Incorporating DAV Class 8 English Reader Book Solutions Pdf Chapter 4 Nature into study routines can lead to better overall language proficiency.
My English Reader Class 8 DAV Solutions Unit 4 Nature
DAV Class 8 English Reader Book Solutions Unit 4 Nature
I.
Nature And Human Life Summary
Dr. C.V. Raman addressed the students at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He told that he really enjoyed visiting the campus of I.I.T. There were wild grasses and banyan trees in the campus. C.V. Raman admired nature as an artist. Nature creates beauty, colour etc. It is a source of inspiration for everyone from artists to engineers. Once he visited the temple of Luxor where he found lotus, papyrus etc. at the top.
For him, life does not mean only to get food, clothes and shelter. But there are other things also such as music, colour, flowers, beauty etc. and the satisfaction that we get from them.
डॉ सी० वी० रमन ने मद्रास के इंडियन इंस्टीच्यूट आफ टेक्नोलोजी के विद्यार्थियों को सम्बोधित किया। उन्हें आई० आई० टी० के कैम्पस में घूमने पर आनन्द आया । वहाँ जंगली घास तथा बरगद के पेड़ थे। सी० वी० रमन ने प्रकृति की प्रशंसा एक कलाकार के रुप में की। प्रकृति सुन्दरता और रंग आदि बनाती है। यह कलाकारों से लेकर इंजीनियरों के लिए प्रेरक का काम करती हैं। एक बार वे लक्सर के एक मन्दिर में गये जहाँ उन्होनें गुम्बद पर कमल, पैपीरस इत्यादि देखा ।
उनके अनुसार, जीवन का अर्थ केवल रोटी, कपड़ा अथवा घर पाना ही नहीं है। परन्तु जीवन में अन्य चीजें भी हैं जैसे- रंग, फूल, सुन्दरता, संगीत इत्यादि जिससे हमें संतुष्टि मिलती है।
Word – Meanings:
Convocation = the action of calling together a group of people usually for a special purpose – जनसमूह का किसी विशेष उद्देश्य के लिए औपचारिक रूप से एकत्रीकरण की प्रक्रिया;
Loveliness = gentle beauty – मनोहर, रमणीय,
Inspiration = that inspires – प्रेरित करना;
Sculptor = one who makes statues – शिल्पकार;
Squalout = dirt – गंदगी;
Abomination = ugliness – घिनौना;
Aesthetic = beauty – सौन्दर्य;
Derived = to get – प्राप्त करना।
II. Work with your partner. Complete the following statements and find out why nature, according to Dr C.V. Raman, is the greatest feature of the world.
(a) Moving through natural scenes, enjoying the beauty of nature, is nothing less than a ________.
Answer:
joy ride
(b) Nature is the supreme artist because ________
Answer:
she creates forms of beauty, loveliness and colour, unsurpassable from the beginning.
(c) Nature has not only inspired artists, painters, sculptors and engineers but men of science also.
Answer:
Nature has not only inspired ________, ________, ________ and ________ but ________ also.
(d) Technology need not be ________. We should seek inspiration from nature and combine ________ with beauty.
Answer:
Technology need not be associated with dirt. We should seek inspiration from lya.ture and combine ugliness with beauty.
III. In groups of four, discuss how nature is essential both for the basic and the finer things of life.
Answer:
Nature is essential for us because it provides us basic things such as, food, water, fuel, air, shelter etc. It is a source of inspiration for us. It is bestowed with lovely mountains, rivers, gardens and beautiful shades and colours. It makes us smile even in deep sadness.
A
A. 1. You have visited the following cities/states during your vacation in different years. Recollect memories of your visit.
Complete the given table by listing the specific sights/places/things you associate with each of these cities/states.
Answer:
| City/State | Sights | Places | Things |
| Agra | Taj Mahal | Historical city | Culture and food |
| Delhi | Historical monuments & places of amusement | Metropolitan city | Political hub, food etc. |
| Goa | Bom Jesus Basillica | Natural beauty Resort | Beaches/dance and music |
| Shimla | Mall Road, Jakhu temple Kufri | Hill station | Topi and shawls wood carted item food |
| Haridwar | Har Ki Pauri | Pilgrimage centre | Kumbh Mela |
| Jaipur | Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Forts and plalaces | Historical city | Ghagra-Choli, Rajasthani delicacies |
A.2.
