NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 10 The Great Stone Face 2
Comprehension Check
Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following statements.
1. Ernest’s words reminded people of the wise old sayings. ______
Answer - True
2. Total strangers from far away, who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar. ______
Answer - True
3. The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest’s view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness. ______
Answer - False
4. When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other equally. ______
Answer - True
5. The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley. ______
Answer - False
6. The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were far nobler than his own verses. ______
Answer - True
Working with Text
Answer the following questions.
Question 1. How was Ernest different from others in the valley?
Answer
Question 2. Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?
Answer
Question 3. What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?
Answer
Question 4. What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face?
Answer
Question 5. Write ‘Ernest’ or ‘Poet’, against each statement below.
(i) There was a gap between his life and his words. - Poet
(ii) His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts. - Ernest
(iii) His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream. - Poet
(iv) His thoughts were worthy. - Ernest
(v) Whatever he said was truth itself. - Ernest
(vi) His poems were noble. - Poet
(vii) His life was nobler than all the poems. – Ernest
(viii) He lacked faith in his own thoughts. – Poet
(ix) His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived. – Ernest
(x) Greatness lies in truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great. – Ernest
Question 6. (i) Who, by common consent, turned out to be like the Great Stone Face?
(ii) Did Ernest believe that the old prophecy had come true?
What did he say about it?
Answer
Working with Language
Question 1. Mark the meaning that best fits the word or a phrase in the story.
(i) (sun) going down
(a) becoming smaller
(b) weakening
(c) setting
Answer - (c) setting
(ii) brightening
(a) making (it) look bright and cheerful
(b) lending (it) a special glow
(c) causing (it) to appear hopeful
Answer - (b) lending (it) a special glow
(iii) spacious
(a) lonely and wild
(b) big and wide
(c) special and important
Answer - (b) big and wide
(iv) prophecy
(a) proverb
(b) prediction
(c) rumour
(v) marvellous
(a) wonderful
(b) surprising
(c) shocking
Answer - (a) wonderful
(vi) proclaim
(a) reveal
(b) declare
(c) shout
Answer - (b) declare
(vii) cease
(a) happen
(b) stop
(c) remain
Answer - (b) stop
(viii) (a night’s) shelter
(a) stay
(b) safety
(c) hospitality
Answer - (a) stay
(ix) gazed
(a) wandered about
(b) stared at
(c) thought of
Answer - (b) stared at
(x) took on
(a) challenged (an expression)
(b) resembled
(c) assumed
Answer - (c) assumed
Page no: 138
Question 2 (ii) Which form of the verb is more natural in these sentences? Encircle your choice.
(a) I’m not free this evening. I will work/am working on a project.
Answer - I’m not free this evening. I am working on a project.
(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary?
Yes, I have. I will go/am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Answer - Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
(c) Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt/isn’t hurting you.
Answer - Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt you.
(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.
Answer - The weatherman has predicted that it will snow in Ranikhet tonight.
(e) Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.
Answer - Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father is coming to see her.
Question 3 Complete these pieces of conversation using will or going to with the verbs given.
(a) Rani : Why are you turning on the radio?
Ravi : I ___________ (listen) to the news.
(b) Rani : Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.
Ravi : Don’t worry. I ___________ (lend) you some.
(c) Rani : Look at those dark clouds.
Ravi : I think it ___________ (rain).
(d) Rani : What shall we have for dinner?
Ravi : I can’t decide.
Rani : Make up your mind.
Ravi : All right, then. We ___________ (have) fried rice and dry beans.
(e) Rani : Why are you filling the kettle with water?
Ravi : I ___________ (make) coffee.
(f) Rani : We need some bread and butter for breakfast.
Ravi : All right. I ___________ (go) to the bakery and get some.
Ravi : I ___________ (get) some bread and butter. Do you want any thing from the bakery?
Father : Yes, I want some salt biscuits.
Ravi : Fine, I ___________ (get) you a packet.
Answer
Ravi : I am going to listen to the news.
(b) Rani : Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.
Ravi : Don’t worry. I will lend you some.
(c) Rani : Look at those dark clouds.
Ravi : I think it is going to rain.
(d) Rani : What shall we have for dinner?
Ravi : I can’t decide.
Rani : Make up your mind.
Ravi : All right, then. We will have fried rice and dry beans.
(e) Rani : Why are you filling the kettle with water?
Ravi : I am going to make coffee.
(f) Rani : We need some bread and butter for breakfast.
Ravi : All right. I will go to the bakery and get some. (Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)
Father : Yes, I want some salt biscuits.
Ravi : Fine, I will get you a packet.
