Samacheer Kalvi Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 8 Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk Textual Exercises

A) Say True or False.

Question 1. The magic beans grew into a huge beanstalk.
Answer: True
In simple words: The magic beans really did grow into a very tall beanstalk, just like in the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember key events from the story to correctly identify true or false statements.

Question 2. The beanstalk reached high into the sky in the evening.
Answer: False
In simple words: The beanstalk actually grew very high into the sky by the morning, not in the evening.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to details like time or specific descriptions when reading. This helps avoid common mistakes.

Question 3. Everything is so big in the castle.
Answer: True
In simple words: When Jack went inside the castle, he found that all the things there, like furniture and objects, were very large.

🎯 Exam Tip: Imagine the size of a giant to understand why everything in their castle would be huge.

Question 4. The hen laid a perfect iron egg.
Answer: False
In simple words: The special hen Jack found laid golden eggs, not eggs made of iron.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the magical items in the story, like the golden eggs, to get these facts right.

Question 5. Jack picked up the Giant's hen.
Answer: True
In simple words: Jack did take the hen that laid golden eggs from the Giant's castle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the main actions of the characters. Jack's interaction with the hen is a key part of the story.

B) Fill in the blanks.

Question 1. The Giant smells the blood of an ............................
Answer: Englishman
In simple words: The Giant had a special smell that let him know when an Englishman, like Jack, was nearby.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the Giant's famous line about smelling an Englishman's blood; it's a key detail in the story.

Question 2. Jack asked his mom for an ............................
Answer: axe
In simple words: Jack needed an axe from his mother to cut down the giant beanstalk.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the sequence of events. Jack needed the axe after being chased by the Giant.

Question 3. Jack chopped down the ............................
Answer: beanstalk
In simple words: Jack used an axe to cut down the giant beanstalk so the Giant could not follow him.

🎯 Exam Tip: This action is crucial to the story's ending, showing Jack's cleverness and courage.

Question 4. As soon as the giant was full, he fell fast ............................
Answer: asleep
In simple words: After eating a lot, the Giant quickly became very sleepy and fell into a deep sleep.

🎯 Exam Tip: The Giant's habit of falling asleep after eating allowed Jack to escape or take things.

C) Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Why was Jack's mother angry?
Answer: Jack's mother was upset because she thought he made a bad trade. He swapped their only cow for just five magic beans, which she believed was a silly thing to do. She hoped he would bring money for their cow.
In simple words: Jack's mother was angry because he traded their cow for magic beans, which she thought was foolish.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering "why" questions, always provide the reason clearly, explaining the character's motivation.

Question 2. Why was Jack surprised when reaching the sky?
Answer: Jack was very surprised because by morning, the beanstalk had grown incredibly tall, reaching all the way up into the sky. He had never seen such a fast-growing plant. This amazing growth filled him with wonder.
In simple words: Jack was surprised because the beanstalk grew so high into the sky overnight.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the extraordinary nature of the beanstalk's growth as the main reason for Jack's surprise.

Question 3. What did Jack find when he reached the top?
Answer: When Jack reached the very top of the beanstalk, he discovered a giant castle. It was a huge, mysterious place far above the clouds. This was a new, exciting world for him to explore.
In simple words: At the top of the beanstalk, Jack found a huge castle belonging to a giant.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the main discovery Jack made at the top, which sets the scene for the rest of his adventure.

Question 4. What did Jack see in the castle?
Answer: Inside the castle, Jack saw that everything was enormous. The chairs, tables, and all the objects were much larger than regular human things. He realized it was a giant's home. The sheer size of everything was amazing to behold.
In simple words: Jack saw that everything inside the giant's castle was very, very big.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the extraordinary size of the items in the castle to convey its nature as a giant's dwelling.

Question 5. What did the Giant eat for a meal?
Answer: For his meal, the Giant ate five whole sheep. Giants need a lot of food, so he had a very large and satisfying dinner. This shows how massive and hungry the Giant was.
In simple words: The Giant ate five sheep for his meal because he was very big and needed a lot of food.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning the specific number of sheep highlights the Giant's immense appetite and size.

Question 6. Where did Jack hide when he saw the Giant?
Answer: When Jack saw the Giant, he quickly hid inside a cupboard. This was a smart move to stay out of sight from the scary Giant. He needed to be very careful not to be discovered.
In simple words: Jack hid in a cupboard when he saw the Giant coming.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the hiding place clearly and briefly, as it's a direct factual recall from the story.

Question 7. What did Jack intend to take when the Giant asleep?
Answer: When the Giant was sleeping, Jack planned to take the hen that laid golden eggs. This magical hen could make his family rich. He knew this was a valuable item to get back home.
In simple words: Jack planned to take the hen that laid golden eggs while the Giant was asleep.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specify the magical item Jack wanted to take, as it is a key plot point for his family's fortune.

