Maharashtra Board Class 8 English Unit 3 Chapter 3.2 The Kite Festival Solutions

Std 8 English Lesson 3.1 The Kite Festival Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Class 8 English Chapter 3.2 The Kite Festival Textbook Questions And Answers

The Kite Festival Std 8 Warming Up:

Question 1. Cut out the wrong kites:
Answer: The words that are incorrectly placed in their categories (the "wrong kites") are:

• Festivity (listed under Verbs, but is a Noun)
• Trade (listed under Verbs, but can also be a Noun, and is marked as wrong in the provided solution)
• Celebrity (listed under Adjectives, but is a Noun)
• Compere (listed under Adjectives, but is a Noun or Verb)

🎯 Exam Tip: When categorizing words, always check their part of speech carefully. A word can sometimes be both a noun and a verb (like 'trade'), but its primary or most common usage in a given context helps determine its category.

Question 2. Name the festival that you enjoy the most of all. Fill in the facts about that festival.
(a) Name of the festival:
(b) When it is celebrated:
(c) Why it is celebrated:
(d) How it is celebrated:
(e) Special cuisine:
(f) Other special features:
Answer: (This is a personal question, so answers will vary. Here is an example for Diwali.)
(a) Name of the festival: Diwali
(b) When it is celebrated: During autumn, usually in October or November, over five days.
(c) Why it is celebrated: To mark the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, often associated with Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya or Goddess Lakshmi's birth.
(d) How it is celebrated: People light lamps, diyas, and candles, decorate their homes, exchange sweets and gifts, wear new clothes, and perform Lakshmi Puja. Fireworks are also a common part of the celebration.
(e) Special cuisine: Ladoos, Karanji, Chakli, Shankarpali, Gulab Jamun, and various other traditional sweets and savory snacks are prepared.
(f) Other special features: Family gatherings, cleaning and renovating homes, creating rangoli designs, and the spirit of togetherness and joy are key aspects of Diwali.
In simple words: Pick your favorite festival and describe it by giving its name, when and why it's celebrated, how people celebrate it, what special foods are eaten, and any other unique things about it.

🎯 Exam Tip: For descriptive questions about festivals, include specific details like dates, rituals, food, and cultural significance to make your answer complete and engaging. Use vivid language to describe the celebrations.

Question 1. Give the Antonyms und Synonyms of the words below, choosing from those given:
Synonyms: lustre, rise, victory, competitor, old-fashioned, joyfully, foreign, pause
Antonyms: partner, dullness, start, sorrowfully, drop, modern, native, defeat
Answer: The words are matched with their correct synonyms and antonyms from the provided lists.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching synonyms and antonyms, always read all the given options carefully to find the best fit for each word.

Say Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False:

Question a. Fibreglass kites led to creating power – driven aeroplanes.
Answer: False. Fibreglass kites are primarily used for recreational flying and do not directly lead to the creation of power-driven aeroplanes.
In simple words: Fibreglass kites are for flying as a hobby, not for building actual airplanes with engines.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that kites are usually for recreational flying, not for advanced aircraft technology. Distinguish between simple toys and complex machinery.

Question b. In Gujarat, the kite – festival is celebrated to welcome the Spring.
Answer: False. In Gujarat, the kite festival, known as Uttarayana, is celebrated around Makar Sankranti, which marks the sun's northward journey, not specifically to welcome spring.
In simple words: The Gujarat kite festival is linked to the sun's movement (Makar Sankranti), not to the arrival of spring season.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be precise about the reason for festivals; Makar Sankranti is about the sun's journey, not spring. Avoid common misconceptions.

Question c. Uttarayana' starts from Makar Sankranti onwards.
Answer: True. Uttarayana is the period when the sun begins its northward journey, and it traditionally starts on the day of Makar Sankranti.
In simple words: Uttarayana, which is when the sun moves north, officially begins on the day of Makar Sankranti.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect key terms like 'Uttarayana' directly to their associated festivals or events to show clear understanding.

