NCERT Solutions Class 8, English, Honeydew, Prose, Chapter- 7, A Visit to Cambridge.
Comprehension Check
Which is the right sentence?
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.
The correct option is : (iii) Cambridge was the real England.
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.
The correct option is : (ii) from outside a phone booth.
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.
The correct option is : (ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
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.
The correct option is : (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Working with the text
Answer the following questions.
1. (i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Solution:
Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous because Stephen Hawking was the ablest scientist on the earth. He was the worthy author of world renouned book “A brief History of Time”. He had become the successor to Issac Newton at the University of Cambridge. Meeting with such a great personality made the writer nervous.
(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Solution:
Yes, he felt excited at the same time because it made him stronger to see somebody like him achieving something huge. This made him aware of the many possibilities present before him, thereby helping him to reach out further than he ever thought he could.
2. Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Solution:
The writer’s first question might be about Hawking’s disability and how he had accepted it.
3. Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Solution:
Living creatively with the reality of his weakening body was a choice.
4. “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Solution:
Stephen Hawking’s mind was active with many thoughts that he wanted to express. However, his thoughts came out in phrases, without reflecting his feelings or emotions. His sentences were mere lines, without any sentiment. The writer felt he could understand his anguish and frustration at that.
5. What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
Solution:
The writer asked Stephen Hawking if he found it annoying that someone like him came and disturbed him in his work. To this query, the scientist replied in the affirmative, frankly, and honestly. Then, he smiled his one-way smile and this was what endeared him to the writer. The writer felt that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world.
6. Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Solution:
The sentence describing the inner glow of Hawking’s personality which makes his physical looks irrelevant is probably one of the most beautiful descriptions of beauty.
7. (i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
Solution:
The walls of the lantern in Hawking’s case were his skeleton like physical structure.
(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
Solution:
The glow of the eternal soul was housed within the thin walls of his body,
(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Solution:
The writer draws conclusion that the eternal soul is more important than the body.
8. What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Solution:
The message that he gave to the disabled was that they should concentrate on what they were good at.
9. Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?
Solution:
The writer spent many years trying to play a big Spanish guitar. One night he loosened the strings joyfully. This incident supports the idea that the disabled people should practise only what they are good at.
10. The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Solution:
The author felt much inspired after meeting with Stephen Hawking. Therefore he felt grateful to him.
11. 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 be 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 from 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. |
Solution:
(i) There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
(iii) There he was, tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find words on his computer.
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent − it is hard to tell what.
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
