Get the best guide for Bihar Board class 8 English chapter 7 here. This guide provides you with the written answers and explanations for chapter 7 – “The Mountain and The Squirrel”.
Through this thought-provoking poem by the renowned poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, you will explore an important life lesson about the value and significance of all creatures, no matter how big or small. The poem presents a lighthearted exchange between a towering mountain and a tiny squirrel, in which the mountain initially mocks the squirrel’s insignificance. On this page we have presented class 8 English chapter 7 The Mountain and The Squirrel
Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 7 Solutions
| Subject | English |
| Class | 8th |
| Chapter | 7. The Mountain and The Squirrel |
| Author | |
| Board | Bihar Board |
A. Warmer
Question 1: What is the squirrel called in your local language? What do you notice about its movement? Where does the squirrel generally live and what does it eat?
Answer: In our local language, the squirrel is called “gilahri.” They are known for their quick, darting movements and ability to nimbly climb trees. Squirrels typically make their homes in trees or any areas with abundant vegetation. Their diet consists primarily of nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes even insects or eggs.
B. Let’s Comprehend
B. 1. 1. Think and Tell
Question 1. What is the poem about ?
Answer: The mountain and the squirrel.
Question 2. Who started the quarrel ?
Answer: The mountain.
Question 3. Do the mountain and squirrel have the same talent ? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: No. Talents differ from person to person.
Question 4. How did the squirrel defend herself ?
Answer: The mountain couldn’t crack a nut like her.
B. 1. 2. Say whether the following statements are ‘True’ or ‘False’.
- The squirrel was very wise – True
- The mountain was proud of its size. – True
- The squirrel argued that every one has his/her own qualities. – True
- The squirrel cannot break a nut. – False
- Bigger creatures have no right to be proud of their size. – True
B. 2. Think and Write
B. 2. 1. Tick the most appropriate answer to each of the questions given below.
Question 1. Who is referred to as “Bun”
(a) forest
(b) mountain
(c) squirrel
(d) weather
Answer: (c) squirrel
Question 2. “All is well and wisely put” means:
(a) the squirrel is the most wise creature
(b) all animals are wise .
(c) nature has given particular talent to particular things
(d) wise persons keep silent
Answer: (c) nature has given particular talent to particular things
B. 2. 2. Answer each of the following questions in not more than 50 words.
Question 1: Why do you think the mountain calls the squirrel “little prig”?
Answer: The mountain likely calls the squirrel a “little prig” in a condescending manner, mocking its small size and arrogance in challenging the mountain’s grandeur.
Question 2: What qualities of the mountain does the squirrel appreciate? List them.
Answer: The squirrel appears to appreciate the mountain’s sheer size, towering height, and vast expanse, though it does not directly state these qualities.
Question 3: What task is the mountain unable to perform?
Answer: The mountain is unable to perform the simple task of cracking a nut, despite its immense size and strength.
Question 4: Do you appreciate the logic of the squirrel? Give reasons.
Answer: Yes, the squirrel’s logic is understandable. It argues that while it cannot carry forests on its back due to its small size, the mountain, despite its vastness, cannot accomplish the seemingly trivial task of cracking a nut.
Question 5: Was the reaction of the squirrel justified? Give reasons.
Answer: The squirrel’s reaction was justified to an extent. It rightly pointed out that size and abilities do not necessarily align, using the mountain’s inability to crack a nut as an example. However, its arrogant tone in challenging the mountain’s grandeur could be seen as disrespectful.
C. Word Study
C. 1. Find out from the text the words that refer to the mountain and the squirrel and put them in the appropriate box below. One has been done as an example.
Mountain Squirrel
large spry
Answer:
Mountain Squirrel
Big Little prig
Large Small
Spry
C. 2. Phrasal verbs
The expression ‘taken in’ in line 8 of the poem is a phrasal verb. When a verb is followed by a preposition or an adverbial particle, it is called a phrasal verb. The meaning of a phrasal verb is different from the meaning of its parts. For example in ‘taken in’ “take” and “in” have independent meanings but when in’ is added to ‘take’ it becomes a phrasal verb and it means ‘consider’ or ‘included’ which is different from the meaning of its parts.
Here are a few more phrasal verbs that have the verb’take’ in them :
Take after, take away, take back, take down, take off, take on, take out, take over, take up. Look up a dictionary and find out what each one of these means and try to use them in sentences.
Answer:
- Take after (to look like someone) – John takes after his brother.
- Take away (to deprive of) – The Government took away all of his property.
- Take back (to accept one’s wrong) – Feeling sorry, he took back his words for me.
- Take down (to pull down) – He took down his formal dress and weared a night suit in order to sleep.
- Take off (to remove) – You must take off your shoes be-fore entering a temple.
- Take on (to employ) – The proprietor took on some new staff.
- Take out (to remove) – Take out your books and read the chapter five with attention.
- Take over (to succeed) – The prince succeeded the throne of his father.
- Take up (to start something) – I will take up my duties from tomorrow.
Question 1. Pick out other phrasal verbs from the poem.
Answer: Other phrasal verbs from the poem are – taken in, make up.
Question 2. Fill in the passage given below with the phrasal verbs given in the box:
put on : to wear
look after : take care of
carry on : continue
pass away : waste
look out : to watch
bring up : rear a child
Parents ………. look after their children with proper case. They make them learn how to dresses. They ………. their kids with affection. They their education in best possible school. The time …….. fast. The parents become older. Then the children ……….. their old parents.
Answer:
Patrents look after their children with proper care. They make them learn how to put on dresses. They bring up their kids with affection. They continue their education in best possible school. The time passes away fast. The parents become older. Then the children take care of their old parents.
D. Let’s Talk
Question 1. Work in groups and discuss ‘for’ and ‘against’ any one of the following statements in your group :
(a) No finger in a hand is better than the other.
(b) Small things are less costly than big ones. .
(c) A need is not as useful as a sword.
Answer:
(a) No finger in a hand is better than the other. ‘For’ – All the fingers in a hand has the same importance. No finger in a hand is better than the other. Even if one finger, be it small one or big one is not in its place, then the hand without a finger will not look good. So, all fingers of the hand are good. They altogether make a hand good.
‘Against’ – All the fingers of a hand are not of the same importance. We can’t wear a ring in every finger of our hand. All the fingers look different. The ring finger of a hand for me is better than the other fingers of a hand.
E. Composition
Write a paragraph in about 50 words on
Question 1. “Everyone has his/her strengths and weakness”.
Answer: Everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses, shaping their individuality and potential. Recognizing and embracing these qualities fosters personal growth and resilience. While strengths highlight areas of excellence, weaknesses provide opportunities for improvement, making the journey of self-discovery and development a continuous and enriching experience.
F. Translation
Question 1. मैं अपने माता-पिता के साथ कल चिड़ियाघर (Zoo) गया। वहाँ हमने. अनेक जानवर देखे जैसे : शेर, सफेद बाघ, हाथी इत्यादि । वहाँ मैंने खिलौना रेलगाड़ी (Toy Train) की सवारी की। वहाँ अनेक प्रकार के झूले तथा मनोरंजन के अन्य साधन भी उपलब्ध थे। हमने वहाँ भरपूर आनंद उठाया।
Answer: Yesterday, I went to visit a zoo with my parents. There we saw many animals such as : lion, white tiger, elephant etc. There I took a ride of a toy train. There many swings and other means of entertainment. We enjoyed there a lot.
