UP Board Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 5 Play Things

Exercise (अभ्यास)

Comprehension Questions

1. Answer the Following Questions:

 

Question a. Where was the child sitting?
Answer: The child was sitting outside in the dusty ground. This shows that children can find joy and entertainment even in simple surroundings.
In simple words: The child was sitting outside in the dust.

🎯 Exam Tip: For direct questions, clearly state the fact as given in the story, ensuring accuracy and brevity.

 

Question b. What is the child playing with?
Answer: The child was playing with a small, broken twig. Children often use common objects to create their own imaginative games.
In simple words: The child was playing with a broken tree branch.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific object mentioned in the text that the child is using for play.

 

Question c. Which activities was the poet busy in?
Answer: The poet was busy adding numbers and managing his financial accounts. This highlights the contrast between the simple joy of the child and the poet's adult responsibilities.
In simple words: The poet was busy adding numbers and checking his accounts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific tasks the poet is described as doing in the poem to identify his busy activities.

 

Question d. What has the poet forgotten?
Answer: The poet has forgotten how to get completely lost in playing with sticks and making mud-pies. He misses the simple, carefree joy of childhood games and the ability to find happiness in small things.
In simple words: The poet has forgotten how to enjoy playing with sticks and mud, like a child does.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on what the poet has lost or neglected from his past, specifically related to the child's actions and innocent play.

 

Question e. What did the poet struggle to cross?
Answer: The poet struggled to cross the vast "sea of his desires" in his fragile canoe. This means he was finding it difficult to fulfill all his many wishes and ambitions.
In simple words: The poet struggled to achieve his many wishes, which he saw as a big sea to cross in a weak boat.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the metaphorical language used; "sea of desires" and "weak canoe" represent the challenges in achieving goals and life's ambitions.

 

Question f. What do you understand by the phrase 'the sea of desire'?
Answer: The phrase "the sea of desire" means that every adult has many wishes and ambitions that seem endless. They try to achieve these desires, but it feels like a never-ending journey, much like sailing on a vast ocean in a small, weak boat. This reflects the constant struggle adults face in life.
In simple words: It means adults have many wishes that never end, like a huge sea. They try to get everything they want, but it is very hard.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the meaning of the metaphor by relating it to real-life adult experiences and their endless pursuit of goals and wants.

 

Word Power

 

Question 1. Write two rhyming words for the words given below:
Answer: For each word, here are two words that rhyme with it:

• dust - rust, must
• hour - far, car
• think - wink, drink
• seek - meek, sleek

This activity helps to improve vocabulary and understanding of word sounds in English.
In simple words: For each word, we need to find two other words that sound similar at the end.

🎯 Exam Tip: When finding rhyming words, focus on the ending sound of the word, rather than just its spelling, to ensure they truly rhyme.

 

Question 2. Hockey is a sport which is played with a stick and a ball. Given below are some games, write what they are played with:
Answer: Here are the sports and the equipment used to play them:

• Hockey: played with a hockey stick and a ball.
• Cricket: played with a cricket ball and a bat.
• Skating: done using roller skates.
• Badminton: played with a badminton racket and a shuttlecock.
• Football: played with a football.

Knowing the right equipment is key to playing each sport correctly and safely.
In simple words: For each game, we list the special things you need to play it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you list all the main pieces of equipment required for each sport to get full marks and avoid missing any crucial items.

 

Activity

Let's Discuss and Write Do It Yourself.