CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 4: Bepin Choudhury's Lapse of Memory NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'Bepin Choudhury's Lapse of Memory' from CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew, unfolds the intriguing story of Bepin Babu, who finds himself questioning his own memory about a trip to Ranchi. The NCERT Solutions guide students through Bepin Babu's perplexing situation as he tries to piece together his past. Through detailed explanations, the solutions explore his encounters with characters like Parimal Ghose and Dinesh Mukherjee, revealing the story's clever twist. Students will gain insights into the psychological effects of uncertainty, the reliability of memory, and the power of human wit. The narrative also touches upon the value of friendship and the repercussions of ignoring those around us. These solutions aim to enhance comprehension of the story's subtleties, character analysis, and exam preparation by offering clear answers to all questions.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	Honeydew
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse Of Memory

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'Bepin Choudhury's Lapse of Memory,' focuses on a man's unsettling experience of forgetting a trip to Ranchi. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions that explore Bepin Babu's growing anxiety, his interactions with people who claim to know him from Ranchi, and his efforts to confirm his memories. The solutions also address text-based questions, examining Bepin Babu's character as a diligent worker and the underlying reasons for his predicament, ultimately revealing a clever trick played on him. This chapter's solutions help students analyze narrative structure, character development, and thematic elements.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of memory loss and its psychological effects.
Analyze the character of Bepin Choudhury and his reactions to doubt.
Identify the plot and the trick played by Chunilal.
Evaluate the importance of friendship and helping others.
Explain the author's description of Bepin Babu's work ethic.
Comprehend the narrative structure and character interactions in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Memory and its fallibility
Psychological impact of doubt
Character analysis (Bepin Babu, Chunilal)
Plot construction and suspense
Themes of friendship and revenge
Work ethic and responsibility
Narrative comprehension
Storytelling techniques

Important topics

Understanding Bepin Babu's confusion and verification process
Analyzing Chunilal's motive and actions
The role of memory in identity
Character motivations and consequences
The trick and its execution

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?

Solution: The man, who identified himself as Parimal Ghose, stared at Bepin Babu in disbelief because Bepin Babu did not recognize him. Parimal Ghose was certain that he knew Bepin Babu well and had met him during a trip to Ranchi, making Bepin Babu's lack of recognition seem astonishing and unbelievable to him.

Comprehension Check - Q2

Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October '58?

Solution: Bepin Babu initially stated that he did not go to Ranchi in October 1958. He was adamant that he had spent that time in the city, attending to his work and staying at home. His confusion and distress grew as others insisted he had indeed visited Ranchi.

Comprehension Check - Q3

Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.

Solution: Parimal Ghose demonstrated an uncanny knowledge of Bepin Babu's personal life. He knew that Bepin Babu had no children, that his wife had passed away ten years prior, and that his only brother had died due to insanity. He also knew about Bepin Babu's intention to visit Ranchi and the specific details of his stay there.

Comprehension Check - Q4

Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?

Solution: Bepin Babu became increasingly worried because Parimal Ghose displayed an intimate knowledge of his personal affairs, including his family situation (no children, wife's death, brother's insanity) and details about the supposed Ranchi trip. The accuracy of these personal details made Bepin Babu doubt his own memory and question whether he had, in fact, forgotten the trip.

Comprehension Check - Q5

How did he try to decide who was right—his memory or Parimal Ghose?

Solution: To verify the claims, Bepin Babu first checked his right knee, where Parimal Ghose had mentioned an old cut. He found a mark of an old injury, which added to his confusion as he couldn't recall if it was from Ranchi or his childhood. Next, he decided to contact Dinesh Mukherjee, who Parimal Ghose claimed was with him in Ranchi, believing that confirming the trip with Dinesh would resolve his doubts.

Comprehension Check - Q6

Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him?

Solution: Bepin Babu hesitated to visit Mr. Mukerji because he feared facing his 'ruthless sarcasm' if the entire Ranchi story turned out to be false. He was afraid Mr. Mukerji would mock him and think he was losing his mind. He finally decided to phone Mr. Mukerji instead of visiting him in person, as a phone call would allow him to hide his embarrassment and potential panic.

Comprehension Check - Q7

What did Mr. Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?

