Class 8 English Unit 18

Reading I

A. Complete the sentences with the correct words.

a. A car hit a boy. People witnessed the accident.

b. The earthquake destroyed the infrastructure of the building.

c. Excessive number of motorbikes and violation of traffic rules cause traffic congestion.

d. As we judge others from our perspective, we fail to understand their problems.

e. Good coordination among the staff flourishes a healthy relationship.

f. Anusha looks sad as she faced an ordeal.

B. Answer the following questions.

a. According to the writer, who do we curse for road accidents?

👉 We curse the government and those responsible for poor construction of roads.

b. Why are motorbikes popular in Nepal?

👉 Because they are affordable and can easily move through congested roads.

c. Why should parents and educational institutions monitor youngsters?

👉 To ensure they are mature enough to handle vehicles safely.

d. What measures should be taken to stop drink-driving?

👉 Drivers should be self-aware and avoid drinking before driving. Strict laws and checkpoints should be enforced.

e. What is the main cause of road accidents in your opinion?

👉 Driver negligence — including speeding and reckless driving.

C. What measures can be taken to maximise road safety in Nepal?

👉 To maximise road safety in Nepal, the government should improve road infrastructure by constructing and maintaining roads regularly. There should be proper traffic management with functioning traffic lights and visible road signs. Public awareness campaigns must be run to educate people on traffic rules. Strict laws must be enforced against drink-driving and reckless driving. Drivers should receive proper training and licensing should be stricter to ensure responsible driving.

Grammar I

A. Choose the correct words from the brackets to complete the sentences.

a. My uncle and aunt come to my house every Friday.

b. There is not enough time to watch the movie.

c. My friends who are in the band want me to play a musical instrument.

d. Everyone needs time to relax.

e. Your trousers look new.

f. Some of the books on the shelf are missing.

g. One of my friends was living in that house.

h. One hundred rupees is not enough for me.

i. Five kilometres is a long distance to travel.

j. You or he are responsible for that job.

k. Linguistics is her favourite subject.

Writing I

Do you think extracurricular activities are important for students? Write an essay giving your opinions. Divide the essay into the following parts.

Title: The Importance of Extracurricular Activities for Students

Introduction:

👉 Extracurricular activities play a vital role in the holistic development of students. These activities, which take place outside of the regular academic curriculum, provide students with valuable opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, foster teamwork, and enhance their overall personal and social growth. This essay will explain why extracurricular activities are important by highlighting their benefits related to physical health, mental well-being, academic performance, and future success.

Body:

👉 Physical Health and Well-being
Engaging in extracurricular activities promotes physical health and well-being among students. For example, sports encourage regular exercise, improve cardiovascular health, build endurance, and teach discipline. Outdoor activities such as hiking or gardening foster an active lifestyle and connect students with nature, contributing positively to their physical and mental health. By participating in these activities, students can develop habits that support a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

👉 Personal and Social Development
Extracurricular activities provide a platform for personal and social growth. Students get to explore their talents and passions beyond academics. Whether joining a debate team, music band, or theater group, these activities help students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and express creativity. Additionally, they foster teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect as students interact with peers who share similar interests. Through such collaboration, students learn essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and empathy.

👉 Academic Performance
Contrary to the belief that extracurricular activities distract from studies, research shows that participation in these activities can actually improve academic performance. These activities teach students time management, organization, and prioritization. Learning to balance commitments helps develop responsibility and discipline, which positively affect academics. Moreover, extracurriculars often ignite a passion for learning, making education more enjoyable. Skills like critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork gained through these activities transfer to academic work and help students excel.

👉 Future Success
Participation in extracurricular activities greatly contributes to future success. Colleges, universities, and employers value well-rounded candidates who demonstrate motivation, dedication, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities. Extracurricular involvement showcases leadership potential, teamwork skills, and personal growth. It also offers opportunities for mentorship, networking, and internships, opening doors to career prospects and practical experience.

Conclusion:

👉 Extracurricular activities are a crucial part of a student’s education, offering numerous benefits in physical health, personal development, academics, and future success. They help students acquire life skills, explore interests, build relationships, and find purpose. It is important for schools and parents to recognize their significance and provide adequate support and resources so that students can access a variety of opportunities. By embracing extracurricular activities, students can maximize their potential and lay a strong foundation for a well-rounded and fulfilling life.