Question 8. What did the hen do when Jack picked it up?
Answer: When Jack picked up the hen, it started to squawk loudly and flap its wings. This noise woke up the Giant and made Jack hurry even more. The hen's noisy reaction added to the danger of Jack's escape.
In simple words: When Jack picked up the hen, it squawked loudly and flapped its wings, making a lot of noise.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the hen's immediate actions, as this detail creates tension and leads to the Giant's awakening.

Question 9. What did Jack do when the Giant woke up?
Answer: As soon as the Giant woke up, Jack quickly ran and climbed down the beanstalk as fast as he possibly could. He needed to escape from the angry Giant who was chasing him. His quick thinking helped him survive.
In simple words: When the Giant woke up, Jack quickly climbed down the beanstalk to escape.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the urgency and speed of Jack's escape when the Giant woke up.

Question 10. Why did Jack ask for an axe?
Answer: Jack asked for an axe because he wanted to cut down the beanstalk. This was to stop the Giant from being able to follow him down to the ground. He needed to ensure their safety. It was a clever way to keep the Giant away forever.
In simple words: Jack asked for an axe to chop down the beanstalk, preventing the Giant from reaching them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the purpose of Jack's request – to ensure the Giant could not harm him or his mother.

Use Grammar (Text Book Page No. 220)

Sentence of Double Meanings: (Text Book Page No. 220)

Question 1. “Let's eat grandpa".
Answer: "Let's eat, Grandpa!" This sentence has a double meaning depending on how it's punctuated. Without a comma, it sounds like someone wants to eat their grandpa. With a comma, it becomes an invitation for Grandpa to join them for a meal. Correct punctuation can save a life (or at least avoid a misunderstanding)!
In simple words: This sentence means two things. Without a comma, it sounds like eating Grandpa. With a comma ("Let's eat, Grandpa!"), it asks Grandpa to eat with them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Punctuation, especially commas, can completely change the meaning of a sentence, so always use them carefully.

Question 2. “A woman, without her man is nothing”.
Answer: "A woman: without her, man would be nothing." This sentence highlights how punctuation changes meaning. The first version, "A woman, without her man, is nothing," suggests a woman is incomplete without a man. The second version, "A woman: without her, man would be nothing," means that a man is nothing without a woman, giving a completely different, empowering message. The colon and comma shift who is "nothing" without whom. Words are powerful, and punctuation guides their power.
In simple words: The first sentence means a woman is nothing without a man. The second sentence, with different punctuation, means a man is nothing without a woman.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to every punctuation mark; it can entirely flip the intended meaning, especially in sensitive statements.

Question 3. "I love baking my family and my friends".
Answer: "I love baking, my family, and my friends." This sentence needs commas to be clear. Without proper commas, it sounds like the speaker enjoys baking their family and friends. With commas, it clearly means the speaker loves baking (as an activity), and also loves their family and friends. A small comma makes a big difference in meaning.
In simple words: Without commas, it sounds like baking people. With commas ("I love baking, my family, and my friends."), it means loving baking and loving family and friends separately.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use the Oxford comma (the last comma in a list before "and") to avoid ambiguity when listing multiple items.

Question 4. "Kill him, not leave him".
Answer: "Kill him not, leave him." This sentence demonstrates how moving the comma can reverse an instruction. The first version, "Kill him, not leave him," means to kill him. The second version, "'Kill him not, leave him,'" (often presented as 'Kill him not; leave him!') means to spare his life and let him go. This highlights the importance of precise punctuation in conveying clear instructions. A comma's position can be a matter of life or death!
In simple words: With the comma after "him" ("Kill him, not leave him"), it means to kill. With the comma before "not" ("Kill him not, leave him"), it means to not kill him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always be mindful of comma placement, especially in commands, as it dictates the exact action to be taken.

Punctuation:

A) Punctuate the following sentences. (Text Book Page No. 223)

Question 1. I like playing with my friends sandy sunny sameer
Answer: I like playing with my friends, Sandy, Sunny, Sameer.
In simple words: Add commas between the names of the friends to separate them in a list.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more things. Also, capitalize proper nouns like names.

Question 2. we went through the smoky mountains, near shimla on our way to leh
Answer: We went through the smoky mountains, near Shimla on our way to Leh.
In simple words: Start the sentence with a capital letter and capitalize the names of places like Shimla and Leh.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to capitalize the first word of every sentence and all proper nouns (names of specific places, people, or things).

Question 3. my favourite soap is pears and my favourite toothpaste is pepsodent
Answer: My favourite soap is Pear and my favourite toothpaste is Pepsodent.
In simple words: Start the sentence with a capital letter and capitalize the brand names 'Pear' and 'Pepsodent'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always capitalize the first word of a sentence and proper nouns, which include brand names.

Question 4. my friend priya speaks german and she is teaching me some words
Answer: My friend Priya speaks German and she is teaching me some words.
In simple words: Capitalize the first word of the sentence and the proper noun 'Priya' and the language 'German'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Capitalize proper nouns like names of people and languages, and always begin a sentence with a capital letter.

