase. The Duck said to the Kangaroo that he led a dull life. He lived all the time in the dirty water of the pond. The Duck desired to travel to the world beyond that pond. He very much wished to hop like a Kangaroo.

Questions
1. Where does the Duck live ?
2. What does the Duck feel about his life?
3. What does the Duck want to do?

Answers
1. The Duck lives in a pond.
2. He (The Duck) feels that he is leading a very dull life in a nasty pond.
3. The Duck wants to hop like the Kangaroo.

III. Please give me a ride on your back !
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo.
‘I would sit quite still, and say nothing but “Quack,”
The whole of the long day through ! (Pages 97-98)

| हिंदी अनुवाद-बत्तख ने कंगारू से विनती की कि वह उसे अपनी पीठ पर सवार करके घुमाये ! उसने बिल्कुल निश्चल रहने का वचन दिया। वह टर्राने के अतिरिक्त कोई शब्द नहीं बोलेगा। इसी प्रकार वह पूरा, सारा दिन बिता देगा !

Paraphrase. The Duck requested the Kangaroo to give him a ride on his back. He promised to sit very quiet. He would say nothing but only quack. Thus, he would remain quite still all through the long day.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. The Duck desired to
(a) say ‘Quack’
(b) stay still
(c) ride on Kangaroo’s back
(d) say nothing.

2. Quack’ is a sound made by
(a) the Duck
(b) the Kangaroo
(c) a rider
(d) every animal.

3. It promised to sit still and be quiet because
(a) it pleased him
(b) it was his habit
(c) it was trying to persuade Kangaroo
(d) it had to go a long way.

4. The word ‘quite’ means the same as
(a) quiet
(b) silent
(c) noisy
(d) utterly.

Answers
1. (c) ride on Kangaroo’s back
2. (a) the duck
3. (c) it was trying to persuade Kangaroo
4. (d) utterly

IV. And we’d go to the Dee, and the Jelly Bo Lee,
Over the land, and over the sea ; —
Please take me on a ride ! O do !’
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo. (Page 98)

| हिंदी अनुवाद-बत्तख का इरादा डी और पहाड़ी-स्थल जेली बो ली पर जाने का था। वह पृथ्वी और समुद्र के ऊपर सैर करना चाहता था। वह कंगारू से बड़ी गर्मजोशी से कहता है कि वह उसकी विनती मानकर उसे सवारी दे।

Paraphrase. The Duck proposed to go to the Dee and to the mountain side called “Jelly Bo Lee’. He wanted to travel over the land and sea. He makes a fervent appeal to the Kangaroo to accede to his request and take him on a ride.

Questions
1. Who are ‘we’ in the first passage ?
2. What did the Duck want ?
3. Where did they want to go ?
4. What does the phrase ‘O do !’ indicate ?

Answers:
1. The word ‘we’ refers to the Duck and the Kangaroo.
2. The Duck wanted to ride on Kangaroo’s back and go about the world.
3. They wanted to travel everywhere-over the land and over the sea.
4. The phrase ‘O do !’ indicates the intense desire of the Duck to get the ride.

V. Said the Kangaroo to the Duck,
“This requires a little reflection ;
Perhaps on the whole it might bring me luck,
And there seems but one objection. (Page 98)

| हिंदी अनुवाद – कंगारू ने उत्तर दिया कि बत्तख के प्रस्ताव पर कुछ विचार करने की आवश्यकता थी। कुल मिलाकर शायद इस योजना से कंगारू का भी भाग्योदय हो जाए। पर फिर भी एक कठिनाई थी।

Paraphrase. The Kangaroo said that the Duck’s proposal needed some thought. Considering all aspects of it, the proposal might even be lucky for the Kangaroo. However, there was just one difficulty.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. “This’ in the passage refers to
(a) the Kangaroo
(b) the Duck
(c) the coming to Kangaroo
(d) the proposal of Duck.

2. What was expected to bring luck ?
(a) the Duck
(b) the Kangaroo
(c) the objection he is thinking of
(d) the travel with the Duck.

3. ‘Me’ refers to
(a) the Kangaroo
(b) the Duck
(c) the poet
(d) the objection.

4. ‘Reflection’ means the same as
(a) work
(b) thought
(c) action
(d) attention.

Answers
1. (d) the proposal of Duck
2. (d) the travel with the Duck
3. (a) the Kangaroo
4. (b) thought

VI. Which is, if you’ll let me speak so bold,
Your feet are unpleasantly wet and cold,
And would probably give me the roo
Matiz !’ said the Kangaroo. (Page 98)

हिंदी अनुवाद-कंगारू ने कहा कि अगर बत्तख उसे साफ-साफ बोलने की अनुमति दे तो बस एक ऐतराज (कठिनाई) है। वह यह कि बत्तख के पैर कंगारू के लिए कष्ट का कारण बनेंगे। वे बहुत गीले और ठंडे हैं। कंगारू के शरीर को जब वे छुएँगे तब उसे गठिया हो सकता है।

Paraphrase. The Kangaroo said that if the duck allowed him to speak frankly there was just one objection. It was that the Duck’s feet would cause the Kangaroo some discomfort. They were very wet and cold. Their touch on the Kangaroo’s body could cause him rheumatism.

Questions
1. What does the word ‘which’ refer to ?
2. What is Kangaroo’s fear?
3. What is roo-Matiz ?
4. Whose feet are these?

Answers
1. The word ‘which’ refers to the ‘objection’ raised by Kangaroo.
2. Kangaroo fears that he might suffer from rheumatism.
3. The word ‘roo-Matiz’ is actually ‘rheumatism’. It is a disease that makes the muscles and joints painful, stiff and swollen.
4. These are the feet of the Duck.

VII. Said the Duck, ‘As I sat on the rocks,
I have thought over that completely,
And I bought four pairs of worsted socks
Which fit my web-feet neatly. (Page 98)

हिंदी अनुवाद-बत्तख बोला कि वह इस समस्या के प्रति पहले से सजग था। चट्टान पर बैठे हुए उसने इस पर विचार किया। इस समस्या के निराकरण के लिए उसने चार जोड़े ऊनी जुराबें खरीद लिए हैं। ये जुराबें उसे बिलकुल फिट आते हैं।

Paraphrase. The Duck said that he was already aware of that problem. Sitting on the rock he had pondered over it. To overcome the problem, he had bought four pairs of worsted socks. These socks fitted him well.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. The Duck sat on the rock thinking
(a) about the ride
(b) about Kangaroo
(c) of the objection raised by Kangaroo
(d) how to get out of the pond.

2. The Duck bought the socks
(a) to comfort himself
(b) to make the feet look better
(c) to cause no trouble to Kangaroo
(d) to be fashionable.

