CBSE Expression Series

A golden opportunity for creative writers. Pick up the topic for class 8 (2nd one) and compose.

The Blue Carbuncle

THE BLUE CARBUNCLE
Q1. What object was kept under examination by Holmes?
A seedy, disreputable hard felt hat.
Q2. What suggested that the hat was the object of examination?
A lens and forceps kept on the chair.
Q3. How did Mr. Peterson come in possession of the goose?
Mr. Peterson the commissionaire saw a tallish man carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. A row broke out between the stranger and a knot of roughs. Peterson rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants, but the man seeing an official in uniform, dropped his goose, took to his heels and vanished.
Q4. What was Holmes problem?
There were hundreds of Henry Bakers in the city. How to find the rightful owner?
Q5. What did Peterson finally do?
He brought the hat and the goose to Holmes on Christmas morning. He took back the goose while Holmes retained the hat.
Q6. Why does Holmes say that the gentleman lost his Christmas dinner?
As the goose was cooked by Peterson at his house, the gentleman lost his dinner.
Q7. How did Holmes deduce that the man was intellectual?
Holmes placed the hat on his head, it settled on the bridge of his nose. According to Holmes, a man with such a head must have a large brain and obviously something in it.
Q8. How did Holmes deduce that his fortunes had declined?
This man had been able to purchase an expensive hat about three years back which could be deduced from its quality. However if he had no hat since probably he had gone down in the world.
Q9. Why did Peterson rush into Holmes apartment dazed with astonishment?
Peterson’s wife had found a shining blue stone in the crop (throat) of the goose.
Q10. Why was this blue stone so precious?
The blue stone was the scintillating blue Carbuncle possessed by The Countess of Morcar.
Q11. What happened to the blue carbuncle?
It was lost at Hotel Cosmopolitan. John Horner, a plumber was accused of having taken it from the jewel case of the Countess. But the stone was never found from the accused or in his rooms.
Q12. Why does Holmes ask Peterson to buy another goose and give it to him?
Peterson’s family had already cooked the goose. In order to hand over one to Mr. Henry Baker, Holmes wanted Peterson to buy another goose.
Q13. Who informed James Ryder about the Blue Carbuncle?
Catherine Cussack
Q14. According to Holmes why did Ryder accuse the plumber Horner of stealing the carbuncle?
According to Holmes, Ryder knew that Horner was involved in such a theft before and hence the suspicion would easily fall on him.
Q15. What did Ryder do to escape suspicion?
He went to his sister’s house, who raised geese and thrust the stone down the throat of one white goose with a barred tail.
Q16. Why didn’t Ryder get the carbuncle after cutting the goose?
Unfortunately for Ryder there were two geese with barred tails and the goose he cut open was not the one in whose throat he had thrust the stone down.
Q17. Why didn’t Holmes turn in Ryder to the police?
Holmes believed that Ryder was too frightened to do anything wrong again and then he would be made a hardcore criminal for life if given to the police.
Q18. How does the case get complicated?
When Peterson arrives with a blue carbuncle acquired from the crop of the goose, since then the case got complicated.

English Project

IA: Term I: Individual Project

Std: VIII                                                                                                                          Subject: English
Total Marks: 10
Topic: Script writing

Summary: A one-act play is a play that has only one act, as distinct from plays that
occur over several acts. The script of a one act play must consist of one scene. The
students are expected to write a script on the topics given below. They have the
liberty to give it the dimension they wish to.
Learning Outcome: Students will develop a character as part of a one act ensemble
play that showcases vocal characteristics and techniques, posture, and movement
to include the physical, social, and psychological dimensions of a character (living or
non-living).
Script Writing
A one-act play, as the name suggests, is a play that takes place, from beginning to
end, in a single act. If plays are the small siblings of movies, then a one act play is the
infant of the family. One act plays are short plays, but complete stories. They are
plays that take place in only one scene and are generally less than an hour long.
Instructions for writing a one act play:
1. Each speaker gets his or her own paragraph; a return and indent. This mimics
real conversation, indicating pauses and so forth.
2. Attributions (“He said, “She said” and variations) should be used, but not too
much, and varied so they’re not repetitious; they can be used at the start of
quotes, in the middle, or at the end. When attributions are overused, they get
in the way; the key is that the reader should always know who is speaking.
3. Always use a comma after attribution (She said,) when introducing a quote.

