NCERT Solutions ( Answers) of Class 8th English Story Section.

Lesson No.1: The Unthankful Man

Words You May Not Know

outskirts: the outer area of a city, town, or village

peep: to secretly look at something

ungrateful: thankless

slither: to move in a curving way

steep: having a sharp slope

depressed: unhappy and hopeless

cell: a small room in a prison

plight : an unpleasant condition

chamber: a special room

maid: a female servant

charge : formal accusation

Ask Your Question?

Working with the text

Q1: What was Raman”s wife fed up with?

Ans: Raman’s wife was fed up with the abject poverty as she and her husband had to go hungry for days together.

Q2: What did Raman see when he peeped into the well?

Ans: Raman saw a tiger, a monkey, a snake and a man in the well.

Q3: Why was Raman scared of the snake?

Ans: Raman was scared of the snake because he thought if the snake was taken out of the well; it would bite him leading to his death.

Q4: What did the monkey do when Raman was hungry?

Ans: The monkey gave Raman delicious and juicy mangoes to satisfy his hunger.

Q5: What did the tiger give him?

Ans: The tiger gifted him a golden necklace which was given to the tiger by a prince for saving his life.

Q6: What did the goldsmith do when Raman showed him the necklace?

Ans: When Raman showed the necklace to the goldsmith, The goldsmith told Raman to sit and wait for him at the shop. He himself went to the king and showed him the necklace of the missing prince. He made the king believe that Raman had murdered the prince.

Q7: How did Raman cure the queen?

Ans: When the queen was bitten by a snake she lay unconscious and nobody could cure her. The king announced a reward for the person who will cure her. The announcement was made even in prison.

Raman offered his services to cure the queen. He was taken to the queen‘s chamber from the prison. He touched the queen‘s forehead as advised to him by the snake. Immediately, the queen opened her eyes and she was cured of the snake bite.

Q8: Why did the king send the goldsmith to jail?

Ans: After curing the queen, Raman narrated his sorry tale to the king. The king realized the thanklessness of the goldsmith. Consequently, Raman was freed and the goldsmith was put behind the bars.

LANGUAGE WORK

A. Who said the following and to whom?

a. “Why don’ t you go to the nearby town and seek some job?”
Ans. Raman‘s wife to Raman.

b. “I live in Varanasi and I am goldsmith by profession.”
Ans. Goldsmith to Raman.

c. “Once I saved a prince’s life. In return, he gave this necklace.”
Ans. Tiger to Raman.

d. “You have killed our prince and stolen his necklace.”
An s. King to Raman.

e. “How did you land up in trison?”
Ans. King to Raman.

f. “Go home and live happily.”
Ans. King to Raman.

B. Make sentences using the following phrasal verbs:

Fed up with, Pass-through, Help out, Pull out, Call out, Slither away, Wait for, lock up, wake up, land up in, peep into, take to, slip into

1. Raman’s wife was fed up with poverty.

2. In order to reach home, he had to pass through the forest.

3. The tiger requested Raman to help him out of the well.

4. Raman pulled out the tiger out of the well.

5. Rashid called out Hafeez at his home.

6. The snake after thanking him for his help slithered away.

7. When the match was over, all the players wait for each other to go home.

8. There was a lockout strike of employees yesterday.

9. I was sleeping and was waked up by the sudden noise in the street.

10. The king enquired Raman how he was land up in the prison.

11. It was raining when I peeped into the garden.

12. The culprit was locked up in the prison.

13. The murderer was taken to the court for the sentence.

15. I quietly slipped into my room when I reached late to my home.

GRAMMER WORK

Change the narration:
1. “Let us push on a little further”, said Shabir.

Ans. Shabir said that they might push on a little further.
2. He said to me, “Let us wait for our friend.”

Ans. He proposed to me that we should for our friend.

3. Mubashir said, “Abuja, let us go to the Nishat Bagh.”

Ans. Mubashir proposed to Abuja that they should go to the Nishat Bagh.

