AP 8th English Textbook Solutions – 1. Wit and Wisdom (2026-27)

Unit 1: Wit and Wisdom

Let us do these activities before we read.

• 1. Select qualities of a person who uses wit from the box given below. Now, discuss reasons for your choice of qualities.
  Qualities: wise, clever, humorous, observant, creative.
  Reasons: A witty person needs to be intelligent (wise/clever) and observant to notice details quickly. They also need to be humorous and creative to present their observations in a clever and funny way.
• 2. Work in pairs and answer the riddles that are given below.
  1. I can be a friend or a foe... What am I? Answer: Words.
  2. What is always in front of you but can't be seen? Answer: The future.
  3. I can be measured, but I cannot be touched... What am I? Answer: Time.
  4. What has to be shared before you can keep it? Answer: A promise.
• 3. Why are qualities like humour and wit important in a person?
  Humour and wit make a person approachable, help to lighten tense situations, and allow for creative problem-solving.
• 4. Why do you think kings and queens preferred to have witty people among their courtiers?
  They preferred witty courtiers because they could offer clever solutions to difficult problems, provide entertainment, and give wise advice without being offensive.
• 5. If you were asked to solve a disagreement between two people, what approach would you take?
  I would listen to both sides calmly, try to understand their perspectives, and use logical reasoning or a bit of humour to help them find a peaceful compromise.

The Wit That Won Hearts

Let us discuss

• I. Rectify the following false statements from the text.
  
  1. The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem.
  The queen did not speak against the poem; she was exhausted and yawned while the king was reciting it.
  
  2. Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.
  Tenali Rama did not go immediately; he waited for the right opportunity in the court the next morning and used a clever strategy.
  
  3. The courtiers admired the king's poem and praised his literary talent.
  When the king tried reciting it to his ministers, they all avoided him by making excuses.
  
  4. The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama's idea about paddy cultivation.
  The ministers were not eager; they mocked him with sarcasm and snickers.
  
  5. The king never realised his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.
  The king realised his mistake, apologised to the queen for his foolishness, and their bond was restored.

Let us think and reflect

• I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
  
  1. "... The king thought I was disrespecting his poem and stormed off. Since then, he has not spoken to me. If I had known this would happen I would have chosen another day. Help me, please, Rama. Only you can help the king understand."
  Rama nodded thoughtfully. "If you like, I will try my best to resolve this matter, Your Highness. But this needs a well-planned approach and I may need time to find the right strategy."
  
  (i) Why does the queen believe that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand?
  The queen believes this because Tenali Rama is known for his quick wit, clever solutions, and his ability to handle seemingly insurmountable problems gracefully.
  
  (ii) What does the queen's statement, "If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day", suggest about her feelings?
  Answer: B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.
  
  (iii) How does Tenali Rama's response reflect his wisdom and problem - solving skills?
  His response shows he is patient and strategic, acknowledging that resolving the issue requires a "well-planned approach" rather than hasty action.
  
  (iv) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.
  The king's reaction shows that he is sensitive and takes great pride (has a lot of faith/takes great pride) in his poetry.
• 2. That evening, the king approached the queen with a softened expression. "Thirumalambal", he began, his voice gentle, "I have been foolish. I see now that I overreacted. I let my pride blind me. I'm so sorry."
  The queen, who had longed for this moment, smiled and replied, "If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us. I would very much like to listen to your poem."
  
  (i) Complete the following with a suitable explanation.
  When the king said, "I let my pride blind me", he means that he allowed his ego to cloud his judgement, causing him to unfairly punish the queen for a natural action like yawning.
  
  (ii) Why does the queen say, "If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us"?
  She says this to show her forgiving nature and her strong desire to restore their relationship and move forward peacefully.
  
  (iii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.
  The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows maturity and self-awareness (intelligence and courage/maturity and self-awareness).
  
  (iv) State any one characteristic of the queen's response to the king's apology shows about her.
  It shows that she is gracious and forgiving.