3. Web-feet’ refers to the feet of
(a) the Duck
(b) the Kangaroo
(c) the poet
(d) the rocks.

4. The word ‘neatly’ means the same as
(a) well
(b) trimly
(c) badly
(d) beautifully.

Answers
1. (c) of the objection raised by Kangaroo
2. (c) to cause no trouble to Kangaroo
3. (a) the Duck
4. (b) trimly

VIII. And to keep out the cold I’ve bought a cloak,
And every day a cigar I’ll smoke,
All to follow my own dear true
Love of a ‘Kangaroo ! (Page 98)

हिंदी अनुवाद-बत्तख बोला कि उसने सर्दी से बचने के अन्य उपाय भी किए हैं। उसने एक लबादा खरीदा था। इसी कारण से उसने प्रतिदिन एक सिगार पीने का निश्चय भी किया था। यह सब उसने अपने सच्चे प्रिय कंगारू के साथ रहने के लिए ही किया था।

Paraphrase. The Duck said that he had taken other measures too, to keep out the cold. He had bought a cloak. He had also decided to smoke a cigar everyday for the same reason. He had done so much only for the sake of following his true beloved, the Kangaroo.

Questions
1. Who bought a cloak and why ?
2. Why did he smoke a cigar ?
3. What does the speaker really want to do?
4. Name the poet.

Answers
1. The Duck bought a cloak to keep away the cold.
2. He smoked a cigar also to keep the cold away.
3. The speaker really wants to travel around the world riding on the back of the Kangaroo.
4. The poet’s name is ‘Edward Lear’.

IX. Said the Kangaroo, ‘I’m ready!
All in the moonlight pale,
But to balance me well, dear Duck, sit steady!
And quite at the end of my tail ! (Page 98)

हिंदी अनुवाद – कंगारू ने बत्तख से कहा कि वह उसे सवार करने के लिए तैयार है। पीली चाँदनी में कंगारू ने अपने प्रिय मित्र बत्तख से कहा कि वह बिल्कुल स्थिर होकर बैठे। कंगारू अपना संतुलन रख सके, इसलिए ऐसा करना आवश्यक था। उसने उससे कहा कि वह (बत्तख) बिल्कुल पूँछ के किनारे पर ही बैठे।

Paraphrase. Kangaroo said to the Duck that he was ready to give him a ride. In the pale moonlight the Kangaroo asked his dear friend Duck to sit motionless. It was necessary for the Kangaroo to balance himself. He asked him to sit at the very end of his tail.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Kangaroo was ready
(a) to marry the Duck
(b) to take the Duck for a ride
(c) to give the Duck a cloak
(d) to give the Duck a cigar.

2. It was a pale moonlight when
(a) the Kangaroo agreed
(b) the Kangaroo refused
(c) the Kangaroo prepared himself and the duck for a ride
(d) the Kangaroo and the Duck quarrelled with each other.

3. The Duck was asked to sit
(a) comfortably
(b) quietly
(c) noisily
(d) still

4. ‘Quite’ in the passage means
(a) exactly
(b) freely
(c) quietly
(d) comfortably

Answers
1. (b) to take the Duck for a ride
2. (c) the Kangaroo prepared himself and the duck for a ride
3. (d) still
4. (a) exactly

X. So away they went with a hop and a bound,
And they hopped the whole world three times round;
And who so happy, — O who,
As the Duck and the Kangaroo ? (Page 98)

हिंदी अनुवाद-इस प्रकार बत्तख और कंगारू उछलते-कूदते अपनी यात्रा पर निकल पड़े। उन्होंने तीन बार संसार का चक्कर लगाया। बत्तख और कंगारू से अधिक प्रसन्न कोई न था।

Paraphrase. Thus the Duck and the Kangaroo started their journey jumping and leaping. They travelled round the world thrice. There was no one happier than the Duck and the Kangaroo

Questions
1. Who went away?
2. What did they do?
3. Why did they have to hop ?
4. Find the phrase in the passage which means “jumping and leaping’.

Answers
1. The Duck and the Kangaroo went away.
2. They travelled three times around the world.
3. Kangaroos hop as they move and the Duck was on the Kangaroo’s back.
4. ‘a hop and a bound’.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

WORKING WITH THE POEM (Page 99)

Question. 1.
Taking words that come at the end of lines, write five pairs of rhyming words. Read each pair aloud
For example, pond—beyond

Answer:
(i) You—Kangaroo
(ii) back—Quack
(iii) Lee—sea
(iv) Duck—luck
(v) Reflection—objection

Question. 2.
Complete the dialogue.
Duck : Dear Kangaroo ! Why don’t you
___________
Kangaroo : With pleasure, my dear Duck,
though _________
Duck : That won’t be a problem. I will
___________

Answer:
Duck : Dear Kangaroo ! Why don’t you give me a ride on your back ?
Kangaroo : With pleasure, my dear Duck, though your cold and wet feet cause a problem.
Duck : That won’t be a problem, I will cover them with four pairs of worsted socks which fit my feet neatly.

Question. 3.
The Kangaroo does not want to catch ‘rheumatism’. Spot this word in stanza 3 and say why it is spelt differently. Why is it in two parts ? Why does the second part begin with a capital letter ?

Answer:
The words are : “… are unpleasantly wet and cold. And would probably give me the roo-Matiz. It is spelt differently because ‘roo’ reminds the readers of Kangaroos. So ‘roo-Matiz’ seems to be a disease concerned with the Kangaroos. It is interesting because the Kangaroos hop as if they could never suffer from rheumatism. For, if they did, they would not hop ?

Question. 4.
Do you find the poem humorous ? Read aloud lines that make you laugh.

Answer:
The poem is humorous. Look at the following lines :
“And everyday a cigar I’ll smoke,”
“But to balance me well, dear Duck, sit steady !
And quite at the end of my tail.”

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 6 The Duck and the Kangaroo help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 6 The Duck and the Kangaroo, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English:

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 5 The School Boy

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Kishen

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 5 The School Boy are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 5 The School Boy.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew (Poem) Chapter 5 The School Boy

STANZAS FOR COMPREHENSION

I. I love to rise in a summer morn,
When the birds sing on every tree;
The distant huntsman winds his horn,
And the skylark sings with me.
O! what sweet company. (Page 84)

हिंदी अनुवाद-ग्रीष्म ऋतु में मुझे प्रातः जागना अच्छा लगता है। मुझे हर वृक्ष पर पक्षी चहकते नज़र आते हैं। कहीं दूर से किसी शिकारी के अपने हार्न बजाने की आवाज मुझे सुनाई देती है। मैं स्काईलार्क के साथ तान मिलाना (गाना) चाहता हूँ। प्रभात सुंदर साथियों से भरा लगता है।

Paraphrase. I like to rise from my bed in a summer morning. I find the birds singing on every tree. In the distance I hear the sound of a horn blown by a hunter. I like to sing with the skylark. The morning seems to be full of pleasant company.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. The birds sing in
(a) summer
(b) winter
(c) rainy season
(d) autumn.

