CBSE Class 8 English The Wit that Won Hearts Worksheet Set 02

Fill in the Blanks

Question. When the question was revealed, a few students ________, realizing it was not as easy as they had expected.
Answer: gasped
Explanation: The students took a quick, surprised breath when they saw how tricky the riddle was.

Question. The king's reaction shows that he is sensitive and ________ (has a lot of faith/takes great pride) in his poetry.
Answer: takes great pride
Explanation: The king loved his own poems very much and felt deeply hurt when he thought someone didn't appreciate them.

Question. As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a ________ of excitement spread across the classroom.
Answer: murmur
Explanation: A murmur is a soft, low sound of many children whispering together happily.

Question. Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small ________, deep in thought.
Answer: thud
Explanation: A thud is a dull, heavy sound made when a book or object hits a wooden surface.

Question. The king admits that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows ________ (intelligence and courage/maturity and self-awareness).
Answer: maturity and self-awareness
Explanation: Being able to admit your own mistakes shows that you are sensible, honest, and truly mature.

Question. Anaya ________ in relief—she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.
Answer: sighed
Explanation: Anaya let out a long, relaxed breath because she was happy to solve fun word puzzles instead of math sums.

Question. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya ________, “Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.”
Answer: whispered
Explanation: She spoke very softly so only her friends close by could hear her clever secret.

Question. A small breeze made the windows ________, adding to the suspense of the moment.
Answer: rattle
Explanation: When the gentle wind blew against the glass panes, they shook and made a short clicking sound.

Question. Complete the following with a proper explanation: When the king said, “I let my pride blind me”, he meant that ________
Answer: his pride prevented him from seeing the situation clearly.
Explanation: The king was so full of hurt ego that he could not understand that the queen was simply tired, not rude.

Question. 'So, what's the answer?' the students ________, their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
Answer: roared
Explanation: The excited children shouted loudly all together because they couldn't wait to find out the solution.

Question. Some exchanged ________, wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.
Answer: snickers
Explanation: A snicker is a quiet, half-hidden laugh when you think something is funny or doubtful.

Question. 'Think carefully,' the teacher began to ________, as she wrote a riddle on the board.
Answer: mumble
Explanation: To mumble means to speak in a quiet, low voice that is slightly hard to hear.

Question. Complete the paragraph using suitable words: Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and it (1) ________, making everyone feel uncomfortable. A clever joke was made, and laughter (2) ________ the room. The person who started the fight (3) ________. Everyone disapproved, and a (4) ________. My (5) ________ to how my mother always saved stressful moments. Without her, such moments would have (6) ________ over gatherings.
Answer: 1. cast a shadow 2. rippled through 3. stormed off 4. hush fell over 5. mind raced back 6. cast a shadow
Explanation: Clever humor can melt anger away and bring smiles back to an awkward family dinner.

True or False

Question. Tenali Rama immediately hurried to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.
Answer: False
Explanation: Tenali Rama did not rush; he carefully devised a clever plan with paddy seeds before approaching the king.

Question. The courtiers admired the king's poem and applauded his literary talent.
Answer: False
Explanation: The courtiers found the king's long poems dull and made up clever excuses to slip away.

Question. The queen insulted the king by speaking against the excellence of his poem.
Answer: False
Explanation: The queen never said anything bad about the poem; she was just sleepy and yawned naturally.

Question. The ministers in the court were thrilled to hear Tenali Rama's idea about paddy cultivation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ministers doubted Tenali Rama's idea and made fun of his special paddy seeds.

Question. The king never admitted his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.
Answer: False
Explanation: The king realized his foolish pride, felt sorry, and apologized warmly to Queen Thirumalambal.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Why did the queen believe that only Tenali Rama could assist the king to understand?
Answer: The queen believes that only Tenali Rama can help because he is witty, wise, and trusted by the king.
Explanation: Tenali Rama was clever and knew how to teach the king a lesson gently without making him angry.

Question. What strategy did Tenali Rama employ to make the king realise his mistake?
Answer: Tenali Rama used a humorous comparison with sowing seeds and yawning to make the king reflect on his actions.
Explanation: Tenali Rama waited until the king yawned during a seed demonstration to show him that yawning happens naturally to everyone.

Question. Why are traits like humour and wit important in a person?
Answer: Humour and wit help a person deal with difficult situations calmly and wisely. They make communication more engaging and help solve problems peacefully. These qualities also make a person more likable and approachable.
Explanation: Being funny and smart helps you calm down angry friends and find peaceful solutions with a smile.

Question. How did Tenali Ramakrishna achieve a special place in the king's court?
Answer: Tenali Ramakrishna gained a special place in the king's court through his quick wit, humour, and clever problem-solving skills.
Explanation: King Krishnadeva Raya valued Tenali Rama because he used intelligence and jokes to solve tricky royal problems.

