by Tiwari Academy
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 7 A Visit to Cambridge Summary in English and Hindi Medium with Hindi Translation modified for session 2024-25. Answers of all comprehension check are given here in brief and simple language. Working with the text, language, NCERT grammar section of chapter 7 CBSE Standard 8 English are given here to practice for exams. Class 8 English solutions for chapter 7 is revised as per the new NCERT books issued for academic year 2024-25 exams.
Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 7 Question Answers
| Class: 8 | English |
| Textbook: | English Reader – Honeydew |
| Chapter: 7 | A Visit to Cambridge |
| Contents: | Solutions, Summary and Hindi Translation |
| Content Type: | Images, Text and Videos |
| Academic Session: | 2024-25 |
Comprehension Check on Page 100
Which is the right sentence?
1. “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
(iii) Cambridge was the real England.
Answer: (iii) Cambridge was the real England.
2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
(i) from the nearest phone booth.
(ii) from outside a phone booth.
(iii) from inside a phone booth.
Answer: (ii) from outside a phone booth.
3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because
(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.
(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
(iii) he was face to face with a legend.
Answer: (ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
4. “I felt a huge relief… in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to
(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
(ii) standing up, walking.
(iii) speaking, writing.
Answer: (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Working with the Text
Answer the following Questions
Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Yes, the hope of meeting Stephen Hawking made the writer nervous because Stephen Hawking was the best scientist on the earth. He was the most commendable author of world’s famous book “A Brief History of Time”. He had become an heir to Isaac Newton at the University of Cambridge. So, meeting such a great persona made the writer nervous. Moreover he was not sure whether he would be allowed to take the interview.
Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Yes, he felt excited at the same time because it made him happy to meet somebody like him who had attained something great. This made him understand that there were many opportunities present before him, which would help him to reach out further than what he had thought of.
Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
The writer might have asked the scientist how did he reach wherever he is today to reach where he had and what all did he do to achieve it. He might have wanted to know what happened to him and how.
Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Yes, the writer thought that there was a choice. Stephen Hawking could have made a choice to leave everything, be sad and disheartened. He could have sulked. But, he chose to live resourcefully understanding the truth of his disabled body.
“I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Stephen Hawking’s active and vibrant mind was full of thoughts which he wanted to put across but could not speak them out clearly. He was dependent on the computer to express himself. However, his thoughts came out in phrases, without showing his belief or emotion.
His sentences were sheer lines, without any feelings or emotions. The writer felt he could understand his agony and dissatisfaction as he was himself in the same condition.
What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
The writer asked Stephen Hawking if he had found it frustrating that someone like him had come and bothered him in his work. The scientist replied to his question in a positive way, truthfully and sincerely. Then, he gave one way smile to him and this was what endeared him to the writer. This gave the writer a feeling that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men of the world.
Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
The sentence describing the inside radiance of Hawking’s personality which makes his bodily looks immaterial is probably one of the most beautiful descriptions of beauty.
The sentence in the description is -Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man.
Question 7
(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Answer 7
(i) If the lantern is man, its ‘walls’ is the human body.
(ii) Light of life or the inner glow housed within the thin walls
(iii) The writer draws a general conclusion that body is not that important. It is the soul inside our body which is more important. Everything else is just an addition or an accessory. Inner beauty is thus more important than the outer beauty.
Important Questions
What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
The scientists Stephen Hawking’s message for the disabled they should try to do whatever they are good at and focus on achieving it They should make the maximum use of their ability them and thank God for what he has given.
Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?
Stephen Hawking said that things like disabled Olympics were a waste of time and the writer agreed with him. He remembered those years when he had spent tried playing a Spanish guitar which was considerably larger than him. He was very happy when he broke the strings it one night. It supported his idea that a disabled person should only give attention to only what he is good at, and not taking up things without cause.
The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
The writer expressed his gratitude to Stephen Hawking because he had been a motivation, a source of encouragement for him. He saw Stephen as a depiction of bravery. He also felt that if he had been as brave as him, he would have attained a lot. He gained confidence and was impressed by this icon. He had faith in him from so many years. That is why he expressed his greatest gratitude to him as he made him understand what massive heights he could reach.
Question 11
Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.
