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NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 includes two letters under “ A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers”. In this lesson, you will come across the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in different wars post-independence. Also, you will be introduced to the National War Memorial in India and its significance. After that, you will come across a poem “Meadow Surprises”, which is about mysterious and interesting elements of meadows. To help you understand these, we have included important word meanings and a summary of the poem in these notes. In addition, you will also get NCERT solutions to both these pieces of text.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Table of Contents
- 1 NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8: A Homage to our Brave Soldiers
- 2 NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Poem: Meadow Surprises
- 3 FAQs
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Access all chapters of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ textbook here:
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8: A Homage to our Brave Soldiers
Let us explore important words and phrases and their meanings and NCERT solutions in the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 story.
Important Words and Phrases and Their Meanings
Now, let us walk through important words and phrases and their meanings.
- Territorial integrity: To protect the borders of a country
- Envisioned: To visualise something
- Iconic: Legendary
- Tribute: To express gratitude or respect
- Etched: Imprinted or carved
- Gallantry: To show extraordinary courage in a war field
- Posthumously: After death
- Citation: Honourary performance of duty
- Awestruck: Astonished
- Commemorate: Honor and pay official respect to someone
- Obelisk: A memorial in the form of a tapering stone pillar
- Wreaths: A circular garland used to show respect and remember someone who is deceased
- Mural: A painting or a canvas
- Discourse: An intense discussion on a topic
- Devastation: Destruction or damage
- Vibrant: Extremely courageous
The Poem under Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Prose: “Pushp Ki Abhilasha”
Here is the summary of the poem included under Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8: A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers.
| “Pushp Ki Abhilasha” by Makhanlal Chaturvedi is a Hindi poem that expresses the deep-seated desire for a flower. In the poem, the poet conveys the idea that the flower does not wish for personal desires like being woven into garlands or tempting a beloved with its beauty. Instead, it expresses a selfless desire to be offered in worship at the feet of God or to be strewn on the path of the brave and noble who sacrifice themselves for a greater cause. The poet, through the voice of the flower, rejects material desires and expresses a longing to be part of noble and selfless aspirations. The flower wants to lay down in the service of martyrs and on the paths which take soldiers to borders. |
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Access NCERT Solutions of all chapters of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ textbook here:
NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Prose: A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers
Now, let us dive into NCERT solutions to questions in the Comprehensive Check I and II, Working with the Text, Working with Language, and Writing sections in the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8.
Comprehension Check I
Ques 1. Where is the National War Memorial located and what is its significance?
Ans: The National War Memorial is located in New Delhi, India. It signifies the honour and gallantry of soldiers who lost their lives in all wars post-independence i.e. after 1947.
Ques 2. What is the nation’s highest gallantry award?
Ans: Param Vir Chakra
Ques 3. What do the walls of Chakras portray?
Ans: The walls represent “Chakravyuh”, an ancient battle tactic to defeat soldiers from the other side.
Comprehension Check II
Ques 2. How did Ananda feel after reading about the National War Memorial?
Ans: He felt very humble and inspired after reading about the National War Memorial because he was blown away by the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
Ques 3. Why was he reminded of the poem Pushp ki Abhilasha?
Ans: He was reminded of the poem Pushp ki Abhilasha after visiting a garden in Chandigarh on National Martyrs Day. After seeing flowers in the garden he visualised offering of flowers for martyred soldiers.
Ques 4. Reading the letter from Soumya, Anada is inspired to act. What actions does she intend to take up?
Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text.
| (i) Visit | |
| (ii) Mobile app | |
| (iii) Sharing ideas | |
| (iv) Creating a collage | |
| (v) Joining the army | |
| (vi) Website |
Ans:
| (i) Visit | We all wish to visit the National War Memorial, Delhi. |
| (ii) Mobile app | We have found out a mobile app‘National War Memorial and Museum’. |
| (iii) Sharing ideas | Next week, I am going to share this idea with my classmates and my teacher. |
| (iv) Creating a collage | I think it would be great to create a collage capturing the lives and stories of people that can inspire us each day. |
| (v) Joining the army | I aspire to be courageous like him when Ijoin the army! |
| (vi) Website | Here is the website link for National War Memorialhttps://nationalwarmemorial.gov.in/. |
Also Read: 2-Minute Speech on Holi
Working with the Text
Ques 1. Why are war memorials built?
Ans: War memorials are built to remember and honour the soldiers who fought in wars. They help us show gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice and also serve as a place for people to gather and reflect on the importance of peace and the cost of conflicts.
Ques 2. Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?
Ans: We must pay homage to our brave soldiers because they protect us and our country. They risk their lives to keep us safe and ensure we can live in peace. Showing gratitude is a way of saying “thank you” for their courage and sacrifices. It helps us appreciate their hard work and encourages them to keep protecting us.
