CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew: Chapter 18 - On the Grasshopper and Cricket NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 18, titled 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket'. It delves into the essence of poetry, exploring how words arranged beautifully create music and meaning. The solutions explain the concept of 'the poetry of earth,' which is not limited to human words but is expressed through the continuous songs and rhythms of nature's creatures across seasons. Students will understand how the grasshopper represents summer's vibrancy and the cricket embodies winter's persistent warmth. These solutions offer clear explanations and step-by-step answers to help students grasp the poem's themes, imagery, and literary devices, aiding in their exam preparation and enhancing their appreciation for nature's enduring music.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish Honeydew
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 18

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 18, 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket,' focuses on understanding the poem's core themes. It clarifies the definition of poetry, emphasizing its musicality and meaning beyond mere words. The solutions explore the concept of 'the poetry of earth' as a continuous natural phenomenon, represented by the distinct voices of the grasshopper in summer and the cricket in winter. Key lines from the poem are matched to their meanings, and contrasting vocabulary is explained, providing a thorough analysis for students.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the definition and essence of poetry as presented in the poem.
  • Identify and explain 'the poetry of earth' as depicted through natural sounds.
  • Recognize the roles of the grasshopper and cricket as symbols of summer and winter, respectively.
  • Analyze the poem to find lines that match specific meanings.
  • Understand the contrast between words like 'frost' and its opposite in context.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Definition of a poem
  • The poetry of earth
  • Grasshopper's song (Summer)
  • Cricket's song (Winter)
  • Nature's continuous music
  • Seasonal cycles
  • Poetic devices
  • Vocabulary (antonyms)

Important topics

  • Understanding 'The poetry of earth'
  • Role of the grasshopper in summer
  • Role of the cricket in winter
  • The cyclical nature of seasons and nature's music
  • Interpreting poetic lines

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Discuss with your partner the following definition of a poem. A poem is made of words arranged in a beautiful order. These words, when read aloud with feeling, have a \, music \, and \, meaning \, of their \, own.
Solution:

A poem is an artistic creation that combines speech and song, characterized by rhythm and metaphorical language. The arrangement of words in a poem is crucial, as it enhances both its aesthetic appeal and its deeper significance. Reading a poem aloud with emotion allows listeners to connect with the composer's passion and intent. The rhyming elements within a poem help to unify the poet's ideas and imagery. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, a poem is defined as a piece of writing where words are selected for their sonic qualities and the images they evoke, rather than solely for their literal meanings. These words are typically organized into distinct lines, often with a recurring rhythm and end rhymes.

Question 2

'The poetry of earth' is not made of words. What is it made of, as suggested in the poem?
Solution:

'The poetry of earth' is presented not as human words, but as the continuous music and rhythm produced by nature's various creatures throughout the changing seasons. This natural music never loses its appeal, even during challenging times like extreme summer heat or deep winter cold. The poem highlights the 'poetry of earth' during these seasons by describing the grasshopper's energetic activity in summer and the cricket's persistent, shrill song even on lonely winter nights.

Question 3

Find in the poem lines that match the following.
  1. The grasshopper's happiness never comes to an end.
  2. The cricket's song has a warmth that never decreases.
Solution:
  1. The line that matches the grasshopper's unending happiness is: "In summer luxury — he has never done With his delights."
  2. The line that matches the cricket's song having enduring warmth is: "The cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever."

Question 4

Which word in stanza 2 is opposite in meaning to 'the frost'?
Solution:

The word in stanza 2 that is opposite in meaning to 'frost' is 'grassy'. 'Frost' typically refers to a state of coldness that can cause freezing, evoking a sense of chill and barrenness. In contrast, 'grassy' suggests lushness, life, and a green, vibrant environment, directly opposing the cold, lifeless implication of frost.

Question 5

The poetry of the earth continues round the year through a cycle of two seasons. Mention each with its representative voice.
Solution:

The poetry of the earth continues throughout the year, represented by two main seasons: summer and winter. During the summer, the voice of the grasshopper, with its continuous hopping and singing, represents the earth's poetry. In the winter season, it is the cricket's shrill song that carries the voice of the earth's enduring music.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the literal meaning of 'poetry of earth' with human-written poetry.
  • Misinterpreting the grasshopper and cricket's songs as mere sounds rather than representations of seasons.
  • Difficulty in matching poem lines to their intended meanings.
  • Struggling to identify antonyms within the poem's context.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to appreciate its rhythm and musicality, as suggested in the definition.
  • Focus on the contrasting roles of the grasshopper and cricket to understand the cyclical nature of seasons.
  • Practice matching poem lines to their meanings to improve comprehension skills.
  • Summarize the 'poetry of earth' concept in your own words to ensure understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. According to the poem's definition, what makes a poem beautiful?

Q2. What does 'The poetry of earth' primarily consist of, as per the poem?

Q3. Which creature represents the 'poetry of earth' during the summer season?

Q4. What does the cricket's song symbolize in the winter season?

Q5. Which line from the poem suggests the grasshopper's unending joy?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket'?

The main theme is the continuous and eternal nature of 'the poetry of earth,' which is expressed through the songs of creatures like the grasshopper in summer and the cricket in winter, ensuring that nature's music never truly ceases.

How does the poem define 'the poetry of earth'?

The poem suggests that 'the poetry of earth' is not made of words but is the continuous music and rhythm produced by nature's creatures, like the grasshopper's song in summer and the cricket's song in winter, which persists through all seasons.

What is the significance of the grasshopper and the cricket in the poem?

The grasshopper symbolizes the vibrant and continuous music of summer, while the cricket represents the persistent warmth and song of winter, together illustrating the unending cycle of nature's poetry.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 8 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the poem's nuances, interpret its themes, and prepare effectively for their English exams.

What does the phrase 'The poetry of earth' mean in the context of the poem?

It refers to the natural, ongoing music and sounds produced by living beings and elements of nature, which continue throughout the year, symbolizing life and continuity.

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