Solutions Spectacular Wonders English Poorvi Class 8 CBSE Board

Question Answer For All Chapters – English Poorvi Class 8th

Let us do these activities before we read.(Page 137)

I Look at the pictures given below and sort them into natural and man-made wonders.

Natural: ______, ______, ______, and ______
Man-made: ______, ______, ______, and ______

Answer: Natural Wonders: 3, 4, 7, 8
Man-made Wonders: 1, 2, 5, 6

II Which of these wonders—man-made or natural—are more appealing and why? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: Natural wonders are more appealing because they highlight nature’s artistic flair, enigmatic charm, and extraordinary forces that shape our environment. They spark curiosity, surprise us with rare phenomena like bioluminescent waters, disappearing seas, and magnetic hills, and show the mystique and beauty of India’s landscapes.

III Work in pairs. Write down two wonders of nature that have amazed you. Discuss what makes them impressive. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: 1. Niagara Falls – The thunderous sound and massive water flow are mesmerizing.
2. Aurora Borealis – The dancing lights in the sky are magical and show nature’s artistic side.

IV Work in groups of four. Complete the web chart given below with words that you associate with the phase, ‘Nature’s Power’. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: 

Let us discuss (Page 142)

I Complete the information in the table given below. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: 

Let us think and reflect (Pages 142-144)

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

1. India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena that surprise and spark our imagination.

(i) Replace the underlined phrase with one from the extract. India is the birthplace of several rare species of flora and fauna that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.

Answer: India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena.

(ii) What does the phrase ‘nature’s unusual side’ suggest about the phenomena described?

Answer: It suggests that these natural phenomena are rare, surprising, and extraordinary aspects of nature that are not commonly seen.

(iii) Complete the similarity by choosing the correct option.
spark: imagination : : ______________ : ______________.
A. inspiration; creativity
B. wonder; amazement
C. effort; reward
D. knowledge; books

Answer:A. inspiration ; creativity

(iv) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.

Answer: True

2. Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously—the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors.

(i) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The writer’s most likely purpose to introduce the information about the Chandipur Beach phenomenon with a question is to ____________________. (engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense/draw the reader to learn more about the unusual phenomenon/set the tone for the surprising nature of the content that follows)

Answer: Engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense.

(ii) Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
(A): Chandipur Beach in Odisha is known for its unique feature of the sea disappearing.
(R): The tides retreat drastically, exposing the Chandipur beach.
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).

(iii) What does the term ‘unique’ suggest about the beach in Balasore?
A. very popular
B. one of its kind
C. ancient place
D. far from city

Answer: B. one of its kind

(iv) What does the writer want to convey with the use of the phrase ‘playing hide-and-seek with its visitors’?

Answer: The phrase means the sea at Chandipur Beach repeatedly disappears and reappears due to drastic tidal changes, creating a surprising and playful effect for visitors.

II Answer the following questions.
1. How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya?

Answer: The living root bridges are a boon because they help people cross rivers and streams safely, especially during heavy rains. They are strong, natural, and last for many years, making travel easier for villagers.

2. Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?

Answer: Lonar Crater Lake is remarkable because it was formed thousands of years ago by a meteorite hitting the Earth. It is one of the few lakes in the world created this way and has both salty and alkaline water, which makes it very unique.

3. What might be the writer’s purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring natural wonders of India?

Answer: The writer’s purpose is to make readers aware of India’s amazing natural wonders, create a sense of pride, and encourage people to explore and appreciate these rare and beautiful places.

4. The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for some of the natural phenomena. What impact does it have on the readers?

Answer: It grabs the readers’ attention, makes them curious, and helps them imagine the beauty and mystery of these places. It makes the content more interesting and engaging.

5. Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting and why?

Answer: I found the Chandipur Beach phenomenon most interesting because it is amazing to see the sea disappear and reappear every day. It feels magical and shows the surprising power of nature.

Let us learn (Pages 144-148)

I Fill in the blanks with the correct expressions from the text given in the box below.

