Maharashtra Board Class 8 English Unit 2 Chapter 2.1 Vocation Solutions

Class 8 English Chapter 2.1 Vocation Textbook Questions and Answers

Warming Up

Question 1. Pick out the words that refer to 'means of living' and fill them in the web:
(profession / recreation / occupation /job / pastime / employment / hobby / career / entertainment /mission/ trade / business / sports / retirement / placement)
Answer: The words that refer to 'means of living' are:

• Profession
• Occupation
• Job
• Employment
• Career
• Trade
• Business
• Placement

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to identify words from a list, carefully consider the definition of the target concept (here, 'means of living') and select only those words that directly fit it, excluding related but distinct terms like hobbies or leisure activities.

Means Of Living Diagram

• Means of Living
• Vocation

Answer:

Means Of Living Diagram (Detailed)

• Means of Living
• occupation
• profession
• job
• business
• vocation
• trade
• mission
• employment
• career

2. Using A Good Dictionary, Find The Shades Of Difference In The Following:

2.1 Vocation Questions And Answers

Question 1. Profession
Answer: 'Profession' refers to a paid occupation, especially one that involves pro-longed training and a formal qualification. It often requires specialized knowledge and ethical standards.
In simple words: A profession is a job that needs a lot of special training and a formal degree, like being a doctor or a lawyer.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining terms, always include key characteristics like "paid occupation," "pro-longed training," and "formal qualification" to score full marks.

Vocation Poem Class 8 Questions And Answers Maharashtra Board

Question 2. Vocation
Answer: 'Vocation' refers to an occupation for which a person is specially drawn or suited. It often feels like a calling or a natural fit for one's talents.
In simple words: A vocation is a job you feel naturally good at and passionate about, almost like it's your calling.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish 'vocation' from 'profession' by emphasizing the personal inclination and suitability rather than just formal training.

Question 3. Business
Answer: 'Business' refers to the activity of buying or selling goods or services; a commercial activity done by a person at his own risk. Understanding the risks involved is crucial for any business venture.
In simple words: Business is when someone buys and sells things or offers services to make money, taking their own chances.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining terms, always include the core activity and key characteristics like 'risk' or 'earning'.

Question 4. Occupation
Answer: 'Occupation' refers to a person's usual or principal work or business, especially as a means of earning a living. It's how people spend their time to support themselves.
In simple words: An occupation is a person's main job or work that they do to earn money and live.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between 'business' (activity) and 'occupation' (person's work) by focusing on the 'person's usual work' aspect for occupation.

Question 3. When a word is formed from a sound associated with it, it is called an Onomatopoetic Word. For example : bang, tap, tinkle. crash, whistle etc. If an Onomatopoetic word occurs in the lines of a poem, the Figure of Speech in that line is Onomatopoeia. Write down eight to ten Onomatopoetic words on your own.
Answer:
1. buzz
2. whoosh
3. clang
4. chirp
5. clap
6. howl
7. hiss
8. grunt
9. purr
10. quack
These words help make writing more vivid and engaging by imitating sounds.
In simple words: Onomatopoetic words are words that sound like what they describe, like "buzz" for a bee or "quack" for a duck.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, list a variety of onomatopoetic words and ensure they clearly mimic a sound.

Question 1. Which of the following words / phrases match in meaning to the underlined ones?
(a) deserted
Answer:
In simple words: This question asks you to find words or phrases that have the same meaning as the underlined ones.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching meanings, carefully read the context of the underlined word and consider synonyms that fit best.

Vocation Poem Class 8 Questions And Answers State Board

Question 1. nobody takes him to task
Answer: scolds and corrects, ensuring accountability for actions.
In simple words: If nobody takes someone to task, it means they are not scolded or corrected for their actions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about phrases, identify the core meaning of the phrase in the context of the poem.

