CBSE Class 8 English The Magic Brush of Dreams Worksheet Set 02

Fill in the Blanks

Question. Gopi threatens to paint a ________ to halt the Zamindar.
Answer: beast
Explanation: A beast is a scary, roaring monster that Gopi used to frighten the landlord away.

Question. The villagers were surprised when the bowl Gopi painted was full of ________.
Answer: khichdi
Explanation: The drawing magically turned into real, steaming rice and lentil food for hungry villagers.

Question. The cold mud floor builds a sense of ________ in the poem.
Answer: discomfort
Explanation: Sitting on wet, chilly mud feels unpleasant and cold for a locked-up child.

Question. Initially, the tone of the poem is ________ as Gopi uses her imagination to sketch in the sand.
Answer: playful and innocent
Explanation: At the beginning, Gopi is just a cheerful young girl enjoying drawing by herself.

Question. The Zamindar commands Gopi to paint a ________ tall and grand, with treasures and jewels.
Answer: fortress
Explanation: A fortress is a giant stone castle where the greedy ruler wanted to live.

Question. Gopi paints a bowl of ________ to astonish the villagers.
Answer: khichdi
Explanation: Gopi painted a warm bowl of food that became real to feed poor, hungry people.

Question. This poem belongs to the ________ poetry genre, which shares a story through verse.
Answer: narrative or ballad
Explanation: A ballad is a poem that tells an exciting story filled with characters and adventures.

Question. The Zamindar demands Gopi to paint ________ and rubies.
Answer: gold
Explanation: The selfish landlord wanted precious yellow gold to make himself even richer.

Question. The man is whispering and advising Gopi to keep the brush a secret reflects his ________ nature.
Answer: careful and secretive
Explanation: The old man whispered quietly so that greedy people would not discover the magic brush.

Question. Gopi also draws a ________ for a girl to cool her down.
Answer: fan
Explanation: A hand fan is waved gently to blow cool air on someone's face during hot days.

Question. At the end of the poem, the tone becomes ________ as the Zamindar is beaten.
Answer: triumphant and celebratory
Explanation: When the villain runs away, everyone feels victorious and celebrates with a party.

Question. This poem belongs to the ________ poetry genre, which shares a story through verse.
Answer: narrative or ballad
Explanation: A ballad is a special kind of poem that tells an exciting story from start to finish.

Question. The news of Gopi's magic brush travels 'through forests, fields, and plains' because of its ________.
Answer: helpfulness and magical power
Explanation: People were so amazed that a paintbrush could make real food and clothes that they quickly told everyone.

Question. Later when the Zamindar arrives in the story, the tone shifts to one of ________.
Answer: tension and suspense
Explanation: When the mean landlord appears, the story becomes serious and thrilling because Gopi is in danger.

True or False

Question. Gopi says the creature will feast on the Zamindar and his men.
Answer: True
Explanation: Gopi warned the chasing men that her painted beast would gobble them up if they didn't leave.

Question. The Zamindar agrees to stop pursuing Gopi after she threatens to paint a beast.
Answer: True
Explanation: The threat of being eaten by a ferocious monster scared the landlord into turning back.

Question. Gopi paints the khichdi after collecting rice and beans.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gopi did not cook or gather grains; her painted picture magically became real food.

Question. While Gopi uses the magic brush to help others, the Zamindar wants to use it for personal gain. This contrast drives the message of the story.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem shows that selflessness and kindness are always more powerful than greed.

Question. The Zamindar asks Gopi to paint a grand fortress and jewels.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Zamindar did not ask politely; he shouted an order and commanded her like an angry tyrant.

Question. Gopi uses the word “feast” to stop the hunt.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hearing that the monster would "feast" on them made the soldiers run away in terror.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Gopi threatens to draw a beast to scare away the Zamindar. Justify her conduct. How would you have dealt with the situation differently?
Answer: Her action was justified because she defended herself and protected the brush without harming anyone. Alternatively, one could draw a high stone wall or a deep ditch to trap the soldiers safely.
Explanation: Gopi used a clever trick to protect herself without hurting a single person.

Question. What is the significance of Gopi partying with the villagers at the end of the poem?
Answer: It signifies the triumph of kindness, courage, and honesty over greed and tyranny, celebrating the community's safety.
Explanation: The celebration shows that when good people stay brave and united, peace and happiness return.

Question. Contrast Gopi's use of the magic brush to how the Zamindar would have used it.
Answer: Gopi used the brush selflessly to paint food, clothes, and tools for the needy. In contrast, the Zamindar would have used it selfishly to amass gold, jewels, and power.
Explanation: Gopi used magic to help hungry villagers, while the landlord wanted to hoard gold for himself.

