VAKHARIA ACADEMY
STD VIII
VAKHARIA
ACADEMY
ENGLISH HOME WORK
Q.1. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN BELOW :
How often one hears children wishing they were grown up and old people wishing they were young again.
Each age has its pleasures and pains. Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life
difficult. If a child has good parents, he is fed, looked after and loved whatever he may do. It is improbable that
he will ever again his life be given so much without having to do anything in return.
In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child, things that have lost their interest for older
people. A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain, or in the snow. His first visit to the seaside is a marvelous
adventure. But a child has his pains, he is not so free to do as he wishes. He is continually being told not to do
things or being punished for what he has done wrong.
When a young man starts to earn his own living he becomes free from discipline of school and parents. It is in
the school and the family that he learns to work hard, keep out of trouble and the great happiness of seeing
himself make steady progress in his job and of building up for himself his own position in society.
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QUESTIONS :
What does the above passage tells us ?
(i) What is life always presenting to children ?
(ii) Why is childhood considered an easy time ?
(i) How does a young man's life change when he begins to earn ?
(ii) Give two examples of activities that a child finds interesting.
Explain – Each age has its pleasures and pains.
Pick out one noun and a noun compound word from the passage.
A child finds pleasure in playing in the rain.
(State a WH-question, such as the underlined part is the answer)
How do the pleasures of childhood differ from that of adulthood.
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Q.2. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN BELOW :
Barbara O'Neal, an ex-student of the Washington School, had the honor of addressing the graduating class of
June, 1951 of her school. In her inaugural address she said, “After the graduation day, your carefree days will
be over. You will remember what the school has taught. It has not only taught the basic fundamentals and skills
to mould the students but something much greater, the principle of democracy and freedom. This principle of
democracy is not found in any textbook, but acquired in every day's life in school.
The word “democracy” signifies here a sense of brotherhood. There are students of different races, colours,
creeds with no discrimination in the school. Here the principle of brotherhood is practiced without a second
thought. This school is the best example of democracy based on human equality and brotherhood. A Negro got
elected as the President of the students' body in his merits and nobody had any objection about his colour, race
and creed. This principle of brotherhood is God's gift to us. After graduation, some students go for higher
education, some go into business and other join the army. Wherever they are, one should not forget the
principle of democracy taught in the school. They must never get involved in a group which
practicediscrimination on grounds of race, colour, or creed; so that we may live in a peaceful world. So after
graduation, the students should cherish the ideal of unity and brotherhood imbibed during the three final
years. They must bear in mind that democracy is on trial and that they are the jury.
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QUESTIONS :
What does this passage reveal to us ?
(i) Whom did Barbara address ?
(ii) Which great principles did the students learn during their school years ?
(i) What according the Barbara, does democracy signify ?
(ii) What memories would the students have of the school after graduation ?
How was brotherhood practiced in the school ?
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How can a student help to change the world ?
Why, do you think, was the Negro elected ?
Explain : bear in mind.
Write from the passage words that mean :
(i) to care for something you consider important
(ii) received and accepted information.
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Q.3. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN BELOW :
On becoming a cashier, I suddenly felt as I were wearing rose-coloured glasses. I was rejoicing over the
promotion and the slight increase in salary, nothing more. All at once people appeared to have changed.
Everyone seemed to have improved! The ugly became beautiful, the wicked became good, the proud became
humble and the miserly became generous. It was as if my eyes had been opened, and beheld all men
wonderful. I have been stupid not to have perceived these qualities before. How charming everyone is!
On the day of my appointment, even Z.N. Kazusov changed. He was a member of the board of directors; a
haughty, arrogant man who always ignored the unimportant people. He approached me and smiling
affectionately, he clapped me on my back. “You are too young to be proud my boy. It's unforgivable!” he said.
“Why don't you ever drop in on us?” It's shameful of you; the young people generally gather at our house and
it's always enjoyable there. My daughters are forever asking me.
Why don't you invite Gregory Kuzmich, Papa ? He's so nice! But is it possible to get him to come ? Well in any
case, I'll try, I told them. I'll ask him. Now, don't give yourself airs, my boy, do come,” he said.
Amazing! What had happened to him? Head se gone out of his mind? He had always been a terrifying person,
and now look at him.
