Session: 2024-2025
Name of the Student: Class: VIII Subject:English
Date: Worksheet: Extended Activity
Concept: Reading Comprehension Worksheet no.:
Time Duration: Date of Submission:
Q1. Read the following text and answer the questions that follow.
Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between two mountains, there lived an
old man named Mr. Kumar. He was known far and wide for his wisdom and kind
heart. One day, a traveler came to the village seeking advice. The traveler had been
wandering for many years, searching for the secret to happiness. He had visited
many towns and spoken to many wise men, but no one could give him the answer he
sought.
Upon hearing about Mr. Kumar, the traveler decided to visit him. When he arrived at
Mr. Kumar's humble cottage, he found the old man sitting quietly in his garden,
admiring the flowers. The traveler greeted Mr. Kumar and told him about his long
journey.
“I’ve been looking for happiness for years, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere,” said
the traveler, his voice full of frustration.
Mr. Kumar smiled warmly and said, “Happiness is like this garden. If you look for it in
the wrong places, you will never find it.”
The traveler was puzzled. “But I have traveled so far, and still, happiness eludes me.
What do you mean?”
Mr. Kumar picked a flower from his garden and handed it to the traveler. “You see
this flower? It didn’t bloom overnight. It took time, patience, and care to grow.
Happiness is the same. You must cultivate it within yourself. It cannot be found by
traveling from place to place.”
The traveler looked at the flower and realized the truth in Mr. Kumar’s words. All
these years, he had been searching for happiness outside himself, when all along it
had been something he needed to nurture within.
Before leaving, the traveler asked, “What can I do to cultivate happiness?”
Mr. Kumar replied, “Be kind, be patient, and be grateful. Happiness comes from
appreciating the little things in life and giving back to others.”
The traveler thanked Mr. Kumar and left the village, feeling lighter and more at
peace. For the first time in years, he realized that happiness was not a destination
but a journey, and it began within him.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
1. Why did the traveler visit Mr. Kumar?
A. He wanted to learn how to grow a garden.
B. He had heard about Mr. Kumar’s wisdom and wanted advice on happiness.
C. He was lost and needed directions.
D. He wanted to live in the village.
2. What analogy does Mr. Kumar use to explain happiness to the traveler?
A. Happiness is like a journey.
B. Happiness is like a flower that needs time, patience, and care to grow.
C. Happiness is like a treasure hidden in the mountains.
D. Happiness is like a river flowing through the village.
3. What realization does the traveler have after speaking to Mr. Kumar?
A. Happiness can only be found in distant lands.
B. Happiness requires hard work and discipline.
C. Happiness is something to be nurtured within oneself, not found in external
places.
D. Happiness is unattainable.
4. What advice does Mr. Kumar give the traveler about cultivating happiness?
A. Travel more and meet new people.
B. Be rich and powerful to be happy.
C. Be kind, patient, and grateful.
D. Avoid difficulties and challenges in life.
5. What can be inferred about Mr. Kumar’s character from the passage?
A. He is a wealthy and powerful man.
B. He is impatient and easily frustrated.
C. He is wise, kind, and content.
D. He enjoys living alone and avoids people.
6. Which of the following best represents the theme of the story?
A. Happiness is found through wealth and power.
B. Happiness comes from within and must be nurtured with kindness and patience.
C. Happiness is something that can be bought.
D. Traveling the world is the only way to find happiness.
7. What does the term "cultivate" imply in the advice given by Mr. Kumar?
A. Destroy
B. Examine
C. Grow
D. Observe
8. Assertion (A): The traveler realized that happiness is something that should be
cultivated internally.
Reason (R): Mr. Kumar’s advice was based on the idea that true happiness comes
from within and is not found in external possessions.
Options:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and the Reason is the correct explanation
for the Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but the Reason is not the correct
explanation for the Assertion.
C. The Assertion is correct, but the Reason is incorrect.
D. The Assertion is incorrect, but the Reason is correct.
Read the passage and answer the questions given below.
We have been brought up to fear insects. We regard them as unnecessary creatures that do more harm than good.
