Solutions Harvest Hymn English Poorvi Class 8 CBSE Board

Question Answer For All Chapters – English Poorvi Class 8th

Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 173)

Work in pairs and share your responses with your classmates and teacher.
1. India celebrates many harvest festivals. When is the harvest festival celebrated in your region and how is it celebrated?

Answer: In my region, the harvest festival is celebrated during Makar Sankranti in January. People decorate their homes, prepare sweets from sesame and jaggery, and fly kites to celebrate the festival.

2. A hymn refers to a song of praise.
(i) To whom do we offer a hymn?
(ii) When and where do we sing a hymn?
(iii) Why do we offer it?

Answer:

• (i) We offer a hymn to God or divine beings.
• (ii) We sing a hymn during prayers, in temples, churches, or during religious ceremonies.
• (iii) We offer hymns to express devotion, respect, and gratitude.

II Some poets and authors use words that are no longer a part of common usage. Such words are called archaic words.

Work in pairs. Read the sentences given below. Match the underlined archaic words in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

‘Thou art my friend, and I trust thee. Thy kindness is great, and everything that is mine is thine.’

Answer:

III Work in pairs. Read the paragraph and select the correct meaning for each underlined word from the options given below. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Under the golden 1. radiance of the evening sun, the villagers gathered to pay 2. tribute to their 3. cherished elder, who had dedicated his life to their well being. His wise 4. counsel had guided generations, steering them through challenges. Known for his 5. munificent spirit, he never hesitated to share his resources generously.

1. radiance :     (i) glow (ii) brilliance
2. tribute :        (i) respect (ii) gratitude
3. cherished :   (i) preserved (ii) loved
4. counsel :       (i) advice (ii) decision
5. munificent : (i) rich (ii) generous

Answer:

1. radiance – (i) glow
2. tribute – (i) respect
3. cherished – (ii) loved
4. counsel – (i) advice
5. munificent – (ii) generous

Let us discuss (Pages 176-177)

Write the stanza number for the main idea of each stanza given below. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

II Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate words or phrases from within the brackets.

1. The setting of the poem is a rural landscape, possibly during a __________________________ (harvest/religious) festival.
2. The tone of the poem is respectful and celebratory because it praises ___________________ (the men and women/ nature and the Lord) with deep respect and gratitude.
3. In the line ‘Thou art our Hands and our Heart and our Home’, the letter ‘h’ is capitalised in ‘Hands’, ‘Heart’ and ‘Home’ because ___________________. (it represents the hard work of farmers/God resides in them)

Answer: 1. harvest
2. nature and the Lord
3. God resides in them.

III Identify the poetic device used in the following lines from the poem.
• Bright and munificent lord of the morn!
• We bring thee our lives and our labours for tribute

Answer: Alliteration
Alliteration

IV Match the lines from the poem in Column 1 with their expressions in Column 2. Choose the appropriate poetic device from the box given below and write in Column 3.

Answer:

V Certain words or phrases are repeated in the same line of the poem.

For example, The gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit;

Find more such repetitions from the poem. What is the poet’s purpose of using repetition in the poem?

Answer:

Examples of repetition from the poem:

• “Thine is the bounty… Thine is the bounty…”
• “Thine is the mercy… Thine is the mercy…”
• “We bring thee… We bring thee…”

Purpose of repetition:

The poet uses repetition to emphasise devotion, gratitude, and reverence toward nature and the divine. It also creates a musical rhythm that makes the poem sound like a hymn or prayer.

VI The poem uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings. Match the symbols in Column 1 with the meanings they convey in Column 2.

Answer: 

Let us think and reflect (Pages 178-179)

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

1. We bring thee our songs and our garlands for tribute,
The gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit;
O giver of mellowing radiance, we hail thee,
We praise thee, O Surya, with cymbal and flute.

(i) What does the act of bringing songs and garlands as tribute suggest about the people’s relationship with the divine?
A. They fear the gods and wish to calm them in any way possible.
B. They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine.
C. They are forced to perform rituals without understanding the divine.
D. They depend on the gods for their daily needs and activities.

Answer: B. They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine.

(ii) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The word ‘gold’ in the phrases ‘the gold of our fields’ and ‘the gold of our fruit’ symbolises ________________.

Answer: Prosperity, abundance, and the rich harvest of crops and fruits.

(iii) How does the description ‘O giver of mellowing radiance’ help us understand Surya’s role in the harvest?

Answer: The description ‘O giver of mellowing radiance’ shows that Surya (the Sun) provides warmth and sunlight, which help crops ripen and mature, making the harvest possible.

