CBSE Class 8 English Spectacular Wonders Worksheet Set 03

Fill in the Blanks

Question. The Sundarbans help prevent coastal ________.
Answer: erosion
Explanation: Coastal erosion happens when rough sea waves wash away land, but strong tree roots hold the soil tightly.

Question. Cars at the Magnetic Hill appear to roll uphill due to an _____________ illusion.
Answer: optical
Explanation: An optical illusion is a trick on your eyes where things look different from how they really are.

Question. The Valley of Flowers blossoms with over ________ species of exotic flowers.
Answer: 600
Explanation: During the sunny months, more than 600 types of rare and colorful flowers open up in the valley.

Question. Bioluminescence is caused by small organisms called ________.
Answer: micro-planktons
Explanation: Micro-planktons are very tiny living creatures in sea water that can make their own glowing light.

Question. The _____________ in Uttarakhand is famous for its diverse species of flowers and rare wildlife.
Answer: Valley of Flowers
Explanation: The Valley of Flowers is a high mountain park known for pretty flowers and animals like the snow leopard.

Question. The Sundarbans are celebrated for their ________ forests.
Answer: mangrove
Explanation: Mangrove forests are special coastal trees with roots that grow directly in salty water and mud.

Question. Living root bridges are formed from the ________ roots of trees.
Answer: intertwined
Explanation: Intertwined means the living tree roots are braided and knotted together tightly to make a bridge.

Question. The _____________ Beach in Odisha is famous for its special disappearing sea phenomenon.
Answer: Chandipur
Explanation: Chandipur Beach is famous because the ocean water moves far back twice every day.

Question. The Magnetic Hill is also called 'The Phenomenon That Defies ________'.
Answer: Gravity
Explanation: Gravity pulls things downward, but on this hill cars look like they are rolling upward on their own.

Question. The _____________ in Kerala is a natural wonder known for its shining waters at night.
Answer: Kumbalangi waters
Explanation: Kumbalangi is a peaceful village in Kerala where sea water sparkles with bright blue light in the dark.

Question. Each colour on the Rainbow Mountain shows a different ________.
Answer: time in history
Explanation: Each colored stripe of rock was formed during a different time in Earth's history millions of years ago.

Question. The living root bridges are an example of indigenous _____________ that have been used for hundreds of years.
Answer: engineering
Explanation: Indigenous engineering means clever building ideas developed by local tribal people using natural trees.

Question. The rainbow shades of the mountain in Peru are due to different ________.
Answer: minerals
Explanation: Natural minerals inside the soil, like iron, give the mountain stripes of red, yellow, and green.

Question. The Chandipur beach is renowned for its ________ sea.
Answer: disappearing
Explanation: It is called the disappearing sea because the water rolls back out of view during low tide.

Question. The disappearing sea phenomenon is seen at ________ Beach in Odisha.
Answer: Chandipur
Explanation: Visitors can walk onto the dry seabed at Chandipur Beach when the sea water recedes.

True or False

Question. The Lonar Crater Lake was formed by a meteorite collision.
Answer: True
Explanation: A big space rock crashed into the ground long ago and made a huge round bowl that filled with water.

Question. The Sundarbans is situated in the northern part of India.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sundarbans is located in the eastern part of India, in the state of West Bengal.

Question. The Sundarbans are a habitat for the Bengal tiger.
Answer: True
Explanation: The thick mangrove forest of the Sundarbans is the world-famous home of the Royal Bengal tiger.

Question. The Valley of Flowers is found in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Valley of Flowers is located in Uttarakhand, not Himachal Pradesh.

Question. Bioluminescence is produced by a high concentration of micro-planktons.
Answer: True
Explanation: When millions of tiny sea planktons come together, their natural light makes the water glow.

Question. The Rainbow Mountain is situated in the Republic of Peru.
Answer: True
Explanation: The famous mountain with colourful rainbow stripes is high up in the mountains of Peru.

Question. The sea at Chandipur Beach can recede by 2-5 km during high tide.
Answer: False
Explanation: The sea moves far away during low tide (ebb tide), and comes back during high tide.

Question. Magnetic Hill in Ladakh creates a trick where vehicles move uphill on their own.
Answer: True
Explanation: The shape of the nearby slopes tricks our eyes so cars look like they are rolling uphill.

Question. The name of Sundarbans is taken from Sundari trees that are in large numbers.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sundari trees grow everywhere in this forest and give the Sundarbans its name.

Question. Living root bridges can last always without any maintenance.
Answer: False
Explanation: Local villagers must care for the tree roots and guide them so the bridges stay strong.

Question. Magnetic Hill is recognized as 'The Phenomenon That Defies Gravity'.
Answer: True
Explanation: It is famous because cars appear to roll uphill against the normal pull of gravity.

