CBSE Class 8 English Somebody’s Mother Worksheet Set 04

Fill in the Blanks

Question. The woman was ‘bent’ with the chill of the Winter’s day because she was __________.
Answer: slouching
Explanation: She bent her body forward because of the freezing cold wind.

Question. The pupils enjoyed the freedom from school.
Answer: freedom
Explanation: The school was over, so the children were thrilled to run and play.

Question. The poet repeats the phrase Somebody’s mother because it reflects how the old woman was once a mother who nurtured someone and now she needed someone to take __________ of her.
Answer: care
Explanation: Even old strangers are mothers who loved their children and need love today.

Question. Rohan was honoured at the Vigyan Bhawan for his incredible bravery and determination.
Answer: courage and determination
Explanation: Rohan received an award because he was brave and determined to rescue the woman.

Question. The woman was having a tough time staying afloat due to the strong currents.
Answer: strong currents
Explanation: Fast-moving river water made it very hard for the woman to stay above water.

Question. The poem uses imagery to depict scenes of a bustling street. We know this by the phrase __________.
Answer: Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
Explanation: This phrase helps us imagine a lonely person surrounded by a big, rushing crowd.

Question. The boy stood beside the old woman standing at the crossing.
Answer: paused beside the old woman standing at the crossing
Explanation: The kind boy stopped next to the shivering lady to offer his help.

Question. The passersby did not pay attention to her curious stares.
Answer: did not pay attention
Explanation: People hurried past her in the snow without looking at her face.

Question. Rohan leapt into the river to save the woman without any __________.
Answer: hesitation
Explanation: He jumped into the water right away without waiting or feeling scared.

Question. Compassion brings warmth to human bonds.
Answer: relationships
Explanation: Being kind and gentle makes people feel happy and close to one another.

Question. The main theme of the poem is kindness and empathy.
Answer: kindness and empathy
Explanation: The poem teaches us to care for elders and help anyone in need.

Question. Rohan showed that when it comes to saving lives, age is not a barrier.
Answer: not a barrier
Explanation: Even a young person can do brave and wonderful things to save someone.

Question. The verse is written in couplets with two lines in each stanza.
Answer: two
Explanation: Couplets are groups of two lines that rhyme together.

Question. The children rushed on their way.
Answer: hastened
Explanation: 'Hastened' means that the boys moved very quickly down the street.

Question. The poem tells us that the lad was ‘proud’ that his feet were strong, showing he was grateful for his ability to help.
Answer: grateful for his ability to help
Explanation: He felt glad in his heart that his strong young legs could help the weak lady.

Question. The boy was proud of his firm and solid feet.
Answer: firm and strong feet
Explanation: His feet were steady on the slippery ice, unlike the trembling feet of the old woman.

Question. A young lad helped the woman.
Answer: young boy
Explanation: A kind schoolboy stopped to guide the old woman safely across.

Question. Rohan’s act of bravery was observed by onlookers.
Answer: witnessed
Explanation: People standing nearby saw his brave rescue with their own eyes.

Question. The mood of the poem is sympathetic and hopeful.
Answer: sympathetic and hopeful
Explanation: The poem makes us feel gentle love for the old lady and hope in human goodness.

Question. The poem follows a rhyming scheme of AABB.
Answer: AABB
Explanation: The first two lines rhyme together, and the next two lines rhyme together.

True or False

Question. The school children strolled down the street laughing.
Answer: True
Explanation: The boys were laughing and having fun as they walked down the road after school.

Question. The old woman was powerful and confident.
Answer: False
Explanation: She was frail, nervous, and afraid to step onto the icy road alone.

Question. The boy expected praise for his deed.
Answer: False
Explanation: He helped the old woman selflessly without asking for any reward or praise.

Question. The school boys were like a pack of wolves.
Answer: False
Explanation: The poem compares them to a flock of gentle sheep, not a pack of wolves.

Question. The young boy’s actions were driven by a purely logical choice.
Answer: False
Explanation: His action was guided by love, kindness, and empathy from his heart.

Question. The poem emphasizes kindness.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem shows that helping someone in need brings true joy to the world.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Select the suitable meaning of 'ragged' as used in these stanzas.
Answer: (of clothes) old and torn; synonym: shabby.
Explanation: 'Ragged' means wearing clothes that are old, worn out, and torn.

Question. What does the comparison between the ‘trembling feet’ of the old woman and the ‘firm and strong’ feet of the boy emphasise?
Answer: It emphasises the difference in physical strength between the weak old woman and the energetic young boy.
Explanation: The woman was old and shaky, while the boy was healthy, steady, and strong.

Question. What is the boy most likely to tell his friends on returning back?
Answer: I’m so glad I could help her.
Explanation: He was joyful and wanted to tell his friends how good it felt to help her.

Question. Explain how the poem inspires empathy.
Answer: By showing that the old lady is somebody's mother, it teaches readers to treat all elderly people with the same love as their own family.
Explanation: When we picture our own mothers needing help, we want to be kind to every elderly person.

