Solutions A Concrete Example English Poorvi Class 8 CBSE Board

Question Answer For All Chapters – English Poorvi Class 8th

II Work in groups of four. What kind of garden would you like to have? Mention the features that you can include and the reasons for your choice. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: I would like to have a beautiful natural garden filled with a variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables.

It would include colourful flower beds, a small lily pond, and a stone path to walk on.

I would grow medicinal herbs like tulsi, mint, and aloe vera because they are useful.

There would be butterfly-attracting plants like marigold and zinnia to bring beauty and life.

A compost corner and rainwater harvesting would make it eco-friendly.

I would also include a bench under a tree for relaxation and reading.

Reason: This kind of garden would help me stay close to nature, reduce stress, and promote sustainability.

III Read the title of the poem. What comes to your mind when you read the word ‘concrete’? Does it have more than one meaning ? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: The word “concrete” brings to mind:

Literal meaning: A hard building material made of cement, sand, and stones, suggesting a garden with stone features.
Symbolic meaning: Something clear or definite, like a specific example.

The title “A Concrete Example” likely refers to both the stone-filled garden and a clear illustration of Mrs. Jones’ unique gardening style.

Let us discuss (Page – 19, 20)

I. Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker’s next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. _________. Her garden includes a peculiar 2. _________, a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. _________ that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. _________ plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. _________. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. _________ that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. _________ flower is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. _________ on it all along.

Answer: 1. stones
2. path
3. sundial
4. delicate
5. pin
6. flower
7. lovely
8. standing

II. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.

1. The tone of the poem is ____________.
(i) mocking
(ii) humorous
(iii) mournful
(iv) amusing
(v) light-hearted
A. (i), (ii), and (iii)
B. (i), (ii), and (v)
C. (ii), (iii), and (iv)
D. (ii), (iv), and (v)

Answer: D. (ii) humorous, (iv) amusing, and (v) light-hearted.

2. The speaker in the poem is ____________.
(i) Mrs. Jones
(ii) the poet
(iii) a gardener
(iv) a child

Answer: (iv) a child

3. The rhyme scheme of the poem is _________.
(i) AABBCC
(ii) ABABCC
(iii) AABCAC
(iv) ABBACC

Answer: (i) AABBCC

III. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct answer given in the brackets.

1. The poet uses the word ‘stones’ in all stanzas in order to emphasise her ________. (obsession with a stony garden/pride in gardening skills).
2. The poet uses imagery to describe the features of the garden that help readers _____________. (understand Mrs. Jones’ love for plants/visualise the garden’s peculiar nature).

Answer: 1. obsession with a stony garden

2. visualise the garden’s peculiar nature

IV. Pick examples of alliteration from the poem.

Answer:  “plants between the stones”
“crazy path”
“strange device”

V. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase that appears in each stanza. Identify the refrain from the poem.

Answer: The refrain is: “My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones”.

This line is repeated at the start of each stanza, emphasizing the focus on Mrs. Jones and her garden.

VI. Irony is a literary device that emphasises the difference between what is expected and what actually happens. It often involves a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected, creating a surprising or a humorous effect. For example, Mrs. Jones’ excitement about her garden contrasts with the speaker’s disappointment on how ordinary it is. Identify the line(s) from the poem that display(s) situational irony

Answer: Line: “You’re standing on it,” she replied.
(The speaker expects to see a beautiful flower but is ironically standing on it.)

VII Complete the following sentences appropriately.
1. The word ‘concrete’ can refer to ______________ in Mrs. Jones’ garden.
2. The title also has a symbolic meaning, as the poem provides a clear or
‘concrete’ example of Mrs. Jones’ ______________ gardening habits.

Answer: 1. the stones and hard materials
2. unusual

VIII The title ‘A Concrete Example’ carries both literal and symbolic (metaphorical) meaning. Such word play is called a pun. A pun is a figure of speech that uses words with multiple meanings or words that sound alike but have different meanings, creating a humorous effect.
• I tried arguing with my pencil but it kept making sharp points. (suggests
the idea of an actual sharp pencil point and strong argument points)
• My pencil and I had a disagreement but we finally got to the point.
(refers to solving an argument and the pencil’s tip)

Answer: The title “A Concrete Example” is a pun:

Literal: Refers to the use of concrete-like stones.