Vocation Question Answer Class 8

Question 2. if he gets baked in the sun
Answer: exposed to heat, which can be intense under the sun.
In simple words: To be "baked in the sun" means to be exposed to its heat, often for a long time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand common idioms and phrases to correctly interpret their meaning in context.

Vocation Chapter 2.1 Question Answer

Question 3. ..............chasing the shadows with my lantern
Answer: following imaginary goals, which often leads to fruitless efforts.
In simple words: Chasing shadows with a lantern implies pursuing something that isn't real or achievable, like imaginary goals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Metaphorical phrases often describe abstract concepts; identify the underlying meaning rather than the literal one.

Class 6 English Vocation Questions And Answers

Question 4. The lane is dark and lonely
Answer: deserted, creating a sense of isolation.
In simple words: A dark and lonely lane suggests it is empty and without people, meaning it is deserted.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive words in the question to infer the most appropriate synonym or related concept for the answer.

Class 6 English Vocation Question Answer

Question 5. he soils his clothes with dust .............
Answer: dirties the clothings, making them unclean and requiring washing.
In simple words: When someone soils their clothes with dust, it means they make their clothes dirty.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blank or completion questions, find the word or phrase that best completes the given statement based on the text.

Question 6. There is no road he must take
Answer: no particular route, granting complete freedom of movement.
In simple words: This phrase suggests freedom from strict paths or obligations, allowing one to choose their own way, meaning there is no particular route they must follow.

🎯 Exam Tip: When an answer is implied or part of a matching exercise, ensure you connect the correct phrase to the given statement.

Question 2. Read the poem and fill in the table.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling tables based on a poem or passage, read each stanza carefully to identify who is doing what and when, ensuring all details are accurately placed in the correct columns and rows.

Question 3. Think and answer in your own words:
Answer: Please refer to the poem and use your imagination to answer this question in your own words. This encourages personal interpretation and understanding of the text.
In simple words: Use your own thoughts and ideas based on the poem to create your answer.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions asking you to answer in your own words, always start by understanding the core theme or event from the poem, then express it using simple, clear language without copying lines directly from the text.

Question a. What could be the age group of the speaker in the poem?
Answer: The speaker in the poem is a young school-going boy. He is likely in elementary school, observing the world around him.
In simple words: The speaker is a young boy who goes to school.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a character's age or background, infer from their actions or observations mentioned in the poem.

Question b. What is the difference between a hawker and a shopkeeper?
Answer: The difference between a hawker and a shopkeeper is that a hawker does not have a fixed shop. He goes from street to street selling his wares. A shopkeeper has a fixed shop and people who want to buy his goods must go to his shop. This distinction highlights their different business models and customer interactions.
In simple words: A hawker moves around to sell things, while a shopkeeper stays in one fixed shop.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define each term and then state the key contrasting points to show the difference effectively.

Question c. How do parents react when they see children soil their clothes in dust and heat?
Answer: When parents see their children exposed to heat or soil their clothes in the dust, they scold them and stop them from doing it. Their reaction stems from concern for the child's well-being and appearance.
In simple words: Parents scold their children and stop them from playing in the dust and heat when their clothes get dirty.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the immediate reaction and the underlying reason for the parents' behavior as described in the text.

Question d. Why is the street light compared to a one-red-eyed-giant?
Answer: The street light is very tall and has a single red light at the top. Hence it is compared to a giant with one red eye. This vivid comparison helps the reader visualize the street light from a child's perspective.
In simple words: The street light is tall with one red light, making it look like a giant with a single red eye.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a comparison, identify the shared characteristics between the two things being compared.

Question e. What exactly does the speaker in the poem crave for?
Answer: The speaker in the poem, who is a young school-going boy, craves for complete freedom to do whatever he wants and whenever he wants. He wants freedom from authority. He wants to lead a carefree life. This desire for autonomy is a common theme in childhood.
In simple words: The speaker wants complete freedom to do anything he wishes, without rules or being told what to do.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the core desire or longing of the character and elaborate on its different aspects as presented in the poem.

