GSEB Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 7 On the Grasshopper and Cricket Solutions

Working With The Poem

Answer the following questions:

Question 1. Discuss with your partner the following definition of a poem. A poem is made of words arranged in a beautiful order. These words, when read aloud with feeling, have a music and meaning of their own.
Answer: This statement is truly correct. Poetry is truly the wonder of words and sounds. So when these chosen words are read, they offer their own special music. This is found not only in the rhythm and rhyme, but also in the careful arrangement of the lovely words themselves.
In simple words: This statement is right. Poetry is amazing because of its words and sounds. When read, these words create their own music, both in rhythm and how they are arranged.

Exam Tip: When discussing a definition, start by clearly stating whether you agree or disagree, then provide supporting reasons and examples from the text.

Question 2. 'The poetry of earth' is not made of words. What is it made of, as suggested in the poem?
Answer: The poetry of earth is actually made from the cheerful chirping of birds in trees and the distinctive sound of a grasshopper. They sing happily without any long pauses.
In simple words: The poetry of earth comes from the happy sounds of birds and grasshoppers singing without stopping.

Exam Tip: Remember to link natural sounds directly to the 'poetry of earth' as the poem emphasizes this connection.

Question 3. Find in the poem lines that match the following:
(i) The grasshopper's happiness never comes to an end.
(ii) The cricket's song has a warmth that never decreases.
Answer:
(i) He has never done with his delights.
(ii) The cricket's song in warmth increasing ever.
In simple words: We need to find the exact sentences from the poem that mean the grasshopper's joy never stops, and the cricket's singing always feels warmer.

Exam Tip: For "match the following" questions, always quote the exact line from the poem, being careful with punctuation and capitalization.

Question 4. Which word in stanza 2 is opposite in meaning to 'the frost'?
Answer: In stanza 2, the word that means the opposite of 'the frost' is 'warmth'.
In simple words: The word that is the opposite of 'frost' in the second part of the poem is 'warmth'.

Exam Tip: Always specify the stanza when asked to find words, and double-check common antonyms related to weather conditions.

Question 5. The poetry of earth continues round the year through a cycle of two seasons. Mention each with its representative voice.
Answer: The two main seasons in a year are summer and winter. Both of these periods are rich in natural music. During summer, the main sounds come from the birds and the grasshoppers. In winter, the cricket serves as the primary singer.
In simple words: Earth's poetry happens all year in two seasons: summer and winter. In summer, birds and grasshoppers sing. In winter, the cricket sings.

Exam Tip: When asked to mention "representative voices," clearly associate each season with its specific insect or animal sound as depicted in the poem.

Gseb Class 8 English On The Grasshopper And Cricket Additional Important Questions And Answers

Select The Most Appropriate Options As Answers And Complete The Following Sentences:

Question 1. The poet of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' is ..................
A. William Blake.
B. John Keats.
C. Edward Lear.
D. Wordsworth.
Answer: (B) John Keats.
In simple words: The person who wrote the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' is John Keats.

Exam Tip: Always remember the author of the poem, as this is a common basic knowledge question in exams.

Question 2. The first stanza of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' is set in ..................
A. summer.
B. winter.
C. monsoon.
D. autumn.
Answer: (A) summer.
In simple words: The first part of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' describes the summer season.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to keywords in each stanza that indicate the season, such as descriptions of heat or specific insects.

Question 3. The second stanza of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' is set in ..................
A. spring.
B. monsoon.
C. winter.
D. summer.
Answer: (C) winter.
In simple words: The second part of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' takes place during the winter season.

Exam Tip: Note the contrasting imagery between the first and second stanzas to correctly identify the season depicted in each.

Question 4. The first line of the second stanza is similar to that of the first stanza because ..................
A. it is refrain.
B. it talks about same seasons.
C. it conveys the main message of the poem.
D. None of these three
Answer: (C) it conveys the main message of the poem.
In simple words: The opening line of the second stanza is like the first because both lines deliver the poem's central idea.

Exam Tip: Identify the central theme or message of the poem to understand why certain lines might be similar in their purpose.

Question 5. In the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket', one of the following lines indicates ; the eternal 'voice of nature':
A. 'From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead.'
B. 'In summer luxury-he has never done.'
C. 'The poetry of earth is never dead.'
D. The crickets song, in warmth increasing ever.'
Answer: (C) 'The poetry of earth is never dead.'
In simple words: The line that shows nature's voice lasts forever in the poem is "The poetry of earth is never dead."

Exam Tip: Look for lines that express continuity, immortality, or a timeless quality when asked about eternal themes.

Answer The Following Questions In One Sentence Each:

Question 1. Where does the grasshopper's voice run?
Answer: The grasshopper's sound travels from one hedge to another, all across the freshly cut grassland.
In simple words: The grasshopper's voice goes from hedge to hedge in the freshly mown field.

Exam Tip: Be precise about the location mentioned in the poem when describing movement or sound.

Question 2. What does the grasshopper do when he is tire out with fun?
Answer: When the grasshopper feels tired from his playful activities, he rests beneath some pleasant weeds.
In simple words: When the grasshopper gets tired from playing, he rests under some nice weeds.

Exam Tip: Highlight the specific action and resting spot of the grasshopper as described in the poem.

Question 3. When does the cricket sing?
Answer: The cricket sings during a quiet winter evening.
In simple words: The cricket sings on lonely evenings in winter.

