The detailed Poorvi Class 8 Solutions and Unit 2 Values and Dispositions Chapter 4 A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Question Answer serve as excellent models for writing neat exam answers.
A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Class 8 Question Answer
Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 4 Question Answer
Class 8 English Chapter 4 A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Question Answer
Let Us Do These Activities Before We Read (Ncert Page 49)
I. Work in pairs. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Question 1.
What do you think about the Republic Day Parade on 26th January?
Answer:
The Republic Day Parade is a grand and patriotic event that showcases India’s unity in diversity. It fills me with pride and respect for the country and its armed forces.
Question 2.
What are the highlights of this parade?
Answer:
The main highlights are the marching contingents of the armed forces, colourful tableaux from different states, cultural performances and the spectacular air show by the Indian Air Force.
Question 3.
What bravery awards are given on this day and who receives them?
Answer:
Bravery awards like the Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Gallantry Awards are given. These are awarded to soldiers and sometimes civilians who show exceptional courage and bravery, often in the face of danger.
II. Work in groups of four and discuss.
Question 1.
What qualities do you think a soldier should have?
Question 2.
If you had to share a message with a soldier, what would it be?
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Let Us Discuss (Ncert Page 59)
I. Arrange the following events in chronological order. The first and the last events have been marked for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Major Somnath Sharma was born in 1923 in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. (1)
2. Even after losing Major Somnath Sharma, the soldiers fought bravely to save Srinagar for India.
3. The D Company, under the command of Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar.
4. Major Somnath Sharma underwent training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
5. Major Somnath Sharma requested air strikes to combat the enemy at Badgam.
6. Major Somnath Sharma was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942.
7. Major Somnath Sharma was killed immediately after a mortar shell hit him.
8. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. (8)
Answer:
Correct order: 4 → 6 → 3 → 5 → 7 → 2
4. Major Somnath Sharma underwent training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
6. Major Somnath Sharma was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942.
3. The D Company, under the command of Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar.
5. Major Somnath Sharma requested air strikes to combat the enemy at Badgam.
7. Major Somnath Sharma was killed immediately after a mortar shell hit him.
2. Even after losing Major Somnath Sharma, the soldiers fought bravely to save Srinagar for India.
Let Us Think And Reflect (Ncert Pages 59-61)
I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. Vastly outnumbered and facing devastating fire, Major Somnath Sharma and his men stood resolute. The air was thick with the sound of gunfire and the cries of battle, but Major Somnath Sharma’s voice cut through the chaos, urging his men to fight with tenacity and valour. Despite heavy casualties and his own injuries, Major Somnath Sharma displayed unparalleled bravery. He moved fearlessly through the battlefield, directing fire, filling magazines for his gunners and encouraging his men to hold their ground.
(i) What can be inferred about the conditions from the line: ‘The air was thick with gunfire…’
(a) The gunshots had stopped for a while.
(b) There was intense fighting on the battlefield.
(c) The invaders were retreating from the fight.
(d) The Indian soldiers had achieved victory.
Answer:
(b) There was intense fighting on the battlefield.
(ii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Despite heavy casualties, Major Somnath Sharma continued to lead his men because …………
Answer:
he was determined to protect the Srinagar airport and inspire his soldiers with his courage and leadership.
(iii) Select the correct option for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) given below.
(A): Major Somnath Sharma moved fearlessly through the battlefield, even though he was injured.
(R): He believed his courage was important to motivate the soldiers.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
(iv) Fill in the blank with the correct word from those given in the brackets.
Major Somnath Sharma was filling magazines and encouraging his men to hold their ground despite ……………. (injuries/worry)
Answer:
injuries
Question 2.
Born on 31 January, 1923, in the picturesque town of Dadh in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Somnath Sharma belonged to a family with a rich military legacy. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, had served the nation with distinction and young
Somnath was deeply inspired by the valorous tales of the Mahabharata, imparted to him by his grandfather.
(i) What can be inferred about Somnath Sharma’s early influences on his career?
(a) He was primarily influenced by his father’s achievements in the military.
(b) His inspiration came solely from the tales of the Mahabharata.
(c) His family and heritage inspired his bravery and sense of duty.
(d) He decided to join the military out of necessity rather than passion.