Example:
Tree: Well hi there! You’re pretty weird looking, why’s your trunk that funny pinkish
colour instead of brown? And why does it split into two at the bottom!?
Human: I’m a baby! I’m supposed to look like this. I don’t have a trunk, and these
are my legs. If you ask me, you’re the funny looking one. You have green hair!
Tree: These are my leaves, not hair. You’re pretty silly. What did you say you were
again?
Human: I’m a human baby, but not for long…check it out! I’m growing! It looks like
you’re growing too… but we’re not the same are we? I don’t have funny green hair
all over me…
Students to attempt Script writing on any of the following topics.

1. Write a script for a short play on ‘The life of Taj Mahal’. Characters:

Taj Mahal (You)
A tourist
A guide
A tree nearby
Theme: everyday you have thousands of visitors coming to see you but they don’t
seem to be so delighted to see you as they did years ago. You too are saddened
with your vanishing beauty and luster. One fine day, you see a tourist accompanied
with a guide. Describe the scene in the form of a script.

2. Write a script for a short play on ‘A conversation between inanimate objects in
your room’. 

Characters:

Ceiling fan (you)
Wind chime
A chair
A smelly sock
Theme: You had a tiring day at school. Your friend accompanies you to your house
and within a span of time, you fall asleep. There are soft whispers echoing in the
room. The things in your room have come to life. Can you write what are they
conversing about?

3. Write a script for a short play on ‘The conversation with a computer’.

Characters:
CBSE Std: VIII Month: July/Sept Topic: IA – Project: Script Writing
Computer’s monitor (you)
Mouse
Keyboard
A boy
Theme: A boy is struggling to complete a project on the computer. It is late at night
and the blanket of sleep wants to embrace the boy. Finally, he is done with his
project and clicks ‘SAVE’; but something totally unexpected happens. There was a
sudden flash of light and the computer froze. Build a conversation between the
characters listed.

Guidelines:  Make your character likeable by building realistic & detailed characterization.  Give your character compelling dialogues.  Think like an actor and give your character a point of view.  Brainstorm your topic.  Find a unique angle.  Use crisp, precise, and detailed language.  Consider good vocabulary.

Question Bank 8A

Question Bank CT 1

I. Comprehension

Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you
need to do in order to become a good conversationalist is to find a
subject that interests you and your listeners. There are, for example,
numberless hobbies to talk about. But the important thing is that you
must talk about the other fellow’s hobby rather than your own. Therein
lays the secret of your popularity. Talk to your friends about the things
that interest them, and you will get a reputation for good fellowship,
charming wit, and a brilliant mind. There is nothing that pleases people
so much as their interest in their interests.
It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects
to select for good conversation. If you don’t want to be let down as a
wet blanket or a bore, be careful to avoid certain unpleasant topics.
Avoid talking about yourself unless you are asked to do so. People are
interested in their own problems, not in yours. Sickness or death bores
everybody. The only one who willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it.
To be a good conversationalist, you must know not only what to say
but how to say it. Be civil and modest. Don’t over emphasize your own
importance. Be mentally quick and witty. But don’t hurt with your wit.
Finally, try to avoid mannerism in your conversation. Don’t bite your
tongue, or roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak.
Don’t be like the Frenchman who said, “How can I talk if you hold my
hands?”
Now answer the following questions by choosing the correct options
given below:
1. A good conversationalist chooses a subject which is of _______________
a. common interest
b. patriotic value
c. individual interest
d. good mannerism
2. You can become a good conversationalist if you ___________________.
a. are punctual and obedient
b. are responsible to your duties
c. talk about other fellow’s hobby rather than your own
d. take care of other fellow’s sentiment
3. It is better to avoid _______________________ a. the company of mannerless people
b. unpleasant topics
c. too much talking
d. interesting topics
4. You cannot become a good conversationalist if you ________________ .
a. stammer
b. speak very fast
c. give much importance to yourself
d. speak on outdated topics
5. The word excessively means___________________ .
a. totally
b. easily excited
c. joyfully
d. too much

