NCERT solutions for English Poorvi Class 8 chapter * - Verghese Kurien - I Too Had A Dream [Latest edition]

Arrange the worldwide means of communication given below in the timeline provided. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. telephone	2. email	3. postcard
4. telegraph	5. mobile phone	6. carrier pigeons

Work in pairs and discuss the following things. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. The reasons for change in the means of communication over the years.
2. The means of communication that you prefer to use and the reason for your choice.
3. Communication through social media: its benefits and precautions that one should take against its misuse.

Identify which of the following statements are facts and which are opinions. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. But speaking on the telephone only gives us an immediate but fleeting joy.
2. I started my working life soon after our country became independent.
3. To be quite honest, service to our nation’s farmers was not the career I had envisioned for myself.
4. I knew I could make a more meaningful contribution by working here in Anand, Gujarat.
5. ... values that I saw in my mentor and supporter here in Anand-Tribhuvandas Patel.
6. Life is a privilege, and to waste it would be wrong.
7. I hope that you, too, will discover, as I did, that failure is not about not succeeding.
8. ... the magnificent ceremony in which the President awarded me the Padma Vibhushan in 1999?

Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.

(i) Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets.

When the writer refers to a ‘fast-paced world’, he is speaking of a world where ______. (communication happens quickly but lacks depth/people have more time to write and reflect)

(ii) Select the option that applies correctly to both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).

(A): Writing letters can be treasured and re-read over the years.
(R): Speaking on the telephone provides long lasting joy.

1. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
4. Both (A) and (R) are false.

(iii) Identify whether the statement given below is true or false.

The writer feels that letter-writing is a class apart from other kinds of writing.

(iv) Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the given extract?

1. The Rise of Instant Communication
2. The Fleeting Delight of Phone Calls
3. The Lasting Joy of Written Words
4. Living in a Fast-paced World

Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.

(i) How can we say that the grandmother shared her husband’s dedication to a greater cause?

(ii) Complete the following with the correct option from the two given in brackets.

The fact that the writer (grandfather) praises his wife tells us that he ______ (truly values/quietly accepts) her role in his life.

(iii) Complete the following sentence with the correct option from those given below.

Based on the information in the extract, we can infer that the grandmother had all of the following traits EXCEPT ______.

1. encouraging
2. understanding
3. comforting
4. thoughtful

(iv) Select the phrase that conveys-‘showed grace under pressure and carried out my duties with dignity and confidence’.

What event does Dr. Kurien refer to when he mentions receiving the Padma Vibhushan?

How did Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand affect his life?

Dr. Kurien’s decision to work in Anand reveals his values and sense of duty. Explain.

Why did Dr. Kurien write the letter to his grandson?

According to Dr. Kurien “life is a privilege and it is wrong to waste it”. What is your opinion on this?

Reading books and listening to music can give abiding pleasure that will last forever.

Match the expressions from the text in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.

Make as many words as you can from the following word. 

community

Make as many words as you can from the following word. 

important

Make as many words as you can from the following word. 

magnificent

Make as many words as you can from the following word. 

satisfied

Make as many words as you can from the following word. 

generation

Make as many words as you can from the following word. 

achievement

Let us play a word game-antakshari.

1. Write the synonym of the word according to the clues given below.
2. For example, the synonym of the first word, ‘IMPORTANT’ ends with the letter ‘T’. The synonym of the second word begins with ‘T’, ‘TROUBLE’. Then write the synonym of the third word starting with the letter ‘E’.
3. Now, continue with the word game.
   

   I

   M

   P

   O

   R

   T

   A

   N

   T

   R

   O

   U

   B

   L

   E

   L

   R

   Y

   S

   E

   1. major (synonym)
   2. problem (synonym)
   3. uneven (antonym)
   4. related to post office
   5. our moral duty
   6. related to time
   7. prosperous (synonym)
   8. related to being alive

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

The conference will be held from March 15 March 20.

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

I have lived in Kanpur Raipur for five years now.

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

The artist known for her vibrant paintings will be showcasing her work in Guwahati.

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

The scores for the final match were 2 3.

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

My favourite snacks samosas, pakoras, and jalebis are all from India.

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

The train journey from Belagavi Bengaluru takes less than ten hours.

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

I just finished reading the book it was absolutely amazing!

Read the sentence below and insert either an em dash (—) or an en dash (–) suitably.

The event will take place on September 1 September 5.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word from the options given in the bracket.

Please remember to bring ______ (your/you’re) assignment book.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word from the options given in the bracket.

The team celebrated ______ (their/they’re) victory after the match.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word from the options given in the bracket.

______ (its/it’s) important to stay hydrated during the hot summer days.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word from the options given in the bracket.

I can’t believe ______ (your/you’re) going to the mango festival today.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word from the options given in the bracket.

