Solution of Chapter 8. A short Monsoon Diary (Honeydew Book)

Why is the author not able to see Bijju?

What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?

When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?

Which hill station does the author describe in the diary entry?

For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?

Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?

What did the author receive in the mail?

Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.

Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the chuchundar?

What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?

Complete the following sentences.

(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because ………………………………

(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as ………………………………….

(iii) The leopard was successful in …………….but had to flee when.

(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because ……………

(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ………………………

(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because ……………………..

‘Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.’

(i) Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing’?

(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?

(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?

Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together?

What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?

Here are some words that are associated with the monsoon. Add as many words as you can to this list. Can you find words for these in your languages?

Look at the sentences below.

(i) Bijju wandered into the garden in the evening.

(ii) The trees were ringing with birdsong.

Notice the highlighted verbs.

The verb wandered tells us what Bijju did that evening. But the verb was ringing tells us what was happening continually at the same time in the past (the birds were chirping in the trees).

Now look at the sentences below. They tell us about something that happened in the past. They also tell us about other things that happened continually, at the same time in the past.

Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms. The first one is done for you.

(i) We (get out) of the school bus. The bell (ring) and everyone (rush) to class.

We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was rushing to class.

(ii) The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.

(iii) I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.

(iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.

(v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.

(vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).

Here are some words from the lesson which describe different kinds of sounds.

(i) Match these words with their correct meanings.

(a) to fall in small drops.

(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly.

(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound.

(d) harsh sound made by birds.

(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)

(ii) Now fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given above.

(a) Ramesh …………… on his desk in impatience.

(b) Rain water …………… from the umbrella all over the carpet.

(c) The pony ……………. Its tail.

(d) The …………… of breaking glass woke me up.

(e) The ………….. of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

And sure enough, I received a cheque in the mail.

Complete each sentence below by using appropriate phrase from the ones given below.

(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And …….…….. it soon started raining heavily.

(ii) The blue umbrella was ………………. For the brother and sister.

(iii) The butterflies are ………………….. to get noticed.

(iv) The lady was …………………….. to chase the leopard.

(v) The boy was ……….………. To call out to his sister.

(vi) The man was …………….. to offer help.

(vii) The victim’s injury was …………… for him to get admitted in hospital.

(viii) That person was ………….………… to repeat the same mistake again.

(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘………. …………’.

Do you believe in superstitions? Why, or why not? Working with your partner, write down three superstitious beliefs that you are familiar with.

How many different kinds of birds do you come across in the lesson? How many varieties do you see in your neighbourhood? Are there any birds that you used to see earlier in your neighbourhood but not now? In groups discuss why you think this is happening.

The monsoons are a time of great fun and even a few adventures: playing in the rain and getting wet, wading through knee-deep water on your way to school, water flooding the house or the classroom, power cuts and so on.

Write a paragraph describing an incident that occurred during the rains which you can never forget.

Or

Write a poem of your own about the season of spring when trees are in full bloom.

Discuss with your partner the following definition of a poem.

A poem is made of words arranged in a beautiful order. These words, when read aloud with feeling, have a music and meaning of their own.

The ‘poetry of earth’ is not made of words. What is it made of, as suggested in the poem?

Find in the poem lines that match the following.

i) The grasshopper’s happiness never comes to an end.

ii) The cricket’s song has a warmth that never decreases.

Which word in stanza 2 is opposite to the word meaning ‘forst’?

The poetry of earth continues round the year through a cycle of two seasons. Mention each with its representative voice.