Class 7 Lesson 8 Honeycomb NCERT Solutions

Class 7 Lesson 8 Honeycomb NCERT English Questions and answers CBSE Homage to our Brave Soldiers and Meadow Surprises.

Lesson 8 A Homage to our Brave Soldiers

1. Where is the National War Memorial located and what is its significance?

2. What is the nation’s highest gallantry award?

3. What do the walls of Chakras portray.

4. Find in the lesson the paragraph/s and the sentence that evoke the feelings given below.

(i) feeling of wonder

(ii) heartening

(iii) sense of motivation

(iv) pride

(v) visually inspiring

(vi) sadness

(vii) gratitude

(viii) inspiration

Answers:

1. Where is the National War Memorial located and what is its significance?
The National War Memorial is located in New Delhi, India. It is dedicated to honoring the soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who have sacrificed their lives for the nation in various wars and conflicts.

2. What is the nation’s highest gallantry award?
The nation’s highest gallantry award is the Param Vir Chakra.

3. What do the walls of Chakras portray?
The walls of Chakras at the National War Memorial portray the valor, sacrifice, and service of the Indian Armed Forces. They display the names of soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country.

4. Find in the lesson the paragraph/s and the sentence that evoke the feelings given below:

(i) Feeling of wonder:
Look for a paragraph that describes the grandeur and design of the National War Memorial. The sentence might be something like, “The majestic structure and solemn atmosphere left the visitors in awe.”

(ii) Heartening:
This could be in a paragraph that talks about the unity and strength of the soldiers and the nation. A sentence like, “The nation stands strong and united, proud of the brave soldiers who protect it.”

(iii) Sense of motivation:
Find a sentence that inspires action or a strong emotional response, such as “The bravery of these soldiers serves as a reminder to always stand for what is right.”

(iv) Pride:
A paragraph that discusses the achievements of the Indian Armed Forces and evokes national pride might contain the sentence, “India’s courageous soldiers are the pride of the nation.”

(v) Visually inspiring:
Look for a description of the memorial’s visual impact, such as “The eternal flame burning bright and the beautifully crafted murals inspire a deep sense of reverence.”

(vi) Sadness:
The sadness could be evoked by the remembrance of the soldiers who died in battle. A sentence like, “The names etched on the walls remind us of the ultimate sacrifice made by these heroes.”

(vii) Gratitude:
A paragraph that expresses gratitude towards the soldiers might include, “We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives so that we may live in peace.”

(viii) Inspiration:
A sentence that conveys inspiration might read, “The stories of heroism and selflessness fill us with the desire to give our best to the nation.”

Part II Comprehension check

1. Which book does Ananda want to read and why?

2. How did Ananda feel after reading about the National War Memorial?

3. Why was she reminded of the poem Pushp ki Abhilasha?

4. Reading the letter from Soumya, Anada is inspired to act. What actions does she intend to take up. Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text.

(i) visit
(ii) mobile app
(iii) sharing ideas
(iv) creating a collage
(v) joining the army
(vi) website

Answers:

Part II Comprehension Check:

1. Which book does Ananda want to read and why?
Ananda wants to read the memoir titled “Tiger of Drass – Capt. Anuj Nayyar – 23 – Kargil Hero” written by his mother, Meena Nayyar. She is interested in learning more about Captain Anuj Nayyar, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his exemplary valour during the Kargil War.

2. How did Ananda feel after reading about the National War Memorial?
After reading about the National War Memorial, Ananda felt motivated and inspired. She also developed a sense of deep gratitude for the soldiers’ sacrifices and seriously started thinking about joining the Armed Forces to serve her motherland.

3. Why was she reminded of the poem Pushp ki Abhilasha?
Ananda was reminded of the poem “Pushp ki Abhilasha” when she visited the War Memorial in Chandigarh. The dedication of flowers to the soldiers as a mark of respect brought back memories of this patriotic poem, which expresses the desire to serve the motherland.

Reading the letter from Soumya, Ananda is inspired to act. What actions does she intend to take up? Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text.

Action	Sentence from the text
(i) Visit	“We all wish to visit the National War Memorial, Delhi.”
(ii) Mobile app	“We have found out a mobile app ‘National War Memorial and Museum’. This app is very interactive and provides answers to our queries in 21 languages.”
(iii) Sharing ideas	“Next week, I am going to share this idea with my classmates and my teacher.”
(iv) Creating a collage	“I think it would be great to create a collage capturing the lives and stories of people that can inspire us each day.”
(v) Joining the army	“I feel motivated and I am seriously thinking of joining the Armed Forces for serving my motherland.”
(vi) Website	Not mentioned explicitly in the letter.

Working with the text

1. Why are war memorials built?

2. Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?

3. Why is it good idea to make a presentation in front of the whole school?

4. Why were the students awestruck and humbled – explain in your own words?

5. Complete the table given below, You may have to find the information from the Internet.

Names of Wars	Dates	Soldiers Associated
Indo-China War
India – Pakistan Wars
Kargil War

Answers:

Working with the Text:

1. Why are war memorials built?
War memorials are built to honor and remember the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom, sovereignty, and security. They serve as a symbol of gratitude and respect for the bravery and courage of the soldiers who defended their nation.

2. Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?
It is our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers because they made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety, freedom, and peaceful existence. By remembering and honoring them, we show our respect and gratitude for their service and acknowledge the invaluable role they played in protecting the nation.

3. Why is it a good idea to make a presentation in front of the whole school?
Making a presentation in front of the whole school is a good idea because it spreads awareness about the valor and sacrifices of the soldiers, instills patriotism in students, and can inspire others to respect and follow in the footsteps of these heroes, perhaps even motivating some to consider joining the armed forces.

4. Why were the students awestruck and humbled – explain in your own words?
The students were awestruck and humbled because they were confronted with the enormous sacrifices made by the soldiers. Seeing the war memorials, learning about the bravery and valour of the soldiers, and realizing the extent of their dedication to the country made them feel overwhelmed by admiration and gratefulness, which left a lasting impact on their hearts.

Complete the table given below. You may have to find the information from the Internet:

Names of Wars	Dates	Soldiers Associated
Indo-China War	October 20, 1962 – November 21, 1962	Major Shaitan Singh, Lt. Gen. B.M. Kaul, Brigadier John Dalvi
India-Pakistan Wars	1947, 1965, 1971, 1999	Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Lt. Arun Khetarpal, Major Kuldeep Singh
Kargil War	May 3, 1999 – July 26, 1999	Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Anuj Nayyar, Lt. Manoj Pandey

Working with Language

1. Find the odd out from the words given in the box.

valiant	martyr	brave	heroic	courageous
memorial	monument	statue	cenotaph	victory
gratitude	thankfulness	appreciation	respect	gratefulness
unique	matchless	matchless	exclusive	one-off

2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate form of the word given in brackets.

The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave” and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy.” The medal was _______ (institute) as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was ______ (design0 by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer ______ (draw) inspiration from Sage Dadhichi. The vedic rishi who __________ (make) the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body so that the gods _______ (can)make a deadly weapon _______ (call) Vajra ot Thunderbolt from his spine. The medal is cast in bronze. In the center. on a raised circle, is the state emblem, ______ (flank). The decoration is suspended from a straight swiveling suspension bar, and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.

Answers:

The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave” and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy.” The medal was instituted (institute) as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was designed (design) by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer drew (draw) inspiration from Sage Dadhichi, the Vedic rishi who made (make) the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body so that the gods could (can) make a deadly weapon called (call) Vajra or Thunderbolt from his spine. The medal is cast in bronze. In the center, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, flanked (flank). The decoration is suspended from a straight swiveling suspension bar and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.

3. Match the following words with their meanings.

(i) territorial integrity (i) celebrated

(ii) iconic (ii) engraved

(iii)envisioned (iii) grand

(iv) etched (iv) visualizesd

(v) posthumously (v) a tapering stone piller

(vi) awestruck (vi) after death

(vii) obelisk (vii) amazed

(viii) majestic (viii) never dying flame

(ix) interminable (ix)very brave

(x) valiant (x) safeguarding nation borders

Answers:

(i) territorial integrity – (x) safeguarding nation borders

(ii) iconic – (i) celebrated

(iii) envisioned – (iv) visualized

(iv) etched – (ii) engraved

(v) posthumously – (vi) after death

(vi) awestruck – (vii) amazed

(vii) obelisk – (v) a tapering stone pillar

(viii) majestic – (iii) grand

(ix) interminable – (viii) never dying flame

(x) valiant – (ix) very brave

4. Complete the story of an unknown soldier. Replace the words from the box with the underline words given in the text below.

He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our national boundary. He had been motivated by the hundreds of stories of the soldiers who had died in action and were celebrated after deaths for bravery.

He displayed outstanding bravery and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were amazed at his courage, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. He too was awarded after he died in the was. His action affected very deeply.

touched everyone’s heart, territorial integrity,  inspired, fallen soldiers, posthumously,  valour, exemplary courage, awestruck

Speaking and Writing

1. Have a class discussion on the topic, when there is no dialogue war begins.’

2. Find out any poem or story in your mother tongue/context about the sacrifices/bravery of soldiers. Make a presentation in the class.

3. People have switched to emails and whatsapp instead of writing notes and letters to each other. Which form of communication do you prefer and why? Share with your friends in class.

4. Write a paragraph on the army’s work during peace-time.

5. As the citizens of a nation, we all must fulfill our duty. Write a letter to your friend describing how do you propose to serve your nation. You can choose from the themes given below.

save the Environment

Health and Well-being

Helping others

Righteous Conduct

Answers:

1. Class Discussion: “When there is no dialogue, war begins”

• In this discussion, you can explore the importance of communication in preventing conflicts. Without dialogue, misunderstandings arise, and differences become harder to resolve, leading to larger conflicts, sometimes even war. Share examples from history or daily life, emphasizing how peace and mutual understanding are achieved through open and honest communication.