Answer:
(c) His family and heritage inspired his bravery and sense of duty.
(ii) Identify whether the following sentence is True or False.
Somnath Sharma belonged to a wealthy family.
Answer:
False
(iii) What does the phrase ‘served the nation with distinction’ tell us about Major General Amar Nath Sharma?
(He performed his duties with exceptional dedication, honour and excellence./He was highly respected for his contributions to the country.)
Answer:
He performed his duties with exceptional dedication, honour and excellence.
(iv) Replace the underlined phrase with a word from the extract that has a similar meaning.
My family and I visited a popular hill station and stayed in an old but visually charming house surrounded by trees.
Answer:
picturesque
Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
‘Major Somnath’s legacy of courage and devotion to the nation remains forever alive, forever alive…’ What is the significance of the repetition in this line?
Answer:
The repetition shows that Major Somnath’s bravery and love for the country will never be forgotten and will always inspire people.
Question 2.
Why do you think Major Somnath’s leadership was critical during the Battle of Badgam?
Answer:
Major Somnath’s leadership was critical because he motivated his soldiers to keep fighting bravely, even though they were fewer in number and under heavy attack.
Question 3.
What were Major Somnath’s last words? What do they reflect about his sense of duty?
Answer:
His last words showed his determination to protect his country no matter what. It reflects his strong commitment and responsibility as a soldier.
Question 4.
What might have been the outcome of the Battle of Badgam if Major Somnath and his company had not held their ground?
Answer:
If Major Somnath and his company had not held their ground, the enemy could have captured Srinagar and caused serious trouble for India.
Question 5.
Why do you think Major Somnath’s story continues to inspire soldiers and civilians today?
Answer:
Major Somnath’s story continues to inspire because he showed courage, sacrifice and love for his country, which encourages everyone to be brave and responsible.
Question 6.
How can the values demonstrated by Major Somnath Sharma – courage, duty and self-sacrifice – be applied in our daily lives?
Answer:
We can be brave when facing challenges, do our responsibilities honestly and help others even if it means putting their needs before ours.
Let us learn (ncert pages 62-66)
I. Match the expressions from the text in Column 1 with the most suitable situations given in Column 2.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | ||
| 1. | Fight to the last man | (ii) | The soldiers fought valiantly until each one laid down his life for the nation. |
| 2. | Foil the plan | (iv) | A spy disrupts the enemy’s efforts to invade a country by intercepting their communications. |
| 3. | Deliver a blow | (i) | A sports team scores a last-minute goal, giving them the lead and shaking the opponent’s confidence. |
| 4. | Hold their ground | (iii) | Soldiers stay in their position and fight back, even though the enemy is stronger. |
Now, complete the following sentences using the expressions from Column 1.
A. The detective managed to ………… by finding the hidden evidence before the culprit could get rid of it.
B. The company’s new advertising campaign was meant to ………… to their competitors’ sales.
C. The hikers chose to ………… despite the heavy rain, refusing to turn back on their journey.
D. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the soldiers vowed to defend their homeland and ………… refusing to surrender to the enemy forces.
Answer:
A. foil the plan
B. deliver a blow
C. hold their ground
D. fight to the last man
II. Read the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
A contingent of troops posted to Jammu and Kashmir was air-lifted into Srinagar…
There are many such collective nouns used in the context of armed forces.
Match the collective nouns in Column 1 to their meanings in Column 2.
You may refer to a dictionary.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | ||
| 1. | Regiment | (ii) | A permanent unit of an army typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel/colonel and divided into several companies. |
| 2. | Squadron | (iii) | A small unit, typically comprising 12-24 aircraft and their crews used in airforce, naval or army aviation services |
| 3. | Fleet | (iv) | A group of ships sailing together, engaged in the same activity or under the same ownership |
| 4. | Battalion | (i) | A large body of troops ready for battle, especially an infantry unit |
Now, fill in the blanks suitably with words from Column 1 in the table.
A. The commanding officer addressed the entire ………… of soldiers during the morning assembly.
B. The admiral ordered the entire ………… to set sail for battle.
C. The ………… of infantry advanced slowly through the dense forest.
D. A ………… of fighter jets was sent to intercept the enemy planes.
Answer:
A. regiment
B. fleet
C. battalion
D. squadron
III. Read the following words from the text and fill in the blanks with the correct words by taking clues from the meanings given below in the box.