Share with your partner any memorable experience you had or any particular sight/ place/incident that left a deep imprint on your mind.
Answer:
For self-attempt.
A.3.
The Daffodils Summary
“The Daffodils’ is written by William Wordsworth. Once he was moving without any aim, he saw a large number of daffodils. They were in several colours and were dancing in the breeze.
The daffodils appeared to be as thousands of stars twinkling on the milky way. They were stretched in an unending line. It seemed as if 10,000 daffodils were dancing together lively.
There were also waves in the lake. But there was no match between the waves and dancing waves of daffodils. He can only feel happy in such a company. The poet gazed at the beauty for a long time but he did not understand the value of beauty till he experienced it. Whenever the poet is in low spirits, he simply
remembers the views of daffodils. His heart fills with joy and happiness and he feels that his heart is dancing with the daffodils.
‘द डेफोडिल्स’ विलियम वर्डसवर्थ द्वारा रचित कविता है। एक बार कवि बिना किसी उद्देश्य के बाहर घूम रहा था, उसने बड़ी संख्या में नरगिस के फूल देखे । उसने उन्हें अनेक रंगों में देखा। वे ठंडी हवा में नाच रहे थे।
नरगिस के फूल ऐसे लग रहे थे जैसे हज़ारों तारे आकाश गंगा में चमक रहे हों। वे एक अंतहीन पंक्ति में लगे हुए थे। कवि को ऐसा लगा जैसे दस हजार नरगिस के पुष्प हवा में लहरा रहे हों और सब एक साथ नृत्य कर रहे हों ।
झील में लहरें भी थी। परन्तु उन लहरों तथा नरगिस के पुष्पों की लहरों के बीच कोई समानता नहीं थी। वह केवल ऐसी किसी साथी के साथ ही प्रसन्न रह सकता है । कवि ने इस सुंदरता को लंबे समय तक देखा। वह तब तक उस सुंदरता का मूल्य नहीं समझ पाया था जब तक उसने इसका अनुभव नहीं किया था। जब भी कवि का मन उदास होता है वह नरगिस के फूलों के दृश्य को याद करने लगता है। उसका मन खुशी और प्रसन्नता से भर जाता है और उसे महसूस होता है कि उसका मन डेफोडिल्स के साथ नाच रहा है।
Word-Meanings:
Vales = valley – घाटी;
Fluttering = waving – हवा में लहराना;
Sprightly = lively, full of energy-, उत्साह से भरा हुआ;
Jocund = merry – उल्लास;
Pensive = deep in thought – गहरे सोच में डूबा हुआ ।
A. 4. Complete a brief summary of the poem with suitable words or phrases.
Once the poet was roaming aimlessly when he saw a large number of __________. They were __________ in colour and and dancing in the breeze.
They looked like innumerable shining in the __________ . At one glance, the poet was able __________ a large number of them. They were growing in a _________________ line along the sea-shore. They were waving in a cheerful dance.
The waves too appeared to be happy but they could not match the joy and gaiety of the flowers. The poet felt happy in the __________ of such lively company but he could not realise the real __________ of the scene at that time.
Later, whenever the poet lay on his __________ in a thoughtful mood, the appeared before his mind’s eye and his heart started . It was then that he realised that a beautiful scene or object is a source of lasting joy.
Answer:
Once the poet was roaming aimlessly when he saw a large number of daffodils. They were golden in colour and fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
The deffodils looked like innumerable stars shining in the milky way. At one glance, the poet was able to see a large number of them. They were growing in a never ending line along the sea-shore. They were waving tossing their heads in a cheerful dance.
The waves too appeared to be happy but they could not match the joy and gaiety of the flowers. The poet felt happy in the presence of such lively company but he could not realise the real value of the scene at that time.
Later, whenever the poet lay on his couch in a thoughtful mood, the scene appeared before his mind’s eye and his heart started dancing. It was then that he realised that a beautiful scene or object is a source of lasting joy.
A.5. Mark the following sentences with a (✓) if true and a (✗) if false.
(a) The poet compares himself to a floating cloud.
