Question – Answers of Class 7 English Reader book – Honeycomb Chapter 8 A Homage to our Brave Soldiers & Poem 8 Meadow Surprises are given below to download free. NCERT Solutions and Offline Apps are available in updated form for the new academic session 2023-24.
A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers
Comprehension Check
Question 1: Which book does Ananda want to read and why?
Answer 1: Ananda wants to read a memoir titled Tiger of Drass- Capt—Anuj Nayyar – 23 – Kargil Hero written by his mother Meena Nayyar.
Question 2: How did Ananda feel after reading about the National War Memorial?
Answer 2: When Ananda received Soumya’s letter and after reading about the National War Memorial Ananda felt It was such a pleasure. I enjoyed reading about your experience of the visit to the National War Memorial in Delhi, as well as your observations and feelings during the visit.
Question 3: Why was she reminded of the poem Pushp ki Abhilasha?
Answer 3: When I think back about my visit where everyone was dedicating flowers as a mark of respect to our soldiers, I was reminded of the following poem: Pushp ki Abhilasha
Question 4: Reading the letter from Soumya, Anada is inspired to act. What actions does she intend to take up. Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text.
| (i) visit | |
| (ii) mobile app | |
| (iii) sharing ideas | |
| (vi) Website | |
| (v) joining the army | |
| (vi) website |
| (i) visit | I enjoyed reading about your experience of the visit to the National War Memorial in Delhi. |
| (ii) mobile app | We have found a mobile app ‘National War Memorial and Museum’. |
| (iii) sharing ideas | I like to receive letters from you, not just because of the ideas that you share but also because the envelope of your letters often comes with beautiful stamps, which make me happy. |
| (vi) creating a collage | Here is the website link for the National War Memorial https://nationalwarmemorial.gov.in/. Share it with your friends to learn more about it. |
| (v) Joining the army | I think it would be great to create a collage capturing the lives and stories of people who can inspire us each day. |
| (vi) Website | Here is the website link for National War Memorial https://nationalwarmemorial.gov.in/. Share it with your friends to learn more about it. |
Working with the Text
Question 1: Why are war memorials built?
Answer 1: They link the past to the present and enable people to remember and respect the sacrifice of those who died, fought, participated or were affected by conflict(s). Memorials can be an important source of information for young people in understanding the sacrifices made by past generations.
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES BEHIND THE RISE IN CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS
Question 2: Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?
Answer 2: We have to pay tribute to our brave soldiers who went beyond their call of duty to protect our motherland and secure our lives.
Question 3: Why is it a good idea to make a presentation in front of the whole school?
Answer 3: It is a good idea to make a presentation in front of the whole school I am going to share this idea with my classmates and my teacher. I think it would be great to create a collage capturing the lives and stories of people who can inspire us each day.
Question 4: Why were the students awestruck and humbled – explain in your own words.
Answer 4: It touched my heart and also motivated me. We were awestruck and humbled by his bravery. I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the army!
Question 5: Complete the table given below. You may have to find the information on the Internet.
| Name of Wars | Dates | Soldiers Associated |
| Indo-China War | ||
| India-Pakistan Wars | ||
| Kargil War | E |
Answer 5:
| Name of Wars | Dates | Soldiers Associated |
| Indo-China War | 20 October – 21 November 1962 | Indian Army and PLA of China |
| India-Pakistan Wars | 1947, 1965, 1971 | Indian Army and Pak Army |
| Kargil War | Indian Army and Pak Army | Indian Army and Pak army |
Working with Language
Question 1: Find the odd one out of the words given in the box.
| valiant | martyr | brave | heroic | courageous |
| memorial | monument | statue | cenotaph | victory |
| gratitude | thankfulness | appreciation | respect | gratefulness |
| unique | simple | matchless | exclusive | one-off |
Answer 1: martyr, victory, respect, simple
Question 2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the word given in brackets.
The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”. The medal was_____ (institute) as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was_______ (design) by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer from Sage Dadhichi, a Vedic rishi who_____(draw) inspiration______ (make) the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body so that the gods________ (can) make a deadly weapon____ (call) Vajra or Thunderbolt from his spine. The medal is cast in bronze. In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, of Indra’s Vajra are_______(surround) by four replicas _____(flank). The decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.
Answer 2:
The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”. The medal was instituted as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was designed by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer drew inspiration from Sage Dadhichi, a Vedic rishi who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body so that the gods could make a deadly weapon called Vajra or Thunderbolt from his spine. The medal is cast in bronze. In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra are flanked. The decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.
Question 3:
Match the following words with their meanings.
