If you are searching for Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 8 Solutions then you are at the right place. Below we have shared the written solutions with the complete question-answer of chapter 8 – “A Short Monsoon Diary” for free. This solution is from the new book of class 8 English – Honeydew.
This chapter, written by Ruskin Bond, describes life in Mussoorie during the rainy season through diary entries. It talks about misty hills, leeches, and the beauty of nature. Students will learn to observe and appreciate their surroundings. The chapter shows how nature affects our daily lives.
Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 8 Solutions
Contents
| Chapter | Prose 8. A Short Monsoon Diary |
| Subject | English (Honeydew) |
| Class | 8th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 106
1. Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Ans: The author cannot see Bijju because a thick mist covers the hills, making it hard to see anything. He can only hear Bijju’s voice calling out.
2. What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Ans: When the mist rises, the hills change in two ways. First, the birds on the hills stop singing and become quiet. Second, the mist hides the hills and wraps them in silence, making everything feel calm and still.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 108
1. When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?
Ans: The monsoon season starts in the middle of May in the eastern and southern parts of India and reaches the northern parts by the second week of June. It ends around September. To prepare, people use raincoats, umbrellas, and waterproof shoes to stay dry. They also keep their homes ready by fixing leaks and staying indoors during heavy rain.
2. Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?
Ans: The author describes the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie in this diary entry.
3. For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?
Ans: It rains non-stop for eight or nine days. During this time, the author stays inside his room and looks out of the window, watching people with umbrellas passing by.
4. Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?
Ans: Snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics, and storehouses (godowns). They do this to escape the rainwater that floods their holes and burrows.
5. What did the author receive in the mail?
Ans: The author received a cheque in the mail.
WORKING WITH THE TEXT
1. Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.
Ans: On June 24, the monsoon begins with a thick mist covering the hills. The birds go quiet, and the hills feel silent and hidden. On June 25, the real monsoon rain starts, and nature comes alive. The first cobra lily pops up from the ferns, welcoming the rain. By August 2, the rain becomes a steady downpour, and people grow tired of it. They stay indoors, listening to the rain on their roofs, while snakes and rodents hide in attics and storehouses to escape the floods. On March 23, winter ends, and a big hailstorm clears the black clouds. The sky becomes bright, and a rainbow appears, signaling the end of the rainy season.
2. Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?
Ans: The grandmother told the children not to kill the Chuchundar because she believed it was a lucky animal that brings money to the house.
3. What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?
Ans: Nature shows the monsoon is ending when flowers like wild balsam, dahlias, begonias, and ground orchids start blooming. Also, the seeds of the cobra lily turn red, which is a clear sign that the rainy season is coming to an end.
4. Complete the following sentences.
(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because _______.
Ans: Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because the thick mist hides him from view.
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as _______.
Ans: The writer describes the hill station and valley as a beautiful paradise.
(iii) The leopard was successful in _______ but had to flee when .
Ans: The leopard was successful in attacking one of Bijju’s cows but had to flee when Bijju’s mother came shouting and cursing at it.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because _______.
Ans: The minivets are easily noticed because of their bright, colorful feathers.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when _______.
Ans: It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ground orchids, mauve lady’s slippers, and white butterfly orchids bloom in bright colors.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because _______.
Ans: During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because their homes in the ground get flooded with rainwater.
5. ‘Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.’
(i) Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing’?
Ans: The writer uses the word “springing” to show that leaks in the tin roofs appear suddenly and unexpectedly, like water jumping out.
(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?
Ans: The writer is untouched by the rain because the tin roof keeps the rainwater from coming inside and getting him wet.
(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
Ans: The writer feels in touch with the rain because he can hear the sound of raindrops hitting the tin roof, making a loud, thumping noise.
6. Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.
Ans: When it rains endlessly for days, everything gets wet and soggy. People find it hard to go outside and stay indoors. The hillsides become green with late monsoon flowers like wild balsam, dahlias, begonias, and ground orchids. Snakes and rodents move to roofs and attics to escape flooded burrows.
7. What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?
Ans: The cobra lily is a special sign of the monsoon. When the first cobra lily appears from the ferns, it shows the monsoon has started. When its seeds turn red, it means the monsoon is about to end.
WORKING WITH LANGUAGE
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 languages?
Downpour, Floods, Mist, Cloudy, Power Cuts, Cold, Umbrella
Ans: Monsoon words: rain, water, fog, raincoats, thunder, dampness, lakes, puddles, lightning, humidity, wet, storms.
In my language (Hindi), some words are:
बारिश (rain), पानी (water), कोहरा (fog), रेनकोट (raincoat), गरज (thunder), नमी (dampness), तालाब (lakes), बौछार (shower), बिजली (lightning), उमस (humidity), गीला (wet), आंधी (storm).
2. 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.
Ans: We got out of 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.
Ans: The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road, and they were shouting slogans.
(iii) I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
Ans: I wore my raincoat. It was raining, and people were getting wet.
(iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
Ans: She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends, who were listening carefully.
(v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.
Ans: We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes, while others were playing games.
(vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).
Ans: The class was quiet. Some children were reading books, and the rest were drawing.
3. Here are some words from the lesson which describe different kinds of sounds.
Drum, Swish, Tinkle, Caw, Drip
(i) Match these words with their correct meanings.
(a) To fall in small drops.
Ans: Drip – To fall in small drops.
(b) To make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly.
Ans: Drum – To make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly.
(c) To move quickly through the air, making a soft sound.
Ans: Swish – To move quickly through the air, making a soft sound.
(d) Harsh sound made by birds.
Ans: Caw – Harsh sound made by birds.
(e) Ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.).
Ans: Tinkle – 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.
Ans: Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water _______ from the umbrella all over the carpet.
Ans: Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony _______ its tail.
Ans: The pony swished its tail.
(d) The _______ of breaking glass woke me up.
Ans: The tinkle of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The _______ of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.
Ans: The caw of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.
4. And sure enough, I received a cheque in the mail. 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.
Ans: I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough, it soon started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was _____ _____ for the brother and sister.
Ans: The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies _____ _____ are to get noticed.
Ans: The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was _____ _____ to chase the leopard.
Ans: The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was _____ _____to call out to his sister.
Ans: The boy was anxious enough to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was _____ _____to offer help.
Ans: The man was kind enough to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was for him to get admitted in hospital.
Ans: The victim’s injury was _____ _____ serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was _____ _____to repeat the same mistake again.
Ans: 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, ‘_____ _____.’
Ans: He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘fair enough.’
SPEAKING
1. Do you believe in superstitions? Why, or why not? Working with your partner, write down three superstitious beliefs that you are familiar with.
Ans: I don’t believe in superstitions because they are not based on facts or science. They are just old beliefs that people follow without proof. For example, some think bad things will happen if a black cat crosses their path, but it’s just a cat walking! Three common superstitions I know are:
- A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck.
- If your palm itches, it means money is coming.
- A crow cawing near your house means guests will arrive.
2. How many different kinds of birds do you come across in the lesson? How many varieties do you see in your neighbourhood? Are there any birds that you used to see earlier in your neighbourhood but not now? In groups discuss why you think this is happening.
Ans: The lesson mentions birds like minivets, tree creepers, crows, and drongos. In my neighborhood, I see birds like sparrows, pigeons, and mynas. Earlier, I used to see parakeets and ashy prinias, but now they are rare. This might be happening because of more buildings, pollution, and fewer trees. Cutting down forests destroys bird habitats, making it hard for them to survive. Discuss with your group how we can protect birds by planting trees and reducing pollution.
