CBSE Class 8 English A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Worksheet Set 02

Fill in the Blanks

Question. A battalion of soldiers _____ (stand/stands) at readiness.
Answer: stands
Explanation: A battalion is one single group of soldiers, so we use the singular verb "stands".

Question. The _____ occurred on 3rd November 1947.
Answer: Battle of Badgam
Explanation: This was the historic fight near Srinagar where brave Indian soldiers stopped the enemy invaders.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma earned the Param Vir Chakra _____, meaning after his death.
Answer: posthumously
Explanation: When a medal or prize is given to honor a hero after they have died, it is called posthumous.

Question. Pakistan's “Operation Gulmarg” was targeted at taking over _____.
Answer: Kashmir
Explanation: Pakistan made a secret plan called Operation Gulmarg to capture the beautiful land of Kashmir.

Question. Major Somnath's bravery and sacrifice serve as a beacon of _____ for generations.
Answer: inspiration
Explanation: His courage acts like a shining light that encourages young Indians to love and protect their country.

Question. Neither the teacher nor the students _____ (was/were) conscious of the change.
Answer: were
Explanation: When we use "neither... nor", the verb agrees with the closer word, "students", which is plural.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma was a member of the _____ Regiment.
Answer: Kumaon
Explanation: Major Sharma served in the 4th Battalion of the famous Kumaon Regiment in the Indian Army.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma vowed he would fight to the last man and the last _____.
Answer: round
Explanation: A "round" means a bullet. He promised to keep firing until the very last bullet was gone.

Question. Pakistan launched 'Operation Gulmarg' to unlawfully take over Kashmir, breaking an agreement with Maharaja _____ Singh.
Answer: Hari
Explanation: Maharaja Hari Singh was the royal ruler of Jammu and Kashmir who asked India for military help.

Question. Major Sharma's company was outnumbered by nearly _____ invaders.
Answer: 500
Explanation: Around five hundred enemy fighters attacked Major Sharma’s small band of ninety soldiers.

True or False

Question. Major Somnath Sharma declined to go to battle because his hand was in plaster.
Answer: False
Explanation: Even though his left hand was hurt and tied in plaster, he insisted on leading his men to battle.

Question. The Battle of Badgam took place in 1947 to defend the Kashmir Valley from infiltrators.
Answer: True
Explanation: The battle was fought in November 1947 to stop tribal raiders from invading the valley.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma ended his life due to a gunshot wound.
Answer: False
Explanation: A mortar shell exploded near the ammunition pile and martyred Major Sharma instantly.

Question. Somnath Sharma came from a family with a proud military background.
Answer: True
Explanation: His father was a Major General and several uncles and brothers also served in the armed forces.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma's name is only cherished by his family members.
Answer: False
Explanation: The entire country of India loves, honors, and remembers Major Somnath Sharma as a national hero.

Question. Even after Major Somnath Sharma's death, his men continued to defend their position for several hours.
Answer: True
Explanation: His brave soldiers held the defense line for six more hours until Indian reinforcements landed.

Question. Pakistan launched 'Operation Gulmarg' to lawfully take over Kashmir.
Answer: False
Explanation: The attack was an unlawful invasion that broke the peace agreement signed with the Maharaja.

Question. The Pakistani invasion was a breach of an agreement with the Maharaja of Kashmir.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pakistan broke the Standstill Agreement when it sent disguised tribal attackers into Kashmir.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma was hurt in his right hand during the Battle of Badgam.
Answer: False
Explanation: It was his left hand that was in a plaster cast from a previous hockey injury.

Question. The Kumaon Regiment fought courageously under Major Sharma's leadership.
Answer: True
Explanation: The soldiers fought fiercely against heavy odds and earned great honor for their regiment.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma chose to surrender because he was outnumbered.
Answer: False
Explanation: Major Sharma refused to surrender or retreat an inch, choosing to fight until his final breath.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. What day was the Battle of Badgam fought?
Answer: The Battle of Badgam was fought on 3rd November 1947.
Explanation: On this cold November afternoon, Indian troops stood like a wall against hundreds of raiders.

Question. Who is the speaker and in what circumstances is he speaking? ("I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.")
Answer: Major Somnath Sharma is speaking over the army radio set from the battlefield of Badgam, while heavily outnumbered and surrounded by enemy fire.
Explanation: He reported his company's desperate situation to his senior officers while bullets flew all around him.

Question. What difficulty did Major Somnath Sharma face during the battle?
Answer: He had a fractured left hand tied up in a plaster cast, and his ninety soldiers were facing over five hundred heavily armed enemy invaders.
Explanation: It is very hard to fight with an injured hand, yet he stayed and helped his men reload their weapons.

