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Class 8 English · Unit 2 · Values and Dispositions

Verghese Kurien — I Too Had a Dream

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

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Let us do these activities before we read

IArrange the means of communication in the timeline from old to new.
Old → carrier pigeons
telegraph
postcard
telephone
email
mobile phone → New
IIDiscuss in pairs.

1. The reasons for change in the means of communication over the years.
People wanted faster and easier ways to send messages. New inventions in science and technology made this possible.

2. The means of communication that you prefer to use and the reason for your choice.
I prefer the mobile phone. It is quick. I can talk, send messages and even make video calls to my family.

3. Communication through social media: its benefits and precautions.
Social media helps us stay in touch and share information quickly. But we should never share personal details or passwords. We should not believe or forward fake news, and we should limit screen time.

Let us discuss

IIdentify which statements are facts and which are opinions.
  1. But speaking on the telephone only gives us an immediate but fleeting joy. — Opinion
  2. I started my working life soon after our country became independent. — Fact
  3. … service to our nation’s farmers was not the career I had envisioned for myself. — Fact
  4. I knew I could make a more meaningful contribution by working here in Anand, Gujarat. — Opinion
  5. … values that I saw in my mentor and supporter here in Anand—Tribhuvandas Patel. — Fact
  6. Life is a privilege, and to waste it would be wrong. — Opinion
  7. I hope that you, too, will discover… that failure is not about not succeeding. — Opinion
  8. … the President awarded me the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. — Fact

Let us think and reflect

I.1Read the extract and answer the questions.
In today’s fast-paced world we have become so addicted to instant communication that we prefer to use a telephone. But speaking on the telephone only gives us an immediate but fleeting joy. Writing is different. …

(i) When the writer refers to a ‘fast-paced world’, he is speaking of a world where ______.
communication happens quickly but lacks depth

(ii) Select the option that applies correctly to both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(iii) The writer feels that letter-writing is a class apart from other kinds of writing. (True/False)
False

The writer compares writing with talking on the telephone. He says a letter is just one kind of writing.

(iv) Which is the most appropriate title for the extract?
C. The Lasting Joy of Written Words

I.2Read the extract and answer the questions.
Your grandmother too made an important choice. She knew, in those early days, life in Anand could not offer even the simple comforts that we take for granted today. However, she ardently supported my choice to live and work in Anand. …

(i) How can we say that the grandmother shared her husband’s dedication to a greater cause?
She knew that life in Anand had no simple comforts. Still, she ardently supported his choice to live and work there. She stood by him always.

(ii) The fact that the writer praises his wife tells us that he ______ her role in his life.
truly values

(iii) The grandmother had all of the following traits EXCEPT ______.
C. comforting

(iv) Select the phrase that conveys ‘showed grace under pressure and carried out my duties with dignity and confidence’.
shouldered my responsibilities with poise

IIAnswer the following questions.

1. What event does Dr. Kurien refer to when he mentions receiving the Padma Vibhushan?
He refers to the grand ceremony in Delhi in 1999. The President awarded him the Padma Vibhushan there. Siddharth was with him and slipped the medal around his own neck.

2. How did Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand affect his life?
It transformed his life. He gave up careers in metallurgy, the Army or the US. Instead, he spent his whole life serving the dairy farmers of India.

3. Dr. Kurien’s decision to work in Anand reveals his values and sense of duty. Explain.
He chose service over money and fame. He wanted to build an India free from hunger and poverty. He believed in integrity and in contributing to the common good. This shows his deep sense of duty to the nation.

4. Why did Dr. Kurien write the letter to his grandson?
He wanted to share his experiences and values with Siddharth. He also wanted to explain why he chose a life of service. He hoped the letter would inspire Siddharth and his generation to work for the good of the country.

5. ‘Life is a privilege and it is wrong to waste it.’ What is your opinion on this?
I agree. Life gives us many chances to learn and to help others. So, we should use our talents fully and not waste our time.

6. What message does Dr. Kurien want to convey about selfless service and its long-term impact on society?
Selfless service helps not just one person but the whole society. His work for the dairy cooperative helped millions of farmers. The true reward of life comes from working for the larger good of the country and humanity.

