CBSE Class 8 English Magnifying Glass Worksheet Set 01

Fill in the Blanks

Question. The spider creates “woven web-silk from his _________.”
Answer: spinnerets
Explanation: Spinnerets are special body parts at the back of a spider that shoot out liquid silk to spin webs.

Question. In the poem, “a myriad shells show in a _________ of chalk.”
Answer: scrap
Explanation: A scrap means a tiny broken piece. Even a tiny piece of chalk holds millions of fossil shells.

Question. The glass assists the poet to see even the tiniest thing.
Answer: tiniest
Explanation: A magnifying lens makes extremely small objects look big and clear so we can see every detail.

Question. The sudden arrival of the comet amazed the astronomers. (appear)
Answer: appearance
Explanation: "Appearance" is the noun form of "appear", which means showing up suddenly.

Question. The woven web is created by the spider.
Answer: spider
Explanation: Spiders use their silk threads to weave beautiful, sticky circular webs to catch insects.

Question. The mountain trail was barely reachable in winter. (access)
Answer: accessible
Explanation: "Accessible" is an adjective that means easy to reach or enter.

Question. A group of bees is called a hive of bees, as mentioned in the poem.
Answer: hive
Explanation: A hive is the special home where a buzzing swarm of honeybees lives together.

Question. They need to reinforce the bridge before the monsoon. (strong)
Answer: strengthen
Explanation: "Strengthen" is a verb that means to make something stronger so it does not break.

Question. The poet likens a drop of water to a hive of bees.
Answer: hive of bees
Explanation: Tiny creatures swimming in pond water move around quickly just like busy bees inside a hive.

True or False

Question. The poem suggests that using a magnifying glass can alter simple things into something magnificent.
Answer: True
Explanation: The lens enlarges tiny details so that plain objects look grand and marvelous.

Question. The poet uses a spyglass to observe small creatures.
Answer: False
Explanation: Telescopes look at far-away stars, whereas a magnifying glass looks at tiny near objects.

Question. The spider in the verse is admired for its web-spinning skill.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poet praises the spider for its deft, nimble movements while jetting web-silk.

Question. The poet believes that the magnifying glass can exceed the beauty of the object itself.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem says the glass makes the tiniest thing "more marvellous / And itself surpass."

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. What does the phrase ‘Magic talk’ signify in the poem?
Answer: ‘Magic talk’ refers to how the magnifying glass reveals extraordinary details in everyday objects, making them appear magical.
Explanation: When the glass reveals tiny hidden worlds, it feels as wonderful as magic speaking to us.

Question. What instrument does the speaker use to observe tiny things?
Answer: A speaker uses a magnifying glass to observe tiny things.
Explanation: A magnifying glass has a curved lens that makes tiny objects appear much larger.

Question. What is the central theme of the poem "Science and Curiosity"?
Answer: The poem’s main theme is the sense of wonder experienced when observing ordinary objects closely, especially through a magnifying glass.
Explanation: Being curious and looking closely at simple things helps us find beauty in the world.

Question. Identify the poetic technique in the phrase 'make more' in the lines.
Answer: Alliteration
Explanation: Both 'make' and 'more' begin with the same 'M' sound, which is called alliteration.

Question. Name two items that appear fascinating under a magnifying glass as described in the poem.
Answer: Two things are a scrap of chalk showing myriad shells and an inch of moss appearing as a forest with flowers and trees.
Explanation: Chalk shows tiny sea shells and soft green moss looks like a giant forest under the lens.

Question. Why does the poet label the glass 'magic'?
Answer: The poet calls the glass 'magic' because it reveals the hidden beauty in tiny objects that the naked eye cannot see.
Explanation: It feels like magic because it lets us see invisible shapes and secret patterns.

Question. What portion of the spider is highlighted in the poem?
Answer: The poem highlights the spider’s deft movements and its “tigerish” claws while spinning the woven web-silk.
Explanation: The poet looks at the spider's sharp claws and the spinnerets that make silky threads.

Question. Write two words that rhyme with 'glass' on your own.
Answer: Class, mass
Explanation: "Class" and "mass" end with the same '-ass' sound as "glass", so they rhyme.