2. On a summer morning the poet sings with
(a) the hunter’s horn
(b) the birds
(c) the skylark
(d) the summer.

3. The summer morning is full of
(a) birds
(b) hunters
(c) music
(d) skylarks

4. The word ‘winds’ means
(a) airs
(b) sounds by blowing of horn
(c) fans
(d) songs.

Answers
1. (a) summer
2. (c) the skylark
3. (c) music
4. (b) sounds by blowing of horn

II. But to go to school in a summer morn,
O! it drives all joy away ;
Under a cruel eye outworn,
The little ones spend the day,
In sighing and dismay. (Page 84)

| हिंदी अनुवाद-एक बात सारी खुशियों को खत्म कर देती है। यह स्कूल जाने की बात है। स्कूल में एक निर्दयी, थका हुआ अध्यापक बच्चों को पढ़ाता है। छोटे-छोटे बच्चे आहें भरते हुए, निराशा में अपना दिन व्यतीत करते हैं।

Paraphrase. One thing is a great kill-joy on a summer morning. It is going to school. In the school a tired and unfeeling teacher teaches the young children. So the school boys spend their day in moans and distress.

Questions
1. What is the joy of a summer morning ?
2. What is it that he hates to do in a summer morning ?
3. Whose eye is being referred to ?
4. Who shies and where ?

Answers
1. The joy of a summer morning is to watch the birds and the trees from close quarters.
2. The child hates to go to school in a summer morning.
3. The ‘cruel eye’ of the unfeeling teacher is being referred to here.
4. The child shies at school.

III. Ah ! then at times I drooping sit,
And spend many an anxious hour.
Nor in my book can I take delight,
Nor sit in learning’s bower,
Worn thro’ with the dreary shower. (Page 84)

हिंदी अनुवाद-स्कूल में कभी-कभी लड़का थका हुआ क्लास में बैठा रहता है। इस तरह से वह कई चिंता-भरे घंटे बिता देता है। उसे अपनी पुस्तकों में कोई मजा नहीं आता है। वह थक जाता है और उबाऊ शब्दों की बौछार उसे कुछ नहीं सिखा पाती है।

Paraphrase. In the school, sometimes the boy sits exhausted in the class. He spends many worrisome hours in this manner. He cannot enjoy reading his books. He is tired and the dull shower of words fails to teach him.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. At times the school boy sits drooping because
(a) he is always unhappy
(b) he does not want to study
(c) the atmosphere in the class is not good
(d) he has dropped something.

2. He cannot take delight in his books because
(a) he is attracted towards nature
(b) he is dull
(c) he doesn’t like to study
(d) the books are uninteresting.

3. The speaker in the poem is
(a) very happy
(b) unhappy
(c) playing
(d) enjoying

4. The word anxious means
(a) carefree
(b) playful
(c) happy
(d) worried.

Answers
1. (c) the atmosphere in the class is not good
2. (a) he is attracted towards nature
3. (b) unhappy
4. (d) worried

IV. How can the bird that is born for joy,
Sit in a cage and sing.
How can a child when fears annoy,
But droop his tender wing,
And forget his youthful spring. (Page 84)

हिंदी अनुवाद- पक्षी आनंद से गाने के लिए जन्म लेता है। पर पिंजरे में बंद होकर वह ऐसा नहीं कर सकता है। उसी प्रकार सहमा हुआ बच्चा खुश नहीं हो सकता। पिंजरे का पक्षी अपने नाजुक पंख गिरा देता है और उड़ना भूल जाता है। उसी तरह स्कूल जाने । वाला लड़का खुश रहना भूल जाता है। खुशी का जीवन्त निर्झर अंदर ही सूख जाता है।

Paraphrase. A bird is born to sing happily. However, it cannot do so when it is in a cage. In the same way a fearful child cannot feel happy. A caged bird droops its tender wings and forgets to fly. In the same manner, the school boy forgets to be happy. The fresh spring of joy dries up inside.

Questions
1. What is natural for a bird ?
2. Who is being compared to a caged bird ?
3. What does the phrase tender wing’ refer to ?
4. Find the phrase which means “childhood days of joy’.

Answers
1. It is natural for a bird to sing joyfully.
2. A child in school is being compared to a caged bird.
3. The phrase ‘tender wing’ refers to the simple and playful nature of childhood.
4. The phrase youthful spring refers to the childhood days of joy’.

V. O! Father and Mother, if buds are nip’d,
And blossoms blown away,
And if the tender plants are strip’d
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and cares dismay. (Page 85)

हिंदी अनुवाद- माता-पिता को यह समझना चाहिए कि उनके बच्चे नाजुक पौधों की तरह हैं। उस पौधे का क्या होगा यदि दिन निकलते ही जिसकी कलियाँ नोच ली जाएँ और फूल हवा में उड़ा दिए जाएँ ? निस्संदेह इसका अर्थ होगा कि खिलने के समय ही पौधे को उसकी सारी खुशियों से वंचित कर दिया गया। यही बात स्कूल जाने वाले विद्यार्थी के साथ तब होती है जब दुःख और चिंताएँ उसे सताते हैं।

Paraphrase. Parents must realise that their children are like tender plants. What will happen if early in the morning a plant’s buds are plucked and the flowers blown away ? No doubt, it will be depriving the plant of all its joys at the sprouting stage. The same thing happens with a school boy when sorrows and cares dishearten him.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. The poet of this poem is
(a) R.N. Tagore
(b) William Blake
(c) T.S. Eliot
(d) Zulfikar Ghose.

2. Whose parents are being referred to here?
(a) the bird’s parents
(b) all parents
(c) of the poet
(d) of the school-boy.

3. The phrase ‘tender plants’ refers to
(a) the young plants
(b) the young birds
(c) the young children
(d) the tender buds.

4. The word strip’d means
(a) deprived
(b) uprooted
(c) cut
(d) watered.

Answers
1. (b) William Blake
2. (d) of the school-boy
3. (c) the young children
4. (a) deprived

VI. How shall the summer arise in joy,
Or the summer fruits appear ? (Page 85)

हिंदी अनुवाद-उस स्थिति में (जब पौधों को कलियों और फूलों से विहीन कर दिया जाए) हम कैसे ग्रीष्म का आनंद पा सकेंगे ? और अगर ग्रीष्म के पुष्प नहीं होंगे, तब कोई फल भी पैदा नहीं होगा।

Paraphrase. In that case (when the plants are deprived of buds and flowers) how shall we ever find the joy of summer ? Now, if there will be no summer flowers, there will be no fruits either.