Let us learn

IReplace the underlined words with the correct synonym from the box.
  • 1. He received the award in a magnificent ceremony. — splendid
  • 2. I felt a fleeting joy… — momentary
  • 3. With today’s instant communication… — swift
  • 4. Our school focuses on the core values… — essential
  • 5. … is a valuable reminder of the importance of planning. — useful
  • 6. … can give abiding pleasure that will last forever. — lifelong
IIMatch the expressions with their meanings.
Column 1Column 2
1. in all humility(iv) being humble and having no feeling of self-importance
2. hold their heads high(vi) be confident and have a positive feeling
3. to be quite honest(i) to speak in a truthful way
4. to the best of your ability(ii) doing something using all your skills, talents, and knowledge
5. looked at in awe(iii) observed with great respect and wonder
6. somewhere deep down(v) in the innermost part of the self
IIIMake as many words as you can out of the given words.
  1. important — port, part, point, print, paint, train, atom, ant, map, top, tip, mint
  2. magnificent — magic, giant, faint, fine, mint, cent, nice, mice, gain, ice, tin, fame
  3. satisfied — fast, safe, side, tide, diet, edit, fist, sift, sit, sad, aid
  4. generation — green, great, nation, ration, train, tiger, ring, tone, rate, gate, near
  5. achievement — chain, cheat, chime, team, meet, mean, time, vine, tame, ache, mint
IVAntakshari word game.
ClueWord
(i) major (synonym)IMPORTANT
(ii) problem (synonym)TROUBLE
(iii) uneven (antonym)EQUAL
(iv) related to post officeLETTER
(v) our moral dutyRESPONSIBILITY
(vi) related to timeYEARS
(vii) prosperous (synonym)SUCCESSFUL
(viii) related to being aliveLIFE

Each word begins with the last letter of the previous word: IMPORTANT → TROUBLE → EQUAL → LETTER → RESPONSIBILITY → YEARS → SUCCESSFUL → LIFE. These fit the letters given in the grid.

VInsert an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.
  1. The conference will be held from March 15–March 20.
  2. I have lived in Kanpur–Raipur for five years now.
  3. The artist—known for her vibrant paintings—will be showcasing her work in Guwahati.
  4. The scores for the final match were 2–3.
  5. My favourite snacks—samosas, pakoras, and jalebis—are all from India.
  6. The train journey from Belagavi–Bengaluru takes less than ten hours.
  7. I just finished reading the book—it was absolutely amazing!
  8. The event will take place on September 1–September 5.
VIFill in the blanks with the correct word.
  1. Please remember to bring your assignment book.
  2. The team celebrated their victory after the match.
  3. It’s important to stay hydrated during the hot summer days.
  4. I can’t believe you’re going to the mango festival today.
  5. The students said they’re excited for the field trip tomorrow.
  6. The tree lost its leaves in the winter.
VIIComplete the sentences with suitable prepositional phrases.
  1. The children played happily in the park.
  2. Nisha placed the vase on the dining table.
  3. We discussed the project in the library.
  4. Preethi found the lost book under her bed.
  5. The cat slept on the soft cushion.
VIIIRearrange the jumbled words into meaningful sentences.
  1. The dog barked loudly at the strangers walking by the house.
  2. My classmate wrote a story during the summer vacations.
  3. They enjoyed a picnic under the trees by the lake.
  4. He hung the painting in his grandfather’s room.
  5. The students studied for the exam with great determination.

Let us listen

IMatch the words with their meanings.
Column 1Column 2
1. percussionist(i) a person who plays drums and similar instruments
2. impaired(v) damaged or weakened
3. vibrations(iv) physical sensations caused by sound
4. determination(ii) the ability to keep going despite difficulties
5. gradual(iii) slow and steady over time
IIState whether the statements are true or false.
  • 1. Evelyn Glennie became deaf suddenly. — False
  • 2. Her headmistress ignored the signs of her hearing loss. — False
  • 3. Ron Forbes was a percussionist who helped Evelyn. — True
  • 4. Evelyn used her skin and bones to sense music. — True
  • 5. She gave up on music after her diagnosis. — False
IIIAnswer the following questions in one or two words.
  • 1. How did Evelyn turn her disability into strength? — sensing vibrations
  • 2. What role did Ron Forbes play in her life? — mentor (teacher)
  • 3. What lessons can we learn about how to treat others with different abilities? — encourage them

Let us speak

IRead aloud the words with the correct syllable stress.
IIRead aloud the words with the ‘shuh’ or ‘zhuh’ sound.

‘zhuh’ sound: measure leisure enclosure exposure seizure composure

‘shuh’ sound: reassure ensure fissure unsure

III.2Chunk the stanza with (/) or (//) and read it aloud.
Life is queer / with its twists and turns. //
As everyone of us / sometimes learns. //
And many a fellow / turns about / when he might have won / had he stuck it out. //
Don’t give up / though the pace seems slow— / you may succeed / with another blow. //
Often the goal is nearer / than it seems / to a faint and faltering man. //

Let us write

Write a letter to your grandparents thanking them for the valuable lessons they have taught you.

B-14, Shivaji Nagar
Pune
12 October 20XX

Dear Dadaji and Dadiji,

I hope both of you are in good health. I am writing this letter to thank you for all the valuable lessons you have taught me.

Dadaji, you always told me stories of honest and brave people. Those stories taught me to speak the truth even when it is difficult. Dadiji, I still remember how you shared food with our neighbours and helped the old lady next door. You taught me that helping others brings true happiness.

Your actions inspire me every day. Last week, I started teaching two children of our watchman after school. I also joined the cleanliness drive in our colony. I feel that I am following your path.

Thank you for shaping my values. I will visit you during the Diwali holidays. Please take care of yourselves.

With lots of love,
Your grandson,
Arjun

Let us explore

I–IIIRevolutions in India, Jan Shikshan Sansthan and financial literacy.
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