CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 8: A Short Monsoon Diary NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 8, 'A Short Monsoon Diary'. The chapter, presented as a diary entry, vividly describes the author's experiences during the monsoon season in a hill station. The solutions cover comprehension questions related to the onset and end of the monsoon, the impact of mist and rain on the landscape and its inhabitants, and the author's observations of nature and daily life during this period. Students will find clear explanations for why certain events occur, how the environment changes, and the author's personal reflections. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the text, improve their reading comprehension skills, and prepare effectively for their English examinations by offering step-by-step answers to all chapter-related queries.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish Honeydew
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 8

Chapter summary

Chapter 8 of the CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew textbook, 'A Short Monsoon Diary', is presented through NCERT Solutions that focus on comprehension. The solutions address questions about the monsoon's timing, the visual and auditory changes in the hills due to mist and rain, the author's activities during prolonged downpours, and the behaviour of animals seeking shelter. It also identifies the specific hill station described and the author's observations of flora and fauna during the rainy season.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the descriptive language used to portray the monsoon season.
  • Identify the key events and observations recorded in the diary.
  • Explain the effects of mist and heavy rain on the natural environment.
  • Describe the author's personal experiences and feelings during the monsoon.
  • Answer comprehension questions based on the diary entry.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Monsoon season description
  • Effects of mist on hills
  • Changes in nature during monsoon
  • Author's observations
  • Animal behaviour during rain
  • Hill station life
  • Diary writing style
  • Reading comprehension

Important topics

  • Understanding monsoon phenomena
  • Describing environmental changes
  • Author's personal experiences
  • Interpreting diary entries
  • Animal adaptations to weather

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Solution: The author is unable to see Bijju because a thick layer of mist is hovering on the hillside. This mist obscures the view, making it impossible for the author to spot Bijju.

Question 2

What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Solution: When the mist comes up, the hills appear to change in two significant ways. Firstly, the mist spreads over the hills and hides them from view, altering their appearance. Secondly, a profound silence descends as the mist arrives, because the birds and trees stop making their usual noises, creating a different auditory experience.

Question 1

When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do people prepare to face the monsoon?
Solution: The monsoon season typically begins with the early monsoon rains in late June and concludes after August. To prepare for the monsoon, people undertake various tasks. Women often chop sticks, cows are taken out for grazing before the heavy rains start, and houses are cleaned of insects. Interestingly, people tend to leave certain insects like 'chuchundars' (shrews) in the house, as they believe these creatures bring good luck and money.

Question 2

Which hill station does the author describe in the diary entry?
Solution: The author describes the hill station of Mussoorie in his diary entry.

Question 3

For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?
Solution: It rains continuously for about eight or nine days without stopping. On these damp days, the author does not go out. Instead, he sometimes stays indoors and observes the colourful umbrellas that can be seen outside. He also notices the vibrant monsoon flowers, such as dahlias and ground orchids, that bloom during this period.

Question 4

Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?
Solution: During the continuous rainfall, snakes and rodents take shelter in their respective holes and burrows. They do this to escape the dampness and the heavy downpour, seeking a dry and safe place until the rain subsides.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the effects of mist with the effects of rain.
  • Not clearly stating the duration of the continuous rainfall.
  • Overlooking the specific details of animal behaviour during the monsoon.
  • Failing to mention the specific hill station described in the text.

Revision tips

  • Reread the diary entry, paying attention to sensory details (sight, sound).
  • Summarize the main events of each day described in the diary.
  • Focus on understanding the author's perspective and feelings.
  • Practice answering the comprehension questions without referring to the solutions initially.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What causes the author to be unable to see Bijju?

Q2. According to the diary entry, how does the mist affect the hills?

Q3. When does the monsoon season typically begin and end, as per the text?

Q4. Which hill station is described in the author's diary entry?

Q5. What do snakes and rodents do during heavy rainfall?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 8, 'A Short Monsoon Diary'?

The main theme of Chapter 8 is the vivid description of the monsoon season in a hill station, focusing on the author's personal observations of nature, weather changes, and daily life during the rains.

Which hill station is described in the diary?

The author describes the hill station of Mussoorie in the diary entry.

How does the author describe the impact of mist?

The author explains that mist can hover on the hillsides, obscuring visibility, and also brings a sense of silence as birds and trees stop their usual noises.

What happens during prolonged periods of rain?

During prolonged rain, the author notes that it is damp everywhere, and he stays indoors, observing colourful umbrellas and monsoon flowers like dahlias and ground orchids.

Why are these NCERT Solutions helpful for Class 8 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all comprehension questions, helping students understand the text better, grasp key concepts, and prepare effectively for their English exams.

What kind of animals seek shelter during heavy rain?

Snakes and rodents are mentioned as animals that take shelter in their holes and burrows to escape the continuous rain.

Important links

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