Question d. Kite – flying in Gujarat, is a competitive sport – cum – festival.
Answer: True. Kite flying in Gujarat is indeed both a festive celebration and a competitive sport, with participants trying to cut each other's kites.
In simple words: Kite flying in Gujarat is a big celebration, but also a competition where people try to cut down other kites.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note when an activity has multiple aspects, like being both a sport and a festival, as this shows a deeper understanding of cultural practices.

Question e. The kite - Bazar in Ahmedabad, is open day and night for a week.
Answer: True. Before the Uttarayana festival, the kite market in Ahmedabad operates continuously, day and night, for about a week to cater to the high demand.
In simple words: The kite market in Ahmedabad stays open 24 hours a day for a week leading up to the kite festival.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to specific details like duration and timing mentioned in the text, as these often appear in true/false questions.

Question f. The special thread for kite – flying is sharpened by adding sugar and glass pieces.
Answer: False. This practice is dangerous and not typically associated with safe kite flying.
In simple words: The statement is false; sharpening kite thread with sugar and glass is a harmful practice.

🎯 Exam Tip: For True/False questions, always consider the safety and common practices related to the topic. If a statement describes a dangerous or unusual practice, it's often false in an educational context.

3. Using Points From The Lesson, Give The Details Of The Following In A Short Paragraph For Each Topic:

Question a. Different types of kites.
Answer: Traditional kites are made of kite paper and have thin wooden frames. The modern kites may be motorized or made of fibreglass. Exotic kites have marvellous shapes such as that of eagles and snakes. These diverse designs showcase the rich history and innovation in kite-making. There are also illuminated box-kites called tukals.
In simple words: Kites come in many forms: old ones from paper and wood, new ones with motors or fiberglass, and fancy ones shaped like animals or glowing boxes called tukals.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing types of objects, categorize them (e.g., traditional, modern, exotic) and provide specific examples for each category to make your answer comprehensive.

Question b. International Kite Festival at Ahmedabad.
Answer: The International Kite Festival at Ahmedabad is held either at the Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium. It attracts international kite-flyers as well as local champions. Little Indian paper kites compete with those from Japan, USA, UK and other countries. Exotic kites with marvellous shapes such as eagles and snakes soar in the sky. This vibrant festival is a global spectacle, bringing together diverse cultures through the art of kite flying. The Patang or Kite Bazar, in the heart of Ahmedabad, is open 24 hours a day for a whole week, and people crowd the streets through the night. Skilled craftsmen demonstrate age- old kite-making skills and how to prepare special thread. At night, illuminated box- kites are sent into the sky.
In simple words: The Ahmedabad Kite Festival is a big event held at a stadium, attracting flyers from all over the world. People watch amazing kites, visit the 24-hour kite market, and see glowing box-kites at night.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing an event, include details like its location, participants, key attractions, and any unique cultural aspects to provide a complete picture.

Question c. The kite Bazar of Ahmedabad.
Answer: During the Kite Festival at Ahmedabad, the Patang or Kite Bazar, in the heart of Ahmedabad, is open 24 hours a day for a whole week. People crowd the streets and buy their stocks, haggling through the night. This bustling market is a central hub for kite enthusiasts, offering a unique cultural experience. Skilled craftsmen demonstrate age-old
In simple words: The Patang Bazar in Ahmedabad is a busy market open day and night for a week during the festival. People buy kites and thread, and craftsmen show how to make them.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a market or specific location, mention its operating hours, what is sold there, and the activities that take place to highlight its significance.

Question 4. You hue just returned after your first experience of the kite – festival in Gujarat/Ahmedabad. You were thrilled with the festivities.
Write a short report about the kite – festival for your local newspaper. Give an attractive headline, a dateline and an account of the kite – festive. Write the report in third person with more use of Passive voice.
You have a friend who lives abroad. Write a letter to your friend describing how you enjoyed the kite-festival.
Answer: The answer for this question is not provided in the source content.
In simple words: This question requires you to write a newspaper report and a personal letter based on your experience at a kite festival.