(i) territorial integrity (i) celebrated
(ii) iconic (ii) engraved
(iii) envisioned (iii) grand
(iv) etched (iv) visualised
(v) posthumously (v) a tapering stone piller
(vi) awestruck (vi) after death
(vii) obelisk (vii) amazed
(viii) majestic (viii) never dying flame
(ix) interminable flame (ix) very brave
(x) valiant (x) safeguarding nation’s borders
Answer 3:
(i) territorial integrity (i) safeguarding nation’s
(ii) iconic (ii) celebrated
(iii) envisioned (iii) visualised
(iv) etched (iv) engraved
(v) posthumously (v) after death
(vi) awestruck (vi) amazed
(vii) obelisk (vii) a tapering stone piller
(viii) majestic (viii) grand
(ix) interminable flame (ix) never dying flame
(x) valiant (x) very brave
Question 4: Complete the story of an unknown soldier. Replace the words from the box with the underlined words given in the text below.
(touched everyone’s heart, territorial integrity, inspired, fallen soldiers, posthumously, valour, exemplary courage, awestruck)
He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our national boundary. He had been motivated by the hundreds of stories of the soldiers who had died in action and were celebrated after their deaths for bravery.
One night as the war intensified, he was asked to take his platoon to the place of action.
He displayed outstanding bravery and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were amazed at his courage, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. He too was awarded after he died in the war. His action affected everyone very deeply.
Answer 4:
He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our territorial integrity. He had been inspired by the hundreds of stories of the fallen soldiers who were celebrated posthumously for valour. One night as the war intensified, he was asked to take his platoon to the place of action. He displayed exemplary courage and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were amazed at his courage, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. He too was awarded posthumously in the war. His action was awarded touched everyone’s heart.
Speaking and Writing
Question 1: Have a class discussion on the topic, ‘When there is no dialogue war begins’.
Answer 1: Students do this discussion in class.
Question 2: Find out any poem or story in your mother tongue/context about the sacrifices/bravery of soldiers. Make a presentation in the class.
Answer 2: This is an activity work, so do it yourself.
Question 3: People have switched to emails and WhatsApp instead of writing notes and letters to each other. Which form of communication do you prefer and why? Share with your friends in class.
Answer 3: Emails and WhatsApp are quick forms of communication. Hence people prefer this mod. Students are advised to write their own preferences.
Question 4: Write a paragraph on the army’s work during peacetime. Answer 4:
During peacetime, soldiers are alert to any danger or threat to their country. In addition to training for combat, each branch of the armed forces offers training for hundreds of different job opportunities. These jobs can be in such fields as engineering, medicine, computers, or finance.
Question 5: As the citizens of a nation, we all must fulfil our duty. Write a letter to your friend describing how do you propose to serve your nation. You can choose from the themes given below:
Save the Environment
Health and Well-being
Helping others
Righteous Conduct
Answer 5: Activity work, so do yourself.
Meadow Surprises
Working with the Poem
Question 1. Read the lines in which the following phrases occur. Then discuss with your partner the meaning of each phrase in its context.
(i) Velvet grass
(ii) drinking straws
(iii) meadow houses
(iv) amazing mound
(v) fuzzy head
Answer:
(i) Velvet grass indicates that the grass is as soft as velvet.
(ii) drinking straws means the butterflies which drink the nectar from the flowers seem as if they are drinking it with straws.
(iii) meadow houses refer to the houses of rabbits, i.e. the burrows of ants, i.e. anthills and nests.
(iv) Amazing mound means the mounds created by the ants for dwelling.
(v) fuzzy head indicates the flowers of the dandelion, which now floats in the air when we blow it.
Question 2: Which line in the poem suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow? Read aloud the stanza that contains this line.
Answer: The line that suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow is:
“You may discover these yourself if you look and listen well.”
Question 3: Find pictures of the kinds of birds, insects and scenes mentioned in the poem.
Answer: Do it yourself.
Question 4: Watch a tree or a plant, or walk across a field or park at the same time every day for a week. Keep a diary of what you see and hear. At the end of the week, write a short paragraph or a poem about your experiences. Put your writing up on the class bulletin board.
Answer: Do it yourself.
Question 5: Read the following poem about the world of nature, which is as busy as the world of human beings.
Busy World
Bees are buzzing, frogs are hopping,
Moles are digging. There’s no stopping
Vines from climbing, grass from growing,
Birds from singing, winds from blowing,
Buds from blooming. Bees are humming,
Sunbeams dancing, raindrops drumming.
All the world is whirling, dizzy,
Summertime is very busy!
Answer: Do it yourself.