CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 7: A Visit to Cambridge NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'A Visit to Cambridge', delves into the profound experience of the writer meeting the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English provide detailed answers to the comprehension and text-based questions, exploring the writer's initial nervousness and subsequent excitement, the challenges faced by Stephen Hawking, and the writer's evolving perception of him. The solutions highlight the writer's realization of his own potential and the inspiring nature of Hawking's resilience. These solutions aim to help students grasp the nuances of the narrative, understand the emotional and intellectual journey of the writer, and appreciate the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. They serve as an excellent tool for exam preparation, offering clear explanations and insights into the text.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 7- A Visit to Cambridge

Chapter summary

Chapter 7, 'A Visit to Cambridge', focuses on the writer's encounter with Stephen Hawking. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions about the writer's feelings and perceptions, and text-based questions that delve into the writer's nervousness, excitement, and the scientist's condition. It explores the meaning of Hawking's "I've had no choice" and the writer's interpretation of his anguish. The solutions also explain why the writer found Hawking to be one of the most beautiful men in the world, emphasizing the resilience and spirit of the scientist.

Learning outcomes

Understand the writer's feelings before and during the meeting with Stephen Hawking.
Analyze the significance of Stephen Hawking's condition and his response to it.
Interpret the writer's evolving perception of Stephen Hawking.
Identify the writer's realization about his own potential.
Explain the concept of 'anguish' as described in the text.
Appreciate the qualities that made Stephen Hawking appear 'beautiful' to the writer.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Meeting Stephen Hawking
Writer's nervousness and excitement
Stephen Hawking's condition
Communication challenges
Writer's self-realization
Perception of beauty
Resilience and human spirit
Metaphorical language

Important topics

The writer's experience meeting Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking's resilience and outlook on life
The writer's evolving perception of beauty and potential
Understanding Hawking's statement 'I've had no choice'
The writer's personal growth and realization

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check

Which is the right sentence?

1. "Cambridge was my metaphor for England." To the writer,

(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.

(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.

(iii) Cambridge was the real England.

Solution: The correct sentence is (iii) Cambridge was the real England. The writer used Cambridge as a metaphor, meaning it represented the true essence or spirit of England for him, rather than just being a famous university.

2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking's house

(i) from the nearest phone booth.

(ii) from outside a phone booth.

(iii) from inside a phone booth.

Solution: The correct option is (ii) from outside a phone booth. The text implies the writer was not inside a booth but rather in its vicinity when he made the call.

3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because

(i) he wasn't sure what he wanted to ask.

(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.

(iii) he was face to face with a legend.

Solution: The writer felt guilty because, as stated in option (ii), he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesizer. This implied that the writer felt he was causing Stephen Hawking discomfort or extra effort to communicate.

4. "I felt a huge relief... in the possibilities of my body." In the given context, the highlighted words refer to

(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.

(ii) standing up, walking.

(iii) speaking, writing.

Solution: The highlighted words refer to option (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist. This indicates the writer's relief in recognizing his own body's capabilities for movement, however limited, in contrast to the scientist's profound physical challenges.

Working with Text

1. (i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?

Solution: Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking made the writer nervous. This nervousness stemmed from the immense respect and awe the writer felt for Hawking, who was considered one of the ablest scientists on Earth, the author of the renowned book "A Brief History of Time," and the successor to Isaac Newton at Cambridge University. Meeting such a towering personality naturally induced nervousness.

1. (ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?

Solution: Yes, the writer also felt very excited. This excitement arose from the inspiring nature of meeting someone like Stephen Hawking, who had achieved so much despite his severe physical limitations. Witnessing Hawking's achievements made the writer feel empowered and aware of his own potential, encouraging him to strive for more than he previously thought possible.

2. Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.

Solution: Based on the context of meeting a legendary figure facing immense challenges, a likely first question the writer might have posed to Stephen Hawking could be related to courage or bravery in the face of his condition, such as: "Have you found the courage to reach where you are today?" or "How did you find the bravery to achieve so much despite your illness?"

3. Stephen Hawking said, "I've had no choice." Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?

Solution: Yes, the writer believed there was a choice. While Stephen Hawking had no choice regarding his deteriorating physical condition, the writer felt he had chosen how to respond to it. Hawking could have chosen to give up, become sad, and live in despair. Instead, he chose to live creatively and productively, making the most of his life despite his physical reality.

4. "I could feel his anguish." What could be the anguish?

Solution: The anguish the writer felt likely stemmed from understanding Stephen Hawking's internal struggle. Hawking's mind was brimming with thoughts and ideas, but his physical condition severely limited his ability to express them fluidly or with the emotional nuance he might have desired. The writer perceived that Hawking's sentences, delivered through a synthesizer, might have lacked the emotional depth or personal feeling, leading to a sense of frustration and anguish for the scientist.

5. What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?

Solution: The scientist endeared himself to the writer through his honesty and a simple, genuine smile. When the writer asked if he found being disturbed annoying, Hawking frankly admitted that he did. Following this honest admission, he offered a unique, one-sided smile. This combination of frankness and a gentle smile, revealing his inner spirit despite his physical challenges, made the writer see him as exceptionally beautiful.

6. Read aloud the description of 'the beautiful' man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?

Solution: The description of 'the beautiful' man is found in the writer's account of his interaction with Stephen Hawking. While the text doesn't explicitly single out one sentence as the 'most beautiful', the writer's reflection that "he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world" after Hawking's frank admission and smile encapsulates the essence of this beauty. This sentence highlights the profound inner beauty the writer perceived, transcending physical appearance.

Common mistakes

Confusing the writer's initial nervousness with fear.
Misinterpreting Stephen Hawking's statement 'I've had no choice'.
Overlooking the writer's personal growth and realization.
Failing to connect Hawking's physical limitations with his intellectual achievements.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, focusing on the writer's emotional journey.
Pay close attention to the dialogue and the writer's interpretations.
Summarize the key points about Stephen Hawking's life and achievements.
Discuss the meaning of 'beauty' as presented in the context of the chapter.
Practice answering the comprehension and text-based questions without referring to the solutions initially.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What did Cambridge represent to the writer in the context of England?

Q2. Why did the writer feel guilty when speaking to Stephen Hawking?

Q3. What did the writer mean by 'the possibilities of my body'?

Q4. What was the writer's initial feeling about meeting Stephen Hawking?

Q5. Stephen Hawking's statement 'I've had no choice' implies:

Q6. What caused the writer to describe Hawking as 'one of the most beautiful men in the world'?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 7, 'A Visit to Cambridge'?

The main theme is the writer's profound experience meeting the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking, focusing on the writer's emotions, Hawking's resilience, and the writer's personal realization about life and potential.

Why was the writer nervous about meeting Stephen Hawking?

The writer was nervous because Stephen Hawking was an exceptionally gifted scientist and a globally recognized figure, and meeting such a personality was intimidating.

What does Stephen Hawking's phrase 'I've had no choice' mean in the context of the chapter?

It means that while he had no choice regarding his physical condition, he chose to live his life productively and creatively, rather than succumbing to despair.

How did the writer perceive Stephen Hawking's 'beauty'?

The writer saw Hawking's beauty not in his physical appearance, but in his spirit, his frankness, his resilience, and his ability to live a meaningful life despite severe physical limitations.

What did the writer learn from this visit?

The writer gained a new perspective on his own life and potential, realizing that physical limitations do not define a person's capabilities and that one can achieve great things through determination.

Are these solutions suitable for exam revision?

Yes, these solutions provide clear explanations and cover key aspects of the chapter, making them excellent for revising concepts and practicing answers for exams.

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