Answer:
✓
(b) He saw a few daffodils beside the lake.
Answer:
✗
(c) He compares the daffodils with the stars on the milky way.
Answer:
✓
(d) The waves outdid the sprightly daffodils.
Answer:
✗
(e) The sight of the dancing daffodils filled the poet’s heart with immense joy.
Answer:
✓
(f) Whenever the poet’s mind is unoccupied or he is in a thoughtful mood, the memory of the daffodils uplifts him and brings him great joy.
✓
A.6. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.
(a) The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee;
(i) Identify the poem and the poet.
Answer:
The poem is The Daffodils and the poet is William Wordsworth.
(ii) Who are ‘they’ in line 1 ?
Answer:
They in line 1 are daffodils.
(iii) How did “they” outdo the waves?
Answer:
They outdid the waves with joy, gaiety and dancing.
(b) They flash upon that inward eye
which is the bliss of solitude;
(i) What does the poet mean by ‘inward eye’?
Answer:
‘Inward eye’ is used to refer to one’s mind and the memories stored in it.
(if) How is the inward eye a blessing given to us by solitude?
Answer:
‘Inward eye’ is a bliss of solitude as one recalls his memories and the beauty of nature gives him company.
(iii) What happens to the poet when ‘they’ flash upon his inward eye?
Answer:
When ‘they’flash upon their inward eye, the poet’s heart fills with joy and dances with daffodils.
A.7. Pick out at least four expressions from the poem that suggest the numerousness of the daffodils. Next, pick out words and phrases which describe the joy and pleasure of the flowers and the poet.
Answer:
Four expressions that suggest the numerousness of daffodils are:
- Crowd
- Continuous as the stars
- They stretched in never ending line.
- Ten thousand saw I at a glance.
Words and phrases that describe the joy and pleasure of the flowers and poet:
- Fluttering and dancing
- Tossing their heads in sprightly dance
The poet could not but be gay
- They outdid the sparkling waves in glee.
- And then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils.
A.8. HOTS
The poet was wonderstruck by the beauty of the daffodils which he came across all of a sudden. Had the poet been able to enjoy their beauty to the same extent if it would have been a pre-planned visit? Discuss with your partner.
Answer:
No, I don’t think that the poet would have been able to enjoy the beauty of the daffodils to the same extent, if it was a pre-planned visit. In that case the poet would have had the mental picture of the entire place. He would no longer be able to enjoy the blissful peace and serenity of the place. The daffodils have a calming influence on the poet’s mind and he longs to be in their company.
A.9. Pick any two of similes from the poem ‘Daffodils’. Make two sentences with the similes of your own.
Answer:
(i) Continuous as the stars that shine.
(ii) I wandered lonely as a cloud.
- My father roared like a lion at my fault.
- He helped me like an angel.
A.10. Life Skills
Discuss in groups of four how nature can bring comfort to human beings when they are in grief and anxiety. Then prepare a speech to be given in the school assembly emphasising that it is important to get back to nature to distress ourselves and to experience pure joy.
Answer:
Respected principal, worthy teachers and my dear friends!
Today I, Parth, am standing before you to express my views about the need to get back to nature. Today is the modem world where everyone is running after materialistic pleasure. There is a lot of competition. We want to earn more and more money. We want to achieve something very high. This causes high level of tension. No one seems to be happy. People are in distress nowadays.
How can we lessen distress? Although, several sources of entertainment are available to us. When we enjoy the beauty of nature, we forget our sorrows. We forget our stress in the lap of nature. In spite of many sufferings in our life, some beautiful things lessen the sad feelings from our heart. All beautiful things of nature are a boon to humanity. Every individual should spend his/her time in the surroundings of nature.
Thanks
A.11. Further Reading
Read the following poems by william Wordsworth.
• To a Butterfly
• Solitary Reaper
• Lucy Gray
Answer:
For self-attempt.
B
B.1. Nature influences our mind, body and soul. Recollect a morning walk in a nearby park. Pick out various objects of nature that affect the following parts of your body.