Man continuously wages war on them, for they contaminate his food, carry diseases or devour his crops. They sting
or bite without provocation, they fly uninvited into our rooms on summer nights, or beat against our lighted windows.
We live in dread not only of unpleasant insects like spiders or wasps, but of quite harmless ones like moths. Reading
about them increases our understanding without dispelling our fears. Knowing that the industrious ants live in a
highly organized society does not prevent us from being filled with revulsion when we find hordes of them crawling
over a carefully prepared picnic lunch. No matter how much we like honey, or how much we have read of the
uncanny sense of direction which bees possess, we have a horror of being stung. Most of our fears are unreasonable,
but they are difficult to erase. At the same time, however, insects are strangely fascinating. We enjoy reading about
them, especially when we find that like the Praying Mantis, they lead perfectly horrible lives. We enjoy staring at
them, entrance as they go about their business, unaware -we hope – of our presence. Who has not stood in awe at the
sight of a spider pouncing on a fly, or a column of ants triumphantly carrying home an enormous dead beetle?
Last summer, I spent many days in the garden watching thousands of ants crawling up the trunk of my prized peach
tree. The tree has grown against a warm wall on a sheltered side of the house. I am specially proud of it, not only
because it has survived several severe winters, but because it occasionally produces luscious peaches. During the
summer I noticed that the leaves of the tree had begun to wither. Clusters of tiny insects called Aphids were to be
found on the underside of the leaves. They were visited by a large column of ants which obtained a sort of honey
from them. I immediately embarked on an experiment which, even though it failed to get rid of the ants, kept me
fascinated for twenty-four hours. I bound the base of the tree with sticky tape, making it impossible for the ants to
reach the Aphids. The tape was so sticky that they did not dare to cross it. For a long time, I watched them scurrying
around the base of the tree in bewilderment. I even went out at midnight with a torch and noted with satisfaction and
surprise that the ants were still swarming around the sticky tape without being able to do anything about it. I got up
early the next morning to find the ants were climbing up the wall of the house and then on to the leaves of the tree. I
realized sadly that I had been completely defeated by their ingenuity. The ants had been quick to find an answer to
my thoroughly unscientific methods.
Questions:
1. As used in paragraph 2, what is the best antonym for ‘uncanny’? a. ordinary
b. unnatural
c. eerie
d. incredible
2. Give an apt title to the passage and justify the choice of the title.
3. Read the following sentences and identify if they are facts (F) or opinions (O):
I) We regard them as unnecessary creatures that do more harm than good.
II) It has survived several severe winters.
III) We live in dread not only of unpleasant insects like spiders or wasps, but of quite harmless ones like
moths.
A. I) F II)F III)F
B. I) F II)O III)F
C. I) O II)F III)O
D. I) O II)O III)O
4. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from paragraph 1:
brave: soldier:: __________ : ants
(Clue: Just like the adjective appropriate for a soldier, similarly ________ is the appropriate adjective for ants)
5. What did the writer do to prevent the ants from reaching the Aphids? Was it successful?
6. According to the passage, the speaker was defeated by their ingenuity
A. because the ants had been quick to find an answer to his thoroughly unscientific methods.
B. because the ants had not been able to find an answer to his scientific methods
C. because the speaker was scared of the ants
D. because the speaker found the ants were climbing up the wall of the house
7. Why does man try to exterminate insects?
a. man contaminates food, carries diseases, and devours crops
b. man enjoys reading about them
c. insects contaminate food, carry diseases, and devour crops
d. man’s inherent fear of insects
8. Why does the writer say that knowing about insects does not make man change his attitude towards insects?
9. As used in paragraph 4, what is the best synonym for ‘swarming ’?
a. abeyant
b. congested
c. scattered
d. dispersed
10. Based on the text given, we can say that the speaker is __________.
a. documenting the history of insects
b. suggesting ways to overcome the fear of insects
c. proposing an argument and making a case for it
d. highlighting the cause of a problem and its effects
End of Worksheet
Read the passage and answer the given questions.
