Class 8 English Unit 16

Reading I

A. Meanings of the words in context

a. cheered – to encourage somebody or to give them hope or comfort; to shout loudly to show support or praise for somebody

b. consistently – always the same

c. eliminating – removing or getting rid of something

d. dairy – milk, cheese, and other milk products

e. incorporate – to include something so that it forms a part of something

B. Use the above words to fill in the gaps

a. Despite our requests, the manager consistently denied the changes we wanted to bring.

b. The plan for eliminating the risk of nuclear weapons is still lingering.

c. The audience clapped and cheered loudly when she stood up to speak.

d. These designs incorporate the best features of our earlier models.

e. Many people find it difficult to digest milk and get a stomach ache if they eat dairy products.

C. Decide whether the given sentences are True or False

a. The writer started gaining weight when she was at college. – False

b. She listened to only 30 podcasts that guided her to live a holistic life. – True

c. She became vegan because she did not like non-veg food. – False

d. Cutting off her diet was an easy task for the writer. – True

e.  According to the writer, there is food outside of animals from which she can get proteins. – True

D. Answering the following questions.

a. Who are vegans?

👉 Vegans are individuals who do not consume products that come from animals, such as dairy, eggs, and meat.

b. When did the writer start gaining weight?

👉 The writer started gaining weight after college.

c. Who were the first vegans in the writer’s family?

👉 The writer’s aunt and uncle were the first in her family to become vegans.

d. Why did the writer become a vegan?

👉 The writer became a vegan to eliminate foods from her diet that her body did not like and to feel good.

e. What impact did Whole30 have on the writer?

👉 The impact of Whole30 on the writer was significant. Before doing Whole30, the writer experienced stomach aches, headaches, low energy, and frequent acid reflux. However, after completing the program, the writer rarely had stomach aches, headaches, or acid reflux. She also noticed an increase in energy levels.

E. Do you think all the nutrients needed for our body can be achieved from non-veg food? How?

👉 While non-vegetarian food can provide many essential nutrients, it may not encompass all the nutrients needed for optimal health. Non-vegetarian sources such as meat, poultry, and fish are rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins like B12, and minerals such as iron and zinc. These nutrients play vital roles in supporting bodily functions, muscle growth, and maintaining healthy blood cells. However, there are certain nutrients like fibre, certain antioxidants, and phytochemicals that are predominantly found in plant-based foods. These nutrients contribute to digestive health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and provide unique health benefits. Therefore, to ensure a well-rounded and balanced nutrient intake, it is important to incorporate a variety of both non-vegetarian and plant-based foods into one’s diet.

Grammar I

A. Underline the verbs in the following sentences and identify their tenses

Example: The incident changed my life completely. (simple past)

a. We had a cow at our home. (simple past)

b. I felt as if I was taking away somebody else’s right. (past continuous)

c. By the time my mother came to me, I had already drank all the milk. (past perfect)

d. My mother was serving food for my father when he started talking with me. (past continuous, simple past)

e. Perhaps, I was not prepared to share the real reason. (past continuous / passive form)

B. Answering the questions in complete sentences

a. What did you eat yesterday evening?

👉 I ate pasta with vegetables yesterday evening.

b. What were you doing when the teacher came into the classroom this morning?

👉 I was reading a book when the teacher came into the classroom this morning.

c. What had your mother cooked when you reached home yesterday?

👉 My mother had cooked a delicious curry when I reached home yesterday.

d. What did you see as soon as you opened the door this morning?

👉 As soon as I opened the door this morning, I saw a package delivered to me.

e. Had the class already started when you reached school yesterday?

👉 Yes, the class had already started when I reached school yesterday.

C. Completing the sentences with the correct form of the verbs

a. The car hit the tree while the driver was talking on the phone.

b. The bus had left the stop before I reached there.

c. A boy was digging the field when his father saw him.

d. When I woke up, the birds were chirping.

e. I didn’t do anything wrong, but my friend still shouted at me.

f. My father had ordered the food before I reached home.

g. The girl was speaking quite fast, so we didn’t understand her.

h. The customers had ordered the food at the counter before the waiter came to their table.

i. What were you doing when I called you yesterday evening?

Writing I

Arrange the sentences in order to make a story

1. Once upon a time, a rich businessman asked a wise man to wean his son away from his bad habits. The wise man took the son to a garden and asked him to pull out a tiny plant. The boy held the plant between his thumb and forefinger and pulled it out easily.

2. Later, the wise man asked the boy to uproot a slightly bigger plant. The boy grasped the trunk but it was impossible for him.

3. The wise man then asked the boy to uproot a guava tree. The boy tried his best but he could not uproot the tree.

4. The wise man then said to the boy, “Bad habits are like them. It is easy to pull them out when they are young but it is impossible to uproot them later.”

5. This session changed the son’s life completely. He realized the importance of avoiding bad habits and he vowed to never let them get the better of him.

Full Story

Once in a bygone era, a wealthy businessman approached a wise man seeking his guidance in reforming his son’s wayward behaviour. Eager to assist, the wise man devised a plan to impart an invaluable lesson. He led the young lad to a picturesque garden, where nature’s wonders bloomed.

Intrigued, the boy watched intently as the wise man pointed to a tiny plant and requested him to uproot it. With minimal effort, the boy delicately gripped the plant between his thumb and forefinger, plucking it effortlessly from the earth.