Answer:
| Body Part | Objects of Nature | Effect |
| Eyes | flowers, trees, birds etc. | give joy |
| Ears | birds, sounds, waves etc. | soothing atmosphere |
| Nose | fragrance of flowers etc. | refreshes our mind |
| Skin | breeze, water etc. | refreshes us |
| Feet | wet grass, sand, water etc. | gives us pleasure |
| Mind | beauty of nature | removes our depression and distress |
B.2. Think of your favourite teacher. Discuss with your friend the qualities you admire in her/him and what you have learnt from her/him.
Answer:
For self-attempt.
B.3.
The Alchemy Of Nature Summary
Experiencing nature is a relaxing way to please ourselves. Nature always nurtures us. The writer has a hibiscus plant in her garden After every fifteen days, a flower blooms on it. In the evening, the flower loses its freshness. This flower lives for a day.
The writer and others visited to a rocky beach. On its side, the ocean was spread along with the rock. Water seems very soft that flows through the rock. It gives shape to the rock.
There were also small bits of grass that were peeping through the small cracks in a concrete pavement. In cold winter days, the tree had no leaves. But after three months the tree was full of flowers, birds and life.
There was an army of ants. They were lugging a fly ten times of their size. They took the fly in an organised manner. We can see that spider webs are silicon and delicate but strong. Rainbow has seven colours. Clouds can change their shape. Water changes its shape according to sun and wind, a flower changes into fruit. When we touch it, we change ourselves into gold.
स्वयं को तनावमुक्त करने के लिए प्रकृति का अनुभव करना एक आरामदायक तरीका है। प्रकृति सदैव हमारा पोषण करती है। लेखिका के बगीचे में हिविकस का पौधा है। हर पन्द्रह दिन में उस पर फूल खिलता है। शाम को फूल अपनी ताजगी देता है। यह फूल एक ही दिन जीवित रहता है।
लेखिका और अन्य एक तट पर गए जहाँ चट्टानें थी । उसके पांस पूरा समुद्र फैला है। पानी अत्यंत नरम हैं जो चट्टान से बहता है। वह चट्टान को आकार देता है।
छोटी-छोटी घास पत्थरों के बीच निकल रही थी। सर्दी के दिनों में, पेड़ पर कोई पत्ते नहीं थे। परन्तु तीन महीने के बाद पेड़ पत्तों, फूलों, पक्षियों तथा जीवन से भरपूर था।
चीटियों की सेना थी। वे अपने से दस गुना बड़ी आकार की मक्खी को लादकर ले जा रही थी। उन्होंने मक्खी को संगठित रूप से उठाया। हम मकड़ी के जाल को देखे तो वह अत्यंत नरम लगता है परन्तु अत्यंत मजबूत होता है। इनद्रधनुष में कई रंग होते हैं। बादल अपना आकार बदलते हैं। पानी सूर्य और हवा के अनुसार अपना आकार बदलता है, पुष्प फल में बदलता है। जब हम उसे छूते हैं तो सोने में बदल जाते हैं।
Word-Meanings:
Instinctively = by force of instinct – नैसर्गिक रूप से;
Nurtures = cares for and encourage the growth – पालना-पोसना;
Wilting = losing freshness – मुरझाना;
Withers = become shrivelled and dry – मुरझा जाना;
Splendour = magnificence – वैभवशाली, भव्य,
Colossal = immense – विशालकाय;
Perseverance = to achieve something that is difficult – अध्यवसाय;
Frail = fragile – कमजोर;
Delicate = soft – नाजुक ।
B.4.
Who teaches us the following?
(a) Humility ________
Answer:
Humility – Water
(b) Passion ________
Answer:
Passion – Wind
(c) Combining strength with delicacy ________
Answer:
Combining strength with delicacy – Spider
B.5. HOTS
‘Nature is the supreme artistic creation of God’. Collect three examples from The Alchemy of Nature’ in support of this statement and write them in the space provided below.
Answer:
(a) When we see a caterpillar turn into a butterfly.
(b) A flower turns into a fruit.
(c) Oysters take in a grain of sand and open up with a pearl.
