CBSE Class 8 English Harvest Hymn Worksheet Set 04

Fill in the Blanks

Question. In the poem, the villagers express their gratitude by offering chants and ___________.
Answer: garlands
Explanation: The villagers sing happy songs and offer pretty flower garlands to thank nature for the harvest.

Question. The phrase "the gold of our fields" denotes ___________.
Answer: ripe crops/grains
Explanation: Ripe grains shine yellow under the sun just like shining gold in the open fields.

Question. The poem "Harvest Hymn" is an anthem of ___________ and gratitude for nature's gifts.
Answer: praise
Explanation: The poem is a devotional prayer song sung to praise and thank God for providing bountiful food.

Question. The Earth is termed "___________ and omnipotent mother" in the poem.
Answer: sweet
Explanation: Mother Earth is described as sweet and loving because she kindly nourishes and takes care of all living things.

Question. The poetic device where human characteristics are given to inanimate things is called ___________.
Answer: personification
Explanation: When we describe nature or non-living objects as if they were real living humans, it is called personification.

True or False

Question. The tone of "Harvest Hymn" is respectful and celebratory.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem is filled with joy, music, and deep thankfulness toward nature and God.

Question. In "Harvest Hymn", the Earth is addressed as a mother and provider of nourishment.
Answer: True
Explanation: The earth feeds all humans and animals like a loving mother who prepares food for her children.

Question. The poem "Harvest Hymn" mentions only masculine voices praising the divine.
Answer: False
Explanation: The poem includes separate verses for men, women, and the whole village singing together.

Question. Varuna in the poem signifies the Sun and prosperity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Varuna is the God of Rain and waters, whereas Surya represents the Sun.

Question. The line "Thou art the Seed and the Scythe" indicates both creation and end of harvest.
Answer: True
Explanation: The seed stands for the start of life, while the scythe is the harvesting tool that completes the cycle.

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 gives bright, warm sunlight that helps plants grow tall and turns grains golden and sweet.

Question. Explain how the poet uses personification in "Harvest Hymn" to portray the Earth.
Answer: The poet personifies the Earth by calling her 'queen of the harvest' and 'omnipotent mother'. The Earth is given human qualities, emphasizing her nurturing role in supporting and feeding life through her valuable resources.
Explanation: The poet describes the Earth as a kind mother who feeds everyone with plenty of food.

Question. What does the word 'tribute' signify as used in the poem "Harvest Hymn"?
Answer: In "Harvest Hymn," 'tribute' means expressing respect and gratitude by offering songs, garlands, harvest, and thanks to the deities.
Explanation: A tribute is a loving gift given to someone to say thank you for their kindness.

Question. Which stanza is sung by women?
Answer: The third stanza is spoken by women, praising Earth.
Explanation: In the third verse, the women of the village sing together to thank Mother Earth for her crops.

Question. How does "Harvest Hymn" demonstrate the connection between humans and nature?
Answer: "Harvest Hymn" depicts humans offering their gratitude to natural forces like the Sun, Rain, and Earth for a successful harvest. People acknowledge their dependence on nature and show respect through songs, garlands, and celebration during the harvest festival.
Explanation: Humans need sunshine, rain, and soil to grow food, so they celebrate and live in harmony with nature.

Question. Why is drying rice grains necessary after threshing?
Answer: To store rice grains for longer.
Explanation: Removing moisture keeps the grains dry so bugs, mold, and rot do not ruin the food.

Question. Provide any two deities praised in the poem.
Answer: The two deities praised in the poem are Surya (the Sun) and Varuna (Rain).
Explanation: The poem thanks Surya for warm sunshine and Varuna for fresh rainwater.

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 main idea of the poem is being thankful to God and nature for providing abundant food.

Question. What agricultural tools are mentioned in the lesson?
Answer: Sickle, Scythe, Plough, Trowel, Rake, Spade.
Explanation: Farmers use these hand tools to dig the soil, plant seeds, weed fields, and cut ripe crops.

Question. Give one archaic word from the poem and its contemporary equivalent.
Answer: The archaic word 'thee' is used in the poem. Its modern equivalent is 'you' (object form).
Explanation: 'Thee' is an old-fashioned poetic word that simply means 'you'.

