The detailed Poorvi Class 8 Solutions and Unit 4 Environment Chapter 12 Waiting for the Rain Question Answer serve as excellent models for writing neat exam answers.
Waiting for the Rain Class 8 Question Answer
Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 12 Question Answer
Class 8 English Chapter 12 Waiting for the Rain Question Answer
Let Us Do These Activities Before We Read (Ncert Page 185)
I. Have you ever waited for the rains? Why?
Answer:
Yes, I have waited for the rains during the summer holidays. The heat was unbearable and everything looked dry and dusty. I wanted the rain so the weather would cool down and the trees would look green again.
II. How do you feel when it rains after a long time?
Answer:
When it rains after many dry days, I feel very happy and refreshed. The cool breeze and the smell of wet earth make me feel peaceful. It feels like nature is coming back to life.
III. Why do you think the farmers wait for the rains?
Answer:
Farmers wait for the rains because they depend on rainwater to grow their crops. Without rain, the soil becomes dry and they cannot plant seeds or harvest food. Rain is important for their fields and their income.
IV. Discuss in groups what happens when you wait for something or someone for a long period of time. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Question 1.
How do you spend the waiting period?
Answer:
I try to distract myself by reading, drawing, or listening to music. Sometimes, I keep looking at the clock or checking messages.
Question 2.
What do you think about?
Answer:
I think about when the person or thing will finally arrive. I also imagine what I will do once it happens and whether things will go as planned.
Question 3.
How do you feel?
Answer:
I feel a little impatient and anxious, But when the wait ends, I often feel excited and relieved.
Let us discuss (Ncert page 188)
I. Complete the table given below. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
(Note : The given questions appeares to the incorrect or misleading)
II. Do you think the old woman would help Velu? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer:
Yes, the old woman helps Velu, but not by giving him direct solutions like rain or advice on farming techniques. Instead, she helps him by offering a new way of thinking-she teaches him to understand that the land needs rest just like humans do.
Her words comfort Velu and change his attitude from frustration to patience and hope. So, she helps Velu emotionally and mentally to accept the situation.
III. Will Velu’s wait continue or will it rain?
Answer:
Velu’s wait will not continue for long because by the end of the story, clouds gather and the first drops of rain fall. This shows that nature responds in its own time. Velu’s patience and understanding help him face the wait with hope and eventually, the rain comes to revive his land.
Let Us Discuss (Ncert Page 191)
I. Complete the following statements with suitable reasons.
Question 1.
Velu asked the old woman to stop smiling because ………….
Answer:
there was nothing to be happy about when the rains had failed and the farmers were suffering from drought
Question 2.
Velu said that it was hard not being able to work since ………….
Answer:
he was used to working hard every day without rest and this was the first season in many years that he had not ploughed or sown his land.
Question 3.
Velu was confused when the old lady said that the land needed rest because ………….
Answer:
he had never thought that the earth could get tired or need a break like humans do.
Question 4.
The old lady said that it was good for the land when it didn’t rain as ………….
Answer:
the land could rest and recover from continuous cultivation, so it would be fresh and ready to grow crops when the rains came again.
Question 5.
Velu ran home laughing and happy because ………….
Answer:
he saw the first drops of rain falling and the clouds gathering, which meant that the drought was ending and his crops would soon grow.
Let Us Think And Reflect (Ncert Pages 191-193)
I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
“…I can’t see how talking to astrologers will bring rain.”
He decided to go to the weather office in the city and talk to someone. But the people at the weather office said they couldn’t really tell him when the sky would gather clouds and bring rain. “We are at a loss ourselves!” they exclaimed. “So many favourable conditions but still no rain. Very odd!”
(i) What does the first line of the extract tell us about Velu’s beliefs?
Answer:
The first line of the extract tells us that Velu does not believe in superstition or consulting astrologers; he prefers practical and logical solutions to problems like drought.
(ii) Complete the sentence.
Velu is determined to seek information about the rain because …………(he was at a loss of words/he wants to find a practical solution to the drought affecting his farm)
Answer:
he wants to find a practical solution to the drought affecting his farm
(iii) Complete the table with reference to Velu’s weather office visit.