B.6. Life Skills/Value
Which of the lessons suggested in the passage do you find the most valuable to you as a student and how it will help you to become a better student? Discuss with your partner.
| Nature | Observation | Moral values / Lessons |
| (i) Rocks | They take the shape as water commands. | We should have courage to face the problem without being nervous. |
| (ii) Spiders | Their webs are delicate but very strong. | We should build ourselves strong enough to face all the hurdles. |
| (iii) Oysters | They take in a grain of sand and open up with a pearl. | Wonders can be done even with small things. |
| (iv) Stars | They shine across in the infinite sky. | We can also shine like sta rs and give others light. |
B.7. Find words from the text which have the same meaning as the following.
(a) brilliance ________
Answer:
splendour
(b) grand ________
Answer:
majestic
(c) belief ________
Answer:
conviction
(d) patience ________
Answer:
perseverance
(e) continuous ________
Answer:
unhindered
B.8. Write an article for your school magazine on the topic – Nature : A Great Teacher.
Answer:
Nature : A great Teacher
By : Sushma Rawat
Class : VIII
There is no doubt that nature is a great teacher. If we look back we can see that our elders prayed to sun, moon, trees rivers etc. They all were treated as divine creatures. We can see that eveiy creation of God can teach us something about life. Nature gives us many resources which help us to run our life but never expects anything in return. She is as selfless as a mother is.
C
C.1. Fill in the blanks from the words given below.
TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
(a) _____ or ride a bike instead of asking for a ride.
Answer:
walk
(b) Don’t _____, put your _____ in the bins provided.
Answer:
litter, rubbish
(c) Save newspapers for _____.
Answer:
recycling
(d) Use _____ sides of your writing and drawing _____.
Answer:
both, paper
(e) Be sure to turn off all water _____ tightly.
Answer:
taps
(f) When you leave a room, be sure to _____ the lights.
Answer:
switch off
(g) Don’t let the _____ run when you brush your teeth.
Answer:
taps
(h) Don’t _____ rubbish down the toilet.
Answer:
throw
(i) Use _____ cups and plates instead of paper ones.
Answer:
reusable
(j) Plant _____.
Answer:
trees
C.2. Discuss with your friend and find out what you can contribute to save the environment.
Answer:
For self-attempt.
C.3. Listen to an article on Why We Should Take Care of the River Ganga’.
Listen to the audio CD titled “Listen & Comprehend’ (Class-VIII). After listening, answer the questions asked in the audio CD orally. Listen to the tape script once again and attempt the given question. The tape script is given on page no. 93.
On the basis of your listening to the passage, fill in the blanks in the sentences given below.
(a) The Ganga is both a _____ and a _____.
Answer:
goddess, river
(b) The ambience of the banks of the Ganga is rich because of continuous meditation by _____.
Answer:
sages
(c) The waters of the Ganga are believed to have the power to wash away _____.
Answer:
sins
(d) In Indian mythology, king _____ obtained permission from the gods to bring the Ganga down to the earth.
Answer:
Bhagiratha
(e) He wanted the Ganga to wash over the ashes of the sons of one of his ancestors, _____.
Answer:
sagar
(f) _____ absorbed the force of the Ganga’s mighty torrent.
Answer:
Shiva
(g) From the head of Shiva, the Ganga flowed down as _____ rivers.
Answer:
Sapta Sindhva or the seven sacred
(h) The name of the Ganga appears twice in the _____.
Answer:
Rigveda
(i) References to the Ganga can be found in the Valmiki _____ and the _____.
Answer:
Valmiki Ramayana, Mahabharata
(j) Poet _____ has composed beautiful verses in praise of the Ganga.
Answer:
Adi Shankar
(k) It is a pity that today the Ganga is _____.
Answer:
dying
(l) If we do not save our water bodies, our future generations will not have a _____ environment.
Answer:
healthy and life enhancing
C.4. Get into groups of four. Discuss and note down any three causes of the pollution of water bodies and the threat faced by us because of that.
Answer:
| Causes of Pollution | Danger |
| (i) People wash their clothes, utensils and bathe in it. | It spreads bacteria and virus that are reasons for several diseases. |
| (ii) The industries throw chemicals etc. in rivers and seas. | This contaminates the water that harm aquatic life of species and plants. |
| (iii) Human beings immerse dead bodies of animals and individuals etc. | This contaminates the water and spreads water pollution. |
C.5. You and your friends have formed a “Friends of the Earth’ Club. You prepare a street play to convey the message that the clock is fast ticking away and that we must recognise the urgency with which we need to act.