Question. Why did the boy explain these words to his friends? ("She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know...")
Answer: The boy explained to his friends that the poor old woman is someone’s beloved mother and deserves help and kindness, just as he would want someone to help his own mother one day.
Explanation: The kind boy wanted his playmates to learn to respect and care for old people.

Question. What was Somnath Sharma’s position in the army?
Answer: Somnath Sharma held the rank of Major in the Indian Army.
Explanation: A Major is a senior army officer who leads an entire company of soldiers.

Question. Why did Major Somnath Sharma decline to return to the airfield even after being asked to pull back?
Answer: He knew that pulling back would open the gates for the enemy to capture the Srinagar airfield, which would cause the fall of the entire Kashmir Valley.
Explanation: He protected the airport with his life so that enemy raiders could not capture the capital city.

Question. What was the significance of Badgam village in the battle?
Answer: Badgam was situated on an elevated hill close to the Srinagar airfield. Controlling it was vital to safeguard the airport and allow fresh Indian troops and supplies to arrive.
Explanation: If enemy soldiers captured this high village, they could easily fire straight onto the landing airplanes.

Question. What message does Dr. Kurien share about failure in his letter?
Answer: Dr. Kurien teaches that failure is not something to be ashamed of; rather, it is a valuable lesson that teaches us resilience, courage, and the drive to try again.
Explanation: Making a mistake or failing at first helps you learn and become wiser next time.

Question. How did Major Somnath Sharma show heroism during the battle?
Answer: He moved fearlessly across open trenches, directed defensive fire, loaded machine-gun magazines with his uninjured hand, and called in air support.
Explanation: A true leader runs forward to help his team when danger is at its highest point.

Question. How was Major Somnath Sharma martyred? (a) By a sniper (b) By a grenade (c) By a mortar shell (d) By a bullet
Answer: (c) By a mortar shell
Explanation: A heavy explosive shell landed directly on the ammunition boxes right next to where Major Sharma was standing.

Question. Why does the writer favor letters over telephone calls?
Answer: Letters can be preserved as physical keepsakes, treasured, and read again and again over the years with lasting joy, unlike brief telephone conversations.
Explanation: You can hold a paper letter in your hands and keep reading your grandparent's loving words forever.

Question. What does Major Somnath Sharma's declaration reflect? (a) His wish to retreat safely (b) His loyalty and determination (c) His fear of losing (d) His strategy to hide from the enemy
Answer: (b) His loyalty and determination
Explanation: His famous message showed that he was totally devoted to saving India, no matter how difficult the battle was.

Question. What were the results of Major Somnath Sharma's bravery?
Answer: His stubborn stand held back the enemy for six critical hours, giving Indian transport planes time to land reinforcements and save Srinagar from falling.
Explanation: His brave stand bought the time needed for more Indian soldiers to fly in and defeat the invaders.

Question. How did the boy in the poem express empathy towards the old woman?
Answer: He stopped running with his friends, went to the trembling old lady, held her arm gently, and guided her safely through the snowy, slippery street.
Explanation: He treated the elderly stranger with gentle love, just like his own grandmother.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Identify the literary technique used in the repetition of 'last' in 'fight to the last man and the last round'.
Answer: Repetition
Explanation: Repetition is when a poet or speaker uses the same word again to make its meaning stronger and more powerful.

Question. Name the literary device used in the line: 'She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know / For all she’s aged and poor and slow'.
Answer: Rhyme (or Rhyming Couplet)
Explanation: Words like "know" and "slow" end with the same sound, creating a musical rhythm called rhyme.

Question. Name the literary device in the phrase 'abiding pleasure'.
Answer: Transferred Epithet (or Epithet)
Explanation: An epithet is an adjective placed before a noun to describe a deep and lasting quality.

Question. Guess the word: A lasting record of historical events, often used in the phrase 'etched in the _____ of history'.
Answer: Annals
Explanation: Annals are the written records of glorious historical deeds preserved across centuries.

Question. Guess the word: A prize or honour given after someone has passed away.
Answer: Posthumous (or Posthumously)
Explanation: The word posthumous means awarded to honor a brave person after their life on earth has ended.

Question. Guess the word: A radiant guiding light on a hill or coast that warns of danger and gives hope.
Answer: Beacon
Explanation: A beacon is a bright tower light that guides travelers through storms and darkness safely.

Question. Guess the word: Unmatched boldness and bravery displayed on the battlefield.
Answer: Valour
Explanation: Valour is great courage and fearlessness shown by a soldier when facing severe danger in war.