CBSE Class 8 English Harvest Hymn Worksheet Set 01

Fill in the Blanks

Question. The secret remains hidden ________ the old willow and the ancient stone.
Answer: betwixt
Explanation: Betwixt is an old-fashioned word that means between two things.

Question. The gifts offered in tribute contain garlands and ________.
Answer: fruits
Explanation: The villagers thank nature by presenting sweet fruits and flower garlands.

Question. I ________ thee to grant my polite request, for it is of great urgency.
Answer: beseech
Explanation: Beseech is an old word that means to ask or beg someone very earnestly for help.

Question. Complete the following sentence properly. The word 'gold' in the phrases 'the gold of our fields' and 'the gold of our fruit' symbolises __________.
Answer: the ripe, golden crops and the richness, prosperity, and abundance of the harvest.
Explanation: Yellow ripe wheat and fruits shine in the sun like gold, showing the wealth given by nature.

Question. It has been a ________ since last we met in happy company.
Answer: fortnight
Explanation: A fortnight means a time period of exactly two weeks, or fourteen days.

Question. 'We bring thee our lives and our labours for tribute' shows ________ and ________.
Answer: gratitude and devotion
Explanation: These words show that people are deeply thankful to God and want to offer their hard work.

Question. ________ art mistaken if thou thinkest the task shall be easy.
Answer: Thou
Explanation: Thou is an old English word that simply means 'you'.

Question. The women's voices call Earth as ________ and ________.
Answer: sweet and omnipotent mother, Earth
Explanation: The women praise Earth as a loving mother who has great power to give life.

Question. She ________ completed her work and now rests in peaceful sleep.
Answer: hath
Explanation: Hath is an old form of the word 'has'.

Question. The line 'Thou art our Hands and our Heart and our Home' is an instance of ________.
Answer: metaphor
Explanation: A metaphor compares two things directly by saying one thing is another.

Question. We must decide ________ we journey next, for the road is unclear.
Answer: whence
Explanation: Whence is an old word that means 'from where' or 'to which place'.

Question. He shall leave ________, never to return again.
Answer: thence
Explanation: Thence means 'from that place'.

Question. If, by chance or ________, fortune favours us, we shall win.
Answer: peradventure
Explanation: Peradventure is an archaic word that means 'perhaps' or by chance.

True or False

Question. Surya is honoured for sending rain and dewfall.
Answer: False
Explanation: Surya is the Sun god who brings warm light, while Varuna is the god who sends rain.

Question. The poem 'Harvest Hymn' is composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
Answer: False
Explanation: The poem was written by Sarojini Naidu, who was known as the Nightingale of India.

Question. The poem includes voices of men, women and all people together.
Answer: True
Explanation: Men sing first, women sing next, and finally everyone sings together as a chorus.

Question. The poem features musical imagery like cymbal, pipe, flute and drum.
Answer: True
Explanation: These musical instruments are mentioned to show the cheerful celebration during harvest time.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Why do the farmers praise the God of rain?
Answer: The farmers hail the God of rain because his rain and dew nourished their crops and helped them grow. Without rain, the fields would remain dry and barren. They are grateful for his mercy that “cherished our furrows” and “fostered our grain.”
Explanation: Rain gives water to dry fields so that crops can grow big and green.

Question. Who is being invoked in this stanza and why?
Answer: Earth or nature is being addressed as the source of life and blessings.
Explanation: The villagers pray to God and Mother Earth because they give life and help crops grow.

Question. To whom do we present a hymn?
Answer: We offer a hymn to God or a divine power as a mark of respect and gratitude.
Explanation: A hymn is a holy song sung to thank God for blessings.

Question. Which poetic device is used in the line 'Sweet and omnipotent mother, O Earth!' and what effect does it produce?
Answer: Personification is used and it creates a vivid image of Earth as a caring mother.
Explanation: Personification means talking about the earth as if it were a real living mother.

Question. Why has the poet structured the poem as voices of men, women, and all voices?
Answer: The poet presents the poem in different voices to show: a) Unity in gratitude, b) Equal participation of men and women, c) Collective thanksgiving of the entire community. It creates the effect of a choral hymn sung by the whole village.
Explanation: When all villagers sing together, it shows that everyone is thankful to God as one big family.

