CBSE Class VIII English Poorvi Unit 2 VALUES AND DISPOSITIONS A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Questions and Answers

Unit 2: Values and Dispositions
A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam

Let us do these activities before we read

I. Work in pairs. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. What do you think about the Republic Day Parade on 26 January?

The Republic Day Parade on 26 January is a grand national event that fills every Indian with pride and joy. It showcases India's military strength, rich cultural diversity, and national unity.

2. What are the highlights of this parade?

The main highlights of the parade include the march-past by different regiments of the Armed Forces, displays of advanced military weapons, colourful cultural tableaux (jhankis) from various states, daredevil motorcycle stunts, and the spectacular flypast by Indian Air Force fighter jets.

3. What bravery awards are given on this day, and who receives them?

Gallantry awards such as the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra are presented. Brave soldiers, defence personnel, and civilians (including children receiving bravery awards) who have shown extraordinary courage and sacrifice receive these awards.

II. Work in groups of four and discuss.

1. What qualities do you think a soldier should have?

A soldier should possess bravery, discipline, dedication, strong patriotism, physical fitness, teamwork, leadership qualities, and a selfless sense of duty toward protecting the motherland.

2. If you had to share a message with a soldier, what would it be?

Message: "Dear Soldier, thank you for your selfless service, courage, and sacrifices. Because of your vigilant protection at the borders, we sleep safely in our homes. We are immensely proud of you and salute your dedication to the nation!"

Let us discuss

I. Arrange the following events in chronological order. The first and the last events have been marked for you.

1. Major Somnath Sharma was born in 1923 in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. (1)
2. Major Somnath Sharma underwent training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. (2)
3. Major Somnath Sharma was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942. (3)
4. The D Company, under the command of Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar. (4)
5. Major Somnath Sharma requested air strikes to combat the enemy at Badgam. (5)
6. Major Somnath Sharma was killed immediately after a mortar shell hit him. (6)
7. Even after losing Major Somnath Sharma, the soldiers fought bravely to save Srinagar for India. (7)
8. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. (8)

Let us think and reflect

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

1. "Vastly outnumbered and facing devastating fire, Major Somnath Sharma and his men stood resolute. The air was thick with the sound of gunfire and the cries of battle, but Major Somnath Sharma's voice cut through the chaos, urging his men to fight with tenacity and valour. Despite heavy casualties and his own injuries, Major Somnath Sharma displayed unparalleled bravery. He moved fearlessly through the battlefield, directing fire, filling magazines for his gunners, and encouraging his men to hold their ground."

(i) What can be inferred about the conditions from the line: 'The air was thick with gunfire...'
Answer: B. There was intense fighting on the battlefield.

(ii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason.
Answer: Despite heavy casualties, Major Somnath Sharma continued to lead his men because he wanted to motivate them to hold their ground and prevent the enemy from capturing the strategic Srinagar airfield.

(iii) Select the correct option for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) given below:
(A): Major Somnath Sharma moved fearlessly through the battlefield, even though he was injured.
(R): He believed his courage was important to motivate the soldiers.
Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(iv) Fill in the blank with the correct word from those given in the brackets:
Answer: Major Somnath Sharma was filling magazines, and encouraging his men to hold their ground despite injuries (injuries/worry).

2. "Born on 31 January 1923, in the picturesque town of Dadh in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Somnath Sharma belonged to a family with a rich military legacy. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, had served the nation with distinction, and young Somnath was deeply inspired by the valorous tales of the Mahabharata, imparted to him by his grandfather."

(i) What can be inferred about Somnath Sharma's early influences on his career?
Answer: C. His family and heritage inspired his bravery and sense of duty.

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false:
Somnath Sharma belonged to a wealthy family.
Answer: False (The text mentions a "rich military legacy", not financial wealth).

(iii) What does the phrase 'served the nation with distinction' tell us about Major General Amar Nath Sharma?
Answer: It tells us that he performed his duties with exceptional dedication, honour, and excellence, and was highly respected for his contributions to the country.

(iv) Replace the underlined phrase with a word from the extract that has a similar meaning.
"My family and I visited a popular hill station and stayed in an old but visually charming house surrounded by trees."
Answer: picturesque

II. Answer the following questions.

1. 'Major Somnath's legacy of courage and devotion to the nation remains forever alive, forever alive...' What is the significance of the repetition in this line?

The repetition of "forever alive" emphasizes that Major Somnath Sharma's extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and patriotic spirit will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire generations eternally.