4. The boy said to the teacher, “Let me take my seat, Sir.”

Ans. The boy (Obediently or with honour) told the teacher that he should take his seat.

5. Rashid said to Hamid, “Let me have a cup of tea.”

Ans. Rashid told Hamid that they should have a cup of tea. 6. He said, “Let him run fast, he cannot catch the train.”

Ans. He said that he might run fast, he cannot catch the train. Or He assumed that it is useless for him to run fast to catch the train.

Lesson No.2 : Achilles

Words You May Not Know

mythology: a body of myths (stories about superhuman beings taken as a true in ancient cultures)

fairy-tale(adj) : extremely happy or fortunate

weired: very strange and unusual

rippling: making a sound of water flowing quietly

floppy: soft and not able to maintain a firm shape or position.

dangle: to hang loosely, or to hold something so that it hangs loosely

cravat: a wide straight piece of material worn loosely tied in the open neck of a shirt.

lilting: gentle and pleasant.

waggle: to (cause to) move quickly up and down or from side to side.

fiesta: a public celebration in Spain or Latin America, especially one on a religious holiday, with entertainments and activities.

pantomime: an amusing musical play based on traditional children‘s stories performed especially at Christmas.

whirl : (to cause something to) spin around.

sprightly: energetic and in good health.

warble: to sing, especially in a high voice.

lumber: to move slowly and awkwardly.

regal : royal, supreme.

respite: pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant.

satin(n) : a silk material shining on a side.

sprightlier (adj) : energetic and in good health .

warble (v) : to sing.

mumber (v) : chew softly .

drool (v) : dribble/talk foolishly.

drool (v) : a slow or slothful person .

hysterical (adj) : un controlled excitement.

surge(v): rise, move forcefully.

bemused (adj) : obscure, clouded, confused.

lumber: to move slowly and awkwardly.

Ask Your Question?

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT

Q1) How was the Rose-Beetle Man dressed?

Ans: Rose-Beetle Man’ s dress was fantastic. On his head, he had a hat with a wide floppy brim. His shirt was worn. Round his head dangled a cravat of blue stain. His patched trousers drooped over a pair of leather shoes with upturned toes.

OR

Ans. Rose-Beetle Man was dressed in a wide hat on head, shirt and a startling blue satin cravat around his neck. He had worn a coat with bulged pockets, patched trousers and a pair of leather shoes with upturned toes.

Q2) How do we know that the Rose-Beetle Man cared well for his pets?

Ans: The Rose-Beetal Man had polished the shells of the tortoises & he had decorated their front legs with little red bows. This shows that he cared well for his pets.

OR

Ans. He had kept his pets in a sack. When he undid his sack half a dozen tortoise came out tumbling. He had polished their shells with oil and decorated their front legs with little red bows. This shows that he cared well for his pets.

Q3) What made the narrator select one particular tortoise from among the other animals?

Ans: When the Rose-Beetle Man undid a small sack, half a dozen tortoises tumbled out of it. One among them took the narrator‘s fancy. It was small with a shell size of a teacup. Its eyes were bright & its walk was alert. This made the narrator select it from among the other animals.

OR
Ans. From among the other animals one was energetic than others. Its shell was of the size of a teacup. Its eyes were bright and its walk was alert. This fascinated the narrator and he was convinced to select this particular tortoise as his pet.

Q4) How did Achilles enjoy eating strawberries?

Ans: The fruit that Achilles liked the best was wild strawberries. He would become hysterical at the mere sight of them. The small strawberries he could devour at a gulp. But if he was given a big one he would grab the fruit and take it to a quiet spot among the flowerbed, where he would eat it at leisure.

OR

Ans. Achilles liked the wild strawberries the most. He easily swallows the small-sized strawberries but when he was given the big one, he would grab it to a quiet spot among the flower beds to eat it at the leisure time. He was very fond of wild strawberries.

