CBSE Class 8 English The Magic Brush of Dreams Worksheet Set 03

Fill in the Blanks

Question. In the final part of the poem, the tone becomes ________ as Gopi escapes, the Zamindar is defeated, and the villagers rejoice.
Answer: triumphant and celebratory
Explanation: Everyone in the village feels super happy and celebrates because the greedy landlord has finally been defeated.

Question. Twig refers to a ________ branch of a tree.
Answer: small / slim
Explanation: A twig is just a tiny, thin wooden stick that falls from a tree branch.

Question. The poem mostly follows a basic rhyme scheme, ________, which adds a rhythmic flow.
Answer: ABCB
Explanation: This means the second line and the fourth line of each verse end with words that sound like a rhyme.

Question. The man is whispering and advising Gopi to keep the brush a secret reflects his ________ nature.
Answer: careful and secretive
Explanation: The kind old man whispers softly because he wants to make sure greedy people do not steal the magic brush.

Question. Initially, the mood is ________ as Gopi uses her imagination to draw in the sand.
Answer: playful and innocent
Explanation: At the beginning, Gopi is simply a happy child having fun drawing in the dirt with a small stick.

Question. The most likely reason the man instructs Gopi to 'Paint not for wealthy ones but only for the poor' is because he ________.
Answer: wants the magic brush to be used for good and not for evil and greed
Explanation: Rich people already have plenty of things, so the brush was given to help hungry and needy people.

True or False

Question. While Gopi uses the magic brush to assist others, the Zamindar wants to use it for personal gain.
Answer: True
Explanation: Gopi is very kind and paints for poor people, while the Zamindar is greedy and only wants gold for himself.

Question. The Zamindar politely requests Gopi to paint a grand fortress and jewels.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Zamindar does not ask nicely; he shouts an order and commands Gopi like a cruel master.

Question. Gopi's magic brush attracts the attention of the powerful Zamindar.
Answer: True
Explanation: The landlord hears about Gopi's magical drawings coming to life and comes to take advantage of her.

Question. Gopi collected the rice, plucked the mangoes, and gathered the wild beans as requested.
Answer: False
Explanation: Instead of gathering food in the forest, Gopi sat under a banyan tree drawing pictures in the sand.

Question. Gopi agreed to paint treasures for the Zamindar because she was terrified.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gopi was brave and kept her promise to help only the poor, so she refused the landlord's demands.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Guess the word that means 'a tool with which paints can be picked up and brushed over a surface to make an artwork'.
Answer: Paintbrush
Explanation: A paintbrush has soft hairs at the tip that hold color so you can paint pictures on paper or walls.

Question. Guess the word that means 'following a twisting and curving course'.
Answer: Winding
Explanation: A winding road is not straight; it bends, curves, and turns like a slithering snake.

Question. Guess the word that means 'a slender tree branch'.
Answer: Twig
Explanation: A twig is a thin, tiny wooden stick that falls off a tree onto the ground.

Question. Guess the word that means 'a massive stone building or castle built with strong defenses'.
Answer: Fortress
Explanation: A fortress is a huge, strong castle where rulers lived to stay protected from enemies.

Question. Guess the word that means 'to bend the body forward as a sign of respect or gratitude'.
Answer: Bow
Explanation: People bow down by bending their heads to say thank you or show deep respect to someone.

Question. Guess the word that means 'a large and delicious meal prepared for a celebration'.
Answer: Feast
Explanation: A feast is a grand party where lots of yummy food and sweets are served for everyone to enjoy.

Question. Guess the interjection used when someone experiences sudden physical pain.
Answer: Ouch!
Explanation: We naturally shout "Ouch!" when we accidentally hurt our hand or bump our toe.

Question. Guess the interjection shouted when someone feels sudden joy or celebration.
Answer: Yippee!
Explanation: Children yell "Yippee!" when they are very happy, excited, or win a fun game.

Match the Following

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

Answer:

Explanation: The brush represents doing good deeds through art, the fortress represents being greedy, and the river kept Gopi safe.

Question. The verb 'draw' has distinct meanings in different situations. Match the sentences in Column 1 with their correct meanings in Column 2.

Answer:

Explanation: The single word "draw" can mean pulling something, soaking up water, moving forward, or catching people's attention.

Question. Match the exclamation words in Column 1 with the feelings they convey in Column 2.

Answer:

Explanation: These short words help us quickly show how we feel, such as feeling happy, surprised, or relieved.

Question. Match the magical powers described in Column 1 with the correct Speaker number in Column 2.

Answer:

Explanation: Each person in the listening exercise wished for a different magical ability, like curing sickness or flying without a car.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Who gave Gopi the magical brush and what did he tell her?
Answer: A mysterious old man sitting on a stone gave Gopi the magic brush and instructed her to paint only for the poor, not for the wealthy.
Explanation: The kind old man gave Gopi the brush because she had a pure heart, asking her to help poor people in need.

