NCERT Solutions for A Visit to Cambridge Class 8 Honeydew English
Book Solutions1
"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.
Choose the right option.
Answer
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
Author thinks England stands for Cambridge because that's
the first thing that comes to the author's mind when he thinks about 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.
Choose the right option.
Answer
(ii) From outside a phone booth.
Since the author was in a wheelchair, he grabbed the phone
from outside.
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.
Choose the right option.
Answer
(ii) He forced the scientist to use his voice synthesizer.
The Author felt guilty for forcing Hawking to use the synthesizer.
To communicate, Hawking had to press the buttons with his thin, weak fingers.
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.
Choose the right option.
Answer
(i) Shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Compared to Hawking, the author was able to do much more
even though confined to a wheelchair. Hawking couldn't even move his wrists
like the Author could.
1
(i)Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the
writer nervous? If so, why?
(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Answer
(i) Yes, the writer was nervous to meet Stephen Hawking. He looked up to Hawking for having overcome the limitation of his disability and accomplishing so much. He was nervous to meet his role model he had respected throughout his life.2
Guess the first question put to the scientist by the
writer.
Answer
Stephen Hawking answered that "I haven't been brave.
I've had no choice". So the writer must have asked "How have you been
brave throughout the problems you face?"
3
Stephen Hawking said, "I've had no choice."
Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Answer
Yes, the writer does think that Stephen Hawking had a
choice. He believed that instead of succumbing to his disability, hawking
creatively channeled his little strength into researching and making
phenomenal discoveries.
4
"I could feel his anguish." What could be the
anguish?
Answer
The anguish of Hawking could have been that he had so many
thoughts to express and yet all he had was the little movement in his finger
through which the computer voiced his thoughts. He didn't have any other way
and had to use all his strength to press what he wanted to say again and again.
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?
Answer
The writer realized he was looking at one of the most
beautiful men after Hawking mockingly said yes to the writer's question if he
was disturbing him. The writer came to the realization because it was wonderful
how Hawking still had a cheerful persona despite the challenging experiences he
faced. It was almost like the light of his soul was shining.
6
Read aloud the description of 'the beautiful' man. Which
is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Answer
The most beautiful line is "Before you, like a lantern
whose walls are worn so thin, you glimpse only the light inside, is the
incandescence of the man."
7
Answer
(i) If the 'lantern' is the man, its 'walls' would be the body of the man. The light of the lantern is the soul and the walls is through which the light shines which is the body.8
What is the scientist's message for the disabled?
Answer
The scientist's message is that the disabled should endeavor
for achieving what they are good at. They shouldn't wait for anyone to empower
them or have false hopes doing something beyond their capacity. According to
Hawking, the disabled Olympics is a waste of time.
9
Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which
idea does it support?
Answer
The writer was referring to the guitar incident because he
also thought he was trying to do something that was usually done by everyone
but it was too difficult for him. He should have done something that was within
his caliber. It supports Hawking's idea of the disabled doing what they are
good at.
10
The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen
Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Answer
The writer's gratitude is for taking out time and
interacting with him despite the efforts he needs to put. He was able to know
the person who was a motivation for many and also learned many beautiful
lessons from his thoughts.
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 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 form 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.
Answer
(i) and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
(ii) as if you have a courage account on which you are too
lazy to draw a cheque.
(iii) tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find
the words on his computer.
(iv) and they are saying something huge and urgent, it is
hard to tell what.
(v) that there are people smiling with admiration to see you
breathing still.
1
Question 1: Fill in the blanks in the sentences below
using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.
|
guide, succeed, chair, travel, pale, draw, true |
(i) I met a _____ from an antique land.
(ii) I need special _____ in mathematics. I can't count the number of
times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy ______ to
Issac Newton.
(iv) His other problems ______ into insignificance beside
this unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was ______ by the youngest member of the
board.
(vi) Some people say 'yours ______ ' when they informally
refer to themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a _______ match. We would have
been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Answer
(i) traveller
(ii) guidance
(iii) successor
(iv) paled
(v) chaired
(vi) truly
(vii) drawn
2
Look at the following words.
|
walk, stick |
Can you create a meaningful phrase using both these
words? (It is simple. Add 'ing' to the verb and use it before the noun. Put an
article at the beginning) .... a walking stick.
Now make six such phrases using the words given in the
box.
|
Read/session Smile/face Revolve/chair Walk/tour Dance/doll Win/chance |
Answer
(i) A reading session.
(ii) A smiling face.
(iii) A revolving chair
(iv) A walking tour
(v) A dancing doll
(vi) A winning chance
3
Use 'all' or 'both' in the blanks. Tell your partner why
you chose one or the other.
(i) He has two brothers _____ are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called ______ of them wanted
to see you.
(iii) They ______ cheered the team.
(iv) ______ her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me ______ of it.
Answer
(i) Both
(ii) All
(iii) all
(iv) Both
(v) all
4
Complete each sentence using the right form of the
adjective given in brackets.
(i) My friend has
one of the ______ cars on the road. (fast)
(ii) This is the ______ story I have ever read.
(interesting)
(iii) What you are doing now is _____ than what you did yesterday.
(easy)
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both ______ (short)
(v) He arrived ______ as usual. Even the chief guest came
______ than he did. (late, early)
Answer
(i) fastest
(ii) most interesting
(iii) easier
(iv) short
(v) late, earlier