NCERT Solutions for Chapter 5 Somebody's Mother Class 8 English Poorvi
- Chapter Name: Somebody's Mother
- Unit: Value and Dispositions
- Textbook Name: Class 6 English Poorvi
- Related Stud material: Class 6 Poorvi NCERT Solutions
Chapter 5 Somebody's Mother NCERT Solutions Class 8 English
Page No. 70
Let us do these activities before we read
I. Recall a time you helped someone. Write two words describing:
1. What were your feelings after you did so?
Answer
Happy, proud and self-satisfied.
2. What might have been the feelings of the person whom you helped? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Answer
Grateful, relieved and Thankful.
II. Work in pairs. Read the words given below. Circle the words you would associate with an elderly person and underline the words you would associate with a school student. Share the reasons for your choices with your classmates and teacher.
Answer
III. Read the lines.
The woman was old and ragged and grey
And bent with the chill of the Winter’s day.
Select the suitable meaning of ‘ragged’ as used in these lines. There are other four meanings given below. Discuss with your classmates and teacher.
1. (of clothes) old and torn; synonym: shabby
- a ragged jacket
2. Having an outline, an edge, or a surface that is not straight or even.
- a ragged coastline
3. Not smooth or regular; not showing control or careful preparation
- I could hear the sound of his ragged breathing.
- Their performance was still very ragged.
4. (Informal) very tired, especially after physical effort
- The elderly man was ragged after climbing the stairs.
Answer
(of clothes) old and torn; synonym: shabby - a ragged jacket
Explanation: In this context, the word "ragged" is used to describe the woman’s appearance. She is also described as old, grey, and bent with the chill, which suggests poverty, weakness, and worn-out clothing. Therefore, “ragged” most likely refers to her wearing old and torn clothes.
Page No. 73
Let us discuss
I Arrange the events of the poem in the correct order of occurrence.
Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
- The boy returned to his friends, feeling proud of what he had done.
- The old woman stood alone at the crossing, hesitant to move.
- A group of schoolboys passed by, playing, and laughing.
- The boy offered to help the old woman cross the street.
- The woman prayed for the boy who helped her.
- The children hurried past the old woman without offering help.
- The woman placed her hand on the boy’s arm, and he guided her safely across the street.
- The boy thought about his own mother and hoped someone would help her one day
Answer
1. (2) The old woman stood alone at the crossing, hesitant to move.
2. (3) A group of schoolboys passed by, playing, and laughing.
3. (6) The children hurried past the old woman without offering help.
4. (4) The boy offered to help the old woman cross the street.
5. (7) The woman placed her hand on the boy’s arm, and he guided her safely across the street.
6. (1) The boy returned to his friends, feeling proud of what he had done.
7. (8) The boy thought about his own mother and hoped someone would help her one day.
8. (5) The woman prayed for the boy who helped her.
II. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from the options given in the brackets.
1. The central theme of the poem is _______. (kindness and empathy/ adventure and courage)
2. The tone of the poem is _______. (humorous and playful/ sympathetic and hopeful)
3. The poem is written in couplets with ______ lines in each stanza. (four/two)
4. The structure of the poem gives a rhythmic flow that reflects both the _______. (narrative and emotions/story’s pace and message)
5. The poem follows a rhyme scheme of ______. (AABB/ABAB)
Answer
1. The central theme of the poem is kindness and empathy.
2. The tone of the poem is sympathetic and hopeful.
3. The poem is written in couplets with two lines in each stanza.
4. The structure of the poem gives a rhythmic flow that reflects both the narrative and emotions.
5. The poem follows a rhyme scheme of AABB.
III. Pick examples from the poem for the following poetic devices.
1. Simile
2. Alliteration
3. Repetition
Answer
1. Simile: “Came the boys like a flock of sheep” (compares boys to a flock of sheep using “like”).
2. Alliteration: “old and ragged and grey” (repeats the “g” sound).
3. Repetition: “Somebody’s mother” (repeated to emphasise the woman’s importance).
IV. Complete the following sentences appropriately explaining the imagery.
1. The poem uses imagery to describe scenes of a bustling street. We know this by the phrase _________.
2. The line ‘The street was wet with a recent snow’ suggests a cold and ________ weather, emphasising the woman’s helplessness.