II. Writing

1. You are student editor of DAV Public School, Patna. Write a notice
inviting names of those who would like to give articles, stories,
cartoons, etc. for the school magazine. Your notice should not exceed
80 – 100 words.
2. Read the conversation between Sushma, who works in Blue Cross, a
charity Hospital for animals, and a caller. Write a message for the
Superintendent of Blue Cross.
Sushma: Hello, Blue cross. Can I help you?
Caller: Hello, I want to report a donkey in distress.
Sushma: Could you please give me your name and telephone
number?
Caller: My name is Swati and I’m speaking from a call box near the
super market on MG Road. This poor donkey is lying near a fuse box. I
have been watching it for 15 minutes and it is breathing rather hard
and seems to be in pain. Do you think someone could come and take
it to your animal hospital?
3. It is a result day at your school tomorrow. You had studied hard, and
feel that you did well. Your parents have promised to buy you a new
cycle if you do well. Write a diary entry about your feelings and what
you think will be your results.

III. Grammar

1. Identify the kinds of sentences:
a. Stay at your seat.
i. Imperative
ii. Declarative
iii. Interrogative
iv. Exclamatory
b. I’m sick of this!
i. Imperative
ii. Declarative
iii. Interrogative
iv. Exclamatory
c. Where are you going?
i. Imperative
ii. Declarative
iii. Interrogative
iv. Exclamatory
d. This is easy.
i. Imperative
ii. Declarative
iii. Interrogative
iv. Exclamatory
e. Can you tell me why you said that?
i. Imperative
ii. Declarative
iii. Interrogative
iv. Exclamatory
2. Fill in the blanks:
a. Fill in the blanks with Abstract Nouns formed from the words given
in the brackets:
i. It is not easy to measure the ________________ (deep) of this well.
ii. One should not give speech that spreads _______________ (hate).
b. Fill in the blanks with collective nouns given in the box:
i. The ship set off with a _________________ of sailors.
ii. I saw a small boy tending a ____________ of cattle.
iii. I gave my friend a ____________ of flowers.
iv. You can see a _____________ of ships near the sea.
v. The members of the _______________ minutely observed the case.
bouquet herd crew fleet jury
3. Choose the appropriate articles - determiners.
a. I am looking forward to being ——————- grandmother. (a, an,
the)
b. Have you fed ————————- dogs? (a, an, the)
c. There are ———————– children in the garden. (much, many,
little)
d. I think there is ——————— butter in the fridge. (several, any, little)
e. I am ———————- oldest in my family. (a, an, the)
4. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of Adjective:
a. Its summer now. You should not wear (winter, wintery, winterish)
_____________ clothes.
b. I don't know why he always behaves in such a (childhood, childlike,
childish) _______________ manner.
c. The art teacher gave us a project on (aborigine, aboriginish,
aboriginal) ________________ art.
d. Look at the night sky! The sky is clear and very (star like, starry, star
kind) ________________.
e. John Smith is a very (honourable, honourful, honoured) ____________
man.
5. Choose the appropriate Pronouns:
a. Colin bought a new car yesterday. It’s (he, his, him) ______ now.
b. It seems that we have the same jacket. Is this (yours, your, you)
_______?
c. (Every, any, each) _______of the answers is correct.
d. I (myself, me, mine) _________ baked the cake.
e. This is the car (who, which, what) _______ we gave as a gift.
6. Choose the correct compound adjective to fill in the blanks:
a. This chocolate cake is____________. b. Bob wants to be a _____diver. c. Enzo wants to be a _____football player.
d. Caroline is wearing a _____ dress. e. Raisins are _____ grapes.
f. A dryer is a ______ machine.