Questions
1. Who is the author of the poem ?
2. What is the summer a symbol of ?
3. What is meant by ‘summer fruits’?
4. Find the word in the passage which means, ’emerge’.

Answers
1. William Blake is the name of the poet.
2. The summer is the symbol of youth.
3. The phrase ‘summer fruits’ means the ‘beautiful deeds done by the youth’.
4. ‘arise’.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

WORKING WITH THE POEM (Page 85)
Question. 1.
Find three or four words/phrases in stanza 1 that reflect the child’s happiness and joy.

Answer:
The following phrases in stanza 1 reflect the child’s happiness and joy :
(a) the birds sing
(b) distant huntsman winds his horn
(c) skylark sings with me
(d) O ! what sweet company.

Question. 2.
In stanza 2, the mood changes. Which words/phrases reflect the changed mood ?

Answer:
The following words/phrases reflect the changed mood :
(a) drives all joy away
(b) cruel eye outworn
(c) sighing and dismay

Question. 3.
‘A cruel eye outworn’ (stanza 2) refers to
(i) the classroom which is shabby/noisy.
(ii) the lessons which are difficult/uninteresting.
(iii) the dull/uninspiring life at school with lots of work and no play.
Mark the answer that you consider right.

Answer:
(ii) the dull/uninspiring life at school with lots of work and no play.

Question. 4.
‘Nor sit in learning’s bower
worn thro’ with the dreary shower’
Which of the following is a close paraphrase of the lines above ?
(i) Nor can I sit in a roofless classroom when it is raining.
(ii) Nor can I learn anything at school though teachers go on lecturing and explaining.
(iii) Nor can I sit in the school garden for fear of getting wet in the rain.

Answer:
(ii) Nor can I learn anything at school though teachers go on lecturing and explaining.

Read the following poem and compare it with The School Boy.
The One Furrow
When I was young, I went to school
With pencil and foot rule
Sponge and slate,
And sat on a tall stool
At learning’s gate.
When I was older, the gate swung wide ;
Clever and keen-eyed

In I pressed,
But found in the mind’s pride
No peace, no rest.
Then who was it taught me back to go
To cattle and barrow,
Field and plough :
To keep to the one furrow,
As I do now ?
—R.S. THOMAS

Comparison:
The two poems make the same point but in different ways. In the poem ‘School Boy’, the poet says that the child is unhappy. He is unhappy because he has been made to move away from nature. Instead, he has been given dull and uninspiring books.

In the poem ‘The One Furrow’, the poet says that first he studied at school. After that he entered the modern world. In both these places he found no peace or rest. So he came back to nature. He became a farmer and is now at peace.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 5 The School Boy help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 5 The School Boy, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English:

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 4 The Last Bargain

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Kishen

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 4 The Last Bargain are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 4 The Last Bargain.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew (Poem) Chapter 4 The Last Bargain

STANZAS FOR COMPREHENSION

I. “Come and hire me,” I cried, while in the morning
I was walking on the stone-paved road.
Sword in hand the King came in his chariot.
He held my hand and said, “I will hire you with
my power,”
But his power counted for naught, and he went away in
his chariot. (Page 74)

हिंदी अनुवाद-सुबह तड़के वह व्यक्ति शहर की पत्थर से बनी सड़कों पर चलता जा रहा था। वह आवाज़ लगा रहा था कि वह भाड़े पर काम करने को तैयार है। अपने रथ में जाते हुए एक राजा ने उसे देखा। उसने उसे अपनी शक्ति देकर उससे काम लेने का प्रस्ताव किया। उस व्यक्ति को उसकी (राजा की) शक्ति महत्त्वहीन जान पड़ी। उसने इंकार कर दिया और राजा आगे बढ़ गया।

Paraphrase. Early in the morning, a man walked along the stony roads of the city offering himself for a hire. Going in his Chariot, a king saw him. He offered to buy him offering his power in return. His power did not seem of much worth to the man. He refused and the king moved on.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. The poet wanted
(a) money
(b) food
(c) work and freedom
(d) work and money.

2. The king in the poem was
(a) rich
(b) powerful
(c) kind
(d) just.

3. The king wanted to give the poet
(a) his power
(b) his sword
(c) his money
(d) his kingdom.

4. The poet did not accept the king’s offer because he wanted
(a) more money
(b) more power
(c) work
(d) freedom.

Answers 1.
1. (c) work and freedom
2. (b) powerful
3. (a) his power
4. (d) freedom

II. In the heat of the mid-day the houses stood with
shut doors.
I wandered along the crooked lane.
An old man came out with his bag of gold.
He pondered and said, “I will hire you with my money.”
He weighed his coins one by one, but I turned away.

हिंदी अनुवाद-दोपहर की गर्मी में वह आदमी चलता गया। वह घुमावदार गलियों में चलता गया। सारे दरवाजे बंद थे। एक बूढ़ा व्यक्ति अपना सोने से भरा थैला लेकर निकला। उसने कुछ सोचा और फिर सोने के भाड़े पर उसे रखना चाहा। यह प्रस्ताव भी उस व्यक्ति को पंसद नहीं आया और वह दूसरे मार्ग पर चला गया।

Paraphrase. The man walked on in the heat of noon. He roamed about in crooked lanes. All the doors were shut. An old man came out with his bag of gold. He thought and then offered to hire the man with gold. This offer could also not attract the man and he went the other way.

Questions
1. Why were the houses shut ?
2. What did the poet want ?
3. Why did he turn down the offer of money ?
4. Which word in the poem means ‘thought deeply’.

Answers
1. The houses were shut as it was very hot outside.
2. The poet wanted to be hired.
3. The poet was not interested in money, so he turned down the offer.
4. pondered’.

III. It was evening. The garden hedge was all aflower.
The fair maid came out and said, “I will hire you with
a smile.”
Her smile paled and melted into tears, and she went
back alone into the dark. (Page 75)

| हिंदी अनुवाद- अब शाम हो चली थी। बगीचे की बाड़ फूलों से लदी थी। सुंदर लड़की आयी और बोली कि मैं तुम्हारे काम के बदले अपनी मुस्कराहट दूंगी। पर शीघ्र ही उसकी मुस्कराहटें फीकी पड़ गयीं और आँसुओं में बदल गयीं। अत: उसे अंधेरे में अकेली वापस लौटना पड़ा।

Paraphrase. Now it was evening. The garden hedge was filled with flowers. A beautiful girl came to the man. She offered the man her smile in return for his work. Soon, however, her smile weakened and changed into tears. So she had to return alone into the darkness.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. The evening scene was
(a) unattractive
(b) hot
(c) cold
(d) beautiful.

2. The fair maid wanted the poet
(a) to go away
(b) to stay with her
(c) to hire her
(d) to praise her smiles.

3. The fair maid had come
(a) from the garden
(b) from the hedge
(c) out of the darkness
(d) from the road.

4. The word ‘aflower’ means
(a) covered with flowers
(b) without flowers
(c) with withered flowers
(d) with falling flowers.