• II. Answer the following questions.
  
  1. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its 'Golden Era' during Krishnadeva Raya's reign?
  It was considered the 'Golden Era' because art, literature, and architecture flourished, and the king was a great patron of learning.
• 2. How did Tenali Ramakrishna gain a special place in the king's court?
  He gained a special place due to his quick wit, humour, and clever solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.
• 3. How did the quarrel between the king and the queen affect the palace?
  The king's absence cast a shadow over the palace, and the once cheerful corridors became quiet and forlorn.
• 4. What strategy did Tenali Rama use to make the king realise his mistake?
  He brought "revolutionary" paddy seeds to the court and stated they must be sown by someone who doesn't yawn, making the king realise that yawning is a natural human act and not a sign of disrespect.
• 5. What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama introduced his 'special' paddy seeds?
  The courtiers reacted with sarcasm and suppressed laughter (snickers), mocking him by wondering if the seeds were magic or found on the moon.
• 6. How does the story conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?
  The story concludes with the king apologising to the queen and rewarding Tenali Rama. The lesson is that we should not let ego cloud our judgement and that wit can help resolve complex interpersonal problems gently.
• 7. How does the author describe the change in atmosphere of the palace when the king stops visiting Queen Thirumalambal? What does this reveal about their relationship?
  The author describes that his absence "cast a shadow" over the palace and the corridors became "quiet and forlorn." This reveals that their loving relationship was central to the joy and liveliness of the royal household.
• 8. How does the king's reaction to Rama's words show a transformation in his attitude? What quality of a good ruler does this highlight?
  His expression shifted as realisation dawned, replacing his anger with regret. This highlights a good ruler's quality of being self-aware, humble, and willing to accept and correct their own mistakes.

Let us learn

• I. Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph by choosing suitable expressions from the box given below.
  
  Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. cast a shadow making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter 2. rippled through the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument 3. stormed off and a 4. hush fell over the gatherings. My 5. mind raced back to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have 6. cast a shadow.
• II. The writer uses words like 'roared', 'murmur' in the text to indicate the sound produced. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from the box given below.
  
  1. As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a murmur of excitement spread through the classroom.
  2. Anaya sighed in relief she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.
  3. 'Think carefully,' the teacher began to mumble as she wrote a riddle on the board.
  4. When the question was revealed, a few students gasped realising it wasn't as easy as they had expected.
  5. Some exchanged snickers wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.
  6. Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small thud.
  7. 'Ah, I see it now!' she said stretching with a groan as if it had taken her great effort.
  8. A small breeze made the windows rattle.
  9. 'So, what's the answer?' the students whispered their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
  10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya murmured 'Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.'
• III. 1. Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2.

  A	Ans	B
  (i) quick	( G )	A. hall
  (ii) soft	( C )	B. tempered
  (iii) common	( F )	C. spoken
  (iv) house	( H )	D. blue
  (v) book	( E )	E. store
  (vi) ill	( B )	F. sense
  (vii) sky	( D )	G. witted
  (viii) dance	( A )	H. hold

• 2. Fill in the blanks with the words created in the previous question.
  
  Ravi was (i) soft-spoken, always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) household where he learned to handle different personalities. His friend Arun, however, was (iii) ill-tempered and often lost his patience. Despite this, Arun admired Ravi's (iv) quick-witted thinking. One evening, as they passed a (v) dance hall, they saw some performers rushing out. Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a (vi) sky-blue book on the ground. "Is this yours?" he asked. "Oh thank you, young man!" the performer smiled. "It's a recent purchase from the (vii) bookstore around the corner." True to his nature Arun promptly said to Ravi, "It's (viii) common sense that it's not from a bakery but bookshop!" Ravi smiled and they walked on.

• IV. Now, match the subordinate clauses (if clauses) in Column 1 with the appropriate main clauses in Column 2 to make complete sentences.