Question. Imagine you are one of the villagers. Write two lines you would include to this hymn of thanksgiving.
Answer: “We thank thee for thy light and rain, Thy blessings bring our harvest gain.”
Explanation: These two rhyming lines say thank you to God for sunshine and water.

Question. State one reason why the women describe the Earth as a 'source of manifold gladness'.
Answer: The women call Earth a “source of manifold gladness” because she provides food, nourishment, and prosperity in many forms, bringing happiness and well-being to all.
Explanation: Mother Earth gives many tasty grains and fruits that make all families joyful.

Question. Explain the significance of the musical imagery in the final line.
Answer: Musical imagery highlights celebration and worship through sound and rhythm.
Explanation: Playing cymbals and singing shows that prayer is full of joy and music.

Question. How does the description 'O giver of mellowing radiance' help us realize Surya's role in the harvest?
Answer: The description “O giver of mellowing radiance” helps us understand that Surya (the Sun) provides gentle warmth and light that ripen the crops. His soft, life-giving rays help the grains mature and become ready for harvest. Thus, Surya plays an essential role in nourishing and completing the growth of the crops.
Explanation: The sun gives soft warmth that turns green crops into sweet, ripe food ready to eat.

Question. What does the phrase 'We bring thee our songs and our garlands for tribute' indicate about the people's feelings?
Answer: It suggests reverence, gratitude, and respect towards nature for its blessings.
Explanation: Offering flowers and songs shows how much the people love and respect nature.

Question. Pick out any two adjectives from the given extract.
Answer: Sweet, omnipotent
Explanation: Adjectives are describing words, and these two words describe Mother Earth.

Question. India celebrates many harvest festivals. When is the harvest festival celebrated in your state, and how is it celebrated?
Answer: In my region (Rajasthan/North India), the harvest festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in January. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. People fly kites, prepare sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery like til ke laddu and gajak, and take holy dips in rivers. It is a time of joy, thanksgiving, and sharing happiness with family and neighbours.
Explanation: Harvest festivals celebrate the cutting of fresh crops with yummy food, kite flying, and prayers.

Question. What emotions are expressed in this extract?
Answer: Feelings of devotion, respect and reliance on nature/divinity.
Explanation: The people feel thankful, loving, and humble before God.

Question. What is being called as 'wealth of our valleys'? Why?
Answer: The phrase “wealth of our valleys” refers to the newly harvested crops and grains. It is called wealth because the harvest is the farmers’ main source of income, food, and prosperity. Their riches lie in their fertile fields.
Explanation: Freshly grown food in the fields is the real treasure that keeps everyone healthy and rich.

Question. Identify and explain the poetic device in the line: 'Thine is the womb where our wealth have birth.'
Answer: Metaphor Earth's womb symbolizes fertility and the source of wealth/riches.
Explanation: The earth is compared to a mother's womb because seeds grow inside the soil like babies.

Question. Who is being praised in this extract?
Answer: Earth is being addressed as the nurturing mother.
Explanation: The women praise Mother Earth for feeding all humans and animals.

Question. Why is the poem composed as a hymn?
Answer: The poem is presented as a hymn because it is a song of praise and thanksgiving offered to divine powers. It expresses devotion, gratitude, and reverence, just like a religious hymn sung in worship.
Explanation: A hymn is like a church or temple song meant to say thank you to God.

Question. What is signified by 'our lives and our labours'?
Answer: The people offer their lives and hard work as tribute to nature's generosity.
Explanation: The farmers offer their daily hard work in the fields back to God with love.

Question. Name the natural forces personified in the poem.
Answer: Earth, Surya (Sun), Rain, Dew, Life are personified in the poem.
Explanation: The poem describes the Sun, Rain, and Earth as if they were living gods with feelings.

Question. Why do we sing it?
Answer: We offer a hymn to express gratitude, devotion, praise, and thanksgiving for blessings received.
Explanation: We sing hymns to show God that we are very grateful for all good things in life.

Question. How do these lines celebrate the importance of nature in human life?
Answer: They highlight nature's vital role.in providing sustenance and life.
Explanation: Nature gives us the food, clean water, and fresh air that we need to stay alive.

Question. How do we know that these lines from the extract are sung as a chorus?
Answer: We know that these lines are spoken as a chorus because the stanza is marked “All Voices”, indicating that everyone (men and women together) speaks or sings the lines collectively in praise of the Lord.
Explanation: When everyone in the village joins their voices together, they are singing as a chorus.

