WB Board Textbook Class 8 English Chapter 5 Solution – Princess September by W. Somerset Maugham Question Answer: Given here are the Princess September Activity Solution from the West Bengal Board English Text Book of Class 8. Read and download the solution for your exam purpose.
(i) When the little bird hopped into Princess September’s room, she was
(a) clapping her hands
(b) crying alone
(c) sleeping in her bed
Answer: (c) sleeping in her bed
(ii) The little bird perched on the
(a) finger of the princess
(b) branch of the willow tree
(c) window
Answer: (a) finger of the princess
(iii) The sisters of Princess September
(a) loved her
(b) were envious of her
(c) hated her
Answer: (b) were envious of her
(iv) Princess September was advised to
(a) let the bird go free
(b) hand the bird over to her sisters
(c) put the bird in a cage
Answer: (c) put the bird in a cage
Activity -2 Solution
Rearrange the following sentences in the correct order and put the numbers in the given boxes:
(1) All sisters came together to advise Princess September.
Answer: 4
(2) Princess September was crying alone in her room.
Answer: 1
(3) A little bird hopped on to the end of the Princess’s bed.
Answer: 2
(4) Princess September feared that the bird might forget her.
Answer: 6
(5) The bird sang a beautiful song.
Answer: 3
(6) The Princess was advised to put the bird into a cage.
Answer: 5
Activity -3 Solution
Answer the following question:
How do you think Princess September spent her days when the bird was away?
Answer: Princess September dedicated her moments pondering the tiny bird, harboring thoughts that it might eventually forget the matter.
Activity – 4 Solution
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
(a) The little bird was surprised when ______________________
Answer:September carried him to the cage and put him in and start the door on him.
(b) At dawn, the little bird wished to be let out from the cage because __________________
Answer:he wanted to have a good fly while the dew was still wet on the ground.
(c) Princess September told the bird he was better off in the cage because __________________
Answer:he had a beautiful Golden cage.
(d) The bird told the Princess that it could not sing as ________________________
Answer:he wanted to see the trees and the Lake and the rice growing in the fields.
Activity – 5 Solution
Answer the following questions:
(a) ‘So he suspect nothing.’ Who is ‘he’? Why did he not suspect anything?
Answer: The word “he” refers to the little bird.He did not suspect anything because the bird was quite used to Princess September’s holding him like this.
(b) Why did the little bird stop in the middle of his song?
Answer: The bird stopped in the middle of his song because he felt stuck in the cage. He didn’t feel free there.
(c) How did he try to free himself from the cage?
Answer: The little bird tried to slip through the bars of the cage, but he beat against the door of the cage and he could not open it.
Activity – 6 Solution
Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statement in the given boxes. Give supporting statements for each of your answers:
(a) The little bird was happy to see the rice fields and the lake from within the cage.
Answer: F
Supporting Statement : The rice fields and the lake and the willow trees look quite different when you see them through the bars of a cage.
(b) When the bird did not eat a thing, Princess September grew anxious.
Answer: T
Supporting Statement : The princess was anxious.
(c) The next morning Princess found the bird hopping around the cage.
Answer: F
Supporting Statement : She gave a startled cry, for there the little bird lay with eyes closed, and he looked as if he were dead.
(d) The bird was granted freedom.
Answer: T
Supporting Statement : “ Then take your freedom ” , the Princess said.
Activity – 7 Solution
Answer the following questions:
(a) How did Princess September try to make the little bird happy?
Answer: Carrying the cage, the princess strolled toward the lake encircled by flourishing willow trees. She halted by the rice fields at the water’s edge and presented the little bird with a view of all it desired to behold.
(b) Why did the Princess give a “a sob a relief”?
Answer: Upon realizing that the little bird’s heart still throbbed, the Princess let out a sigh of relief with a sob.
(c) Why was the little bird granted freedom by the Princess?
Answer: The Princess came to the understanding that the little bird felt discontent within the confines of the cage, and her love for it was strong enough to set it free, ensuring its happiness.
(d) “Then he opened his wings and flew right away into the blue.” Would the little bird return to the Princess again? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: I think the little bird would return to the Princess again because the little bird told the Princess that he loved and would sing her the loveliest song he knew as he would never forget her.
Activity – 8(a) Solution
In the following sentences underline the groups of words that do not have a subject or a predicate and do not have a finite verb and do not make complete sense:
(i) Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Answer: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
(ii) The sun rises in the east.
Answer: The sun rises in the east.
(iii) The farmer lived in a house made of straw.
Answer: The farmer lived in a house made of straw.
Activity – 8(b) Solution
In the following sentences, underline the group of words that do the work of an Adjective:
(i) He was a man full of hope.
Answer: He was a man full of hope.
(ii) A necklace of great value was stolen.
Answer: A necklace of great value was stolen.
(iii) This is a table made of wood.
Answer: This is a table made of wood.
Activity – 8(c) Solution
In the following sentences, underline the groups of words that do the work of an Adverb:
(i) The bird stood in the corner of his cage.
