Solutions A Tale of Valour English Poorvi Class 8 CBSE Board

A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam

Question Answer For All Chapters – English Poorvi Class 8th

Let us do these activities before we read.(Page 49)

I Work in pairs. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. What do you think about the Republic Day Parade on 26 January?

Answer: The Republic Day Parade is a grand celebration of India’s strength, culture, and unity. It makes me feel proud of our country and reminds us of our freedom and Constitution.

2. What are the highlights of this parade?

Answer:

• March past by the Armed Forces, police, and NCC cadets
• Display of different states’ cultural tableaus
• Showcasing of India’s defence strength with tanks, missiles, and aircraft
• Folk dances, music, and colourful performances
• Fly-past by the Air Force

3. What bravery awards are given on this day, and who receives them?

Answer:

• Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, etc.
• These are given to soldiers, policemen, and brave civilians who show exceptional courage and sacrifice for the nation.

II Work in groups of four and discuss.

1. What qualities do you think a soldier should have?

Answer:

• Courage and bravery
• Discipline and honesty
• Physical fitness and mental strength
• Love for the country (patriotism)
• Team spirit and leadership
• Dedication and readiness to sacrifice for the nation

2. If you had to share a message with a soldier, what would it be?

Answer: “We are proud of your bravery and sacrifice. Because of your courage, we live in peace and safety. Thank you for protecting our nation and inspiring us to be responsible citizens.”

Let us discuss (Page 49)

I Arrange the following events in chronological order. The first and the last events have been marked for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. Major Somnath Sharma was born in 1923 in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. (1)
2. Even after losing Major Somnath Sharma, the soldiers fought bravely to save Srinagar for India.
3. The D Company, under the command of Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar.
4. Major Somnath Sharma underwent training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
5. Major Somnath Sharma requested air strikes to combat the enemy at Badgam.
6. Major Somnath Sharma was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942.
7. Major Somnath Sharma was killed immediately after a mortar shell hit him.
8. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. (8)

Answer: 
1. Major Somnath Sharma was born in 1923 in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
4. Major Somnath Sharma underwent training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
6. Major Somnath Sharma was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942.
3. The D Company, under the command of Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar.
5. Major Somnath Sharma requested air strikes to combat the enemy at Badgam.
7. Major Somnath Sharma was killed immediately after a mortar shell hit him.
2. Even after losing Major Somnath Sharma, the soldiers fought bravely to save Srinagar for India.
8. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

Let us think and reflect (Page 59,60)

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. Vastly outnumbered and facing devastating fire, Major Somnath Sharma and his men stood resolute. The air was thick with the sound of gunfire and the cries of battle, but Major Somnath Sharma’s voice cut through the chaos, urging his men to fight with tenacity and valour. Despite heavy casualties and his own injuries, Major Somnath Sharma displayed unparalleled bravery. He moved fearlessly through the battlefield, directing fire, filling magazines for his gunners, and encouraging his men to hold their ground.

(i) What can be inferred about the conditions from the line: ‘The air was thick with gunfire…’
A. The gunshots had stopped for a while.
B. There was intense fighting on the battlefield.
C. The invaders were retreating from the fight.
D. The Indian soldiers had achieved victory.

Answer: (i) B. There was intense fighting on the battlefield.

(ii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Despite heavy casualties, Major Somnath Sharma continued to lead his men because ________________________________________.

Answer: (ii) Despite heavy casualties, Major Somnath Sharma continued to lead his men because he was deeply committed to his duty and wanted to inspire his soldiers to fight bravely.

(iii) Select the correct option for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) given below:
(A): Major Somnath Sharma moved fearlessly through the battlefield, even though he was injured.
(R): He believed his courage was important to motivate the soldiers.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(iv) Fill in the blank with the correct word from those given in the brackets:
Major Somnath Sharma was filling magazines, and encouraging his men to hold their ground despite ___________________________. (injuries/worry)

Answer: injuries.

2. Born on 31 January 1923, in the picturesque town of Dadh in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Somnath Sharma belonged to a family with a rich military legacy. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, had served the nation with distinction, and young Somnath was deeply inspired by the valorous tales of the Mahabharata, imparted to him by his grandfather.

(i) What can be inferred about Somnath Sharma’s early influences on his career?
A. He was primarily influenced by his father’s achievements in the military.
B. His inspiration came solely from the tales of the Mahabharata.
C. His family and heritage inspired his bravery and sense of duty.
D. He decided to join the military out of necessity rather than passion.

Answer: (i) C. His family and heritage inspired his bravery and sense of duty.

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false:
Somnath Sharma belonged to a wealthy family.

Answer: (ii) False – The text does not say that Somnath Sharma belonged to a wealthy family.

(iii) What does the phrase ‘served the nation with distinction’ tell us about Major General Amar Nath Sharma?
(He performed his duties with exceptional dedication, honour, and excellence./He was highly respected for his contributions to the country.)

