CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened NCERT Solutions Chapter 8: Jalebis

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'Jalebis', from CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened, delves into a relatable childhood dilemma of temptation versus responsibility. The NCERT Solutions provide a detailed breakdown of the story, focusing on the protagonist's internal conflict when faced with the allure of jalebis while needing to pay school fees. The solutions guide students through comprehension questions, helping them understand the boy's motivations, the influence of the coins, and his ultimate decision-making process. By analyzing the narrative, students will learn about honesty, the consequences of choices, and the importance of prioritizing duties. These solutions are designed to aid students in grasping the nuances of the story, improving their reading comprehension skills, and preparing effectively for their English exams.

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Quick info

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

Chapter summary

Chapter 8, 'Jalebis', of the NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened focuses on a narrative exploring a young boy's temptation to spend his school fee money on sweets. The solutions cover comprehension questions related to the boy's actions, the persuasive 'voices' of the coins, and his reasons for ultimately deciding against buying the jalebis. It emphasizes themes of honesty, responsibility, and the internal struggle between desire and duty.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the narrative and characters in the chapter 'Jalebis'.
  • Analyze the protagonist's internal conflict between desire and duty.
  • Identify and explain the reasons behind the boy's decisions.
  • Improve reading comprehension skills by answering detailed questions.
  • Discuss themes of honesty and responsibility in the context of the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Childhood dilemmas
  • Temptation vs. Responsibility
  • Honesty
  • Decision making
  • Consequences of actions
  • Reading comprehension
  • Character analysis
  • Narrative understanding

Important topics

  • The boy's internal conflict
  • Reasons for not buying jalebis
  • The role of the coins
  • Themes of honesty and duty

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why didn't he pay the school fees on the day he brought money to the school?
Solution: The boy was unable to pay the school fees on the day he brought the money because his teacher, Master Ghulam Mohammed, was on leave. Consequently, the fees could not be collected that day and were to be paid the following day.

Question 2 A

What were the coins 'saying' to him?
Solution: The coins in the boy's pocket were 'saying' or urging him to spend the money on buying fresh, delicious jalebis instead of saving it or using it for its intended purpose.

Question 2 B

Do you think they were misguiding him?
Solution: Yes, the coins were definitely misguiding him. The money was specifically brought to pay the school fees, which was a responsibility. The coins persuaded him to divert this money towards a personal desire for jalebis, which was a temptation and not a necessity.

Question 3

Why didn't he take the coin's advice? Give two or three reasons.
Solution: The boy did not follow the coins' advice for several important reasons:
  1. Responsibility: He understood that the money was meant for paying his school fees, and he did not want to misuse it for buying sweets.
  2. Honesty and Prudence: He was an honest and sensible boy who recognized the difference between a need (school fees) and a want (jalebis).
  3. Fear of Consequences: He was aware of Master Ghulam Mohammed's strict nature and the severe punishment he might face if he failed to pay the fees or was caught misusing the money.

Question 4 A

What did the oldest coin tell him?
Solution: The oldest coin tried to convince the boy that its advice was for his own good. It persistently persuaded him not to suppress his strong desire for jalebis. Instead, it suggested that he could pay his school fees using the scholarship money he had received.

Question 4 B

Did he follow his advice? If not, why not?
Solution: The text implies that he did not follow the oldest coin's advice. Although the coin suggested using scholarship money for fees, the boy's earlier reasons for not succumbing to temptation (honesty, responsibility, fear of punishment) likely still held true, preventing him from spending the fee money on jalebis, even with the scholarship as an alternative source.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the 'voices' of the coins as literal.
  • Failing to identify the core conflict between immediate gratification and long-term responsibility.
  • Overlooking the influence of the teacher's reputation on the boy's decisions.

Revision tips

  • Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the boy's thoughts and feelings.
  • Discuss the boy's choices with classmates to understand different perspectives.
  • Focus on the reasons provided in the solutions for each of the boy's actions.
  • Practice answering the comprehension questions aloud to improve fluency.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why couldn't the boy pay his school fees on the day he brought the money?

Q2. What did the coins in the boy's pocket urge him to do?

Q3. Which of the following was NOT a reason the boy didn't take the coins' advice?

Q4. What did the oldest coin suggest the boy do with the scholarship money?

Q5. What was the name of the teacher mentioned in the story?

Frequently asked questions

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

Chapter 8, 'Jalebis', is about a young boy's internal struggle when he is tempted to spend his school fee money on sweets, exploring themes of honesty and responsibility.

How do these NCERT Solutions help with Chapter 8?

These solutions provide rewritten answers to all comprehension questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters' motivations, and underlying themes like temptation versus duty.

What key lesson can be learned from the story 'Jalebis'?

The story teaches the importance of honesty, prioritizing responsibilities (like paying school fees) over immediate desires (like buying jalebis), and understanding the consequences of one's choices.

Who is Master Ghulam Mohammed in the story?

Master Ghulam Mohammed is the boy's teacher. His strict nature and potential for punishment are mentioned as a reason why the boy is hesitant to misuse the school fee money.

What did the coins 'say' to the boy?

The coins in the boy's pocket 'urged' him to buy fresh jalebis, representing his temptation and desire for sweets.

Important links

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