Q5) How were Roger and Achilles rivals?

Ans: Roger, the pet dog of the narrator became a rival of Achilles for both had to compete for getting more and more grapes.

OR

Ans. Both Roger and Achilles liked grapes. Before the arrival of Achilles, Roger enjoyed full part of grapes. Now the Achilles became his partner, therefore there was a great rivalry between them.

Q6) Why did Achilles find Roger irritating?

Ans. Achilles was very fond of grapes, when he ate grapes, the juice would run his chin, and Roger would lie watching him his mouth dripping saliva. Roger would creep up to Achilles and lick him vigorously to get the grape juice which irritated Achilles.
OR

Ans: Achilles loved grapes as much as Roger did. Achilles would sit mumbling the grapes in his mouth, the juice running down his chin and Roger would lie watching him, his mouth drooling saliva. Then Roger would creep up to Achilles and lick him vigorously to get the grape- juice which irritated Achilles.

Q7) How did Roger feel at Achilles’ funeral?

Ans: Roger felt happy at Achilles‘ funeral. He kept on wagging his tail throughout the burial service.

OR

Ans. Roger felt happy at Achilles’ death that is why he was waging his tail at his funeral.

Q8) The family wandered about the olive-groves, shouting “Achilles … Strawberries, Achilles …” at length, we found him.

a) How had Achilles escaped?

Ans: One day the garden gate was left open and Achilles was nowhere to be found.OR

Ans. Achilles was habitual to walk through the whole garden. One day, the garden gate was left opened and Achilles got an opportunity to escape from the garden.

b) Explain why the family shouted “strawberries” during their search.

Ans: Strawberries were the favorite fruit of Achilles. The family wanted Achilles to hear the call and get tempted & return. OR

Ans. Achilles was very fond of strawberries, so to find him any way they should make him greedy for his favourite fruit so that they could easily find him.

c)Where did the family finally find Achilles? What had happened to him?

Ans. Finally, the family found Achilles in the well, the wall of which had long since disintegrated. He had fallen into the well and was quite dead.

Ans: The family found him dead in a well.

Q9) There are many instances of humor in the story. Pick out any two of them.

Ans. The story has many humorous instances. Eating of grapes by Achilles and running of juice from his mouth is humorous. Searching down the path of sunbathing person and sleeping on a belly is a humorous instance in the story.

OR

Ans: The character and costumes of the Rose-Beetle Man is humorous. The licking of Achilles by Roger is full of humour. Achilles‘ act of mountaineering on a human body is a humorous incident.

LANGUAGE WORK

Make anagrams using the following words with the help of the clues given in the table below:

Word Anagram Meaning

Looped Poodle= an intelligent breed of dog.

Schoolmaster = The Classroom where lessons are taught.

Listen Silent = making no sound.

Admirer = fan.

Rabies Serbia = country in Southeast Europe.

Real = fun Funeral performed after someone’s death.

Retain Retina = part of the human eye. Charm March movement of soldiers.

GRAMMER WORK

(i) Some of the following sentences are incorrect. Correct them.

1) We get a lot of English home works. Ans. We got a lot of homework.

2) I’ve got some sands in my shoe.

Ans. I’ve got some sand in my shoe.
3) Did you hear the news about Sara? Ans. Did you hear news about Sara?

4) We need more chairs in this room. Ans. We need more chairs in this room.

5) Can I have some more pasta?

Ans. Can I have some more pasta?

6) He carried my luggage to the taxi.

Ans. He carried my luggage to the taxi.

(ii) Insert ‘a’ or ‘an’ wherever necessary.

1. Why are you taking an umbrella? It isn’t raining.

2. I had soup and a bread roll for lunch.

3. It was a good idea to have a party.

4. She’s looking for a job in Jammu.

5. I often go to her for advice.

(iii) Fill in the gaps with a noun from the words given using a/an/the wherever necessary.