Question 5. he was honest sincere hardworking
Answer: He was honest, sincere, hard-working.
In simple words: Start the sentence with a capital letter and use commas to separate the adjectives describing the person, also use a hyphen in 'hard-working'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use commas to separate multiple adjectives describing a noun, especially if they are of equal importance. Also, compound adjectives are often hyphenated.

Question 6. Hindus Muslims Sikhs Christians live together in India
Answer: Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians live together in India.
In simple words: Capitalize the first word and each religion name, and separate them with commas in a list. Also, capitalize the country name.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always capitalize names of religions and countries, and use commas to separate items in a series.

Question 7. long ago in a town in Switzerland there lived a famous man called William
Answer: Long ago in a town in Switzerland, there lived a famous man called William.
In simple words: Capitalize the first word, the country name 'Switzerland', and the person's name 'William'. Add a comma after the introductory phrase "in Switzerland".

🎯 Exam Tip: Capitalize proper nouns (like names of countries and people) and use a comma after an introductory phrase that sets the scene.

Question 8. Akbar the greatest of the Mughal emperors ruled wisely
Answer: Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal Emperors, ruled wisely.
In simple words: Capitalize 'Akbar' and 'Mughal Emperors'. Use commas around the descriptive phrase "the greatest of the Mughal Emperors" because it adds extra information about Akbar.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use commas to set off appositives (phrases that rename or describe a noun) that are not essential to the sentence's meaning.

Question 9. Tanya said to ilarahul is a nice guy
Answer: Tanya said to Ilarahul, "Babu is a nice guy."
In simple words: Capitalize names like 'Tanya' and 'Ilarahul'. Use a comma before direct speech and put the spoken words inside quotation marks. Capitalize the first word of the direct speech.

🎯 Exam Tip: When reporting direct speech, always enclose the exact words spoken in quotation marks and use a comma to separate the reporting clause from the speech.

Question 10. when is your birthday
Answer: When is your birthday?
In simple words: Capitalize the first word of the question and end it with a question mark because it asks for information.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always start a sentence with a capital letter. Use a question mark at the end of a sentence that asks a question.

B) Write the correct punctuation mark that best completes each sentence.

Question 1. Where is an exciting place to visit ..........
Answer: ?
In simple words: This sentence asks a question, so it needs a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always use a question mark at the end of a direct question.

Question 2. Make sure to complete all your homework on time ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This is a command or instruction, so it ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use a full stop (period) at the end of a complete statement or command.

Question 3. Priya asked when are we going on a vacation ..........
Answer: ?
In simple words: This sentence reports a question that Priya asked, so it needs a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a sentence directly quotes a question, even if it starts with a name, it needs a question mark.

Question 4. Terry Sam and Jeremy went to the movies together ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This sentence makes a statement, so it ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: A simple declarative sentence that states a fact always ends with a period.

Question 5. Wow What a wonderful event ..........
Answer: !
In simple words: This sentence shows strong feeling, so it needs an exclamation mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use an exclamation mark for sentences that express strong emotion, surprise, or excitement.

Question 6. I am so excited to see my family for Christmas ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This is a statement expressing excitement, which ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: If the excitement is stated as a fact rather than an outburst, a period is correct. An exclamation mark is also acceptable here for emphasis.

Question 7. What day of the week is your favourite ..........
Answer: ?
In simple words: This sentence asks a question, so it needs a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Any sentence that poses a direct query or seeks information must conclude with a question mark.

Question 8. You need to do your homework right after dinner ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This sentence gives a suggestion or instruction, so it ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: Statements of advice or mild commands typically end with a period.

Question 9. Please take out the trash when you get home ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This is a polite request or instruction, so it ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: Polite requests starting with "Please" are usually punctuated with a period.

Question 10. My favorite team won the game ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This sentence makes a statement of fact, so it needs a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: Simple declarative sentences, which state facts or opinions, always end with a period.

Question 11. What did you want to eat for lunch ..........
Answer: ?
In simple words: This sentence asks a question, so it needs a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to use a question mark for any sentence that asks for information.

Question 12. I had a great time at your party ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This sentence is a statement about an event, so it ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: A declarative sentence conveying a past experience ends with a period.

Question 13. Do you know what time it is ..........
Answer: ?
In simple words: This sentence asks for information about the time, so it needs a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Even indirect questions like this one, when presented as a direct query, require a question mark.

Question 14. How do we get to the amusement park ..........
Answer: ?
In simple words: This sentence asks for directions, so it needs a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Questions seeking directions or methods always end with a question mark.

Question 15. I can't wait to go on summer vacation ..........
Answer: .
In simple words: This sentence expresses a strong desire as a statement, so it ends with a full stop.

🎯 Exam Tip: A statement of eager anticipation, even if enthusiastic, generally ends with a period if it's not a sudden exclamation.