Answer: The bird stood in the corner of his cage.
(ii) He spoke in a confident manner.
Answer: He spoke in a confident manner.
(iii) It’s raining at this moment.
Answer: It’s raining at this moment.
Activity – 8(d) Solution
In the following sentences, underline the groups of words that do the work of a Noun:
(i) Traveling by train gives me great pleasure.
Answer:Traveling by train gives me great pleasure.
(ii) The child refused to answer my question.
Answer: The child refused to answer my question.
(iii) He wantedto go home.
Answer: He wantedto go home.
Activity – 8(e) Solution
In the following sentences underline and identify the phrases:
(i) The wind blew with great speed.
Answer: The wind blew with great speed. (Adverb phrase)
(ii) The king wore a crown made of diamond.
Answer: The king wore a crown made of diamond. (Adjective phrase)
(iii) The little girl did not know what to do.
Answer: The little girl did not know what to do. (Noun phrase)
(iv) She is a lady of great patience.
Answer: She is a lady of great patience.(Adjective phrase)
Activity – 8(f) Solution
In the following sentences, underline groups of words that have a Subject and a Predicate and form parts of the main sentences and have Finite verbs:
(i) He was surprised when she carried him to the cage.
Answer:He was surprised when she carried him to the cage.
(ii) He drew a picture which was very beautiful.
Answer:He drew a picture which was very beautiful.
(iii) I did not go to school as I was unwell.
Answer: I did not go to school as I was unwell.
(iv) Indian cricket team is confident that it will win the match.
Answer:Indian cricket team is confident that it will win the match.
Activity – 8(g) Solution
In the following sentences, underline the main parts of the sentences that are Independent and circle the clauses that depend on the main parts:
(i) Although he was unwell, he went out.
Answer: Although he was unwell(depend), he went out. (Independent)
(ii) He is a king who is very powerful.
Answer:He is a king(Independent)who is very powerful.(Dependent)
(iii) Rani said that he had met my brother.
Answer:Rani said(Independent)that he had met my brother.(Dependent)
(iv) When she was hungry, the baby cried out.
Answer: When she was hungry,(Dependent)the baby cried out.(Independent)
Activity – 9 Solution
Replace the underlined words with their antonyms:
(a) The boy wrote adifferent story.
Answer: The boy wrote asame story.
(b) The mother placed the child gently on the bed.
Answer: The mother placed the child rudelyon the bed.
(c) On hearing the news he felt very uneasy.
Answer: On hearing the news he felt very easy.
(d) The gate was opened by the porter.
Answer: The gate was closed by the porter.
Activity – 10(a) Solution
Suppose you are a member of an organization that works for prevention of cruelty to animals. You come across a monkey in chains being made to perform tricks. You watch it for some time till it suddenly starts talking to you of its sorrow.
Now Write an imaginary Conversation which takes place between you and the monkey longing for its freedom.
Answer:
Me: [Approaching the chained monkey cautiously] Hello there, little one. I’m here to help. What’s troubling you?
Monkey: [Gazing at you with sad eyes] You can understand me? I’ve been longing for someone who can. These chains, they’re unbearable. I want my freedom back.
Me: [Sympathetic] I understand, my friend. I’m part of an organization that works to prevent cruelty to animals. We’re here to help creatures like you. Can you tell me your name?
Monkey: [Nods] I’m Simba. I used to roam the lush forests, swinging from trees and playing with my family. Now, I’m stuck here, forced to perform tricks for people’s entertainment.
Me: [Angry] Simba, what they’re doing to you is wrong. No animal should be treated like this. We’ll do everything we can to free you and stop this cruelty.
Simba: [Hopeful] Thank you, kind human. It’s been so long since I felt the wind in my fur and the freedom to choose where I want to go.
Me: [Determined] Simba, you’re not alone in this. We’ll get you out of these chains and ensure you’re taken care of. But we’ll also work to end this practice for good, so no other animal has to suffer like you.
Simba: [Grateful] That means the world to me. I’ll hold on to hope. Please, promise me you won’t forget others like me who are still trapped.
Me: [Promise] I promise, Simba. We won’t rest until every animal is free from cruelty. Your courage to speak up will inspire us to work harder for your freedom and the freedom of others.
As you leave, you can’t help but feel a renewed sense of purpose, committed to making a difference not just for Simba but for all animals suffering in similar situations.
Activity – 10(b) Solution
Suppose you have to obey the orders of someone from morning to night. You are not allowed to act according to your own will. Write a paragraph in about eighty words describing your feelings in this situation.
Answer: Being compelled to obey someone’s orders from morning until night, with no autonomy to act according to my own will, leaves me feeling utterly confined and dis empowered. The weight of constant instructions and restrictions is stifling, as it robs me of the freedom to make choices and decisions for myself. It’s as though I’ve become a mere puppet, forced to dance to someone else’s tune, and it’s a disheartening experience that leaves me yearning for independence and self-determination.