Meanings
1. To take and seize control …………
Answer:
overthrow
2. To invade or occupy an area in large numbers …………
Answer:
overrun
3. To flood or overpower someone or something emotionally …………
Answer:
overwhelm
Now, create a list of at least five other verbs that begin with ‘over’ and frame sentences of your own.
Here is a list of five verbs that begin with ‘over’, along with example sentences
- Overestimate Many students tend to overestimate how much time they have before the exam.
- Overreact Please don’t overreact to the news; it’s not as serious as it sounds.
- Overcome She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking.
- Overhear I happened to overhear their conversation about the surprise party.
- Overlook The teacher overlooked a small mistake in the homework.
IV. In the following pairs of words, ‘c’ is used for nouns, while ‘s’ is used for verbs.
- advice (noun) and advise (verb)
- practice (noun) and practise (verb)
- device (noun) and devise (verb)
- council (noun) and counsel (verb)
Now, fill in the blanks correctly with the words given in the brackets.
1. The teacher’s (i) ………… is always helpful and she continues to (ii) ………… students on their career choices. (advice/advise)
2. The musician believes that daily (i) ………… helps a lot, so she is always ready to (ii) ………… her harmonium lessons. (practice/practise)
3. The scientist uses a strange (i) ………… for experiments and plans to (ii) ………… new methods for his analysis. (device/devise)
4. The village (i): ………… met to discuss issues and decided to (ii) ………… the villagers on important matters. (council/counsel)
Answer:
1. (i) advice
(ii) advise
2. (i) practice
(ii) practise
3. (i) device
(ii) devise
4. (i) council
(ii) counsel
Read the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
Most importantly, his story is a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless men and women in defence of the motherland.
In terms of meaning, there is no difference between the two words (defence, defense). In American English the word is spelt with an ‘ s ‘, whereas in British English it is spelt with a ‘c’, which is the preferred spelling. The word has several different meanings, but it is mostly used to mean ‘the act of protecting someone or something against attack or criticism’.
V. Read the highlighted words in the following sentence from the text.
- …ended with echoes of courage that serve as an inspiration…
- A contingent of troops posted to Jammu and Kashmir was airlifted into Srinagar…
- D Company with 90 soldiers was the last and they were expected to return by 2:00 p.m.
- The life and sacrifice of Major Somnath Sharma embody the highest ideals of duty, honour and patriotism.
The highlighted words are either singular verbs or plural verbs. They are in agreement with the subject of the sentence. This is called Subject-Verb Agreement.
Now, fill in the blanks for the following sentences by choosing the correct verb given within brackets.
1. The bouquet of flowers ………… (is/are) beautiful.
2. Neither the teacher nor the students ………… (was/were) aware of the change in the schedule.
3. Each of the participants ………… (has/have) submitted their projects on time.
4. The data collected by the researchers ………… (shows/show) significant trends.
5. One of the players ………… (was/were) injured during the match.
6. Either the children or their guardian ………… (has/have) to attend the meeting.
7. A pair of shoes ………… (is/are) missing from the rack.
8. Neither of the statements ………… (is/are) true.
9. The members of the jury ………… (has deliver/have delivered) their verdict to the court.
10. Mathematics ………… (is/are) an interesting subject for many students.
Answer:
1. is
2. were
3. has
4. show
5. was
6. has
7. is
8. is
9. have delivered
10. is
VI. Read the following passage and correct the incorrect usage of verbs. One example has been done for you. A battalion of soldiers stand at attention as the National flag are raised.
A battalion of soldiers stands at attention as the National flag is raised.
Each soldier salute with pride while the commander and his assistants inspects the parade. The sound-of marching feet echo through the air as a group of cadets prepare for their drill. Meanwhile, a convoy of military vehicles pass by, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.
Answer:
Each soldier salutes with pride while the commander and his assistants inspect the parade. The sound of marching feet echoes through the air as a group of cadets prepares for their drill. Meanwhile, a convoy of military vehicles passes by, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.
