CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 1: How The Camel Got His Hump NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English, Chapter 1, titled 'How The Camel Got His Hump'. The chapter explores the origin of the camel's hump through a whimsical narrative involving the camel, three other animals (dog, ox, horse), and a Djinn. The solutions break down the story's comprehension, character motivations, and underlying moral lessons about work ethic and responsibility. Students will find clear explanations for the characters' actions, the consequences of idleness, and the Djinn's role in shaping the camel's future. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the story's nuances, answer questions effectively, and prepare for their English examinations by reinforcing understanding of narrative elements and themes.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 1 How The Camel Got His Hump

Chapter summary

Chapter 1 of Class 8 English, 'How The Camel Got His Hump,' is a fictional tale explaining the camel's distinctive hump. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions about the characters' tasks, the camel's initial laziness, and the Djinn's intervention. They also delve into the story's moral, emphasizing the importance of doing one's share of work and the consequences of idleness. The solutions provide answers to discussions on the story's factual accuracy and its underlying message.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the narrative and characters in 'How The Camel Got His Hump'.
  • Analyze the reasons behind the camel's laziness and its consequences.
  • Explain the role of the Djinn in the story.
  • Identify the moral lesson about work and responsibility.
  • Answer comprehension and discussion questions based on the text.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Character analysis (Camel, Dog, Ox, Horse, Djinn)
  • Story comprehension
  • Moral of the story
  • Consequences of idleness
  • Work ethic
  • Fictional narratives
  • Animal behavior
  • Origin stories

Important topics

  • Moral of the story: Importance of work
  • Camel's laziness and its consequences
  • Djinn's role and powers
  • Character motivations
  • Understanding fictional narratives

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check (Page 3) - Question 1

What tasks, do you think, were assigned to the dog and the ox?
Solution: Based on the story and general understanding of animal roles, the dog was likely assigned tasks involving fetching, carrying, and perhaps guarding, as dogs are known for their loyalty and ability to perform various duties for humans. The ox was primarily made to perform heavy agricultural work, such as ploughing the fields, due to its strength.

Comprehension Check (Page 3) - Question 2

Why did the camel live in the middle of the desert?
Solution: The camel chose to live in the middle of the desert because it was a lazy creature that did not want to do any work. By staying in the desert, it could avoid the tasks assigned to other animals and enjoy its idleness.

Comprehension Check (Page 3) - Question 3

What made the dog, the horse and the ox very angry?
Solution: The dog, the horse, and the ox became very angry because their master, man, instructed them to work double time. This extra workload was imposed to compensate for the camel's refusal to do any work, making the other animals resentful of the camel's idleness.

Comprehension Check (Page 3) - Question 4

How did the Djinn know the horse was complaining against the camel?
Solution: The Djinn, being the master of all deserts, possessed a unique understanding and awareness of everything happening within his domain. This magical ability allowed him to easily identify the animals, including the horse, and understand their complaints about the camel's laziness.

Comprehension Check (Page 5) - Question 1

The Camel was looking at his own reflection in the pool. What does it suggest to you about the camel?
Solution: The camel's action of gazing at its reflection in the pool suggests that it was vain and self-absorbed. It implies that the camel was perhaps more concerned with its appearance than with its responsibilities, possibly thinking highly of itself and enjoying its own image.

Comprehension Check (Page 5) - Question 2

The camel said, "Humph" repeatedly. How did it affect him?
Solution: The camel's repeated utterance of "Humph" annoyed the Djinn immensely. As a direct consequence of this persistent, lazy response, the Djinn magically transformed the sound into a large, visible hump on the camel's back, serving as a constant reminder of its idleness.

Comprehension Check (Page 5) - Question 3

What, according to the Djinn, was the use of the 'humph?
Solution: According to the Djinn, the 'humph' that appeared on the camel's back was not just a mark of laziness but also a practical storage unit. It contained food material, allowing the camel to survive for three days without eating, thus enabling it to work when necessary.

Comprehension Check (Page 5) - Question 4

"...he has never yet learnt to behave." In the light of this, what is the writer's opinion about the camel?
Solution: The writer's opinion, as indicated by the statement, is that the camel has fundamentally failed to change its nature or improve its behavior regarding work and responsibility even up to the present day. The camel remains inherently lazy and perhaps still exhibits its characteristic idleness.

Exercise (Page 6) - Question 1

Can this story be factually true?
Solution: No, this story cannot be factually true. It is a fictional narrative, a fable, designed to entertain and teach a moral lesson about the importance of work and responsibility, rather than to describe a real historical event.