Question f. Does the poet really wish to become a hawker/gardener/watchman? Justify your response.
Answer: The poet does not really wish to become a hawker/gardener/watchman. He is childish and sees only what he thinks is their 'carefree' life. He does not see the difficulties. He actually only craves for complete freedom from authority.
In simple words: The poet doesn't truly want these jobs; he just sees the freedom they offer, not the hard parts, because he's a child.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to justify, clearly state your stance (yes/no) and then provide specific reasons from the poem to support your answer.

4. Say why the speaker of the poem wishes to be:

Question a. Hawker:
Answer: The speaker in the poem feels that there is nothing to hurry the hawker. There is no fixed road he must travel by, no place that he must go to and no time when he must get back home. The speaker feels he is lucky and hence he wishes to be a hawker. It means that the speaker wants to be free to do what he wants and go where he wants to, without any restrictions.
In simple words: The speaker wants to be a hawker because they seem to have no schedule, no fixed path, and no one telling them what to do, offering complete freedom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific freedoms or lack of restrictions associated with each profession as perceived by the speaker in the poem.

Question b. Gardener:
Answer: The speaker in the poem sees that the gardener in the nearby house is digging the ground. He does what he likes with his spade. He is free to get his clothes soiled with mud, get baked in the sun or get wet. No one scolds him. Hence the speaker wishes to be a gardener so that he is able to enjoy freedom in the open without any restrictions.
In simple words: The speaker wants to be a gardener because they can play in the dirt, get wet, and work outside without anyone scolding them, enjoying freedom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the sensory details (mud, sun, wet) and the absence of scolding as key reasons for the speaker's desire to be a gardener.

Question c. Watchman:
Answer: The speaker is in his bed. Through the open window, he can see the watchman walking up and down the dark and lonely street with a lantern in his hand. The speaker is resentful that he has to go to bed. He thinks that the watchman never goes to bed in his life. Hence he wishes to become a watchman and walk up and down in the dark street at night, having fun chasing the shadows with his lantern.
In simple words: The speaker wants to be a watchman because they get to stay up late, walk around at night, and play with a lantern, unlike the speaker who has to go to bed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the contrast between the speaker's forced bedtime and the watchman's perceived freedom to stay up and explore the night.

Question 5. Pick outlines that contain Alliteration. Simile, Repetition, Onomatopoeia:
Answer:
(a) Alliteration:
(i) 'I can see through the gate the gardener digging the ground.' Repetition of the sound of the letter 't' and 'g'.
(ii) 'He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes...' Repetition of the sound of the letter 'h'.
(iii) 'nobody takes him to task' Repetition of the sound of the letter 't'.
(b) Simile:
'The street lamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.' The street lamp is directly compared to a giant, using the word 'like'.
(c) Repetition:
(i) The words 'Bangles, crystal bangles' are repeated to create images in our mind of the hawker.
(ii) The words 'no' and 'nobody' are repeated for emphasis.
(d) Onomatopoeia:
'the gong sounds ten' : the word 'gong' is an onomatopoeic word formed from the sound associated with it. Understanding these figures of speech helps in appreciating the beauty and depth of poetry.
In simple words: This question asks to identify examples of different poetic devices like alliteration (repeated sounds), simile (comparison using 'like' or 'as'), repetition (words or phrases repeated), and onomatopoeia (words that sound like what they describe).

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying figures of speech, always provide the exact phrase from the text and clearly explain why it fits the definition of that figure of speech. For example, for simile, point out the comparison and the word 'like' or 'as'.

