Are you searching for UP Board class 9 English Moments chapter 8 solutions? If yes, then you are at the right place. On this page, we have presented you with the complete question answer and solution of chapter 8 – “A House Is Not a Home”.
Chapter 8 of the UP Board Class 9 English Moments book – “A House Is Not a Home,” by Zan Gaudioso, is a heartfelt story about coping with loss and finding comfort in the kindness of others. The author shares his personal experience of feeling lost and vulnerable after a fire destroys his home, making him feel disconnected from his surroundings.
UP Board Class 9 English Moments Chapter 8 Solutions
| Subject | English |
| Class | 9th |
| Chapter | 8. A House Is Not a Home |
| Author | Zan Gaudioso |
| Board | UP Board |
Think about it
A House Is Not a Home Question Answer
Question 1: What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Answer: One Sunday afternoon, the author noticed smoke pouring in through the ceiling seams while doing his homework. His mother immediately reacted by grabbing a metal box with important documents and running outside. In her panic, she rushed back into the burning house, despite the danger, showing her distress and concern for their belongings.
Question 2: Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
Answer: After the fire, the author was devastated by the loss of his home and possessions. The disappearance of his beloved cat added to his sorrow, making him feel overwhelmed by the destruction. This emotional weight led him to break down in tears.
Question 3: Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
Answer: The author felt deeply embarrassed at school because he had lost all his belongings in the fire, including his clothes and school materials. He feared being judged and isolated by his peers. His insecurity is revealed in his words, “Was I destined to be an outcast and a geek all my life? I didn’t want to grow up, change or have to handle life if it was going to be this way.”
Question 4: The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Answer: The bond between the author and his cat is evident in their constant companionship, as the cat always stayed near him during his daily tasks. After the fire, the cat had run a mile away, but a kind stranger found it using the phone number on its collar and brought it back. The author’s immense joy upon being reunited with the cat shows their deep connection.
Question 5: What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
Answer: The author’s schoolmates surprised him by providing new clothes, school supplies, and emotional support, which deeply touched him. Their kindness helped him realize the goodness in people and gave him comfort. The warmth and support from others made him feel less lonely, and he regained interest in life, eventually participating in activities with a renewed sense of belonging.
Question 6: What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
Answer: The phrase “My cat was back and so was I” symbolizes the author’s emotional recovery. While he hadn’t physically gone anywhere, the loss of his home, belongings, and cat had left him feeling emotionally lost and disconnected from life. Once his cat returned, it brought back a sense of normalcy and comfort, making him feel “alive” again, ready to embrace life as before.
Talk about it
Question 1: Have any of your classmates/schoolmates had an experience like the one described in the story where they needed help? Describe how they were helped.
Answer: Yes, two years ago, my friend Raju had a terrifying experience in a crowded market. A fire broke out in a shop due to a short circuit, causing chaos as people rushed to escape. In his attempt to flee, Raju and three others locked themselves inside a nearby shop to avoid the smoke. However, the smoke quickly filled the shop, and they began to suffocate, fearing they would not survive. Thankfully, a rescue team from an NGO arrived in time, broke open the shop’s shutter, and saved them. They were immediately taken to the hospital, and my friend’s life was saved by the quick actions of the NGO and a stroke of luck.