Symbolic: Refers to a clear example of an unusual garden

Let us think and reflect (Page – 20)

I Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.
1. My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
has got a garden full of stones:
A crazy path, a lily pond,
a rockery and, just beyond
A sundial with a strange device,
which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.

 (i) What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones’s taste in gardening from the description of her garden being ‘full of stones’?

Answer: Mrs. Jones prefers an unconventional garden with stone features like a crazy path, rockery, and sundial over a traditional garden full of plants, showing her unique and quirky taste.

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.

Answer: True. The garden’s unusual features (e.g., stones, tiny plants) reflect Mrs. Jones’ eccentric personality and her love for distinctive, non-traditional gardening.

(iii) What does the poet mean by ‘crazy path’?

Answer: The “crazy path” refers to an irregular, winding, or uniquely designed stone path in the garden, which stands out as unusual or whimsical compared to a typical straight path.

(iv) What does the sundial with a ‘strange device’ suggest about Mrs. Jones’ personality?
A. She has a fascination with unusual items.
B. She prefers traditional garden decorations.
C. She is uninterested in her garden’s appearance.
D. She likes modern and expensive items.

Answer: A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

II Answer the following questions.

1. How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

Answer: She treasures it and finds beauty in it. This is shown when she talks about her flower and calls the sundial “rather nice.”

2. Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?

Answer: Because they are extremely tiny and delicate.

3. What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones—based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?

Answer: Based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker, it is obvious that Mrs. Jones is detail- oriented, eccentric, and values things that others may overlook.

4. The poem portraysMrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.

Answer: She is shown as someone with a unique taste and deep appreciation for her garden, even if it seems odd to others.

5. What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?

Answer: The poem shows that people value different things. What may seem strange to one can be beautiful to another.

Let us learn

I Select the appropriate word from the brackets that correctly replaces the underlined word in the sentences from the text.

1. A sundial with a strange device,
(unusual, peculiar, new, rare, external)
2. … which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.
(pleasant, superior, agreeable, gentle, charming)
3. They are so delicate…
(delicious, fragile, dainty, graceful, weak)
4. “Where is this lovely thing?” I cried.
(exclaimed, wept, shouted, announced, whispered)

Answer: 1. A sundial with a strange device → peculiar.

2. … which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice → agreeable.

3. They are so delicate → dainty.

4. “Where is this lovely thing?” I cried → exclaimed.

II The ‘sundial’ is referred to as a ‘device’ in the poem. Work in pairs to infer the meaning of ‘device’. Share your thoughts with your classmates and teacher.
Now, match the type of instruments in Column 1 with their definitions in Column 2. Column 3 shows one example of each type of instrument. Add more examples in Column 3.

Answer: 

III Complete the table by making new words in Column 1 using the hints given in Column 2. Replace the first letter of the given word to create new words. One example has been done for you.

Answer: 

Answer: 

Let us listen (Page – 23)

I You will listen to a presentation about the wonderful Rock Garden of Chandigarh. As you listen, answer the following questions using one to three exact words from the presentation. (Transcript for teacher on page 47)

1. Where was Nek Chand’s Rock Garden featured?

Answer: Indian postage stamp

2. What kind of sculptures does the Rock Garden have?

Answer: Colourful Sculptures

3. How is the Rock Garden divided?

Answer: Three distinct phases

4. Name any one thing that has been transformed into a piece of art in the Rock Garden.

Answer: Toilet pots (Other valid answers could be: terracotta pots, light fixtures)

5. Approximately, how many statues border the Rock Garden?

Answer: 5,000 statues

Let us speak (Page – 23)

I The speaker of the poem might have felt sorry for stepping on Mrs. Jones’ flower. When we make a mistake, we must express regret and apologise for our actions.

1. When we apologise to a friend or a family member, we use informal language. Take turns to apologise for the following situations and respond to the apology.
(i) You have eaten your brother’s share of sweets.
(ii) You have broken your sister’s flower craft.
(iii) You accidentally spilled ink on yourmother’s important documents.
(iv) You forgot to bring your friend’s notebook to the school after
borrowing it.

