Class 8 Supplement to Elementary English Grammar and Composition : 20 to 35 Answers from the book N.K Aggarwala for CBSE and ICSE Students.
25 Direct-Indirect Speech
25.B Make 6 groups Each group will narrate the following dialogues in indirect speech.
Dialogue 1
Have you ever been to Japan?
No, I’ve never been there but I know it’s a very safe and beautiful country to travel.
Oh, I think, I’ll visit it one day!
Dialogue 2
Please , help me to cook the soup.
Mum, I can’t. I’m doing my homework. I’m having an important test tomorrow.
Dialogue 3
Where did you go yesterday?
I went to the bookstore and bought a very interesting book.
Do you like it?
Yes, I was reading it all evening.
Dialogue 4
This dog looks angry. I’m scared.
Don’t be afraid! It’s my friend’s dog. It’s very kind and it won’t bite you.
Dialogue 5
Can we play here, mum?
No, please be quite. The father is sleeping. He has worked a lot today and is very tired.
Okay! We’ll play outside.
Dialogue 6
Don’t be late for dinner! The granny is waiting for us.
Don’t worry, I won’t be late. I will buy a cake and some flowers on my way to her.
Answers
Group 1: Dialogue 1 (Indirect Speech)
A person asked if the other had ever been to Japan. The other replied that they had never been there but knew it was a very safe and beautiful country to travel to. The first person then mentioned that they thought they would visit it one day.
Group 2: Dialogue 2 (Indirect Speech)
Someone asked for help in cooking the soup. The child responded that they couldn’t help because they were doing their homework and had an important test the next day.
Group 3: Dialogue 3 (Indirect Speech)
One person asked where the other had gone the previous day. The other replied that they had gone to the bookstore and bought a very interesting book. The first person then asked if they liked it, and the other responded that they had read it all evening and enjoyed it.
Group 4: Dialogue 4 (Indirect Speech)
Someone said that the dog looked angry and expressed fear. The other person reassured them, telling them not to be afraid as the dog belonged to their friend and was very kind, assuring that it wouldn’t bite.
Group 5: Dialogue 5 (Indirect Speech)
A child asked their mother if they could play there. The mother replied, asking them to be quiet because their father was sleeping after working a lot and was very tired. The child then said they would play outside.
Group 6: Dialogue 6 (Indirect Speech)
Someone told the other not to be late for dinner, as the grandmother was waiting for them. The other person reassured them, saying they wouldn’t be late and that they would buy a cake and some flowers on their way to visit her.
These conversions should help students understand how to transform direct dialogues into indirect speech.
35 Comprehension Passages
Read the following text and answer the question that follow.
When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundred animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.
Early artist drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing sleep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex.
Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside.
Although they are not out in the air. where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.
(Source : http:// koreananimals. org/)
1. Which title best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
(a) Wild Animals in Art
(b) Hidden Prehistoric Paintings
(c) Exploring Caves Respectfully
(d) Determining the Age of French Caves
2. In line 4, the phrase ‘pays heed to’ is closest meaning to _____.
(a) discovers (b) watches (c) notices (d) buys
3. Based on the passages, what is the significance of the south of France?
4. Early artists did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls. What does this indicate about them?
5. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.
Choose another word for ‘depict’ from the words given below.
(a) show (b) hunt (c) count (d) draw
6. Why was painting inside the Lascaux complex a difficult task?
(a) It was completely dark inside.
(b) the caves were full of wild animals.
(c) Painting materials were hard to find.
(d) Many painting spaces were difficult to reach.
7. According to the passages, all of the following have caused damage to the paintings except ______.
(a) temperature changes
(b) air movement
(c) water
(d) light
8. Would you like to explore news caves? Explain your opinion giving four reasons from the text?
Answers:
Comprehension Passage Questions and Answers:
Finally, exploring caves before they deteriorate due to environmental factors like air movement and water would allow me to witness these historical treasures before they are lost.
1. Which title best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
(b) Hidden Prehistoric Paintings Explanation: The passage discusses the discovery of prehistoric paintings in caves, particularly focusing on the Lascaux cave complex, making option (b) the best summary.
2. In line 4, the phrase “pays heed to” is closest in meaning to _____.
(c) notices Explanation: “Pays heed to” means to take notice or pay attention, so the closest meaning is “notices.”
3. Based on the passage, what is the significance of the south of France?
Answer: The south of France is significant because it is a region where many old caves with prehistoric paintings, such as the Lascaux cave complex, have been discovered. These caves contain ancient artworks that are of great historical and cultural importance.
4. Early artists did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls. What does this indicate about them?
Answer: This indicates that the early artists were highly dedicated, skillful, and determined. They were willing to go to great lengths, both physically and creatively, to accomplish their artwork, even in difficult and hard-to-reach areas.
5. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals. Choose another word for “depict” from the words given below.
(a) show Explanation: “Depict” means to represent or show something, so the best synonym is “show.”
6. Why was painting inside the Lascaux complex a difficult task?
(d) Many painting spaces were difficult to reach. Explanation: The passage mentions that some spaces required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages, making it difficult for artists to reach certain areas.
7. According to the passage, all of the following have caused damage to the paintings except ______.
(d) light Explanation: The passage mentions that water, air movement, and temperature changes have damaged the paintings, but light has not been a significant factor since the caves are not exposed to natural light.
8. Would you like to explore new caves? Explain your opinion giving four reasons from the text.
Answer:
Yes, I would like to explore new caves.
Firstly, discovering hidden caves is exciting, as they may contain prehistoric paintings, just like in the Lascaux cave complex.
Secondly, the unique artworks found in such caves, like the 300 images of horses, provide insight into early human creativity.
Thirdly, the physical challenge of navigating steep walls and narrow passages makes it an adventurous experience.