KSEEB 8th English A Lesson For Nakul Lesson Notes Summary Questions and Answers
Pre-reading task:
I. Complete the web chart by matching the appropriate words which lead one to success.
Answer:
Goal + positive attitude + inspiration + commitment + struggle + interest = success
II. How do people become successful? Do they always choose the safe and acceptable options?
Do you agree with the statement that risks lead to success?
Answer:
Only those who are willing to face challenges and take up risks are successful. Such individuals are confident and have a positive attitude towards challenges in life. They prefer to try their best than quit. I fully endorse the view that one should be willing to take calculated risks, i.e., after evaluating the pros and cons.
III. Answer the following in two or three sentences each:
Question 1.
Why couldn’t Nakul complete his Maths problems in the test?
Answer:
Nakul couldn’t complete the Maths problem in the test because he had attempted the difficult questions in the beginning and had planned to attempt the easier ones in the last ten minutes. Unfortunately, he ran out of time. Therefore he couldn’t complete two of his Maths problems.
Question 2.
How did Akash console him?
Answer:
Akash consoled him by stating that as it wasn’t the final exam, he didn’t have to worry much about it,He also advised him to write faster in the next test or to set his watch ten minutes ahead, so that he could complete all the questions on time.
Question 3.
What do you mean by the phrase “Don’t be a wet blanket all the time”?
Answer:
A person who spoils other people’s fun by disapproving of it or refusing to join in, is referred to as a wet blanket. This could be because the person is dull, gloomy or a pessimist.
Question 4.
What was the opinion of the teachers about Akash?
Answer:
Mr. Varghese, the Maths teacher admired the cheerful attitude of Akash, who was a lame boy. He hoped to have many more students like him. The Games Master marveled not only at the courage that Akash exhibited in facing challenges in life, but also his helping nature.
According to the Head Master, Akash not only had a cheerful disposition but was also willing to face challenges of a boarding school, even though his parents were reluctant to admit him there and expose him to all the tussles of a boarding school.
Question 5.
Why was Akash keen on joining the boarding school?
Answer:
Akash wanted to join the boarding school because he had a positive attitude in life and was willing and confident to face all the challenges successfully. Though he was a lame boy physically, mentally he was tough and strong.
Question 6.
How did Nakul realize that his way of thinking was irritating to others?
Answer:
When Nakul overheard the teachers praising the positive attitude and cheerful disposition of Akash, he realized that his constant grumbling could have been an irritation to those who looked at the bright side of life.
Question 7.
What do you think were the reasons behind Nakul’s anxiety?
Answer:
Assuming that Nakul was intelligent, it is obvious that he feared failure and was therefore worried about his Maths paper. He was also probably one who wanted everything to be so perfect that even a slight change in the weather condition deterred him. He gradually looked at the negative aspects of life and became a wet blanket.
Question 8.
How did Akash spread happiness among his friends?
Answer:
Akash was always available to those in need. He also had a word of encouragement to motivate those who lacked confidence. He had a positive attitude. Thus by helping others he spread happiness among his friends.
Question 9.
What was Akash’s attitude towards life?
Answer:
Inspite of his fears, pains and physical disability Akash had a positive attitude towards life. His intense positive attitude boosted his confidence to face challenges with courage. The realization that there were many in the world worse off than him, helped him to overlook his own disadvantage and be cheerful always.
IV. Answer the following in five or six sentences each:
Question 1.
In what ways does Akash help Nakul?
Answer:
When Nakul was depressed with his performance in the Math’s exam, Akash consoled him by stating that as it wasn’t the final exam, he need not have to worry much. He also suggested some methods that could be adopted to perform better.
He also went with Nakul at 9.30 in the night to meet Mr. Varghese, their Math’s teacher, to clarify his doubts regarding the entry of his name and roll number on his answer script.
He helped Nakul to learn the dialogues of the play by heart; and encouraged him at the football match.
Question 2.
Was Nakul’s changed attitude towards life, worthy of appreciation? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Nakul who was constantly a wet blanket, had immense negative attitude. He learnt a valuable lesson of confidence and positive attitude from Akash. This changed attitude of Nakul is worthy of appreciation because now, with a positive attitude, he would be able to perform better and probably could transform others also who had negative attitudes.