Answer:
| Expectation (What 1 think will happen) | Outcome (What actually happened) |
| Velu expects the weather office to predict when it will rain. | The weather office officials say they themselves don’t know when the rain will come. |
(iv) Complete the following sentence with a suitable option.
The absence if rain despite favourable conditions, shows ………….
(a) lack of astrological knowledge
(b) Ineffectiveness of farmers like Velu
(c) delay in understanding the weather
(d) unpredictability of nature
Answer:
(d) unpredictability of nature
Question 2.
The soil, the land, the earth… shouldn’t someone let the land rest a bit?” the old woman said, softly, smiling.
“Rest? Let the land rest? I don’t understand,” Velu looked at her, a little puzzled.
“Yes, my son, that is the difficulty. You don’t realise that the earth is old…”
(i) The old woman’s advice was accompanied with a soft tone and a smile. What does that tell us about her?
Answer:
It shows that she is kind, gentle and wise. She wants to comfort Velu and gently guide him to a new understanding.
(ii) Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given below.
The old woman’s advice …………Velu, at that moment.
(a) failed to impress
(b) confused
(c) scared
(d) made sense to
Answer:
(b) confused
(iii) State one thing about the old woman when she referred to Velu as ‘my son’, while offering advice.
Answer:
It shows that she cares for Velu like a mother and speaks to him with warmth and affection.
(iv) Complete the sentence with a suitable explanation.
The ‘difficulty’ that the old woman mentions is due to the fact that ………….
Answer:
people do not realise or understand that the earth is old and needs rest, just like humans do.
II. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
How does the old woman convey Nature’s wisdom to Velu?
Answer:
The old woman conveys Nature’s wisdom by comparing the land to a tired worker who needs rest. She explains that just as people need time to regain their strength, the earth too cannot be forced to work endlessly without a break.
Through simple yet powerful metaphors, she helps Velu understand that the drought might be Nature’s way of allowing the soil to rejuvenate.
Question 2.
The writer says, “The fields lay untended…” Why couldn’t the farmers tend to their fields in the absence of rain?
Answer:
The farmers couldn’t tend to their fields because the absence of rain made the soil dry and hard, unsuitable for ploughing or sowing. Without water, seeds cannot germinate and crops cannot grow, making all farming activities come to a halt.
Question 3.
Support the old woman’s perspective that the land needs rest just like people do.
Answer:
The old woman’s perspective is wise and rooted in a deep understanding of nature. Just as humans become exhausted and require rest to recover their energy, the soil also becomes worn out after continuous farming.
Without adequate rest, the land loses its fertility. Letting the earth lie fallow during a dry season allows it to regain nutrients and moisture, leading to healthier crops in the future.
Question 4.
What can be inferred about Velu’s character based on his reaction to the drought?
Answer:
Velu’s reaction to the drought reveals that he is a responsible and hardworking farmer, deeply concerned about his land and livelihood. Initially, he feels frustrated and restless due to his inability to work. However, he is also open-minded and thoughtful, as he listens to his mother’s wisdom and begins to reflect on the deeper cycles of nature. This shows his willingness to learn and adapt.
Question 5.
What does the story suggest about the life of farmers and their relationship with nature?
Answer:
The story highlights the deep connection between farmers and nature. It shows that farmers rely on natural elements like rain for their livelihood and that they must work in harmony with the rhythms of the earth. It also suggests that farming is not just physical labour, but a life of patience, observation and respect for nature’s wisdom.
Question 6.
How might the rest and care of land contribute to a balanced and sustainable ecosystem?
Answer:
Allowing land to rest helps maintain soil fertility, supports biodiversity and reduces the risk of land degradation. Practices like crop rotation, fallowing and organic fertilisation restore nutrients and prevent overuse. This leads to a sustainable ecosystem where the environment, crops and people can thrive together without harming the earth’s natural balance.
Let Us Learn (Ncert Page 193)
Question 1.
Solve a crossword using the picture and word clues. All clues are related to the words from the text that are connected to weather or agriculture.