Answer: (iii) The phrase means: He performed his duties with exceptional dedication, honour, and excellence.

(iv) Replace the underlined phrase with a word from the extract that has a similar meaning.
My family and I visited a popular hill station and stayed in an old but visually charming house surrounded by trees.

Answer: (iv) The word is picturesque.

II Answer the following questions.

1. ‘Major Somnath’s legacy of courage and devotion to the nation remains forever alive, forever alive…’ What is the significance of the repetition in this line?

Answer: The repetition emphasizes that Major Somnath’s bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. It shows that his courage lives on in the hearts of Indians and inspires future generations.

2. Why do you think Major Somnath’s leadership was critical during the Battle of Badgam?

Answer: His leadership was crucial because he motivated his soldiers to fight bravely despite being outnumbered and injured. He directed fire, requested air strikes, and gave his men the courage to hold their position until reinforcements arrived, which saved Srinagar.

3. What were Major Somnath’s last words? What do they reflect about his sense of duty?

Answer: His last words were: “I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.”
These words reflect his unshakable courage, patriotism, and readiness to sacrifice his life to protect the nation.

4. What might have been the outcome of the Battle of Badgam if Major Somnath and his company had not held their ground?

Answer: If they had not held their ground, the enemy could have captured Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley, giving Pakistan control over this region. Their bravery prevented a major loss for India.

5. Why do you think Major Somnath’s story continues to inspire soldiers and civilians today?

Answer: His story shows bravery, self-sacrifice, and love for the country. Soldiers admire his courage, while civilians learn the importance of patriotism, duty, and standing up for what is right.

6. How can the values demonstrated by Major Somnath Sharma— courage, duty, and self-sacrifice—be applied in our daily lives?

Answer: By facing challenges bravely instead of giving up
By being honest and responsible in studies and work
By helping others and putting others’ needs first
By working hard and showing dedication in everything we do.

Let us learn (Page 59,60)

I Match the expressions from the text in Column 1 with the most suitable situations given in Column 2.

Answer: 

Now, complete the following sentences using the expressions from Column 1.
A. The detective managed to ______________ by finding the hidden evidence before the culprit could get rid of it.
B. The company’s new advertising campaign was meant to ______________ to their competitors’ sales.
C. The hikers chose to ______________ despite the heavy rain, refusing to turn back on their journey.
D. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the soldiers vowed to defend their homeland and ______________, refusing to surrender to the enemy forces.

Answer: A. foil the plan
B. deliver a blow
C. hold their ground
D. fight to the last man

II Read the highlighted words in the following sentence from the text.

A contingent of troops posted to Jammu and Kashmir was air-lifted into Srinagar…

There are many such collective nouns used in the context of armed forces.

Match the collective nouns in Column 1 to their meanings in Column 2.
You may refer to a dictionary

Answer: 

Now, fill in the blanks suitably with words from Column 1 in the table.
A. The commanding officer addressed the entire ________ of soldiers during the morning assembly.
B. The admiral ordered the entire ________ to set sail for battle.
C. The ________ of infantry advanced slowly through the dense forest.
D. A ________ of fighter jets was sent to intercept the enemy planes.

Answer: A. The commanding officer addressed the entire regiment of soldiers during the morning assembly.

B. The admiral ordered the entire fleet to set sail for battle.

C. The battalion of infantry advanced slowly through the dense forest.

D. A squadron of fighter jets was sent to intercept the enemy planes.

III Read the following words from the text and fill in the blanks with the correct words by taking clues from the meanings given below in the box.

Meanings
1. To take and seize control: ____________
2. To invade or occupy an area in large numbers: ____________
3. To flood or overpower someone or something emotionally: ____________

Answer: Overthrow, Overrun, Overwhelm

Now, create a list of at least five other verbs that begin with ‘over’ and frame sentences of your own.

Answer: 

1. Overlook – The teacher chose to overlook the minor mistake because the student had worked hard.
2. Overestimate – We must not overestimate our abilities; preparation is key.
3. Overwork – It’s unhealthy to overwork yourself every day.
4. Overreact – She tended to overreact to small problems.
5. Overthink – He lost sleep because he would overthink every situation.

IV In the following pairs of words, ‘c’ is used for nouns, while ‘s’ is used for verbs.
• advice (noun) and advise (verb)
• practice (noun) and practise (verb)
• device (noun) and devise (verb)
• council (noun) and counsel (verb)

Now, fill in the blanks correctly with the words given in the brackets.
1. The teacher’s (i) ____________ is always helpful, and she continues to (ii) ____________ students on their career choices. (advice/advise)
2. The musician believes that daily (i) ____________ helps a lot, so she is always ready to (ii) ____________ her harmonium lessons. (practice/practise)
3. The scientist uses a strange (i) ____________ for experiments and plans to (ii) ____________ new methods for his analysis. (device/devise)
4. The village (i) ____________ met to discuss issues and decided to (ii) ____________ the villagers on important matters. (council/counsel)

Answer: 1. (i) advice (ii) advise
2. (i) practice (ii) practise
3. (i) device (ii) devise
4. (i) council (ii) counsel

Now, fill in the blanks for the following sentences by choosing the correct verb given within brackets.

