Class 8 English Unit 19

Reading I

A. Find the words from the text that have the following meanings:

a. Nestlings – 👉 Young birds that have not yet learned to fly.

b. Wicked – 👉 Evil or morally wrong.

c. Tranquil – 👉 Calm and peaceful.

d. Hermitage – 👉 The dwelling of a hermit.

e. Hermit – 👉 A person living alone, often for religious reasons.

f. Robbers – 👉 People who steal from others.

g. Imitates – 👉 Copies the speech or behaviour of others.

B. Put the following events of the story in the correct order:

1. A bird and its two nestlings lived in a forest.

2. The tall tree in which the birds had their nest fell down.

3. The mother bird was killed; however, the nestlings survived.

4. The other nestling lived near a hermitage.

5. The robbers were informed by a brown bird about the arrival of the king.

6. The bird welcomed the king and requested him to be comfortable at the hermitage.

7. The hermit told the king that one was known by the company one kept.

C. Read the story again and answer the following questions:

a. What caused the tall tree to fall down?

👉 The tall tree fell down because of a big storm.

b. Where were the nestlings blown to?

👉 One nestling landed near a cave where robbers lived, and the other near a hermitage.

c. Was the king able to catch the deer? How do you know?

👉 No, the king was not able to catch the deer because it ran deep into the forest and he lost his way.

d. Why do you think the brown bird informed the robbers about the arrival of the king?

👉 Because the bird had been living near the robbers and imitated their way of talking.

e. Why did the king not fight with the other robber’s gang?

👉 Because the robbers were more in number, and the king decided not to fight them.

D. “One is known by the company one keeps.” Do you agree with the statement? Discuss.

👉 Yes, I agree with this statement. People are influenced by the company they keep. In the story, both birds were born in the same nest, but one grew up speaking rudely like robbers and the other learned gentle words from the hermit. This shows how our behaviour is affected by those around us.

Grammar I

Indirect Speech

A. Match the sentences in the left column with their indirect speech in the right column:

1. The teacher said to the boys, “Have you done your homework?”

👉 The teacher asked the boys if they had done their homework.

2. The little girl said to the man, “Will you help me?”

👉 The little girl asked the man to help her.

3. Ridish said, “I have been reading this book.”

👉 Ridish said that he had been reading that book.

4. My mother said to me, “Go and change your dress.”

👉 My mother told me to go and change my dress.

5. Rita said, “I had read this book before I gave it to you.”

👉 Rita said that she had read that book before she had given it to me.

6. Alish said, “I will bring the book tomorrow.”

👉 Alish said that he would bring the book the next day.

Reading II

Pokhara International Airport Inaugurated

A. The meanings of some of the highlighted words are given below. Find the words and write them down.

a. praised formally or officially – commended

b. extremely crowded and blocked with traffic or people – congested

c. made a formal beginning of; initiated – inaugurated

d. the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another – transition

e. a formal religious or public occasion – ceremony

f. the act of keeping something in good condition – maintenance

B. Answer the following questions.

a. Who inaugurated the newly built Pokhara Regional International Airport and when?

👉 Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the newly built Pokhara Regional International Airport on January 1, 2023.

b. How is the airport useful according to the Prime Minister?

👉 According to the Prime Minister, the airport will contribute to the economic development of not just Pokhara, but the whole country as well.

c. What was the first airline to land on the newly built airport?

👉 The first airline to land on the newly built airport was Himalaya Airlines.

d. Why were the locals commended by the Deputy Prime Minister?

👉 The locals were commended by the Deputy Prime Minister for their sacrifices and patience for the completion of the project.

e. Why is ICAO grateful to the Government of Nepal and CAAN?

👉 ICAO is grateful to the Government of Nepal and CAAN for their long-standing commitment, consistency, and comprehensive support to the organization’s works.

f. How are airport infrastructure and air services vital according to Mr. Tao Ma?

👉 According to Mr. Tao Ma, airport infrastructure and air services are vital for ensuring connectivity, socio-economic development, and disaster relief efforts in landlocked countries.

D. Why do you think the operation of an international airport is helpful in the economic development of a country? Discuss.

