CBSE Class 8 English The Duck and the Kangaroo Poem NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 16, 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' poem. It covers key aspects of the poem, including identifying rhyming words, completing a dialogue between the duck and the kangaroo, and analyzing poetic elements like word spelling and capitalization for rhyme and rhythm. The solutions offer clear explanations and step-by-step guidance to help students understand the poem's nuances, appreciate its literary devices, and prepare effectively for their exams. These solutions are designed to enhance comprehension and analytical skills related to poetry.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 16 The Duck and the Kangaroo (Poem)

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 16, 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' poem, focus on understanding poetic structure and language. Students will practice identifying rhyming words, completing a conversational dialogue between the characters, and analyzing specific word spellings and capitalization used for poetic effect. This chapter's exercises aim to build comprehension of poetic devices and vocabulary within the context of the poem.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and list rhyming word pairs from the poem.
  • Complete a dialogue using context and character voice.
  • Analyze the purpose of altered spelling and capitalization in poetry.
  • Understand the relationship between rhyme scheme and word choice.
  • Explain the meaning of 'rheumatism' in the context of the poem.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Rhyming words
  • Poem comprehension
  • Dialogue writing
  • Poetic devices
  • Word spelling in poetry
  • Capitalization in poetry
  • Vocabulary (rheumatism)
  • Character interaction

Important topics

  • Identifying rhyming pairs
  • Completing dialogues
  • Analyzing poetic spelling and capitalization
  • Understanding character motivations

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Taking words that come at the end of lines, write five pairs of rhyming words. Read each pair aloud. For example, pond - beyond.
Solution: To identify rhyming words, we look for words at the end of lines in the poem that have similar sounds. Here are five pairs of rhyming words from 'The Duck and the Kangaroo':
  1. Hop – stop
  2. Back – Quack
  3. Duck – luck
  4. Reflection - objection
  5. Bold - cold
Reading these pairs aloud helps to confirm their rhyming quality.

Question 2

Complete the dialogue between the Duck and the Kangaroo.

Duck: Dear Kangaroo! Why don't you

Kangaroo: With pleasure, my dear Duck, though

Duck: That won't be a problem. I will

Solution: To complete the dialogue, we need to infer the context from the poem and the given lines. The Duck is asking for a favour, and the Kangaroo expresses a concern.

Duck: Dear Kangaroo! Why don't you give me a ride on your back?

Kangaroo: With pleasure, my dear Duck, though your feet are unpleasantly wet and cold and I might catch rheumatism.

Duck: That won't be a problem. I will wear worsted socks and cloak and smoke a cigar every day to keep out the cold.

This dialogue reflects the Duck's request for a ride and the Kangaroo's initial hesitation due to the Duck's wet feet, followed by the Duck's proposed solution.

Question 3

The Kangaroo does not want to catch 'rheumatism'. Spot this word in stanza 3 and say why it is spelt differently. Why is it in two parts? Why does the second part begin with a capital letter?
Solution: The word 'rheumatism' appears in the third stanza of the poem. It is intentionally altered in spelling and structure for poetic reasons:
  1. Spelling and Structure: The word is presented as 'roo-matiz' (implied by the explanation) to rhyme with 'Kangaroo'. The original spelling 'rheumatism' does not rhyme with 'Kangaroo'. By splitting it and altering the ending, the poet achieves the desired rhyme.
  2. Two Parts: Splitting the word into two parts, 'roo' and 'matiz', allows the first part ('roo') to directly echo the sound of 'Kangaroo'.
  3. Capitalization: The second part, 'Matiz', begins with a capital letter because, in poetry, it is a convention to capitalize the first word of every line, even if it is a continuation of the previous sentence or thought. This capitalization also helps in visually separating the rhyming parts and maintaining the poem's structure. The poet uses this alteration for enhanced poetic effect and rhythm.

Common mistakes

  • Incorrectly identifying rhyming words.
  • Failing to maintain character voice in dialogue completion.
  • Not understanding the reason for altered spelling/capitalization for rhyme.
  • Misinterpreting the meaning of 'rheumatism' or its context.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to better identify rhyming words.
  • Practice completing dialogues to improve conversational understanding.
  • Focus on how poets use wordplay and spelling to create rhythm and rhyme.
  • Review the meaning of challenging words like 'rheumatism' in context.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a rhyming pair from the poem?

Q2. What does the Duck ask the Kangaroo to do?

Q3. Why might the Kangaroo be hesitant to give the Duck a ride?

Q4. What does the Duck plan to wear to avoid getting cold?

Q5. The word 'rheumatism' is altered in the poem to rhyme with 'kangaroo'. What is the altered spelling/structure?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' poem?

The poem explores themes of friendship, adventure, and overcoming differences, as a duck seeks the help of a kangaroo for a journey.

How do the NCERT Solutions help with Chapter 16 of Class 8 English?

These solutions provide clear explanations for identifying rhyming words, completing dialogues, and understanding poetic techniques used in 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' poem.

Why is the word 'rheumatism' spelled differently in the poem?

The word is altered to 'roo-matiz' to create a rhyme with 'kangaroo', demonstrating how poets manipulate language for poetic effect.

What kind of rhyming words are expected in Exercise 1?

Exercise 1 asks for pairs of words that rhyme and appear at the end of lines in the poem, such as 'pond' and 'beyond'.

How does completing the dialogue help students understand the poem?

Completing the dialogue helps students grasp the characters' personalities, their requests, and the reasons behind their interactions, enhancing comprehension.

Important links

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