1. The bouquet of flowers __________ (is/are) beautiful.
2. Neither the teacher nor the students __________ (was/were) aware of the change in the schedule.
3. Each of the participants __________ (has/have) submitted their projects on time.
4. The data collected by the researchers __________ (shows/show) significant trends.
5. One of the players __________ (was/were) injured during the match.
6. Either the children or their guardian __________ (has/have) to attend the meeting.
7. A pair of shoes __________ (is/are) missing from the rack.
8. Neither of the statements __________ (is/are) true.
9. The members of the jury __________ (has deliver/have delivered) their verdict to the court.
10. Mathematics __________ (is/are) an interesting subject for many students.

Answer: 1. is
2. were
3. has
4. shows
5. was
6. has
7. is
8. is
9. have delivered
10. is

VI Read the following passage and correct the incorrect usage of verbs. One example has been done for you.

A battalion of soldiejs stand at attention as the National flag are raised.
A battalion of soldiers stands at attention as the National flag is raised.

Each soldier salute with pride while the commander and his assistants inspects the parade. The sound of marching feet echo through the air as a group of cadets prepare for their drill. Meanwhile, a convoy of military vehicles pass by, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.

Answer: A battalion of soldiers stands at attention as the National flag is raised. Each soldier salutes with pride while the commander and his assistants inspect the parade. The sound of marching feet echoes through the air as a group of cadets prepares for their drill. Meanwhile, a convoy of military vehicles passes by, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.

Let us listen (Page 66)

I You will listen to a talk about the Param Vir Chakra. As you listen, complete the sentences by filling in the blanks with one or two exact words or phrases you hear. (Transcript for teacher on page 98)
1. The Param Vir Chakra signifies the ‘Wheel of the Ultimate ____________’.
2. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded to someone who shows exemplary
bravery while fighting with the ____________.
3. The Param Vir Chakra was introduced as a Gallantry Medal in 1947
by the ____________.
4. The design of the Param Vir Chakra is inspired by Sage Dadhichi, who
was a ____________.
5. The state emblem in the centre of the Param Vir Chakra is surrounded
by the Vajra and ____________.

Answer: 1.Brave
2. Enemy
3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India.
4. a Vedic rishi
5. lotus flowers

Let us speak (Page 66)

I As the citizens of a nation, we all must fulfil our duty. In groups of 4–5, speak about how you propose to serve your nation.

You can choose from the themes given below:

• Saving the environment
• Health and well-being
• Helping others
• Righteous conduct

You may use the sentence prompts given below to organise what you speak about.

• I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by…
• A small change we can make is… and it will have a big impact because…
• If everyone contributes by… it can lead to…
• One of the biggest challenges we face is… and I propose we address it by…
• We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we…
• Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like… matter.

Answer: I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by protecting our environment.

A small change we can make is reducing plastic use and planting trees, and it will have a big impact because it will keep our surroundings clean and fight pollution.

If everyone contributes by segregating waste and saving water, it can lead to a healthier and greener country.

One of the biggest challenges we face is climate change and deforestation, and I propose we address it by spreading awareness and taking strict action against cutting trees.

We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we participate in cleanliness drives and community tree-planting activities.

Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like switching off lights when not needed and recycling waste matter.

Let us write (Page 67)

I A letter of enquiry is a formal letter written to seek detailed information about something the writer wants to know. For example, it can be used for joining a course, organising an event, knowing details about a trip, etc. The language used is formal and specific, with relevant queries.

Now, write a letter of enquiry. Your school wishes to organise a visit to a Memorial in your state/region. Write the letter to the incharge of that memorial requesting for information regarding available dates for visits, the duration of the tour, any entry fees, and guidelines for student groups.
• Follow the given layout.
• Use the cues given below to draft the letter.

Sender’s Address:
ABC Public School
MG Road, Bengaluru – 560001

Date: 25 August 2025

Receiver’s Address:
The Incharge
National War Memorial
Bengaluru – 560001

Subject: Enquiry about a School Visit to a Memorial

Dear Sir,

This is to enquire about arranging a school trip to the National War Memorial for our students. Could you please provide details about the available dates for visits, the duration of the tour, and any entry fees?

Firstly, I request you to share the maximum number of students allowed in a single group. Secondly, I would appreciate it if you could explain any safety guidelines or special instructions for school groups. I would also be grateful to know if guided tours are available for students. Lastly, could you clarify if advance booking is required?

An early reply will be greatly appreciated, as it will help us plan the trip smoothly. I look forward to your guidance and support in making this educational visit meaningful for our students.

Yours sincerely,
XYZ
(Class Teacher, ABC Public School)