  A	Ans	B
  (i) If I had a magic wand,	( C )	A. We will go to the theatre.
  (ii) If it rains tomorrow,	( E )	B. I would sneak into the secret room.
  (iii) If you had listened carefully,	( F )	C. I would give myself wings.
  (iv) If you finish your homework,	( A )	D. The boys would have woken up on time.
  (v) If I were invisible,	( B )	E. We will stay indoors and play board games.
  (vi) If the alarm had rung,	( D )	F. You would have solved the puzzle.

• V. Complete the following sentences appropriately with either the main clause or the subordinate clause (if clause).
  
  1. Your teacher will be unhappy if you do not submit your homework on time.
  2. They would have caught the train if they had left the house earlier.
  3. You will feel tired tomorrow if you continue to stay up late every night.
  4. If she knew the answer, she would have raised her hand.
  5. She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder.
  6. If I had a million rupees, I would travel the world.
• VI. Complete the following sentences. One example has been done for you.
  
  1. If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds.
  2. If I were the Head Teacher of my school, I would declare every Friday a games day.
  3. If I were a bird, I would fly high above the clouds.
  4. If I were a magician, I would make all the pollution disappear.
  5. If I had studied harder, I would have scored full marks.

Let us listen

• I. You will listen to a woman narrating a story. As you listen, fill in the blanks in the following sentences by selecting the correct options.
  
  1. The rope tying the bundle of sticks was thick (loose / thick / short).
  2. The scholar is finally referred to as arrogant (irritable / mischievous / arrogant).
• II. You will once again listen to the story. As you listen, number the events of the story in the correct order of occurrence.
  1. ( 5 ) The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace.
  2. ( 8 ) The court scholars were afraid of the king's anger.
  3. ( 2 ) Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor.
  4. ( 3 ) Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace.
  5. ( 1 ) The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say.
  6. ( 7 ) The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama.
  7. ( 6 ) Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope.
  8. ( 4 ) The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama.

Let us write

• Imagine two courtiers, Dhanvin and Yajvin, were present in the court, where Tenali Rama cleverly solved the problem of the queen. They were discussing as shown below. (Frame 'Wh- 'Questions to fill up the blanks)
  
  Yajvin: Good evening, Mr. Dhanvin.
  Dhanvin: A very warm good evening.
  Yajvin: I think, he was brave. What did you feel about Tenali Rama? (what..)
  Dhanvin: May be,... but I felt, he was witty too.
  Yajvin : Was it? How did you say so? (How..)
  Dhanvin: because...he took the example of paddy cultivation, didn't he?
  Yajvin : Yeah... I also doubted why he used such example. (Why..)
  Dhanvin: It might be...true as it was reality based.
  Yajvin : Who gave that idea to him? (Who..)
  Dhanvin: None...might have given that idea....in particular, I felt. He had natural quality of wisdom, hadn't he?
  Yajvin: Yes, it was proved several times. He was gifted.
  Dhanvin: Yes, I too felt so.

A Concrete Example

Let us discuss

• I. Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem.
  
  The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker's next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. stones. Her garden includes a peculiar 2. path, a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. sundial that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. delicate plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. pin. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. flower that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. lovely flower is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. standing on it all along.
• II. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.
  
  1. The tone of the poem is
  A. (i), (ii), and (iii)

  B. (i), (ii), and (v)

  C. (ii), (iii), and (iv)

  D. (ii), (iv), and (v)
  Answer: D. (ii), (iv), and (v)
  
  2. The speaker in the poem is
  (ii) the poet
  
  3. The rhyme scheme of the poem is
  (i) AABBCC
• III. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct answer given in the brackets.
  
  1. The poet uses the word 'stones' in all stanzas in order to emphasise her obsession with a stony garden (obsession with a stony garden/pride in gardening skills).
  2. The poet uses imagery to describe the features of the garden that help readers visualise the garden's peculiar nature (understand Mrs. Jones' love for plants/visualise the garden's peculiar nature).
• IV. Pick examples of alliteration from the poem.
  Examples include "strange device" and "quite a quarter".
• V. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase that appears in each stanza. Identify the refrain from the poem.
  "My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones".
• VI. Identify the line(s) from the poem that display(s) situational irony.
  "Where is this lovely thing?" I cried. / "You're standing on it," she replied.
• VII. Complete the following sentences appropriately.
  