1. I have read many stories _____________________.
2. Do you know when this little town _____________________?
3. His hard work has helped him _____________________.
4. There are no simple solutions to the _____________________ of traffic jams.
5. He opened the ancient wooden box and stared at the treasure _____________________.
6. The garden is _____________________ in spring with lots of beautiful flowers in bloom.

Answer: 1. to name a few.
2. came into existence
3. to no end.
4. age-old problem
5. in disbelief.
6. in full glory

II Select the correct synonyms from the box given below that match the list of words in 1–5. You may refer to a thesaurus.

1. mysterious, puzzling, baffling
2. mighty, gigantic, huge
3. breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring
4. peaceful, calm, tranquil
5. unusual, peculiar, foreign

Answer: 1. enigmatic: mysterious, puzzling, baffling
2. colossal: mighty, gigantic, huge
3. spectacular: breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring
4. serene: peaceful, calm, tranquil
5. exotic: unusual, peculiar, foreign

III The expressions ‘hide-and-seek’ and ‘flora and fauna’ are used in the text. These are called binomials—a pair of fixed words joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’. The binomials are mostly synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, same sound words (alliterations), etc.

Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.
You may refer to a dictionary.

Use the binomials given in Column 1 in sentences of your own.

Answer:

• odds and ends – After cleaning my drawer, I found a few odds and ends like old coins, keys, and stamps.
• on and off – It rained on and off throughout the day, making it hard to plan a picnic.
• mix and match – She likes to mix and match her clothes to create a unique style.
• all or nothing – He decided to give his best in the competition; it was an all or nothing moment for him.
• part and parcel – Hard work is a part and parcel of success in any field.
• pick and choose – At the buffet, you can pick and choose whatever dishes you like.
• sooner or later – Sooner or later, the truth will come out.
• leaps and bounds – Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last decade.

IV Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
• The living root bridges are one of Meghalaya’s most beautiful…
• …creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding rugged terrain.

In the given sentences, the highlighted words ‘living’, ‘striking’, and ‘rugged’ are examples of verbs used as adjectives. Such verbs are called participles.

Now, fill in the blanks using present participle or past participle form of the verbs in the box given below.

 1. The _______________ marble monument looks even more spectacular in the moonlight.
2. The _______________ view of the Himalayas from Darjeeling attracts visitors from all over the world.
3. The Sun Temple in Konark features intricately _______________ stone wheels and walls.
4. _______________ at a height of 182 m, the Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
5. The _______________ islands of the Andaman and Nicobar offer some of the cleanest beaches in India.

Answer: 1. glowing
2. amazing
3. carved.
4. Standing
5. scattered

V Study the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
Crossing the many waterways without bridges was difficult for people in the past, during monsoons.
In the given sentence, the highlighted word ‘crossing’, is one example of a verb used as a noun. Such a verb is called gerund.

Underline the gerunds and participles in the following sentences. Write ‘G’ for gerunds and ‘P’ for participles in the space provided. One example has been done for you.
1. Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G
2. Travelling can broaden your perspective.
3. The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn.
4. She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family.
5. Reading helps improve your vocabulary.
6. He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky.
7. Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door.

Answer:

• Dancing is a great way to express emotions. → G
• Travelling can broaden your perspective. → G
• The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn. → P
• She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family. → G
• Reading helps improve your vocabulary. → G
• He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky. → P
• Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door. → P

VI Combine the following pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds.
You may use the clues given in brackets. One example has been done for you.

1. Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner. (participle)
Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
2. Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)
3. Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)
4. Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)
5. Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)

Answer:
1. Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
2. Walking carelessly, Smitha slipped on the doormat, (participle)
3. Sleeping for eight hours is good for health, (gerund)
4. Feeling happy about the result, Ranjith called his parents, (participle)
5. Father encouraged Meena in joining the course, (gerund)

Let us listen (Pages 148)

I You will listen to a brother and sister discuss a natural phenomenon. As you listen, mark the four true statements from 1–6 given below. (Transcript for teacher on page 153)

1. The brother was taken aback to see the posted pictures.
2. The brother admitted to not knowing about his sister’s favourite picture.
3. The sister stated that the rainbow mountain was like any other mountain.
4. The brother was aware of the reason for the formation of colours on the mountain.
5. The brother was surprised to learn about the mountain being covered with snow till recently.
6. The sister understood nature’s role in the beauty of the mountain.