🎯 Exam Tip: For writing tasks like reports and letters, pay close attention to the specified format, tone (formal/informal), and required elements like headlines or addresses to score well.

5.A. Verb Forms Show Both, Tense (Present, Past, Future) And Aspect (Progressive, Perfect, Perfect Progressive):

Progressive (Continuous): be + verb-ing
Present Progressive: He is playing.
Past Progressive: He was playing.
Future Progressive: He will be playing.

Perfect: have / has / hod verb – en / cd
Present Perfect: They have played.
Past Perfect: They had played.
Future Perfect: They will have played.

Perfect Progressive: have/has/had + been + verb – ing
Present Perfect Progressive: We have been playing.
Past Perfect Progressive: We had been playing.
Future Perfect Progressive: We shall have been playing.

5. B. Underline The Verb Forms In The Following Sentences And State Their Tense And Aspect:

Class 8 English Chapter 3.2 The Kite Festival Additional Important Questions And Answers

Question 1. Identify the tense and aspect for the following sentences:
(i) They are waiting for the right winds.
(ii) People were haggling over the price of kites.
(iii) Vendors had been selling kites all through the week.
(iv) Skilled craftsmen had demonstrated age-old skills.
(v) State Tourism Corporation will be organising the International Kite Festival.
(vi) Kite – flyers have demonstrated their skills with exotic kites.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify tense and aspect, look for auxiliary verbs (like 'is', 'was', 'had', 'will have') and the form of the main verb (e.g., -ing for progressive, -ed for perfect). Practice with various sentence structures to master this skill.

Question 2. When is kite-flying at its peak in India?
Answer: Kite-flying is at its peak in India during the coming of Spring and during the festival of Makar Sankranti, which coincides with the festival of Uttarayan. This vibrant tradition brings communities together in celebration.
In simple words: Kite-flying is most popular in India during the spring season, especially around the Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan festivals.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about cultural events, always mention the specific time of year or festival associated with them for a complete answer.

Question 3. Write how they celebrate the kite-flying festival in Gujarat.
Answer: During the kite-flying festival, people of all ages go out into the open to fly kites and to cut' each others' kites. In towns and cities, where open spaces are difficult to find, terraces and rooftops are often used to fly the kites. This competitive yet joyful activity is a highlight of the regional calendar.
In simple words: In Gujarat, people of all ages fly kites and try to cut other kites. They use open spaces, terraces, and rooftops for this celebration.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing celebrations, include details about who participates, what activities they do, and where these activities take place.

Activities Based On Contextual Grammar

Question 1. People of all ages go out into the open to try their luck with their kites. (Pick out the finite verbs and the infinitives.)
Answer: finite verb – go; infinitive – to try. Identifying these verb forms helps in understanding sentence structure.
In simple words: In the sentence, 'go' is the main action verb (finite verb), and 'to try' is a verb form that acts like a noun or adjective (infinitive).

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that a finite verb changes with the subject and tense, while an infinitive (usually 'to' + verb) does not change and often expresses purpose.

Question 2. It is also a celebration to mark the end of winter. (Rewrite using 'which'.)
Answer: It is also a celebration which marks the end of winter. Using 'which' helps to introduce a non-essential clause that adds more information.
In simple words: To rewrite the sentence using 'which', you connect the celebration to what it marks: "It is a celebration which marks the end of winter."

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Which' is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause, providing additional information about the noun it refers to. Ensure the clause correctly modifies the noun.

Personal Response

Question 1. Do you like flying kites? Why?
Answer: I am not a very big fan of kites. I do not like to fly them, but I like to watch other people do so. I used to fly kites earlier; but once I came to know that birds died because of the glass-covered thread, and there were injuries to people too, I stopped this sport. This decision reflects a growing awareness of the environmental impact of such activities.
In simple words: I used to fly kites but stopped because the glass-coated strings hurt birds and people. Now I prefer watching others fly them.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering personal response questions, always provide a clear 'yes' or 'no' and then elaborate with specific reasons to support your stance.

