CBSE Class VIII English Poorvi Unit 1 A Concrete Example Questions and Answers

Let us do these activities before we read (Page 17)

I. Read the names of items you usually find in a garden and write their names against each picture given below.

(Options: garden hose, sapling, hedge, flower beds, flower pot, pebbles, rockery, fence, vine, wheelbarrow)

Answer: garden hose

II. Work in groups of four. What kind of garden would you like to have? Mention the features that you can include and the reasons for your choice. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: I would like to have a green and colourful flower garden with a small vegetable patch. Features would include vibrant flower beds, a small lily pond, shady trees, and a wooden bench. I choose these because flower beds bring butterflies, trees keep the area cool, and the bench gives a peaceful place to sit and read.

III. Read the title of the poem. What comes to your mind when you read the word 'concrete'? Does it have more than one meaning? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer: Yes, the word 'concrete' has more than one meaning:

• Literal meaning: A building material made of cement, gravel, sand, and water (like stones and hard pavements).
• Figurative/Symbolic meaning: Clear, real, definite, or specific (a solid example).

Let us discuss (Pages 19–20)

I. Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem.

The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker's next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. stones. Her garden includes a 2. crazy path, a lily pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. sundial that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. delicate plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. pin. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. flower that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. lovely thing is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. standing on it all along.

II. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.

1. The tone of the poem is:
   Answer: D. (ii), (iv), and (v) (humorous, amusing, and light-hearted)
2. The speaker in the poem is:
   Answer: (ii) the poet
3. The rhyme scheme of the poem is:
   Answer: (i) AABBCC

III. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct answer given in the brackets.

1. The poet uses the word 'stones' in all stanzas in order to emphasise her obsession with a stony garden.
2. The poet uses imagery to describe the features of the garden that help readers visualise the garden's peculiar nature.

IV. Pick examples of alliteration from the poem.

Answer:

• "garden full of got" (sound repetition) / "plants with a pin"
• "sundial with a strange device"
• "stande and see her stones"

V. Identify the refrain from the poem.

Answer: The refrain repeated at the beginning of each stanza is: "My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,"

VI. Identify the line(s) from the poem that display(s) situational irony.

Answer:
"Where is this lovely thing?" I cried.
"You're standing on it," she replied.
(It is ironic because the speaker is looking enthusiastically for a beautiful flower, only to discover he has accidentally crushed it under his feet.)

VII. Complete the following sentences appropriately.

1. The word 'concrete' can refer to the stones, rockery, and paved paths in Mrs. Jones' garden.
2. The title also has a symbolic meaning, as the poem provides a clear or 'concrete' example of Mrs. Jones' peculiar/unusual gardening habits.

Let us think and reflect (Pages 20–21)

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

My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
has got a garden full of stones:
A crazy path, a lily pond,
a rockery and, just beyond
A sundial with a strange device,
which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.

1. What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones's taste in gardening from the description of her garden being 'full of stones'?
   Answer: It shows that she has an unconventional, unique, and quirky taste in gardening, preferring stones, rockeries, and hard structures over typical lush green lawns.
2. Identify whether the following statement is true or false:
   The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.
   Answer: True
3. What does the poet mean by 'crazy path'?
   Answer: A 'crazy path' refers to a garden walkway made of irregularly shaped, randomly fitted paving stones.
4. What does the sundial with a 'strange device' suggest about Mrs. Jones' personality?
   Answer: A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.
   Answer: Mrs. Jones is extremely proud of her garden and loves it deeply. This is shown when she finds her strange sundial "rather nice," invites her neighbour round to see her stones, and talks passionately about a single tiny flower for fifteen minutes.
2. Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?
   Answer: The speaker uses this humorous exaggeration (hyperbole) to emphasize how tiny and delicate the plants are compared to the large stones surrounding them.
3. What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?
   Answer: We learn that Mrs. Jones is eccentric, patient, friendly, and finds great joy in small, subtle things that others might easily overlook.
4. The poem portrays Mrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.
   Answer: Mrs. Jones is shown as a gentle, warm, and enthusiastic neighbor. Even when the speaker accidentally steps on her precious flower, she responds calmly without getting angry.
5. What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?
   Answer: The poem shows that beauty is subjective. While the speaker sees only a heap of stones and tiny insignificant plants, Mrs. Jones sees a lovely, precious, and fascinating sanctuary.