Answer:

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. True

Let us speak (Pages 149)

I Work in groups of four. Make a presentation on a place of interest in and around your region that people like to visit. You may use the following guidelines to make your presentation.

Guidelines:
1. Slides 1–2: Choose any popular place of interest in your region.
2. Slides 3–4: Mention where it is located and how to reach there.
3. Slides 5–6: Describe the attractions of the place, why it is popular and explain its historical importance, if any.
4. Slides 7–8: List out weather conditions, local food, customs, and language.
5. Slides 9–10: Suggest the best time of the year to visit and why you recommend this place.

Answer: Make the presentation yourselves.

Let us write (Page 149)

 I You just read vivid descriptions of the natural wonders of our country. Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine describing anything from nature that attracted your attention. It may be an object, a place, or an event experienced by you. Remember to give a title to your essay.
Use proper format and content organisation—begin with a title, include introduction (one paragraph), body (two to three paragraphs), and conclusion (one paragraph).

Answer: The Mesmerising Valley of Flowers
Introduction
Last summer, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand. I had read about it in books, but seeing it in person was an experience beyond words. Nestled high in the Himalayas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site felt like stepping into a beautiful painting created by nature itself.

Body
As I trekked along the narrow mountain paths, I was greeted by a carpet of vibrant blossoms—blue, yellow, red, and pink flowers stretched as far as my eyes could see. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers. Snow-capped peaks formed a majestic backdrop, and crystal-clear streams glistened in the sunlight, adding a magical touch to the entire valley.

Walking through the valley, I noticed rare and exotic plants I had never seen before. Colourful butterflies fluttered around, and birds chirped sweetly from the trees. The peace and calmness of the place made me forget the busy world I had left behind. It felt like nature was whispering its secrets to me in every breeze.

This visit was not just about beauty; it also made me appreciate how precious our natural heritage is. I learned that many of the flowers are unique to this region and that the valley is carefully protected to preserve its biodiversity.

Conclusion
The Valley of Flowers left a lasting impression on me. Its beauty, tranquillity, and rich biodiversity reminded me of how important it is to respect and protect nature. I hope to visit this paradise again someday, but until then, the memory of those colourful blossoms will always bring me peace and joy.

Let us explore (Page 150)

I Man-made Wonders
1. Kallanai Dam (The Grand Anaicut) in Tamil Nadu is one of the world’s oldest dams and is still in use. The Kallanai Dam represents a significant achievement in ancient Indian hydraulic engineering. It was built by the Chola King Karikala around 150 CE.

2. Another spectacular legacy of ancient wisdom that we have is the world’s first residential university at Nalanda in Bihar. Nalanda was established much before any European university, providing higher education to thousands of students. It was declared as a UNESCO heritage site in 1980. You may visit the site given below to know more about this.

3. Hampi, a town in Karnataka, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vittala Temple in Hampi was built in the 15th century. This temple has 56 special pillars known as the SaReGaMa pillars. When these pillars are tapped, they produce musical notes that can be heard clearly.

4. Some of the man-made wonders of modern India include the Bandra–Worli Sea Link in Mumbai; Statue of Unity in Gujarat; Bhupen Hazarika Setu (The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge) in Assam; and many more.

Answer: Do it yourself.

II Some micro-planktons in the sea are bioluminescent. Have you seen any other life form that has this quality? Identify the insect given below and find out what it is called in your language. Look out for it when you visit a field or a place with a wetland.

Answer: The insect shown in the image is a firefly. Fireflies produce light through a natural chemical reaction in their bodies.
They are commonly found in fields, forests, and near wetlands, especially during warm summer nights.
They use their light to attract mates and communicate.
In Hindi language, it is called (Jugnu).