List the Reasons

Question 1. The kite-festival at Ahmedabad is very special.
Answer: The kite-festival at Ahmedabad is very special because: This grand event truly showcases the rich cultural heritage and vibrant spirit of Ahmedabad.

• An International Kite Festival is held either at the Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium.
• It attracts international kite-flyers as well as local champions.
• Little Indian paper kites compete with those from Japan, the USA, UK and other countries.
• Exotic kites with marvellous shapes such as eagles and snakes soar in the sky.
• The Patang or Kite Bazar in the heart of Ahmedabad is open 24 hours a day for a whole week, and people
• crowd the streets through the night.
• Skilled craftsmen demonstrate kite-making age-old skills and how to prepare a special thread.
• At night, illuminated box-kites are sent into the sky.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing reasons, use clear bullet points or numbered lists to make your answer easy to read and ensure all points are covered for full marks.

Question 2. How do they celebrate the kite-flying festival in Gujarat?
Answer: The kite-flying begins at dawn and continues throughout the day. People of all ages gather in the open, on rooftops and terraces. They compete with each other and are triumphant when someone cuts the thread of a rival. Some people prepare special lines for their kites. There is music in the air and traditional delicacies are specially prepared, adding to the festive atmosphere. An International Kite Festival is organized by the Gujarat State Tourism Corporation.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a festival, include details about its timing, participants, activities, and any special preparations or organizations involved to provide a complete picture.

Complete The Following:

Question 1. A visit to the Patang Bazar proves that _______.
Answer: the entire city of Ahmedabad is obsessed with kites. This intense passion is evident everywhere you look.
In simple words: Visiting Patang Bazar shows that everyone in Ahmedabad is really enthusiastic about kites.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blank questions, ensure your answer accurately completes the sentence based on the provided text, maintaining grammatical correctness.

Question 2. The special thread for kite-flying is prepared by _______.
Answer: covering the thread with a mixture of glue and ground glass and allowing it to dry. This makes the thread strong and sharp for cutting other kites.
In simple words: The special kite thread is made by coating it with glue and tiny glass pieces, then letting it dry.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a process, list the steps clearly and concisely, focusing on the materials and actions involved.

Answer The Following:

Question 1. Different types of kites:
Answer: Traditional kites are made of kite paper and have thin wooden frames. The modern kites may be motorized or made of fibreglass, showcasing technological advancements. Exotic kites have marvellous shapes such as that eagles and snakes. There are also illuminated box-kites called tukuls.
In simple words: Kites come in many types: traditional paper and wood, modern motorized or fibreglass, exotic shapes like eagles, and illuminated box-kites called tukuls.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list types, provide distinct categories and a brief description or example for each to demonstrate comprehensive understanding.

Question 2. International Kite Festival at Ahmedabad:
Answer:
In simple words: This question asks for details about the International Kite Festival held in Ahmedabad.

🎯 Exam Tip: Even if the answer is not provided in the source, acknowledge the question and indicate what information would be expected for a complete response.

The International Kite Festival at Ahmedabad is held either at the Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium. It attracts international kite-flyers as well as local champions. Little Indian paper kites compete with those from Japan, USA, UK and other countries. Exotic kites with marvellous shapes such as eagles and snakes soar in the sky. The Patang or Kite Bazar, in the heart of Ahmedabad, is open 24 hours a day for a whole week, and people crowd the streets through the night. Skilled craftsmen demonstrate age-old kite-making skills and how to prepare a special thread. At night, illuminated box- kites are sent into the sky.

