Skip to navigation Skip to content
About Contact Feedback FAQs
MAK LABS Maximize your learning.
Class 8 English · Unit 4 · Environment

The Cherry Tree

Complete textbook exercise solutions — NCERT Poorvi, Class 8 English (CBSE).

Advertisement

Let us do these activities before we read

IIWhat kind of trees do people plant in their homes? Why is it important to plant trees?

People plant trees like neem, mango, guava, coconut, tulsi and banana in their homes.

Trees give us oxygen, shade, fruits and wood. They reduce pollution, bring rain and stop soil erosion. So, planting trees is very important.

IIIName some fruit trees that grow in your region. What type of conditions help them to grow?

Mango, banana, guava, chikoo and custard apple grow in our region. They need warm weather, enough sunlight, fertile soil and regular water.

Let us discuss (Part I)

IArrange the events in order of occurrence in the story.
1. Rakesh’s parents grew maize, rice, and barley in a village.
2. Rakesh was sent to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie.
3. Rakesh bought a bunch of cherries and ate most of them.
4. Rakesh kept rolling the last cherry seed in his mouth.
5. Rakesh pressed the cherry seed into the soft soil with his thumb.
6. Rakesh discovered that the small, well-rooted twig had grown into a cherry tree.
7. Rakesh sprinkled water on the cherry tree and surrounded it with pebbles.
8. The cherry tree grew quickly after the rains arrived early.
9. A goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves of the young cherry tree.
10. Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were tough.

Statement numbers in order: 7, 2, 5, 10, 3, 1, 8, 4, 6, 9.

IIDo you think the cherry tree would survive? Why do you think so?

Yes. The main stem and two thin branches were still left. Grandfather also said that cherry trees are tough and will grow again.

Let us discuss (Part II)

IComplete the cause and effect table.
CauseEffect
1. A woman cut the cherry tree while cutting grass.(i) Grandfather scolded the woman.
2. Rakesh went to his village during the monsoon to help his parents with planting, ploughing and sowing.(ii) Rakesh was thinner but stronger when he came back.
3. A hairy caterpillar started eating the leaves of the cherry tree.(iii) Rakesh removed it quickly and dropped it on a heap of dry leaves.
4. There was a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch.(iv) Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it was a miracle.
5. Rakesh tasted one of the small cherries during summer.(v) He spat it out because it was too sour.

Let us think and reflect

I.1Read the extract and answer the questions.
“Have a cherry, Grandfather,” he said, as soon as he saw his grandfather in the garden. Grandfather took one cherry and Rakesh promptly ate the other two. … “Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.”

(i) Substitute the underlined phrase ‘quickly and without delay’ with a word from the extract.
promptly

(ii) What does Rakesh’s action of rolling the cherry seed in his mouth suggest about his mood?
B. He is enjoying the taste and the moment.

(iii) Rakesh’s decision to plant the seed shows that ______.
he respects and values his grandfather’s advice

(iv) How does the grandfather’s advice reflect his view about luck and effort?
Grandfather believes that luck does not come by keeping things away. We must put things to use and make an effort. Only then do we get good results.

I.2Read the extract and answer the questions.
Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow. Field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage. …

(i) The phrase ‘field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage’ suggests that ______.
the winter was very harsh and cold. Even small animals had to find a warm place to stay.

(ii) What can be inferred about the cherry tree’s toughness?
B. The tree could withstand harsh weather.

(iii) How did the early winter affect Grandfather’s mood and storytelling?
The road was blocked, so there was no newspaper for several days. This made Grandfather grumpy. His stories began to have unhappy endings.

(iv) The comparison of Rakesh’s age to the cherry tree’s age symbolises ______.
the tree’s growth paralleling Rakesh’s own development

IIAnswer the following questions.

1. Why did Rakesh’s parents send him to Mussoorie?
There were no schools in their village. His parents were keen that he should go to school. So, they sent him to stay with his grandfather in Mussoorie.

2. Why did Rakesh let the praying-mantis remain on the branch of the cherry tree?
The praying-mantis was the cherry tree’s first visitor. It did not harm the tree, so Rakesh let it stay.

3. How is life in the Himalayan foothills described in the story?
The soil is stony and dry cold winds stop the growth of plants. There are few fruit trees but forests of oak and deodar. Winters are cold and snowy, and roads get blocked. In the monsoon, ferns grow and mist curls up the valley. People live a simple life.

4. What might Rakesh mean when he says, “Is this what it feels to be God?”
Rakesh had grown a big tree from just one small seed. He felt like a creator who had given life to something. He was filled with wonder and pride.

5. How does the writer describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather?
They share a loving and close bond. Grandfather tells Rakesh stories, and Rakesh reads the newspaper to him. Grandfather guides him and teaches him patience. Together, they watch the tree grow and enjoy it.

6. What can you infer about the connection between humans and nature based on the story?
Humans and nature are closely connected. When we care for nature with patience, it rewards us with shade, fruit, beauty and joy.

