The detailed Poorvi Class 8 Solutions and Unit 3 Mystery and Magic Chapter 9 Spectacular Wonders Question Answer serve as excellent models for writing neat exam answers.
Spectacular Wonders Class 8 Question Answer
Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 9 Question Answer
Class 8 English Chapter 9 Spectacular Wonders Question Answer
Let Us Do These Activities Before We Read (Ncert Page 137)
I. Look at the pictures given in your NCERT text book page no. 137 and sort them into natural and man-made wonders.
Answer:
Natural 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8 Man-made 2, 5 and 6
II. Which of these wonders-man-made or natural-are more appealing and why? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Answer:
Natural wonders are more appealing to me because they show the raw, untamed beauty of the Earth. The waterfalls, mountains and valleys remind us of the incredible power and creativity of nature, which no human-made structure can fully match.
III. Work in pairs. Write down two wonders of nature that have amazed you. Discuss what makes them impressive. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Answer:
- The Grand Canyon Its vast size and colourful layers show millions of years of Earth’s history.
- Northern Lights The dancing lights in the polar skies are magical and unlike anything else on Earth.
IV. Work in group of four. Complete the web chart given below with words that you associate with the phrase, ‘Nature’s Power’. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Answer:
- Earthquake
- Flood
- Volcano
- Tsunami
- Lightning
- Avalanche
- Tornado
Let Us Discuss (Ncert Page 142)
1. Complete the information in the table given below. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Answer:
2. Location Meghalaya
One Unique Feature Bridges made from living tree roots, lasting centuries
3. Amazing Natural Phenomena The Lonar Crater Lake One Unique Feature Meteorite crater formed in basaltic rock
4. Location Near Leh, Ladakh One Unique Feature Vehicles appear to roll uphill due to an optical illusion
5. Location Kumbalangi village, near Kochi, Kerala
One Unique Feature Waters glow at night due to bioluminescent plankton
6. Amazing Natural Phenomena The Sundarbans
One Unique Feature Largest mangrove forest with Bengal tigers
7. Amazing Natural Phenomena Chandipur Beach
One Unique Feature Sea disappears and reappears daily due to tides
Let Us Think And Reflect (Ncert Pages 142-144)
I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena that surprise and spark our imagination.
(i) Replace the underlined phrase with one from the extract.
India is the birthplace of several rare species of flora and fauna that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.
Answer:
home
(ii) What does the phrase ‘nature’s unusual side’ suggest about the phenomena described?
Answer:
It suggests that the phenomena are rare, strange or mysterious natural events that are not common and make us curious or amazed.
(iii) Complete the similarity by choosing the correct option.
spark : imagination :: ………… : …………
(a) inspiration : creativity
(b) wonder : amazement
(b) effort : reward
(d) knowledge : books
Answer:
(a) inspiration : creativity
(iv) Identify whether the following statement is true or false:
Some natural phenomena can surprise people.
Answer:
True
2. Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such thing’s happen at times, when we keep things at some place and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously-the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors.
(i) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The writer’s most likely purpose to introduce the information about the Chandipur Beach phenomenon with a question is to
………… (engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense/draw the reader to learn more about the unusual phenomenon/set the tone for the seurprising nature of the content that follow)
Answer:
engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense
(ii) Select the option that is correct for Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Assertion (A) Chandipur Beach in Odisha is known for its unique feature of the sea disappearing.
Reason (R) The tides retreat drastically, exposing the Chandipur beach.
(a) Both A and Rare 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) R is true, but A is false.
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(iii) What does the term ‘unique’ suggest about the beach in Balasore?
(a) Very popular
(b) One of its kind
(c) Ancient place
(d) Far from city
Answer:
(b) One of its kind
(iv) What does the writer want to convey with the phrase ‘playing hide-and-seek with its visitors’?
Answer:
The writer means that the sea disappears and reappears regularly, like a game of hide-and-seek, surprising and fascinating the visitors.
II. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya?
Answer:
The living root bridges are very helpful to the people of Meghalaya because they provide a safe and strong way to cross rivers and streams, especially during the rainy season when the water is high and fast. Unlike bridges made from bamboo or wood, which often get washed away, these bridges are made from the living roots of trees that grow stronger over time. This makes them last for hundreds of years and supports the daily life and movement of the local communities in difficult terrain.
Question 2.
Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?
Answer:
The Lonar Crater Lake is special because it was formed when a meteorite crashed into the Earth thousands of years ago. What makes it rare is that it is the only crater in India created in basaltic rock by a meteorite impact. It is also one of the largest craters of its kind in the world. This combination of geological history and natural beauty makes the Lonar Crater Lake a unique and important natural site.
Question 3.
What might be the writer’s purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring natural wonders of India?
