CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 2: The Tsunami - NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter delves into the devastating event of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami through personal accounts and observations. The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 2, 'The Tsunami,' provide detailed answers to the comprehension and text-based questions. Students will explore the experiences of survivors like Ignesious and Tilly Smith, understanding the warning signs, the immediate aftermath, and the resilience shown by both humans and animals. The solutions also touch upon the importance of scientific knowledge and preparedness in the face of natural calamities. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the narrative, analyze character actions, and reflect on the broader implications of the tsunami, aiding in their exam preparation by offering clear and concise explanations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	Honeydew
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	2. The Tsunami

Chapter summary

Chapter 2, 'The Tsunami,' of the CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew textbook focuses on the 2004 tsunami disaster. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions about the survivors' experiences, the warning signs observed, and the immediate reactions to the event. It also includes text-based questions that encourage critical thinking about the characters' bravery, preparedness, and the role of education in such crises. The solutions aim to provide a thorough understanding of the narrative and its underlying themes of survival and the power of nature.

Learning outcomes

Understand the sequence of events during the 2004 tsunami.
Identify and explain the warning signs of a tsunami.
Analyze the actions and reactions of characters like Tilly Smith and Ignesious.
Discuss the impact of the tsunami on humans and animals.
Appreciate the importance of scientific knowledge and preparedness.
Reflect on themes of survival, loss, and resilience.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
Survivor accounts
Tsunami warning signs
Human resilience
Animal behavior during disasters
Impact of natural calamities
Geography of Thailand
Character analysis (Tilly Smith, Ignesious)
Preparedness and scientific knowledge
Loss and survival

Important topics

Understanding Tsunami Warning Signs
Personal Accounts of Survival
The Role of Scientific Knowledge
Animal Instincts and Disaster Awareness
Human Response to Catastrophe

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

Say whether the following statements are true or false:

Ignesious lost his wife, two children, his father-in-law, and his brother-in-law in the tsunami.
Sanjeev made it to safety after the tsunami.
Meghna was saved by a relief helicopter.
Almas's father realised that a tsunami was going to hit the island.
Her mother and aunts were washed away with the tree that they were holding on to.

Solution:

True. The text states that Ignesious lost his wife, two children, his father-in-law, and his brother-in-law.
False. Sanjeev was not swept away when he jumped into the water to rescue the wife of the guesthouse owner; instead, he himself was swept away while trying to save her.
False. While Meghna saw relief helicopters, they did not spot her. She was eventually brought to the shore by a wave.
True. Almas's father had seen the sea behaving strangely and understood the danger, realizing a tsunami was imminent.
True. The text confirms that Almas's mother and aunts were washed away while they were clinging to a tree for safety.

Comprehension Check - Q2

Why did Tilly's family come to Thailand?

Solution: Tilly's family had come to Thailand for a Christmas holiday vacation. They were enjoying their time at the beach resort when the tsunami struck.

Comprehension Check - Q3

What were the warning signs that both Tilly and her mother saw?

Solution: Both Tilly and her mother observed unusual changes in the sea. They noticed the sea beginning to rise and swell up significantly, which were the initial warning signs of the approaching tsunami.

Comprehension Check - Q4

Do you think Tilly's mother was alarmed by them?

Solution: Tilly's mother was initially confused and did not fully grasp the danger indicated by the sea's behavior. She only became truly alarmed when Tilly, who had learned about tsunamis in school, became frightened and explained the situation. This suggests she wasn't immediately alarmed but realized the seriousness when Tilly reacted.

Comprehension Check - Q5

Where had Tilly seen the sea behaving in the same strange fashion?

Solution: Tilly had previously witnessed the sea behaving in a similar strange manner in a video shown during her geography class. This video depicted a tsunami that had struck the Hawaiian Islands back in 1946.

Comprehension Check - Q6

Where did the Smith family and the others on the beach go to escape from the tsunami?

Solution: To escape the destructive waves of the tsunami, the Smith family and other people who were on the beach sought refuge on the third floor of a nearby hotel. This higher elevation provided them with safety from the surging waters.

Comprehension Check - Q7

How do you think her geography teacher felt when he heard about what Tilly had done in Phuket?

Solution: Tilly's geography teacher likely felt extremely proud and impressed upon hearing about her actions. Tilly's ability to recognize the tsunami warning signs and alert her family demonstrated the practical value of the knowledge she had gained in his class, potentially saving lives.

Comprehension Check - Q8

In the tsunami 150,000 people died. How many animals died?

