Maharashtra Board Class 8 English Unit 3 Chapter 3.1 The Plate of Gold Solutions

Std 8 English Lesson 3.1 The Plate Of Gold Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Class 8 English Chapter 3.1 The Plate Of Gold Textbook Questions And Answers

Warming Up:

 

Question 1. Stories can be told even in the form of poetry. Such poems are called Narrative poems. Narrative poems do not always follow rhythmic patterns ola fixed rhyme scheme. Such poems are written ina style culled 'Free Verse.'Recall and name some narrative poems you have done/read earlier.
Answer: Students can discuss and think about the narrative poems in Free Verse done/read earlier e.g. 'Vocation' by Rabindranath Tagore. These poems often focus on telling a story rather than strictly adhering to a rhyme or meter.
In simple words: Narrative poems tell a story without needing a strict rhythm or rhyme. Students should recall examples they've read, like 'Vocation' by Rabindranath Tagore.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to recall examples, try to remember at least one specific title and author to show your understanding.

 

Question 2. Read the poem below and fill in the gaps, choosing appropriate pairs of rhyming words, to make them meaningful.
little things
Little drops of water,
Little groins of ............
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant ............
Thus the little minutes,
Humble though they ............
Make the mighty ages
Of ............
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of ............
Make this earth an Eden,
Like the heaven a ............
Answer:
Little things
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.
Thus the little minutes,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love
Make this earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.
In simple words: This poem teaches that even very small things, like drops of water or kind words, combine to create huge and beautiful outcomes, making the world a better place.

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling in rhyming words in a poem, always read the surrounding lines to understand the context and ensure the chosen word fits both meaning and the poem's rhyme scheme.

 

Question. What important messue does the aboe poem convey?
Answer: It conveys the message that even little acts and gestures are important. We must not think that something is unimportant or insignificant just because it is small. These small actions often have a big impact.
In simple words: The poem teaches us that even small actions and kind gestures are very important and should not be ignored.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, clearly state the main theme or moral of the poem and elaborate slightly on its significance.

1. Pick Out Words From The Poem To Complete The Sentences Meaningfully:

 

Question a. Stephen Hawking was a ____ (famous) Astrophysicist.
Answer: Renowned.
In simple words: Stephen Hawking was a very famous scientist who studied stars and space.

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling in blanks, choose the word that best fits the context and meaning of the sentence, often a synonym of the word in parentheses.

 

Question b. The Government made a ____ (announcement) about their new taxation policy.
Answer: Proclamation.
In simple words: The government officially announced its new tax rules.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the nuance between similar words; 'proclamation' implies a formal, public announcement, which is suitable for government policies.

 

Question c. Everyone stood ____ (horrified) when the terrible accident took place.
Answer: aghast.
In simple words: Everyone was very shocked and horrified by the accident.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to synonyms provided in parentheses to guide your word choice from the poem, ensuring it conveys the correct emotion.

 

Question d. She ____ (bargained) with the hawker to reduce the price.
Answer: wrangled.
In simple words: She argued with the seller to get a lower price.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a word implies negotiation or argument, look for a strong verb that conveys that meaning, like 'wrangled'.

 

Question e. Handicapped people should never be ____ (ignored and avoided)
Answer: shunned.
In simple words: People with disabilities should never be ignored or kept away from others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Choose words that reflect social values and appropriate treatment of others, emphasizing inclusion and respect.

 

Question 2. Make a list of archaic words from the poem and give their modern equivalents.
Answer:
In simple words: This question asks you to find old-fashioned words from the poem and provide the words we use today for the same meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for archaic words, identify words that are no longer commonly used in modern English and provide their current equivalents. A good answer will list both the archaic word and its modern counterpart clearly.

Archaic words	Modern equivalents
Wondrous	wonderful
Loveth	loves
Dropt	dropped
writ	written
bestowed	presented

 

Question 3. Rearrange the following in the proper order and insert them into a flow chart as per the poem:
(a) The plate turned to lead, when it was gifted to false-hearted claimants.
(b) Many claimants donated their wealth to receive the plate of gold.
(c) For almost two years, no claimants received the plate of gold.
(d) A plate of gold fell in a temple from Heaven.
(e) The peasant offered comfort and courage to a blind miserable beggar, whom all had ignored.
(f) The priests announced that the one who loved God most of all, would receive the gift from Heaven.
(g) When the priest gave the plate of gold to that peasant, it shone with thrice its lustre.
(h) A simple peasant, who had nothing to offer, came to that temple.
Answer: The events in the poem, when arranged in the proper order, form the following sequence:

• (d) A plate of gold fell in a temple from Heaven.
• (f) The priests announced that the one who loved God most of all, would receive the gift from Heaven.
• (b) Many claimants donated their wealth to receive the plate of gold.
• (a) The plate turned to lead, when it was gifted to false-hearted claimants.
• (c) For almost two years, no claimants received the plate of gold.
• (h) A simple peasant, who had nothing to offer, came to that temple.
• (e) The peasant offered comfort and courage to a blind miserable beggar, whom all had ignored.
• (g) When the priest gave the plate of gold to that peasant, it shone with thrice its lustre.