QUESTIONS :
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When do people change their attitude towards a person ?
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(i) Who was Mr. Kazusov ?
(ii)Why did Kuzmich feel happy on being promoted ?
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(i) What type of a person was Mr. Kazusov ?
(ii)On what day did Mr. Kazusov change ?
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How did other people react to Kuzmich's promotion ?
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What did Kazusov's daughters ask ? Why ?
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Why was Mr. Kuzmich amazed ?
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If Kuzmich's promotions were cancelled, how do you think would Kazusov have behaved ?
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Explain the meaning of the phrases :
(i) wearing rose coloured glasses
(ii) give yourself airs
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You are too young to be so proud. (Remove too)
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Q.4. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN BELOW :
The courtyard was utterly empty; but from the ladies' chamber cam the shrieks and shouts not only of women
but of men; and knocking at the chamber door, adding her screams to those inside, was a little white figure.
They had barred themselves inside, leaving the child out; and now they dared not open the door, as the bear
swung and rolled towards it, looking savagely right and left for a fresh victim. Hereward leaped from his horse
and drawing his sword, rushed forward with a shout which made the bear turn round.
He looked once back at the child, then round again at Hereward, and making up his mind to take the largest
morsel first, made straight at him with a growl. He was within two paces, then he rose on his hind legs, head
and shoulders taller than Hereward, and lifted the iron paws high in the air. Hereward knew that there was but
one spot at which to strike; and he struck true and strong, before the iron paw could fall, right on the muzzle of
the beast.
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QUESTIONS :
Who were inside the ladies' chamber ?
(i) What was the effect of Hereward's shout on the bear ?
(ii)Who, for the bear, was the 'largest morsel' ?
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(i) Where did Hereward strike ?
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(ii)Who were outside the ladies' chamber ?
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Give two instances from the passage which prove that Hereward had faced bears before.
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Why had the people barred themselves inside the ladies' chamber ?
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Write one sentence/phrase from the passage which proves that the bear had already killed someone. (1)
Write adjectives to describe the following nouns :
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(i) the courtyard (ii) Hereward's aim (iii) the bear (iv) the bear's paw.
He lifted his iron paws high in the air. (Change the voice)
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The courtyard was utterly empty. (Make exclamatory)
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Q.5. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN BELOW :
A man or woman makes direct contact with society in two ways : as a member of some familiar, professional
or religious group or as a member of a crowd. Groups are capable of being as moral and intelligent as the
individuals who form them : a crowd is chaotic, has no purpose of its own and is capable of anything except
intelligent action and realistic thinking. Assembled in a crowd, people lose their powers of reasoning and their
capacity for moral choice. Their suggestibility is increased to the point where they cease to have any
judgement or will of their own.
They become very excitable, they lose all sense of individual or collective responsibility. They are subject to
sudden excesses of rage, enthusiasm and panic. In a word, a man in a crowd behaves as though he had
swallowed a large dose of some powerful intoxicant. He is a victim of what I have called 'herd poisoning'.
Herd-poison is an active, extravagant drug. The crowd-intoxicated individual escapes from responsibility,
intelligence and morality into a kind of frantic, animal mindlessness.
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QUESTIONS :
How does a person make direct contact with society ?
(i) What does the writer say about the nature and behaviour of a group ?
(ii)What is 'herd-poison' ?
(i) How does a man in a group differ from a man in a crowd ?
(ii)With whom is a man in a crowd compared ? Why ?
Give the meanings of : panic, extravagant
Which idea is predominantly expressed in this passage ?
Write in brief about the unpredictable nature of mob psychology.
They cease to have any will of their own. (Make negative)
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LETTER WRITING:
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Write a letter to the Editor, 'Metropolis', Mumbai – 01, stressing the need to protect trees like the Neem from
total extinction because of their usefulness in promoting healthy and clean environment, etc.
Write a letter to the Health Officer of your Municipality complaining about the insanitary conditions of your
locality.
Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing the readers' attention to the noise menace in your locality
during festival times.
EXPANSION OF IDEAS:
1. Empty vessels make much noise.
2. A stitch in time, saves nine.
3. If winter is here, can spring be far behind.
Happy Diwali