Question 6. Some poets do not use uniformity in rhyming words, nor a steady rhythm. Such poems with no uniformity in rhyme, rhythm, length of lines, or stanzas are called Free Verse. Walt Whitman, Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, Rabindranath Tagore are some famous poets who have composed poems in Free Verse. A quick glance at the poem Vocution' reveals that the style used by Tagore is Free Verse. Now turn the pages of your textbook and see if you can find other poems in Free Verse.
Answer: Free Verse is a style of poetry that does not follow a regular rhyme scheme, rhythm, or fixed line length, allowing poets more freedom in expression. Poets like Walt Whitman, Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and Rabindranath Tagore are well-known for their contributions to Free Verse. To find other poems in Free Verse, students should explore their textbook and look for poems that do not have a consistent rhyming pattern or a strict beat.
In simple words: Free Verse is poetry without strict rules for rhyme or rhythm, giving poets more freedom. Many famous poets use it, and you can find examples by looking for poems in your book that don't rhyme or have a steady beat.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about poetic forms like Free Verse, define its key characteristics (no fixed rhyme, rhythm, or line length) and name a few prominent poets associated with it. This shows a comprehensive understanding.

Question 7. 'occupation/profession/business would you like to take up in the future? Prepare a fact file for the same using the following points.
Answer: To prepare a fact file for a future occupation, profession, or business, one should consider various aspects. This includes researching the required education and skills, typical daily tasks, potential earnings, job outlook, and the impact it has on society. Students should gather information on their chosen field, such as a doctor, engineer, artist, or entrepreneur, and organize it under relevant headings to create a comprehensive overview.
In simple words: To make a fact file about your dream job, research what you need to study, what the job involves, how much it pays, and if there will be many jobs in the future.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions requiring a "fact file" or "report," always structure your answer with clear headings or bullet points covering key aspects like qualifications, responsibilities, salary, and future prospects. Even if points are not provided, anticipate what information would be relevant.

Question 1.
1. Name of the vocation / profession / business ..........
2. Educational qualifications required ..........
3. Work profile/description...........
4. Opportunities for advancement
5. our personal skills/talents for the choice
Answer:
1. Name of the vocation/profession/business: Engineering
2. Educational qualifications required: B.E/B.Tech
3. Work profile/description: Setting up of projects/setting up_plants/inventing new instruments and machines. This field offers continuous innovation.
4. Opportunities for advancement: Excellent in a developing country like India
5. Your personal skills/talents for the choice: My interest in seeing how various machines work and my talent in repairing simple instruments.
In simple words: This question asks you to describe a chosen profession by detailing its name, required education, job tasks, career growth, and personal skills needed for it.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to provide details for a list of items, ensure each point is addressed clearly and concisely, using relevant keywords for the chosen profession.

Question 8. Read and understand the following poem paper Boats' and write its paraphrase in your own simple language. (You may take the help of a dictionary or the internet.) The first line is done for you. (Day after day. one after another. I sail paper boats on the stream of flowing water.)
Answer:
Paper Boats
Day after day, one after another, I sail paper boats on the stream of flowing water. I write my name and the name of my village on the boats in big black letters. I hope that someone in some strange land will find them and know who I am. I fill my little boats with 'shiuli' flowers and hope that these flowers which I have picked at dawn will be carried safely to land in the night.
I set my paper boats in motion and look up at the sky. The little clouds have white bulging tails behind them that look like the sails of a boat. I do not know if there is a young child like me up in the sky, who wants to play with me, and sends his boats down through the air to race with my boats. The speaker finds joy in this imaginative play.
In simple words: This is a paraphrase of the poem 'Paper Boats', where the speaker describes sailing paper boats with their name and village written on them, hoping they reach a distant land. They also imagine a child in the sky playing a similar game with clouds.

🎯 Exam Tip: When paraphrasing a poem, break it down stanza by stanza or idea by idea. Use your own words to explain the meaning, ensuring you capture the original sentiment and imagery.

When it is night, I bury my face in my arms and dream that my paper boats are floating in the air under the stars at midnight. The fairies who bring sleep are sailing in them, and they are filling their baskets with dreams.