This sequence highlights the journey from the plate's appearance to its rightful owner.
In simple words: First, the gold plate appeared, then priests announced a challenge, many tried and failed, until a kind peasant showed true love by helping a beggar, and the plate then shone for him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When rearranging events, look for clear cause-and-effect relationships and chronological markers to establish the correct sequence. Start with the initiating event and follow the story's progression.

 

Question 4. Which two sayings about God are conveyed through the poem bThe Plate of Gold'?
(a) God helps those, who help themselves.
(b) God loves those, who love their fellow beings.
(c) God loves those, who give away their wealth, to please Him.
(d) Service to mankind is service to God.
Answer: (b) God loves those, who love their fellow beings.
(d) Service to mankind is service to God.
In simple words: The poem teaches that God loves people who care for others, and helping humanity is like serving God directly.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a question asks for multiple correct options, ensure you identify and list all of them as per the poem's message to score full marks.

 

Question 5. 'But the peasant bowed and prayed to God 'What could he have prayed for?
Answer: The peasant must have prayed for the well-being of all human beings and asked God to help everyone to bear their troubles bravely. He likely sought peace and strength for all.
In simple words: The peasant probably prayed for everyone's happiness and for God to help people face their problems with courage.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to infer a character's thoughts or prayers, focus on their actions and the overall theme of the story to provide a relevant and empathetic answer.

 

Question 6. Imagine that you are the peasant. Compose a short prayer to God, after having received the plate of gold. Write it using stylish handwriting.
Answer: Oh, Almighty God, I humbly thank You for this divine gift, the Plate of Gold. May its presence remind me always of Your boundless grace and the importance of selfless service. Grant me the wisdom to use this blessing to uplift the needy and spread kindness, reflecting Your love in every action. I pray for continued strength and compassion to serve humanity.
In simple words: If I were the peasant, I would thank God for the gold plate and ask for wisdom to use it to help others and spread kindness, remembering God's love.

🎯 Exam Tip: For creative writing tasks, ensure your response aligns with the character's perspective and the story's moral. Use descriptive language and a respectful tone for prayers.

 

Question 7. Read other poems by Leigh Hunt. especially 'Abou Ben Adhem'. Compare the messages in that poem with those in 'The Plate of Gold'. What do you observe?
Answer: Both 'Abou Ben Adhem' and 'The Plate of Gold' convey a similar powerful message: that true devotion and love for God are best expressed through love and service to fellow human beings. In 'Abou Ben Adhem', Ben Adhem's name is written highest in the 'book of gold' because he loves his fellow men, not just God. Similarly, in 'The Plate of Gold', the plate is given to the peasant who shows genuine compassion and selflessness towards others, rather than those who perform outward acts of piety. Both poems emphasize that selfless love for humanity is the highest form of worship and earns divine favour.
In simple words: Both poems teach that loving and helping other people is the best way to show love for God. It's not just about praying, but about being kind and selfless to everyone around you.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing literary works, identify common themes, character actions, and the ultimate moral lessons. Use specific examples from each text to support your comparison.

Class 8 English Chapter 3.1 The Plate Of Gold Additional Important Questions And Answers

Complete The Web:

 

Question 1.
Answer: The web describes the characteristics and situation of the beggar. The beggar was:

• poor
• trembling
• sore
• maimed
• blind
• shunned by all

In simple words: The web shows different things about the beggar, like being poor, hurt, and avoided by everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing web diagrams, ensure all given labels are accurately placed and connected to the central theme. Pay attention to descriptive words.

Name The Following:

 

Question 1. They made a proclamation:
Answer: the priests. The priests were the ones responsible for announcing the divine message to the people.
In simple words: The priests were the ones who announced the message to everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that in ancient stories, priests often played a key role in public announcements related to divine matters.

 

Question 2. A gift from heaven:
Answer: a plate of gold. This special plate was sent from above to find the most loving person.
In simple words: The plate of gold was a special gift from heaven.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying key objects in a story, note their origin and significance to the plot.

 

Question 3. People assembled at this time:
Answer: midday. This was the time chosen for the people to gather and witness the event.
In simple words: People gathered together at noon.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to details like time and place as they often set the scene for important events in a story.

 

Question 4. The plate became this again when it touched the floor:
Answer: gold. The plate would return to its original golden state if the person holding it was not truly worthy.
In simple words: The plate turned back into gold when it touched the floor, showing the person wasn't worthy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the magical properties of objects in a story and what they symbolize or indicate about characters.