Chair, Suitcase, Fly, Rice, Furniture, day, weather, accidents, luggage.

1. There’s a fly in my soup.

2. I have to some furniture for my new house.

3. I haven’t got much luggage with me. Just this bag

4. It’s a sunny day today.

5. There weren’t any accidents on the roads yesterday.

(iv) Which of the underlined words in the parts of these sentences is correct?

1. Hurry up? We haven‘t got many / a lot of time.
Ans. a lot of

2. I don‘t eat much/many chocolates. Ans. many

3. I didn‘t take much / many photographs. Ans. many

4. I don‘t listen too much / many classical music.
Ans. much

Lesson No. 3: Colors of Rainbow – A Short Story

Word Meaning

Awning: a piece of material attached to a building to give protection against the sun and rain

Barely: almost not

Oblivious: not aware

Splendiferous: splendid, grand in appearance

Musing: thought

Convolutions: twists, troubles, difficulties,

Hue: colour

Tiff: a slight argument

Brewing: about to happen

Cherish: to love, care and protect

Good riddance: used to express happiness that someone or something unwanted has gone.

Hauteur: excessive pride

Awry: not right

Well-to-do: rich, prosperous

Fortification: defense

Breach: to break through

Incarnation: the human form

1. What did the narrator observe when he looked out?

Ans: When the narrator looked out of the window he saw drops of water falling down from the awnings. He also observed drops of water drip and slide down the chili plants outside.

2. Why was the narrator unable to pay attention to what his daughter was saying?

Ans: The narrator couldn’t pay attention to what his daughter was saying because he was watching the beauties of nature.

3. Why did the narrator have a tiff with his family?

Ans: The narrator belonged to a poor family. Poverty had made their life hard. It had affected the couple‘s relationship. They would often argue over petty issues.

4. What did the narrator find when he returned home late at night?

Ans: After a tiff with his wife the narrator left home, spent the day with his friends, and returned late at night. On his return, he found that his children/kids had gone to sleep and his wife was waiting for him.

5. Why did the narrator not have an appetite?

Ans: The narrator did not have an appetite because he had taken food outside with his friends.

Lesson No.4: Rustum and Sohrab

Words You May Not Know

shield: a large flat metal object held by soldiers to protect themselves dare: to have enough courage to do something

in the family was: expecting a baby send word to send a message

feat: an act showing great skill, strength or courage warrior: one who fights in a war, soldier
combat: a fight

savior: a person who saves from danger

armor a protective covering for the body

longing: having a great desire

fate: the power that is supposed to control all events

unnerve: to become nervous

pierce: to go into or through something

slain: killed

avenge: to punish for wrongdoings

opponent: adversary; rival
clash(v): to fight

Ignorance: lack of knowledge; unawareness

Thinking about the text

Q1) Why was Rustum not able to live with his wife?

Ans) Rustum had to part with his wife because he was called by the king of Persia. The king felt unsafe in the absence of Rustum.

Q2) Why did Tanimeh send word to Rustum that their child was a daughter?

Ans) She did so because she feared if Rustum would come to know that he had a son, he would take him away and make him follow his footsteps. Tanimeh did not want to lose her son.

Q3) What secret did Sohrab learn from his mother?

Ans) The secret Sohrab learned from his mother was that he was the son of Rustum, the shield of Persia

Q4) What did Tanimeh want Sohrab to do when he met Rustum?

Ans) Tanimeh wanted Sohrab to show the precious stone to his father, Rustum so that he could recognize his son.

Q5) Why was Rustum at first not ready to fight Sohrab?

Ans: Rustum did not want to fight Sohrab because he had grown old and had to serve his aged father in the faraway village.

Q6) Why did Rustum not tell Sohrab who he was?

Ans: Rustum did not tell Sohrab who he was because Rustum thought that if he did so, Sohrab might withdraw from the fight and make peace with him.

Q7) How was Sohrab wounded?