Impressed by the boy’s success, the wise man proceeded to present a slightly larger plant and instructed the young lad to uproot it. This time, as the boy attempted to grasp the trunk, he quickly realized that the task was far more challenging. Despite his determination, the roots held steadfast, denying his efforts.

Undeterred, the wise man posed one final challenge to the boy – he asked him to uproot a sturdy guava tree, firmly rooted in the ground. Straining every muscle, the boy exerted his utmost strength, but alas, his attempts proved futile.

With a serene smile, the wise man approached the boy and shared his wisdom, “Just like these plants, bad habits are easier to uproot when they are young, but as they grow stronger and deeper, they become harder to eradicate.”

This profound lesson resonated deeply within the boy’s heart, triggering a transformative realization. He understood the significance of avoiding detrimental habits and resolved to never allow them to seize control over his life.

From that moment forward, the young lad embraced a path of virtue, cherishing the wisdom he had gained. The encounter with the wise man had truly altered his perspective, guiding him towards a future free from the clutches of destructive habits.

Reading II

The History of Pens

A. Find the different types of pens mentioned in the text and write their details.

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a. Reed Pen – When humans developed papyrus – Egyptians

b. Quill Pen – Spanish

c. Fountain Pen – 1827 – Petrache Poenaru

d. Ballpoint Pen – 1943 – László Bíró and György Bíró

B. Matching the words with their meanings:

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a. hollow – iii. having a hole or empty space inside

b. discard – vii. to get rid of something that you no longer want or need

c. shaft – v. the long narrow part of an arrow, hammer, etc.

d. sturdy – i. strong and not easily damaged

e. patent – ii. to obtain a right for an invention or a process

f. smudge – viii. to make a dirty mark on a surface

g. evolution – iv. the slow steady development of something

h. advent – vi. the coming of an important event, person, invention, etc.

C. Answer these questions.

a. How were the reed pens made?

👉 Reed pens were made by hollowing out a piece of reed and sharpening one end to a point.

b. What were the quill pens made of?

👉 Quill pens were made from the feathers of geese, swans, or turkeys.

c. Mention the changes brought by quill pens in writing.

👉 Quill pens allowed for smoother and faster writing than reed pens, and they could be used to write in both capital and lowercase letters.

d. How were steel-point pens different from quill pens?

👉 Steel-point pens were different from quill pens as they were cheaper and sturdier. As a result, writing became smoother and faster.

e. What were the variations of the fountain pen?

👉 The variations of the fountain pen include the use of replaceable and refillable ink cartridges, as well as the use of materials such as plastic, metal, and wood.

g. Who designed the ball pens for the first time?

👉 László Bíró, a Hungarian journalist, designed the first commercial ballpoint pen in 1938.

h. Describe the features of biromes.

👉 Biro pens, also known as ballpoint pens, were the first widely successful type of pens. They were a significant advancement in pen technology because they were very durable, convenient to use, and could write on various surfaces like cardboard and wood. They even worked underwater and at high altitudes.

i. Do you think the use of pens will decline in the days to come? Why?

👉 I think the use of pens will decline in the days to come. This is because there are a number of new technologies that are replacing pens, such as tablets and smartphones. These devices allow people to write and draw electronically, which is often more convenient and efficient than using a pen

D. Timeline of the Development of Pens

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3000 BC: The first pens are invented in Egypt. These pens are made from reed and are used to write on papyrus.

1400 AD: Quill pens are invented in Europe. These pens are made from the feathers of geese, swans, or turkeys.

1700 AD: Steel-point pens are invented. These pens are made of a single piece of metal and are stronger and more durable than quill pens.

1827: The fountain pen is invented. This pen has an ink reservoir and does not need to be dipped in ink regularly.

1884: The Waterman fountain pen is patented. This pen has a three-channel ink feed that ensures a smooth flow of ink.

1938: The ballpoint pen is invented. This pen has a small ball at the tip that rolls ink onto the paper.

1945: The first commercial ballpoint pens are sold.

1960s: The ballpoint pen becomes the most popular type of pen in the world.

2023: Pens are still an important tool for many people but they are being increasingly replaced by technology.

Writing II

Write a couple of paragraphs about one of the historical events you know.

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French Revolution
One of the significant historical events that left an indelible mark on the world is the French Revolution, which unfolded between 1789 and 1799. The French Revolution was a period of profound social and political upheaval in France, ultimately leading to the downfall of the monarchy and the rise of radical political ideologies. Sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the oppressive monarchy, social inequality, and economic hardships, the revolution was characterized by fervent calls for liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The revolution began with the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. This act of defiance marked the initial stage of a broader movement that aimed to dismantle the feudal system and establish a more egalitarian society. Over the course of the revolution, France witnessed sweeping changes, including the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, and the Reign of Terror led by Maximilien Robespierre.

The French Revolution had a profound impact not only in France but also on the global stage. It inspired other nations to question the legitimacy of monarchy and feudal systems and paved the way for the spread of revolutionary ideals and nationalism. The revolution’s legacy is complex, as it witnessed both remarkable achievements in terms of challenging oppressive systems and human rights advancements, as well as significant violence and political instability. Nevertheless, the French Revolution remains a landmark event that reshaped the course of history and continues to be studied and debated by scholars and enthusiasts alike.