Exercise (Page 6) - Question 2

What according to you, is the story about? Consider the following: 1. How the world began. 2. Why everyone should do his/her share of work seriously. 3. How animals are important to humans. 4. How the camel got his hump.
Solution: According to the options provided and the content of the story, the story is primarily about (4) How the camel got his hump. While it touches upon the importance of work (option 2), its main narrative focus is explaining the origin of the camel's hump as a consequence of its laziness.

Exercise (Page 6) - Question 3

What did you do over the weekend? Were you generally active or idle? Please check your back before starting to discuss or answer the question.
Solution: Over the weekend, I engaged in a mix of activities. I spent some time relaxing and watching television in the late evening, but I also played cricket in the afternoon, indicating a period of activity. After checking my back, I can confirm that there is no hump, suggesting I was not excessively idle.

Exercise (Page 6) - Question 4

There are broadly two categories of workers—those who prefer to do today what they can do tomorrow, and those who prefer to do tomorrow what they can do today. Where do you belong?
Solution: I personally believe in the principle of promptness and efficiency. Therefore, I belong to the category of workers who prefer to do today what they can do today, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and to the best of my ability, rather than postponing them.

More Questions Solved - Short Answer Type Questions - Question 1

Why did early man domesticate a few animals?
Solution: Early humans domesticated animals for several practical reasons. They utilized animals to help with strenuous tasks such as carrying heavy loads, pulling carts for transportation, and ploughing fields for agriculture, making their lives easier and more productive.

More Questions Solved - Short Answer Type Questions - Question 2

Which animal in your opinion is man's best friend and most useful too?
Solution: In my opinion, the dog is often considered man's best friend and is highly useful. Dogs provide companionship, security, and loyalty. Historically, they have also assisted humans in various ways, such as hunting, herding, and even pulling sledges in icy regions. Horses and elephants are also valuable and friendly companions to humans.

More Questions Solved - Short Answer Type Questions - Question 3

Do you think the camel renders no service to man?
Solution: No, that is not true. The camel renders significant services to man, especially in desert regions, earning it the title 'ship of the desert'. It serves as a primary mode of transportation, enabling travel across vast sandy terrains. Additionally, camels can be used for ploughing fields, and they provide milk and meat for human consumption.

More Questions Solved - Short Answer Type Questions - Question 4

Do you think the hump on a camel's back has no use?
Solution: While the hump might seem like an obstruction for riding, it is actually very useful. The hump stores fat, which the camel can convert into food and water when resources are scarce. This allows the camel to survive for extended periods without eating, making it well-adapted to desert life.

More Questions Solved - Short Answer Type Questions - Question 5

Who was Djinn? How did he set the camel right?
Solution: The Djinn was a powerful magical being who was in charge of all the deserts. When the horse, ox, and dog complained to him about the camel's laziness, the Djinn intervened. He scolded the camel for its idleness, gave it a large hump on its back as a consequence, and commanded it to serve man diligently, just like the other animals.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the story's fictional nature with factual events.
  • Misinterpreting the characters' motivations.
  • Failing to identify the central moral of the story.
  • Providing brief answers instead of detailed explanations for discussion questions.

Revision tips

  • Read the story carefully to understand the sequence of events.
  • Identify the main characters and their roles in the narrative.
  • Focus on the moral of the story: the importance of doing your work.
  • Practice answering the comprehension questions in your own words.
  • Discuss the story's themes with classmates to deepen understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the camel's initial reaction when asked to work by the Djinn?

Q2. According to the story, why did the dog, horse, and ox get angry with the camel?

Q3. Who was the Djinn in the story?

Q4. What did the Djinn turn the camel's 'Humph' into?

Q5. What is the main moral lesson of the story 'How The Camel Got His Hump'?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 1 of CBSE Class 8 English about?

Chapter 1, 'How The Camel Got His Hump,' is a fictional story that explains, in a whimsical way, why camels have humps. It highlights the importance of doing one's work.

Who are the main characters in 'How The Camel Got His Hump'?

The main characters are the Camel, the Dog, the Ox, the Horse, and the Djinn.

What is the central message or moral of the story?

The central message is that everyone should do their fair share of work seriously, and idleness can lead to negative consequences, like the camel getting a hump.

Are the events in the story factually true?

No, the story is an imaginary tale created to teach a lesson about work and responsibility, not a factual account of how the camel got its hump.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, and moral, which aids in exam preparation.

What does the camel's 'Humph' signify in the story?

The 'Humph' signifies the camel's laziness and refusal to work. The Djinn turns this sound into the physical hump on the camel's back.

Important links

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