Samacheer Kalvi Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 1 The Woman on Platform 8

A. Choose the best answer. (Text Book Page No. 31)

Question 1. Satish's mother handed to her son
(a) bag of pencil
(b) bag of vegetables
(c) big box of chocolates
(d) cricket ball
Answer: (c) big box of chocolates
In simple words: Satish's mother gave him a large box filled with chocolates. It was a sweet gift for her son.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to small details in the story, as questions often test specific facts like what items were exchanged.

Question 2. The train would come at
(a) one o'clock
(b) twelve o'clock
(c) two o'clock
(d) eleven o'clock
Answer: (b) twelve o'clock
In simple words: The story mentions that the train was scheduled to arrive at midnight, which is twelve o'clock. This detail sets the scene for the night journey.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note down specific times or locations mentioned in the story as they are frequently asked in objective questions.

Question 3. The strange lady gave to Arun.
(a) coffee and vada
(b) tea and bajji
(c) samosas and jalebis
(d) black tea and cake
Answer: (c) samosas and jalebis
In simple words: The kind woman bought samosas and jalebis for Arun to eat. She also got him a cup of tea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember key actions and interactions between characters, especially acts of kindness or exchange of items.

Question 4. Arun was sitting on platform
(a) no. 7
(b) no. 8
(c) no. 4
(d) no. 3
Answer: (b) no. 8
In simple words: Arun was waiting for his train on platform number 8. This is the main setting where the story unfolds.

🎯 Exam Tip: The platform number is a central detail of the story's title, making it a crucial fact to remember.

Question 5. Satish and Arun were years old boys.
(a) 12
(b) 11
(c) 13
(d) 10
Answer: (a) 12
In simple words: Both Satish and Arun were twelve years old. This shows they were young boys travelling alone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character ages are often used to establish their background or to explain their actions within a narrative.

B. Match the following. (Text Book Page No. 32)

Answer: The matches link key elements or characters from the story to their correct descriptions or relations. For example, the "woman in white" is described as "dressed simply", and the "train" is linked to "waves of stream" due to the way it arrives. Understanding these connections helps in grasping the narrative details.
In simple words: We match the first column's items with their correct descriptions or partners from the second column. This shows how different parts of the story are connected.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching, read both columns carefully to find the most logical and accurate pair. Sometimes, context from the story helps decide the best match.

C. Identify the character.

Question 1. I am glad to know that.
Answer: Mother of Satish
In simple words: Satish's mother said this when she met Arun and felt happy for him.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify a character from a dialogue, think about who would say those specific words in the story's context.

Question 2. Are you all alone, my son?
Answer: Strange lady
In simple words: The unknown woman asked Arun if he was by himself. She showed concern for him.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question reveals the lady's protective and motherly nature towards Arun, even though they were strangers.

Question 3. Yes, I am going to school.
Answer: Arun
In simple words: Arun replied this to the lady, telling her he was on his way to boarding school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character responses in dialogue often provide key information about their situation or destination.

Question 4. He is one of my friends.
Answer: Satish
In simple words: Satish said this, referring to Arun. This shows they were classmates and friends.

🎯 Exam Tip: Keep track of character relationships; knowing who is friends with whom helps understand dialogue meanings.

Question 5. Goodbye mother.
Answer: Arun
In simple words: Arun said this emotional goodbye to the strange lady, showing his affection and how he saw her like his own mother.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line is crucial for understanding Arun's connection with the woman, even though she wasn't his real mother.

D. Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Where was Arun sitting?
Answer: Arun was sitting on platform number 8 at Ambala station. This platform was a busy spot where many travellers waited.
In simple words: Arun was sitting on platform 8 at the Ambala station.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about location are often important for setting the scene and may be asked directly.

Question 2. What was the expected time of train's arrival?
Answer: The train was expected to arrive at midnight. This late hour added to the feeling of solitude and the quiet of the platform.
In simple words: The train was going to arrive at twelve o'clock at night.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific times can be important in a story, indicating the setting or adding to the mood.

Question 3. What was the sight Arun had seen on the platform?
Answer: Arun saw many people, like a flowing tide. He also heard the shouts of different vendors selling things and the calls of the newspaper boy. The platform was quite lively.
In simple words: Arun saw many people, heard vendors shouting, and saw the newspaper boy.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a scene, try to include details about both what was seen and what was heard to give a complete picture.

Question 4. What did the vendors sell?
Answer: The vendors on the platform were selling curds, lemons, sweet meats, and newspapers. These were common items travellers might need.
In simple words: Vendors sold curds, lemons, sweets, and newspapers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Listing specific items helps show a clear understanding of the marketplace atmosphere described in the story.

Question 5. How did the woman appear?
Answer: The woman had a pale face and dark, kind eyes. She wore no jewellery and was dressed very simply in a white saree. Her simple appearance made her look gentle and approachable.
In simple words: The woman had a pale face, kind dark eyes, no jewellery, and wore a simple white saree.

🎯 Exam Tip: Descriptions of characters are important as they often give clues about their personality or situation.

