A visit to Cambridge
Comprehension Check
Q1. “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
Ans. (ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
Q2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
Ans. (ii) from outside a phone booth.
Q3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because
Ans. (ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
Q4. “I felt a huge relief... in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to
Ans. (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Answer the following questions:
Q1(i). Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Ans. Yes, the writer was nervous because meeting such a great scientist and a living legend was a rare opportunity, and he did not want to waste it.
Q1(ii). Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Ans. Yes, he felt excited because Stephen Hawking was an inspiration to him and meeting him was like meeting his bravest self.
Q2. Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Ans. The first question was probably, “Is it true that you laugh a lot from inside even though people think disabled persons are unhappy?”
Q3. Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Ans. Yes, the writer thought there was a choice — living creatively and positively despite physical limitations.
Q4. “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Ans. The anguish was that Hawking’s brilliant mind was trapped inside a body that could not communicate easily, causing frustration.
Q5. What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
Ans. His smile, inner strength, and the glow of his personality despite physical challenges made him seem truly beautiful.
Q6. Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Ans. “Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man.”
Q7(i). If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
Ans. The walls would be his weak, damaged body.
Q7(ii). What is housed within the thin walls?
Ans. His shining spirit and brilliant mind.
Q7(iii). What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Ans. That the human spirit is more important than the physical body, which is only a temporary covering.
Q8. What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Ans. They should focus on what they are good at and not waste energy on things beyond their ability.
Q9. Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?
Ans. He recalled trying to play an oversized guitar to show that disabled people should work within their abilities rather than forcing themselves into unsuitable activities.
Q10. The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Ans. For being an inspiration and proving that physical disability cannot stop a person from achieving greatness.
Q11. Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both
the boxes below.
(i) There was his assistant on the line ...
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, ...
(iii) There he was, ...
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, ...
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know ...
A
- tapping at a little switch in his hand
- and I told him
- that there are people
- as if you have a courage account
- and they are saying something huge and urgent
B
- trying to find the words on his computer.
- I had come in a wheelchair from India.
- on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
- smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
- it is hard to tell what.
Answer:
(i) There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
(iii) There he was, tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find the words on his computer.
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent it is hard to tell what.
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
Working with Language
Q1. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.
guide, succeed, chair, travel, pale, draw, true
(i) I met a ____________ from an antique land.
(ii) I need special ____________ in mathematics. I can’t count the number
of times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy ____________ to Issac
Newton.
(iv) His other problems ____________ into insignificance beside this
unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was ____________ by the youngest member of the board.
(vi) Some people say ‘yours ____________’ when they informally refer to
themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a ____________ match. We would have been spared
the noise of celebrations, at least.
Answer:
(i) guide
(ii) guidance
(iii) successor
(iv) paled
(v) chaired
(vi) truly
(vii) true
Q2. Now make six such phrases using the words given in the box.
- read/session
- smile/face
- revolve/chair
- walk/tour
- dance/doll
- win/chance
Answer:
- a reading session
- a smiling face
- a revolving chair
- a walking tour
- a dancing doll
- a winning chance
Q3. Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.
(i) He has two brothers. _______ are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called. _______ of them wanted to see you.
(iii) They _______ cheered the team.
(iv) _______ her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me _______ of it.
Answer:
(i) Both
(ii) All
(iii) All
(iv) Both
(v) All
Q4. Complete each sentence using the right form of the adjective given in brackets.
(i) My friend has one of the _______ cars on the road. (fast)
(ii) This is the _______ story I have ever read. (interesting)
(iii) What you are doing now is _______ than what you did yesterday. (easy)
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both _______. (short)
(v) He arrived _______ as usual. Even the chief guest came _______ than he did. (late, early)
Answer:
(i) fastest
(ii) most interesting
(iii) easier
(iv) short
(v) late, earlier
Speaking and Writing
Q3. Notice sample:
ABC Public School
Notice
Lost – A Wristwatch
Date: 12 Aug 2025
I have lost my black Titan wristwatch somewhere in the school playground during the lunch break today. If anyone finds it, please return it to me.
Name: Rohit Sharma
Class: VIII-B
Or, Interview sample questions for Panchayat President:
- What is your plan to improve the water supply in the village?
- How do you intend to ensure 24-hour electricity?
- What steps will you take to keep the village clean?
- Are there any new schools planned?
- How will you improve the condition of existing schools?
- What measures will you take for healthcare facilities?
- How do you plan to create employment opportunities?
- Will you organise awareness campaigns on hygiene and education?
- Are there any projects for better roads?
- What is your long-term vision for the village?