Ques 3. Why is it a good idea to make a presentation in front of the whole school?
Ans: Making a presentation in front of the whole school is a good idea because it lets us share interesting information or ideas with many people at once. Also, it helps others learn something new, and it also builds your confidence by speaking in front of a friendly audience.
Ques 4. Why were the students awestruck and humbled— explain in your own words.
Ans: Students were awestruck and humbled by the story of Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka who lost his life in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Ques 5. Complete the table given below. You may have to find the information on the Internet.
| Names of Wars | Dates | Soldiers Associated |
| Indo-China War | ||
| India-Pakistan Wars | ||
| Kargil War |
Ans:
| Names of Wars | Dates | Soldiers Associated |
| Indo-China War | 1962 | Jaswant Singh Rawat, Major Dhan Singh Thapa, Subedar Joginder Singh |
| India-Pakistan Wars | 1965 | CQMH Abdul Hamid, Lt Col A.B. Tarapore, Major Abdul Rafey Khan, Rifleman Balwant Singh Bisht. |
| Kargil War | 1999 | Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Lt. Keishing Clifford Nongrum |
Working with Language
Ques 1. Find the odd one out from the words given in the box.
| Valiant | Martyr | Brave | Heroic | Courageous |
| Memorial | Monument | Statue | Cenotaph | Victory |
| Gratitude | Thankfulness | Appreciation | Respect | Gratefulness |
| Unique | Simple | Matchless | Exclusive | One-Off |
Ans: Simple
Ques 2. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate form of the word given in
brackets.
The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”. The medal was__________(institute) as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was______ (design) by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer_________(draw) inspiration from Sage Dadhichi, a Vedic rishi who_________(make) the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body so that the gods_______(can) make a deadly weapon________(call) Vajra or Thunderbolt from his spine.
The medal is cast in bronze. In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, _________(surround) by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra are ________(flank). The decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.
Ans:
The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”. The medal was instituted (institute) as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was designed (design) by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer drew (draw) inspiration from Sage Dadhichi, a Vedic rishi who made (make) the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body so that the gods could (can) make a deadly weapon called (call) Vajra or Thunderbolt from his spine.
The medal is cast in bronze. In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, surrounded (surround) by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra flanked (flank). The decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.
Ques 3. Match the following words in Column I with their meanings in Column II
| (i) Territorial integrity | (a) celebrated |
| (ii) Iconic | (b) engraved |
| (iii) Envisioned | (c)grand |
| (iv) Etched | (d) visualised |
| (v) Posthumously | (e) a tapering stone pillar |
| (vi) Awestruck | (f) after death |
| (vii) Obelisk | (g) amazed |
| (viii) Majestic | (h) never dying flame |
| (ix) Interminable flame | (i) very brave |
| (x) Valiant | (j) safeguarding the nation’s borders |
Ans:
| (i) Territorial integrity | (j) safeguarding the nation’s borders |
| (ii) Iconic | (a) celebrated |
| (iii) Envisioned | (d) visualised |
| (iv) Etched | (b) engraved |
| (v) Posthumously | (f) after death |
| (vi) Awestruck | (g) amazed |
| (vii) Obelisk | (e) a tapering stone pillar |
| (viii) Majestic | (c)grand |
| (ix) Interminable flame | (h) never dying flame |
| (x) Valiant | (i) very brave |
Ques 4. Complete the story of an unknown soldier. Replace the words from the box with the underlined words given in the text below.
| Touched everyone’s heartTerritorial integrityInspiredFallen SoldiersPosthumouslyValourExemplary courageAwestruck |
He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our national boundary. He had been motivated by the hundreds of stories of the soldiers who had died in action and were celebrated after their deaths for bravery.
One night as the war intensified, he was asked to take his platoon to the place of action.
He displayed outstanding bravery and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were amazed at his courage, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. He too was awarded after he died in the war. His action affected everyone very deeply.
Ans:
He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our territorial integrity. He had been inspired by the hundreds of stories of fallen soldiers and were celebrated posthumously for valour.
One night as the war intensified, he was asked to take his platoon to the place of action.
He displayed exemplary courage and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were awestruck at his courage, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. He too was awarded posthumously in the war. His action touched everyone’s heart.
Writing
Ques 4. Write a paragraph on the army’s work during peacetime.
Ans: During peacetime, the army works to keep our country safe and helps in various ways. They might be involved in tasks like disaster relief. They help communities during emergencies like floods or earthquakes. Also, the army trains to be ready in case there is a need for protection. They might work with other countries to promote peace and cooperation.