Reading II

Long Life

A. Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B:

a. griping – iii. complaints

b. grievances – vii. complaints, concerns, or feelings of injustice

c. fault – vii. error, defect, flaw

d. compassion – i. sympathy and concern for others’ feelings

e. generosity – iv. kindness by giving time, help, money, etc.

f. fainthearted – v. lacking courage

B. Complete the summary of the poem with the suitable words given below:

👉

Life could be both short and long depending on how you perceive it. It is too short to waste our time in taking worries about the past, and finding others’ faults and wrong doings. But it is long enough to enjoy nature-made beauty and have compassion and kindness to the needy.

C. Answer these questions:

a. How do people make their lives short?

👉 People make their lives short by griping about the past, things they don’t have, places they haven’t seen, and things they haven’t done. Holding grievances against others and finding fault in others can also make life shorter.

b. What can we do with our life if it is long enough?

👉 If life is long enough, we can enjoy the beauty around us, practice compassion and generosity, comfort the grieving, lend strength to the fainthearted, and provide guidance to those who are lost.

c. Who does the word ‘you’ refer to?

👉 The word ‘you’ refers to individuals in general, addressing the reader or anyone reading the poem.

d. How would you like to live your life?

👉 I would like to live my life to the fullest, appreciating the little things and helping others along the way. I want to be kind, compassionate, and grateful, and I want to make a difference in the world.

Grammar II

B. Choose the correct words from the brackets to complete these sentences:

a. Akash was strong enough to lift the suitcase.

b. They aren’t too sociable to deal with.

c. My friend is intelligent enough to help me with maths.

d. Seema is smart enough to solve the problems.

e. The baby is too weak to sit.

f. I’m worried. It’s too expensive to buy.

C. Rewrite the following sentences so that they have similar meanings. Use the words given in the brackets. One example is given.

Example: The tea is too hot to drink. (cold enough)

👉 The tea is not cold enough to drink.

a. I can’t reach there on time. It’s too far. (near enough)

👉 I can’t reach there on time because it is not near enough.

b. Samata can’t wear a saree. She is too young to wear it. (old enough)

👉 Samata is not old enough to wear a saree.

c. My bag is light enough to carry. (too heavy)

👉 My bag is not too heavy to carry.

d. Sangam is too young to drive a motorbike. (old enough)

👉 Sangam is not old enough to drive a motorbike.

e. Priya isn’t tall enough to reach the ceiling. (too short)

👉 Priya is too short to reach the ceiling.

Writing II

A. Punctuate the following paragraph correctly:

👉

How do you spend your holiday? I usually do a lot of activities: clean rooms, do shopping, visit new places, watch movies, etc. Yesterday, I cleaned my room. My best friend’s parents like the quality of my cleaning. Last year, they visited our house and saw my cleaning. He said, “Wow, I love the way you decorate your room.” While I was cleaning, I dropped an ink bottle. It broke into pieces. It was really tough to clean the floor as the floor turned red because of the smashed bottle. I wiped a painting which was gifted to me by my uncle on my birthday.

B. Some people prefer to have food from restaurants while others prefer homemade food. What is your preference? Write an essay giving your opinion.

Essay: Why I Prefer Homemade Food Over Restaurant Meals

Introduction:

👉 I prefer homemade food over restaurant meals for several reasons. First, I like being in control of the ingredients I use and ensuring they are fresh and healthy. Knowing exactly what goes into my meals allows me to prioritize my health and maintain a balanced diet.

Body:

👉 Another reason is that I can customize homemade food to suit my personal preferences. I enjoy experimenting with different flavors and spices, making each dish unique and delicious. This creativity in the kitchen adds an element of fun and excitement to cooking.

👉 Preparing homemade meals also provides an opportunity for quality time and bonding with loved ones. Cooking together, sharing stories, and laughing create memorable experiences. It strengthens relationships and creates a sense of togetherness that cannot be replicated in a restaurant setting.

👉 From a practical standpoint, cooking at home can be more budget-friendly. Eating out regularly can be costly, but by planning meals and buying ingredients in bulk, I can save money while still enjoying delicious and satisfying meals.

👉 Lastly, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with creating something from scratch. Cooking at home allows me to take ownership of the meals I prepare and enjoy the fruits of my labor. It instills a feeling of satisfaction that is hard to find when dining out.

Conclusion:

👉 In conclusion, the ability to control ingredients, customize flavors, bond with loved ones, save money, and experience a sense of achievement are all reasons why I prefer homemade food over restaurant meals. It offers a level of personalization and joy that cannot be matched by eating out.