IV Literature

IV. 1. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“Well, it’s many years since we first met. How time does fly! We’re none
of us getting any younger. Do you remember the first time I saw you?
You asked me to luncheon.”
a. Who is speaking and to whom?
b. What happened in the ‘luncheon’ mentioned by the speaker?
c. What is the meaning of the word ‘luncheon’?
2. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow. “I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so
swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight.” a. What action does the poet perform?
b. What happens to the arrow?
deep-sea full-length mouth-watering sun- dried time-saving world-famous
c. Is the poet able to locate the arrow? Why?
3. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow. “Half an hour’s leisurely walking brought me to the Castle.” a. Who is the speaker? Where is he now?
a. Describe the castle.
b. Give a synonym of the word, ‘leisurely’.
4. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow. “O young Lochinvar is come out of the west,
Through all the wide Border his steed was the best;
And save his good broadsword he weapons had none,
He rode all unarm’d, and he rode all alone.” a. What is being told to the reader about Lochinvar?
b. Where do you think Lochinvar was going? Why do you think so?
c. Give the meaning of the word, ‘steed’.
V. Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words each.
1. Prisoner of Zenda
a. Describe the castle.
b. What circumstances made the narrator fall asleep?
c. Which line in the extract tells that the similarities between Rudolf
and the King were much more than the distinctions?
d. What is meant by the line ‘Fritz ventured once to stay the King’s
hand ’?
e. What were the slight distinctions between the King and Rudolf?
2. Lochinvar
a. What is being told to the reader about Lochinvar? What image of
Lochinvar is created before us?
b. How do you know that Lochinvar was bent on achieving whatever
he was aiming at?
c. What were the different onlookers doing while Lochinvar danced
with the bride? What did he do with the bride?
d. Why did the bride-maidens feel Lochinvar was a better match for
Ellen?
e. Who are Grames, Forsters, Fenwicks and Musgraves?
3. Arrow and The Song
a. What action does the poet perform?
b. Where did the poet find the arrow? In what condition
c. The speaker shoots an arrow into the air and it falls to earth, out of
sight. What could it symbolize?
d. What was the song doing "in the heart of a friend"?
e. Why is the poet's song compared to the flight of an arrow?
4. Luncheon
a. How did the narrator convince himself that he could afford to take
his friend for luncheon at the Foyot’s?
b. Why did the writer feel that the lady might consider him mean?
c. How much money was the narrator left with as he walked out of the
restaurant?
d. Why was the narrator startled when he saw the menu? How did the
woman put his worried thoughts to rest?
e. Why did the lady call him a ‘Humorist’?
VI. Answer the following questions in about 60 -80 words.
1. Do you think Gladys was selfish in her aspirations? Give reasons.
2. Why is Mr. Hungerton described as a cockatoo of a man?
3. Which lines shows that Henry was careful with what communication
would go out from his office?
***************************************

Lost World ch. 1 to 3

THE LUNCHEON Questions and Answers

THE LUNCHEON

1.Though it was long since the narrator had seen his friend how did he recognize his friend?

By her name, when someone mentioned her.

2.Where was the narrator living twenty years ago?

In Paris, in a tiny apartment in the Latin quarter which overlooked a cemetery.

3.How did the author of the story make his money twenty years ago?

the author of the story made his money twenty years ago By writing books.

4. Why did he decide to invite the lady for luncheon?

He was flattered and he was far too young to have learned to say ‘No’ to a woman.

5.Where did the lady want to have luncheon?

At Foyot’s

6.What kind of a restaurant was Foyot?

It was an expensive restaurant which the narrator couldn’t afford. A restaurant where the French senators dined.

7.How did the narrator convince himself that he could afford to take his friend for luncheon at the Foyot’s?

He had 80 francs with him and a modest lunch would not cost him more than fifteen francs. If he cut out the coffee for two more weeks, he could manage well.

8.What all did the lady order for her luncheon?

Salmon, caviar, champagne, asparagus

9.What did the narrator order for himself?

Mutton chops

10.What did the lady talk gaily about?

She talked about art, literature and music.

11.Why did she criticize his eating habits?

As she felt that mutton chops were heavy for lunch.

12.Why did the narrator panic?

Not because he wondered whether he would have enough money to end till the end

of the month but because he wondered whether he would have enough to pay the bill.

