2.3 The Homecoming

Learnwell Smart Communicative English Class 8 Textbook Question and Answers

READ AND FIND (PAGE 56)

Q.1. What was Phatik’s plan ?

Ans. His plan was to roll the log away from where it was lying. He wanted to annoy the owner and enjoy the fun.

Q.2. Why did Phatik say to Makhan, “I’ll thrash you.” ?

Ans. There was a log lying on the bank of the river. Phatik and the other boys wanted to roll it away. But just then, Phatik’s younger brother, Makhan, came and sat down on the log. At this, Phatik was very angry. He said, “Makhan, get up this moment. If you don’t, I’ll thrash you.”

Q.3. What did Phatik ask his followers to do ? What was the result ?

Ans. Makhan was sitting on the log. Phatik asked his followers to roll the log. As the boys pushed the log, Makhan fell to the ground.

Q.4. What lie did Makhan tell about Phatik to his mother ?

Ans. Makhan lied to his mother that Phatik had beaten him.

Q.5. Who was Bishamber ? How did he offer to help his sister ?

Ans. Bishamber was Phatik’s maternal uncle. He offered to take Phatik with him to Kolkata. He said that he would educate him there with his own children.

Q.6. How was Phatik treated by his aunt ?

Ans. Phatik was treated by his aunt very unkindly.

Q.7. How did Phatik fare at his new school in Kolkata ?

Ans. He fared very badly. He proved to be the most backward boy in the whole school.

Q.8. What was Phatik’s condition when he was brought back by two policemen? Ans. He was all wet and covered with mud. His face and eyes were red with fever. His limbs were trembling.

Q.9. What did Phatik’s aunt say on seeing him ? Ans. She called the boy a heap of trouble. She said to her husband, “Hadn’t you better send him home ?”

Q.10. Who had sent for Phatik’s mother and why ? Ans. Bishamber had sent for Phatik’s mother. He knew that the boy’s condition was critical. He also knew that the boy was waiting for his mother to come.

HOTS (PAGE 56)

1. A log was lying on the bank of the river. Phatik thought of a mischief. He wanted to roll the log away and thus tease the owner. All the boys liked the idea. But Phatik’s younger brother, Makhan, sat down on the log. Phatik asked him to get up, but Makhan didn’t. Phatik ordered his followers to roll the log. As they pushed the log, Makhan fell down. The other boys began to laugh. Makhan got up and rushed at Phatik. He scratched his face and beat him. Then he went home crying.

2. Phatik’s life at Kolkata was very unhappy. His aunt didn’t like him. She always found fault with him. His cousins mocked at him. At school, he became the most backward boy. The teacher caned him daily. When the other boys played in the evening, Phatik would not join them. He would sit in a corner and think of his village home. His heart ached to go back to his village.

3. Phatik was all wet when two policemen came with him. He was covered with mud. His face and eyes were red with fever. The doctor said the boy’s condition was critical. All night, Phatik remained unconscious. His uncle sent for Phatik’s mother. She reached late in the evening. She ran to Phatik’s bed crying, “Phatik, my darling, my darling !” Very slowly, Phatik opened his eyes. He murmured, “Mother, the holidays have come.”

WORD POWER (PAGES 56–57)

I.

1. I get up at six in the morning.
2. I have sent for the doctor.
3. He came to me day after day and asked for money.
4. How long will this dispute drag on ?
5. We watched the sun come up.
6. Mothers-in-law often find fault with daughters-in-law.
7. I stick to what I have said.
8. He no longer lives here; he has rented another house.
9. Our joy knew no bounds when we won the match.
10. Can you find out where he lives these days ?
11. It started raining as soon as we reached home.
12. You must pluck up courage and talk to your father.

II.

1. Silence is better than speech.
2. Cruelty and kindness cannot go together.
3. Hard work can make difficult things easy.
4. He learnt more by his failure than by success.
5. It is only a temporary solution, not a permanent one.
6. The servant was behaving as if he were the master.
7. The winner will gain as much as the loser will lose.
8. Pleasure is generally mixed with some degree of sorrow.

GRAMMAR IN USE (PAGES 57–59)

I.

1. As soon as he was able to find out where his sister lived, he hastened to meet her.
2. As soon as the thief saw the policeman, he ran away.
3. As soon as my father showed signs of illness, I rang up the doctor.
4. As soon as the poen rang the bell, the students ran out of their classes.
5. As soon as his luggage was packed, he called for a taxi to go to the station.
6. As soon as I finish my homework, I shall go out to play with my friends.

II.

1. Misha is as pretty as her sister.
2. Ravi is not so old as Hari.
3. This house is as big as that one.
4. Mohan is not so tall as Suresh.
5. This lake is as beautiful as that one.
6. That hill is not so high as this one.

III.

1. She is taller than her sister.
2. A new mischief entered his head.
3. The train reached the station in time.

4. The teacher ordered him to leave the room.
5. She is always finding fault with her mother-in-law.

SPEAKING AND LISTENING (PAGE 58)

(Left for students to do as a class activity.)

PUNCTUATION (PAGE 59)

(A) In this world, there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a smallar boy; and he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp, he is called a baby and if in a grown-up way, he is called rude. In fact, talk of any kind from him is resented. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse and breaks; his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen.

(B) A grandfather was discussing life with his nine-year-old grandson. The talk turned to the olden days when grandpa was quite young and handsome. The child couldn’t believe that his grandpa could have enjoyed life when there were no pizzas, French fries, burgers, mobiles, induction cookers or colour televisions. “You know, Grandpa,” said the child, “when I think of you as a little boy, I always think of you in black and white.”

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WRITE WELL (PAGE 60)

• (a) Makhan tells lies to his mother about Phatik. If I were in his place, I would not have said that Phatik had beaten me. In fact, mother was prejudiced against Phatik because of me only.
• (b) Bishamber takes Phatik with him to Kolkata. It was a big mistake on his part. If I were in place of Bishamber, I would have thought twice, knowing the kind of woman my wife was.
• (c) Phatik’s aunt is a heartless woman who makes Phatik’s life most miserable. If I were in her place, I would have treated the boy as I did my own children.
• (d) Phatik’s cousins are heartless brats. They join with the other boys and make fun of him. If I were in their place, I would have helped Phatik in every way I could. I would have treated him like my own brother.
• (e) Phatik’s mother is prejudiced against the boy. She readily agrees to send Phatik to live in Kolkata with her brother’s family. If I were in her place, I would never have sent him away from me. I would have kept him in my own home and brought him up in my own way.
• (f) Phatik’s teacher at school is very harsh to the boy. He punishes him without trying to know the boy’s real state of mind. If I were in his place, I would have called Bishamber to school and discussed with him the boy’s problem.