Class-8 Chapter-7.A Visit to Cambridge

Ch 7 A Visit to Cambridge

Firdaus Kanga


Comprehension Check(Page No: 104)

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.
► (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.
► (ii) from outside 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.
► (ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice
synthesiser.

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.
► (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the
wrist.

Working with Text

1. (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?

Answer

(i) Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking makes the writer nervous
because Stephen Hawking was the ablest scientist on the earth. He was the
worthy author of world-renowned book “A Brief History of Time”. He had become
the successor to Issac Newton at the University of Cambridge. Meeting with such
a great personality made the writer nervous.

(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.

2. Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.

Answer

The writer might have asked the scientist if he had been brave to reach where
he had.

3. Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was
a choice? What was it?

Answer

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.

4. “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?

Answer

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.

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?

Answer

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.

6. Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most
beautiful sentence in the description?

Answer

The sentence describing the inner glow of Hawking’s personality which makes his
physical looks irrelevant is probably one of the most beautiful descriptions of
beauty.

Page No: 105

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?

Answer

(i) If the lantern is the man, its ‘walls’ is the human boy.

(ii) Light of life is housed within the thin walls

(iii) The writer draws a general conclusion that inside our body is the eternal
soul. Everything else is an accessory.

8. What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?

Answer

The scientists Stephen Hawking’s message for the disabled they should
concentrate on what they are good at. They should make the best use of them and
thanks, God.

9. Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it
support?

Answer

When Stephen Hawking said that things such as disabled Olympics were a waste of
time, the writer agreed with him. He remembered the years which he spent trying
to play a Spanish guitar that was considerably larger than he was. He was very
happy when he unstrung it one night. It supports Stephen Hawking’s idea that
the disabled should only concentrate on what they are good at, and not take up
things unnecessarily.

10. The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the
gratitude for?

Answer

The writer expressed his gratitude to Stephen Hawking because he had been an
inspiration for him. He saw Stephen as the embodiment of his bravest self. He
felt that if he had been as brave as Stephen, he would have achieved a lot. He
felt he was moving towards that embodiment that he had believed in for many
years. That is why he expressed his greatest gratitude to him as he had made
him realise what great heights he could reach.

11. 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 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.

Page No: 106

Working with Language

1. Fill in the blanks in the sentences
below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.

(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) I met a traveller from an antique land.

(ii) I need special guidance in mathematics. I can’t count the number of
times I have failed in the subject.

(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy successor to Isaac
Newton.

(iv) His other problems paled into insignificance beside this unforeseen
mishap.

(v) The meeting was chaired by the youngest member of the board.

(vi) Some people say ‘yours truly’ when they informally refer to
themselves.

(vii) I wish it had been a drawn match. We would have been spared the
noise of celebrations, at least.

2. Now make six such phrases using the words given in the box.

guide

succeed

chair

travel

pale

draw

true


Answer

(i) Reading session
(ii) Smiling face
(iii) Revolving chair
(iv) Walking tour
(v) Dancing doll
(vi) Winning chance

3. 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) He has two brothers. Both are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called. All of them wanted to see you.
(iii) They all cheered the team.
(iv) Both her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me all of it.

4. 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) My friend has one of the fastest cars on the road.
(ii) This is the most interesting story I have ever read.
(iii) What you are doing now is easier than what you did yesterday.
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both short.
(v) He arrived late as usual. Even the chief guest came earlier
than he did.