(iv) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The use of cymbal and flute signifies ________________. (joy and celebration/meditation and worship)

Answer: The use of cymbal and flute signifies joy and celebration.

2. All Voices:
Lord of the Universe, Lord of our being,
Father eternal, ineffable Om!
Thou art the Seed and the Scythe of our harvests,
Thou art our Hands and our Heart and our Home.

(i) In the phrase ‘Lord of our being,’ what does the word ‘being’ most likely refer to?
A. Our physical body
B. Our entire existence
C. Our spiritual practices
D. Our earthly possessions

Answer: B. Our entire existence

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
The imagery of ‘the Seed and the Scythe’ symbolises the divine’s role as both the beginning (creation) and the end (harvest) of the agricultural cycle.

Answer: True

(iii) Identify the phrases from the extract that mean the following:
A. The divine as a timeless, everlasting presence
B. Beyond human comprehension or description

Answer: A. The divine as a timeless, everlasting presence – “Father eternal”
B. Beyond human comprehension or description – “ineffable Om”

(iv) How do we know that these lines from the extract are spoken as a chorus?

Answer: We know these lines are spoken as a chorus because the stanza is introduced with “All Voices,” showing that everyone is speaking or singing together in unison.

II Answer the following questions.
1. Why do the farmers hail the God of rain?

Answer: The farmers hail the God of rain (Varuna) because he provides the rain and dew needed to nourish and grow their crops.

2. What is being referred to as ‘wealth of our valleys’? Why?

Answer: The ‘wealth of our valleys’ refers to the harvested crops and produce because they are valuable and represent the abundance of the land.

3. State one reason why the women refer to the Earth as a ‘source of manifold gladness’.

Answer: The Earth is called a ‘source of manifold gladness’ because she nurtures and supports all life by giving food and resources.

4. Why does everyone in the poem offer their ‘labours for tribute’?

Answer: They offer their ‘labours for tribute’ to show devotion, respect, and gratitude to the divine for blessing them with a rich harvest.

5. Why has the poet presented the poem as voices of men, women, and all voices?

Answer: The poem is divided into men’s, women’s, and all voices to show unity, harmony, and collective thanksgiving from the entire community.

6. How does the poet create the joyous atmosphere of rural India at harvesting time?

Answer: The poet creates a joyful atmosphere through imagery of music (cymbal, flute, drum), offerings of garlands and songs, and descriptions of abundant harvests.

7. Why is the poem presented as a hymn?

Answer: It is presented as a hymn because it is a song of prayer and praise, expressing devotion and gratitude to nature and the divine.

Let us learn (Pages 179-181)

I Match the pictures of the farming implements given in Column 1 with their use given in Column 2. Then, fill in the blanks in Column 3 to complete the name of the implement.

Answer: 

• SICKLE
• SCYTHE
• PLOUGH
• TROWEL
• RAKE
• SPADE

II Choose the correct synonyms for the underlined words in the given sentences from the box below. Circle the words or phrases in the sentences that helped you to infer the meanings. One example has been done for you.

1. The king was beneficent to the poor because he took good care of them.
synonym: kind
2. He was munificent towards the needy and donated a lot for their health care.
synonym: ____________________
3. When he lost his job, all his friends gave him succour by supporting him with money.
synonym: ____________________
4. When the sun’s rays came into the dark room, the whole room was full of radiance.
synonym: ____________________
5. The little girl was speechless with ineffable joy when she got her birthday gift from her aunt.
synonym: ____________________

Answer:

1. beneficent → kind
2. munificent → generous
3. succour → help
4. radiance → brightness
5. ineffable → indescribable

III You have learnt about some archaic words. Some more archaic words are given below. Refer to a dictionary to find commonly used words which are similar in meaning.
1. morrow 2. hither 3. quoth 4. betwixt 5. yonder

Answer: 

Let us listen (Pages 181-83)

I Listen to the talk about paddy cultivation. As you listen, number the events in the correct order in which they happen. (Transcript for teacher on page 203)

1. Transplanting of seedlings
2. Ploughing of soil
3. Threshing of grains
4. Puddling of land
5. Harvesting of paddy
6. Irrigating the field
7. Milling of rice

Answer:

2. Ploughing of soil
4. Puddling of land
6. Irrigating the field
1. Transplanting of seedlings
5. Harvesting of paddy
3. Threshing of grains
7. Milling of rice

II Now, listen to the talk again. As you listen, choose the correct option to answer the questions that follow.
1. What is the main step in preparing the soil for cultivation of rice?
(i) Ploughing the soil (ii) Clearing the soil (iii) Puddling the soil

Answer: (i) Ploughing the soil

2. How long does it take for rice seeds to grow into seedlings before being transplanted?
(i) 2–3 weeks (ii) 4–5 weeks (iii) 6–7 weeks

Answer: (ii) 4–5 weeks

3. Why is drying rice grains important after threshing?
(i) To get rice seeds for plantation
(ii) To separate the rice grains easily
(iii) To store the rice grains for longer

Answer: (iii) To store the rice grains for longer

Let us speak (Pages 182-183)

II In our country, harvest is celebrated with the preparation of delicious dishes. Work in groups and make a presentation on any popular dish made during the harvest festival in your region. Use the prompts given in the box to make your presentation. Make sure that all the members share their views.