Question. What does “ineffable Om” denote?
Answer: It means God is beyond human comprehension or description.
Explanation: Ineffable describes something so great and wonderful that words are not enough to fully explain it.

Question. Why is repetition employed in the poem, and provide an example from the text?
Answer: The poet employs repetition such as "the gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit" to highlight abundance and express gratitude. Repetition creates rhythm, emphasizes the importance of the harvest, and strengthens the celebratory mood of the poem.
Explanation: Repeating words makes the poem sound like a catchy song that everyone can easily sing and remember.

Question. Why do the villagers praise Varuna in the verse?
Answer: They praise Varuna (the God of Rain) for providing rain and dew that nourishes their fields.
Explanation: Varuna sends raindrops from the clouds so thirsty crops can drink and grow green.

Question. Who is the author of Harvest Hymn?
Answer: The poet is Sarojini Naidu.
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was a renowned Indian poet who was fondly called the Nightingale of India.

Question. What does the phrase “Seed and the Scythe” symbolize?
Answer: It symbolises God as both the creator (Seed) and the end (Scythe) of life.
Explanation: A seed starts a plant's life, and a scythe cuts it at harvest time, showing God is present in every part of life.

Question. Describe the symbolic functions of Surya, Varuna, and Prithvi as used in the poem.
Answer: Surya (the Sun) symbolizes light and life; Varuna (Rain) signifies mercy and nourishment for crops; Prithvi (Earth) stands for fertility, motherhood, and the source of all life, reflecting gratitude to nature's essential elements.
Explanation: Surya brings sunlight, Varuna brings water, and Prithvi gives the soil for food to grow.

Question. What does “wealth of our valleys” indicate?
Answer: It refers to the rich harvest and crops collected from the fields.
Explanation: The true riches of a farming village are the heaps of ripe food harvested from the fields.

Question. What does 'munificent' denote in the context of the poem?
Answer: 'Munificent' means extremely generous or giving. In the poem, it describes the Sun as generous, providing light and energy.
Explanation: Munificent means being very kind and giving away lots of wonderful gifts freely.

Question. Why is the composition called 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 song sung during worship to praise and thank God.

Question. Why do villagers present their labour as tribute?
Answer: They offer their work as a sign of devotion and gratitude to God for blessings.
Explanation: The villagers dedicate their daily hard work in the fields to God with love and humility.

Question. How long does it take for rice seeds to grow into sprouts before transplanting?
Answer: It takes 4–5 weeks.
Explanation: Tiny rice seeds grow for about one month in a small bed before farmers move them to the flooded field.

Question. Write one illustration of personification from the poem.
Answer: “Sweet and omnipotent mother” – Earth is given human qualities.
Explanation: The poem speaks to the earth as if she were a real, loving human mother.

Question. What is repeated in the poem to generate rhythm and devotion?
Answer: Phrases like “Thine is the bounty,” “Thine is the mercy,” and “We bring thee” are repeated.
Explanation: Repeating these holy words makes the poem sound like a soothing chant.

Question. What is the definition of “munificent”?
Answer: It means generous.
Explanation: A munificent person gives help, gifts, and blessings with an open heart.

Question. Write one illustration of alliteration from the poem.
Answer: “Bright and munificent lord of the morn!”
Explanation: Alliteration happens when neighboring words begin with the same sound, like 'munificent' and 'morn'.

Question. How is Earth depicted in the poem?
Answer: Earth is described as a “sweet and omnipotent mother” with a plentiful bosom that feeds all living beings.
Explanation: The earth is praised like a kind mother whose soil nourishes all living creatures.

Question. What is the value of singing hymns collectively in the poem?
Answer: Singing hymns collectively unites the villagers in worship and gratitude, emphasizing community spirit and shared joy. It shows that harvest is a communal event where everyone thanks the divine forces for prosperity and well-being.
Explanation: When the entire village sings together, it shows they love and support each other as one big family.

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, plant young rice grass, and harvest and clean the grains when ready.

Question. Offer one creative slogan to thank farmers.
Answer: “Respect the Hands That Feed the Land!”
Explanation: This slogan teaches us to always respect and thank the hardworking farmers who grow our daily meals.