Answers
1. (d) beautiful
2. (d) to praise her smiles
3. (c) out of the darkness
4. (a) covered with flowers.

IV. The sun glistened on the sand, and the sea waves broke
waywardly.
A child sat playing with shells.
He raised his head and seemed to know me and said,
“I hire you with nothing.”
From henceforward that bargain struck in child’s play
made me a free man. (Page 75)

| हिंदी अनुवाद-शाम का सूर्य रेत के ऊपर खूब चमक रहा था। समुद्र की लहरें मनचाहे ढंग से तट से टकरा रही थीं। वहाँ एक बच्चा बैठा कौड़ियों से खेल रहा था। उसने सिर उठाकर उस आदमी की ओर देखा। लगता था कि वह उसे जानता है। उसने बिना कोई पारिश्रमिक के उससे काम करने को कहा। उस व्यक्ति ने वह प्रस्ताव स्वीकार कर लिया और उसके बाद से वह बच्चे के साथ ही खेलता रहा। ऐसा करके उसने अपनी आजादी बनाए रखी।

Paraphrase. The evening sun shone lustrously on the sand. The sea waves were breaking on the shore wilfully. There was a child playing with his shells. He lifted his head and looked at the man. He seemed to understand him. He offered to hire the man without payment. The man accepted the offer and from then onwards he played with the child. In doing so, he remained a free man.

Questions
1. Where was the child playing ?
2. Describe the scene.
3. Why did the poet let himself be hired for nothing ?
4. Find a word in the passage which means ‘deal’.

Answers
1. The child was playing on the sea-shore.
2. It was a beautiful scene. The sun glistened on the sand and the waves played on the beach.
3. When one is hired for nothing, one remains free. The poet loved his freedom and so he let himself be hired for nothing.
4. bargain.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

WORKING WITH THE POEM (Page 75)
Question. 1.
Who is the speaker in the poem ?

Answer:
A man in search of a job is the speaker in the poem.

Question. 2.
‘The king, sword in hand’ suggests
(i) wealth
(ii) power
(iii) more power than wealth.
Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.

Answer:
(iii) more power than wealth.

Question. 3.
The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer ?

Answer:
The man didn’t need money. So it was of no consequence to him. Therefore, he turned down the old man’s offer.

Question. 4.
Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another.
(i) I have nothing to give you except goodwill and cheer.
(ii) Her happiness was no more than sorrow in disguise.
(iii) The king’s might was not worth much.

Answer:
(i) “I hire you with nothing.” (Stanza 4)
(ii) “Her smile paled and melted into tears.” (Stanza 3)
(iii) “But his power counted for naught.” (Stanza 1)

Question. 5.
How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach ?

Answer:
The speaker felt that he would get the fair return for his labour. For here, he expected to get goodwill and cheer and also retain his freedom.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 4 The Last Bargain help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem Chapter 4 The Last Bargain, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English:

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 6 Expert Detectives

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Kishen

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 6 Expert Detectives are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 6 Expert Detectives.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 6 Expert Detectives

IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct option :

Question 1.
“He must have lots of money hidden somewhere, maybe in that trunk in his room. It’s probably full of silver and gold and jewels and…”
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Maya’s opinion about Mr. Nath is
(a) that he has millions of rupees
(b) that he is poor
(c) that he is suffering from an incurable disease
(d) that he is a crook
Answer.
(a) that he has millions of rupees

Question 2.
The million of rupees are imagined to be hidden
(a) under the box
(b) in the trunk
(c) in the safe of his almirah
(d) in the big book
Answer.
(b) in the trunk

Question 3.
The author is speaking to
(a) Mother
(b) Ramesh
(c) Mr. Mehta
(d) Nishad Answers
Answer.
(d) Nishad

Question 2.
“Almost every Sunday, he carries two lunches to Mr Nath’s room and the
same man is with him each time. He’s tall, fair, stout and wears spectacles. Ramesh says his visitor talks a lot, unlike Mr. Nath who hardly speaks.” (Page 88)
Questions.

Who carries two lunches ?
Who is speaking to whom ?
How can the information be useful ?

Answers.

Ramesh
Nishad is speaking to Maya
The information can be useful to catch the crook

Question 3.
“Criminals can look quite ordinary. “Did you see the picture of the Hyderabadi housebreaker in the papers yesterday ? He looked like any man on the street.” (Page 88)
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Nishad could not believe Mr Nath to be
(a) a dacoit
(b) a police officer
(c) a crook
(d) a gangster
Answer.
(c) a crook

Question 2.
According to Nishad, an ordinary man
(a) cannot have lots of money
(b) cannot be clever
(c) cannot live alone
(d) cannot be a crook
Answer.
(d) cannot be a crook

Question 3.
Even the Hyderabadi house breaker was ……
(a) on the run
(b) an ordinary looking man
(c) a gangster
(d) very clever
Answer.
(b) an ordinary looking man

Question 4.
“If you insist on calling him a criminal, I don’t think I want to discuss any
thing with you, Maya.” Said Nishad angrily. “He can’t be such a bad man if he gives Ramesh such generous tips.” (Page 91)
Questions.

Who is being called a criminal ?
Why is Nishad angry ?
What is Nishad’s opinion about the man ?

Answers.

Mr. Nath is being called a criminal.
Nishad is angry because Maya insists that Mr. Nath is a criminal.
Nishad thinks that Mr. Nath is a very generous man.

Question 5.
“I don’t care,” said Nishad Stubbornly, “I like him and I’m going to try and be his friend.” (Page 92)
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
The above statement shows Seven to be
(a) friendly
(b) stubborn
(c) fearless
(d) aggressive
Answer.
(b) stubborn

Question 2.
Nishad expressed his desire
(a) to listen to mother’s advice
(b) to consult Mr. Mehta
(c) to be friends with Mr. Nath
(d) to be friends with Ramesh
Answer.
(c) to be friends with Mr. Nath

Question 3.
After many warnings, Nishad still thinks Mr. Nath to be good. He is therefore
(a) a good friend
(b) an optimist
(c) a silent admirer
(d) a pessimist Answers
Answer.
(c) a silent admirer

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Comprehension Check (Page 89)

What did Nishad give Mr Nath ? Why ?
What is “strange” about Mr Nath’s Sundays ?
Why did Nishad and Maya get a holiday ?

Answers.

Nishad had been very upset about the weak looks of Mr Nath. He thought he was starving. So taking pity on Mr Nath, Nishad gave him a bar of chocolate.
The strange thing about Mr Nath’s Sundays is a visitor. On every Sunday the same visitor comes to him. He is a talkative man. He does all the talking while Mr Nath hardly speaks. He is tall, fair, stout and wears spectacles.
Nishad and Maya got an unexpected holiday from school. The school remained closed because of heavy rains on that day.

