Question

NCERT Solutions Class 8, English, Honeydew, Prose, Chapter- 8, A Short Monsoon Diary.

To achieve a thorough understanding of this chapter and excel in CBSE exams and competitive tests, utilizing NCERT Solutions is highly advised. These solutions, created by subject experts, provide a detailed exploration of all essential concepts covered in the chapter. Tailored specifically to the CBSE syllabus, they ensure comprehensive preparation and invaluable assistance in your studies.

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Concepts covered in Class 8 English - Honeydew Prose Chapter 7 A Short Monsoon Diary, are :

A Short Monsoon Diary, English Language Projects, Rhyme Scheme, Grammar ,Vocabulary, Compound Words, Collocation, Parts of Speech, Writing Skills, View and Counterview, Reading Skills, Unseen Passage Comprehension, Listening Skills, Speaking Skills.

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Answer 1

NCERT Solutions Class 8, English, Honeydew, Prose, Chapter- 8, A Short Monsoon Diary.

Comprehension Check

1. Why is the author not able to see Bijju?

Solution:

The author could not see Bijju because of the mist that concealed the hills . So he could hear the voice of Bijju but not see him.

2. What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?

Solution:

When the mist comes up, the hills appear to change. All the birds sitting on the hills fall silent when the mist comes climbing up the hill. When the mist comes up, it conceals not only the hills but blankets them in silence also.

Comprehension Check

1. When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?

Solution:

The monsoon season in Mussorie begins from June 24/25. By August 2, the people are fed up with rain. It ends by August 31. Then begins winter rains which end by late March. We take out our rain coats and umbrellas to face the monsoon.

2. Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?

Solution: Mussoorie

3. For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?

Solution:

It rains non-stop for eight or nine days. The author keeps pacing the room and looking out of the window.

4. Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?

Solution:

The rodents and snakes take shelter in roofs, attics and godowns. They do so because their holes are flooded with rain water.

5. What did the author receive in the mail?

Solution: The author received a cheque in the mail.

Working with the text

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.

Solution:

June 24 is the first day of monsoon mist. The hills are concealed by the mist. It blankets the hills with a cover of silence. The real monsoon shower comes on June 25. The whole nature welcomes it. The first cobra lily rears its head from the ferns. By August 2, the people become weary of the monsoon. There is no storm, no thunder, just a steady tropical downpour. People keep in their houses and enjoy the sound of raindrops falling on their roofs. Snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics and godowns. March 23 heralds the end of winter. The sky starts to become clear after a hailstorm. And a rainbow starts forming in the clear sky. One can enjoy this sight of rainbow which shows the beauty of nature.

2. Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?

Solution:

The grandmother asked the children not to kill the Chuchundar because it was considered lucky. She said that it brought money.

3. What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?

Solution:

The seeds of the cobra lily turning red signified that the monsoons were about to end.

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 ______.

Solution:

(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because of the mist in the surroundings.
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as a paradise that might have been.
(iii) The leopard was successful in attacking one of Bijju’s cows but had to flee when Bijju’s mother came screaming curses.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because of their bright colours.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ground orchids, mauve lady’s slipper and the white butterfly orchids bloom.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because they have been flooded out of their holes and burrows.

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’?

Solution:

 The word ‘springing’ means ‘to develop suddenly’. The writer says that tin roofs are prone to developing unexpected leaks.

(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?

Solution:

The writer was physically untouched by the rain as the tin roof stopped the rain from leaking in.

(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?

Solution:

The writer was in touch with the rain at the same time because he could feel the rain by listening to its drumming sound on the corrugated tin roof.

Answer 2

6. Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.

Solution:

A long spell of rain makes life miserable. One is closed up in his room. Everything becomes damp and soggy. Rodents, snakes and insects enter the house for shelter.

7. What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?

Solution:

At first cobra lily appears with the arrival of the monsoon. When the cobra seeds begin to turn red, it indicates the rains are coming to an end.

Working with language

1. Here are some words that are associated with the monsoon. Add as many words as you can to this list. Can you find words for these in your languages?

downpour   floods    mist   cloudy   powercuts   cold   umbrella

Solution:

rain, water, fog, raincoats, thunder, dampness, lakes etc.
In my language I find the alternative words like the following:
बौछार , बूंदाबांदी , तुषार, धुंध , सीत , छतरी, रेनकोट , आंधी , इत्यादी l

2. Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms. The first one is done for you.

(i) We (get out) of the school bus. The bell (ring) and everyone (rush) to class.
(ii) The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.
(iii) I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
(iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
(v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.
(vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).

Solution:

(i) We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was rushing to Class.
(ii) The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road and they were shouting slogans.
(iii) I wore my raincoat. It was raining and people were getting wet.
(iv) She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully.
(v) We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games.
(vi) The Class was quiet. Some children were reading books and the rest were drawing.

3. Here are some words from the lesson which describe different kinds of sounds.

drum        swish         tinkle            caw                 drip

(i) Match these words with their correct meanings.

(a) to fall in small drops

(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly

(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound

(d) harsh sound made by birds

(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)

Solution:

(a) to fall in small drops	drip
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly	drum
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound	swish
(d) harsh sound made by birds	caw
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)	tinkle

(ii) Now fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given above.

(a) Ramesh ____________ on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water ____________ from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony ____________ its tail.
(d) The _________________ of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The ____________ of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

Solution:

(a) Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony swished its tail.
(d) The tinkling of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The cawing of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

4. And sure enough, I received a cheque in the mail.

Complete each sentence below by using appropriate phrase from the ones given below.

sure enough                         colourful enough        serious enough   kind enough                          big enough                 fair enough  brave enough                        foolish enough           anxious enough

(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And _______ _______ it soon started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was ______ _____ for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies are ______ ______ to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was ______ _____ to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was ______ _____ to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was ______ _______ to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was _____ _____ for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was ______ _____ to repeat the same mistake again.
(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘_____ _____.’

Solution:

(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough it started raining heavily.

(ii) The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.

(iii) The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.

(iv) The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.

(v) The boy was anxious enough to call out to his sister.

(vi) The man was kind enough to offer help.

(vii) The victim’s injury was serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.

(viii) That person was foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again.

(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘fair enough.’

Speaking

1. Do you believe in superstitions? Why, or why not? Working with your partner, write down three superstitious beliefs that you are familiar with.

Solution:

Truly speaking, I don’t believe in superstitions. These are blind beliefs. The ignorant and conservative people observe them. Superstitions have no scientific base or proof. The common superstitions are:
(i) 13 is an ominous number.
(ii) Don’t start a new project on Saturday.
(iii) Stop if a black cat crosses your path.

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.

Solution:

We come across different kinds of birds in this lesson. These are minivets, drongos, tree creepers and crows. We see sparrows, pigeons, and nightingales in our neighbourhood. Earlier we used to see big birds like kites and parrots in our neighbourhood. But these have become extinct now.