  1. The word 'concrete' can refer to the physical stones and cement in Mrs. Jones' garden.
  2. The title also has a symbolic meaning, as the poem provides a clear or 'concrete' example of Mrs. Jones' peculiar and unusual gardening habits.

Let us think and reflect

• I. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.
  
  1. My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
  has got a garden full of stones:
  A crazy path, a lily pond,
  a rockery and, just beyond
  A sundial with a strange device,
  which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.
  
  (i) What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones's taste in gardening from the description of her garden being 'full of stones'?
  It can be inferred that she prefers hard, decorative, non-living landscapes over soft, living plants and foliage.
  
  (ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
  The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.

  Statement	Ans
  The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.	True

  
  (iii) What does the poet mean by 'crazy path'?
  The poet means a path made of irregular, broken stones laid in a haphazard or patchwork manner (crazy paving).
  
  (iv) What does the sundial with a 'strange device' suggest about Mrs. Jones' personality?
  A. She has a fascination with unusual items.
• II. Answer the following questions.
  
  1. How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.
  She loves and treasures her garden. The evidence is that she "thinks rather nice" of her sundial and she enthusiastically invites the speaker to "see her stones" and discuss a flower for quite a quarter of an hour.
• 2. Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?
  The plants are so incredibly tiny, delicate, and scarce among the massive stones that they look as if they required a microscopic tool like a pin to be placed there.
• 3. What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones-based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?
  She is a bit eccentric and prefers stony decorations over lush plants, but she is very proud of her creation and eager to share it with others.
• 4. The poem portrays Mrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.
  The poem describes her choices gently and humorously (noting she "thinks rather nice" of them) without malice, showing her as quirky but harmless and passionate about her tiny plants.
• 5. What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?
  It shows that beauty is highly subjective; what one person finds bizarre or insignificant (a garden of stones and a tiny flower), another finds incredibly beautiful and worth talking about for a long time.
• 6. How does the poet describe Mrs. Jones's garden, and what feelings do these descriptions create in the reader?
  The poet describes it as "full of stones," with a "crazy path," a "rockery," and a "sundial with a strange device." This creates a feeling of amusement, curiosity, and light-hearted irony in the reader.
• 7. Why does the speaker think the plants "don't mean anything at all"? What does this reveal about the speaker's initial attitude?
  The speaker thinks they are too tiny to make any visual impact against the rocks. This reveals the speaker's traditional expectation that a garden should have large, visible, and lush foliage.
• 8. How does the final line, "You're standing on it," change the reader's understanding of the garden?
  It highlights the ultimate irony and the extreme tininess of the plants, ending the poem on a funny, surprising note that proves the speaker's observations right.

Let us learn

• I. Select the appropriate word from the brackets that correctly replaces the underlined word in the sentences from the text.
  
  1. A sundial with a strange device, (unusual, peculiar, new, rare, external)
  
  peculiar
  
  2. which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice. (pleasant, superior, agreeable, gentle, charming)
  
  charming
  
  3. They are so delicate... (delicious, fragile, dainty, graceful, weak)
  
  fragile
  
  4. "Where is this lovely thing?" I cried. (exclaimed, wept, shouted, announced, whispered)
  
  exclaimed
• II. Match the type of instruments in Column 1 with their definitions in Column 2. Column 3 shows one example of each type of instrument. Add more examples in Column 3.

  A	Ans	B
  1. implement	( v )	(i) something that is electrical and is used to do work in the house
  2. tool	( iii )	(ii) something small that is mechanical or electronic
  3. equipment	( iv )	(iii) something that works on being moved by hand
  4. appliance	( i )	(iv) a set of necessary items for a particular purpose
  5. gadget	( ii )	(v) something used by hand to make or repair

• III. Complete the table by making new words in Column 1 using the hints given in Column 2. Replace the first letter of the given word to create new words.