Working with the Text (Page 93)

Question 1.
What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh ? Arrange the information as suggested below :
• What he eats
• When he eats
• What he drinks, and when
• How he pays
Answer.
Nishad finds out from Ramesh that Mr Nath eats two meals a day-morning and evening. It’s always the same food-two chapattis, some dal and a vegetable.
Mr Nath drinks tea. He takes one cup of tea in the morning and one in the afternoon. He pays cash and tips well.

Question 2.
Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook ? Who does she say the Sunday visitor is ? (V. Imp.)
Answer.
Maya thinks Mr Nath is a crook for many reasons. Mr Nath has many scars on his face. She thinks that he got them during a shoot out or something like that. Mr Nath has no friends except a visitor who comes on Sunday. People around him also stared at him. He does nothing but pays cash for what he eats and drinks.
Maya thinks that his Sunday visitor is his accomplice in crime.

Question 3.
Does Nishad agree with Maya about Mr Nath ? How does he feel about him ? (Imp.)
Answer.
No. Nishad does not agree with Maya about Mr Nath. He feels that Mr Nishad is a poor, lonely man. He wants to be his friend and help him. He also considers him generous because he tips Ramesh well.

Working with Language

Question 1.
The word ‘tip’ has only three letters but many meanings. Match the word with its meanings below :
(i) finger tips – be about to say something
(ii) the tip of your nose – make the boat overturn
(iii) tip the water out of the bucket – the ends of one’s fingers
(iv) have something on the tip of – give a rupee to him, to thank him your tongue
(v) tip the boat over – empty a bucket by tilting it
(vi) tip him a rupee – the pointed end of your nose
(vii) the tip of the bat – if you take this advice
(viii) the police were tipped off – the bat lightly touched the ball
(ix) if you take my tip – the end of the bat
(x) the bat tipped the ball – the police were told, or warned
Answers.

finger tips — the ends of one’s fingers.
the tip of your nose — the pointed end of your nose.
tip the water out of the bucket — empty a bucket by tilting it.
have something on the tip of your tongue — be about to say something.
tip the boat over — make the boat overturn.
tip him a rupee — give a rupee to him to thank him.
the tip of the bat — the end of bat.
the police were tipped off — the police were told or warned.
if you take my tip — if you take this advice
the bat tipped the ball — the bat lightly touched the ball.

Question 2.
The words helper, companion, partner and accomplice have very similar mean
ings, but each word is typically used in certain phrases. Can you fill in the blanks below with the most commonly used words ? A dictionary may help you.
(i) business …………
(ii) my ……. on the journey.
(iii) I’m mother’s little …….
(iv) a faithful ……… such as a dog.
(v) the thief’s …….. .
(vi) find a good ……. .
(vii) tennis/golf/bridge …….. .
(vii) his …….. in his criminal activities.
Answers.

partner
companion
helper
companion
accomplice
helper
partner
accomplice

Question 3.
Now let us look at the uses of the word break. Match the word with its meanings below. Try to find at least three other ways in which to use the word.
(i) The storm broke – could not speak; was too sad to speak.
(ii) daybreak – this kind of weather ended.
(iii) His voice is beginning to break – it began or burst into activity.
(iv) Her voice broke and she cried – the beginning of daylight
(v) The heat wave broke – changing as he grows up
(vi) broke the bad news – end it by making the workers submit
(vii) break a strike – gently told someone the bad news
(viii) (Find your own expression. Give its meaning here.)
Answers.

The storm broke — it began or burst into activity.
daybreak — the beginning of daylight.
His voice is beginning to break — changing as he grows up.
Her voice broke and she cried — could not speak : was too sad to speak.
The heat wave broke — this kind of weather ended.
broke the bad news — gently told someone the bad news
break a strike — end it by making the workers submit
break the law — fail to obey a rule or law
break a deadlock — end a situation in which no progress is being made
break somebody’s spirit — destroy his confidence.

Speaking

Question 1.
Play detectives with each other. Find a person in your class (or some other
acquaintance) to speak to. Find out the answers to the questions given below. Be careful to ask your questions in a polite and inoffensive way. Do not force the person to answer you. Then allow the person to ask you the same questions.
(i)Name ?
(ii) What newspapers or magazines does the person read ?
(iii) How long has the person lived at the current address ?
(iv) What does she/he do during the day, le., the daily routine ?
(v) What do neighbours and friends say about the person ?
(vi) Who are his/her visitors and what are his/her eating habits ? (You can ask a few others about this.)
(vii) What do you think about the person ?
Answer.
Please try yourself.

Writing

Question 1.
Who do you think Mr Nath is ? Write a paragraph or two about him. (Imp.)
Answer.
It seems that Mr Nath is undergoing treatment of the scars. These scars on the face were caused by burning. Perhaps, he has to undergo some plastic surgery to get rid of the scars.

The scars have made him appear ugly. Perhaps, he looks a little frightening too. So people are not attracted towards him. They do not want to be his friend. Mr Nath understands his problem and so keeps aloof. He likes to meet only his doctor. However, he has a brother who comes to see him every Sunday.

Question 2.
What else do you think Nishad and Maya will find out about him ? How ? Will they ever be friends ? Think about these questions and write a paragraph or two to continue the story.
Answer.
Nishad and Maya are likely to find a few more ordinary facts about him. For example, they may find that Mr Nath has many books in his trunk. He might be spending most of his time in reading or doing some yogic exercises. Nishad will find that his efforts to try to be Mr Nath’s friend will not meet with much success. Maya will find that Mr Nath is very reserved. This will only confirm her belief that he is a crook.
The problem between the two children will be resolved only by their mother. One day she will tell them that Mr Nath is mentally depressed. She will introduce the two children to him. Then of course, they will be friends again.

Question 3.
Conducting a Survey

Step I : Study the following questionnaire and discuss the points in small groups.

Step II : Collect information. Contact people in the school/your locality and put these questions to them. Tick-mark their answers in the relevant column.
Step III : Analyse the results in the group by asking
• How many people think that a home is a place where you feel secure and happy ?
• How many people think that a home isn’t a place where you feel secure and happy ?
• How many people don’t know about it?
Step IV : Present a brief oral report on the result of your survey. Use phrases such as the following
• Most people think that …
• Few people think that …
• Hardly anyone thinks that …
• No one thinks that …
Answer.
Please attempt yourself.

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Rendezvous with Ray Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English:

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Kishen

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS
Comprehension Cheek
(Page 45)

Question 1.
Why did Abbu Khan’s goats want to run away ? What happened to them in the hills ?
Answer:
Abbu Khan’s goats were of the best hill-breed. Goats in the hilly regions hate being tied. They love freedom. So his goats ran away. In the hills, there lived an old wolf. They were eaten up by him.