Class 8 English Chapter 2.1 Vocation Additional Important Questions And Answers

Choose The Correct Alternative And Rewrite The Complete Sentence:

Question 1. The hawker is advertising aloud for selling metal bangles/crystal bangles.
Answer: The hawker is advertising aloud for selling crystal bangles. The hawker's call is a common sound in many neighborhoods, bringing goods directly to people's homes.
In simple words: The hawker is shouting loudly to sell crystal bangles, not metal ones.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to specific details mentioned in the poem or text to choose the correct option. Always rewrite the full sentence as instructed.

Question 2. The narrator/The gardener is scolded if he gets dirty.
Answer: The narrator is scolded if he gets dirty. This highlights the contrast between the child's desire for freedom and the rules they must follow.
In simple words: The child telling the story gets scolded when they get dirty, not the gardener.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the main character or speaker in the poem to correctly answer questions about their actions or experiences.

Question 3. The speaker in the poem is a young school-going boy/an adult going to work.
Answer: The speaker in the poem is a young school-going boy. His observations and desires reflect a child's perspective on different vocations.
In simple words: The person speaking in the poem is a young boy who goes to school, not an adult.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the perspective of the narrator in a poem to correctly identify their age or role.

Complete The Following:

Question 1. The difference between a hawker and a shopkeeper is _____.
Answer: The difference between a hawker and a shopkeeper is that a hawker does not have a fixed shop. He goes from street to street selling his wares, bringing goods directly to customers. A shopkeeper has a fixed shop and people who want to buy his goods must go to his shop.
In simple words: A hawker moves around to sell things, while a shopkeeper stays in one place in their shop.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to differentiate between two terms, clearly state the defining characteristics of each and highlight their contrasting features.

Question 2. When parents see their children exposed to heat or soil their clothes in the dust, they _______.
Answer: scold them and stop them from doing it. Parents often worry about their children's well-being and cleanliness.
In simple words: Parents get upset and tell their children to stop playing in the dirt or heat because they don't want them to get dirty or hurt.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about parental reactions, remember to include both the action (scolding/stopping) and the underlying reason (concern for well-being). For fill-in-the-blank questions, ensure your answer completes the sentence logically and grammatically.

Question 3. The watchman is accompanied by _______.
Answer: his lantern and his shadow. These are his constant companions during his nightly rounds.
In simple words: The watchman is always with his lantern, which lights his way, and his shadow, which follows him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive details in the poem. The watchman's companions are symbolic of his solitary work and the tools of his trade.

Question 4. The street lamp appears to be _______.
Answer: a giant with one red eye in its head. This vivid imagery helps us imagine the lamp's appearance in the dark.
In simple words: The street lamp looks like a huge creature with a single red light, shining brightly in the darkness.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about descriptions, use the exact imagery from the poem. Metaphors and similes are key to understanding how objects are portrayed.

Question 5. Analysis/Appreciation Of The Poem
Answer:1. Poem and poet: 'Vocation' by Rabindranath Tagore 2. Theme: The longing of a young boy for freedom. 3. Tone: direct; full of craving 4. Structure and stanzas: Stanzas of unequal length; the number and length of lines vary. 5. Rhyme and Rhythm: No rhymes or rhythm; the poem is in Free Verse. 6. Language and Imagery: Simple and direct; vivid images of the hawker, the gardener and the watchman. 7. Figures of Speech: Alliteration, Simile, Repetition, Onomatopoeia. The poem 'Vocation' by Rabindranath Tagore explores a young boy's longing for freedom, using direct language and vivid imagery.
In simple words: This poem, 'Vocation' by Rabindranath Tagore, is about a young boy who wishes he could be free like the people he sees working. It uses simple words and strong pictures to show his desire for a life without rules, and it doesn't rhyme.

🎯 Exam Tip: For poem analysis, always include the poem's title and poet. Break down your answer into key aspects like theme, tone, structure, rhyme, language, and figures of speech to ensure a comprehensive response.