English work book class 8
Lesson 7
Solutions
Answers
1. Which is the right sentence?
1. “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
(iii) Cambridge was the real England.
2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
(i) from the nearest phone booth.
(ii) from outside a phone booth.
(iii) from inside a phone booth.
3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because
(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.
(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
(iii) he was face to face with a legend.
4. “I felt a huge relief... in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to
(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
(ii) standing up, walking.
(iii) speaking, writing
Ans : 1. (iii) To the writer, Cambridge was the real England.
2. (ii) The writer phoned Stephen Hawking's house from outside a phone booth.
3. (ii) Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
4. (i) In the given context, the highlighted words refer to shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Q.1: Answer the following questions.
(i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Ans : (i) Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking made the writer nervous. He was to meet a great personality and that too one who had achieved greatness despite his disabilities. Clearly, it was a big moment, a great honour for the writer. So it is not surprising that he was nervous at the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking.
(ii) Yes, he felt excited at the same time because it made him stronger to see somebody like him achieving something huge. This made him aware of the many possibilities present before him, thereby helping him to reach out further than he ever thought he could.
Q.2: Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Ans : The writer might have asked the scientist if he had been brave to reach where he had.
Q.3: Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Ans : The writer thought that there was a choice. Stephen Hawking could have chosen to leave everything, and be sad and depressed. He could have sulked. However, he chose to live creatively knowing the reality of his disintegrating body.
Q.4: “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Ans : Stephen Hawking's mind was active with many thoughts that he wanted to express. However, his thoughts came out in phrases, without reflecting his feelings or emotions. His sentences were mere lines, without any sentiment. The writer felt he could understand his anguish and frustration at that.
Q.5: 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 : The writer asked Stephen Hawking if he found it annoying that someone like him came and disturbed him in his work. To this query, the scientist replied in the affirmative, frankly and honestly. Then, he smiled his one way smile and this was what endeared him to the writer. The writer felt that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world.
Q.6: Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Ans : The most beautiful sentence in the description is, " .you look at his eyes which can speak, still, and they are saying something huge and urgent...."
Q.7: (i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Ans : (i) If 'the lantern' is the man, its 'walls' would be the man's body.
(ii) The incandescence or the inner glow of the man is housed within the thin walls.
(iii) The conclusion that the writer drew from this comparison was that the body exists only like a case made of shadows. It is just an accessory. It is the soul that matters. Each individual is what he is from his heart and soul, and not from the body.
Q.8: What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Ans : The message that he gave to the disabled was that they should concentrate on what they were good at.