  Column 1	Ans	Column 2
  nice
  (i) dice		cut into small pieces
  (ii)	rice	grain that we cook
  (iii)	mice	plural of mouse
  (iv)	vice	bad habit
  soil
  (i)	boil	heat something
  (ii)	toil	work very hard
  (iii)	coil	length of wire in a circle
  (iv)	foil	sheets to wrap food items

Let us listen

• I. You will listen to a presentation about the wonderful Rock Garden of Chandigarh. As you listen, answer the following questions using one to three exact words from the presentation.
  
  1. Where was Nek Chand's Rock Garden featured?
  Indian postage stamp
• 2. What kind of sculptures does the Rock Garden have?
  Colourful sculptures
• 3. How is the Rock Garden divided?
  Three distinct phases
• 4. Name any one thing that has been transformed into a piece of art in the Rock Garden.
  Terracotta pots
• 5. Approximately, how many statues border the Rock Garden?
  Around 5,000 statues

Wisdom Paves the Way

Let us do these activities before we read.

• II. Knowledge is about learning facts and information, while wisdom is about using that knowledge with good judgement. Work in pairs. Read the following situations and classify each one as either 'knowledge' or 'wisdom'.
  
  1. Riya's understanding of plant care helped her grow a healthy vegetable garden in her backyard.
  Knowledge
  
  2. Mr. Kumar values time with family over chasing wealth.
  Wisdom
  
  3. Karuna's expertise in computer programming helped her develop a successful app.
  Knowledge
  
  4. Rohan understood the value of time management and created a timetable to complete his assignments systematically.
  Wisdom
  
  5. Ramesh chose to forgive his friend for a misunderstanding.
  Wisdom
  
  6. Ms. Vaijayanthi delivered a lecture on Indian Classical music at the cultural festival.
  Knowledge

Let us discuss

• I. Complete the following sentences with suitable reasons.
  
  1. Shiv Datt said, "I believe it has been over a week, perhaps even longer," because it had been a long time since they left the village.
  
  2. Dev Datt said, "Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is why we press on towards Ujjain," because
  they needed to stay positive and travel together to find suitable jobs.
  
  3. Har Datt said, "Look there, friends. A camel has passed this way. The tracks are fresh," because
  he noticed the fresh footprints of an animal on the road.
  
  4. Shiv Datt said, "It appears to be a merchant, running as if pursued by trouble," because
  the merchant was panting, distressed, and running anxiously.
  
  5. The merchant said, "How could you possibly know that? The poor creature has been unwell for two weeks now. Surely you are a healer!" because
  Dev Datt correctly deduced that the camel was suffering from stomach pain, a detail only a healer or owner would typically know.
  
  6. Dev Datt said, "You are free to do as you wish, sir. If the King desires our presence, we shall be waiting under that banyan tree yonder," because
  they were confident they had committed no crime and were willing and ready to face the King with the truth.

Let us discuss

• I. Arrange the following events in order of their occurrence from Scene II of the play.
  
  1. The King makes the four young men his advisers, impressed by their skills. (8)
  2. Ram Datt explains how he infers from the tracks that the camel is lame.
  3. The King asks the merchant to clearly state his accusation.
  4. The King praises the young men for their observations and dismisses the merchant's accusation.
  5. Shiv Datt reveals that the camel is blind in its right eye as it had only chewed on the leaves on the left side of the road.
  6. Dev Datt explains his observation about the camel's pain and careful movement.
  7. Har Datt clarifies how he knew that the camel has a short tail.
  8. The merchant accuses the four men of knowing a lot about his missing camel.
  Correct Order:
  8. The merchant accuses the four men... -> ( 1 )
  3. The King asks the merchant to clearly state... -> ( 2 )
  2. Ram Datt explains how he infers... -> ( 3 )
  5. Shiv Datt reveals that the camel is blind... -> ( 4 )
  7. Har Datt clarifies how he knew... -> ( 5 )
  6. Dev Datt explains his observation... -> ( 6 )
  4. The King praises the young men... -> ( 7 )
  1. The King makes the four young men... -> ( 8 )