Answer:
Down
1. breeze (gentle wind)
6. clouds (overcast sky)
2. lightning (Sudden bright brusts in the sky)
7. rain (Steady, moderate rainfall)
3. thunder (rumbling sound with rain)
4. crops (grains etc. grown in large quantity in fields)
Across
5. harvest (collected crops)
8. Sun (earth used for farming)
9. cultivate (prepare and use land for crops)
10. plough (turn up the field soil)
11. sow (plant seeds)
II. The text uses words like ‘piece’, ‘weather’, ‘son’ and ‘rain’. These words are the same as other words that are spelt differently- peace, whether, sun and reign.
Words that are pronounced the same as other words but differ in meaning or in spelling are called homophones.
Now, complete the paragraph by filling in the correct option of homophones given in the brackets.
The farmer looked at the sky and wondered 1. ……….. (weather/whether) the clouds would finally bring rain.
He sat down on the ground, breaking a small 2. ………… (piece/peace) of roti for his meal.
The 3. ………… (plain/plane) fields stretched endlessly before him, completely dry.
He thought about how he could 4 . ………… (sell/cell) his last sack of grain to buy some essentials for his family. Without the rains, it didn’t 5. ………… (seam/seem) possible to grow another crop this season. Despite his worries, he smiled, knowing that every farmer hopes for the next 6 . ………… (rain/reign) by nature to bring life back to the land.
Answer:
1. whether
2. piece
3. plain
4. sell
5. seem
6. rain
III. Choose the correct meanings from the given options for the underlined words or phrases in the following sentences.
Question 1.
Being annoyed, she muttered something which nobody heard.
(i) spoke in a low voice
(ii) spoke slowly
(iii) spoke angrily
Answer:
(i) spoke in a low voice
Question 2.
At the new workplace, Riya felt forlorn for a week.
(i) upest and irritated
(ii) angry and bitter
(iii) sad and neglected
Answer:
(iii) sad and neglected
Question 3.
When all his friends had gone, he was at a loss because he did not know what to do.
(i) confused
(ii) shocked
(iii) lonely
Answer:
(i) confused
Question 4.
When the little child saw her father, her eyes sparkled.
(i) glowed dimly
(ii) showed joy
(iii) opened wide
Answer:
(ii) showed joy
IV. Match each word (adjective) in Column 1 with a word (noun) that colloates in Column 2. Write the adjective-noun collocation in Column 3. One example has been done for you.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | ||
| 1. | favourable | (iii) | weather | favourable weather |
| 2. | wrinkled | (iv) | skin | wrinkled skin |
| 3. | dejected | (vi) | expression | dejected expression |
| 4. | fragrant | (v) | garden | fragrant garden |
| 5. | ceaseless | (ii) | activity | ceaseless activity |
| 6. | beloved | (i) | country | beloved country |
V. Underline the verbs and identify the form of tenses for the following sentences from the text.
Question 1.
Oh, it is hard not to be able to work…
Answer:
Simple Present Tense
Question 2.
………… I am too old.
Answer:
Simple Present Tense
Question 3.
What are you smiling at, Amma?
Answer:
Present Progressive Tense
Question 4.
But my son, that is what I am talking about.
Answer:.
Present Progressive Tense
Question 5.
The earth has worked for years, centuries…
Answer:
Present Perfect Tense
Question 6.
I have worked hard and honestly.
Answer:
Present Perfect Tense
Now, fill in the blanks with the correct form of Simple Present, Present Progressive or Present Perfect tenses of the verbs given in brackets.
Ravi (i) ………… (be) a farmer who (ii) ………… (practise) crop rotation on his land. Each season, he (iii) ………… (plant) different crops to maintain the soil’s health. This year, he (iv) ………… (grow) legumes, which help restore the nutrients in the soil. Over the years, Ravi (v) ………… (learn) that planting the same crop repeatedly (vi) ………… (deplete) the soil, making it less fertile. By rotating crops, he (vii) ………… (keep) the land productive and fertile. He (viii) ………… (see) a noticeable improvement in his yields since adopting this method. Now, Ravi (ix) ………… (share) his knowledge with other farmers, explaining how crop rotation (x) ………… (benefit) both the soil and their harvests.