The Clockwork Heart of Aethelburg
1. Aethelburg, a city of gleaming spires and intricate clockwork mechanisms, pulsed with a life of its own. Gears
whirred, steam hissed, and the rhythmic tick-tock of countless clocks echoed through its cobblestone streets.
At the heart of the city, nestled within the Grand Clock Tower, resided the Great Mechanism, a colossal
engine of gears and springs that regulated the city's intricate systems – from the streetlights that bloomed at
dusk to the automated trams that crisscrossed the metropolis.
2. Elara, a young apprentice clockmaker, had always been fascinated by the Great Mechanism. She spent hours
in the Clock Tower, mesmerized by its complexity, learning the delicate dance of its components. Her mentor,
Master Chronos, a wizened old man with hands as nimble as a hummingbird's wings, recognized Elara’s
talent and passion. He entrusted her with increasingly complex tasks, nurturing her understanding of the city’s
intricate workings.
3. One day, a tremor shook Aethelburg. The Great Mechanism shuddered, its rhythmic pulse faltering. Alarms
blared, and the city plunged into chaos. Streetlights flickered and died, trams ground to a halt, and a sense of
panic gripped the populace. Master Chronos, weakened by age, knew he couldn't repair the Mechanism alone.
He turned to Elara, his eyes filled with both worry and hope.
4. Elara, despite her initial fear, knew what she had to do. She had spent years studying the Great Mechanism,
understanding its intricate design. Taking a deep breath, she climbed into the heart of the engine, navigating
the labyrinth of gears and springs. She worked tirelessly, her hands moving with precision and confidence,
tracing the source of the malfunction. Finally, she discovered a broken gear, a tiny cog that had thrown the
entire system into disarray.
5. With steady hands, Elara replaced the broken gear. Slowly, the Great Mechanism began to hum, its rhythmic
pulse returning. The city breathed a collective sigh of relief as the lights flickered back on and the trams
resumed their journeys. Elara emerged from the Clock Tower, exhausted but triumphant. She had saved
Aethelburg, proving that even the smallest apprentice could hold the key to the city's heart. From that day
forward, Elara became known as the Clockwork Heart of Aethelburg, a symbol of ingenuity and courage.
Answer the following questions:
1. Where is the Great Mechanism located?
a) The Grand Library
b) The City Hall
c) The Grand Clock Tower
d) The Steam Engine Factory
2. What is Elara's role?
a) A tram conductor
b) A clockmaker's apprentice
c) A city council member
d) A steam engine mechanic
3. Choose the best word to complete the sentence:
The intricate clockwork mechanisms of Aethelburg were a testament to the city's __________.
a) Simplicity
b) Ingenuity
c) Obsolescence
d) Decadence
4. Complete the analogy by choosing the best word or phrase:
Great Mechanism : Malfunction :: City : __________
a) Growth
b) Chaos
c) Prosperity
d) Harmony
5. Was it wise for Master Chronos to trust Elara?
a) No, she was just an apprentice.
b) Yes, he recognized her talent and had no other choice.
c) Maybe, but it was a big risk.
d) It was a foolish decision.
6. What does the passage suggest about the importance of skilled craftspeople in Aethelburg?
a) They were not valued by society.
b) They played a crucial role in maintaining the city's infrastructure.
c) Their skills were becoming obsolete.
d) They were mostly foreigners.
7. What can be inferred about the social structure of Aethelburg?
a) It was highly egalitarian.
b) It likely had different social classes, with skilled workers being important.
c) It was primarily agrarian.
d) It was ruled by a tyrannical king.
Q1. Read the following text and answer the questions that follow.
I give Pirrip as my father's name, on the authority of his tombstone and my sister—Mrs. Joe Gargery, who raised me
by hand. My first most vivid memory is of a bleak, overgrown churchyard, where I stood, shivering, before the
graves of my parents. The wind howled across the marshes, and the river beyond glowed faintly under the cold sky. It
was there, among the tombstones, that I first met the convict.
A fearful man, dressed in tattered gray, with a shaved head and iron shackles on his legs, rose up from behind a
gravestone and seized me roughly. I was too terrified to move.