The students said ______ (they’re/their) excited for the field trip tomorrow.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word from the options given in the bracket.

The tree lost ______ (its/it’s) leaves in the winter.

Complete the following sentences with suitable prepositional phrases.

1. The children played happily in ______.
2. Nisha placed the vase on ______.
3. We discussed the project in ______.
4. Preethi found the lost book under ______.
5. The cat slept on ______.

Rearrange the following jumbled words and phrases into a meaningful sentence.

barked/at the strangers/the dog/loudly/the house/walking by

Rearrange the following jumbled words and phrases into a meaningful sentence.

wrote/my classmate/during the/a story/summer vacations

Rearrange the following jumbled words and phrases into a meaningful sentence.

enjoyed/under the trees/they/by the lake/a picnic

Rearrange the following jumbled words and phrases into a meaningful sentence.

in his/grandfather’s room/hung/he/the painting

Rearrange the following jumbled words and phrases into a meaningful sentence.

studied/with great determination/for/students/the/exam

You will listen to the passage about Evelyn Glennie’s journey in overcoming her hearing loss through music and turning a physical disability into a success story.

After listening, match the words given in Column 1 with their meanings given in Column 2.

Listen to the passage once again and state whether the statement given below is true or false.

Evelyn Glennie became deaf suddenly.

Listen to the passage once again and state whether the statement given below is true or false.

Her headmistress ignored the signs of her hearing loss.

Listen to the passage once again and state whether the statement given below is true or false.

Ron Forbes was a percussionist who helped Evelyn.

Listen to the passage once again and state whether the statement given below is true or false.

Evelyn used her skin and bones to sense music.

Listen to the passage once again and state whether the statement given below is true or false.

She gave up on music after her diagnosis.

Answer the following question in one or two words.

How did Evelyn turn her disability into strength?

Answer the following question in one or two words.

What role did Ron Forbes play in her life?

Answer the following question in one or two words.

What lessons can we learn from Evelyn’s story about how to treat others who have different abilities or challenges?

Read the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.

That common good will present itself to you in many forms every day.

The highlighted word is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable.

PreSENT (verb) the stress is on the second syllable.

PREsent (noun) the stress is on the first syllable.

Now, read aloud the given words with the correct syllable stress according to the part of speech given in the brackets.

Read the highlighted words in the following sentence from the text.

... but it becomes a possession that can be treasured and re-read over the years, with great, abiding pleasure.

In the highlighted words, -sure has a ‘Zhuh’ sound.

There are some words which end in -sure, but have a ‘shuh’ sound as in pressure [preh-shuh].

Read aloud the following lines from the poem.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit—rest if you must,
but don’t you quit.

Edgar Albert Guest

Now, read the lines of the poem once again by taking a shorter pause (/) or a long pause (//). Notice which version is easier for a listener to follow and understand.

When things go wrong,/as they sometimes will,// 
when the road you’re trudging/seems all uphill,// 
when the funds are low/and the debts are high,// 
and you want to smile/but you have to sigh,// 
when care is pressing you down a bit/—rest if you must,/ 
but don’t you quit.//

Have you listened to this song in Hindi or in your language? Share with your classmates and teacher.

Chunk the stanzas with (/) or (//) and read it aloud.

Life is queer with its twists and turns. 
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he might
have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man.

Write a letter to your grandparents thanking them for the valuable lessons they have taught you. Include how their wisdom has shaped your values and behaviour in life.

1. Thank them for teaching you important lessons, sharing stories, or helping others in the neighbourhood.
2. Share how their actions inspire you to contribute to the betterment of the society.

The White Revolution led to a increase in milk production in India primarily due to the efforts of Dr. Verghese Kurien. Therefore, he is known as ‘the Milkman of India’.

The Green Revolution in India introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. It was initiated by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1967, Padma Bhushan in 1972, Padma Vibushan in 1989, and Bharat Ratna in 2024.

The Blue Revolution focused on increasing fisheries production and productivity in India. This initiative was led by Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri.

In groups of four, research more information about these revolutions. Share your findings with your classmates and teacher.

Vocational training for people in rural regions is provided by the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. The objective of JSS is to economically uplift the rural population by imparting essential skill-based training. This enables local trades to grow and creates new opportunities for the people in the region.

Find out more about JSS with the help of the link given below.

https://jss.gov.in/staticPages

Read the passage and discuss the questions given below.

Discuss in groups.

1. The importance of learning about money and saving from a young age. Share one example of it.
2. Imagine you received some money as a gift. How would you decide whether to save it, spend it, or invest it? What factors would you consider?
3. If you were in charge of planning a small event at school with a limited budget, how would you manage the money?
4. Why is financial literacy important for everyone?