👉 The operation of an international airport plays a crucial role in the economic development of a country. Firstly, it serves as a gateway for global connectivity, facilitating the movement of people and goods across borders. This connectivity fosters international trade, investment, and tourism, stimulating economic growth and creating employment opportunities. The presence of an international airport attracts foreign direct investment, as it provides a favourable environment for multinational corporations to establish their regional headquarters or logistics hubs. Additionally, the airport serves as a catalyst for the growth of ancillary industries such as hospitality, transportation, and retail, generating a ripple effect throughout the local economy. Moreover, a well-functioning international airport enhances the country’s reputation and competitiveness on the global stage, attracting more visitors and businesses. Overall, the operation of an international airport not only boosts the tourism sector but also drives trade, investment, and job creation, making it a vital component of a country’s economic development strategy.

Writing II

Write a news report using the following clues.

Headline: New Hospital Inaugurated in Doti, Bringing Hope for Better Healthcare

Date: [Current Date] 

👉 In a momentous event witnessed by a large gathering, the Minister of Health, along with local officials, inaugurated a brand new hospital in Doti. This significant development was made possible through the generous financial support of the Government of Nepal. The hospital, which had its construction initiated in 2019 and completed in 2021, is expected to provide crucial healthcare services to the people of Doti and surrounding areas.

With a capacity of 60 beds, the newly inaugurated hospital holds immense potential in addressing the healthcare needs of the region. The inauguration ceremony was filled with an air of enthusiasm and hope, as the local community expressed their satisfaction and optimism for improved medical facilities and services in the area.

The hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, is poised to provide comprehensive healthcare services to patients in need. It aims to cater to a wide range of medical requirements, including emergency care, outpatient services, inpatient treatments, and specialized care units. The availability of such facilities close to home is expected to alleviate the burden on patients who previously had to travel long distances for medical attention.

The establishment of this hospital marks a significant milestone in the healthcare infrastructure of Doti. The local residents, who have long awaited improved medical facilities, are hopeful that the hospital will not only provide quality healthcare but also contribute to the overall development of the region.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Health emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare access to underserved areas across the country. The hospital in Doti stands as a testament to the government’s dedication in bridging the healthcare gap and ensuring that every citizen has access to essential medical services.

The successful completion of the hospital project reflects the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders involved, including the government, local authorities, and the community at large. The newfound optimism and satisfaction resonating among the people indicate the significance of this milestone in their lives.

As the hospital doors open, the people of Doti eagerly await the positive impact it will have on their lives and the improved health outcomes for their community. With this new healthcare facility, they can now look forward to a brighter and healthier future.

Grammar II

A. Choose the correct alternative for each of the following sentences:

1. The teacher said to us, “What do you want?” – The teacher asked us what we wanted.

2. She said to me, “Will you please help me?” – She asked me to help her.

3. He said to me, “Don’t sit on my bed.” – He told me not to sit on his bed.

4. My sister said to him, “The Earth moves round the Sun.” – My sister told him that the Earth moved round the Sun.

5. She said to me, “I don’t believe you.” – She told me that she didn’t believe me.

6. She said, “Can you run?” – She asked if I could run.

7. They said, “They have seen a lion.” – They said that they had seen a lion.

8. She said, “I am waiting for Sarita.” – She said that she was waiting for Sarita.

9. Nancy said, “I may leave tomorrow.” – Nancy said that she might leave tomorrow.

10. Manisha said to me, “When did you come to Nepal?” – Manisha questioned me when I came to Nepal.

B. Change the following sentences into indirect speech:

1. He said, “I’ll send a postcard.”

👉 He said that he would send a postcard.

2. “We’ve bought a new car,” they said to me.

👉 They told me that they had bought a new car.

3. Aruna said, “I don’t speak German.”

👉 Aruna said that she didn’t speak German.

4. Hem says, “Don’t play on the grass, boys.”

👉 Hem told the boys not to play on the grass.

5. My mum said, “Are you feeling well?”

👉 My mum asked if I was feeling well.

6. Nishan said, “Where did you meet him last week?”

👉 Nishan asked where I had met him the previous week.

7. The doctor said to my father, “You must stay in bed.”

👉 The doctor told my father that he must stay in bed.

8. The boy said, “Let me go.”

👉 The boy requested to be let go.

9. Arpan said, “How often do you play cricket?”

👉 Arpan asked how often I played cricket