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

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew chapter 8, 'A Short Monsoon Diary', offers insightful solutions that explore the evocative diary entries chronicling a monsoon season. The solutions guide students through the author's keen observations of the transforming environment, detailing how mist and rain affect plant and animal life, and marking the distinct stages of the monsoon. Readers will engage with the vivid sensory experiences of rainfall, observe the reactions of creatures during intense downpours, and identify the subtle indicators of the monsoon's arrival and departure. These explanations are crafted to enhance comprehension and textual understanding, helping students appreciate the cyclical patterns of nature as portrayed in the diary. They serve as a valuable tool for analyzing descriptive writing and understanding the atmospheric and ecological shifts characteristic of the monsoon, thereby supporting exam preparation and fostering a greater connection with the natural world.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	Honeydew
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	8. A Short Monsoon Diary

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew, 'A Short Monsoon Diary', cover the detailed observations of a monsoon season. The solutions explain the effects of mist, rain, and changing weather on the hill station of Mussoorie, including the behaviour of birds and animals. It also touches upon the cyclical nature of the monsoon, from its beginning in June to its end, and the signs that herald these changes. The exercises focus on comprehension, textual analysis, and understanding descriptive language used to portray nature.

Learning outcomes

Understand the progression of the monsoon season through descriptive diary entries.
Identify and explain the effects of mist and rain on the natural environment.
Recognize the signs of the monsoon's beginning and end as described in nature.
Analyze the author's observations of flora and fauna during the monsoon.
Explain the significance of certain natural events, like the cobra lily's appearance.
Improve comprehension skills by answering questions based on a narrative text.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Monsoon season
Weather changes
Mist and fog
Rainfall effects
Flora and fauna during monsoon
Diary writing
Nature observation
Hill station life
Seasonal changes
Cobra lily
Animal behaviour
Mussoorie

Important topics

Understanding the monsoon cycle (onset and end)
Impact of mist and rain on the environment
Signs of seasonal changes in nature
Author's descriptive observations
Animal and plant responses to weather
The significance of the cobra lily

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Question 1

Why is the author not able to see Bijju?

Solution: The author is unable to see Bijju because the mist has descended and completely concealed the hills. Although Bijju's voice can be heard, the thick mist acts like a curtain, hiding him from view.

Comprehension Check - 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, two significant changes occur: Firstly, all the birds fall silent, creating an eerie stillness. Secondly, the mist obscures the hills, making them disappear from sight and giving the impression that the forest has become deathly quiet, as if it were midnight.

Comprehension Check - Question 3

When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?

Solution: The monsoon season typically begins in June and concludes by the end of August. The provided text does not detail how one prepares to face the monsoon; it only describes the author's experiences during the season.

Comprehension Check - Question 4

Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?

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

Comprehension Check - Question 5

For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?

Solution: It rained continuously for eight or nine days. During this prolonged period of rain, the author had no opportunity to go out. Consequently, he spent his time pacing back and forth within his room and observing the few umbrellas that bobbed along outside his window.

Comprehension Check - Question 6

Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?

Solution: Snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics, and godowns. They do this because the excessive rain floods their natural homes, such as holes and burrows, forcing them to seek higher, drier ground for safety.

Comprehension Check - Question 7

What did the author receive in the mail?

Solution: The author received a cheque in the mail.

Working With The Text - Question 1

Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.

Solution: The diary entries reveal distinct changes as the monsoon progresses and the seasons shift:

June 24: This marked the arrival of the monsoon mist, which climbed the hills and silenced the birds. The author perceived the mist as melancholy due to the profound silence it imposed.
June 25: Genuine early monsoon rain began, characterized by warmth and humidity, a contrast to the preceding cold weather. The author noted the emergence of the first cobra lily, suggesting nature's response to the rain. He described this period as 'a paradise that might have been'.
August 2: It rained throughout the night without any accompanying storm or thunder. The author felt a unique sensation of being both separate from and connected to the rain.
March 23: This date signifies the end of winter. A very dark cloud spread over Mussoorie, followed by a half-hour hailstorm that dropped ice marbles. This event cleared the sky, revealing a rainbow.

Working With The Text - Question 2

Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?

Solution: The grandmother asked the children not to kill the Chuchundar because it was considered a creature that brought good luck and was believed to bring money. This reflects a common superstition or belief in the auspiciousness of certain animals.

Working With The Text - Question 3

What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?

Solution: A clear sign in nature that indicates the monsoons are nearing their end is when the seeds of the cobra lily begin to turn red. This colour change in the plant serves as a natural indicator of the approaching end of the rainy season.

Working With The Text - Question 4

Complete the following sentences.

Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because _____.
The writer describes the hill station and valley as _____.
The leopard was successful in _____ but had to flee when _____.
The minivets are easily noticed because ______.
It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when _____.
During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because ______.

Solution: Here are the completed sentences based on the text:

Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because of the mist in the surroundings that obscures visibility.
The writer describes the hill station and valley as a paradise that might have been.
The leopard was successful in its hunt but had to flee when it was disturbed or confronted. (Note: The source text does not fully complete this sentence, but this is a logical inference based on typical predator behaviour.)
The minivets are easily noticed because they are brightly coloured birds that stand out against the green foliage.
It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when people wearing colourful umbrellas and raincoats walk around during the monsoon.
During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because their usual burrows and homes are flooded due to the heavy rains.

Common mistakes

Confusing the effects of mist with the effects of rain.
Not clearly distinguishing between the onset and the end of the monsoon season.
Misinterpreting the reasons for animal behaviour during heavy rainfall.
Failing to connect specific natural signs (like the cobra lily) to the monsoon cycle.

Revision tips

Read the diary entries for June, August, and March carefully to understand the seasonal changes.
Pay attention to descriptive words used by the author to portray the monsoon's atmosphere.
List the specific signs of the monsoon's arrival and departure mentioned in the text.
Summarize the daily changes observed by the author during different phases of the monsoon.
Practice answering the 'Working With The Text' questions to reinforce understanding of the narrative.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What phenomenon prevents the author from seeing Bijju, even though his voice can be heard?

Q2. According to the diary entry, when does the monsoon season typically begin and end?

Q3. What unusual plant does the author mention appearing with the early monsoon rain?

Q4. During prolonged heavy rainfall, where do snakes and rodents seek refuge?

Q5. What natural event is described as occurring on March 23rd, clearing the sky and resulting in a rainbow?

Frequently asked questions

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

The main theme is the author's detailed observation and description of the monsoon season in a hill station, focusing on the changes in weather, landscape, and the behaviour of nature.

Which hill station is described in the diary entries?

The hill station described in the diary entries is Mussoorie.

How does the author describe the onset of the monsoon mist?

The author describes the monsoon mist as climbing the hills and causing the birds to fall silent. He finds it melancholy because it conceals the hills and blankets them in silence.

What are the signs that indicate the end of the monsoon season?

One of the signs mentioned is the seeds of the cobra lily turning red, which signifies that the monsoons are about to end.

Why is the grandmother's advice about the 'Chuchundar' included?

The grandmother's advice highlights a common belief that the Chuchundar (a type of shrew or mole rat) is lucky and brings money, explaining why the children were asked not to kill it.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the text, analyze the author's observations, and prepare effectively for their exams.

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