Question 6. Where was Arun travelling to?
Answer: Arun was travelling to his boarding school. This means he was going to live and study away from home.
In simple words: Arun was going to his boarding school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing a character's destination helps understand their journey and why they are in a particular setting.

Question 7. What did the woman buy for him?
Answer: The woman bought samosas and jalebis for Arun. She also ordered a cup of tea for him, showing her care.
In simple words: She bought samosas and jalebis for Arun, and also ordered tea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Acts of generosity and care shown by characters are often key plot points in stories.

Question 8. What was the advice of Sathish's mother?
Answer: Sathish's mother advised him not to talk to strangers. This is a common safety warning given to children.
In simple words: Sathish's mother told him not to speak with people he didn't know.

🎯 Exam Tip: Important advice given in a story often reflects general life lessons or cultural values.

Question 9. What were Arun's last words?
Answer: Arun's last words were, "Goodbye - mother." He said this to the strange lady, showing how much she had affected him.
In simple words: Arun's final words were "Goodbye - mother" to the lady.

🎯 Exam Tip: The last words exchanged between characters, especially in an emotional scene, can highlight key themes of the story.

Question 10. What was the reaction of the woman at the end?
Answer: At the end, the strange woman held Arun's hand and smiled gently in an understanding way. This showed her affection and unspoken connection with him.
In simple words: The woman held Arun's hand and smiled kindly, showing she understood.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character reactions, especially non-verbal ones, can convey deep emotions and meanings without words.

Step to Success (Text Book Page No. 33)

Question 1. Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:
A. Miss Sullivan arrived at the Keller home when Helen was seven.
B. The deaf and blind Helen learned to communicate verbally.
C. But, eventually, Miss Sullivan's effort was rewarded.
D. Before Helen Keller was two years old, she lost her sight and her hearing.
E. Miss Sullivan worked closely with Helen, her new student.
F. At times the teacher became frustrated.
(a) DEFACB
(b) DAEFCB
(c) ACFDEB
(d) CFDABE
(e) FDACEB
Answer: (b) DAEFCB
In simple words: To arrange sentences, find the starting event, then follow the story's timeline and cause-and-effect. Here, Helen's loss of senses happened first, then the teacher arrived and worked, facing frustration before success.

🎯 Exam Tip: For sentence rearrangement, look for chronological order (what happened first), cause and effect, and pronouns that link sentences together logically.

Connecting to Self (Text Book Page No. 33)

Question 1. Imagine you find a lost purse. Would you ignore it, take it and give it to the owner, or take and keep it yourself? Explain your choice.
Answer: I would take the purse and make sure to give it back to its rightful owner. It is the responsibility of every honest citizen to return lost items. Returning it would make the owner very happy.
In simple words: I would pick up the purse and find its owner to give it back because it's the right and honest thing to do.

🎯 Exam Tip: For ethical questions, clearly state your action and then provide a moral or civic reason for it.

Question 2. Imagine you see someone struggling with heavy luggage. Would you ignore them, go and help them, or stand watching them feeling shy to help? Explain your choice.
Answer: I would definitely go and help the person. I would try to help free them from the heavy luggage and also help them carry it. Helping others in need is a kind act.
In simple words: I would go and help the person with their heavy bags because it's good to help when someone needs it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Show empathy and a willingness to act helpfully in such scenarios, explaining why your action is beneficial.

Question 3. Imagine you see two people fighting. Would you ignore them, try to stop them, or be afraid and go away from there? Explain your choice.
Answer: I would try my best to stop them from fighting calmly. If I am not able to stop them or if it becomes dangerous, I will quickly inform the police. Ensuring safety and peace is important.
In simple words: I would try to stop the fight, and if I can't, I would call the police to help.

🎯 Exam Tip: In conflict situations, prioritize safety first for yourself and others, and know when to seek adult or authority intervention.

The Woman on Platform 8 Summary in English

A schoolboy named Arun is waiting for his train on platform number 8 at Ambala station. He meets a kind and simply dressed stranger, a woman, who looks dignified. She is very nice to Arun and even shares her food with him. She stays with him until his train arrives. Even though she is a stranger, she tells Sathish's mother (Sathish is Arun's classmate) that she is Arun's mother. Arun, the schoolboy, says goodbye to the woman with a loving kiss. He watches her until she disappears into the crowd of people. This story shows an unexpected connection between strangers.
In simple words: A boy waits for his train and meets a kind woman. She acts like his mother, shares food, and comforts him. They say goodbye with love, even though she is a stranger.

🎯 Exam Tip: When summarizing, focus on the main characters, key events, and the story's overall message or theme, keeping it concise and clear.