Question. What do these lines show about the people's dependence on nature/divinity?
Answer: It shows the people's dependence on nature for survival and prosperity.
Explanation: Humans cannot grow food or live without water, sunshine, and fertile land.

Question. What emotions do the villagers express in these lines?
Answer: The speakers express admiration, reverence, and gratitude.
Explanation: The people feel thankful and amazed by how much food the earth gives them.

Question. Why does everyone in the poem give their 'labours for tribute'?
Answer: Everyone offers their “labours for tribute” to show that their hard work and success are possible only because of divine blessings. They dedicate their efforts and achievements to the Supreme Lord in gratitude.
Explanation: Farmers work very hard, but they know crops cannot grow without God's sunshine and rain.

Question. When and where do we chant a hymn?
Answer: We usually sing a hymn during religious ceremonies, prayers, festivals, or in places of worship such as temples, churches, gurudwaras, or at home during prayer time.
Explanation: Hymns are chanted during worship at temples, churches, mosques, or at home.

Question. What do the words 'plentiful bosom' and 'womb' metaphorically refer to?
Answer: 'Plentiful bosom' and 'womb' metaphorically refer to Earth's nurturing and fertility.
Explanation: These words compare the soil to a mother feeding and taking care of her child.

Question. How does the structure of alternating voices add to the poem's beauty?
Answer: Alternating voices represent community unity and diverse appreciation of nature's gifts.
Explanation: Hearing men, women, and the whole village take turns singing makes the song lively and united.

Question. How does the poet create the cheerful atmosphere of rural India at harvesting time?
Answer: The poet creates a joyful atmosphere by: a) Using bright imagery like “gold of our fields”, b) Referring to music — “cymbal, flute, drum”, c) Showing celebration through garlands, songs, and thanksgiving, d) Highlighting abundance and prosperity. All these elements reflect the happiness of a successful harvest season.
Explanation: The poem describes happy music, yellow fields, flower garlands, and thankful hearts.

Question. Name any one figure of speech and explain its use.
Answer: Alliteration 'Grant us thy succour, thy counsel, thy care' emphasises earnest plea.
Explanation: The sound 's' and 'c' repeat in 'succour', 'counsel', and 'care', which is called alliteration.

Match the Following

Question. Match the words in Column A with their proper meanings in Column B. Then, write your own sentence using each word.

Answer:

Sentences: (i) The munificent king donated generously to the poor. (ii) The beauty of the sunset was ineffable, beyond description. (iii) She held the child close to her bosom for warmth. (iv) The teacher fostered a love of reading in her students. (v) They wore garlands of flowers during the festival. (vi) The mentor gave wise counsel to the young artist. (vii) The rescue team provided succour to the flood victims. (viii) The ceremony was a tribute to the nation's heroes.

Explanation: Matching words with their correct meanings helps us understand difficult vocabulary and use them in sentences.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. The aged woman was prudent in managing her finances, making careful decisions. Synonym ________
Answer: Prudent – wise
Explanation: A prudent person thinks carefully before spending money or doing something.

Question. The traveller was dauntless in his pursuit, never fearing the unknown. Synonym ________
Answer: Dauntless – brave
Explanation: Dauntless means having no fear and being very courageous.

Question. The diamonds shined with a luminous brilliance under the light. Synonym ________
Answer: Luminous – radiant
Explanation: Luminous means full of bright, glowing light.

Question. The scientist was erudite, always finding knowledge in her field. Synonym ________
Answer: Erudite – wise
Explanation: Erudite describes someone who has studied a lot and gained great knowledge.

Question. The beauty of the landscape was ineffable, leaving the tourists in awe. Synonym ________
Answer: Ineffable – indescribable
Explanation: Ineffable describes something so breathtaking that words are not enough to explain it.

Question. The worker was industrious, never slacking in his tasks. Synonym ________
Answer: Industrious – diligent
Explanation: An industrious person works hard and does not waste time.

Question. The child's ebullient laughter filled the hall with joy. Synonym ________
Answer: Ebullient – cheerful
Explanation: Ebullient means full of energy, excitement, and happy smiles.

Question. The nurse was altruistic, tending to the patients with great care and concern. Synonym ________
Answer: Altruistic – compassionate
Explanation: An altruistic person cares kindly for other people without being selfish.