Free Bihar Board Class 8 English Reader Chapter 4 Solutions are available here. You will get written answers for all questions asked in chapter 4 – “The Treasure Within”, from the English Reader book – It So Happened.
This is a true story about Hafeez Contractor, a famous architect who was a very poor student in school. He was often punished for not doing homework and had no interest in studies. But he was very good at drawing and imagining buildings. Someone noticed his drawing skills and told him to become an architect. This story shows that every person has special talents, and school marks are not everything.
Bihar Board Class 8 English Reader Chapter 4 Solutions
Contents
| Chapter | 4. The Treasure Within |
| Subject | English Reader (It So Happened) |
| Class | 8th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 28
1. What did Hafeez Contractor have nightmares about?
Ans: Hafeez Contractor had nightmares about appearing for a mathematics exam where he didn’t know anything. He felt scared and unprepared in these dreams.
2. What did the Principal say to him, which influenced him deeply?
Ans: The Principal told Hafeez that he was a good student but never studied. She said his mother worked hard to raise him, and now it was time for him to take responsibility and focus on his studies. This advice touched him deeply and motivated him to work harder.
3. “… that year I did not step out onto the field.” What was he busy doing that year?
Ans: That year, Hafeez stopped playing cricket and focused on his studies. He spent his time praying, eating, and studying hard to pass his exams.
4. (i) What “distraction” did Hafeez Contractor create one day?
Ans: One day, when Hafeez didn’t feel like studying, he played a game of chor-police with his friends for an hour, which distracted everyone in the class.
(ii) Would you have liked to participate in the “distraction” had you been with him?
Ans: Yes, I would have enjoyed joining Hafeez in the game of chor-police. It sounds like a fun break, and most kids love playing such games with friends!
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 32
1. Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force. Why didn’t he?
Ans: Hafeez wanted to join the police force, but his mother told him to complete his graduation first. So, he joined Jaihind College in Mumbai to continue his studies.
2. In the architect’s office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join architecture. Why?
Ans: In the architect’s office, Hafeez noticed a mistake in a window’s technical drawing and pointed it out. When asked to draw a house, he created an impressive sketch. The architects were amazed by his natural talent and encouraged him to pursue architecture.
3. (i) What was Mrs. Gupta’s advice to Hafeez Contractor?
Ans: Mrs. Gupta, Hafeez’s teacher in second or third grade, saw his amazing sketches and told him he should become an architect when he grew up.
(ii) What made her advise him so?
Ans: Mrs. Gupta noticed that Hafeez was very good at drawing sketches but struggled with other subjects. His talent for drawing made her suggest architecture as a career.
4. How did he help fellow students who had lost a button?
Ans: When his classmates lost a button from their shirts, Hafeez used a blade to carve a button out of chalk. This clever trick helped them fix their uniforms.
5. Which rules did he break as a schoolboy?
Ans: As a schoolboy, Hafeez broke many school rules. He cheated in exams, played pranks on classmates, and made fun of others. He also got into gang fights, planned tricks to trouble others, and was known for being naughty and distracting the class.
6. (i) What is Hafeez Contractor’s definition of mathematics?
Ans: Hafeez believes mathematics is about combining design, construction, psychology, and sociology to create a sketch. For him, it’s not just numbers but a way of thinking and creating.
(ii) How would you want to define mathematics? Do you like the subject?
Ans: I think mathematics is like a puzzle game with numbers, shapes, and patterns. It’s fun to solve problems and see how things fit together. Yes, I enjoy the subject because it feels like a challenge I can solve!
EXERCISE
Answer the following questions.
1. Is it likely that someone who is original and intelligent does not do very well at school? Should such a learner be called a failure? If not, why not?
Ans: Yes, it’s possible for someone who is original and intelligent to struggle at school. Everyone has different strengths, and some students may not do well in regular subjects like math or science but shine in other areas like art, music, or problem-solving. Calling them a failure is not fair because they might have unique talents, like Hafeez, who wasn’t great at academics but became a successful architect. We should encourage students to discover and grow their special skills instead of judging them only by grades.
2. Who, in your view, is an ‘unusual’ learner?
Ans: An unusual learner is someone who learns differently from others. They might not enjoy reading books or memorizing facts but could be great at hands-on activities, like building things, drawing, or solving problems in their own way. For example, some kids learn better by experimenting or creating rather than following a textbook. Every unusual learner has a hidden talent waiting to be discovered.
3. What can schools do to draw out the best in unusual learners? Suggest whatever seems reasonable to you.
Ans: Schools can help unusual learners by making classes more fun and flexible. Teachers can use activities like drawing, building models, or group projects to let students show their talents. They should pay attention to what each student is good at and give them chances to shine, like letting them create art or solve real-life problems. Encouraging creativity and not focusing only on marks can help these students grow and feel confident.