Question. How does the poet use visual imagery to show the effect of the magnifying glass?
Answer: The poet uses visual imagery by comparing small things seen through the magnifying glass to grand sights, like “a myriad shells in a scrap of chalk” and “an inch of moss” turning into a whole forest, helping readers imagine objects in fascinating detail.
Explanation: The poet paints word pictures showing small chalk pieces as fossil beaches and moss as deep forests.

Question. What is the 'round lens' being referred to?
Answer: Magnifying glass
Explanation: The round piece of glass with a handle is a magnifying glass.

Question. What significance does the spider hold in the verse, and how is it described?
Answer: The spider is significant because it showcases nature’s intricate details. The poet describes how the spider “jets the woven web-silk from his spinnerets” and notes its “tigerish claws,” emphasizing close observation and curiosity about the natural world.
Explanation: The spider shows us that even tiny bugs are skilled builders with amazing bodies.

Question. Pick out an instance of a poetic device from the poem.
Answer: Simile – Like hive of bees
Explanation: Comparing water droplets to a beehive using the word "like" is a simile.

Question. Why does the poet mention “eyeing the moon” in the verse?
Answer: The poet mentions “eyeing the moon” to show that with powerful lenses, even distant celestial bodies like the moon seem within reach, echoing human curiosity and the desire to explore beyond ordinary sights.
Explanation: Curved glass lenses can look at tiny bugs nearby or bring the distant moon up close.

Match the Following

Question. Match each collective noun in Column 1 with the category it represents in Column 2.

Answer: Fleet – Things; Choir – People; Bouquet – Things; Swarm – Animals; Jury – People; Stack – Things; Team – People; Troop – Animals.
Explanation: Collective nouns are group names used for people (choir, jury, team), animals (swarm, troop), or things (fleet, bouquet, stack).

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Guess the meaning of the idiom: "He spilled the beans about the surprise party."
(a) Dropped food
(b) Shared a secret
(c) Talked loudly
(d) Became clumsy
Answer: (b) Shared a secret
Explanation: "Spilling the beans" is an idiom that means telling a secret before the right time.

Question. Solve the scrambled word from the poem: LHACK
Answer: CHALK
Explanation: Chalk is a soft white rock used to write on blackboards.

Question. Guess the meaning of the idiom: "She is over the moon about her exam results."
(a) Angry
(b) Very happy
(c) Confused
(d) Sleepy
Answer: (b) Very happy
Explanation: "Over the moon" means you feel super joyful, excited, and proud.

Question. Solve the scrambled word from the poem: SENLES
Answer: LENSES
Explanation: Lenses are curved pieces of clear glass that bend light to make things look bigger.

Question. Provide the opposite of the word 'myriad'.
Answer: few
Explanation: Myriad means countless or very many, so its opposite is "few".

Question. Guess the meaning of the idiom: "They decided to call it a day after working for hours."
(a) Take a break
(b) Go home
(c) Stop working
(d) Sleep early
Answer: (c) Stop working
Explanation: To "call it a day" means to finish work and stop doing your tasks for the day.

Question. Solve the scrambled word from the poem: TEAFRONNO
Answer: AFTERNOON
Explanation: Afternoon is the part of the day between twelve noon and evening.

Question. Give the synonym of the word 'marvellous'.
Answer: Wonderful
Explanation: Marvellous means extremely good, pleasant, and wonderful.

Question. Guess the meaning of the idiom: "He was all ears during the lecture."
(a) Not paying attention
(b) Fully listening
(c) Asking questions
(d) Feeling sleepy
Answer: (b) Fully listening
Explanation: Being "all ears" means listening with complete attention and excitement.

Question. Solve the scrambled word from the poem: SHGETIRI
Answer: TIGERISH
Explanation: Tigerish means fierce, bold, or sharp like a wild tiger.

Question. Provide the antonym of the word 'scrap'.
Answer: whole
Explanation: A scrap is a small leftover piece, so its opposite is a complete "whole".

Question. Guess the meaning of the idiom: "Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill."
(a) Be strong
(b) Climb up
(c) Exaggerate
(d) Argue unnecessarily
Answer: (c) Exaggerate
Explanation: This idiom means making a very small problem seem like a huge disaster.

Question. Solve the scrambled word from the poem: PIERNNETSS
Answer: SPINNERETS
Explanation: Spinnerets are the silk-spinning organs found on spiders.