NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 8 A Short Monsoon Diary
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 8 A Short Monsoon Diary
Comprehension check (Page – 115)
Question 1.
Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Answer:
Due to mist on the hillsides, the author can hear Bijju calling his sister but can’t see him.
Question 2.
What are the two ways is which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Answer:
The mist covers the hillsides with extreme silence. Moreover, it conceals the hills with darkness.
Comprehension check (Page – 117)
Question 1.
When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end ? How do you prepare to face the monsoon ?
Answer:
Monsoon season begins in the end of June and ends in the end of August. To prepare to face the monsoon, we purchase raincoats etc
Question 2.
Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry ?
Answer:
Mussoorie
Question 3.
For how many days does it rain without stopping ? What does the author do on these days ?
Answer:
It rained for 8 or 9 days without stopping. The author has no way to go outside. He has to sit in the room and look out of the window.
Question 4.
Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter ? Why?
Answer:
The snakes and rodents took shelter in the attics, houses, godowns as all the burrows and holes were filled with rain water.
Question 5.
What did the author receive in the mail ?
Answer:
He received a cheque.
Working With the Text (Page – 118)
Question 1.
Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March 23.
Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.
Answer:
In the beginning of monsoon in June, the rainfall was less, temperature was warm, humidity but not much cold on the hillsides. But mist is seen all over there. Once the monsoon set in late July and early August heavy all night rain-showers are felt. It was a tropical downpour. At the end of winter in March the black clouds overcast the sky, It hailed for half an hour. There were snow and snow everywhere changing from 24-25 June to March 23.
Question 2.
Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the chuchundar ?
Answer:
The grand mother asked the children not to kill the chuchunder as it has been treated lucky.
Question 3.
What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end ?
Answer:
When the lush monsoon growth reaches its peak and seeds of the cobralily turns red, these signs show that monsoons are about to end.
Question 4.
Complete the following sentences.
(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because ……………
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as …….
(iii) The leopard was successful in …………….. but had to flee when
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because ……..
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because
Answer:
(i) …………..there was mist all around over hills
(ii) paradise
(iii) …..lifting up a dog………. Bijju’s mother approached there.
(iv) ………they have bright colours
(v) ……. different flowers rear their heads from the rocks
(vi) …… their holes get overflooded with rain.
Question 5.
‘Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of
being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain,
(i) Why has the writer used the word ‘springing’?
Answer:
The roof has many holes, moreover it is not a plain one. That’s why the writer has used this word
(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain ?
Answer:
The rain is not directly pouring on the writer.
(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
Answer:
The writer is continuously listening to the crackling sound of downpour on the tin roof, so he is supposed to be in touch with the rain.
Question 6.
Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.
Answer:
We used to sit idle in the room, watch TV, have hot tea with pakoras, play only indoor games and enjoy the rain from the windows. Weather becomes cold and wet. We are stuck to the rooms.
Question 7.
What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end ?
Answer:
In the beginning of the season, cobra lily, rears its head from the ferns. At the end of the monsoon season, its seeds started turning red. However we can say that cobra lily’s blooming season starts with the monsoon and ends with the ending of the season.
Speaking (Page – 120)
Question 1.
Do you believe in superstitions? Why, or why not ? Working with your partner,write down three superstitious beliefs that you are familiar with.
Answer:
No, I don’t believe in superstitions. They misguide the people. Every good or bad can happen in the conscience of the bearer. In India every 6th person may believe in such orthodox myths. Some familiar superstitions are
(i) Don’t step out of the house, if any one sneezes or calls from your back.
(ii) You must stop and change your chappals if a black cat crosses or cuts your way.
(iii) If you see a corpse in the morning while going out of the house, there is some good news for you.
(iv) If a crow caws on the parapet of your house, someone is coming to your house.
(v) If a man’s right eye is flickering, some good news is awaiting.
Question 2.
How many different kinds of birds do you come across in the lesson ? How many varieties do you see in your neighbourhood? Are there any birds that you used to see earlier in your neighbourhood but not now? In groups discuss why you think this is happening.
Answer:
In the lesson, scarlet, minivets and drongos are mentioned. We generally see sparrows, pigeons, crows, parrots in our neighbourhood. Vultures are not seen and parrots are occasionally seen on the remaining trees. Pollution and industrialization have caused so much damage to the greenary, a number of birds are not seen generally in our neighbourhood
Writing (Page-121)
Question 1.
The monsoons are a time of great fun and even a few adventures: playing in the rain and getting wet, wading through knee-deep water on your way to school, water flooding the house or the classroom, powercuts and so on. Write a paragraph describing an incident that occurred during the rains which you can never forget.(See picture Textbook)
Answer:
An Incident I can never forget
The monsoons are a time of great fun and even a few adventures playing in the rain an deep water on back home from school, water flooding the house or the class room etc. can be enjoyed. But there was a day when I did not like the rain. I was on my way to school.
As I was about to get into the bus, it started raining. After a few minutes, it started very heavy rain. The roads were flooded. There was water water everywhere. When I got down the bus at my stop I was unable to think what to do. I got down and started walking in knee-deep water slowly. I was fully drenched. When I reached school, there was a horrible scene awaiting. The school ground was over watered. The benches were floating on the water. The memory of that day still remains in my mind.
MCQs Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
‘And now the forest is deathly still as though it were midnight. What change has been done ?
(a) darkness prevails
(b) mist overspread
(c) dragon covered it
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(b) mist overspread
Question 2.
Whom is Bijju calling through the mist?
(a) author
(b) master
(c) sister
(d) father
Answer:
(c) sister
Question 3.
Where did snakes take shelter during monsoons ?
(a) in attics
(b) in godowns
(c) in roofs
(d) all the three
Answer:
(d) all the three
Question 4.
Who lifted a dog from near the servants’ quarter ?
(a) a jackal
(b) a leopard
(c) a lion
(d) a hunter
Answer:
(b) a leopard
Question 5.
What is the colour of female minivet?
(a) red
(b) green
(c) brown
(d) yellow
Answer:
(d) yellow
Question 6.
Who is hearing the tinkle of cowbells ?
(a) author
(b) Bijju
(c) landlord
(d) a farmer
Answer:
(a) author
Question 7.
Who blunders in the rooms in rainy season ?
(a) rat
(b) snake
(c) chuchunder
(d) insect
Answer:
(c) chuchunder
Question 8.
What did the author receive in the mail ?
(a) an appointment letter
(b) a letter from parents
(c) a cheque
(d) a poem.
Answer:
(c) a cheque