Answer:
(i) is
(ii) practises
(iii) plants
(iv) growing
(v) has learnt
(vi) depletes
(vii) keeps
(viii) has seen
(ix) is sharing
(x) benefits
VI. Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
- The rains came all these years without any such consultations.
- So many favourable conditions, but still no rain.
- Every day they hoped that the rains would come.
- But this year turned out to be different.
- This: is the first season in five, no, six years that I have not sown, nor ploughed.
- We ought to talk to some astrologers.
- I have only done what any hard-working farmer would do.
- Velu looked at her, a little puzzled.
- She takes care to give her children the rest they need…
- Velu felt a cool breeze on his back.
The highlighted words or phrases that come before a noun but do not describe them are called determiners.
Let us learn the use of some common determiners.
- Artioles: a, an, the –
These are used to introduce nouns.
- Demonstrative Determiners: this, that, these, those These are used to point out specific items.
- Possessive Determiners: my, our, your, his, her, its, their, one’s
These indicate ownership or relationship.
- Definite Numeral Determiners: one, two, three, etc. These specify exact quantities.
- Indefinite Numeral Determiners: some, any, no, all, much, many, few, less, several, little and few
- ‘Some’ is used in affirmative sentences, while ‘any’ and ‘no’ are used in negative and interrogative sentences.
- ‘All’ refers to the entirety of a group.
- ‘Much’ and ‘many’ denote large quantities of uncountable and countable nouns, respectively.
- ‘Few’ indicates a small number, ‘less’ refers to a smaller quantity and ‘several’ means more than two but not many.
- ‘Little’ means not much, ‘few’ means not many. Use ‘a little’ and ‘a few’ to convey a positive sense.
- Distributive Determiners: each, every, either, neither
- ‘Each’ refers to individual items or people, ‘every’ refers to all items or people collectively.
- ‘Either’ means one of two options and ‘neither’ means not one of the two options.
Now, fill in the blanks by choosing the correct determiner from the brackets.
It was 1. ……….. (a/an) rainy afternoon and ……….. (a/the) sky was thick with dark clouds. In front of 3 ………… (her/their) house, Mala noticed a large puddle quickly forming. Exclted, she called for her brother to join her, knowing that both of them always loved playing in 4. …….. (a/the) rain. While jumping from 5. …….. (some/one) puddle to another, Mala spotted 6. ………… (few/a few) snails slowly creeping along the wet sidewalk and pointed them out to her brother 7. ………… (each/every) jump, the sound of 8 . ………… (her/their) squeals and laughter was heard through the soft patter of raindrops. Though they were fully drenched, 9. ………… (either/neither) siblings minded it. It had been a perfect rainy day.
Answer:
1. a
2. the
3. her
4. the
5. one
6. a few
7. every
8. their
9 . neither
Let Us Write (Ncert Page 199)
I. You have observed the difficulties faced by the people in your neighbourhood due to scarcity of water especially during the summer months. Write a letter to the Councillor of your Municipal ward, requesting her/him to set up a rain water harvesting unit. Provide suggestions to address the issue. Remember to
- Use formal language
- Keep sentences short and to the point
- State the purpose clearly and concisely
- Give relevant
Answer:
34, Green Park Colony
New Delhi – 110016
8th June, 20XX
The Municipal Councillor
Ward No. 44
Green Park, New Delhi – 110016
Subject Request to Install a Rainwater Harvesting Unit in Ward No, 44
Dear Madam
I am writing to bring to your attention the serious issue of water scarcity in our neighbourhood, especially during the summer months. The situation worsens every year, causing great inconvenience to residents.
The main reason for this problem is the excessive dependence on groundwater and the lack of systems to conserve rainwater. As a result, borewells dry up and water tankers are required, adding to the cost and stress of daily life. The elderly and young children suffer the most.
I kindly request you to consider setting up a rainwater harvesting unit in our ward. It would help collect and store rainwater for future use. This step can also recharge groundwater levels and reduce our dependence on tankers. Awareness drives, community participation and maintenance teams can ensure its long-term success.
We hope you will look into the matter and take immediate action for the well-being of the community.
Yours sincerely
(Rohit Sharma)