The Woman on Platform 8 Summary in Tamil

பள்ளியில் படிக்கும் அருண் என்ற சிறுவன் அம்பாலா ரயில் நிலையத்தில், நடைமேடை 8 இல் ரயிலுக்காகக் காத்திருக்கிறான். அங்கே அவன் ஒரு புதிய பெண்ணைச் சந்திக்கிறான். அந்த அன்பான பெண், அருணை அழைத்துச் சென்று அவனுக்கு உணவு தருகிறாள். ரயில் வரும் வரை அவனுடன் உட்கார்ந்து பேசிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறாள். சதீஷ், அருணின் வகுப்புத் தோழன், தன் அம்மாவுடன் வரும்போது, அந்தப் பெண் தன்னை அருணின் அம்மா என்று அறிமுகப்படுத்திக் கொள்கிறாள். இதனால் அருணின் மனம் நெகிழ்கிறது. அந்தப் புதிய பெண்ணை முத்தமிட்டு தன் அன்பை வெளிப்படுத்துகிறான். அவள் கூட்டத்தில் மறையும் வரை அந்தப் பெண்ணையே உற்றுநோக்குகிறான். இச்சம்பவம் ஒரு எதிர்பாராத பிணைப்பை உருவாக்குகிறது.
In simple words: ஒரு பள்ளிச் சிறுவன் ரயில் நிலையத்தில் ரயிலுக்காகக் காத்திருக்கும்போது ஒரு பெண்ணைச் சந்திக்கிறான். அந்தப் பெண் அவனுக்கு உணவு கொடுத்து, அம்மா போல அன்பாகப் பேசுகிறாள். சதீஷின் அம்மாவிடம் தன்னை அருணின் அம்மா என்று சொல்கிறாள். அருண் அந்தப் பெண்ணை முத்தமிட்டு விடைபெறுகிறான்.

🎯 Exam Tip: சுருக்கத்தை எழுதும் போது, கதையின் முக்கிய கதாபாத்திரங்கள், முக்கிய நிகழ்வுகள் மற்றும் ஒட்டுமொத்த கருப்பொருளை சுருக்கமாகவும் தெளிவாகவும் விவரிக்க வேண்டும்.

The Woman on Platform 8 About the Author in English

Ruskin Bond is a famous Indian writer of short stories, novels, and poems. He is a favourite author among Indian children. His first novel, called "Room on the Roof," was published when he was still a teenager. This book won him the John Rhys Memorial Award in 1957. Bond also writes about children and the simple people who live in the hills of Uttarakhand. His writing style is known for its simplicity, easy flow of language, and deep understanding of human nature. Some of his important books are "An Island of Trees," "A Bond with the Mountains," and "The India I Love." He has also received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his valuable work in Indian literature. This award recognizes his significant contribution.
In simple words: Ruskin Bond is a well-known Indian writer for children. He writes simple stories about nature and people. He won awards like the John Rhys Memorial Award and Sahitya Akademi Award.

🎯 Exam Tip: When learning about an author, remember their key works, major awards, and the recurring themes or style elements in their writing.

The Woman on Platform 8 About the Author in Tamil

ரஸ்கின் பான்ட் ஒரு புகழ்பெற்ற சிறுகதை எழுத்தாளர், நாவலாசிரியர் மற்றும் கவிஞர். இவர் இந்தியக் குழந்தைகளின் விருப்பமான எழுத்தாளர். இவருடைய முதல் நாவல் "கூரையின் மேல் உள்ள அறை" (Room on the Roof). இது அவர் இளம் வயதிலேயே வெளியானது. இந்த நாவல் 1957 இல் ஜான்ரிஸ் மெமோரியல் பரிசை வென்றது. உத்தரகாண்ட் மலைப் பகுதிகளில் வாழும் எளிய மக்கள் மற்றும் குழந்தைகளைப் பற்றி இவர் அதிகமாக எழுதுகிறார். எளிமையான மொழிநடை, சரளமான எழுத்து மற்றும் மனித இயல்பைப் பற்றிய ஆழமான பார்வை ஆகியவை இவரது எழுத்தின் முக்கிய அம்சங்கள். "மரங்களின் தீவு" (An Island of Trees), "மலைகளோடு பிணைப்பு" (A Bond with the Mountains) மற்றும் "நான் விரும்பும் இந்தியா" (The India I Love) ஆகியவை இவரது முக்கியமான படைப்புகள். இந்திய இலக்கியத்திற்கு இவர் ஆற்றிய பங்களிப்பிற்காக சாகித்ய அகாடமி பரிசையும் பெற்றுள்ளார். இந்த விருது இவரது பங்களிப்பைப் போற்றும் வகையில் வழங்கப்பட்டது.
In simple words: ரஸ்கின் பான்ட், இந்தியக் குழந்தைகளுக்குப் பிடித்தமான எழுத்தாளர். இவர் பல சிறுகதைகள், நாவல்கள் மற்றும் கவிதைகள் எழுதியுள்ளார். இவருக்கு பல விருதுகளும் கிடைத்துள்ளன.

🎯 Exam Tip: ஒரு ஆசிரியரைப் பற்றி படிக்கும்போது, ​​அவர்களின் முக்கிய படைப்புகள், பெற்ற விருதுகள் மற்றும் அவர்களின் எழுத்தின் பொதுவான கருப்பொருள்கள் அல்லது பாணி அம்சங்களை நினைவில் கொள்வது அவசியம்.