CBSE Class 8 English Harvest Hymn Worksheet Set 03

Fill in the Blanks

Question. The ruler of the harvest is ____________.
Answer: Prithvi
Explanation: Prithvi means Mother Earth, who gives us rich fields full of vegetables and grains.

Question. The giver of rain and dewfall is ____________.
Answer: Lord Varuna
Explanation: Varuna gives water from the clouds to keep the plants fresh and green.

Question. The master of the harvest is ____________.
Answer: Lord Surya
Explanation: Surya is the sun god who gives sunshine to grow and ripen all crops.

Question. The Earth is termed “sweet and omnipotent ____________”.
Answer: mother
Explanation: Mother Earth feeds all living things with food and care, just like a loving mother.

Question. In the last stanza, All Voices join together to worship the ____________.
Answer: Lord of the Universe
Explanation: In the end, everyone sings together as one to thank the supreme God of the whole universe.

Question. The lord of the dawn is ____________.
Answer: Surya
Explanation: Surya rises early at dawn every morning to bring light to the world.

Question. The Lord of the rainbow named in the poem is ____________.
Answer: Varuna
Explanation: Varuna is the rain god, and rainbows shine in the sky after it rains.

Question. The Sun’s mellowing radiance assists in the ____________ of crops.
Answer: ripening
Explanation: Soft and warm sunshine helps raw green crops turn sweet and ripe.

Question. Farmers honour Lord Surya with cymbal and ____________.
Answer: flute
Explanation: The farmers play musical instruments like cymbals and flutes to make happy music for the sun.

Question. The giver of mellowing light is ____________.
Answer: Lord Surya
Explanation: The sun gives gentle, golden light that warms the earth.

True or False

Question. The divine is portrayed as both the Seed and the Scythe.
Answer: True
Explanation: The seed is the beginning of plant life and the scythe cuts it at the end, showing God is present in all parts of life.

Question. The Sun is described as unkind and harsh in the poem.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sun is described as kind and generous because his warmth helps crops grow.

Question. Varuna is thanked for bringing rain and dewfall.
Answer: True
Explanation: Varuna is the god of water who sends rain drops so thirsty plants can drink.

Question. Only male voices are included in the poem.
Answer: False
Explanation: Both men and women sing their own parts, and in the end, everyone sings together.

Question. The poem is structured as a hymn with distinct voices.
Answer: True
Explanation: Men sing first, women sing next, and finally everyone sings together.

Question. The Earth is called the “Queen of the forest” in the poem.
Answer: False
Explanation: The poem calls Earth the Queen of the gourd-flower and Queen of the harvest, not of the forest.

Question. The poem is a prayer of gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Answer: True
Explanation: The whole poem is a song thanking God and nature for giving plenty of food.

Question. The speakers bring garlands and songs as a gift to the divine.
Answer: True
Explanation: The villagers offer flower garlands and sweet songs to show love and respect to God.

Question. Prithvi, the Earth, is praised for her power to give life.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mother Earth nourishes seeds in the soil so they can grow into food for all humans and animals.

Question. The poem uses musical instruments like cymbals and flutes to express celebration.
Answer: True
Explanation: People play music during festivals to celebrate and share their happiness.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Who is honoured in the first stanza of the poem?
Answer: Surya (the Sun) is praised for giving light and warmth to ripen the crops.
Explanation: Surya warms the seeds and plants so that green crops turn into food.

Question. Assertion (A): The poem “Harvest Hymn” is structured in various voices, including men, women, and all voices. Reason (R): This structure shows that only men are responsible for offering thanks to the divine.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are 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) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answer: (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
Explanation: The whole community—both men and women—joins together to offer thanks, not just men.

Question. Who is the author of Harvest Hymn?
Answer: The poet is Sarojini Naidu.
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was a famous Indian writer who loved writing poems about nature and Indian life.

Question. What does “ineffable Om” denote?
Answer: It means God is beyond human comprehension or description.
Explanation: Ineffable means so great and wonderful that human words cannot fully describe it.