Ques 5. As the citizens of a nation, we all must fulfil our duty. Write a letter to your friend describing how you propose to serve your nation. You can choose from the themes given below:
(a) Save the Environment
(b) Health and Well-being
(c)Helping others
(d) Righteous Conduct
Ans: Here are letters on two themes:
(a) Save the Environment
Dear Chitra,
I hope you’re doing well! I’ve been thinking about how we can help our country, and I want to focus on saving the environment. I plan to join clean-up events, plant trees, and tell others about the importance of taking care of our planet. Maybe we can do some eco-friendly projects together, like starting a community garden. Let’s make our nation a greener and healthier place!
Excited to hear your thoughts,
Rohan
(b) Health and Well-being
Dear Ruhaan,
I hope you’re doing great! I’ve been thinking about how we can do our part for our country, and I want to focus on health and well-being. I plan to encourage everyone to stay active and eat healthy. Maybe we can organize fun activities like sports or start a little fitness club together. Let’s help make our nation healthier and happier!
Looking forward to your thoughts,
Sara
Access the summary of all poems from Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ textbook here:
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Poem: Meadow Surprises
Now, we will walk you through the summary of the poem in the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8. In addition, we have word meanings and phrases and their meanings in the poem. Also, we have answered writing questions under the “Working with the Poem” section. Let’s proceed!!
Summary of Poem: Meadow Surprises
“Meadow Surprises” by Lois Brandt Phillips is a delightful poem that encourages you to explore the wonders of a meadow. The poem encourages you to observe the meadow closely. It emphasises the need to look and listen carefully to uncover its hidden treasures. Also, the poet describes the meadow as a place where one can find surprises by walking softly through the velvet grass and listening to the brook.
To convey the beautiful scenes within the meadow, the poet paints an imagery. To give a pictorial imagination, the poet mentions of a butterfly resting on a buttercup, and sipping nectar through its drinking straws. Also, it adds a touch of magic to the meadow’s ambience. In addition, the poem also introduces you to the idea of unexpected things, such as stumbling upon a still rabbit that may suddenly hop away.
Furthermore, the poem depicts the changing seasons through the transformation of a dandelion, whose golden head turns into airy parachutes that flutter when blown. This explains the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the meadow’s inhabitants.
Moreover, the poet encourages readers to explore the various “houses” in the meadow. He gives examples of burrows in the ground, nests beneath tall grasses, and the fascinating mounds created by ants. These details highlight the diverse and intricate ecosystem present in the meadow.
Therefore, throughout the poem, the poet encourages discovery and appreciation for the beauty and surprises that nature holds. He suggests we actively observe, the meadow’s secrets and find joy in the simple yet remarkable elements that make up this natural environment.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Access NCERT Solutions of all poems from Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ textbook here:
NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 Poem: Meadow Surprises
Furthermore, in this section, we will explore answers to questions following the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8 poetry “Meadow Surprises”.
Working with the Poem
Ques 1. What is the meaning of each phrase in the poem:
(i) Velvet grass
(ii) Drinking straws
(iii) Meadow houses
(iv) Amazing mound
(v) Fuzzy head
Ans:
(i) Velvet grass: It represents that the grass has a soft texture like velvet.
(ii) Drinking straws: This depicts an imagery of a butterfly sucking nectar from the flowers.
(iii) Meadow houses: This refers to houses of animals such as anthills of ants, nests of birds, and burrows of rabbits.
(iv) Amazing mound: It refers to anthills which are mounds of sand and mud in which ants live.
(v) Fuzzy head: It is used for dandelion which floats when air blows.
Ques 2. Which line in the poem suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow?
Ans: This is represented by “You may discover these yourself if you look and listen well.”
Get NCERT Solutions and Notes of Class 7 English ‘An Alien Hand’ textbook here:
| Chapter 1: The Tiny Teacher |
| Chapter 2: Bringing Up Kari |
| Chapter 3: Golu Grows a Nose |
| Chapter 4: Chandni |
| Chapter 5: The Bear Story |
| Chapter 6: A Tiger in the House |
| Chapter 7: An Alien Hand |
FAQs
Ans: This Hindi poem was written by Makhanlal Chaturvedi.
Ans: “Meadow Surprises” is a poem by Lois Brandt Phillips.
Ans: Param Vir Chakra is the highest wartime gallantry medal in India awarded to soldiers for their service to the country.
Ans: There are 4 chakras in the National War Memorial.
Innermost Circle: “Amar Chakra” or “Circle of Immortality”
Second Circle: “Veerta Chakra” or “Circle of Bravery”
Third Circle: “Tyag Chakra” or “Circle of Sacrifice”
Outermost Circle: “Raksha Chakra” or “Circle of Protection”
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