Class 8 English subject Honeydew book Lesson 8 A Short Monsoon Diary and On the Grasshopper and Cricket Answers.
Comprehension Check (Page 111)
Question 1: Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Answer: The author couldn’t see Bijju because the mist enveloped the hills of Mussoorie like a dense, white blanket. It completely hid the hills from view, making it impossible for the author to see or hear Bijju in such conditions.
Question 2: What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Answer: When the mist rises, it blankets the hills entirely, like a thick white cover. The trees, usually alive with birdsong, fall eerily silent as the birds refrain from chirping, behaving as if it were the middle of the night.
Comprehension Check (Page 113)
Question 1: When does the monsoon season begin, and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?
Answer:In India, the monsoon typically begins around the end of May each year. According to the author’s monsoon diaries, the mist in Mussoorie first appears around June 24 or 25 and lingers until August 31 or mid-September. To cope with the monsoon, we usually carry umbrellas and raincoats to stay dry and avoid getting sick unnecessarily.
Question 2: Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?
Answer: In the diary entry, the author beautifully describes the captivating and enchanting hill station of Mussoorie.
Question 3: For how many days it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?
Answer: It rained nonstop for eight to nine days. With the weather damp and soggy, and unable to go outside, he paced around his room, occasionally glancing out the window at a few umbrellas bobbing in the rain.
Question 4: Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?
Answer: Snakes and rodents emerge from their holes and burrows, seeking shelter in roofs, attics, and warehouses to protect themselves from the rain.
Question 5: What did the author receive in the mail?
Answer: The author received a check through the mail.
Working with the text (Page 114)
Question 1: Look carefully at the dairy entries for June 24-25, August 2 And March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rans progress from June to March.
Answer: According to Ruskin Bond’s diary entries, June 24 marks the first day of the monsoon mist. The hills are hidden beneath a thick white veil of mist, and an overwhelming silence prevails. By June 25, the true monsoon sets in, embraced by all of nature—humans, birds, animals, and trees alike. The first cobra lily emerges from the ferns.
By August 2, people have adapted to the monsoon season. Rain beats rhythmically on the corrugated tin roofs of their homes. Though there are no storms or thunder, a steady, tropical downpour persists. Snakes and rodents, seeking refuge from the rain, begin to emerge from their holes and burrows, finding shelter in roofs, attics, and warehouses.
March 23 signals the end of winter. The darkest clouds slowly gather, followed by a hailstorm that clears the sky. Soon after, a rainbow forms—a breathtaking sight that captures the beauty of nature at its finest.
Question 2: Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchunder?
Answer: The grandmother told the children not to kill the chuchundar, as it is believed to be a symbol of good luck, bringing fortune and wealth.
Question 3: What sings do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?
Answer: The hillsides of Mussoorie turn a vibrant green as late-monsoon flowers begin to bloom—wild balsam, dahlias, begonias, and ground orchids. The seeds of the cobra lily gradually turn red, signaling the end of the rains and the approaching conclusion of the monsoon season.
Question 4: Complete the following sentences.
(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because ____________.
(ii) The writer describe the hill station and valley as ____________.
(iii) The leopard was successful in ___________ but had to flee when ____________.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because _____________.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ____________.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because ________________.
Answer: (i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because the dense mist conceals the hills and the surroundings.
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as a paradise that might have been.
(iii) The leopard was successful in attacking one of Bijju’s cows but had to flee when Bijju’s mother arrived and screamed imprecations.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because of their bright colours.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ground orchids, mauve lady’s slipper and the white butterfly orchids bloom.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because they have been flooded out of their holes and burrows.
Question 5: Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.’
(i) Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing’?
(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?
(iv) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
Answer: (i) The word ‘springing’ refers to moving suddenly and unexpectedly. The author uses this word to describe how the tin roofs are prone to sudden, unforeseen leaks.
(ii) The author remains physically untouched by the rain because he is safe inside his room, with the tin roof preventing the rain from leaking in.
(iii) At the same time, the author feels connected to the rain as he watches it from his room and hears it drumming on the corrugated tin roof of his house.
Question 6: Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.
Answer: When it rains continuously for days, everything around becomes damp and soggy, making it difficult for anyone to venture outside. The hillsides turn lush green as late-monsoon flowers—wild balsam, dahlias, begonias, and ground orchids—begin to bloom. As the holes and burrows of snakes and rodents flood, they seek shelter in roofs, attics, and warehouses.
Question 7: What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon is coming to an end.
Answer: As the monsoon season begins, the first cobra lily emerges from the ferns. However, when the seeds of the cobra lily gradually turn red, it signals that the monsoon is nearing its end.
Working with language (Page 114-116)
Question 1: Here are some words that are associated with the monsoon, Add as many words as you can to this list. Can you find words for these in your language?
| downpour | floods | mist | cloudy | power cuts | cold | umbrella |
Answer: Here are some more words that are associated with the monsoon:
1. Rain
2. Thunderstorm
3. Hailstones
4. Mud
5. Fog
6. Raincoat
7. Dampness
8. Soggy
9. Muddy water
Note: For the second part of the question, students are advised to attempt it themselves.
Question 2: Look at the sentences below.
(i) Bijju wandered into the garden in the evening.
(ii) The trees were ringing with birdsong.
Notice the highlight verbs.
The verb wandered tells us what Bijju did that evening. But the verb was ringing tells us what was happening at same time in the past (the birds were chirping in the trees).
Now look at the sentences below. They tell us about something that happened in the past. They also tell us abut other things that happened continually, at the same time in the past.
Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms. The first one is done for you.
(i) We (get out) of the school bus. The bell (ring) and everyone (rush) to class. We got out the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was rushing to class.
(ii) The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.
(iii) I m(wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
(iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
(v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.
(vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).
Answer:
(ii) The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road and they were shouting slogans.
(iii) I wore my raincoat. It was raining and people were getting wet.
(iv) She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully.
(v) We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games.
(vi) The class was quiet. Some children were reading books and the rest were drawing.
Question 3: Here ae some words from the lesson which describe kinds of sounds.
Drum
swish
tinkle
caw
drip
(i) Match these words with their correct meanings.
(a) to fall in small drops
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeadtely
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound
(d) harsh sound made by birds.
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)
(ii) Now fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given above.
(a) Ramesh ________ on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water _______ from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony _______ its tail.
(d) The ______ of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The ____ of the raven disturbed child’s sleep.
Answer:
(i) (a) to fall in small drops – drip
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly – drum
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound – swish
(d) harsh sound made by birds – caw
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.) – tinkle
(ii) (a) Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony swished its tail.
(d) The tinkling of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The cawing of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.
Question 4:
Ans sure enough, I received a Cheque in the mall.
Complete each sentence below by using appropriate phrase from the ones given below.
| sure enough | colourful enough | serious enough |
| kind enough | big enough | fair enough |
| brave enough | foolish enough | anxious enough |
(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And _______ _________ it soon started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was ____ ______ for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies are ______ _______ to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was ______ _______ to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was _____ ________ to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was ________ _______ to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was _____ _______ for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was ____ ______ to repeat the same mistake again.
(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said,’________ _______.’
Answer:
(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough it soon started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was anxious enough to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was kind enough to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again.
(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘fair enough.
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