Answer:
The writer’s purpose in describing these amazing natural wonders is to make readers aware of the incredible and mysterious parts of India’s nature. By sharing these stories, the writer hopes to inspire curiosity and appreciation for nature. It also encourages people to respect and protect these unique places so they can be enjoyed by future generations.
Question 4.
The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for some of the natural phenomena. What impact does it have on the readers?
Answer:
Using descriptive language helps readers imagine the places clearly and feel connected to the story. Introductory questions grab the reader’s attention and make them think, creating curiosity about what will come next. This approach makes the reading experience more interesting and helps readers remember the information better.
Question 5.
Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting and why?
Answer:
For me, the Magnetic Hills in Ladakh are the most interesting because they seem to break the rules of gravity. The idea that cars can move uphill on their own sounds like a magical trick but it is actually a natural optical illusion. This shows how amazing and mysterious nature can be and it makes me want to visit the place to see it for myself.
Let Us Learn (Ncert Pages 144-148)
I. Fill in the blanks with the correct expressions from the text given in the box below.
1. I have read many stories …………
Answer:
to no end
2. Do you know when this little town …………
Answer:
came into existence
3. His hard work has helped him …………
Answer:
in disbelief
4. There are no simple solutions to the ………. of traffic jams.
Answer:
age-old problem
5. He opened the ancient wooden box and stared at the treasure …………
Answer:
in disbelief
6. The garden is in spring with lots of beautiful flowers ………. in bloom.
Answer:
in full glory
II. Select the correct synonyms from the box given below that match the list of words in 1-5. You may refer to a thesaurus.
1. mysterious, puzzling, baffling
2. mighty, gigantic, huge
3. breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring
4. peaceful, calm, tranquil
5. unusual, peculiar, foreign
Answer:
1. enigmatic
2. colossal
3. spectacular
4. serene
5. exotic
III. The expressions ‘hide-and-seek’ and ‘flora and fauna’ are used in the text. These are called binomials a pair of fixed words joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’. The binomials are mostly synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, same sound words (alliterations), etc.
Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | ||
| 1. | odds and ends | (vii) | small, unimportant things |
| 2. | on and off | (v) | sometimes, occasionally |
| 3. | mix and match | (i) | put different things together to get a range of possibilities |
| 4. | all or nothing | (viii) | something to be done completely or not at all |
| 5. | part and parcel | (ii) | complete part of or belong to |
| 6. | pick and choose | (iii) | choose only the best (things, people, etc) |
| 7. | sooner or later | (iv) | at some time in the future |
| 8. | leaps and bounds | (vi) | increase or develop very quickly |
Use the binomials given is column 1 in sentences of your own.
Answer:
1. Odds and ends I cleaned my room and found a box full of odds and ends like old keys and coins.
2. On and off It has been raining on and off all day, so I took my umbrella.
3. Mix and match You can mix and match different clothes to create new styles.
4. All or nothing The game was an all or nothing match and our team gave their best.
5. Part and parcel Hard work is part and parcel of achieving success.
6. Pick and choose You can pick and choose the books you want from the library.
7. Sooner or later Sooner or later, you will have to face the consequences of your actions.
8. Leaps and bounds His skills have improved by leaps and bounds after months of practice.
IV. Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
- The living root bridges are one of Meghalaya’s most beautiful…
- …creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding rugge terrain.
In the given sentences, the highlighted words ‘living’, ‘striking’ and ‘rugged’ are examples of verbs used as adjectives. Such verbs are called participles.
Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives and they come in two types: present participles (‘living’ and ‘striking’) usually ending in -ing and past participles (‘rugged’) usually ending in -ed, -d, -I, -en or-n. (though irregular verbs may vary)
Present participles are used to describe ongoing or continuous actions
For example, People have seen these lights moving quickly in random directions but often hanging out in one spot for a while before fading.
Past participles usually describe actions that have already been completed.
For example,
When the vehicles are parked at the indicated spot, they begin moving forward at a speed of almost 20 km/h.
Now. Fill in the blanks using present participle or past participle form of the verbs in the box given below.
1. The ………… marble monument looks even more spectacular in the moonlight.
2. The ………… view of the Himalayas from Darjeeling attracts visitors from all over the world.
3. The Sun Temple in Konark features intricately……….. stone wheels and walls.
4. ………… at a height of 182 m, the Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
5. The ………… islands of the Andaman and Nicobar offer some of the cleanest beaches in India.
Answer:
1. glowing
2. amazing
3. carved
4. Standing
5. scattered
V. Study the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
Crossing the many waterways without bridges was difficult for people in the past, during monsoons.
In the given sentence, the highlighted word ‘crossing’, is one example of a verb used as a noun. Such a verb is called gerund.