Let us think and reflect

• I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
  
  (i) Identify the false statement from the two given below and rectify it.
  A. Dev Datt believes that finding employment is an easy task.
  B. Ram Datt is confident that the King would recognise their talents.
  Statement A is false. Rectification: Dev Datt believes finding employment is difficult and takes a long time, mentioning they may have many more roads to wander.
  
  (ii) What does Ram Datt's confidence in gaining the King's recognition tell us about him?
  It shows that he is optimistic, self-assured, and truly values the skills and wisdom of his group.
  
  (iii) Complete the sentence given below with the correct option from those given.
  In the line, 'That's why we press on towards Ujjain', the phrase 'press on' refers to
  B. moving forward with determination
  
  (iv) Har Datt says, "We need to devise a strategy." What can be inferred about Har Datt's character from his statement?
  C. He is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead.

• 2. Extract 2
  
  (i) Select the option that is true for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
  (A): The Merchant left the court feeling humbled and ashamed.
  (R): The King commanded that the four wise men join his court.
  B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
  
  (ii) Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct option.
  The line, 'See beyond the obvious' means that the men had the ability to
  C. notice details that others might overlook
  
  (iii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
  Ram Datt described the King's offer as 'an honour we had not dared to dream of' because
  becoming royal advisers was an unimaginably high position and incredible reward for wandering job-seekers.
  
  (iv) How does the King's offer to the four men reflect his values as a ruler?
  It reflects his deep appreciation for intellect, logical reasoning, and true merit over superficial complaints, showing he values wisdom in governance.
• II. Answer the following questions.
  
  1. What does the dusty road leading to Ujjain tell us about the challenges of the young men's journey?
  It shows they were tired, travel-worn, and had to journey long distances on foot under the hot sun to seek employment.
• 2. Why did the merchant become suspicious of the four men? What does this tell us about him?
  He became suspicious because they accurately described his camel's specific traits without having seen it. It tells us he is quick to jump to conclusions and accuse others.
• 3. How do the four young men's observations about the camel serve as a turning point in the play?
  Their observations shift them from being accused thieves to being recognized by the King as highly intelligent and observant men.
• 4. Why did the King believe the four young men and not the merchant?
  The King believed them because they provided logical reasoning and concrete evidence from tracks and surroundings for every observation they made.
• 5. How does the capability of the four young men make them suitable to become advisors?
  Their capability to observe deeply, notice hidden details, and deduce facts logically makes them perfect for advising a ruler on complex matters.
• 6. Why does the merchant feel ashamed for accusing the four young men of stealing his camel? Explain in your own words.
  He feels ashamed because he realises he falsely accused innocent and brilliant men whose only "crime" was being far more observant than he was.
• 7. How do the four young men show patience and hope despite their long and tiring journey to Ujjain? What does this reveal about their character?
  They show patience by encouraging each other, staying united, and actively observing the world around them instead of complaining. This reveals their resilience and positive mindset.
• 8. How does the King's behaviour during the trial reflect his qualities as a wise ruler?
  He listens patiently to both sides, asks probing questions to verify claims, and rewards true merit, highlighting his profound sense of justice and wisdom.

Let us learn

• I. Complete the sentences by filling in the noun form of the textual words given in the brackets.
  
  1. Some word games need a lot of thought and deduction. (deduce)
  2. We need to make close observations of animals in order to understand their behaviour. (observe)
  3. A detailed scrutiny of the documents shows a lot of errors. (scrutinise)
  4. You should not make any false accusations against anyone. (accuse)
  5. She was given an award in recognition of her contribution to literature. (recognise)
• II. Match the expressions in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.