2. Why do you think Major Somnath's leadership was critical during the Battle of Badgam?

Major Somnath's leadership was critical because he accurately assessed the enemy's strength, guided air strikes, fearlessly ran between posts to encourage his heavily outnumbered men, and even filled gun magazines with an injured hand to keep up resistance against 500 infiltrators.

3. What were Major Somnath's last words? What do they reflect about his sense of duty?

His last words were: "The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round."
These words reflect his supreme commitment to duty, unquestionable courage, determination, and refusal to abandon his post even in the face of certain death.

4. What might have been the outcome of the Battle of Badgam if Major Somnath and his company had not held their ground?

If they had not held their ground, the Pakistani infiltrators would have captured the strategic Srinagar airfield and Srinagar town, which could have led to the loss of the Kashmir Valley for India.

5. Why do you think Major Somnath's story continues to inspire soldiers and civilians today?

His story continues to inspire because it represents the highest ideals of selflessness, patriotism, leadership, and bravery. It serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifices made by the armed forces to protect the nation's freedom.

6. How can the values demonstrated by Major Somnath Sharma—courage, duty, and self-sacrifice—be applied in our daily lives?

We can apply these values by doing our daily duties sincerely, standing up bravely against injustice, helping others selflessly, remaining disciplined in our work, and putting the collective good of our community and country above personal interests.

Let us learn

I. Match the expressions from the text in Column 1 with the most suitable situations given in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
1. Fight to the last man	(ii) The soldiers fought valiantly until each one laid down his life for the nation.
2. Foil the plan	(iv) A spy disrupts the enemy's efforts to invade a country by intercepting their communications.
3. Deliver a blow	(i) A sports team scores a last-minute goal, giving them the lead and shaking the opponent's confidence.
4. Hold their ground	(iii) Soldiers stay in their position and fight back, even though the enemy is stronger.

Complete the following sentences using the expressions from Column 1:

A. The detective managed to foil the plan by finding the hidden evidence before the culprit could get rid of it.

B. The company's new advertising campaign was meant to deliver a blow to their competitors' sales.

C. The hikers chose to hold their ground despite the heavy rain, refusing to turn back on their journey.

D. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the soldiers vowed to defend their homeland and fight to the last man, refusing to surrender to the enemy forces.

II. Collective Nouns used in armed forces. Match the collective nouns in Column 1 to their meanings in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
1. regiment	(ii) a permanent unit of an army typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel/colonel and divided into several companies
2. squadron	(iii) a small unit, typically comprising 12-24 aircrafts and their crews used in air force, naval, or army aviation services.
3. fleet	(iv) a group of ships sailing together, engaged in the same activity, or under the same ownership
4. battalion	(i) a large body of troops ready for battle, especially an infantry unit

Fill in the blanks suitably with words from Column 1:

A. The commanding officer addressed the entire regiment during the morning assembly.

B. The admiral ordered the entire fleet to set sail for battle.

C. The battalion of infantry advanced slowly through the dense forest.

D. A squadron of fighter jets was sent to intercept the enemy planes.

III. Words starting with 'over'

Fill in the blanks with the correct words using the clues from the box (overwhelm, overthrow, overrun).

1. To take and seize control: overthrow

2. To invade or occupy an area in large numbers: overrun

3. To flood or overpower someone or something emotionally: overwhelm

List of five other verbs starting with 'over' and sentences:

1. Overcome: She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking.
2. Overflow: The river began to overflow after continuous heavy rainfall.
3. Overhear: I happened to overhear the announcement at the station.
4. Overtake: The sports car managed to overtake the bus on the highway.
5. Overlook: We should not overlook small mistakes while revising our work.

IV. Nouns vs. Verbs (c vs. s spelling variations)

Fill in the blanks correctly with the words given in brackets.

1. The teacher's (i) advice is always helpful, and she continues to (ii) advise students on their career choices. (advice/advise)

2. The musician believes that daily (i) practice helps a lot, so she is always ready to (ii) practise her harmonium lessons. (practice/practise)

3. The scientist uses a strange (i) device for experiments and plans to (ii) devise new methods for his analysis. (device/devise)

4. The village (i) council met to discuss issues and decided to (ii) counsel the villagers on important matters. (council/counsel)

V. Subject-Verb Agreement

Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct verb given within brackets.

