CBSE Class 8 English The Cherry Tree Worksheet Set 01

Fill in the Blanks

Question. Rakesh splashed water on the cherry tree and circled it with ___________.
Answer: pebbles
Explanation: Rakesh arranged small round stones around the baby plant to keep it safe from being stepped on.

Question. Towards the end of the ___________ season new leaves emerged on the tree.
Answer: rainy
Explanation: As the rainy monsoon season came to an end, fresh green leaves began to sprout on the cherry plant.

Question. Grandfather had a small ___________ outside the town.
Answer: cottage
Explanation: A cottage is a cozy little house built out in the quiet countryside.

Question. In ___________ fell Rakesh's birthday.
Answer: February
Explanation: Rakesh celebrated his birthday in the cold winter month of February.

Question. The soil was rocky, and dry cold winds ___________ the growth of the plants.
Answer: stunted
Explanation: "Stunted" means the harsh mountain weather and poor soil stopped the plants from growing tall.

Question. Rakesh stayed with his grandfather on the ___________ of Mussoorie.
Answer: outskirts
Explanation: The outskirts are the quiet outer borders of a town away from busy streets.

Question. ___________ grew from the trunks of trees.
Answer: Ferns
Explanation: Ferns are leafy green plants that often sprout on damp, shady tree bark.

Question. Rakesh gave ___________ paise for a bunch of cherry.
Answer: fifty
Explanation: Rakesh bought the sweet cherries from a fruit seller for fifty paise while walking back from school.

Question. They understood it was spring when the wild duck flew ___________ again.
Answer: north
Explanation: Wild ducks fly back north towards the high mountains when warm spring weather arrives.

Question. By the time summer came around and sent out several new branches with ___________ green leaves.
Answer: tender
Explanation: "Tender" means the new leaves were very soft, fresh, and delicate.

Question. She ___________ (start) her fresh job next Monday.
Answer: will start
Explanation: This action is set to begin on a day in the future, so we use the simple future tense "will start."

Question. He ___________ (work) as a tutor for ten years before he retired.
Answer: had been working
Explanation: This shows an ongoing action in the past that continued over a long period before something else happened.

Question. I ___________ (read) this story for a week and still haven't finished it.
Answer: have been reading
Explanation: This means reading started a week ago and is still going on right now in the present.

Question. The cherry tree finally grew to be ___________ feet tall.
Answer: six
Explanation: With patience and care over the years, the little plant grew into a tree that was six feet high.

True or False

Question. The cherry tree bent low with the heaviness of snow.
Answer: True
Explanation: Heavy snow piled up on the young branches during winter, making the little tree bend downward.

Question. Rakesh was ten when he began going to school in Mussoorie.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rakesh was only six years old when he went to live with his grandfather to attend school.

Question. The cherry tree withered up at the end of a winter.
Answer: False
Explanation: The tree did not dry up; instead, it surprised everyone by growing a pale pink flower blossom.

Question. Hairy caterpillar was the second guest of the cherry tree.
Answer: True
Explanation: After the praying mantis visited, a fuzzy caterpillar arrived to eat some of the tender leaves.

Question. Rakesh turned plump when he returned Mussoorie.
Answer: False
Explanation: Working hard on his family's farm made Rakesh leaner and thinner, but much stronger.

Question. Rakesh saw a V-shaped formation flying northward.
Answer: True
Explanation: A flock of wild ducks flew across the sky in a V-shape, signalling the arrival of spring.

Question. When the woman cutting grass came around, the cherry tree already had no foliage.
Answer: False
Explanation: The cherry plant had plenty of bright green monsoon leaves before it was accidentally chopped.

Question. The tree was taller than the Grandfather when a goat visited the garden.
Answer: False
Explanation: The cherry plant was very small—only about two feet high—when the hungry goat came and ate its leaves.

Question. Rakesh kept stones around the cherry tree.
Answer: True
Explanation: Rakesh placed pebbles in a neat ring around the tree so nobody would accidentally step on it.

Question. Next summer there were sugary small cherries on the tree.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first cherries that grew on the tree were very sour and bitter to eat, not sweet.