Ans) Rustum, after fighting for three days with Sohrab, felt that he was going to lose the fight. Then Rustum uttered his war cry ―”Rustum!” which made Sohrab nervous and he dropped his shield. Rustum, instantly, thrust his sword into Sohrab‘s body. That is how Sohrab was wounded.

Q8) What were Sohrab’s last words?

Ans) Sohrab told his father to take him home and bury him there so that people will say, “Here lies Sohrab, the mighty Rustum’s son, whom his father did kill in ignorance”.

B. Find words/phrases given below for the following expressions:

Break down, precious, mighty, bury, combat, send word, invader, chief, protect, send for, parting, determined, strong-minded

a. A fight, especially in a war = Combat

b. To keep somebody/something safe from harm, injury, etc = Protect

c. Going away or separating from somebody = Parting

d. To send someone a message. = Send word

e. Wanting to do something very much regardless of difficulties. = Strong-minded

f. Determined to do something or get something. = Determined

g. Someone who enters a country by force in order to take control of it. = invader

h. A long distance away or a long time in the past or future. = Distant

i. To become very upset and start crying.= Break down

j. Of great and special value = Precious

k. An officer of very high rank in the army = Chief

l. Put a dead body in a grave = Bury

m. Very powerful = Mighty

n. To call someone back = Send for

C. Choose the correct option:

1. “Persia is safe as long as Rustum leads our soldiers,” said The King of Persia

2. “I do not fight in single combat with anyone who is of low birth,” These words are spoken by The Challenger.

3. “If you must go, I want to tell you something.” Said Tanimeh

4. “Who is so rash and thoughtless that he thinks he can attack Persia?” asked Kaikoos

5. “Carry me to your home and bury me there.” These words are spoken by Sohrab

D. Match the words in Column A with the explanations given in Column B:

Ans.

Column A Column B

a. War cry a word or cry shouted in battle.

b. Challenger one who calls someone for a fight.

c. Arts of war skill in the use of weapons and infighting.

d. Champion one who fights for or defends some other person.

e. Swordsmanship skill in the use of a sword.

f. Spirit quality of courage and vigor.

g. Terror great fear.

h. Clasp hold tightly.

i. Amazed extremely surprised.

j. Ambition a strong desire for success, power or wealth.

LANGUAGE WORK

A. Combine the following pairs of sentences with unless Answers Only;

1. Unless you run fast, you cannot catch the train.

2. Unless work hard, you cannot get the first class.

3. Unless you hurry, you will not catch the bus.

4. Unless you do as I tell, you will not regret it.

5. Unless you tell me about your problem I cannot give you some solution.

B. Match each clause from Column A with a clause from Column B and make meaningful sentences:

Ans.

1. If I had worked harder, I would have got more marks.

2. If the driver in front had not stopped, the accident would not have happened.

3. If the weather had not been so bad, we could have gone out.

4. If you have arrived earlier, you could have seen her.

5. If you have moved the injured to hospital immediately, you might have saved his life.

6. If you had not lent me the money, I would not have been able to buy a car.

GRAMMAR WORK

A. Report the following sentences in indirect speech:

1. She said, “My father will return from Jammu tomorrow.”

Ans. She said that her father would return from Jammu next day.
2. They said, “We will die for the sake of our country.”
Ans. They said that they would die for the sake of their country.
3. The teacher said, “Baber won the first battle of Panipat.”
Ans. The teacher said that Baber won the first battle at Panipat.
4. I said to him, “You have made a false statement.”
Ans. I told him that he had made a false statement.
5. They said to us, “We will play a match tomorrow.”
Ans. They told us that they would play a match the next day.
6. I said to him, “I am an early riser.”
Ans. I told him that I was an early riser.
7. He said, “My father died last year.”
Ans. He said that his father died the previous year.
8. She said to me, “The climate of this place does not suit me.”
Ans. She told me that the climate of that place did not suit her.

9. I said to the peon, “All your faults will be pardoned if you confess them.”