CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened NCERT Solutions: Chapter 9 - The Comet – I

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Chapter 9, 'The Comet – I,' from the CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' textbook. The solutions focus on the 'Comprehension Check' questions on page 77, exploring the characters of Indrani Debi and Duttada, and their relationship with Duttada's passion for astronomy. Key themes include Duttada's secret ambition to discover a comet, his dedication to his telescope 'Dibya,' and the contrasting views of his wife. The solutions clarify the differences between planets and comets as presented in the story. These explanations are designed to help students grasp the narrative nuances and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear, step-by-step answers to comprehension questions.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	English It So Happened
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 9

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'The Comet – I,' of the CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' textbook focuses on Duttada's deep passion for astronomy and his secret ambition to discover a comet. The NCERT Solutions for the 'Comprehension Check' on page 77 delve into the characters' motivations and relationships, particularly Indrani Debi's feelings about Duttada's obsession with his telescope, 'Dibya.' The solutions explain the story's portrayal of the differences between planets and comets, aiding students in understanding the scientific concepts introduced within the narrative.

Learning outcomes

Understand the characters' motivations and relationships in 'The Comet – I'.
Explain Indrani Debi's feelings towards Duttada's passion for astronomy.
Identify Duttada's secret ambition and his efforts to achieve it.
Differentiate between planets and comets as described in the story.
Analyze the narrative's portrayal of Duttada's dedication to his telescope, 'Dibya'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Duttada and Indrani Debi
Duttada's passion for astronomy
The significance of the telescope 'Dibya'
Secret ambitions and their pursuit
Differences between planets and comets
Narrative comprehension
Understanding character relationships
Story interpretation

Important topics

Duttada's secret ambition to discover a comet
Indrani Debi's perspective on Duttada's obsession
The defining characteristics of comets vs. planets in the story
Analysis of Duttada's dedication and planning

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada's 'hobnobbing' with Dibya?

Solution: Indrani Debi dislikes Duttada's "hobnobbing" with 'Dibya' because she feels that her husband is overly engrossed with the telescope. 'Dibya' is the name she herself gave to the telescope. Duttada's passion for stargazing and his telescope is so intense that he often neglects his wife and household responsibilities. Indrani Debi perceives 'Dibya' as a rival for her husband's attention, leading to her playful dislike of his obsession.

Question 2

She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?

Solution: Indrani Debi is the one complaining and smiling. She complains because she notices that her husband, Duttada, is so absorbed in his astronomical pursuits that he forgets basic things like closing the door or wearing a sweater. She playfully blames the telescope, 'Dibya,' for casting a spell on him. However, she smiles because she finds her husband's child-like enthusiasm and forgetfulness endearing, even as she complains about his neglect of practical matters.

Question 3 A

What was Duttada's secret ambition?

Solution: Duttada's secret ambition was to purchase a high-quality telescope and dedicate his time to observing the stars. He aspired to meticulously study the patterns in the night sky and record his findings. His ultimate dream was to achieve something significant in astronomy, much like an astronaut, by discovering a comet.

Question 3 B

What did he do to achieve it?

Solution: To achieve his secret ambition of buying a good telescope and discovering a comet, Duttada planned to wait until his retirement. He intended to use the funds he would receive upon retiring from his job to purchase the telescope he so desired.

Question 4

What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?

Solution: According to the story, the primary difference between a planet and a comet lies in their orbits and visibility. Planets are described as having a fixed orbit, meaning they follow a consistent path. In contrast, comets originate from the distant regions of the solar system and do not have a fixed orbit; their paths can change. Furthermore, planets are generally visible throughout the year, whereas comets are rare celestial events, often visible only once in a century.

Common mistakes

Confusing the literal meaning of 'hobnobbing' with Indrani Debi's actual feelings.
Misinterpreting Indrani Debi's smile as genuine happiness rather than a reaction to her husband's behavior.
Failing to connect Duttada's retirement funds to his ambition of buying a telescope.
Not clearly distinguishing the story's definition of comets from planets.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on the interactions between Indrani Debi and Duttada.
Pay close attention to the descriptions of Duttada's telescope, 'Dibya,' and its significance.
Summarize Duttada's ambition in your own words before checking the solution.
Create a table to list the differences between planets and comets as stated in the story.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did Indrani Debi dislike Duttada's 'hobnobbing' with 'Dibya'?

Q2. What was Duttada's secret ambition?

Q3. How did Duttada plan to achieve his secret ambition?

Q4. According to the story, what is a key difference between a planet and a comet?

Q5. Why did Indrani Debi smile while complaining about Duttada?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 9 of 'It So Happened' Class 8 English about?

Chapter 9, 'The Comet – I,' focuses on Duttada's deep interest in astronomy, his secret ambition to discover a comet, and his wife Indrani Debi's reactions to his passion, particularly his attachment to his telescope named 'Dibya'.

Who are the main characters in this chapter?

The main characters are Duttada, an astronomy enthusiast, and his wife, Indrani Debi. The telescope 'Dibya' also plays a significant role.

What does Indrani Debi feel about Duttada's hobby?

Indrani Debi feels that Duttada is overly obsessed with his telescope 'Dibya' and neglects her and household matters. However, she also finds his child-like enthusiasm endearing.

What was Duttada's secret ambition?

Duttada's secret ambition was to buy a good telescope and use it to discover a comet.

How does the story differentiate between a planet and a comet?

The story explains that planets have fixed orbits, while comets do not and can change their paths. Comets are also described as being visible only once in a century, unlike planets which are visible year-round.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

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

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