Question. What can be learned about Gopi's character based on her refusal to follow the Zamindar's orders?
Answer: It proves that Gopi is brave, honest, and morally steadfast, refusing to let fear or threats compromise her principles.
Explanation: Gopi showed that a kind heart and a brave mind cannot be forced into doing wrong.

Question. Justify the suitability of the title of the poem.
Answer: The title is fitting because the entire story centers on a magical paintbrush that turns the hopes and dreams of poor villagers into reality.
Explanation: The paintbrush made people's wishes for food, warmth, and freedom come true like a dream.

Question. If you had the magic brush, how would you use it in modern world?
Answer: I would use it to paint homes for the homeless, meals for hungry children, clean water, and medicine for hospitals, as well as planting green trees to protect nature.
Explanation: Having magical power should always be used to heal sickness, feed people, and protect our planet.

Question. What emotion do the villagers experience when Gopi returns safely?
Answer: They feel immense joy, relief, and gratitude when Gopi returns.
Explanation: All the villagers were thrilled and thankful that their brave young friend was safe at home.

Question. Why does the poet refer to things created by Gopi’s paintbrush as ‘magic gains’?
Answer: Because whatever Gopi paints becomes real and useful, fulfilling the urgent needs of poor villagers through magic.
Explanation: "Magic gains" means wonderful, real gifts like food and clothes produced by the magical brush.

Question. What does the Zamindar’s demand for a grand fortress and jewels show about his character?
Answer: It reveals that he is greedy, selfish, and obsessed with wealth, power, and showing off.
Explanation: He didn't care about starving villagers; he only cared about looking rich in a giant castle.

Question. Explain why Gopi made the right choice by refusing to paint for the Zamindar.
Answer: She made the right decision because she remained faithful to her promise of helping only the poor, refusing to misuse magic for a tyrant's greed.
Explanation: Standing up to a bully and keeping an honest promise is always the right thing to do.

Question. Describe how Gopi showed bravery when confronting the Zamindar.
Answer: Gopi bravely looked the angry landlord in the eye, refused his orders, escaped from his prison, and cleverly threatened to paint a beast to defend herself.
Explanation: She stayed calm, never cried, and used her smart brain to defeat the mean ruler.

Question. Contrast Gopi's use of the magic brush to how the Zamindar would have used it.
Answer: Gopi used the brush selflessly to paint food, tools, and warm clothes for poor people. The Zamindar would have used it selfishly to gather gold and make himself a feared ruler.
Explanation: Gopi used magic to feed hungry families, while the landlord wanted magic only to hoard treasures.

Question. If you had the magical brush, how would you use it in today's world?
Answer: I would use it to paint food for hungry children, homes for the homeless, medicine for hospitals, and lots of green trees to heal the Earth.
Explanation: A magic brush should always be used to feed hungry people, help sick patients, and keep nature green and clean.

Question. Why does the poet use inversion in the line – ‘And for a girl, a fan.’?
Answer: Inversion is used as a poetic technique so the line rhymes with the earlier word 'man'.
Explanation: The poet changed the word order slightly so that the poem has a lovely musical rhyme.

Question. What did Gopi threaten to draw if the soldiers kept chasing her?
Answer: She threatened to paint a fierce beast that would feast on them if they continued the chase.
Explanation: She warned them that a big, scary monster would eat them up if they didn't stop following her.

Question. How did the Zamindar respond to Gopi's final warning?
Answer: He became thoroughly frightened, called off the chase, and fled with his men.
Explanation: The landlord got so scared of the painted beast that he turned around and ran away as fast as he could.

Question. What did Gopi finally paint for the village folk at the end of the poem?
Answer: She painted a joyful feast of sweets and tea, a courtyard, music, and celebration for all the villagers.
Explanation: After the bully was gone, Gopi painted yummy cakes, sweet tea, and music so everyone could celebrate.

Question. What lesson does the poem teach about the use of power?
Answer: The poem teaches that power should be used selflessly to help others, not to satisfy personal greed.
Explanation: Having special talents or power is meant for helping those in need, not for showing off or being selfish.

Match the Following

Question. Match the expressions from the poem in Column 1 with what they symbolise in Column 2.

Answer:

Explanation: The brush stands for helping others through art, the fortress represents greed, and the river kept Gopi safe.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Guess the word from the poem that means 'a large meal typically cooked for celebration'.
Answer: Feast
Explanation: A feast is a grand dinner packed with lots of delicious food to celebrate good times.

Question. Guess the word from the poem that means 'to take hold of something suddenly and violently'.
Answer: Seize
Explanation: To seize something means to snatch or grab it quickly by force.