Question 3. The Kite-Bazar of Ahmedabad:
Answer: During the Kite Festival at Ahmedabad, the Patang or Kite Bazar, in the heart of Ahmedabad, is open 24 hours a day for a whole week. People crowd the streets and buy their stocks, haggling through the night. Skilled craftsmen demonstrate age-old kite-making skills and how to prepare special thread covered with a mixture of glue and ground glass. The Kite-Bazar is a vibrant hub of activity, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and attracting large crowds.
In simple words: The Kite-Bazar in Ahmedabad is open all day and night during the festival, where people buy kites and watch craftsmen make them with special thread.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to describe a place or event, include key details like its location, timing, activities, and unique features to provide a complete picture.

Question 4. One of the highlights of this festival is the Patang Bazar, which is open twenty-four hours a day, for a whole week.
(Underline the clauses in the sentence.)
Answer: One of the highlights of this festival is the Patang Bazar, which is open twenty-four hours a day, for a whole week.
In simple words: A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. In this sentence, there are two main parts that each have their own subject and verb.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify clauses, look for a subject-verb pair. Main clauses can stand alone, while subordinate clauses (often starting with words like 'which', 'who', 'that') depend on the main clause.

Question 5. They add a grand beauty to the dark sky and compete with the brilliance of the stars.
(Rewrite as two separate sentences.)
Answer: They add a grand beauty to the dark sky. They compete with the brilliance of the stars. The separation makes the two distinct actions clearer.
In simple words: To rewrite as two sentences, find where the two ideas are joined (like by 'and') and split them into two complete thoughts.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to split a compound sentence, identify the conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') and create two independent sentences, each with its own subject and verb.

Personal Response

Question 1. What is the care to be taken by children while flying kites?
Answer: Children should not run after kites on the road or try to rescue them from trees. This could lead to accidents. They should be careful if they are flying kites from terraces and rooftops. The thread should be handled with care, and there should be no injuries to animals or human beings because of it.
In simple words: Children must be careful when flying kites, avoiding roads and trees, and ensuring the kite thread doesn't harm anyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about safety measures, list specific actions to avoid dangers and mention potential consequences of not following them.

Do As Directed:

Question 1. Pick out two compounds, words from the lesson.
Answer: Two compound words: kiteflying, power-driven
In simple words: Compound words are made by joining two smaller words, like 'kite' and 'flying' to make 'kiteflying'.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify compound words, look for words that are formed by combining two or more existing words, often written as one word or hyphenated.

Question 2. Use the following phrase in your own sentence: in the middle of the night.
Answer: The baby woke up in the middle of the night and began to play.
In simple words: To use a phrase in a sentence, simply include it naturally within a complete thought.

🎯 Exam Tip: When using a phrase in a sentence, ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and the phrase fits logically within the context.

Question 3. Build a word chain of five adjectives :
Answer: long → green → naughty → young → grateful → lovely.
In simple words: A word chain connects words where the last letter of one word is the first letter of the next, following a specific category like adjectives.

🎯 Exam Tip: For word chains, ensure each word belongs to the specified category (e.g., adjectives) and that the last letter of one word correctly starts the next.

Question 4. Find out four hidden words from the given word: traditional (Each word should have at least 3 letters.)
Answer: traditional: tradition, train, drain, trait
In simple words: Hidden words are smaller words found within a larger word, using only the letters available in the original word.

🎯 Exam Tip: When finding hidden words, carefully scan the letters of the main word and try different combinations, ensuring each found word has the minimum required length.

Question 5. Use the following word in two separate sentences, the word having different meanings (homographs): watch
Answer: The answer for this question was not provided in the original content. However, here are two sentences demonstrating the different meanings of 'watch':
1. I like to watch the birds in my garden every morning.
2. She received a new wristwatch for her birthday, which helps her keep track of time.
In simple words: Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, like 'watch' meaning to observe and 'watch' meaning a device for telling time.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to use homographs, ensure each sentence clearly illustrates a distinct meaning of the word, making the difference obvious to the reader.

Question 6. Underline the clauses in the following sentence: There is music in the air and traditional delicacies are specially prepared for the day
Answer: There is music in the air and traditional delicacies are specially prepared for the day. This sentence contains two independent clauses joined by 'and'.
In simple words: You need to find the main parts of the sentence that could stand alone, which are "There is music in the air" and "traditional delicacies are specially prepared for the day."

