A Visit To Cambridge
Class 8th English Honeydew CBSE Solution
- “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer, (i) Cambridge was a reputed…
- The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house (i) From the nearest phone booth. (ii) From…
- Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because (i) He wasn’t sure…
- “I felt a huge relief…. in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the…
- Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?…
- Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
- Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
- Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What…
- “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
- What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the…
- Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in…
- ‘If the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
- What is housed within the thin walls?
- What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?…
- What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
- Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?…
- The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?…
- Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.…
- Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given…
- Look at the following words. Walk, stick Can you create a meaningful phrase using both…
- Use ‘all’ or ‘both’ in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other. (i)…
- Complete each sentence using the right form of the adjective given in brackets. (i) My…
- Say the following words with correct stress. Pronounce the parts given in bold loudly and…
- Underline stressed syllables in the following words. Consult the dictionary or ask the…
- Writing a notice for the School Notice Board. Step 1 Discuss why notice are put up on the…
- In the first stanza, find words that show (i) that it was very cold. (ii) that it was late…
- Something happened at Lyonnesse. It was (a) improbable (b) impossible. (c) Unforeseeable…
- Pick out two lines from stanza 2 to justify our answer.
- Read the line (stanza 3) that implies the Following. ‘Everyone noticed something, and they…
- Now read the line that refers to what they noticed.
Comprehension Check Pg-104
Question 1.“Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
(iii) Cambridge was the real England.
Answer:
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
Author thinks England stands for Cambridge because that’s the first thing that comes to the author’s mind when he thinks about England.
Question 2.
The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
(i) From the nearest phone booth.
(ii) From outside a phone booth.
(iii) From inside a phone booth.
Answer:
(ii) From outside a phone booth.
Since the author was in a wheelchair, he grabbed the phone from outside.
Question 3.
Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because
(i) He wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.
(ii) He forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
(iii) He was face to face with a legend.
Answer:
(ii) He forced the scientist to use his voice synthesizer.
The Author felt guilty for forcing Hawking to use the synthesizer. To communicate, Hawking had to press the buttons with his thin, weak fingers.
Question 4.
“I felt a huge relief…. in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to
(i) Shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
(ii) Standing up, walking.
(iii) speaking, writing.
Answer:
(i) Shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Compared to Hawking, the author was able to do much more even though confined to a wheelchair. Hawking couldn’t even move his wrists like the Author could.
Working With The Text
Question 1.Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Answer:
Yes, the writer was nervous to meet Stephen Hawking. He looked up to Hawking for having overcome the limitation of his disability and accomplishing so much. He was nervous to meet his role model he had respected throughout his life.
Question 2.
Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Answer:
Yes, the writer felt excited too because he had got a half an hour appointment with Stephen Hawking who was an inspiration to the disabled throughout the world. He would be able to talk to him and know the person who had motivated him for so long.
Question 3.
Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Answer:
Stephen Hawking answered that “I haven’t been brave. I’ve had no choice”. So the writer must have asked “How have you been brave throughout the problems you faces?”
Question 4.
Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Answer:
Yes, the writer does think that Stephen Hawking had a choice. He believed that instead of succumbing to his disability, Hawking creatively channelled his little strength into researching and making phenomenal discoveries.
Question 5.
“I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Answer:
The anguish of Hawking could have been that he had so many thoughts to express and yet all he had was the little movement in his finger through which the computer voiced his thoughts. He didn’t have any other way and had to use all his strength to press what he wanted to say again and again.
Question 6.
What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
Answer:
The writer realised he was looking at one of the most beautiful men after Hawking mockingly said yes to the writer’s question if he was disturbing him. The writer came to the realisation because it was wonderful how Hawking still had a cheerful persona despite the challenging experiences he faced. It was almost like the light of his soul was shining.
Question 7.
Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Answer:
The most beautiful line is “Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin, you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of the man.”
Question 8.
‘If the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
Answer:
If the ‘lantern’ is the man, its ‘walls’ would be the body of the man. The light of the lantern is the soul and the walls is through which the light shines which is the body.
Question 9.
What is housed within the thin walls?
Answer:
Within the thin walls is the light of the man. The light is referred to Hawking’s eternal soul that is shining through his body or ‘walls’.
Question 10.
What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Answer:
The writer draws an important conclusion from the comparison with a lantern. The body is only an accessory in this life. What matters is the eternal soul that shines if one never gives up and does what he/she believes in just like Hawking. Due to his deeds and the way he looked at life, he was one of the most beautiful men according to the writer.
Question 11.
What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Answer:
The scientist’s message is that the disabled should endeavour for achieving what they are good at. They shouldn’t wait for anyone to empower them or have false hopes doing something beyond their capacity. According to Hawking, the disabled Olympics is a waste of time.
Question 12.
Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?
Answer:
The writer was referring to the guitar incident because he also thought he was trying to do something that was usually done by everyone but it was too difficult for him. He should have done something that was within his calibre. It supports Hawking’s idea of the disabled doing what they are good at.
Question 13.
The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Answer:
The writer’s gratitude is for taking out time and interacting with him despite the efforts he needs to put. He was able to know the person who was a motivation for many and also learned many beautiful lessons from his thoughts.
Question 14.
Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.
(i) There was his assistant on the line…
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to brave…
(iii) There he was……
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, ……
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know ……..
A
● tapping at a little switch in his hand.