Include the following:

• What is the dish called? Is it known by any other name in other parts of India?
• What ingredients are used to make the dish?
• How is the dish prepared?
• How is the dish served?
• What does the dish taste like?
• What is the special ritual related to the preparation of this dish?
• Describe any special memory associated with the preparation of this dish.

Answer: 

Good morning, everyone.

We are Riya, Kabir, and Aarav, and today we are excited to tell you about a famous harvest dish from Punjab called Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag. This dish is prepared especially during the harvest festival Lohri.

We will first explain what the dish is and why it is special. Then, we will talk about the ingredients and preparation. After that, we will describe how it is served and what it tastes like. Finally, we’ll share some rituals and memories connected to this dish.

Let’s begin!

About the Dish:
Makki di Roti is a type of flatbread made with cornmeal, and Sarson da Saag is a curry made from mustard greens. It is a traditional winter delicacy in Punjab and is often served during Lohri celebrations.

Ingredients:

• Cornmeal flour (for the roti)
• Mustard leaves and spinach (for the saag)
• Ghee (clarified butter)
• Onions, garlic, ginger
• Green chillies and spices
• Salt

Preparation:

• For the roti: Cornmeal dough is rolled and cooked on a griddle with ghee.
• For the saag: Mustard greens and spinach are boiled, mashed, and cooked with spices, ginger, and garlic.
• A spoon of ghee is added on top for flavour.

Serving and Taste:

• The dish is served hot with a dollop of white butter, jaggery, and buttermilk. It tastes rich, creamy, and slightly spicy, perfect for cold weather.

Rituals and Memories:

• During Lohri, families light bonfires, sing folk songs, and share this dish with neighbours. In our family, making this meal is a yearly tradition, and everyone helps in cooking, which makes it fun and memorable.

Conclusion:

• In conclusion, Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag is not just a dish; it’s a symbol of Punjabi culture, warmth, and togetherness.

Thank you for listening!

Let us write (Pages 183-184)

Creative slogans are used to spread a message to capture the reader’s attention. Some examples are given below:

Your school wishes to express gratitude to the farmers who play an important role in providing us the food on our plates. Draft a creative slogan to be put up on the school notice board.

Remember to

• focus on the main idea to be expressed
• use simple language
• be concise—express yourself in a few words

You may write the slogan on a chart paper and decorate it.

Answer: Other options you can choose from:

• “No Farmers, No Food – Thank You for Feeding the Nation!”
• “Farmers: The Real Heroes Behind Every Meal!”
• “Respect Those Hands That Feed the Land!”
• “Gratitude to Farmers – The Heartbeat of Our Fields!”

Let us explore (Pages 184)

I Millets are a varied group of small-seeded grasses. They have more fibre and minerals than other cereals. Millets have been a part of the Indian cuisine for years. They have been rediscovered worldwide as superfoods.
1. Read the information on Pearl Millet given below.

Use the link given below to know more about other kinds of millets.
https://eatrightindia.gov.in/millets2023/assets/documents/Millets%20-%20
Nutritious%20Cereal%20of%20India.pdf

2. Work in groups of four and do the following activities.
(i) Find out if millets are a part of your cuisine.
(ii) Find recipes with millets and compile them into a booklet.
(iii) Create a recipe of your choice.

Answer: Do it yourself.

II Songs related to harvest season form a part of our culture and heritage.
Talk to the elders in your house and learn a song sung on a harvest festival. Share it with your classmates and teacher. Then, compile all the songs to create a songbook with the help of teacher.

Answer: Talk to elders:
Ask your parents, grandparents, or neighbours about songs they sing during harvest festivals like Lohri, Pongal, Baisakhi, or Onam.

Learn the song:
Write down the lyrics in your notebook and try to learn it.

Share in class:
Sing or recite the song with your classmates and teacher.

Create a class songbook:
Collect all the songs your classmates bring, write them neatly, and decorate the pages to create a Harvest Festival Songbook.