Solution: Mr. Mukerji confirmed that they had indeed gone to Ranchi in 1958. This confirmation did not comfort Bepin Babu; instead, it significantly added to his worries. He couldn't comprehend how he could have forgotten such a trip, leading him to believe something was seriously wrong with his memory.

Comprehension Check - Q8

Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

Solution: Chunilal was an old schoolmate of Bepin Babu. He was going through a difficult financial period and had been visiting Bepin Babu repeatedly to seek help in finding a job. He was looking for employment assistance from his more successful friend.

Comprehension Check - Q9

Why was Dr Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu's loss of memory?

Solution: Dr. Chanda, a physician, was puzzled because Bepin Babu's condition was unlike any case he had encountered before; it fell outside his medical expertise. The unusual aspect of Bepin Babu's memory loss was that he remembered every other detail of his life perfectly, except for the specific trip to Ranchi. Dr. Chanda noted that it was strange for a person to forget only one particular event while retaining all other memories.

Comprehension Check - Q10

Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?

Solution: No, Bepin Babu had not actually lost his memory and forgotten about a trip to Ranchi. The entire experience was a meticulously planned trick orchestrated by his old schoolmate, Chunilal, to teach Bepin Babu a lesson for not helping him when he was in need.

Comprehension Check - Q11

Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal say she has no money; what is it that he does have?

Solution: Chunilal likely orchestrated the elaborate trick because he felt neglected and unassisted by Bepin Babu, who was financially well-off and in a position to help. Chunilal stated he had no money, but what he clearly possessed was a sharp intellect and a vivid imagination, which he skillfully used to create a false reality and play a prank on Bepin Babu.

Working With Text - Q1

The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this?

Solution: The story provides several pieces of evidence to support the description of Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. He worked in a big firm, holding a responsible position, and had been with the company for twenty-five years. His colleagues and superiors recognized him as a tireless and conscientious worker, indicating his dedication and commitment to his job. His routine life, focused on work and avoiding unnecessary social interactions, further emphasizes his serious nature.

Common mistakes

Confusing the actual events with Bepin Babu's perceived memory loss.
Underestimating the role of Chunilal's motive.
Failing to connect Bepin Babu's initial lack of help to Chunilal's actions.
Overlooking the subtle clues that suggest Bepin Babu's memory is intact.

Revision tips

Reread the story carefully, paying attention to Bepin Babu's internal thoughts and feelings.
List the characters and their roles in creating Bepin Babu's confusion.
Analyze Chunilal's motivation for playing the trick.
Discuss with classmates how Bepin Babu's situation could have been avoided.
Focus on the 'Comprehension Check' and 'Working With Text' questions to cover all aspects of the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason for Bepin Babu's initial disbelief and confusion?

Q2. Which detail did Parimal Ghose know about Bepin Babu that made him worry?

Q3. What did Bepin Babu check on his body to verify Parimal Ghose's claims?

Q4. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr. Mukerji?

Q5. Who was responsible for the elaborate trick played on Bepin Babu?

Q6. What did Chunilal possess that Bepin Babu lacked in his time of need?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'Bepin Choudhury's Lapse of Memory'?

The main themes include the fallibility of memory, the psychological effects of doubt and confusion, and the consequences of one's actions, particularly in friendships.

Who is Bepin Choudhury and what problem does he face?

Bepin Choudhury is a serious and hardworking man who suddenly finds himself unable to recall a trip to Ranchi, which causes him immense distress and worry.

Why did Chunilal play a trick on Bepin Choudhury?

Chunilal played the trick because Bepin Choudhury had not helped him when he needed a job, and Chunilal wanted to teach him a lesson using his imagination.

How did Bepin Choudhury try to confirm his memory?

He checked for a physical mark (a cut on his knee) mentioned by Parimal Ghose and decided to ask his friend Dinesh Mukerji, who was supposedly with him in Ranchi.

What was unusual about Bepin Choudhury's supposed memory loss?

The unusual aspect was that he remembered everything else in his life perfectly, except for this one specific trip to Ranchi, making it seem like a targeted lapse.

How do these NCERT solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's plot, character motivations, themes, and analytical aspects, which is crucial for exam preparation.

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