Question. The Living Root Bridges are built using steel and concrete.
Answer: False
Explanation: These bridges are grown naturally from living tree roots without any steel or concrete.

Question. The Magnetic Hill is known for its impact on gravity.
Answer: True
Explanation: It seems to defy gravity, though it is actually a clever optical illusion created by the landscape.

Question. The glowing effect in Kerala's waters is caused by light from underwater lights.
Answer: False
Explanation: The water glows because of tiny living creatures, not electric lights.

Question. The disappearing sea at Chandipur happens due to incoming tides.
Answer: False
Explanation: The water goes away during outgoing low tide (ebb tide), not incoming high tide.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. The Lonar Crater Lake was created by:
(a) A volcanic eruption
(b) An earthquake
(c) A meteorite impact
(d) Flooding
Answer: (c) A meteorite impact
Explanation: A meteorite falling from outer space crashed into the rocky ground and formed this giant lake.

Question. Describe the features that make the Valley of Flowers a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Answer: The Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity, home to over 600 exotic flower species, rare wildlife, scenic landscapes, and ecological and aesthetic value.
Explanation: It is protected because it has hundreds of rare mountain flowers, pretty views, and shy animals like snow leopards.

Question. The Sundarbans is primarily identified by:
(a) tropical rainforests with tall trees.
(b) mangrove forests that stabilise erosion.
(c) a desert landscape with minimal vegetation.
(d) grasslands inhabited by large herbivores.
Answer: (b) mangrove forests that stabilise erosion.
Explanation: The Sundarbans has thick mangrove roots that stop the shoreline mud from washing away into the sea.

Question. Assertion (A): The Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya can last for centuries. Reason (R): They are made of iron and concrete by local builders.
Codes: (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 bridges last for hundreds of years because they are made from living, growing roots, not iron or concrete.

Question. Where is the Valley of Flowers situated?
(a) Himachal Pradesh
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Sikkim
(d) Uttarakhand
Answer: (d) Uttarakhand
Explanation: The Valley of Flowers is situated high up in the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand.

Question. Evaluate the ecological effect of bioluminescence on local tourism in Kumbalangi.
Answer: Bioluminescence draws tourists fascinated by the glowing waters, but excessive tourism can disturb marine life and cause light pollution, impacting the delicate ecosystem of Kumbalangi.
Explanation: Many visitors come to see the blue water, but too many boats and torches can disturb the glowing sea life.

Question. What phrase is used to depict Chandipur Beach's disappearing water?
(a) Nature's miracle
(b) Optical illusion
(c) Hide-and-seek with visitors
(d) Disappearing magic
Answer: (c) Hide-and-seek with visitors
Explanation: The sea water recedes far away and comes back later, like a fun game of hide-and-seek.

Question. Bioluminescence in Kumbalangi is triggered by:
(a) pollution in the waters.
(b) a high concentration of micro-planktons.
(c) chemical reactions from local plants.
(d) artificial lighting in the village.
Answer: (b) a high concentration of micro-planktons.
Explanation: The water lights up because tiny living planktons create their own natural glow when disturbed.

Question. Assertion (A): Lonar Crater Lake is an important scientific location. Reason (R): It was formed by a volcanic eruption in recent years.
Codes: (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: Lonar Lake is very important to science, but it was formed by a meteorite crash, not by a volcano.

Question. The phenomenon at Chandipur Beach can be best explained as:
(a) a continuous tidal flow.
(b) the sea disappearing during ebb tide.
(c) a permanent drought.
(d) a tidal wave that causes flooding.
Answer: (b) the sea disappearing during ebb tide.
Explanation: During low tide, the sea retreats up to 5 kilometers, making the water vanish from sight.

Question. Analyse the cultural importance of living root bridges in Meghalaya.
Answer: Living root bridges reflect indigenous engineering, sustainable practices, and a deep connection with nature; they are living examples of community effort and cultural heritage.
Explanation: They show how local tribes have patiently worked with living trees for generations to solve travel problems.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. The word 'bioluminescence' relates to:
(a) Artificial lighting
(b) Reflection of sunlight
(c) Light produced by living organisms
(d) Solar energy
Answer: (c) Light produced by living organisms
Explanation: "Bio" means life and "luminescence" means light, so it describes living things that create light.

Question. What is the definition of the word 'exotic' as used in the chapter?
(a) Common
(b) Rare and unusual
(c) Expensive
(d) Dangerous
Answer: (b) Rare and unusual
Explanation: "Exotic" describes plants, animals, or places that are unusual, colorful, and rarely seen.

Question. What does the phrase 'in full glory' mean in the context of the Valley of Flowers?
(a) Covered in snow
(b) In its most beautiful and colourful state
(c) Surrounded by fog
(d) Destroyed by rain
Answer: (b) In its most beautiful and colourful state
Explanation: "In full glory" means appearing at its greatest beauty with all its bright flowers wide open.