(i) There was his assistant on the line …
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, …
(iii) There he was, …
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, …
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know …
A
tapping at a little switch in his hand
and I told him
that there are people
as if you have a courage account
and they are saying something huge and urgent
B
trying to find the words on his computer.
I had come in a wheelchair from India.
on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
it is hard to tell what.
Answer 11
- (i) There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
- (ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
- (iii) There he was, tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find words on his computer.
- (iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent − it is hard to tell what.
- (v) It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
Working with Language
Question 1
Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.
guide succeed chair travel pale draw true
(i) I met a ____________ from an antique land.
(ii) I need special ____________ in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy ____________ to Issac Newton.
(iv) His other problems ____________ into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was ____________ by the youngest member of the board.
(vi) Some people say “yours ____________” when they informally refer to themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a ____________ match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Answer 1
(i) I met a traveller from an antique land.
(ii) I need special guidance in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy successor to Isaac Newton.
(iv) His other problems paled into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was chaired by the youngest member of the board.
(vi) Some people say “yours truly” when they informally refer to themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a drawn match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Question 2
Now make six such phrases using the words given.
- read/session
- smile/face
- revolve/chair
- walk/tour
- dance/doll
- win/chance
Answer 2
(i) Reading session
(ii) Smiling face
(iii) Revolving chair
(iv) Walking tour
(v) Dancing doll
(vi) Winning chance
Question 3
Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.
(i) He has two brothers. _______ are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called. _______ of them wanted to see you.
(iii) They _______ cheered the team.
(iv) _______ her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me _______ of it.
Answer 3
(i) He has two brothers. Both are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called. All of them wanted to see you.
(iii) They all cheered the team.
(iv) Both her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me all of it.
Question 4
Complete each sentence using the right form of the adjective given in brackets.
(i) My friend has one of the _______ cars on the road. (fast)
(ii) This is the _______ story I have ever read. (interesting)
(iii) What you are doing now is _______ than what you did yesterday. (easy)
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both _______. (short)
(v) He arrived _______ as usual. Even the chief guest came _______ than he did. (late, early)
Answer 4
(i) My friend has one of the fastest cars on the road.
(ii) This is the most interesting story I have ever read.
(iii) What you are doing now is easier than what you did yesterday.
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both short.
(v) He arrived late as usual. Even the chief guest came earlier than he did.
Working with the Poem
Questions of Poem
1. In the first stanza, find words that show
(i) that it was very cold.
(ii) that it was late evening.
(iii) that the traveller was alone.
2. (i) Something happened at Lyonnesse. It was
(a) improbable.
(b) impossible.
(c) unforeseeable.
(ii) Pick out two lines from stanza 2 to justify your answer.
3. (i) Read the line (stanza 3) that implies the following.
‘Everyone noticed something, and they made
guesses, but didn’t speak a word’.
(ii) Now read the line that refers to what they noticed,
Answers of Poem
1. (i) Rime
(ii) Starlight
(iii) Lonesomeness
2. (i) (c) unforeseeable.
(ii) No prophet durst declare;
Nor did the wisest wizard guess
3. (i) “All marked with mute surmise”
(ii) “My radiance rare and fathomless”
What do you think Stephen Hawkins mean when he said Disabled Olympics is waste of time? Unit 7 chapter 2 from class 8th honeydew.
I think sports are not meant to make any changes in better living for the mass. Like Mr. Hawkins contributed to science. He meant that people should do something like that instead of participating in the Olympics.
I think Mr. Stephen Hawking didn’t like this because everyone he meets drew inspiration from him and he cannot do anything about it is the frustrating part. So he rather did what he is good at.
Why do you think Mr. Stephen Hawkings took the Firdaus to the garden? Unit 7 chapter 1 from class 8th Honeydew.
I think Mr. Stephen Hawkins sensed the good in the Firdaus and he was glad to meet someone like him. Like Firdaus felt about Mr. Stephen Hawkins.
In other fields, Mr. Hawkins thought he can share inspiration with all the people in the world to make their life meaningful to the people who are suffering the same.
What is this poem is all about? Unit 7 chapter 2 from class 8th Honeydew.
I think the poem is all about the trip to Lyonnesse and its Grand view.
Do you think the language of the poem is easy? Unit 7 chapter 2 from class 8th Honeydew.
The language of the poem is advanced British English which is a little tough to understand. The good thing is tricky words are given on the side with the meaning of it.