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify clauses, look for a subject and a verb. Conjunctions like 'and', 'but', 'or' often connect independent clauses.

Question 7. Identify the type of sentence: The little boy would happily pick up his kite and run out into the field.
Answer: Assertive sentence. This type of sentence makes a statement or expresses an opinion.
In simple words: An assertive sentence simply tells you something, like a fact or an idea, without asking a question or giving a command.

🎯 Exam Tip: Assertive sentences always end with a full stop and state a fact or opinion.

Question 8. Rewrite as an affirmative sentence: In India, however, the tradition of kite-flying has not changed.
Answer: In India, however, the tradition of kite-flying has remained the same. This sentence expresses the same meaning in a positive form.
In simple words: To make a negative sentence affirmative, you change the negative word (like 'not changed') to a positive one that means the same thing (like 'remained the same').

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting to affirmative, ensure the meaning of the original sentence is preserved, just expressed positively.

Question 9. Rewrite in indirect speech: The harassed mother would often say to her restless son, “Why don't you go fly a kite ?"
Answer: The harassed mother would often ask her restless son why he did not go fly a kite. When converting to indirect speech, the tense and pronouns often change.
In simple words: When you tell someone what another person said, but not in their exact words, it's indirect speech. You change things like "Why don't you" to "why he did not."

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to change pronouns, tenses, and question forms (from direct question to statement form) when converting to indirect speech.

Question 10. Use the following word as a noun and a verb in two separate sentences: cut
Answer:
• The cut on my hand healed soon. (noun)
• Please cut the vegetables into small pieces. (verb)
Understanding how a word functions as different parts of speech is crucial for good writing.
In simple words: The word 'cut' can be a thing (like a wound) or an action (like using scissors). You need to show both uses in sentences.

🎯 Exam Tip: To differentiate between a noun and a verb, try using articles (a, an, the) before it for a noun, or see if it describes an action performed by a subject for a verb.

Writing Skills

Question 1. You have just returned after your first experience of the kite-festival in Gujarat/Ahmedabad. You were thrilled with the festivities. Write a short report about the kite festival for your local newspaper. Give an attractive headline, a dateline, and an account of the kite-festival. Write the report in the third person with more use of Passive Voice.
Answer: High-Flying Kites Adorn The Sky
Ahmedabad, 17 January: A variety of colourful kites adorned the sky this year during the International Kite Festival here. A record number of countries participated in this annual festival. The famous International Kite Festival, organized by the Gujarat State Tourism Corporation, was held at the Sardar Patel Stadium. 14 countries, including India, participated. The kites were very colourful and in a variety of shapes. There were dragons, eagles, snakes, crocodiles, etc. Some had tiny lights in them, while j some were studded with stones. Excited spectators watched in awe as the kites; soared in the sky, free as birds. This festival truly showcases the vibrant culture and artistic spirit of Gujarat.
This year, the first prize, a gold-plated cup in the shape of a kite, went to Korea. The Korean team succeeded in keeping their kite in the sky for the longest time. Last year's winner and the host country, India, J did not stand a chance this year and were ; out of the competition at an early stage. "We will double our efforts for the next year and come out with flying colours," said Rakesh ) Pandya, captain of the home team. We wish them all the best for the next year, Harsh Mehta.
In simple words: This report describes the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, highlighting the colorful kites, international participation, and the excitement of the event, including the winner and future aspirations.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a report, remember to include a clear headline, dateline, and use the third person and passive voice as requested, focusing on factual details and observations.

Question 2. You have a friend who lives abroad. Write a letter to him/her describing how you enjoyed the kite-festival,
Answer:
In simple words: This question asks you to write a personal letter to a friend abroad, sharing your experience and enjoyment of the kite festival.

🎯 Exam Tip: For letter writing, remember to include the sender's address, date, a suitable salutation, clear paragraphs describing your experience, and a polite closing.