Question. What items did Gopi create for the villagers using her brush?
Answer: Gopi painted items the villagers needed, like a bowl of khichdi, a muffler for a farmer, a plough, a shawl for a grandmother, and a fan for a girl.
Explanation: She made useful things that made everyday life easier and warmer for her village neighbors.

Question. Why did the Zamindar desire Gopi's magic brush?
Answer: The Zamindar wanted to use the magic brush to get treasures, gold, jewels, and a grand fortress for himself.
Explanation: The landlord was selfish and wanted to build a giant castle filled with shiny treasures.

Question. How did Gopi escape from imprisonment in the cell?
Answer: At night, Gopi painted a winding road and a strong horse on the wall and floor, then rode away quickly to escape.
Explanation: Gopi used her clever mind and drew a living horse, leaping onto its back to ride out of jail.

Question. What stopped the Zamindar and his men from catching the girl?
Answer: Gopi used the magic brush to paint a wide, mighty river with fast and deep currents, which prevented the Zamindar and his men from chasing her.
Explanation: The water in the painted river rushed so fast that the landlord's horses could not cross over.

Question. What was the first item Gopi painted with the brush?
Answer: The first thing Gopi painted with the brush was a bowl of khichdi.
Explanation: Gopi was hungry, so the very first thing she decided to draw was a warm bowl of food.

Question. What happened when she painted the khichdi?
Answer: When she painted khichdi, the paint dried and the bowl became full of real, steaming food that everyone ate happily.
Explanation: As soon as the paint dried, the drawing became real food that filled everyone's hungry bellies.

Question. Whom did she paint a muffler for in the poem?
Answer: She painted a warm muffler for a hardworking farmer.
Explanation: Farmers work outside in the chilly morning air, so Gopi gave him a scarf to keep his neck warm.

Question. What did Gopi paint for the elderly grandmother?
Answer: She painted a soft, warm shawl for the grandmother.
Explanation: Old grandmothers feel the winter cold easily, so Gopi drew a cozy shawl to wrap around her.

Question. What was Gopi drawing pictures with before receiving the magic brush?
Answer: Gopi was drawing pictures with a stick or twig on the ground sand.
Explanation: She didn't have paper or crayons, so she used a simple tree twig to sketch in the dust.

Question. Where was Gopi sitting when she first appeared in the poem?
Answer: When she first appeared, Gopi was sitting beneath a banyan tree.
Explanation: A banyan tree is a giant tree with big shady branches where Gopi sat down to draw.

Question. What was Gopi asked to bring back at the beginning of the story?
Answer: At the beginning, Gopi was asked to gather wild beans, fetch rice, and pluck mangoes to bring home something nice.
Explanation: Her family told her to go outdoors and collect fresh food for lunch.

Question. What secret does the old man want Gopi to keep?
Answer: He wants her not to tell the villagers about the magic brush.
Explanation: He wanted to keep the brush secret so greedy people wouldn't try to take it away.

Question. What condition does the man lay down while handing the brush to Gopi?
Answer: He instructs her to paint only for the poor and never for the wealthy ones.
Explanation: The old man made her promise that only needy people would receive help from the magic brush.

Question. Identify the figure of speech used in ‘He slips the brush into her hand’.
Answer: Alliteration
Explanation: Alliteration happens when words starting with the same sound are placed close together.

Question. Identify the poetic device used in ‘The young and old all wish to see’.
Answer: Antithesis
Explanation: Antithesis is when opposite words, like "young" and "old", are used together in the same sentence.

Question. Organize the following key happenings of the poem in correct chronological order:
1. Gopi paints a bowl of khichdi, which becomes real and amazes the villagers.
2. The Zamindar orders Gopi to paint treasures for him.
3. Gopi is told to gather food but instead sits drawing pictures in the sand.
4. Gopi returns to the village with the Zamindar and his men chasing her.
5. The Zamindar throws Gopi into prison.
6. Gopi paints a road and a horse to escape.
7. Gopi uses the magic brush to paint useful items for the villagers.
8. Gopi paints a wide river, stopping the Zamindar and his men.
9. A man gives a magic brush to Gopi to paint only for the poor.
10. Gopi scares the Zamindar away, and celebrates with the villagers.
Answer:
1. Gopi is told to gather food but instead sits drawing pictures in the sand.
2. A man gives a magic brush to Gopi to paint only for the poor.
3. Gopi paints a bowl of khichdi, which becomes real and amazes the villagers.
4. Gopi uses the magic brush to paint useful items for the villagers.
5. The Zamindar orders Gopi to paint treasures for him.
6. The Zamindar throws Gopi into prison.
7. Gopi paints a road and a horse to escape.
8. Gopi returns to the village with the Zamindar and his men chasing her.
9. Gopi paints a wide river, stopping the Zamindar and his men.
10. Gopi scares the Zamindar away, and celebrates with the villagers.
Explanation: This sequence lists the events in order from Gopi drawing under the tree all the way to the final village feast.