You may use the following phrases given below.

Answer: (i) Apology: I’m really sorry, I ate your share of sweets. I didn’t mean to hurt your emotions!
Response: That’s alright. These things happen.

Answer: (ii) Apology: Please forgive me for breaking your flower craft. I didn’t do it on purpose.
Response: It’s no big deal. I can make another one.

Answer: (iii) Apology: Sorry, I didn’t mean to spill ink on your documents, it happened accidentally, Mom. I’m really very sorry!
Response: These things happen. Just be careful next time.

Answer: (iv) Apology: I’m sorry for forgetting your notebook. Ill bring it tomorrow for sure!
Response: No problem. Just don’t forget it again!

2. When we apologise to someone in authority like a Principal or a teacher in a formal setting, we use formal language. Work in pairs and take turns to apologise for the following situations and respond to the apology.
(i) You did not bring an assignment that was due for submission.
(ii) You were late to school for the past three days and had to meet the Principal.
(iii) You did not submit your project work and were asked to explain.

You may use the phrases given below.

(i) You did not bring an assignment that was due for submission.

Answer: Apology: “I’m extremely sorry for not bringing my assignment. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Response: “I accept your apology. Please ensure you submit it tomorrow.”

(ii) You were late to school for the past three days and had to meet the Principal.

Answer: Apology: “I owe you an apology for being late for three days. I’ll do my best not to repeat it.”
Response: “I appreciate you saying this, but punctuality is very important.”

(iii) You did not submit your project work and were asked to explain.

Answer: Apology: “I really regret not submitting my project. I assure you that this will never happen again.”
Response: “I’m glad you realised your mistake. Please complete it immediately.”

Let Us Write (Page – 23)

You are a member of the Nature Club of your school. Draft a notice informing the students of Grades 6–8 about the inauguration of the Herb Garden.

Points to remember:

• Mention the purpose of writing, date, time, venue, and any other relevant information—whom to contact, when, and where.
• Use formal language in the third person form.
• Write the notice in a box.

Answer:

NATURE CLUB
NOTICE

Date: 21 August 2025

Inauguration of the Herb Garden

The Nature Club is pleased to inform all students of Grades 6 to 8 that the Herb Garden of our school will be inaugurated on 25 August 2025 at 10:30 a.m. in the school backyard.

The garden will showcase a variety of herbs such as Aloe Vera, Mint, Carom, and Holy Basil. All students are invited to attend the inauguration ceremony. Those interested in volunteering for the maintenance of the garden may give their names to the Nature Club In-charge, Mr. Rahul, by 24 August 2025.

(Name)
Secretary, Nature Club
Class 8

Let us explore (Page – 23)

I Amrit Udyan is a garden spread over an expanse of 15 acres around Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. It has multiple attractions that include a specially curated garden for children called Bal Vatika, a treehouse, nature’s classroom, etc. It also has the Bonsai, Herbal-I, Herbal-II, Tactile Garden, Arogya Vanam, and Circular Gardens with a diverse variety of flora and fauna.

Now, find out about popular gardens in your region and share with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

If you are in Maharashtra:-

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Mumbai)

• It is one of the largest parks within a city in Asia.
• The park has gardens, lakes, forests, and even the famous Kanheri Caves.
• Many people visit for morning walks, picnics, and to see the diverse plants and animals.

If you are in Delhi:-

Lodhi Gardens

• A historic garden with tombs of Lodhi dynasty rulers.
• Spread across 90 acres, it has beautiful lawns, flowers, and trees.
• It is a popular spot for nature lovers and morning walks.

If you are in Karnataka:-

Lalbagh Botanical Garden (Bengaluru)

• Famous for its glasshouse, inspired by London’s Crystal Palace.
• Home to more than 1,000 species of plants and flowers.
• The annual flower show during Independence Day and Republic Day attracts thousands of visitors.

II A herbarium is a collection of plant samples preserved for long-term study, usually in the form of dried and pressed plants mounted on paper.

Now, collect some fallen flowers and leaves from your neighbourhood. Place them in folds of a newspaper carefully and put a pile of books on them. After one week, take them out and use them to make a card, wall hanging or any other artwork. A sample has been given for your reference.