If you are searching for Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 4 Solutions then you are at the right place. Below we have shared the written solutions with the complete question-answer of chapter 4 – “Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory” for free. This solution is from the new book of class 8 English – Honeydew.
This funny story is about Bepin Choudhury, who thinks he’s forgotten something because people talk about an event he can’t recall. He gets confused, believing he has a memory problem. Students will enjoy learning how it was all a prank by his friend.
Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 4 Solutions
Contents
| Chapter | Prose 4. Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory |
| Subject | English (Honeydew) |
| Class | 8th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 58
1. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?
Ans: The man, Parimal Ghose, stared at Bepin Babu in disbelief because Bepin didn’t recognize him at all. Parimal was certain they had met before in Ranchi, so he was shocked that Bepin acted like they were strangers.
2. Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October ‘58’?
Ans: Bepin Babu said he spent the Puja holidays in October 1958 with a friend in Kanpur, not in Ranchi as Parimal claimed.
3. Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.
Ans: Parimal Ghose knew these things about Bepin Babu:
- He slipped and hurt his leg near Hundru Falls in Ranchi.
- He stayed in a bungalow in Ranchi because he liked home-cooked food by a bawarchi.
- His wife passed away ten years ago.
- His brother was mentally unwell and stayed in a mental hospital.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 61
1. Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?
Ans: Bepin Babu was worried because Parimal seemed to know a lot of personal details about him, like his wife’s death, his brother’s illness, and his book collection. This made Bepin doubt his own memory, as he couldn’t recall ever going to Ranchi, yet Parimal’s details seemed convincing.
2. How did he try to decide who was right—his memory or Parimal Ghose?
Ans: To figure out if his memory was correct or if Parimal was right, Bepin checked his right knee for a scar from the fall Parimal mentioned. He found an old scar but wasn’t sure if it was from Ranchi or a childhood accident. To clear his confusion, he decided to call Dinesh Mukerji, who Parimal said was with him in Ranchi, hoping Dinesh could confirm the truth.
3. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him?
Ans: Bepin hesitated to visit Dinesh Mukerji because he feared Dinesh might mock him or think he was crazy if the Ranchi story wasn’t true. He didn’t want to face that embarrassment. However, he was so troubled by Parimal’s claims and had no other way to verify them, so he decided to phone Dinesh instead of meeting him in person to avoid showing his worry.
4. What did Mr Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?
Ans: Mr. Mukerji checked his diary and confirmed that he and Bepin Babu had indeed visited Ranchi in October 1958. This news made Bepin even more worried because he couldn’t understand how he could forget an entire trip, making him question his memory even more.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 64
1. Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?
Ans: Chunilal was Bepin Babu’s old school friend who was going through tough times. He kept visiting Bepin Babu to ask for help in finding a job to improve his situation.
2. Why was Dr Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory?
Ans: Dr. Chanda was puzzled because Bepin Babu’s case was very unusual. Bepin remembered everything about his life except for one specific event—the supposed trip to Ranchi. Dr. Chanda thought Bepin must have gone to Ranchi, but for some strange reason, that one memory was completely erased from his mind.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 66
1. Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?
Ans: No, Bepin Babu hadn’t lost his memory or forgotten a trip to Ranchi. The whole story was a prank played by Chunilal to teach Bepin a lesson for not helping him.
2. Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he has no money; what is it that he does have?
Ans: Chunilal played the prank because he was upset that Bepin Babu didn’t help him when he was struggling and needed a job. By making Bepin believe he forgot a trip to Ranchi, Chunilal wanted to make him feel confused and guilty. Even though Chunilal had no money, he had a talent for writing and a creative mind, which he thought could help him overcome his difficulties.
WORKING WITH THE TEXT
1. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this?
Ans: The story shows Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man in several ways. He worked at a big company for 25 years, showing his dedication. He had a good reputation for being a careful and responsible worker. Also, he went to his office every day and managed his work well, which proves he was serious about his job.
2. Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result of this meeting?
Ans: At first, Bepin didn’t want to meet Chunilal because he thought Chunilal only wanted a favor. But he changed his mind, hoping Chunilal might know something about the Ranchi trip to clear his doubts. When they met, Chunilal confirmed the Ranchi trip, which made Bepin more confused and worried. As a result, Bepin decided to visit a doctor to check if something was wrong with his memory.
3. Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls. What do you think was the reason for this?
Ans: Bepin Babu didn’t actually lose consciousness at Hudroo Falls because he never went to Ranchi. The story about the fall and losing consciousness was part of Chunilal’s prank to trick Bepin into believing he had forgotten the trip.
4. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him?
Ans: When Bepin Babu learned that Chunilal tricked him, he was probably relieved to know his memory was fine. However, he might have felt angry at first for being fooled. At the same time, he likely felt guilty for ignoring Chunilal when he needed help. This realization probably made Bepin want to make things right and help his friend.
WORKING WITH LANGUAGE
1. Fill in the blanks below using ‘had to’/ ‘have to’/ ‘has to’.
(i) I have to cut my hair every month.
(ii) We had to go for swimming lessons last year.
(iii) She has to tell the principal the truth.
(iv) They had to take the baby to the doctor.
(v) We have to complain to the police about the noise.
(vi) Romit had to finish his homework before he could come out to play.
(vii) I had to repair my cycle yesterday.
2. Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary in the following way.
First, arrange them in the order in which you would find them in a dictionary:
(i) At/from close quarters (Adjective: Close)
(ii) Break into a smile (Verb: Break)
(iii) Carry on (Verb: Carry)
(iv) Have a clean record (Verb: Have or Adjective: Clean)
(v) Beat about the bush (Verb: Beat)
Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.
Ans:
Meanings:
(i) At/from close quarters: Seeing or experiencing something from very close by.
(ii) Break into a smile: Suddenly start smiling.
(iii) Carry on: Keep doing a task or activity.
(iv) Have a clean record: Having no history of bad behavior or mistakes.
(v) Beat about the bush: Talking vaguely or avoiding the main point.
3. Study the sentences in the columns below.
| A | B |
|---|---|
| I saw this movie yesterday. | I have seen this movie already. |
| Bepin Babu worked here for a week last year | Bepin Babu has worked here since 2003. |
| Chunilal wrote to a publisher last week. | Chunilal has written to a publisher. |
| I visited Ranchi once, long ago. | I have visited Ranchi once before. |
Compare the sentences in the two columns, especially the verb forms. Answer the following questions about each pair of sentences.
(i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place?
Ans: Column B, because “Bepin Babu has worked here since 2003” shows he is still working there.
(ii) Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher?
Ans: Column A, because “Chunilal wrote to a publisher last week” suggests he is waiting for a response.
(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw?
Ans: Column B, because “I have seen this movie already” shows the memory is still clear.
(iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind?
Ans: Column B, because “I have visited Ranchi once before” suggests the memory feels recent.
4. Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences.
Ans:
(i) Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
Idiom: Beating about the bush – Avoiding the main topic or not speaking directly.
(ii) If you don’t pay attention to the announcement, you might board the wrong train.
Idiom: Pay attention – Listen carefully to something.
(iii) The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman.
Idiom: Pin the crime – Blame someone for a crime or wrongdoing.
(iv) Bepin Babu loved telling people that he was under doctor’s orders to eat early.
Idiom: Under doctor’s orders – Doing something because a doctor says it’s necessary.
(v) The teacher raised his eyebrows when the students said that they had revised all their lessons.
Idiom: Raised his eyebrows – Showed surprise or doubt.
SPEAKING AND WRITING
1. What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?
Ans: After learning the truth, Bepin Babu was probably relieved that his memory was fine but also a bit upset with Chunilal for the prank. However, he likely felt bad for not helping his friend earlier. Realizing Chunilal’s struggles, Bepin probably decided to help him find a job, understanding that his friend needed support more than a fight over the trick.
2. Imagine you are Bepin Choudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him. Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.
Ans:
15th November, 20XX
Dear Chunilal,
I’m really sorry for not being there when you needed help. Your letter made me realize I should have done more as a friend. I feel ashamed for letting you down. I’ve spoken to a friend who runs a company in Kolkata, and he’s willing to meet you for a job opportunity. Please come to my house this Sunday at 11 a.m., and we’ll go together to discuss it. I promise to help you get back on your feet.
Yours sincerely,
Bepin Choudhury
Or, A prank is a childish trick. Do you remember any incident when someone played a prank on you or your friends? Describe the prank in a paragraph.
Ans: Last year, my friend Rohan played a funny prank on me during our school picnic. He sent me a fake message from our teacher saying the picnic was canceled and we had to attend extra classes instead. I was so upset that I called him to complain, only to hear him laughing! He then told me it was a joke and the picnic was still on. At first, I was annoyed, but then I laughed too because it was such a clever trick. We had a great time at the picnic, and I still tease Rohan about his sneaky prank!
