UP Board Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 4 A Visit To Cambridge

Exercise

Comprehension Questions

1. Answer the Following Questions:

Question a. Name the book written by Stephen Hawking.
Answer: Stephen Hawking wrote a very famous book called 'A Brief History of Time'. This book helped many people understand complex science ideas. It explained big ideas about the universe in a way that was easier to grasp.
In simple words: Stephen Hawking wrote a famous book titled 'A Brief History of Time'.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for a specific title, always include it exactly as written and put it in single quotation marks.

Question b. What makes the "differently abled" people stronger, according to the author?
Answer: The author believes that what makes people with different abilities stronger is seeing someone like them achieve great things. This gives them hope and shows them what is possible. It helps them feel less alone and more motivated.
In simple words: Seeing other differently-abled people achieve big things makes them stronger.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on keywords like "achieving something huge" when explaining what gives strength to differently abled individuals.

Question c. What is the scientist's message for the disabled?
Answer: The scientist's message for disabled people is to focus on what they are good at. He encouraged them to put their energy into their strengths, rather than dwelling on what they cannot do. This helps them find success and happiness.
In simple words: The scientist told disabled people to focus on their talents and what they do well.

🎯 Exam Tip: When stating a message or advice, make sure to clearly and simply state the core instruction given.

Question d. The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Answer: The writer felt very thankful to Stephen Hawking for two reasons: first, for spending time with him despite his busy schedule, and second, for inspiring him to improve his own life. This meeting was very important to the writer. Hawking's strength and wisdom left a lasting impact.
In simple words: The writer was thankful that Stephen Hawking gave him time and inspired him to live a better life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to list all reasons for gratitude mentioned in the text to get full marks.

Word Power

Question 1. Choose the words from the box which can be substituted for the given sentences:
1. One who cannot see blind
2. One who cannot hear deaf
3. One who cannot speak dumb
4. One who cannot walk lame
5. One who cannot read or write illiterate
Answer:
1. One who cannot see is called blind.
2. One who cannot hear is called deaf.
3. One who cannot speak is called dumb.
4. One who cannot walk is called lame. Lame refers to someone having a physical disability affecting their legs.
5. One who cannot read or write is called illiterate.
In simple words: Match each person's inability with the correct descriptive word.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the exact meaning of each descriptive word (blind, deaf, dumb, lame, illiterate) to match them correctly to the given sentence.

2. Look at the Following Words

Question. Can you create a meaningful phrase using both these words? (It is simple. Adding to the verb and use it before the noun. Put an article at the beginning.) ...a walking stick Now make six such phrases using the words given in the box
Answer:
1. a reading session
2. a smiling face
3. a revolving chair
4. a walking tour
5. a dancing doll. Dolls can sometimes be made to dance or move.
6. a winning chance.
In simple words: To make these phrases, add '-ing' to the first word and put it before the second word, then add 'a' or 'an' at the start.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the instruction to add "-ing" to the verb and place it before the noun to form these descriptive phrases correctly.

Language Practice

Question 1. Use neither......nor to join the pairs of sentences given below. One has been done for you:
• I don't eat candy. I don't eat cake. Neither do I eat candy nor cake.
• I don't like John. I don't like Peter. Neither do I like John nor Peter
• He did not come. He did not call. Neither did he come nor call.
• He does not drink. He does not smoke. Neither does he drink nor smoke.
• She did not like Rome. She did not like Paris. Neither did she like Rome nor Paris.
Answer:
• Neither do I eat candy nor cake.
• Neither do I like John nor Peter.
• Neither did he come nor call. The word 'neither...nor' helps combine two negative sentences smoothly.
• Neither does he drink nor smoke.
• Neither did she like Rome nor Paris.
In simple words: When two sentences say "not" about two things, you can use "neither...nor" to join them into one clear sentence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to invert the subject and auxiliary verb after "neither" when starting a sentence, and ensure the verb agrees with the second noun in a "neither...nor" structure.

Question 2. Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.
• He has two brothers. Both are lawyers.
• More than ten persons called. All of them wanted to see you.
• They all cheered the team.
• Both her parents are teachers.
• How much have you got? Give me all of it.
Answer:
• He has two brothers. Both are lawyers. (Used 'both' because it refers to exactly two people.)
• More than ten persons called. All of them wanted to see you. (Used 'all' because it refers to more than two people, a larger group.)
• They all cheered the team. (Used 'all' to indicate everyone in the group cheered.)
• Both her parents are teachers. (Used 'both' because it refers to exactly two individuals: mother and father.)
• How much have you got? Give me all of it. (Used 'all' because it refers to the entire amount, whatever it may be.)
In simple words: Use "both" when talking about exactly two things or people, and use "all" when talking about more than two, or a whole amount.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Both' is for two specific items or people, while 'all' is for three or more, or the entire quantity of something.

Question 3. Use of lets and let's: Lets – without an apostrophe, is the singular form of the verb lets, meaning ‘to allow or permit'. Example- She lets the dog out every morning. Let's – with an apostrophe, is a short form (contraction) of ‘let us', which is used for suggestion or request. It is similar to the meaning of 'we should'. Example-Let us learn more. Now complete the following sentences using lets or let's :
1. His mother lets him watch T.V. till midnight.
2. Let's hope for the best.
3. Let's see what is on the menu.
4. The teacher lets, the children play.
5. He lets his dog to go out.
6. Let's go fishing.
Answer:
1. His mother **lets** him watch T.V. till midnight.
2. **Let's** hope for the best.
3. **Let's** see what is on the menu. This phrase suggests an action for 'us' to do.
4. The teacher **lets** the children play.
5. He **lets** his dog to go out.
6. **Let's** go fishing.
In simple words: Use "lets" when someone allows something, and "let's" when you want to suggest an action for "us" to do.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that 'lets' is a verb meaning 'allows', while 'let's' is a contraction for 'let us', meaning 'we should' or 'it is suggested that we'.

Activity – Do It Yourself.