Exam Tip: Remember that the cricket's song is associated with the stillness and cold of winter evenings.

Question 4. From where does the cricket's voice emerge?
Answer: The cricket's voice comes from underneath some stone.
In simple words: The cricket's sound comes from under a stone.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific location mentioned for the cricket's singing to ensure accuracy.

Answer The Following Questions In Two To Three Sentences Each:

Question 1. What is the theme of the poem?
Answer: The central idea of the poem is that nature always holds joy and is never sad. It continuously expresses itself through different beings like the grasshopper and the cricket. The grasshopper sings throughout summer, and the cricket performs during the cold winter.
In simple words: The poem's theme is that nature is always happy and never sad. It keeps singing through creatures like the grasshopper in summer and the cricket in winter.

Exam Tip: When asked for the theme, explain the main idea about nature's everlasting presence and how it is conveyed through the poem's characters.

Question 2. When does a grasshopper sing?
Answer: A grasshopper sings on a very warm summer day. When birds find shelter in cool shady spots, the grasshopper moves from hedge to hedge, making a sound that the poet calls nature's song.
In simple words: A grasshopper sings on hot summer days. When birds hide in the shade, the grasshopper moves around, singing what the poet calls nature's poetry.

Exam Tip: Connect the grasshopper's singing to the summer season and its role in maintaining nature's "poetry" when other creatures are silent.

Question 3. In which season, according to Keats, does one hear a cricket's song?
Answer: According to Keats, a person hears a cricket's song in winter. When it is very cold and quiet, the silence of winter is broken by a high-pitched sound. This sound belongs to the cricket.
In simple words: Keats says people hear a cricket's song in winter. When it's cold and silent, the cricket's sharp sound breaks the quiet.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the cricket's specific role in breaking the winter silence, highlighting the contrast with the summer sounds.

Read The Following Stanzas And Answer The Questions Given Below Them:

The poetry of earth is never dead: When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead, That is the grasshopper's – he takes the lead In summer luxury – he has never done With his delights, for when tired out with fun He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.

Questions:

Question (1) What is the poetry of the earth, according to the poet?
Answer: According to the poet, the continuous singing of birds and insects in all seasons throughout the year constitutes the poetry of the earth, which never truly ends.
In simple words: The poet says Earth's poetry is the never-ending singing of birds and insects through every season.

Exam Tip: Ensure your answer emphasizes the 'never-ending' aspect and includes both birds and insects as contributors to nature's song.

Question (2) What is the effect of the scorching heat on birds? What do they do then?
Answer: Due to the intense heat, birds become very weak and tired. They then seek shelter by hiding in the cool trees.
In simple words: The very hot weather makes birds weak. So, they go and hide in cool trees.

Exam Tip: Clearly state both the impact of the heat on the birds and their subsequent action as described in the stanza.

Question (3) Explain: 'he has never done with his delights'.
Answer: This phrase explains that even when the heat is extreme and all other birds are seeking safety in cool trees, the grasshopper does not stop his singing. He continues to sing joyfully and endlessly.
In simple words: This means even with extreme heat and other birds hiding, the grasshopper never stops singing his happy songs.

Exam Tip: When explaining a phrase, define its meaning in context and connect it back to the character's actions in the poem.

Question 2. The poetry of earth is ceasing never : On a lone winter evening when the frost Has wrought a silence, from the stone there shrills The cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever, And seems to one in drowsiness half lost; The grasshopper's among some grassy hills.
Questions:
(1) What brings silence in winter ?
Answer: Frost forces every living creature to remain in a warm sheltered spot. Therefore, it causes silence everywhere.
In simple words: Frost makes all living things stay warm inside. This creates silence all around.

Exam Tip: Pinpoint "frost" as the direct cause of silence and its effect on living beings.

Question (2) Where does the cricket find warmth ?
Answer: The cricket discovers warmth beneath some stone.
In simple words: The cricket finds warmth under a stone.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific hidden location where the cricket seeks refuge from the cold.

Question (3) How does the ambience in this stanza contrast with that of the first stanza of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket'?
Answer: The first stanza of the poem describes a hot summer ambiance, full of the grasshopper's vibrant, tireless song, even when birds are silent due to the heat. In contrast, this second stanza portrays a cold, silent winter evening, where the frost has hushed everything, and only the cricket's warm, shrill song breaks the stillness from beneath a stone. The key contrast is between the warmth and lively sounds of summer and the cold, quiet stillness of winter.
In simple words: The first stanza shows a hot, lively summer with the grasshopper singing. The second stanza shows a cold, quiet winter, where only the cricket's song breaks the silence.

Exam Tip: When comparing stanzas, focus on contrasting elements like season, temperature, dominant sound, and the overall mood created by each setting.

On The Grasshopper And Cricket Summary In English

On The Grasshopper And Cricket Summary:

This is a symbolic poem in which the grasshopper represents hot summer and the cricket stands for very cold winter. Every poet has been drawn towards the natural world's beauty. John Keats is no different, finding nature beautiful in all seasons, including the hot summer and cold winter. He suggests that the earth is always singing. When birds stop singing in the hot summer, looking for cool places, we discover the grasshopper singing and flying from hedge to hedge. He sings without stopping and, when tired, rests underneath some weed.