Question 2.
Abbu Khan said, “No more goats in my house ever again,” Then he changed his mind. Why ?
Answer:
Abbu Khan was very sad when all his goats were gone. So he said, “No more goats in my house ever again.” But after a few days he began to feel lonely. He felt he could not live without his pets. So he changed his mind and bought a young goat.

Question 3.
Why did he buy a young goat ?
Answer:
Abbu Khan bought a young goat thinking it would stay with him much longer. He wanted to love that goat so much that it would never go away. So he bought a pretty young goat.

Comprehension Check
(Page 49)

Question 1.
Why did Chandni hate the rope round her neck ?
Answer:
Chandni wanted to run to the hills. She tried but the rope would stop her. So Chandni hated the rope round her neck.

Question 2.
“Now Abbu Khan understood Chandni’s problem…” What was Chandni’s problem ?
Answer:
Chandni’s problem was her love for freedom. She wanted to run up the hills.

Question 3.
Abbu Khan pushed Chandni into a small hut. This shows that he
(i) was cruel.
(ii) loved her and wanted to save her life.
(iii) was selfish.
Answer:
(ii) loved her and wanted to save her life.

Comprehension Check
(Page 51)

Question 1.
why did Chandni refuse to join the group of wild goats ? (Imp.)
Answer:
Chandni refused to join the group of wild goats because she wanted to enjoy her new freedom by herself.

Question 2.
Chandni fought the wolf because she
(i) was stronger than the wolf.
(ii) hated the wolf.
(iii) had to retain her freedom at all costs.
Answer:
(iii) had to retain her freedom at all costs.

EXERCISES
(Page 42)

Discuss the following topics in groups.
Question 1.
Why did the wise old bird say, “Chandni is the winner” ?
Answer:
The wise old bird said that Chandni was the winner. The bird said so because Chandni wanted to retain her freedom at all costs. In this aim of hers, she succeeded. So the bird was right when she said that Chandni was the winner.

Question 2.
“Death in an open field is better than life in a small hut,” Chandni said to herself. Was it the right decision ? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
This statement is the moral of the stoiy. Yet it is difficult to completely agree with it. Life is valuable and so is the freedom. But there can be no freedom without life. So as far as possible one must try to protect one’s freedom. It does not mean that we should knowingly walk to death. Chandni could return to the hut on seeing the wolf. She could have come to the hills next morning. In fact life is like walking on the razor’s edge. One must keep a balance. In order to walk straight you have to bend sometimes on left, sometimes on right.

Question 3.
Freedom is life. Discuss this with reference to ‘Chandni’ and ‘I Want Something in a Cage’.
Answer:
It is indeed very true that freedom is life. Both these stories ‘Chandni’ and ‘I Want Something in a Cage’, show it. In both these stories, this feeling has been expressed through the animals. In ‘Chandni’ it is expressed through goats. In ‘I Want Something in a Cage’ the same feeling has been expressed by a pair of doves. The authors suggest that not only human beings love freedom. Even animals and birds can give their all for getting their freedom.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

Little Bobby Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English:

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 5 Quality

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Kishen

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 5 Quality are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 5 Quality.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 5 Quality

IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct option :
Question 1.
It was not possible to go to him very often-his boots lasted terribly, having something beyond the temporary, some essence of boot stitched into them. (Page 71-72)
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
The infrequent visits by author were due to
(a) Gessler’s shoes lasted long
(b) the author did not get time
(c) the father kept busy
(d) Gessler’s shoes were of bad quality
Answer.
(a) Gessler’s shoes lasted long

Question 2.
The shoes making (for Mr. Gessler) was
(a) a difficult task
(b) an easy task
(c) an art
(d) quite expensive
Answer.
(c) an art

Question 3.
‘essence’ here means
(a) distinctive feature
(b) substance
(c) concentrate
(d) important
Answer.
(b) substance

Question 2.
He took my order without showing me any leather and I could feel his eyes penetrating the inferior covering of my foot. (Page 74)
Questions.

Who is ‘he’ in the above sentence ?
What were his eyes doing ?
Why had the author gone to him ?

Answers.

In this sentence, ‘he’ refers to Mr. Gessler, one of the two brothers who owned the shoe-shop.
His eyes were looking intently at the author’s shoes.
The author had gone to him to place his order for new shoes.

Question 3.
And looking at his lined face, I saw things I had never noticed before, (Page 75)
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
The lined face showed
(a) his satisfaction for
(b) the struggle for survival advertisements
(c) his problems
(d) the lines on his face
Answer.
(b) the struggle for survival

Question 2.
The author could guess that Mr. Gessler was not in favour of
(a) big firms
(b) advertisements by big firms
(c) good quality
(d) bad quality
Answer.
(b) advertisements by big firms

Question 3.
In modern times, the big firms
(a) get good business in summers
(b) are cheating the people
(c) have employed advertisers
(d) are minting money
Answer.
(b) are cheating the people

Question 4.
“poor old man starved himself. Slow starvation, the doctor called it. You see he went to work in such a way.” (Page 77)
Questions.

Who is the ‘poor old man’ ?
How did he die ?
Name the lesson from which these lines have been taken.

Answers.

The poor old man refers to the younger of the two Gessler brothers.
He died of slow starvation.
The name of the lesson is ‘Quality’.

Question 5.
He lost everybody. And there he’d sit, going on and on. I will say that for him not a man in London made a better boot.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
These lines are spoken by
(a) a young English man
(b) the younger brother
(c) the elder brother
(d) the company manager
Answer.
(a) a young English man

Question 2.
‘everybody’ refers to
(a) people/customers
(b) brother
(c) associates
(d) friends
Answer.
(a) people/customers

Question 3.
‘He took long time to execute his order’ shows
(a) he was slow
(b) his insistence on quality
(c) his failure
(d) his physical inability
Answer.
(b) his insistence on quality

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS
(Page 78)

Working with the Text

Answer the following Questions :
Question 1.
What was the author’s opinion about Mr. Gessler as a bootmaker ? (V. Imp.)
Answer.
The author had a very high opinion of Mr. Gessler as a bootmaker. The boots made by them lasted very long. He got his first boots made by them when he was fourteen. He called their boots mysterious and wonderful. He agreed with Mr. Gessler who said that making such boots was an art.

Question 2.
Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently? (Imp.)
Answer.
The author visited his shop very infrequently. It was because the boots he made lasted very long. They never seemed temporary. It seemed as if it were essence of boots stitched into them.

Question 3.
What was the effect on Mr. Gessler of the author’s remark about a certain pair of boots ?
Answer.
Once the author told Mr. Gessler that a certain pair of his boots creaked. At first Mr. Gessler found it difficult to believe. However, the author repeated his complaint. At this he asked him to send that pair back. He promised to either mend it or to take it off from the bill. The author felt that he should not have mentioned that pair. Mr. Gessler had felt very shocked by the complaint.