Question. The story emphasises the importance of instant results.
Answer: False
Explanation: The story teaches us that growing something wonderful takes years of gentle patience, love, and persistence.

Question. Rakesh's grandfather believed that luck only works if a person puts work into actions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Grandfather said that luck has no value if you hide it away; you must take initiative and use it actively.

Question. When the cherry tree first grew blossoms, Rakesh and his grandfather considered it a common event.
Answer: False
Explanation: They were amazed and looked at the pale pink petal as if a wonderful miracle had just taken place.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Assertion (A): Grandfather went after the woman and rebuked her. Reason (R): She made fun of Rakesh for believing that cherry seed brings luck.
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: (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Explanation: Grandfather ran after the grass-cutter because she carelessly sliced the young tree in half with her scythe, not because of what she said.

Question. Assertion (A): Field-mice sought refuge in the roof of the cottage. Reason (R): This year, the winter came early.
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: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Explanation: Winter came very early and covered everything in freezing snow, forcing the little mice to hide in the warm roof of the cottage.

Question. Reflect on how this sentence connects with the central message of the story: 'Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.'
Answer: The given line connects to the story's message that effort and patience matter more than relying on luck.
Explanation: A seed only bears sweet cherries if you plant it, water it, and protect it with your own hands.

Question. Do you concur with the statement in the extract? Justify your response with real-life or literary examples: 'Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.'
Answer: Yes, I agree because success often requires hard work and taking initiative, as seen in examples like athletes training or students studying.
Explanation: A student cannot pass exams just by being lucky; they must open their books, read, and do their homework.

Question. Provide a report of the changes that have taken place in the tree and in Rakesh by this point.
Answer: The tree has grown tall and blossomed, symbolising maturity. Rakesh has also grown older and wiser.
Explanation: The little seed became a tall blooming tree, and little Rakesh turned into a tall, capable boy.

Question. Explain the symbolic meaning of the tree being 'taller than Rakesh'.
Answer: The tree being taller than Rakesh symbolises nature's growth surpassing human scale, reflecting progress and hope.
Explanation: It shows how nature can grow so high and wonderful that it eventually stands taller than the person who planted it.

Question. Point out the tense used in the sentence: 'Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle.' Why is it suitable for the narration here?
Answer: Tense: Past Simple – It is appropriate for narrating completed actions in the story.
Explanation: Simple past tense is used because it describes an event that already took place in the past.

Question. Shed light on the theme of time and growth as shown in the extract.
Answer: The extract reflects the theme of time and growth, showing how patience leads to flourishing life.
Explanation: Months and years pass by quietly, and through caring, tiny beginnings transform into flourishing wonders.

Question. Find a word from the extract that is associated with beauty and freshness.
Answer: Word associated with beauty and renewal is 'blossoms'.
Explanation: Blossoms are soft new flowers that bring color and life to a tree after a long, bare winter.

Question. How does this scene connect to the theme of resilience explored throughout the story?
Answer: This moment shows resilience, as despite earlier hardships, the tree blooms, mirroring persistence.
Explanation: Even after bad weather and injuries, the tree stayed alive and finally showed off its lovely flowers.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Damp
Answer: Dry
Explanation: "Damp" means slightly wet, so its direct opposite is "dry," meaning having no water.

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Broad
Answer: Narrow
Explanation: "Broad" means wide from side to side, while "narrow" means thin and tight.

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Unusual
Answer: Common
Explanation: Something that is "common" can be found everywhere, while "unusual" is rare and different.

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Rough
Answer: Smooth
Explanation: A "smooth" surface is flat and even to touch, whereas a "rough" surface is bumpy and scratchy.

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Quiet
Answer: Restless
Explanation: "Quiet" means still and peaceful, whereas "restless" means constantly moving around with noise.

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Harsh
Answer: Gentle
Explanation: A "gentle" touch is kind, soft, and careful, opposite to something that is rough or harsh.

Question. Choose the correct antonym for: Lightweight
Answer: Heavy
Explanation: Something "heavy" has a lot of weight and is hard to lift, the opposite of lightweight.