DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL BANGALORE EAST
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
TOPIC: THE TREASURE WITHIN
CLASS: VIII
Answer the following questions
Q1. What did the Principal say to Hafeez, which influenced him deeply?
Ans: Hafeez Contractor was deeply influenced by his Principal's words when he reached the eleventh
standard. His principal made him realize, in contrast to the games and pranks he had been playing, the
value of the hard work his mother had put in to give him the opportunity to study and develop his skills.
Furthermore, the Principal made a tenacious effort to help Hafeez understand the importance of studying,
as he had grown up and needed to learn to take care of himself.
Q2. In the architect's office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join
architecture. Why?
Ans: In the architect's office, Hafeez saw someone drawing a window detail. Upon observing the drawing, he
suggested that it was incorrect and that the window would not open properly. He had a bet with the person
drawing it, and to his amazement, the window design indeed turned out to be flawed. This incident surprised
Hafeez's cousin's husband. To test him, his cousin's husband gave Hafeez the opportunity to draw a few
specific items, which he completed immediately. Furthermore, he was asked to design a house, which he did
with ease. Ultimately, Hafeez was asked to drop everything he was engaged in and join architecture.
Q3. Every youngster has the potential to reach success in his or her chosen field. Explain with reference
to the lesson, ‘The Treasure Within’.
Ans: In ‘The Treasure Within,’ Hafeez Contractor’s journey from a disinterested student to a renowned
architect illustrates that every youngster has the potential to succeed in their chosen field. Despite his
struggles with conventional academics, Hafeez discovered his passion for drawing and design, which led
to his remarkable success. This lesson teaches that everyone has a “treasure within” – special skills and
interests that, when identified and developed, can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Reference to context
“He talked to me for five minutes, “You don’t have your father, your mother has worked so hard to bring you up
and paid all your fees all these years, but you have only played games. Now you should rise to the occasion
and study.”
i. How did the Principal’s words influence Hafeez Contractor?
Ans : * He forgot games that year and studied day and night.
* As a result, he got second class, 50 percent on his own in his SSC.
ii. During his school days, he was .
a) the senior champion and also the cricket captain
b) the junior champion and also the football captain
c) the senior champion and also the football captain
d) the junior champion and also the cricket captain.
iii. What does the idiom ‘rise to the occasion’ mean?
a) Being extremely cautious as you have been hurt already.
b) Perform better than usual in response to a special situation.
c) Confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions.
d) To be very careful with your actions and words.
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