Question. How did the quarrel between the king and the queen influence the palace?
Answer: The palace became dull and lifeless as the king stopped seeing the queen.
Explanation: When the royal couple stopped talking, a heavy sadness hung over the halls and nobody felt joyful.

Question. What does the queen's remark, “If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day”, suggest about her feelings?
A. She is angry at the king for overreacting.
B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.
C. She believes the poem was not worth listening to.
D. She is worried that the king might punish her.
Answer: B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.
Explanation: The queen felt sorry that her harmless yawn hurt the king's feelings and created an unnecessary quarrel.

Question. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire believed to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya's reign?
Answer: The Vijayanagara Empire was considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya's reign because under Krishnadeva Raya, art, literature, and architecture flourished.
Explanation: The kingdom was prosperous, temples were magnificent, and great poets and scholars were supported by the king.

Question. How does Tenali Rama's answer reflect his wisdom and problem-solving skills?
Answer: Tenali Rama's response shows his patience, wisdom, and ability to plan carefully before acting.
Explanation: Instead of acting in a hurry, Tenali paused to think of a smart way to make the king understand gently.

Question. Why do you imagine kings and queens preferred to have witty people among their courtiers?
Answer: Witty courtiers like Tenali Rama could lighten tense moments, offer clever solutions to difficult problems, and entertain the court. Their intelligence and humour were valuable in maintaining harmony and offering wise advice.
Explanation: Kings had stressful duties, so witty advisors kept court meetings cheerful and gave clever, honest advice.

Question. What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama revealed 'special' paddy seeds?
Answer: When Tenali Rama introduced 'special' paddy seeds, the courtiers mocked him and doubted his claim.
Explanation: The jealous courtiers laughed at Tenali and whispered that magic seeds could never really grow.

Question. Why does the queen state, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us”?
Answer: The queen says so because she wants to forgive and move on peacefully.
Explanation: She loved the king, did not hold a grudge, and wanted peace and happiness back in their lives.

Question. How does the narrative conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?
Answer: The king apologizes and peace is restored. The story teaches the value of empathy, wit, and communication.
Explanation: The story teaches us that pride can blind us, but talking honestly and using humor can heal misunderstandings.

Question. State any one quality that the queen's response to the king's apology shows about her.
Answer: The queen is forgiving and kind-hearted.
Explanation: Instead of staying angry, she accepted the king's apology with a warm and loving smile.

Question. If you were requested to solve a disagreement between two people, what approach would you take?
Answer: I would first listen to both sides patiently without judging. Then, I would try to find common ground and help them understand each other's perspectives. If needed, I would use humour or examples to ease tension and guide them toward a peaceful solution.
Explanation: Listening quietly to both sides helps people calm down so they can understand each other and make up.

Question. Have you ever experienced a situation where a small misunderstanding led to a big problem? How was it resolved?
Answer: Yes, once I misunderstood a friend’s message and thought they were upset with me. I felt hurt, and we didn’t talk for days. Later, when we spoke honestly, we realised it was just a simple miscommunication. Talking openly and forgiving each other helped us resolve the issue.
Explanation: Talking heart-to-heart with a friend clears up confusion and saves a good friendship.

Match the Following

Question. Join the words in Column 1 with those in Column 2 to make compound words:

Answer:
(i) quick — G. witted (quick-witted)
(ii) soft — C. spoken (soft-spoken) / B. tempered (soft-tempered)
(iii) common — F. sense (common sense)
(iv) house — H. hold (household)
(v) book — E. store (bookstore)
(vi) ill — B. tempered (ill-tempered) / C. spoken (ill-spoken)
(vii) sky — D. blue (sky blue)
(viii) dance — A. hall (dance hall)
Explanation: Putting two separate words together makes a brand new compound word with its own clear meaning.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. I slip away second by second, and once I am passed, no clock can turn me back. What am I?
Answer: Time
Explanation: Time moves forward continuously and cannot be paused or brought back once it has ticked away.

Question. Once spoken out loud, I fly from your lips and can never be pulled back inside. What am I?
Answer: Words
Explanation: Always speak gently, because once unkind words leave your mouth, they cannot be taken back.

Question. I am a confidential matter shared in trust; once told to someone else, I am no longer hidden. What am I?
Answer: Secret
Explanation: A secret is private knowledge, but once whispered to others, it is out in the open forever.

Question. I lie ahead of today, full of mysteries and opportunities waiting to unfold. What am I?
Answer: Future
Explanation: The future is the time that hasn't arrived yet, which we build through the good choices we make today.