Distribute roles. Enact your presentation in the class. Prepare a speech for the morning assembly on the topic – ‘Save your environment, Save yourself.
Answer:
SAVE ENVIRONMENT, SAVE YOURSELF
Respected principal, worthy teachers and my fellow friends!
Today I, Kapil, stand before you to express my views on importance of environment which is deteriorating day by day. We have been watching, listening, reading everyday that we need to save our environment. Water, air, soil etc. everything is polluted. It is human’s selfish attitude which is the main cause behind it. Trees have been cut. Ozone layer has a big hole. Do you think about the possibility of life in such an environment for a long time?
We need to save our environment. We should lessen pollution by reducing traffic, smoke etc. We should not throw the rubbish outside.
If we protect our environment, we will not be ill. We will not have to face diseases like asthama, T.B. etc. So let us save our environment for us and also for our future generation.
C.6. Project
Your school has developed a bio-diversity park with a nursery, botanical garden and space for vermicomposting.
As a member of the ‘Haritima Club’, responsible for the maintenance of the park, design an attractive pamphlet to be circulated amongst students. Include the features of the park and instructions to be followed for its preservations.
Answer:
For self-attempt.
D:
The Cherry Tree Summary
Rakesh was six years old. He lived with his grandfather at outskirts of Mussoorie. He was returning to his home from the school. He bought a bunch of cherries while returning home. His grandfather took one.
Rakesh knew that cherries seeds were lucky. His grandfather asked to sow the seed. They did so. After a few months a small twig came out of the seed. The grandfather suggested to water it. During the monsoon rains, a goat came and ate its leaves.
Soon the new leaves came out. A woman who came to cut the grass, cut the half of the cherry tree. The grandfather scolded her.
But upto summer season, there were new branches and leaves. Rakesh was then eight years old. That year he went to his parents to help him in planting, ploughing and sowing fields. When he came back the cherry tree had grown up to his chest. He laid down beneath the cherry tree. Rakesh asked the reason what is so special about this tree? Why do we like it so much? The grandfather answered because he had planted it himself.
राकेश छह वर्ष का था। वह अपने दादाजी के साथ मसूरी की सीमा पर रहता था। जब वह स्कूल से घर लौट रहा था तो उसने बाजार से चैरी का एक गुच्छा खरीदा। उसके दादाजी ने उसमें से एक ले ली।
राकेश जानता था कि चैरी के बीज भाग्यशाली होते हैं। उसके दादाजी ने उसे वह बोने के लिए कहा। उन्होंने ऐसा ही किया । कुछ ही महीनों में उसमें से एक टहनी निकली। दादाजी ने उसमें पानी देने को कहा। मानसून की वर्षा में एक बकरी ने उसके पत्ते खा लिए।
जल्दी ही उसमें नए पत्ते आ गये। एक औरत जो घास काटने आई थी, उसने आधा चैरी का पौधा भी काट दिया। दादाजी उसे डाँटा ।
गर्मियों के मौसम तक उसमें कई टहनियाँ और पत्ते आ गए। राकेश तब तक आठ साल का हो गया था। उस वर्ष मानसून में वह अपने माता-पिता के पास उन्हें खेतों में बीज बोने, हल जोतने तथा पौधे लगाने में मदद करने के लिए गया। जब वह वापिस आया तो चैरी का वृक्ष उसकी छाती तक बड़ा हो चुका था। वह उसके नीचे लेट गया। राकेश ने दादाजी से पूछा, “इस वृक्ष में ऐसा विशेष क्या है ? हम इसे इतना पसंद क्यों करते हैं? दादाजी ने उत्तर दिया क्योंकि इसे हमने लगाया है।
Word – Meanings:
Outskirt = border – सीमा;
Ranger = an official incharge of forest – सजंगल का अधिकारी;
Promptly = quickly – सशीघ्रता से;
Yielding = producing – सउत्पादन करते हुए;
Twig = branch – शाखा ;
Haunches = buttocks – सनितंब;
Pebble = stones – सकंकर – पत्थर;
Scythe = an instrument with curved blade used for mowing and reaping – सफसल बोने और काटने का एक उपकरण;
Praying mantis = a grasshopper like insect – सटिड्डा।