Solution: According to the text, not a large number of animals died in the tsunami. While human casualties were extremely high, animals seemed to have largely survived, possibly due to their instincts warning them of the impending danger.

Comprehension Check - Q9

How many people and animals died in Yala National Park?

Solution: In Yala National Park, sixty visitors lost their lives. In contrast, only two water buffaloes are reported to have died, indicating a significant difference in the survival rates between humans and animals in that specific location.

Comprehension Check - Q10

What do people say about the elephants of Yala National Park?

Solution: People at Yala National Park reported seeing elephants behaving unusually. They observed three elephants running away from the Patanangala beach approximately an hour before the tsunami struck the area. This suggests the elephants sensed the danger and moved to safety.

Comprehension Check - Q11

What did the dogs in Galle do?

Solution: The dogs in Galle exhibited a clear instinctual response to the impending tsunami. They refused to go out for their daily run on the beach, an unusual behavior that hinted at their awareness of the danger lurking in the sea.

Working With Text - Q1

Discuss the following questions in class. Then write your own answers.

When he felt the earthquake, do you think Ignesious immediately worried about a tsunami? Give reasons for your answer. Which sentence in the text tells you that the Ignesious family did not have any time to discuss and plan their course of action after the tsunami struck?

Solution: 1. No, Ignesious did not immediately suspect a tsunami when he felt the earthquake tremors. His immediate action was to try and save his television set by placing it on the ground to prevent it from falling. This action indicates his concern was about the earthquake's impact on his belongings, not an imminent tidal wave. If he had suspected a tsunami, his priority would likely have been to evacuate immediately. The sentence that highlights the lack of time for planning and discussion in the Ignesious family is: "In the chaos and confusion, two of his children caught hold of the hands of their mother's father and mother's brother, and rushed in the opposite direction." This shows that in the midst of panic and confusion, there was no opportunity for a calm discussion or a planned escape strategy.

Working With Text - Q2

Which words in the list below describe Sanjeev, in your opinion? (Look up the dictionary for words that you are not sure of.)

cheerful ambitious brash brave careless

heroic selfless heartless humorous

Use words from the list to complete the three sentences below.

(i) I don't know if Sanjeev was cheerful, _____ or ____.

(ii) I think that he was very brave,____ and____.

(iii) Sanjeev was not heartless, or

Solution: Based on his actions described in the chapter, the words that best describe Sanjeev are **brave**, **heroic**, and **selfless**. He risked his own life to help others during the tsunami. Completing the sentences: (i) I don't know if Sanjeev was cheerful, **ambitious** or **humorous**. (These are personality traits not directly evidenced by his actions during the disaster.) (ii) I think that he was very brave, **heroic** and **selfless**. (These words directly reflect his courageous and altruistic actions.) (iii) Sanjeev was not heartless, **brash** or **careless**. (He acted with purpose and care, not recklessness or indifference.)

Common mistakes

Confusing the sequence of events during the tsunami.
Underestimating the importance of early warning signs.
Misinterpreting characters' motivations or actions.
Not fully grasping the difference in animal and human survival rates.

Revision tips

Read the chapter thoroughly to understand the narrative flow.
Focus on the personal stories of survivors to grasp the human impact.
Pay attention to the scientific explanations of tsunami warning signs.
Discuss the 'Working with Text' questions to deepen analytical skills.
Summarize the key events and character traits for quick recall.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason Tilly's family was in Thailand?

Q2. Which of the following was NOT a warning sign of the tsunami observed by Tilly and her mother?

Q3. How did Meghna get saved?

Q4. What action by Ignesious suggests he did not immediately suspect a tsunami?

Q5. What did the dogs in Galle refuse to do?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 2 of CBSE Class 8 Honeydew about?

Chapter 2, 'The Tsunami,' narrates the experiences of people and animals during the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, focusing on survival and the impact of the natural disaster.

Who are the main characters discussed in the NCERT Solutions for 'The Tsunami'?

The solutions discuss characters like Tilly Smith, whose knowledge helped her family, and Ignesious, a hotel manager who survived. It also touches upon the experiences of Meghna and others.

What are the key learning points from this chapter's solutions?

Key points include understanding tsunami warning signs, the importance of preparedness, the resilience of survivors, and how animals sometimes exhibit instincts about impending natural disasters.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

The solutions provide clear, concise answers to chapter questions, helping students understand the text deeply, analyze characters, and recall important details about the event, which is crucial for exam success.

Are there any specific scientific concepts explained in the solutions?

Yes, the solutions explain the visual warning signs of a tsunami, such as the sea rising and swelling, and the unusual behavior of animals before the event.

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