  A	Ans	B
  1. with all our hearts	( vi )	(i) surprised
  2. to be precise	( iv )	(ii) starts cheering together
  3. gain an audience with	( v )	(iii) hidden information that is not obvious
  4. catch his breath	( vii )	(iv) exact and accurate
  5. erupts in applause	( ii )	(v) meeting or hearing someone
  6. grand scheme of things	( viii )	(vi) complete sincerity
  7. taken aback	( i )	(vii) to pause or rest for some time
  8. more than meets the eye	( iii )	(viii) overall plan of life in a larger context

• III. Match the different meanings of 'face' and 'bear' with the correct usage in the sentences given in the table below.
  
  Face:

  A	Ans	B
  (i) Ravi turned to face his father, when he was called.	( 2 )	1. (n.) the front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin
  (ii) The face of the clock was painted red and blue.	( 4 )	2. (v.) to be positioned with the face or front towards
  (iii) She has a round smiling face.	( 1 )	3. (v.) to deal with a difficult task or situation
  (iv) We should be ready to face life's challenges.	( 3 )	4. (n.) the front or surface of a thing

  
  Bear:

  A	Ans	B
  (i) I spotted a bear on a wildlife safari.	( 3 )	1. (v.) tolerate
  (ii) The trees that I planted in my garden took a long time to bear fruit.	( 4 )	2. (v.) accept
  (iii) Riya agreed to bear the responsibilities with confidence.	( 2 )	3. (n.) a large heavy mammal
  (iv) I can't bear the sound of vehicles honking.	( 1 )	4. (v.) produce; give birth to

• IV. Match the highlighted words in the sentences in Column 1 with the functions they express in Column 2.

  A	Ans	B
  1. I will gladly pay your fee if you can cure it.	( ix )	(i) expression of disbelief
  2. You must have stolen it and sold it off.	( v )	(ii) imagined (hypothetical) possibility
  3. You shall come with me to face the King!	( x )	(iii) moral obligation or advice
  4. How could you possibly know that?	( i )	(iv) challenge
  5. I am confident he would recognise our talents and appoint us to his service.	( viii )	(v) logical conclusion
  6. A camel with a long tail would have fended off these pests with ease.	( ii )	(vi) wish or hope
  7. They may tell us more than meets the eye.	( xi )	(vii) necessity
  8. May your wisdom shine upon Ujjain and guide us to prosperity.	( vi )	(viii) prediction
  9. Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope.	( iii )	(ix) willingness
  10. We need to devise a strategy.	( vii )	(x) command
  11. You speak of my camel as if it stood before you, yet you dare to claim not to have seen it!	( iv )	(xi) possibility

• V. Complete the following story with modal verbs in the box given below by using the clues from the functions given within brackets.
  
  An old man, known for his wisdom, lived in a small village. One day, a young boy asked him, "How 1. can (ability) I become wise like you?" The old man smiled and said, "Wisdom 2. must (necessity) be earned through patience. You 3. should (suggestion) listen, more than you speak." The boy thought for a while and replied, "It 4. might (weak possibility) take years, but I'll try." The old man nodded. "You 5. need to (obligation) learn from your mistakes too. Wisdom 6. may (possibility) come slowly, but it always arrives for those who seek it." The boy knew he 7. could (ability) become wise if he followed the old man's advice.
• VI. Rewrite the following sentences using appropriate modal verbs. You may take clues from the highlighted words. One example has been done for you.
  
  1. It is advisable for you to think before you speak.
  You should think before you speak.
  
  2. It is unnecessary to worry about things beyond your control.
  You need not worry about things beyond your control.
  
  3. It is not possible for a person to gain experience without taking risks.
  A person cannot gain experience without taking risks.
  
  4. It is essential to treat others with kindness, even when they disagree with you.
  You must treat others with kindness, even when they disagree with you.
  
  5. It is not allowed to interrupt when someone else is speaking.
  You must not interrupt when someone else is speaking.

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