V. Read the extracts from the lesson and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
“Huh! It’s easy to say that as you don’t have to worry.”
(i) Who said these words?
Answer:
Nakul said those words.
(ii) Why did he say so?
Answer:
Akash was a new student who had joined the school at the end of the first term and Nakul therefore felt that his performance in the exam was not very important. Therefore, he said the above words.
Question 2.
“I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
(i) Who is the speaker?
Answer:
Nakul is the speaker.
(ii) What was the mistake made by him?
Answer:
He feared that he might not have written his name or roll number on his answer script.
Question 3.
“Why do you always look at the dark side of things?”
(i) Who is the speaker?
Answer:
Akash is the speaker.
(ii) What do you mean by the dark side of things?
Answer:
The dark side of things refer to the negative aspects of life.
(iii) Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
The speaker said those words because Nakul always had a negative attitude towards everything.
Question 4.
“I admire you! Despite your handicap you are always cheerful!”
(i) Who said these words and who is he referring to?
Answer:
Nakul said those words. He was referring to Akash.
(ii) Why does the speaker admire him?
Answer:
Despite being lame, Akash was always cheerful and had a positive attitude. Therefore the speaker admired him.
VI. Activity:
Speaking: Given below are eight qualities that people display during their struggle to attain the desired goal: determination, commitment, desire, hardwork, endurance, positive thinking, responsibility, character. Form eight groups, for the eight qualities. Discuss and get ideas from the team members. Let the leaders speak on the points.
(i) Determination: We learned quickly that the most important . predictor of success is determination. At first we think it might be intelligence. Everyone likes to believe that’s what it takes one to succeed. It certainly helps to be smart but it is not the deciding factor. There are plenty of people as smart as Bill Gates who achieve nothing.
In most domains, talent is overrated compared to determination. Partly because it makes a better story, partly because it gives onlookers an excuse for being lazy, and partly because after a while determination starts to look like talent.
(ii) Commitment: Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. For it is said, that actions speak louder than words. Commitment is in making the time when there is none. Commitment is the stuff character is made of the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.
(iii) Desire: Desire is a sense of longing for a person or object or hoping for an outcome. Desire is the fire that sets action aflame. The same sense is expressed by emotions such as ‘craving’ or ‘hankering’. When a person desires something or someone, their sense of longing is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of the item or person, and they want to take actions to obtain their goal.
While desires are often classified as emotions by laypersons, psychologists often describe desires as different from emotions; psychologists tend to argue that desires arise from bodily structures, such as the stomach’s need for food, whereas emotions arise from a person’s mental state.
(iv) Hardwork: That hard work is a key to success is a well-known adage. Parents, teachers as well as others guide a child to work hard so that they can achieve good scores. Though a little bit of luck plays a positive . role, yet I believe that hard work is the key to success. In fact if only luck is to be considered, no one would work but just wait till their luck shows up.
A person can excel in his career due to hard work. If he sits at home, no one would offer him a job unless he initiates the job searching process. Also, if you are working in a company you will be promoted only because of working hard: luck does not figure in the picture, A student stands out first, only if he studies hard. Whether your luck prevails or not, hard work and efforts will pick you up and take you places in life.
Agents are creatures that are capable of reflecting on their situation, forming intentions about how they will act, and then carrying out that action.
Society generally holds people responsible for their actions, and will say that they deserve praise or blame fo * what they do. However, moral responsibility is not necessarily the same as legal responsibility. A person is legally responsible for an event when it is that person who is liable to be penalised in the court system for an event. Although it may often be the case that when a person is morally responsible for an act, they are also legally responsible for it, the two states do not always coincide.
(V) Character: A person of character is one who commands the respect and admiration of all. It is true, that in many cases, heredity and upbringing play their part in strengthening and perfecting a person’s character. Character is the sum of those qualities, actions and tendencies which distinguish one individual from another. In this scenario, many individuals do not have a definite character. As Oscar Wilde puts it, “Most people are other people Their thoughts are some one else’s opinions, their passions and quotations”. So the first essential factor of character is individuality and independence.
It does not mean that the person of character should all the time do what others have not done to keep up their independence. That would be foolishness. What is meant is that a person of character should be able to go against the accepted view or opinion or convention, when their judgment guides them to do so.