Let Us Speak (Ncert Pages 66 & 67)
As the citizens of a nation, we all must fulfill our duty. In groups of 4-5, speak about how you propose to serve your nation.
You can choose from the themes given below:
- Saving the environment
- Helping others
- Health and well-being
- Righteous conduct
You may use the sentence prompts given below to organise what you speak about.
- I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by…
- A small change we can make is… and it will have a big impact because…
- If everyone contributes by… it can lead to…
- One of the biggest challenges we face is… and I propose we address it by…
- We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we….
- Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like…. matter.
Answer:
1. Saving the Environment
I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by saving the environment.
A small change we can make is planting trees and not using plastic. It will have a big impact because it keeps our air clean and the earth healthy.
If everyone contributes by throwing waste in dustbins and recycling, it can lead to a cleaner and greener country.
One of the biggest challenges we face is pollution.
I propose we address it by using bicycles or walking instead of vehicles when possible.
We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we do clean-up drives in our areas.
Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like turning off lights when not needed matter.
2. Health and Well-being
I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by taking care of our health.
A small change we can make is eating healthy food and exercising daily. It will have a big impact because it helps us stay fit and happy.
If everyone contributes by keeping their homes and surroundings clean, it can lead to a healthier country.
One of the biggest challenges we face is people getting sick due to dirty water or food. I propose we address it by spreading awareness about hygiene.
We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we share healthy habits with friends and family.
Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like washing hands regularly matter.
3. Helping Others
I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by helping others.
A small change we can make is sharing what we have with those in need. It will have a big impact because it brings happiness to many people.
If everyone contributes by being kind and helpful, it can lead to a caring and peaceful country.
One of the biggest challenges we face is people being selfish or not noticing others in need. I propose we address it by teaching everyone to care and help.
We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we organise donation or help groups.
Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like helping a friend in class matter.
4. Righteous Conduct
I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by being honest and doing the right thing.
A small change we can make is always speaking the truth. It will have a big impact because it builds trust.
If everyone contributes by being fair, polite and respectful, it can lead to a good and strong nation.
One of the biggest challenges we face is people doing wrong things and not being punished. I propose we address it by teaching values from a young age.
We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we follow the rules and encourage others to do the same.
Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like not cheating in exams matter.
Let Us Write (Ncert Pages 66 & 67)
1. A letter of enquiry is a formal letter written to seek detailed information about something the writer wants to know. For example, it can be used for joining a course organising an event, knowing details about a trip, etc. The language used is formal and specific, with relevant queries.
Now, write a letter of enquiry. Your school wishes to organise a visit to a Memorial in your state/region. Write the letter to the incharge of that memorial requesting for information regarding available dates for visits, the duration of the tour, any entry fees and guidelines for student groups.
- Follow the given layout.
- Use the cues given below to draft the letter.
| (Sender’s address) (Date) (Receiver’s address) Subject Enquiry about a School Visit to a Memorial Dear Sir, (Body of the letter) Yours sincerely, (Name) |
| Body of the Letter | Prompts for Enquiry |
| Paragraph 1: State the purpose of writing |
|
| Paragraph 2: Ask for more details |
|
| Paragraph 3: Request an early response |
|
Answer:
Greenwood High School
R.K. Puram, Sector 12
New Delhi – 110022 3rd June, 20XX The Incharge National War Memorial C-Hexagon, India Gate
New Delhi – 110001
Subject Enquiry about a School Visit to a Memorial Dear Sir
This is to enquire about the possibility of arranging a school visit to the National War Memorial. Our school – wishes to organise an educational tour for students of Classes IX and X to help them understand the significance of this memorial and honour the bravery of our armed forces. Could you please provide details about the visit arrangements?
Firstly, I request you to share the available dates for group visits during the month of July 20XX. Secondly,
I would appreciate it if you could explain the usual duration of a guided tour. I would also be grateful to get further details on the entry fees, if any, for students and teachers. Lastly, could you clarify if there are any specific rules or guidelines for school groups visiting the memorial?
An early reply will be greatly appreciated, as it will help us in planning and obtaining the necessary permissions.
I look forward to your guidance and support for making this trip meaningful.
Yours sincerely,
Ravi Shashank (Trip Coordinator)
Greenwood High School