CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' NCERT Solutions Chapter 2: Children at Work

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'Children at Work,' from CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' delves into the harsh realities faced by children forced into labor. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to comprehension questions based on the narrative. Students will explore the reasons behind Velu's journey, his struggles in the city, and his encounter with a girl who offers him a path, albeit a difficult one. These solutions aim to enhance understanding of the story's themes, character motivations, and the social issues it highlights. By working through these questions and answers, students can improve their reading comprehension skills and prepare effectively for their exams, gaining insights into the lives of children in challenging circumstances.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish It So Happened
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 2

Chapter summary

Chapter 2, 'Children at Work,' focuses on the story of Velu, a young boy who runs away from home to escape an abusive father. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension checks that explore Velu's experiences in the city, his feelings of misery due to the overwhelming environment, and his decision to follow a stranger. The solutions address why he traveled without a ticket and how he managed to avoid the ticket collector, offering a clear understanding of the narrative's key events and Velu's motivations.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons why Velu ran away from home.
  • Analyze Velu's feelings of misery in the new city environment.
  • Explain how Velu managed to travel without a ticket.
  • Identify the circumstances that led Velu to follow the strange girl.
  • Comprehend the challenges faced by children in work situations.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Children at Work
  • Velu's journey
  • Life in the city
  • Child labor realities
  • Comprehension skills
  • Character analysis (Velu)
  • Narrative understanding

Important topics

  • Reasons for Velu's misery
  • Avoiding the ticket collector
  • Motivation for running away
  • Decision to follow the girl
  • Themes of child labor

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What made him feel miserable?
Solution: Velu felt miserable primarily because he was new to the bustling city and was unaccustomed to the overwhelming presence of so many people. Additionally, the constant and excessive noise of the city contributed significantly to his feeling of distress and discomfort.

Question 2

What made him feel miserable?
Solution: Velu's misery stemmed from being in an unfamiliar environment, the city, where he encountered a large number of people for the first time. The intense noise and chaos of the city further amplified his feelings of unhappiness and unease.

Question 3 A

Velu travelled without a ticket. Why?
Solution: Velu traveled without a ticket because he did not possess the necessary money to purchase one. Having run away from home, he was likely without funds, making it impossible for him to buy a ticket for the train journey.

Question 3 B

How did he escape the ticket collector's attention?
Solution: Velu managed to avoid the ticket collector's attention by traveling in the unreserved compartment. It appears that the ticket collector did not make his rounds or check tickets in this specific compartment, allowing Velu to pass unnoticed.

Question 4

Why had Velu run away from home?
Solution: Velu ran away from home to escape the abusive behavior of his father. His father used to physically beat Velu and his sisters, and he would also take all the money they earned, squandering it on alcohol. Velu was fed up with this mistreatment and decided to leave.

Question 5

Why did he decide to follow the strange girl?
Solution: Velu decided to follow the strange girl for two main reasons. Firstly, he was new and alone in the city, with no idea where to go or what to do. Secondly, he was extremely hungry, and the girl offered him the possibility of finding some food, which was a crucial need for him at that moment.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the reasons for Velu's misery.
  • Not clearly explaining how Velu escaped the ticket collector.
  • Overlooking the dual reasons (hunger and lack of direction) for following the girl.

Revision tips

  • Reread the chapter to grasp the emotional state of Velu.
  • Focus on the sequence of events leading to Velu's decisions.
  • Pay attention to the descriptions of the city and its impact on Velu.
  • Discuss Velu's character and his motivations with classmates.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What primarily made Velu feel miserable upon arriving in the city?

Q2. Why did Velu travel on the train without purchasing a ticket?

Q3. How did Velu manage to avoid the ticket collector's attention during the train journey?

Q4. What was the main reason Velu decided to run away from his home?

Q5. Besides being lost, what other reason motivated Velu to follow the strange girl?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 2 of CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' about?

Chapter 2, titled 'Children at Work,' narrates the story of a young boy named Velu who runs away from his difficult home situation and experiences the harsh realities of life in the city.

Why did Velu feel miserable in the city?

Velu felt miserable because he was new to the city, unfamiliar with the environment, and overwhelmed by the large crowds and excessive noise.

How did these NCERT Solutions help with the chapter?

These solutions provide rewritten, detailed answers to the comprehension questions, helping students understand the plot, character motivations, and themes of the chapter more effectively for their studies.

What key event led Velu to follow the strange girl?

Velu decided to follow the strange girl because he was lost, alone, and very hungry, and she offered to help him find food.

What social issue does the chapter 'Children at Work' highlight?

The chapter highlights the issue of child labor and the difficult circumstances that can force children to leave their homes and fend for themselves at a young age.

Important links

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