NCERT Solutions Class 8 English (It So Happened)
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 8 English (It So Happened) Chapter – 6 The Fight has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English (It So Happened)
- Chapter – 1 : How the Camel Got His Hump
- Chapter – 2 : Children at Work
- Chapter – 3 : The Selfish Giant
- Chapter – 4 : The Treasure Within
- Chapter – 5 : Princess September
- Chapter – 7 : The Open Window
- Chapter – 8 : Jalebis
- Chapter – 9 : The Comet 1
- Chapter – 10 : The Comet 2
- Chapter – 11 : Ancient Education System of India
Chapter – 6 (The Fight)
Comprehension Check
1. In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?
Answer – The forest pool was clean, cold and inviting, whereas the Rajputana desert had sticky, muddy pools where buffaloes wallowed and women washed clothes.
2. The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain’ himself.
(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?
Answer – He expected Ranji to apologise to him and immediately leave the pool.
(ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?
Answer – He was wrong to ask this question because the pool was in the forest. It was not his personal property.
3. Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer – Between Ranji and the other boy, the other boy was trying to start a quarrel. When Ranji saw him, he did not say anything. It was the other boy who asked Ranji to explain himself. Ranji was prepared to be friendly, but was taken aback by the boy’s hostile tone. He even asked the boy to come and swim with him. However, the boy said that it was his pool, and started a fight by calling himself a ‘warrior’.
4. “Then we will have to continue the fight,” said the other.
(i) What made him say that?
Answer – When even after a lot of fighting Ranji refused to leave the pool, the other boy said that they would have to continue their fight.
(ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?
Answer – No, the fight did not continue. After they decided to continue the fight, neither of them took the initiative. Then, the other boy said that they would continue the fight the next day if Ranji dared to come back to the pool.
Comprehension Check
1. What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?
Answer – At home, Ranji found it difficult to explain the cuts and bruises that showed on his face, legs and arms. It was difficult to hide the fact that he had been involved in a fight.
2. Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar.
(i) What does he wish to do?
Answer – When Ranji saw his adversary in the bazaar, he wished to turn away and look elsewhere. Then, he wished to throw the lemonade bottle at his enemy.
(ii) What does he actually do, and why?
Answer – He actually stood his ground and scowled at the other boy. He did not throw the lemonade bottle because he did not want to start a fight in the bazaar.
3. Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?
Answer – He goes to the pool back because he does not want to let his opponent think that he is afraid. Instead he wanted to teach him a lesson.
4. Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?
Answer – Ranji was decidedly the better swimmer. We know it when he swims across the pool as his opponent says. He dived for long into the water.
5. What surprises the warrior?
Answer – Ranji executes another perfect dive. Swimming under water, he circles Suraj and comes upon him from behind. The warrior, Suraj, is surprised to see Ranji’s skill.
6. Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?
Answer – At the pool, the two contestants forgot to continue the fight. Their interest shifts to swimming and swinging (diving).
7. Ranji’s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following:
physical strength, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming underwater, making a good point, willingness to help. Underline the relevant phrases.
Answer – Good diving, sense of humour, swimming underwater, willingness to help.
8. What, according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into good friends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood it.
Answer – Ranji and Suraj, two adversaries, turned into good friends in a few minutes for a couple of reasons. Both were tired of fighting. Both needed each other’s help, guidance and support. Suraj wanted to learn diving from Ranji. While Ranji liked the idea of becoming a strong wrestler with the help of Suraj.
Exercise
Discuss the following topics in small groups.
1. Is fighting the only way of resolving differences of opinion? What else can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?
Answer – Fighting is not the only way to resolve a dispute. The best course is to start a dialogue with a cool head. In case they fail to agree on any point, they can appoint an arbiter or middleman acceptable to both.
2. Have you ever been in a serious fight only to realize that it was unnecessary and futile? Share your experience/views with others frankly and honestly.
Answer – Yes, it is in human nature to pick a fight on minor issues sometimes. However, such fights or arguments can be resolved through discussion and respecting each other’s point of view. Once both parties agree to resolve the conflict, they can do it peacefully without hurting each other’s emotions and sentiments.
3. Why do some of us find it necessary to prove that we are better than others? Will you be amused or annoyed to read the following sign at the back of the car in front of you?
“I may be going slow, but I am ahead of you.”
Answer – It is our common weakness to do better than others or to pull somebody down. Some pretend to be superior to others and try to hurt them. This is, in fact, a symptom of their inferiority complex. We should avoid ego clash.