Another essence of character is that evil passions should be effectively checked or conquered. People of character are not to be swayed from their path of duty and rectitude by a temptation. All of us cannot be saints. But if we have any pretensions to character we should see that we do not give way to evil passions. This means that persons of character should have a regulated and finely tempered will.
On the negative side it would help them to restrain and control undesirable feelings; on the positive side it would enable them to make ‘ up then mind about something quickly and finally. Novalis says, “Character is perfectly educated will.” More than this, one’s mind should be balanced. Prejudices should not be encouraged. A person with prejudices and superstitions cannot be a person of character.
Lastly, they should have moral courage in the right sense of the term. Without this, character will not stand the wear and tear of life. It is the courage that makes one give up all selfish motives of gain, and go to any length defending the right cause. It is this which makes others realize what ‘ stuff a person is made of. It makes one feared by the evil doers and admired by the good.
VII. Writing
Write a paragraph of about 100 words expressing your views about the motivating factor behind the happiness of Akash and self realisation of Nakul.
Answer:
Akash, as any other child was stooped into depression on realizing that he had been maimed. He told Nakul that it had hurt him immensely, until his grandmother whispered words of confidence in him. She made him realize that no one wants to share another’s sorrow, therefore it is better to be cheerful. She also made him realize that his fate was better off than many others in the world. Thus it was his grandmother’s words that motivated him to change his attitude.
Self realisation of Nakul: Overhearing the teachers’ conversation, Nakul realised that he never saw the gleam of light-the silver lining in the grey cloud and that he was a pessimist. This self realization made him change his attitude. Akash 4s cheerful and positive attitude also was like a tonic that took its effect on him. Therefore the conversation of the teachers, Akash’s attitude and his self realization motivated him to change his attitude.
VIII. Vocabulary
(a) Match the idioms given in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’
| A | B |
| a. in the good books of | 1. at a short distance |
| b. to lose one’s head | 2. at A distance |
| c. at a stone’s throw | 3. to worsen the situation |
| d. to add fuel to the fire | 4. completely |
| e. to sell like hot cakes | 5. to memorize |
| f. to bell the cat | 6. to lose the power of thinking |
| g. to take by surprise | 7. to have a very good sale |
| h. at arm’s length | 8. in favour with |
| i. through and through | 9. to take a lead in a |
Answer:
a – 8,
b – 6,
c – 2,
d – 3,
e – 7,
f – 9,
g – 10,
h – 1,
i – 4,
j – 5
(b) Use these idioms in sentences of your own:
Question 1.
on behalf of (in favour of)
Answer:
During the absence of the Manager, the Assistant Manager takes care of the administration on his behalf.
Question 2.
at the mercy of (with kindness)
Answer:
The slave who was caught fleeing was now at the mercy of his master.
Question 3.
at home (comfortable)
Answer:
Sheela feels at home with her class teacher.
Question 4.
to keep in the dark (not to be in the knowledge of)
Answer:
The old man was kept in the dark about the death of his son.
Question 5.
part and parcel (integral part)
Answer:
Every one who works in a firm is a part and parcel of the organization and is equally responsible for its success or failure.
Question 6.
ups and downs (difficulties)
Answer:
Every one should confidently face the ups and downs in life.
Question 7.
to spread like wild fire (spread very fast)
Answer:
The news about Ramesh’s success in the board exam spread like wild fire in the remote village.
Question 8.
by hook or by crook (at any cost)
Answer:
Phoolan Devi decided to obtain justice by hook or by crook.
IX. Pronunciation:
Split the words and then underline the letters that stand for the vowel sound.
Each part is called a syllable. In each syllable, there is a vowel sound.
Here are a few words from the lesson. Split the words and then underline the letters that stand for the vowel sound.
declare, problem, silent, mistake, constant, favourite, generous, encourage, explanation, courageous, attitude, cheerfulness.
Answer:
De – clare ; pro – blem ; si – lent; mis – take; con – stant; fa – vou – rite Ge – ne – rous ; en – cou – rage; ex -pla – nation; cou – ra – geous; at-ti-tude; cheer – full-ness.