● and I told him.
● that there are people
● as if you have a courage account
● and they are saying something huge and urgent
B
● trying to find the words on his computer.
● I had come in a wheelchair form India.
● on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
● smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
● it is hard to tell what.
Answer:
(i) and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
(ii) as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
(iii) tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find the words on his computer.
(iv) and they are saying something huge and urgent, it is hard to tell what.
(v) that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
Working With Language
Question 1.Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.
(i) I met a ______ from an antique land.
(ii) I need special _____ in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy _____ to Issac Newton.
(iv) His other problems ____ into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was _____ by the youngest member of the board.
(vi) Some people say ‘yours ____ ‘ when they informally refer to themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a ____ match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Answer:
(i) traveller
(ii) guidance
(iii) successor
(iv) paled
(v) chaired
(vi) truly
(vii) drawn
Question 2.
Look at the following words.
Can you create a meaningful phrase using both these words? (It is simple. Add ‘ing’ to the verb and use it before the noun. Put an article at the beginning)…. a walking stick.
Now make six such phrases using the
words given in the box.
Answer:
A reading session.
A smiling face
A revolving chair
A walking tour
A dancing doll
A winning chance
Question 3.
Use ‘all’ or ‘both’ in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.
(i) He has two brothers. ______ are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called. _______ of them wanted to see you.
(iii) They ________ cheered the team.
(iv) _____ her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me ___ of it.
Answer:
(i) Both
(ii) All
(iii) all
(iv) Both
(v) all
Question 4.
Complete each sentence using the right form of the adjective given in brackets.
(i) My friend has one of the _____ cars on the road. (fast)
(ii) This is the ____ story I have ever read. (interesting)
(iii) What you are doing now is ____ than what you did yesterday. (easy)
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both ____ (short)
(v) He arrived ______ as usual. Even the chief guest came ____ than he did. (late, early)
Answer:
(i) fastest
(ii) most interesting
(iii) easier
(iv) short
(v) late, earlier
Speaking And Writing
Question 1.Say the following words with correct stress. Pronounce the parts given in bold loudly and clearly.
● In a word having more than one syllable, the stressed syllable is the one that is more prominent than the other syllable(s)
● A word has as many syllables as it has vowels.
man (one syllable)
manner (two syllables)
● The mark (‘) indicates that the first syllable in ‘manner’ is more prominent than the other.
Answer:
Attempt yourself
Question 2.
Underline stressed syllables in the following words. Consult the dictionary or ask the teacher if necessary.
Answer:
Attempt yourself
Question 3.
Writing a notice for the School Notice Board.
Step 1
Discuss why notice are put up on the notice board. What kinds of ‘notices’ have you lately seen on the board? How is a notice different from a letter or a descriptive paragraph?
Step 2
Suppose you have lost or found something on the campus. What have you lost or found? You want to write a notice about it. If you have lost something, you want it restored to you in case someone has found it. If you have found something, you want to return it to its owner.
Step 3
Write a few lines describing the object you have lost or found. Mention the purpose of the notice in clear terms. Also write your name, class, section and date.
Step 4
Let one member of each group read aloud the notice to the entire class. Compare your notice with the other notices, and make changes, if necessary, with the help of the teacher.
OR
● Imagine that you are a journalist.
● You have been asked to interview the president of the village panchayat.
● Write eight to ten questions you wish to ask.
● The questions should elicit comments as well as plans regarding water and electricity, cleanliness and school education in the village.
Answer:
NOTICE
21st November 2017
Respected Teachers and Students,
An 8th class NCERT book of Science has been lost. It’s a new book with notes made in the first chapter. It has a plastic cover and the name ‘Shruti Srivastava’ written inside. It was lost in the Library. Please contact the person mentioned below if any one finds it.
Name: Shruti Srivastava
Class: VIII-D
Thanking you,
Shruti.
OR
The questions that I would ask the president of the Village Panchayat:
1. What steps will you take for the development of education in your area?
2. What will you do for health facilities?
3. What will you do for roads?
4. What will you do for civil amenities?
5. How will you improve agriculture of your village?
6. What will you do for farmers?
7. What do you plan for female child promotion?
8. What do you think are the major obstacles towards development of this village?
9. What kind of co-operation do you expect from the people?
10. What are your vies on the existing condition of the village?
When I Set Out For Lyonnesse - Working With The Poem
Question 1.In the first stanza, find words that show
(i) that it was very cold.
(ii) that it was late evening.
(iii) that the traveller was alone.
Answer:
(i) rime
(ii) starlight
(iii) lonesomeness
Question 2.
Something happened at Lyonnesse. It was
(a) improbable
(b) impossible.
(c) Unforeseeable
Answer:
(c) Unforeseeable.
The poet says what happened could not have been predicted by any prophet or guessed by even the wisest wizard.
Question 3.
Pick out two lines from stanza 2 to justify our answer.
Answer:
“ No prophet durst declare
Nor did the wisest wizard guess”.
Question 4.
Read the line (stanza 3) that implies the Following.
‘Everyone noticed something, and they made
Guesses, but didn’t speak a word’.
Answer:
“All marked with mute surmise”
Question 5.
Now read the line that refers to what they noticed.
Answer:
“My radiance rare and fathomless
When I returned from Lyonnesse
With magic in my eyes”