"Hold your noise!" he whispered fiercely, shaking me slightly. "Or I’ll cut your throat!"
I trembled but dared not cry. His face was weathered, his eyes desperate.
"Tell me your name, boy!" he demanded.
"Pi-Pip, sir," I stammered.
"Well, Pip," he growled, "you know what a file is?"
"Yes, sir," I said, though I barely understood.
"And you know what food is?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring them to me, or it will be the worse for you!"
I nodded, my heart pounding. The convict let go of my arm, and I ran as fast as my small legs would carry me. As I
reached home, the warmth of the forge where my sister’s husband, Joe Gargery, worked, seemed to belong to another
world. I knew I had to steal food and a file for the stranger. But fear, heavy as the night, gripped me.
Answer the following questions:
1. What can be inferred about Pip's family background from the passage?
2. What does Pip's reaction to the convict's threats reveal about his character?
3. What is the meaning of "trembled" in the sentence "I trembled but dared not cry"?
4. Marshes are to Loneliness as Home is to:
5. Assertion (A): Pip was terrified when the convict seized him in the graveyard.
Reason (R): The convict threatened to harm Pip if he did not bring him food and a file.
6. Consider the convict's appearance and behavior when he first meets Pip. What might the convict symbolize in the
context of the novel's broader themes?
7. How does Pip's understanding of what it means to be a gentleman evolve throughout the story?
Session: 2024-2025
Name of the Student:
Class: VIII
Subject: English
Date:
Worksheet: Extended Activity
Concept: Reading Comprehension
Worksheet No.:
Time Duration:
Date of Submission:
Q1. Read the following text and answer the questions that follow.
I give Pirrip as my father's name, on the authority of his tombstone and my sister—Mrs. Joe Gargery, who raised me
by hand. My first most vivid memory is of a bleak, overgrown churchyard, where I stood, shivering, before the
graves of my parents. The wind howled across the marshes, and the river beyond glowed faintly under the cold sky.
It was there, among the tombstones, that I first met the convict. A fearful man, dressed in tattered gray, with a shaved
head and iron shackles on his legs, rose up from behind a gravestone and seized me roughly. I was too terrified to
move.
"Hold your noise!" he whispered fiercely, shaking me slightly. "Or I’ll cut your throat!"
I trembled but dared not cry. His face was weathered, his eyes desperate. "Tell me your name, boy!" he demanded.
"Pi-Pip, sir," I stammered.
"Well, Pip," he growled, "you know what a file is?"
"Yes, sir," I said, though I barely understood.
"And you know what food is?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring them to me, or it will be the worse for you!"
I nodded, my heart pounding. The convict let go of my arm, and I ran as fast as my small legs would carry me. As I
reached home, the warmth of the forge where my sister’s husband, Joe Gargery, worked, seemed to belong to another
world. I knew I had to steal food and a file for the stranger. But fear, heavy as the night, gripped me.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
1. What can be inferred about Pip's family background from the passage?
a) He comes from a wealthy family.
b) He is an orphan raised by his sister.
c) His parents are alive but neglectful.
d) He has multiple siblings who care for him.
2. What does Pip's reaction to the convict's threats reveal about his character?
a) He is rebellious and defiant.
b) He is courageous and confrontational.
c) He is fearful but compassionate.
d) He is indifferent and unemotional.
3. What is the meaning of "trembled" in the sentence "I trembled but dared not cry"?
a) Shook with fear
b) Laughed loudly
c) Stood still
d) Ran away quickly
4. Marshes are to Loneliness as Home is to:
a) Safety
b) Adventure
c) Betrayal
d) Uncertainty
5. Assertion (A): Pip was terrified when the convict seized him in the graveyard.
Reason (R): The convict threatened to harm Pip if he did not bring him food and a file.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
6. Consider the convict's appearance and behavior when he first meets Pip. What might the convict
symbolize in the context of the novel's broader themes? How does this symbolism evolve as the story
progresses?
7. How does Pip's understanding of what it means to be a gentleman evolve throughout the story?