X. Listening Activity:
| Motivating factors | Demotivating factors |
| confident, competitive, positive attitude, desire for excellence, knowledge, cleverness, intelligence, group activities, team spirit. | fear, discouragement, fault finding nature, lack of confidence, laziness, procrastination |
XI. Writing: Student’s activity
Sample answer: The new child in my class is a slow learner. He is unable to read as well as others. He is always alone. I find him very strange. I look at him repulsively. Later I realized that I am not like him and am greatful to God for the blessings, he has bestowed upon me. I then observed how others treated him. He is neglected, that’s why I decided to befriend him. I started talking to him. I was surprised to learn that he is a good singer and has won many prizes in various competitions that he had taken part in. I helped him in those areas that he had difficulty. I am enjoying it especially, when I see the smile on his face.
XII. Vocabulary:
‘Don’t be a wet blanket all the time!” Wet blanket means a person who spoils other people’s pleasure because he is gloomy, dull, pessimistic etc.
(A) Here are a few more idioms using ‘wet’.
Like a wet rag – a useless person
Wet behind the ears – not mature or experienced especially in a job
Wet through – throughly soaked
(B) Here are some more idioms:
Fill in the blanks with suitable idioms given in the box. Make the necessary changes.
(pull through, give up, back out, abide by, apple of one’s eye, come across, carry out, cry over spilt milk, call a spade a spade, get rid of.)
Question 1.
If you join a club, you have to _________________ its rules.
Answer:
abide by
Question 2.
The youngest son was the _________________ his mothers’s _________________ .
Answer:
apple of – eye.
Question 3.
He had promised to help me, but _________________ at the last moment.
Answer:
backed out
Question 4.
The servant _________________ the master’s orders
Answer:
carried out
Question 5.
While reading the history of reptiles, I _________________ a very important detail about
its food habits.
Answer:
came across
Question 6.
An honest man never hesitates to _________________ .
Answer:
call a spade a spade
Question 7.
A man of action never _________________ .
Answer:
cries over spilt milk
Question 8.
Thank God, he succeeded in _________________ his bad habits.
Answer:
getting rid of
Question 9.
Don’t _________________ your efforts.
Answer:
give up
Question 10.
Thanks to the excellent medical treatment, he _________________ his illness.
Answer:
pulled through
XIII. a. Read these dialogues aloud: Class Activity
b. Share and listen.
Answer:
Remember the first day of your school? How did you feel? Who became your first friend? How did your first day go? Listen to your friend’s experience sitting next to you. We all come to school, but so many children in our country do not go to school for many reasons.
Question 1.
Form a group of four or five and discuss the following:
Reasons why these children do not go to school.
What remedial measure can be taken to make them come to school?
What can you do for these children?
Answer:
Most of the children are unable to go to school due to poverty. Their parents prefer to send them for work than to a school. Some children are not at all interested in studying. This could probably be due to their bad company or due to lack of proper guidance.
The government has a very important role to play in providing quality education. They can through the mass media, stress on the importance of education.
Certain basic job oriented technical courses could be provided in the schools along with general education.
If I come across a child who is not going to school, I would tell him about the importance of education that is necessary for a better standard of living and to be a good citizen.
2. Student’s activity.
Additional Questions with Answers
I. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Why was Akash not worried about the exams?
Answer:
Akash was not worried about the exams because he had joined school only at the end of the first term.
Question 2.
Who was Mr. Varghese?
Answer:
Mr. Varghesee was the Math’s teacher of Standard VI.
Question 3.
Why was Nakul selected for the school drama?
Answer:
As Nakul was tall and well built for his age, his master chose him to play an important role in the drama.
Question 4.
How did Nakul react when he was selected for the drama? Why?
Answer:
Nakul groaned when he was selected for the drama because he had many lines to learn by heart and he was not sure of his own ability.
Question 5.
Why was Nakul unable to enjoy the outing ?
Answer:
Nakul was not able to enjoy the outing because of the tiff he had with Akash.
II. Rewrite as directed
Question 1.
Huh! It’s easy to say that as you don’t have to worry.
(pick out the interjection from the sentence)
Answer:
Huh!
Question 2.
I ‘thought something awful had happened. (Pick out the word from the sentence which means, extremely bad or unpleasant)
Answer:
awful
Question 3.
The sun will come out. The day will be fine.