Complete The Following:

 

Question 1. The plate of gold could be claimed by _____
Answer: the person who loved his fellow beings the best. The plate was a test of true compassion and selfless love.
In simple words: Only the person who showed the most love for others could claim the plate.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, recall the main condition or rule established in the story for the central object.

 

Question 2. The priests gifted the plate of gold to _____
Answer: a man who within the year had distributed his whole estate among the poor. This man's actions proved his immense generosity and love for humanity.
In simple words: The priests gave the plate to a man who had given all his wealth to the poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the character who embodies the story's central virtue and is rewarded for it.

 

Question 3. The poor peasant offered the blind beggar _____
Answer: his last piece of bread. This act of selfless giving, even when he had little himself, showed his true compassion.
In simple words: The peasant gave his only food to the blind beggar, showing great kindness.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing sentences from a story, recall the specific act of kindness or generosity performed by the characters.

Answer the Following

 

Question 1. What magical occurrence shocked the people?
Answer: The golden plate turned to lead when touched by the man, and became gold again when it fell on the floor. This magical occurrence shocked the people. The sudden transformation of the plate was truly astonishing.
In simple words: The people were shocked when a golden plate turned to lead when touched, and then back to gold when dropped.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing an event, clearly state the sequence of actions and their surprising outcome to fully answer the question.

 

Question 2. Pick out an example of Alliteration from the extract.
Answer: 'A wondrous plate of gold, whereon these words were writ'. Repetition of the sound of 'w'. This repetition creates a musical effect in the line.
In simple words: Alliteration is when words close together start with the same sound, like the 'w' sound in "wondrous... whereon... were writ".

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify alliteration, look for words in close proximity that begin with the same consonant sound, not just the same letter.

 

Question 3. Pick out an example of Simile from the extract.
Answer: 'The news ran as swift as light.' The movement of the news is directly compared to the movement of light. This comparison helps to emphasize the speed at which the news spread.
In simple words: A simile compares two different things using 'as' or 'like', here comparing how fast news travels to how fast light moves.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that a simile always uses "like" or "as" to make a direct comparison between two unlike things.

 

Question 4. Pick out an example of Onomatopoeia from the extract.
Answer: '......... drop it clanging on the floor'. The word 'clanging' indicates sound. The use of this word helps the reader to hear the sound in their mind.
In simple words: Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the noise it describes, such as 'clanging' for the sound of something hitting the floor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Onomatopoeic words mimic the sound they represent, making the description more vivid and engaging for the reader.

 

Question 5. Pick out an example of Inversion from the extract.
Answer: '......... the priests in solemn council sat and heard'. The correct prose order is: the priests sat and heard in solemn council. This inversion is often used for poetic effect or emphasis.
In simple words: Inversion means changing the usual word order in a sentence, like putting the verb before the subject, to create a specific effect.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying inversion, try to rephrase the sentence in standard subject-verb-object order to see if the original structure is altered.

Write If The Following Sentences Are True Or False:

 

Question 1. The priests did not award the plate to anyone.
Answer: False
In simple words: The story implies the plate was eventually awarded to someone, making the statement that it wasn't awarded to anyone incorrect.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always recall the story's ending to determine if a statement about the outcome is true or false.

 

Question 2. There were very few beggars near the temple gate.
Answer: False
In simple words: The story suggests there were many beggars, not few, gathered at the temple gate, hoping for alms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive details like quantity (few, many) as they often form the basis of true/false questions.

 

Question 3. The beggars got a lot of alms.
Answer: True
In simple words: Many people gave alms to the beggars to show their love for fellow beings, so the beggars received a lot.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the motivations of the characters; here, people gave alms to prove their love, leading to a large collection for the beggars.

 

Question 4. The peasant was well aware of the race for the plate.
Answer: False
In simple words: The peasant was focused on helping others and not on the competition for the plate, so he was unaware of the 'race'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between characters' primary motivations; the peasant's actions were driven by compassion, not competition awareness.

Give Reasons:

 

Question 1. Many beggars had collected outside the temple.
Answer: The golden plate from Heaven was to be bestowed on the person who loved his fellow beings the most. The people who came to the temple would want to prove their love by giving alms. This created an opportunity for the beggars. Hence many beggars had collected outside the temple to receive the bountiful alms.
In simple words: Beggars gathered because people wanted to show their kindness by giving alms to win the golden plate.

🎯 Exam Tip: When giving reasons, connect the event directly to the motivations and circumstances described in the story.

 

Question 2. The pilgrims to the temple showered coins on the beggars.
Answer:
In simple words: The pilgrims gave coins to the beggars to show their compassion and generosity, hoping to be seen as worthy of the golden plate.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for reasons, explain the underlying motives or causes that led to the action described in the question.