2. Poem/Story on Soldiers’ Sacrifice and Bravery

• Find a poem or story in your mother tongue that reflects the sacrifices or bravery of soldiers. Some examples include poems like “वीर तुम बढ़े चलो” (Hindi), or stories like “अबुल फजल की कहानी”. Create a presentation that highlights the emotions of sacrifice, patriotism, and valor displayed by soldiers who protect the country selflessly.

3. Discussion: Emails vs. Letters

• With the rise of emails and WhatsApp, people prefer faster communication. You can discuss which form you like more: digital communication (quick, easy, and convenient) or traditional letters (personal, thoughtful, and long-lasting). Reflect on how each medium affects relationships and what makes one better in your view. Do you like the instant replies of messages or the thoughtfulness of handwritten notes?

4. Paragraph on Army’s Work During Peace-Time

The army plays a crucial role not only in times of war but also in times of peace. During peace-time, the army engages in rescue and relief operations during natural disasters, helps maintain law and order, and participates in national development activities like building infrastructure and conducting medical camps. The army also trains its personnel, carries out surveillance, and remains prepared for any emergency that may arise to safeguard the nation’s peace and security.

5. Letter to a Friend: How You Propose to Serve the Nation

Ravi Kumar
Meerut
12-2-2025

Dear Amit Sharma,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to share with you something that has been on my mind lately – how we can serve our nation in our own small but meaningful ways. There are so many areas where we can contribute, and I believe that every little effort counts.

I’ve decided to focus on saving the environment. With climate change affecting us all, I believe it’s crucial to take responsibility for our planet. I’m planning to reduce plastic use, conserve water, and participate in tree-planting drives in our community. We can also raise awareness about recycling and encourage others to make eco-friendly choices. By taking small steps, I feel we can make a big difference.

What about you? Have you thought of how you would like to serve the nation? Whether it’s by promoting health and well-being, helping others, or following righteous conduct, I’m sure you’ll choose something that aligns with your strengths and passion. Let’s work together for the betterment of our country!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm regards,
Ravi Kumar

Part II Meadow Surprises

Working with the Poem

1. Read the lines in which the following phrases occur. Then discus with your partner the meaning of each phrase in its context.

(i) velvet grass

(ii) drinking straws

(iii) meadow houses

(iv) amazing mound

(v) fuzzy head

2. Which line in the poem suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow? Read aloud the stanza that contains this line.

3. Find pictures of the kinds of birds, insects and scenes mentioned in the poem.

4. Watch a tree or a plant, or walk across a field or park at the same time everyday for a week, keep a diary of what you see and hear. At the end of the week, write a short paragraph or a poem about your experiences. Put your writing up on the class bulletin board.

Answers:

1. Discussion of Phrases:

(i) Velvet grass

• In the poem, “velvet grass” refers to the soft, smooth texture of the grass, similar to the feel of velvet fabric. It highlights the gentle and pleasant sensation of walking on the grass.

(ii) Drinking straws

• This phrase refers to the butterfly’s proboscis, a long, tube-like structure it uses to sip nectar from flowers. The poet likens it to a drinking straw, making it easy for readers to visualize how the butterfly drinks.

(iii) Meadow houses

• “Meadow houses” refers to the homes or shelters found in the meadow, such as burrows made by animals, nests under the grass, or anthills. It suggests that the meadow is home to many creatures.

(iv) Amazing mound

• This phrase refers to the ant’s anthill, which is often intricately built and impressive in its structure, showing the hard work and organization of ants.

(v) Fuzzy head

• “Fuzzy head” refers to the dandelion, whose head, once covered in yellow petals, has turned into a white, fluffy ball of seeds that can be blown away by the wind.

2. Line Suggesting Keen Eye and Sharp Ear:

• The line, “You may discover these yourself, if you look and listen well,” suggests that you need to observe and listen carefully to enjoy the surprises in the meadow.

Stanza:

• “Oh! Meadows have surprises
  And many things to tell;
  You may discover these yourself,
  If you look and listen well.”

3. Pictures:

• For this activity, you can find pictures of:
  • A butterfly resting on a flower.
  • A rabbit hiding in the grass.
  • A dandelion in its different stages (yellow flower and white fuzzy seeds).
  • Anthills (ant mounds).
  • Birds that live in meadows, such as sparrows or robins.

4. Nature Diary Activity:

• Choose a plant, tree, or a park area and visit it every day at the same time for a week. Take notes on what you observe, such as changes in the weather, the presence of birds or insects, how the plant looks, or any new things you notice.

Example of a Short Paragraph or Poem:

“In the early morning light, the tree stood still,
Its leaves rustling softly in the gentle chill.
Each day I watched, the birds came and went,
And the grass below, with dew, was bent.
The ants busily marched in their amazing mound,
While the breeze carried nature’s softest sound.
By week’s end, I felt at peace,
With the meadow’s beauty that never ceased.”