(Combine the sentences with a suitable conjunction)
Answer:
The sun will come out and the day will be fine.
Question 4.
You are a wet blanket all the time (Into an exclamatory sentence)
Answer:
What a wet blanket you are, all the time!
Question 5.
Nakul – (feel) annoyed and – (walk) away to join the other friends. (Fill in with the correct form of the verbs)
Answer:
felt, walked.
Question 6.
He is lame. He is cheerful (combine using the word Although)
Answer:
Although he is lame, he is cheerful.
III Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
You are coming too.
(a) Who said the above sentence?
Answer:
The above sentence was said by Nakul.
(b) Who was going with him?
Answer:
Akash was going with him.
(c) Where were they going?
Answer:
They were going to meet Mr. Varghese, their Math’s teacher.
Question 2.
I hope I won’t forget the words.
(a) Who was worried about forgetting the words?
Answer:
Nakul was worried about forgetting the words.
(b) What were the words he doesn’t want to forget?
Answer:
He doesn’t want to forget the dialogues of the drama.
Question 3.
I admire that plucky fellow.
(a) Who is the ‘I’ in the above sentence?
Answer:
The word ‘I’ refers to Mr.Varghese.
(b) To whom was it said ?
Answer:
It was said to the Games Master.
(c) Who was that plucky fellow?
Answer:
Akash was that plucky fellow.
Question 4.
I was very touchy about it too.
(a) Who is the ‘I’ mentioned in the sentence?
Answer:
The T mentioned in the sentence refers to Akash.
(b) About what was he touchy?
Answer:
He felt touchy that he was lame.
(c) Who helped him to overcome the negative feeling?
Answer:
His grandmother helped him overcome his negative feelings.
IV. Change into indirect speech
Question 1.
“I am sorry for leaving you in a huff yesterday.” Nakul said to Akash.
Answer:
Nakul apologised to Akash for leaving him in a huff the previous day.
V. Add suitable question tags.
- Tarun is the monitor of the class,
- You have written your name and roll number,
- You are a real gem.
- It is sure to rain,
Answer:
- isn’t he?
- haven’t you?
- aren’t you?
- isn’t it?
VI. Multiple Choice Questions:
Choose the correct answer from the options provided and answer the questions.
Question 1.
A person who is unable to walk normally is called
(a) lame
(b) deaf
(c) dumb
(d) blind
Answer:
(a) lame
Question 2.
Nakul admitted that his constant grumbling must have irritated Akash because,
(a) Akash was a bully.
(b) Akash was not his friend.
(c) Akash looked at the bright side of things always.
(d) Akash complained to Mr.Varghese.
Answer:
(c) Akash looked at the bright side of things always.
A Lesson For Nakul Lesson Summary in English
“Change your attitude and the world changes for you” is the message, this lesson conveys through the simple incidents that Nakul experiences when he befriends the new boy admitted to his class.
Akash, a lame boy gets admitted to a boarding school at the end of the first term, where Nakul is a student. Akash’s over protective parents were reluctant to put him in a boarding school but Akash was confident that he could manage on his own in the boarding school and was eager to study there. During his stay in the school, he spread cheer to one and all around.
He was always ready to go the extra mile to help those in need. This was what Nakul experienced from Akash more than once. The first time was when he had to meet his Maths-teacher and the second time was when Akash helped him to practice the dialogues for the drama. Akash also made Nakul to introspect about his own ‘wet blanket attitude’. As some of the good qualities of Akash rubbed on him, Nakul pondered positively about his own attitude.
This was done especially after he overheard the conversation of the teachers regarding Akash. Therefore, Nakul decided to change his attitude after he learnt how Akash’s grandmother had instilled the positive attitude in him, by making him realize, that he was much better than many others.
A Lesson For Nakul Lesson Word in English
- tussle = a struggle or fight
- retort = to make a quick especially an angry reply to an accusation or a challenge.
- grumble = to complain or protest in a bad tempered way, usually not loudly.
- tiff = a slight argument between friends.
- marvel = to be very surprised at something, often admiring it very much.
- plucky = having or showing courage, bravery.
- spectator = a person who watches a game or a show.
- huff = to show one’s annoyance in an obvious or threatening way, without actually achieving anything.
- touchy = easily offended or upset.