A Visit to Cambridge – Class 8 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “A Visit to Cambridge,” Class 8 English NCERT. This inspirational story teaches us about breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and the power of human spirit. The meeting between two differently-abled individuals – Stephen Hawking and Firdaus Kanga – shows us that physical limitations cannot limit one’s potential to achieve greatness.

Summary of the Story

The story describes a memorable meeting between two extraordinary individuals – Firdaus Kanga, a writer who uses a wheelchair due to brittle bones, and Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist who was paralyzed due to a degenerative disease. During a visit to Cambridge, Kanga arranges a meeting with Hawking. Their conversation touches upon various aspects of living with disabilities, society’s perception, and personal choices. Despite Hawking’s communication challenges through a computer voice synthesizer, they share meaningful moments, including a tour of Hawking’s garden. The meeting deeply impacts Kanga, who sees in Hawking an embodiment of his own potential.

हिंदी सारांश:
यह कहानी दो असाधारण व्यक्तियों – फिरदौस कंगा, एक लेखक जो नाजुक हड्डियों के कारण व्हीलचेयर का उपयोग करते हैं, और स्टीफन हॉकिंग, प्रसिद्ध भौतिक विज्ञानी जो एक बीमारी के कारण पक्षाघात से पीड़ित थे, के बीच एक यादगार मुलाकात का वर्णन करती है। कैम्ब्रिज की यात्रा के दौरान, कंगा हॉकिंग से मिलने की व्यवस्था करते हैं। उनकी बातचीत विकलांगता के साथ जीवन जीने, समाज की धारणा और व्यक्तिगत विकल्पों जैसे विभिन्न पहलुओं को छूती है। कंप्यूटर वॉइस सिंथेसाइजर के माध्यम से संवाद की चुनौतियों के बावजूद, वे साथर्क पल साझा करते हैं, जिसमें हॉकिंग के बगीचे का दौरा भी शामिल है। यह मुलाकात कंगा को गहराई से प्रभावित करती है, जो हॉकिंग में अपनी खुद की क्षमता का प्रतिबिंब देखते हैं।

Word Meanings

Comprehension Check

1. Which is the right sentence? “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,

The right answer is that England was famous for Cambridge. The writer sees Cambridge as representing all of England’s academic excellence and cultural heritage. Cambridge University’s prestigious status and historical significance makes it a symbol of English intellectual achievement.

2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house from where?

The writer phoned from outside a phone booth. In his excitement to contact Hawking, he was so eager that he almost pulled the phone cord to its limit so it could reach him outside the booth. This detail shows his enthusiasm and urgency to meet Hawking.

3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because…

The writer felt guilty because he forced Hawking to use his voice synthesizer to respond. He was aware that Hawking had to make considerable effort to communicate, using the little switch in his hand to find words on his computer. Each response required Hawking to put in physical effort with his limited movement.

4. “I felt a huge relief…in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to…

The words refer to the writer’s ability to shift in his wheelchair and turn his wrist to check the time. Despite his own disability, these simple movements made him appreciate the physical capabilities he did have, especially after seeing Hawking’s more severe physical limitations.

Working with Text

1. Guess the first question put before the scientist by the writer.

Based on the context and Hawking’s response “I haven’t been brave, I’ve had no choice,” the writer likely asked him about how he managed to achieve so much despite his disability. The question probably centered around Hawking’s courage and determination in facing his physical challenges while pursuing his scientific work.

2. Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?

Yes, the writer believed there was a choice. He felt that Hawking chose to live creatively and productively despite his physical limitations, rather than surrendering to despair. The choice was between accepting his condition constructively and letting it define his life’s possibilities. Hawking chose to focus on his intellectual work and continue contributing to science, showing that the human spirit can transcend physical limitations.

3. “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?

The anguish stemmed from the disconnect between Hawking’s active, brilliant mind and his physical inability to express his thoughts freely. His anguish was:

• Having to communicate through a machine that couldn’t convey the emotions and nuances of his thoughts
• The frustration of having complex ideas trapped inside, only able to emerge as “frozen phrases”
• The physical exhaustion of having to use a computer to express even simple responses
• The gap between the speed of his thoughts and the slowness of their expression

4. What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?

Hawking endeared himself to the writer through his honest and direct response, followed by his one-way smile. When asked if the writer’s visit was disturbing his work, Hawking simply answered “Yes” and then smiled. This combination of honesty and warmth showed Hawking’s genuine nature. The writer saw beyond physical appearance to recognize the beautiful spirit within – a brilliant mind and authentic personality that transcended physical limitations. This moment revealed to him that true beauty lies in the essence of a person, not their physical form.

5. Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful man’. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?

The most beautiful sentence is: “Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man.” This sentence beautifully captures how Hawking’s brilliant inner spirit shines through his physical limitations, using the metaphor of a lantern to show how his physical body, though fragile, contains and reveals his radiant inner self.

6. Answer these questions about the lantern metaphor:

(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
The ‘walls’ represent the physical body or the outer shell of a person. In Hawking’s case, it refers to his disabled body that contains his brilliant mind.