Let us learn (Pages 21–22)

I. Select the appropriate word from the brackets that correctly replaces the underlined word in the sentences from the text.

1. A sundial with a strange device → unusual / peculiar
2. ... which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice. → charming / pleasant
3. They are so delicate... → fragile / dainty
4. "Where is this lovely thing?" I cried. → exclaimed

II. Instrument Definitions and Examples Table (Page 22)

Column 1	Column 2 (Definition)	Column 3 (Examples)
1. implement	(iii) something that works on being moved by hand	spade, knife, rake
2. tool	(v) something used by hand to make or repair	hammer, screwdriver, spanner
3. equipment	(iv) a set of necessary items for a particular purpose	cricket bat, helmet, batting gloves
4. appliance	(i) something that is electrical and is used to do work in the house	mixer grinder, refrigerator, microwave
5. gadget	(ii) something small that is mechanical or electronic	mobile phone, laptop, smartwatch

III. Word Puzzle Tables (Pages 22–23)

1. Word base: "nice"

• (i) dice – cut into small pieces
• (ii) rice – grain that we cook
• (iii) mice – plural of mouse
• (iv) vice – bad habit

2. Word base: "soil"

• (i) boil – heat something
• (ii) toil – work very hard
• (iii) coil – length of wire in a circle
• (iv) foil – sheets to wrap food items

Let us listen (Page 23, Transcript Page 47)

Listen to the presentation about the Rock Garden of Chandigarh and answer using one to three exact words:

1. Where was Nek Chand's Rock Garden featured?
   Answer: Indian postage stamp
2. What kind of sculptures does the Rock Garden have?
   Answer: Colourful sculptures
3. How is the Rock Garden divided?
   Answer: Three distinct phases
4. Name any one thing that has been transformed into a piece of art in the Rock Garden.
   Answer: Terracotta pots / broken toilet pots / light fixtures
5. Approximately, how many statues border the Rock Garden?
   Answer: Around 5,000 statues

Let us speak (Pages 23–24)

1. Informal Apologies (Roleplay Sample Answers):

• (i) Ate brother's share of sweets:
  Apology: "I'm really sorry for eating your share of sweets. I didn't mean to!"
  Response: "That's alright, but buy me one next time."
• (ii) Broken sister's flower craft:
  Apology: "Please forgive me for breaking your craft project, I didn't do it on purpose."
  Response: "No problem, we can fix it together."
• (iii) Spilled ink on mother's documents:
  Apology: "I'm sorry about spilling ink on your papers, Mom."
  Response: "These things happen. Be more careful next time."
• (iv) Forgot friend's notebook:
  Apology: "Sorry, I forgot to bring your notebook to school today."
  Response: "It's no big deal, bring it tomorrow."

2. Formal Apologies (Roleplay Sample Answers):

• (i) Did not bring assignment:
  Apology: "I'm extremely sorry for not bringing my assignment today. I promise it won't happen again."
  Response: "I accept your apology. Please ensure you submit it tomorrow without fail."
• (ii) Late to school for three days:
  Apology: "I owe you an apology for being late to school, Respected Sir. I'll do my best not to repeat it."
  Response: "I appreciate you saying this, but punctuality is necessary. Make sure you leave home earlier."

Let us write (Page 25)

Question: Draft a notice informing students of Grades 6–8 about the inauguration of the Herb Garden.

ABC PUBLIC SCHOOL, NEW DELHI

NOTICE

Date: 13th September 2026

INAUGURATION OF THE HERB GARDEN

This is to inform all students of Grades 6 to 8 that the Nature Club of our school is inaugurating a new Herb Garden. The garden features a variety of medicinal plants such as Aloe Vera, Mint, Carom, and Holy Basil.

Details of the Event:

• Date: 18th September 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM
• Venue: School Eco-Park Lawn
• Chief Guest: Dr. A. Sharma (Renowned Botanist)

All interested students are cordially invited to attend the ceremony. For further details, please contact the undersigned.

(Signature)

Rohan / Riya

Head Member, Nature Club

Let us explore (Pages 25–26)

I. Find out about popular gardens in your region and share with your classmates and teacher.

Answer (Sample): One popular garden in our region is the Lodi Gardens in New Delhi (or Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru / Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar). It is known for its lush lawns, beautiful historic monuments, and diverse collection of plant and bird species.