Answer
1. The poem uses imagery to describe scenes of a bustling street. We know this by the phrase “the crowded street", which helps us imagine a busy and noisy place full of people.
2. The line ‘The street was wet with a recent snow’ suggests a cold and uncomfortable weather, emphasising the woman’s helplessness.
V. Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The poet repeats the phrase Somebody’s mother because it _________.
Answer
The poet repeats the phrase Somebody’s mother because it us that the old woman is also a loved and cared-for person, deserving kindness and respect, just like anyone else's mother.
VI. Complete the analogy:
The old woman: vulnerable and neglected :: The young boy: _________.
Answer
The old woman: vulnerable and neglected:: The young boy kind and compassionate.
Page No. 74
Let us think and reflect
I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. The woman was old and ragged and grey
And bent with the chill of the Winter’s day.
The street was wet with a recent snow
And the woman’s feet were aged and slow.
(i) What does the phrase ‘ragged and grey’ refer to ?
A. The woman’s emotional state that day.
B. The woman’s old and worn-out appearance.
C. The weather conditions of the particular day.
D. The colour of the street and the surroundings.
Answer
B. The woman’s old and worn-out appearance.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:
The woman was ‘bent’ with the chill of the Winter’s day because she was _________.
Answer
The woman was ‘bent’ with the chill of the Winter’s day because she was old and weak, and the cold made her hunch over.
(iii) Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences:
A. The street was wet with recent snow. ________
B. The woman was too weak to cross the street on her own. ______
Answer
A. Fact – describes an observable condition
B. Opinion – assumes her weakness
(iv) Why do you think the woman’s feet were described as ‘aged and slow’?
Answer
The description of the woman’s feet as “aged and slow” emphasises her old age and physical weakness, highlighting her helplessness.
He guided the trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
(i) What does the contrast between the ‘trembling feet’ of the old woman and the ‘firm and strong’ feet of the boy emphasise?
Answer
The difference in their age and physical strength showing the boy’s ability to help her.
(ii) Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets.
- The poem tells us that the boy was ‘proud’ that his feet were strong.
- This tells us that the boy was ______. (arrogant about being strong/grateful for his ability to help)
Answer
The poem tells us that the boy was “proud” that his feet were strong.
(iii) What is the boy most likely to tell his friends on getting back?
A. I’m so glad I could help her.
B. I’m worried about her safety.
C. I’m surprised she forgot to thank me.
D. I’m thankful for all your support.
Answer
A. I’m so glad I could help her.
(iv) Rectify the false sentence given below.
The young boy’s actions were driven by a logical decision.
Answer
The young boy’s actions were driven by kindness and empathy.
Page No. 75
II. Answer the following questions.
1. What might be the old woman’s fears as she waited for a long time at the crossing?
Answer
She might have feared falling, being hit by carriages or horses, or being ignored in the slippery street.
2. How does the poet show the helplessness of the old woman? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.
Answer
The poet shows her helplessness by describing her as “old and ragged and grey,” “bent with the chill,” and having “aged and slow” feet. The lines “She stood at the crossing and waited long, / Alone, uncared for” show she was ignored and afraid to move.
3. Why does the boy decide to help the old woman? What does this tell us about him?
Answer
The boy helps because he feels empathy, thinking of his mother. This shows he is kind, caring, and respectful.
4. How was the boy’s approach towards the old woman different from that of the other boys in the group?
Answer
The other boys hurried past without helping, while the boy stopped, offered help, and guided her safely, showing kindness.
5. Justify the appropriateness of the title of the poem.
Answer
The title “Somebody’s Mother” is appropriate because it emphasises the woman’s value as a loved mother, inspiring the boy’s kindness and her prayer for him.
6. What does the poem suggest about the role of empathy and humanity in society?
Answer
The poem suggests that empathy and humanity, like helping others, make society kinder and show that everyone deserves care and respect.