(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
Within the thin walls is housed the light – representing Hawking’s brilliant mind, his spirit, and his intellectual radiance.

(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
The writer concludes that the physical body is merely an accessory – what truly matters is the soul, spirit, and intellect within. This realization helps him understand that a person’s essence transcends their physical limitations.

7. Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?

The writer mentions the guitar incident to support Hawking’s belief that disabled people should focus on their strengths rather than trying to do things they’re not suited for. Just as the writer found relief in finally giving up attempting to play a guitar that was too large for him, Hawking suggests that activities like the disabled Olympics might be counterproductive. The incident illustrates that accepting one’s limitations and focusing on one’s strengths is more beneficial than struggling with activities that don’t align with one’s capabilities.

8. The writer expressed his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?

The writer’s gratitude to Hawking was for:

• Being an inspiration and showing what’s possible despite physical limitations
• Demonstrating that disability doesn’t define one’s potential for achievement
• Helping him realize his own possibilities and potential
• Serving as a role model of what the writer could aspire to become
• Showing that one’s mind and spirit can transcend physical constraints

9. Answer these questions about the writer’s feelings:

(i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Yes, the writer was nervous about meeting Hawking because:

• Hawking was a world-renowned scientist and author
• He was meeting someone who had achieved incredible success despite severe disabilities
• Hawking held Newton’s chair at Cambridge University
• The writer admired Hawking greatly and saw him as a role model

(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Yes, the writer was excited because:

• Meeting Hawking represented seeing the possibilities of what a disabled person could achieve
• He was meeting someone who had overcome similar challenges to become globally renowned
• The meeting gave him hope and inspiration for his own potential
• He saw it as an opportunity to learn from someone he deeply admired

Working with Language

1. Make six phrases using the words given in the box.

Here are meaningful phrases created from the given words:

• Reading session – A dedicated time for reading activities
• Smiling face – A happy, cheerful expression
• Revolving chair – A chair that can turn around its axis
• Walking tour – A guided tour done on foot
• Dancing doll – A doll that can move or appear to dance
• Winning chance – An opportunity to succeed

2. Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.

Here are the answers with explanations: (i) He has two brothers. Both are lawyers. (Used “both” because it refers to exactly two brothers) (ii) More than ten people called. All of them wanted to see you. (Used “all” because it refers to more than two people) (iii) They all cheered the team. (Used “all” because it refers to an entire group of people) (iv) Both her parents are teachers. (Used “both” because it refers to exactly two parents) (v) How much have you got? Give me all of it. (Used “all” because it refers to the entire amount)

3. Complete each sentence using the right form of adjectives given in the brackets.

Here are the completed sentences with explanations: (i) My friend has one of the fastest cars on the road. (fast) (Superlative form used because it’s comparing with all cars) (ii) This is the most interesting story I have ever read. (interesting) (Superlative form with ‘most’ because ‘interesting’ has more than two syllables) (iii) What you are doing now is easier than what you did yesterday. (easy) (Comparative form because it’s comparing two actions) (iv) Ramesh and his wife are both short. (Basic form used because no comparison is being made) (v) He arrived late as usual. Even the chief guest came earlier than he did. (Basic and comparative forms used to show time comparison)

4. Fill in the blanks using appropriate forms of the words given in the box:

Guide, succeed, chair, travel, pale, draw, true Here are the completed sentences with explanations: (i) I met a traveler from an antique land. (Noun form to describe a person who travels) (ii) I need special guidance in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject. (Noun form indicating help or direction) (iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy successor to Isaac Newton. (Noun form indicating someone who follows after) (iv) His other problems paled into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap. (Verb form showing comparison) (v) The meeting was chaired by the youngest member of the board. (Past participle used as verb) (vi) Some people say ‘yours truly‘ when they informally refer to themselves. (Adverb form used in formal letter writing) (vii) I wish it had been a drawn match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least. (Past participle indicating tie game)

Speaking and Writing

1. Underline stressed syllables in the following words:

Here are the words with stressed syllables underlined:

• AR-tist
• mis-TAKE
• AC-ci-dent
• MO-ment
• com-PARE
• SA-tis-fy
• re-LA-tion
• TA-ble
• il-LE-gal
• a-GREE
• BACK-ward
• MOUN-tain

2. Writing a Notice for the School Notice Board

Here’s a sample notice following proper format:

Alternative Writing Task – Interview Questions

Here are well-thought-out questions for interviewing a village panchayat president:

1. What are your short-term and long-term plans for improving the village’s water supply system?
2. How do you plan to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to all households?
3. What initiatives are you taking to improve the quality of education in village schools?
4. Can you elaborate on your waste management and village cleanliness programs?
5. What steps are you taking to improve healthcare facilities in the village?
6. How do you plan to create employment opportunities for village youth?
7. What measures are being taken to improve agricultural practices and farmer welfare?
8. How are you ensuring women’s participation in village development programs?
9. What infrastructure development projects are currently in progress?
10. How do you plan to make the village digitally literate?