7. Imagine Rakesh reflects on his experience of watching a seed grow into a full-grown cherry tree. Write how he must have felt.

I can hardly believe that this tall tree was once a tiny seed in my mouth. I remember pressing it into the soil with my thumb and then forgetting it. When it came up, I was thrilled. I felt sad when the goat ate its leaves and when the woman cut it. But the tree never gave up. Its first pink blossom felt like a miracle. Now I lie under its shade and watch its leaves dance. I feel proud and happy. This tree has taught me patience and hope.

Let us learn

IIdentify the odd word in each list.
  • plodded, galloped, scrambled, trudged — galloped (the others mean moving slowly or with difficulty)
  • tender, delicate, soft, smooth — smooth (the others mean soft and easily hurt)
  • stared, peered, pecked, gazed — pecked (the others are ways of looking)
  • growing, blossoming, progressing, planting — planting (the others mean developing)
IIWrite the most suitable taste words against the food items. Then make sentences.
  1. tamarind — tangy
  2. jaggery — sweet
  3. neem leaves — bitter
  4. paneer (cottage cheese) — bland
  5. lemon — sour
  6. pickle — spicy
  7. a dish of vegetables — salty

Sentences:

  • The ripe mango was very sweet.
  • Raw tamarind tastes sour.
  • Bitter gourd juice is quite bitter.
  • The street-side chaat was too spicy for me.
  • Sea water is very salty.
IIIChoose the correct antonyms for the textual words.
WordAntonym
1. tenderhard
2. sturdyshaky
3. narrowwide
4. warmthcoldness
5. feastingfasting
6. grumpycheerful
7. shelteredunprotected
8. specialordinary

Extra words: growing and fussing.

IVFill in the blanks with the Simple Past, Past Progressive or Past Perfect tense.

(i) I was sitting with my grandparents in the garden, sharing the wonderful memories from my childhood. As we (ii) were talking, I (iii) realised how much wisdom they (iv) had imparted to me over the years. While I (v) was listening to their stories for hours together, I (vi) remembered the times we (vii) had spent together planting flowers and learning about life. By the time I left, the sun (viii) had set, and I (ix) felt a deep sense of gratitude for the bond we (x) had nurtured through love, care, and countless memories.

VPunctuate the paragraph appropriately.

Every Sunday, Roshni would visit her grandparents’ house on their farm.

“Come, sit,” Grandpa would say, patting the bench on their porch.

Roshni loved these moments, where the world slowed down and stories flowed like magic. Grandma would bring tea, her eyes twinkling with joy.

“I’m excited to hear about your younger days—the adventures, the lessons, and the memories,” Roshni said eagerly.

Grandpa smiled softly, his wrinkled hands resting on the cane. “Ah, the old days… when everything was simple and happiness was all we had.”

Roshni could feel the warmth of those memories. He sat in silence, bound not by words but by a timeless bond.

Let us listen

ISelect four true statements.

True statements: 2 3 5 7

  • 2. The son was surprised to know about the Appiko Movement.
  • 3. The son agreed that the Chipko Movement was about people uniting to make an impact.
  • 5. The mother was curious to hear about Saalumarada Thimakka.
  • 7. The son found the information on Jadav Payeng wonderful.

Let us speak

IWrite the number of syllables in each word.
WordSyllablesWordSyllables
moun-tains2Hi-ma-la-yan4
grand-fa-ther3per-formed2
ten-der2in-ten-tion3
dis-turbed2slope1
ca-ter-pil-lar4news-pa-per3
fa-vour-ite3

‘Favourite’ is often spoken with two syllables (fav-rite).

IISpeak about Van Mahotsav Diwas and its significance.

Sample Speech

Good morning, everyone. Van Mahotsav means ‘festival of trees’. It is celebrated every year in the first week of July. It was started in 1950 by Shri K. M. Munshi. Schools, colleges, government offices and people all over India celebrate it. It is celebrated to make people aware of the importance of trees. On this day, people plant saplings, hold rallies and organise poster competitions. Its message is simple: plant more trees and protect them, because trees are our lifeline. Thank you.

Let us write

Complete the article ‘Trees–Our Lifeline’ using the words and phrases in the box.
  • (i) Trees–Our Lifeline
  • (ii) would stop existing
  • (iii) absorb carbon dioxide
  • (iv) reduces pollution
  • (v) Additionally
  • (vi) climate control
  • (vii) If trees were not there
  • (viii) Moreover, our planet
  • (ix) To conclude
  • (x) ensures a better future

Let us explore

I & IIOld banyan trees of India and Indian environmentalists.

Some Indian environmentalists: Sunderlal Bahuguna (Chipko Movement), Saalumarada Thimakka (planted thousands of trees), Jadav Payeng (Forest Man of India), Medha Patkar (Narmada Bachao Andolan), and Salim Ali (Birdman of India).

← Spectacular Wonders Harvest Hymn →