Gerunds are verb forms that can function as nouns and they end in -ing. They can serve as the subject, complement, or object in a sentence, as well as the object of a preposition.
For example,
Subject of a sentence: Swimming is my favourite hobby.
Subject complement: Her passion is painting.
Object of a verb: I enjoy reading books in my free time.
Object of a preposition:
She is interested in learning new languages.
After certain verbs: Shekar avoided talking about his weekend plans.
Underline the gerunds and participles in the following sentences. Write ‘G’ for gerunds and ‘P’ for participles in the space provided. One example has been done for you.
1. Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G
2. Travelling can broaden your perspective.
3. The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn.
4. She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family.
5. Reading helps improve your vocabulary.
6. He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky.
Answer:
2-G
3-P
4-G
5-G
6-P
VI. Combine the following pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds. You may use the clues given in brackets. One example has been done for you.
Question 1.
Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner. (participle)
Answer:
Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
Question 2.
Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)
Answer:
Walking carelessly, Smitha slipped on the doormat.
Question 3.
Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)
Answer:
Sleeping for eight hours is good for health.
Question 4.
Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)
Answer:
Feeling happy about the result, Ranjith called his parents.
Question 5.
Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)
Answer:
Father encouraged Meena to join the course
Let Us Speak (Ncert Page 149)
Work in groups of four. Make a presentation on a place of interest in and around your region that people like to visit. You may use the following guidelines to make your presentation.
Answer:
Presentation on a Place of Interest
Slides 1-2: Choose a Popular Place
Title: Discovering Amritsar: The Heart of Punjab Intro Slide:
Amritsar is a city known for its rich culture, spiritual significance and delicious food. It attracts people from all over India and the world.
Slides 3-4: Location & How to Reach
Location:
- Amritsar is located in the north-western state of Punjab, near the India-Pakistan border.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport
- By Train: Direct trains from Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai
- By Road: Well connected by NH3 and NH54
Slides 5-6: Attractions & Historical Significance
- Top Attractions:
- The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)
- Jallianwala Bagh
- Wagah Border Ceremony
- Partition Museum
Why It’s Popular:
- Spiritual peace at the Golden Temple
- A glimpse into India’s freedom struggle at Jallianwala Bagh
- Unique military parade at Wagah Border
Historical Importance:
- Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919)
- Golden Temple: sacred site for Sikhs since the 16th century
Slides 7-8: Weather, Food, Customs, Language
- Weather:
- Summers: Hot (May-June)
- Winters: Cold (Dec-Jan)
Monsoon: Moderate (July-Sept)
Local Food:
- Amritsari Kulcha
- Lassi
- Chole Bhature
- Langar at Golden Temple
- Customs & Language:
- Punjabi hospitality
- Language: Punjabi, Hindi, English
- Head covering at religious sites
Slides 9-10: Best Time to Visit & Recommendations
- Best Time to Visit:
- October to March (pleasant weather and festival season)
- Why Visit Amritsar?
- Experience spiritual calmness
- Learn about India’s rich history
- Enjoy mouth-watering Punjabi food
- Feel the patriotic spirit at Wagah Border
Final Slide – Thank You!
“Come for the Golden Temple, stay for the golden hearts!”
Let Us Write (Ncert Page 149)
I. You just read vivid descriptions of the natural wonders of our country. Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine describing anything from nature that attracted your attention. It may be an object, a place, or an event experienced by you. Remember to give a title to your essay.
Use proper format and content organisation-begin with a title, include introduction (one paragraph), body (two to three paragraphs) and conclusion (one paragraph).
Answer:
The Whispering Woods: My Encounter with Nature’s Magic
Last summer, I visited my grandparents’ village nestled at the edge of a dense forest. What I expected to be a quiet trip turned into an unforgettable experience with nature. One early morning walk into the forest revealed to me the true magic of the natural world-something I will never forget.
As I entered the woods, the first thing that struck me was the peaceful silence, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the sweet chirping of unseen birds. Sunlight trickled through the thick canopy above, painting golden patches on the forest floor. The air was cool and smelled of wildflowers, wet earth and something ancient. Tall trees stood like guardians, whispering secrets to each other through the breeze.
Deeper into the forest, I stumbled upon a small, hidden stream. The water sparkled like liquid silver as it danced over stones and fallen twigs. I sat beside it for a while, watching dragonflies hover like tiny helicopters and squirrels leap between branches. A group of deer appeared on the opposite bank, sipping water cautiously. I held my breath, hoping not to disturb their quiet moment. Nature had opened its doors to me and I felt like an invisible guest at a secret gathering.
That short walk in the forest changed something in me. I began to see nature not just as a background for human life but as a world full of wonder, rhythm and quiet strength. Since then, I have promised myself to respect and protect the environment in every small way I can. The whispering woods will forever remain one of the most magical memories of my life.