13.What did the narrator plan to do if he didn’t have enough money to pay the bill?

He would be obliged to borrow it from his guest. However he couldn’t get himself to do that. So he would pretend that his wallet had got picked. However it would be awkward if she too didn’t have enough money to pay the bill.

14.What would be the final solution?

He would leave his watch and come back and pay later

15.Inspite of the hefty bill thoughts on the narrators mind, he orders a coffee for himself and

a coffee with ice-cream for the lady. Why?

By this time he did not care anymore

16.Did the narrator have enough money to pay the bill?

He just about managed.

17.Why did the lady call him a ‘Humorist’?

As she tells the narrator that one should not eat more than one thing for luncheon, he says that he will eat nothing for dinner that night.

LOST WORLD Q&A

The Lost World ch-3

Questions for ‘Interview-Professor Challenger:’

Circle the correct answer-

1.Malone is (news editor/news reporter) at the newspaper officer.

2.Malone hoped McArdle (liked/did not like) him.

3.Malone wanted to go on a (humorous/adventurous) mission for the newspaper.

4.McArdle wanted Malone to expose the (truthful/liar) Professor Challenger.

5.Professor Challenger was a famous (botanist/zoologist).

6.Professor Challenger went to (South Africa/South America) for his expedition.

7.Professor Challenger went on this expedition for (2 years/2 months).

8.Professor Challenger spoke about his adventures in a (vague/clear) manner.

9.When someone started to pick holes from what he said he shut up like (a squid/ an oyster).

10.Malone walked over to (Savare Club/ Savage Club).

11.Malone wanted to meet (Tarp Henry/Henry Tarp).

12.What was the background story line of Professor Challenger?

Some extra questions….

1.Who was McArdle? Describe him.

He was the editor of a newspaper. He was round –backed and red headed.

2.What did the narrator/Mr. Malone want from McArdle?

He wanted McArdle to send him on a mission for the paper which had adventure and danger in it.

3.What was McArdle proposal for Malone as a dangerous mission?

Interviewing and exposing the fraud Professor Challenger.

4.Where did Professor Challenger live?

Enmore Park.

5.Who was Professor Challenger?

A famous zoologist, who broke the skull of Blundell, of the Telegraph.

6.How well did Malone know Professor Challenger?

Not very well. He only remembered Professor Challenger’s name in connection with the police-court proceedings, for striking Blundell.

7.What kind of a person was Malone?

A person who loved adventures for he wanted to do something adventurous and dangerous for his newspaper. He was self motivated, as he himself approaches the news editor for a more challenging assignment. He was not someone who waited for chances to come to him.

8.What was the background story line of professor challenger?

He had gone to South America on a solitary expedition. He spoke about his adventure in a vague manner. Someone found loopholes in what he said. After that he didn’t say a word. He possessed some damaged photographs which were said to be fakes.

9.To which newspaper did Professor Challenge give an interview?

Reuter’s.

10.What was the content of the interview?

About some strange animal he had discovered.

11. What was the latest topic the Professor spoke on?

Weismann and evolution.

12.What did Malone want, at Henry’s office?

He wanted to frame a letter at Henry’s office and use his address.

13.Which lines show that Henry was careful with what communication would go out from his office?

He wanted to censor Malone’s letter before it was dispatched.

14.In the letter what does Malone question the Professor? What was Malone’s intention in writing the letter to Professor Challenger?

Whether he was not interested in modifying his previous statement after later researches have been conducted. He only wanted to get there for he wanted an opening and once there he would confront Professor Challenger into an open confession.

Only for understanding….

On pg. 7, Ned reads an article by Professor Challenger ‘Weismann versus Darwin’. Who is Darwin? What is he famous for?

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who studied variation in plants and animals during a five-year voyage around the world in the 19th century. He explained his ideas on evolution in a book called, 'On the Origin of Species', published in 1859.Darwin's ideas caused a lot of controversy, and this continues today, because they can be seen as conflicting with religious views about the creation of the world and the creatures in it. The basic idea behind the theory of evolution is that all the different species have evolved from simple life forms. These simple life forms first developed more than 3 billion years ago (the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old).