Question. Why is drying rice grains necessary after threshing?
Answer: To store rice grains for longer.
Explanation: Drying takes away moisture so that insects and fungus do not spoil the stored grains.

Question. How is Earth portrayed in the poem?
Answer: Earth is described as a “sweet and omnipotent mother” with a plentiful bosom that feeds all living beings.
Explanation: Mother Earth gives life to plants and provides food to all creatures like a kind mother.

Question. What farming implements are mentioned in the lesson?
Answer: Sickle, Scythe, Plough, Trowel, Rake, Spade.
Explanation: Farmers use these hand tools to dig the soil, plant seeds, and harvest crops.

Question. What is reiterated in the poem to create rhythm and devotion?
Answer: Phrases like “Thine is the bounty,” “Thine is the mercy,” and “We bring thee” are repeated.
Explanation: Repeating words makes the poem sound like a peaceful chant or song.

Question. Why do the villagers worship Varuna in the poem?
Answer: They praise Varuna (the God of Rain) for providing rain and dew that nourishes their fields.
Explanation: Without rain, farm fields would dry up, so farmers thank Varuna for cool water.

Question. Assertion (A): The poem uses nature symbols like seed, scythe, and womb. Reason (R): These symbols represent different phases of the agricultural and life cycle.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are 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) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Explanation: A seed and womb represent birth, while a scythe represents the harvest and end of a cycle.

Question. What does “wealth of our valleys” point to?
Answer: It refers to the rich harvest and crops collected from the fields.
Explanation: The real wealth of a village is not money, but the healthy food grown in its fields.

Question. What is the central theme of the poem?
Answer: The poem expresses gratitude and praise to nature and God for blessing the villagers with a rich harvest.
Explanation: The poem teaches us to always say thank you to nature and God for our food.

Question. Write one illustration of personification from the poem.
Answer: “Sweet and omnipotent mother” – Earth is given human qualities.
Explanation: Personification means treating non-human things, like the earth, as if they were real living people.

Question. Why is the poem titled a hymn?
Answer: It is called a hymn because it is a song of prayer and thanksgiving offered to the divine.
Explanation: A hymn is a religious prayer song sung to thank God.

Question. Which stanza is chanted by women?
Answer: The third stanza is spoken by women, praising Earth.
Explanation: In this part, the women sing about Mother Earth and the flowers and fruits she provides.

Question. What is the definition of “munificent”?
Answer: It means generous.
Explanation: Munificent describes someone who is very kind and gives lots of gifts freely.

Question. List the stages of paddy cultivation in order.
Answer: 1. Ploughing of soil 2. Puddling of land 3. Irrigating the field 4. Transplanting seedlings 5. Harvesting paddy 6. Threshing grains 7. Milling rice
Explanation: Farmers prepare the wet muddy field first, plant young rice grass, and later collect the grains when ready.

Question. How long does it take for rice grains to grow into seedlings before transplanting?
Answer: It takes 4–5 weeks.
Explanation: Tiny rice plants need about one month in a nursery bed before farmers move them to the main field.

Question. What does the phrase “Seed and the Scythe” signify?
Answer: It symbolises God as both the creator (Seed) and the end (Scythe) of life.
Explanation: The seed starts a plant's life and the scythe tool reaps it, showing God is at the start and end of all things.

Question. Why do villagers offer their labour as offering?
Answer: They offer their work as a sign of devotion and gratitude to God for blessings.
Explanation: Farmers work hard every day and give their work to God as a gift of love.

Question. Write one instance of alliteration from the poem.
Answer: “Bright and munificent lord of the morn!”
Explanation: Alliteration is when words close together start with the same sound, like 'munificent' and 'morn'.

Question. Give one catchy slogan to thank farmers.
Answer: “Respect the Hands That Feed the Land!”
Explanation: This slogan reminds us to always appreciate and respect farmers who grow our daily food.