Question. Did anyone aid the woman? Mention supporting evidence.
Answer: No one helped her among the crowd, as seen in the line: ‘Nor offered a helping hand to her’, until the kind boy stopped.
Explanation: The crowd walked right past her until one gentle boy paused to help.

Question. Why did the old woman find it hard to cross the street?
Answer: The street was wet and slippery with melted snow, and her aged, unsteady feet made her fear falling.
Explanation: Her legs were weak and the icy pavement made it scary for her to walk alone.

Question. How does the boy’s action show true humanity?
Answer: He helped the woman selflessly without expecting any reward, guided purely by sympathy.
Explanation: He did a good deed from his heart without expecting any gifts or praise.

Question. Describe the contrast between the crowd and the lad.
Answer: The crowd walked past without caring, but the boy stopped and showed selfless kindness.
Explanation: While big people ignored her, a young boy showed real love and helped her.

Question. Identify the fact and viewpoint from the following sentences: A. The street was wet with recent snow. B. The woman was too weak to cross the street on her own.
Answer: A – Fact, B – Opinion.
Explanation: That the street had wet snow is a true fact; how weak she felt is an opinion or thought.

Question. Why should elderly people be treated with care?
Answer: They deserve dignity, care, and gratitude for their life experiences and lifelong love.
Explanation: Elders have worked hard and taken care of others, so we must show them love and respect.

Question. What does the phrase ‘ragged and grey’ signify?
Answer: The woman’s old and worn-out appearance.
Explanation: It shows that her hair was grey with age and her clothes were old and worn.

Question. Name the poetic device used in the line: ‘Should crowd her down in the slippery street.’
Answer: Alliteration.
Explanation: 'Slippery' and 'street' start with the same 's' sound, which is alliteration.

Question. Why was the old lady neglected by people?
Answer: People were busy.
Explanation: Passersby were rushing to get home or to work, so they paid no attention to her.

Question. Why was she standing at the junction?
Answer: She was standing at the crossing because she wanted to cross the road.
Explanation: She wanted to get to the other side of the road, but she was waiting for help.

Question. How can students show empathy in daily life?
Answer: By helping those in need, listening patiently, and showing kindness.
Explanation: We can help friends carry heavy bags, share toys, and talk politely to elders.

Question. How does the poem criticize society?
Answer: It shows how people often ignore the pain of others because of their own haste and selfishness.
Explanation: People were in such a hurry that they forgot to care for a struggling old lady.

Question. Who is 'he' in the lines?
Answer: He is a young boy.
Explanation: 'He' refers to the cheerful schoolboy who stopped to help.

Question. Would society be improved if everyone behaved like the boy? Why?
Answer: Yes, because empathy would replace indifference and create harmony.
Explanation: If everyone helped each other with love, the world would be peaceful and happy.

Question. State the examples from the poem for these poetic devices: Simile, Alliteration, Repetition.
Answer: Simile: “Came the boys like a flock of sheep.” Alliteration: “helping hand” and “slippery street.” Repetition: “old and grey”.
Explanation: Similes compare with 'like', alliteration repeats letters, and repetition repeats words.

Question. Justify the suitability of the title of the poem.
Answer: The title is suitable because the boy helped her thinking that she is someone's dear mother who deserves care.
Explanation: The whole poem is about seeing an old stranger as someone's precious mother.

Question. Order the incidents of the poem in the correct sequence of occurrence.
Answer: 2-6-3-4-7-1-8-5
Explanation: The lady waited alone, pupils passed, one boy offered help, guided her across, returned happy, and she prayed for him.

Match the Following

Question. Match the words from Column 1 with their fitting contextual meanings in Column 2.

Answer:

Explanation: These words from the poem match real actions like moving fast, paying attention, and offering help.

Question. Match each idiom using the word 'hand' in Column 1 with its correct definition in Column 2.

Answer:

Explanation: Idioms use the word 'hand' to describe feelings, teamwork, clapping, and being busy.

Question. Match each character or group with their key attribute from the poem.

Answer:

Explanation: The old woman felt lonely, the young boy showed pure kindness, and the crowd did not care.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Complete the analogy: The old woman : vulnerable and neglected :: The young boy : __________.
Answer: strong and helpful
Explanation: While the old lady was weak and uncared for, the schoolboy was strong and ready to help.

Question. Complete the analogy: eyes : glance :: legs : __________.
Answer: walk
Explanation: We use our eyes to glance or look, and we use our legs to walk.

Question. Complete the analogy: cold : winter :: heat : __________.
Answer: summer
Explanation: Cold weather belongs to winter, while hot weather belongs to summer.

Question. What does the word 'throng' imply in the poem?
Answer: crowd
Explanation: A 'throng' is a large group of people packed close together on a street.

Question. Complete the analogy: hurt : young :: old : __________.
Answer: aged
Explanation: 'Aged' means old, just as young people are energetic and full of life.

Question. Complete the analogy: having a lot of money : wealthy :: densely packed people : __________.
Answer: throng
Explanation: When many people stand together in one place, they form a throng.

Question. Complete the analogy: whispered : shouted :: humble : __________.
Answer: proud
Explanation: 'Shouted' is the opposite of 'whispered', and 'proud' is the opposite of 'humble'.