Summer Friends Class 8 English Lesson 9

Answer: The crow appears to be the closest friend to mankind because it cleans our surroundings by eating garbage and dead animals. It helps keep the environment clean. The pigeon has also been a close companion to humans as it was used to carry letters (messages) in olden times.

Answer: If I were separated from my friend, I would feel very sad and lonely. I would miss the happy moments we spent together—playing, studying, and sharing secrets. I would eagerly wait to meet my friend again and would try to stay in touch through phone calls or messages. True friendship means staying connected even when physically apart.

(i) The swallow comes to the poet in
(a) spring (b) summer ✓ (c) winter

(ii) Many young friends follow the behaviour of the
(a) sparrow (b) pigeon (c) swallow ✓

(iii) The sparrow accompanies the poet in times of
(a) snow and frost ✓ (b) rain and thunder (c) sunshine and warmth

(iv) The poet wants a friend who will be like
(a) swallow (b) sparrow ✓ (c) nightingale

(a) The swallow chirps for weeks together when the weather is fine and warm.

(b) In a cold day the swallow will fly away.

(c) Even when old friends are separated, their hearts will never narrow.

(d) The poet wishes for a bird that will sing in frost and love in sorrow.

Why do you think the swallow leaves the poet during the winter season?
Answer: The swallow is a migratory bird. It cannot survive in cold weather. Therefore, when winter arrives with its cold, wintry days, the swallow flies away to warmer places in search of food and suitable climate. The poet uses this as a metaphor for fair-weather friends who leave when difficult times come.

(a) What does the swallow do in summer?
Answer: In summer, when the weather is fine and warm, the swallow comes to the poet's chimney and chirps its notes for weeks together.

(b) How is the behaviour of a "gay young friend" similar to that of the swallow?
Answer: A "gay young friend" behaves exactly like the swallow. Just as the swallow stays only during warm, pleasant weather and flies away when cold winter comes, a fair-weather friend stays with you only in good times and leaves you when you face difficulties or hard times.

(c) What type of a friend does the poet want?
Answer: The poet wants a friend who is like the sparrow—someone who will stay close in times of hardship (snow and frost), sing in difficult times, love even in sorrow, and greet the poet tomorrow no matter what misfortune comes today.

(d) Whom does the poet like—the swallow or the sparrow? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: The poet likes the sparrow more than the swallow. The swallow represents fair-weather friends who leave when times get difficult. The sparrow, on the other hand, stays close to Man even in the harsh, cold days of snow and frost. Similarly, the poet wants a true friend who will stand by him in sorrow and misfortune, not just in happy times.

(i) I expect that I shall get a prize. (Noun clause - object of verb 'expect')
(ii) The umbrella which has a yellow handle is mine. (Adjective clause - qualifies 'umbrella')
(iii) When I was younger I used to fly kites. (Adverb clause - modifies 'used to fly')
(iv) I remember the house where I was born. (Adjective clause - qualifies 'house')

(i) The sailor said to us, "There will be a storm".
Answer: The sailor told us that there would be a storm.

(ii) The teacher said to the student, "Did you come to school yesterday?"
Answer: The teacher asked the student if he/she had come to school the previous day.

(iii) The tired guest said to the host, "Please give me a glass of cold water."
Answer: The tired guest requested the host to give him a glass of cold water.

(iv) Rita said, "How happy I am!"
Answer: Rita exclaimed with joy that she was very happy.

(v) My grandfather said, "May you live long!"
Answer: My grandfather wished that I might live long.

(a) guest : We welcomed our guest with a warm smile and offered him a comfortable seat.

(b) dreary : The dreary winter afternoon made everyone feel sleepy and dull.

(c) narrow : The narrow lane was barely wide enough for a single car to pass through.

(d) mischance : By some mischance, he missed his flight and had to wait another day.