 

Question 3. What did the pilgrims fail to do?
Answer: The pilgrims failed to see the unhappiness in the eyes of the beggars. They were too focused on their own display of charity.
In simple words: The pilgrims didn't notice the sadness in the beggars' eyes because they were busy showing off their good deeds.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about character failures, identify the specific action or observation they missed, and briefly explain why.

Match The Adjectives In Column A With The Nouns In Column B:

 

Question 1.

A	B
(1) maimed	(a) hands
(2) outstretched	(b) pity
(3) simple	(c) beggars
(4) sweet	(d) peasant

Answer:1. maimed – beggars
2. outstretched – hands
3. simple - peasant
4. sweet - pity
Matching words helps to understand their context and usage better.
In simple words: We match words from list A with words from list B that they describe or go well with.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching questions, draw lines or write out the pairs clearly to avoid confusion and ensure all items are matched correctly.

Activities Based On Poetic Devices:

 

Question 1. Pick out an example of Inversion from the extract.
Answer: An example of inversion often involves changing the usual word order for emphasis or poetic effect. [No specific example is provided in the source text for this question.]
In simple words: Inversion means changing the normal order of words in a sentence, like saying "Him saw I" instead of "I saw him."

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify inversion, look for sentences where the subject, verb, or object are not in their typical S-V-O order, often found in poetry.

 

Question 2. Pick out an example of Repetition from the extract.
Answer: 'Thrice they awarded thrice did Heaven refuse the gift.' The word 'thrice' is repeated for emphasis and rhythm. This repetition creates a strong, memorable effect in the text.
In simple words: Repetition means using the same word or phrase multiple times. Here, 'thrice' is repeated to make the statement stronger and more rhythmic.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying literary devices like repetition, always quote the exact phrase from the text and explain its effect or purpose. This shows a deeper understanding.

 

Complete The Following:

 

Question 1.
Answer:

• people who came to lay a claim on the plate

This central idea forms the core of the diagram, with other related points expected to branch out from it.
In simple words: This diagram highlights the main group of people involved in the story, who were trying to claim the plate.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing web diagrams, always ensure the central idea is clearly identified and that all connecting points are relevant and directly linked to it from the source text.

Answer:

• People who came to lay a claim on the plate:
• Munshis
• Nobles
• Scholars
• Hermits
• Holy men
• Those renowned for gracious or splendid deeds

 

Give Reasons:

 

Question 1. God had chosen the simple peasant as the most deserving of the plate of gold.
Answer: The simple peasant offered the blind beggar sincere sympathy and love, which came from the depth of his heart. His actions were pure and selfless, reflecting true compassion. He had no hidden motive for what he did. Hence God chose him as the most deserving of the plate of gold.
In simple words: The peasant was chosen because he showed real kindness and love to a blind beggar without expecting anything in return, which God valued most.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, emphasize the peasant's selfless actions and pure heart as the key reasons for God's choice.

 

Question 2. 'But the peasant bowed and prayed to God What could he have prayed for?
Answer: The peasant must have prayed for the well-being of all human beings, and asked God to help everyone to bear their troubles bravely. His prayer likely extended beyond himself, encompassing the welfare of the entire community.
In simple words: The peasant probably prayed for everyone's happiness and for strength to face difficulties, showing his caring nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to infer a character's thoughts or prayers, focus on actions and personality traits shown in the story to justify your answer.

 

Question 3. Make a list of archaic words from the extract and give their modem equivalents:
Answer:

Archaic words	Modem equivalents

In simple words: This question asks you to identify old-fashioned words from the text and provide their current-day meanings, helping you understand how language changes over time.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying archaic words, look for words that sound old or are not commonly used today. For full marks, provide a clear and accurate modern equivalent for each word.

thou	You
thy	Your
o'er	Over
thine	yours
lovest	loves

 

Question 4. Pick out an example of Inversion from the extract.
Answer: And took both palms in his, and softly said. The correct prose order should be: And took both palms in his, and said softly
In simple words: Inversion means changing the usual word order in a sentence for poetic effect. Here, "softly said" is inverted from the more common "said softly."

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify inversion, try to rephrase the sentence in standard subject-verb-object order. The part that changes is the inversion.

Analysis/Appreciation of the Poem

Answer:

• Poem and poet: 'The Plate of j Gold' by James Henry Leigh Hunt.
• Theme: God loves those who love their fellow beings Service to mankind is service to God.
• Tone: A narrative, serious and moralistic.
• Structure and stanzas: No uniformity in stanzas or the length of lines.
• Rhyme and Rhythm: No rhyme scheme or rhythm; free verse.
• Language and Imagery: Archaic language; plenty of imagery, especially when describing the peasant and the beggar.
• Figures of Speech: Inversion, Repetition, Onomatopoeia, and Simile.

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