1. The bouquet of flowers is beautiful. (is/are)
2. Neither the teacher nor the students were aware of the change in the schedule. (was/were)
3. Each of the participants has submitted their projects on time. (has/have)
4. The data collected by the researchers shows significant trends. (shows/show)
5. One of the players was injured during the match. (was/were)
6. Either the children or their guardian has to attend the meeting. (has/have)
7. A pair of shoes is missing from the rack. (is/are)
8. Neither of the statements is true. (is/are)
9. The members of the jury have delivered their verdict to the court. (has deliver/have delivered)
10. Mathematics is an interesting subject for many students. (is/are)

VI. Passage Correction (Subject-Verb Agreement)

Correct the incorrect usage of verbs in the passage.

Corrected Passage:
A battalion of soldiers stands at attention as the National flag is raised. Each soldier salutes with pride while the commander and his assistants inspect the parade. The sound of marching feet echoes through the air as a group of cadets prepares for their drill. Meanwhile, a convoy of military vehicles passes by, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.

Let us listen

I. Sentence completion based on the listening transcript about the Param Vir Chakra.

1. The Param Vir Chakra signifies the 'Wheel of the Ultimate Brave.'
2. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded to someone who shows exemplary bravery while fighting with the enemy.
3. The Param Vir Chakra was introduced as a Gallantry Medal in 1947 by the President of India.
4. The design of the Param Vir Chakra is inspired by Sage Dadhichi, who was a Vedic rishi.
5. The state emblem in the centre of the Param Vir Chakra is surrounded by the Vajra and lotus flowers.

Let us speak

I. Speaking Activity: How do you propose to serve your nation?

Sample Response (Theme: Saving the Environment):

"I believe one of the best ways to serve the nation is by protecting our natural environment and keeping our surroundings clean. A small change we can make is reducing single-use plastics and planting trees in our neighbourhood, and it will have a big impact because it prevents pollution and ensures cleaner air for everyone. If everyone contributes by conserving water and electricity at home, it can lead to a sustainable future for our country. One of the biggest challenges we face is climate change, and I propose we address it by organizing environmental awareness drives in our schools. We can make a difference by working together as a team, if we take responsibility for our local environment. Serving the nation is not just about big actions; even small efforts like keeping public places clean matter."

Let us write

I. Write a letter of enquiry to the incharge of a Memorial requesting information regarding a school visit.

ABC Public School,
Civil Lines, New Delhi

15 October 2026

The Incharge / Curator,
National War Memorial,
New Delhi

Subject: Enquiry about a School Visit to a Memorial

Dear Sir,

This is to enquire about organizing an educational visit for Class VIII students of our school to the National War Memorial. Could you please provide details about the procedure and guidelines for group visits?

Firstly, I request you to share the available dates and timings for school visits during the coming month. Secondly, I would appreciate it if you could explain the expected duration of the guided tour so that we can plan our schedule accordingly. I would also be grateful to get further details on entry fees, if any, and photography permissions inside the campus. Lastly, could you clarify if there are specific safety rules and conduct guidelines that student groups must follow?

An early reply will be greatly appreciated, as it will help us finalize our travel arrangements and submit the proposal to school authorities. I look forward to your guidance and support for making this trip meaningful and inspiring for our students.

Yours sincerely,

Rohan Verma
(Head Boy, ABC Public School)

Let us explore

I. Captain Vikram Batra - The Last PVC Recipient

Captain Vikram Batra, known as "Shershah of Kargil", showed exceptional bravery during the 1999 Kargil War. He captured Point 5140 and later led the assault on Point 4875. He killed five enemy soldiers at point-blank range before succumbing to his injuries. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

II. Find out more about Gallantry Awards in India.

Gallantry awards are divided into two categories:

• Wartime Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), and Vir Chakra (Vc).
• Peacetime Gallantry Awards: Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

III. Key roles of women in the Indian Army.

Women serve with distinction across multiple branches of the Indian Armed Forces, including Army Aviation Corps, Corps of Engineers, Signals, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Air Defence, Intelligence Corps, Medical Corps, and as fighter pilots in the Air Force and naval officers in the Navy. Permanent Commission is also granted to eligible women officers.

IV. Birsa Munda: A Saga of Courage and Sacrifice

Birsa Munda was a revered tribal freedom fighter and spiritual leader of the Munda tribe. Affectionately called 'Dharti Aaba' (Father of the Land), he led a heroic tribal resistance against British colonial rule for self-governance and tribal rights. A commemorative stamp was released to honour his 150th birth anniversary.

V. List of Patriotic Songs across India.

• National Song: Vande Mataram (Sanskrit/Bengali)
• National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana (Bengali)
• Hindi: Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo, Kadam Kadam Badaye Ja, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
• Assamese: O Mur Apunar Desh
• Tamil: Thamizh Thai Valthu
• Punjabi: Pagdi Sambhal Jatta