Question 4.
What was Mr. Gessler’s complaint against “big firms” ?
Answer.
Mr. Gessler’s complaint about the big firms was that they took away all his business. They did so not by virtue of their work but by advertisement. He was full of resentment against them. He said that these firms had no self-respect. Their boots often hurt the customers.

Question 5.
Why did the author order so many pairs of boots ? Did he really need them ?
Answer.
The author ordered many pairs of boots because he felt pity for the bootmaker. He knew that his boots were the best in quality. Yet the man was dying of starvation. So the author ordered several boots although he did not need them.

Working with Language

Question 1.
Study the following phrases and their meanings. Use them appropriately to complete the sentences that follow.
look after : take care of
look down on : disapprove or regard as inferior
look in (on someone) : make a short visit
look into : investigate
look out : be careful
look up : improve
look up to : admire
(i) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is …….. at last.
(ii) We have no right to ………. people who do small jobs.
(iii) Nitin has always …… his uncle, who is a self-made man.
(iv) The police are ……. the matter thoroughly.
(v) If you want to go out, I will ……….. the children for you.
(vi) I promise to ……….. on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.
(vii) ………. when you are crossing the main road.
Answers.

looking up
look down on
looked up to
looking into
look after
look in
Look out

Question 2.
Read the following sets of words loudly and clearly.

Answer.
Students should read these words themselves loudly and clearly.

Question 3.
Each of the following words contains the sound ‘sh’ (as in shine) in the beginning or in the middle or at the end. First speak out all the words clearly. Then arrange the words in three groups in the table below.

Answers.
Students should read these words first and then complete the table as follows:

Question 4.
In each of the following words ‘ch’ represents the same consonant sound as in
‘chair’. The words on the left have this sound initially. Those on the right have it finally. Speak each word clearly.

Underline the letters representing this sound in each of the following words.

feature
archery
picture
reaching
nature
matches
riches
batch
church

Answers.
Students should read these words themselves. Then mark the following underlined letters which represent ‘ch’ sound :

feature
archery
picture
reaching
nature
matches
riches
batch
church

Speaking

Question 1.
Do you think Mr Gessler was a failure as a bootmaker or as a competitive
businessman ?
Answer.
I think Mr Gessler was a successful bootmaker. His boots were known for their quality. People waited for long for his boots. But as a competitive businessman he was a complete failure. He never made any advertisement. He took his own time in the making of boots. So he delivered the orders very late. People lost patience. It made his business flop.

Question 2.
What is the significance of the title ? To whom or to what does it refer ?
Answer.
The title ‘Quality’ is significant because this refers to the theme of the story. The whole story says that the modern age is the age of quantity and not quality. Those who produce much in quick time get success. On the other hand those who bother about the quality as Mr. Gessler did, fail. So ‘Quality’ is a very apt title for this story.

Question 3.
• Notice the way Mr Gessler speaks English. His English is influenced by his mother tongue. He speaks English with an accent.
• When Mr Gessler speaks, p, t, k, sound like b, d, g. Can you say these words as Mr Gessler would say them ?
It comes and never stops. Does it bother me ? Not at all.
Ask my brother, please.
Answers.
• Mr Gessler speaks English with the accent of his mother tongue. It appears to be funny sometimes.
• Mr Gessler would say the following line in the following way :
Id comes and never sdobs. Does id bother me ? Nod ad all. Asg my brother
blease.

Question 4.
Speak to five adults in your neighbourhood. Ask them the following questions (in any language they are comfortable in). Then come back and share your findings with the class.
(i) Do they buy their provisions packed in plastic packets at a big store, or loose, from a smaller store near their house ?
(ii) Where do they buy their footwear ? Do they buy branded footwear, or foot wear made locally ? What reasons do they have for their preference ?
(iii) Do they buy ready-made clothes, or buy cloth and get their clothes stitched by a tailor ? Which do they think is better?
Answers.

No they don’t prefer to buy their provisions packed in packets at a big store. There are only a few who buy packed items. Most of them prefer loose items from smaller stores near their house.
They buy their footwear from local cobbler. They prefer handmade shoes. They are a few who prefer branded shoes from Bata stores.
They buy clothes and get them stitched by tailor. They think that ready made clothes are costly and not long-lasting.

Question 5.
Look at the picture below.
Let pairs of students talk to each other about leaving the country. One student repeats Ajit’s statement. The other gives a reason for not agreeing with Ajit. The sentence openings given below should be used.
• If I leave this country. I’ll miss …
• There are some things which you can get only here, for example…

• There are some special days I’ll miss, particularly…
• Most of all I’ll miss…because…
• I think it’s impossible for me to leave my country because…
• How can you leave your own country except when… ?
• Depends on one’s intention. I can’t leave for good because…
• Maybe for a couple of years…
Answers.
For discussion at class level. One sample answer is given below :
A discussion between Rakesh and Rohit :
Rakesh : Hello Rohit ! Now I have decided to go abroad for higher studies.
Rohit : Thank God. At last you have decided it. But I don’t think so.
Rakesh : In fact I feel studying abroad is more fruitful. It gives perfection.
Rohit : I don’t agree to it. I feel there are institutions in India also which are perfect.
Rakesh : No I don’t feel so. No doubt, I love my country. I know when I leave I’ll miss my friends and Indian culture. Indian love and relationship is rare.
Rohit : I shall never think to leave my country. Indian festivals are great for me.
Rakesh : Leaving one’s country depends upon one’s intention. I want to go abroad for studies. I’ll stay there for only a couple of years.
Rohit : Thanks for your good intention and love for country. I wish my best for you.

Writing

Question 1.
Based on the following points write a story.
• Your aunt has gone to her mother’s house.
• Your uncle does his cooking.
• He is absent-minded.
• He puts vegetables on the stove.
• He begins to clean his bicycle outside.
• The neighbour calls out saying something is burning.
• Your uncle rushes to the kitchen.
• To save vegetables, he puts some oil on them.
• Unfortunately, it’s machine oil, not cooking oil.
• What do you think happens to the vegetables ?
Begin like this :
Last month my aunt decided to visit her parents…
Answer.
Last month my aunt went to visit her parents. In her absence my uncle began cooking. Uncle was absent-minded. First he began with vegetable. He put it on the stove in a pot. But he forgot it instantly. He began cleaning his bicycle. He was alerted by the neighbour about something burning. The uncle rushed to the kitchen. He poured machine oil instead of cooking oil in the vegetable. It was completely spoiled. My uncle created a very confusing scene all around.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 5 Quality help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 5 Quality, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

The Brave Potter Question and Answers

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English: