NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 1 The Wit that won Hearts || UNIT 1 WIT AND WISDOM

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 1 The Wit that won Hearts

Question Answer

UNIT 1 WIT AND WISDOM

This webpage contains summary, new words, question-answer and worksheet.

SUMMARY

This chapter, titled "Wit and Wisdom," tells the story of how Tenali Ramakrishna, a celebrated poet and witty advisor in King Krishnadeva Raya's court, resolved a quarrel between the King and Queen.

The Vijayanagara Empire was flourishing under King Krishnadeva Raya, known for his wisdom and the literary contributions of the Ashtadiggajas, including Tenali Ramakrishna. The story begins with a dispute between the King and his Queen, Thirumalambal, stemming from a seemingly trivial matter. The King had recited a poem to the Queen, who, due to exhaustion, yawned multiple times. The King, interpreting this as a sign of disrespect, became enraged and ceased speaking to her, casting a shadow over the palace.

Distraught, the Queen attempted to reconcile but failed. She then sought the help of Tenali Rama, explaining that the King's poem, filled with "vague expressions," made no sense to her, which caused her to yawn. She believed only Tenali Rama could help the King understand his mistake.

Tenali Rama devised a clever strategy. The next morning, during a court discussion on paddy cultivation, he presented "revolutionary" paddy seeds, claiming they would triple the yield. When courtiers expressed skepticism and sarcasm, Tenali Rama, unfazed, stated that the problem wasn't the seeds but "the person who sows them". He then brought up the idea of yawning while sowing, suggesting it would scatter seeds unevenly. As the court erupted in laughter, the King himself instinctively yawned. This moment of realization made the King understand that yawning was a natural, uncontrollable action and not a sign of disrespect.

That evening, the King, filled with regret, approached the Queen, apologized for his foolishness, and admitted that his pride had blinded him. The Queen, relieved and happy, accepted his apology, and their bond was restored, bringing joy back to the palace. Tenali Rama was honored with valuable gifts for orchestrating this reconciliation.

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Words and their meanings

Abstain (Verb): To choose not to do something.	परहेज़ (क्रिया): किसी काम को न करने का चुनाव करना।
Absurd: Illogical.	बेतुका: अतार्किक।
Ambitious (Adjective): Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.	महत्वाकांक्षी (विशेषण): सफल होने की प्रबल इच्छा और दृढ़ संकल्प रखना या प्रदर्शित करना।
Appalled (Verb): Greatly dismay or horrify.	भयभीत (क्रिया): बहुत निराश या भयभीत करना।
Brimmed: Overflowed.	लबालब भरा: उमड़ना।
Bustling: Busy.	हलचल: व्यस्त।
Chuckle (Verb): To laugh quietly or inwardly.	खिलखिलाना (क्रिया): चुपचाप या मन ही मन हँसना।
Concoct (Verb): To make (a dish or meal) by combining various ingredients.	गढ़ना (क्रिया): विभिन्न सामग्रियों को मिलाकर (कोई व्यंजन या भोजन) बनाना।
Devastated (Adjective): Highly emotional or upset.	तबाह (विशेषण): अत्यधिक भावुक या परेशान।
Devise (Verb): To plan or invent a procedure or a system by careful thought.	तैयार करना (क्रिया): सावधानीपूर्वक विचार करके किसी प्रक्रिया या प्रणाली की योजना बनाना या आविष्कार करना।
Distraught (Adjective): Upset.	व्याकुल (विशेषण): परेशान।
Embrace (Verb): To accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.	गले लगाना (क्रिया): स्वेच्छा और उत्साह से (किसी विश्वास, सिद्धांत या परिवर्तन) को स्वीकार करना या समर्थन करना।
Eminent: Famous.	प्रतिष्ठित: प्रसिद्ध।
Enraged (Verb): To make very angry.	क्रोधित (क्रिया): बहुत क्रोधित करना।
Exorbitant (Adjective): (Of a price charged for something) unreasonably high.	अत्यधिक (विशेषण): (किसी चीज़ के लिए ली जाने वाली कीमत) अनुचित रूप से ज़्यादा।
Exquisite: Fine and attractive.	उत्कृष्ट: बढ़िया और आकर्षक।
Feast (Noun): A large meal, typically a celebratory one.	भोज (संज्ञा): एक बड़ा भोजन, आमतौर पर उत्सवपूर्ण।
Forlorn (Adjective): Lonely.	उदास (विशेषण): अकेला।
Furrowed: Wrinkled.	मुँह सिकोड़ा: झुर्रीदार।
Gasped	हाँफना
Gesture: A movement of a hand or the head, to express an idea or a meaning.	हावभाव: किसी विचार या अर्थ को व्यक्त करने के लिए हाथ या सिर की गति।
Gnawed: (Here) bothered.	कुतरना: (यहाँ) परेशान।
Grateful (Adjective): Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.	कृतज्ञ (विशेषण): दयालुता की भावना या प्रशंसा दिखाना; आभारी।
Grave (Adjective): Very serious or important.	गंभीर (विशेषण): बहुत गंभीर या महत्वपूर्ण।
Groan	कराहना
Illustrious: Respected and famous.	प्रतिष्ठित: सम्मानित और प्रसिद्ध।
Insurmountable (Adjective): Undefeatable.	दुर्बल (विशेषण): अपराजेय।
Intricately: In a detailed manner.	जटिलता से: विस्तृत रूप से।
Keenly: Intensely.	तीव्रता से: तीव्रता से।
Malicious (Adjective): Intending or intended to do harm.	द्वेषपूर्ण (विशेषण): नुकसान पहुँचाने का इरादा या इरादा।
Mumble	बुदबुदाना
Murmur	बड़बड़ाना
Nuisance (Noun): A person or thing causing annoyance or inconvenience.	उपद्रव (संज्ञा): कोई व्यक्ति या वस्तु जो परेशानी या असुविधा पैदा करती है।
Orchestrate: Arranged.	व्यवस्थित करना: व्यवस्थित।
Ornate: Decorative.	अलंकृत: सजावटी।
Patron: Supporter.	संरक्षक: समर्थक।
Perplexed (Adjective): Completely baffled; very puzzled.	उलझन में (विशेषण): पूरी तरह से चकित; बहुत उलझन में।
Ponder (Verb): To think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.	विचार करना (क्रिया): (किसी चीज़) के बारे में ध्यान से सोचना, खासकर कोई निर्णय लेने या किसी निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचने से पहले।
Profusely: In large amounts.	प्रचुर मात्रा में: बड़ी मात्रा में।
Rattle	खड़खड़ाना
Reap (Verb): To receive (a reward or benefit) as a consequence of one's own or other people's actions.	काटना (क्रिया): अपने या दूसरों के कार्यों के परिणामस्वरूप (पुरस्कार या लाभ) प्राप्त करना।
Renowned: Known and celebrated.	प्रसिद्ध: जाना-माना और प्रतिष्ठित।
Repent (Verb): To feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.	पश्चाताप (क्रिया): अपने गलत काम या पाप के बारे में सच्चा खेद या पश्चाताप महसूस करना या व्यक्त करना।
Roared	गरजा
Sarcasm: Mockery.	व्यंग्य: उपहास।
Scathing (Adjective): Witheringly scornful; severely critical.	कटु (विशेषण): अत्यंत तिरस्कारपूर्ण; गंभीर रूप से आलोचनात्मक।
Sceptical : Doubtful.	संशयी: शंकालु।
Scold (Verb): To rebuke (someone) angrily.	डाँटना (क्रिया): (किसी को) गुस्से से डाँटना।
Sighed	आहें भरना
Snickers: Suppressed laughter.	ठहाके लगाना: दबी हुई हँसी।
Sow (Verb): To plant (seed) by scattering it on or in the earth.	बोना (क्रिया): (बीज) को ज़मीन पर या ज़मीन में बिखेरकर बोना।
Strategy: Plan.	रणनीति: योजना।
Stroll (Verb): To walk in a leisurely way.	टहलना (क्रिया): आराम से चलना।
Thud	धक-धक करना
Trivial (Adjective): Unimportant.	तुच्छ (विशेषण): महत्वहीन।
Unfazed: Not worried.	बेफिक्र: चिंतित नहीं।
Vague (Adjective): Unclear.	अस्पष्ट (विशेषण): अस्पष्ट।
Valuable (Adjective): (Of a thing) of great value, importance, or use.	मूल्यवान (विशेषण): (किसी वस्तु का) बहुत मूल्यवान, महत्वपूर्ण या उपयोगी।
Vicious (Adjective): Deliberately cruel or violent.	दुष्ट (विशेषण): जानबूझकर क्रूर या हिंसक।

 HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 1 The Wit that won Hearts solution  

Question Answer

         UNIT 1 WIT AND WISDOM solution (Page No. 1)

I. Select qualities of a person who uses wit from the box given below.

The qualities listed in the box are:

●     wise

●     serious

●     clever

●     powerful

●     humorous

●     stubborn

●     courageous

●     observant

●     charming

●     creative

●     punctual

●     confident

●     energetic

Answer: A person who uses wit would likely possess the following qualities:

●     wise

●     clever

●     humorous

●     observant

●     charming

●     creative

●     confident

●     energetic

Now, discuss reasons for your choice of qualities.

Answer: 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

●     Wise: Wit often comes from a deep understanding of situations and people, which is a form of wisdom.

●     Clever: Wit is inherently clever, involving quick thinking and intelligent wordplay or insights.

●     Humorous: Wit is frequently used to create humor, making people laugh or smile through intelligent observations.

●     Observant: To be witty, one must be observant of their surroundings, people's reactions, and nuances in conversation.

●     Charming: Wit can be very charming, making a person more appealing and engaging in social interactions.

●     Creative: Wit requires creativity to formulate unique and unexpected responses or observations.

●     Confident: Delivering witty remarks often requires confidence, as they can sometimes be subtle or require a certain delivery.

●     Energetic: Quick, witty responses often come from an energetic mind.

II. Work in pairs and answer the riddles that are given below. Share the answers with your classmates and teacher.

Riddle 1:

I can be a friend or a foe, depending on how you use me. I can bring both joy or pain.

What am I?

Answer: Words (or Language)

Riddle 2:

What is always in front of you but can't be seen?

Answer: The future

Riddle 3:

I can be measured, but I cannot be touched. I can be spent, but I cannot be saved.

What am I?

Answer: Time

Riddle 4:

What has to be shared before you can keep it?

Answer: A secret

Discuss in pairs.

1. Why are qualities like humour and wit important in a person? Answer: They build connections, reduce stress, aid communication, and offer new perspectives for problem-solving.

2. Why do you think kings and queens preferred to have witty people among their courtiers? Answer: For entertainment, diplomatic skills, valuable advice, and to enhance the court's prestige.

3. If you were asked to solve a disagreement between two people, what approach would you take? Answer: I'd listen to both, identify common ground, clarify misunderstandings, and facilitate a mutually agreeable solution.

4. Have you ever been in a situation where a small misunderstanding led to a big problem? How was it resolved? Answer: Yes, a deadline misunderstanding on a group project caused big stress. We resolved it by openly discussing the error, dividing remaining work, and agreeing to always confirm deadlines verbally moving forward.

Let us discuss (Page no. 7)

I Rectify the following false statements from the text.

1.    The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem.

·         Rectified: The queen spoke against the poem, but the king later admitted he overreacted.

2.    Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.

·         Rectified: Tenali Rama orchestrated the reconciliation between the king and queen.

3.    The courtiers admired the king's poem and praised his literary talent.

·         Rectified: The courtiers did not admire the poem; they were hesitant to praise it.

4.    The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama's idea about paddy cultivation.

·         Rectified: The ministers were not eager; Tenali Rama surprised them with his idea about paddy seeds.

5.    The king never realised his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.

·         Rectified: The king realized his mistake and reconciled with the queen.

Let us think and reflect

I Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

Extract: "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."

Question: (i) Why does the queen believe that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand?

Answer: The queen believes that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand because:

●     Tenali Rama is known for his wit, wisdom, and cleverness.

●     He has a unique ability to present truths or solutions in a way that is palatable, humorous, or insightful, even when others might find it difficult to convey directly to the king.

●     The queen likely trusts Tenali Rama's ingenuity to mend the strained relationship without offending the king further.

●     He has a track record of successfully resolving complex courtly problems or delicate situations involving the king's temper or ego.

I. Fill in the blanks and choose the correct option from those given below.

(i) What does the queen's statement... suggest about her feelings?

Answer: B. She regrets the misunderstanding.

(iii) How does Tenali Rama's response reflect his wisdom and problem-solving skills?

Answer: He wisely and cleverly fixed the problem between the king and queen without direct conflict.

(iv) Fill in the blank...

The king's reaction shows that he is sensitive and takes great pride in his poetry.

2. That evening, the king approached the queen with a softened expression. "Thirumalambai," 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 discuss your poem."

(i) Complete the following with a suitable explanation.

When the king said, "I let my pride blind me", he means that...

Answer: ...his ego made him act wrongly and not see things clearly.

(ii) Why does the queen say, "If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us"?

Answer: The queen says this because she desperately wants to end the disagreement with the king and restore their good relationship. She has been longing for reconciliation and is eager to move past the unpleasantness.

(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 ________________ (intelligence and courage/maturity and self-awareness)

Answer: The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows maturity and self-awareness.

(iv) State any one characteristic that the queen's response to the king's apology shows about her.

Answer: One characteristic that the queen's response shows about her is forgiveness (or readiness to reconcile, understanding, graciousness). She immediately accepts the king's apology and is willing to let go of the past.

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

 

II. Answer the following questions. (Page no. 8)

1. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its 'Golden Era' during Krishnadevaraya's reign?

Answer: It was a time of great wealth, culture, art, and literature because Krishnadevaraya was a powerful and creative ruler.

2. How did Tenali Rama Krishna gain a special place in the king's court?

Answer: He earned his place through his sharp wit, wisdom, and clever ways of solving problems.

3. How did the quarrel between the king and the queen affect the palace?

Answer: It made the palace tense and unhappy, affecting everyone's mood.

4. What strategy did Tenali Rama use to make the king realise his mistake?

Answer: He cleverly set up a situation (orchestrated) where the king naturally realized his error and apologized, instead of directly telling him.

Here are the short and simple answers for the questions from the image:

5. What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama introduced his 'special' paddy seeds?

Answer: The courtiers were eager and excited to see his new plan.

6. How does the story conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?

Answer: The king and queen made up, and it shows that wit and wisdom can solve big problems.

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Let us learn

I Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph by choosing suitable expressions from the box given below.

can a shadow, mind raced back, murmur swept through the room, stormed off, hush fell over, rippled through

My mother is quite witty, and her sense of humour always lightens stressful moments. Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. hush fell over , 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. Everyone disapproved of the action and a 4. murmur swept through the room. 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 over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

 

II The writer uses words like 'nearest murmur' in the text to indicate the sound produced. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from the box given below. You may refer to a dictionary.

murmur, sighed, mumble, gasped, snicker, thud, groan, rattle, roared, whispered

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, deep in thought.

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, adding to the suspense of the moment.

9.    "So, what's the answer?" the students roared, their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.

10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya whispered 'Sometimes, trickiest questions have the simplest answers.'

 

III. Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2.

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Column 1	Column 2	Compound Word
(i) quick	A. hall	quick-witted
(ii) soft	B. tempered	soft-spoken
(iii) common	C. spoken	common-sense (or common ground)
(iv) house	D. blue	house-warming (or house-hold)
(v) book	E. store	book-store
(vi) ill	F. sense	ill-tempered (or ill-will)
(vii) sky	G. witted	sky-blue
(viii) dance	H. hold	dance-hall

 

2. Fill in the blanks with the words created in the previous question.

(This refers to words like 'soft-spoken', 'quick-witted', etc., from the compound words section previously.)

Ravi was (i) soft-spoken, always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) house-hold, 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 on the ground. "Is this yours?" he asked. "Oh thank you, young man!" the performer smiled. "It's a recent purchase from the (vii) book-store 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 Read the sentences from the text and their explanation given in the table below. 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Sentences from the Text	Tenses	Explanation
1. If you like, I will try my best to resolve this matter.	Simple Present + Present Modal	The condition in the 'if' clause may or may not be fulfilled. The present tense refers only to a possible future action.
2. If, by chance something were to go wrong, our farmers would suffer.	Simple Past + Past Modal	The condition in the 'if' clause expresses a hypothetical or imaginary situation.
3. If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day.	Past Perfect + would have + Past Participle	The condition in the 'if' clause describes what the speaker would have done (differently) if the past situation had been different and it is impossible to rectify it in the present.

 

In sentence 1

'If you like' is the subordinate clause (if clause) and 'I will try my best to resolve this matter' is the main clause.

Identify the subordinate and main clauses in sentences 2 and 3.

Sentence 2:

If, by chance something were to go wrong, our farmers would suffer.

●     Subordinate Clause: If, by chance something were to go wrong

●     Main Clause: our farmers would suffer

Sentence 3:

If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day.

●     Subordinate Clause: If I had known this would happen

●     Main Clause: I would have chosen another day

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

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

Column 1	Column 2	Complete Sentence
(i) If I had a magic wand,	D. The boys would have won on time.	(i) If I had a magic wand, I would give myself wings. (Most logical pair from available options)
(ii) If it rains tomorrow,	A. We will go to the theatre	(ii) If it rains tomorrow, B. I would sneak into my secret room. (This is a bit unconventional but the best fit given the limited options; ideally would be "we will stay indoors" or similar)
(iii) If you had listened carefully,	C. I would give myself wings	(iii) If you had listened carefully, D. The boys would have won on time. (This is also a less direct fit, as listening carefully helps you win, not necessarily "the boys.")
(iv) If you finish your homework,	B. I would sneak into my secret room.	(iv) If you finish your homework, A. We will go to the theatre. (More logical pairing)
(v) If I were invisible,	E. We will stay indoors and play board games.	(v) If I were invisible, B. I would sneak into my secret room. (Most logical pairing)
(vi) If the alarm had rung,	F. You would have solved the puzzle.	(vi) If the alarm had rung, D. The boys would have won on time. (This is highly illogical. There isn't a good fit for this one in the provided options.)

 

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 don't complete your assignments.
2. They would have caught the train if they had left earlier.
3. If you continue to stay up late every night, you might feel tired during the day.
4. If she knew the answer, she would tell you.
5. If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.
6. If I had a million rupees, I would travel the world.

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

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 make learning more fun.
3. If I were a bird, I would fly high in the sky.
4. If I were a magician, I would make all wishes come true.
5. If I had studied harder, I would have gotten better grades.

I. Choose the correct option. 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

1. The rope tying the bundle of sticks was ________________.
   (i) loose
   (ii) thick
   (iii) short
   Answer: (ii) thick
2. The scholar is finally referred to as ________________.
   (i) amiable
   (ii) mischievous
   (iii) arrogant
   Answer: (ii) mischievous

 

II. You will once again listen to the story. As you listen, number the events of the story in the correct order of occurrence.

Events:

1. The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say.
2. Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor.
3. Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace.
4. The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama.
5. The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace.
6. Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope.
7. The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama.
8. The court scholars were afraid of the king's anger.

Correct Order

1. 5. The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace. (Sets up the conflict)
2. 2. Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor. (Rama gets involved)
3. 3. Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace. (Rama's action)
4. 7. The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama. (King's curiosity)
5. 6. Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope. (Rama reveals his solution)
6. 4. The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama. (King's reaction to the wit)
7. 1. The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say. (Consequence for the challenger/scholars)
8. 8. The court scholars were afraid of the king's anger. (General court atmosphere or reaction to the wit/challenge)

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Let us speak

I While asking questions, it is important to use the appropriate tone to convey the correct meaning.

1. 'Yes' or 'No' questions have a rising tone at the end.
   Are you coming home? (Example given, no answer needed)
2. 'Wh' questions have a falling tone at the end.
   When will you come home? (Example given, no answer needed)

This rise and fall in tone is called intonation.

Now, work in pairs and mark the intonation in the questions given below. Take turns to practice by saying them aloud with the correct intonation.

(i) Is this your cat? (Rising tone for Yes/No question)

(ii) What is the name of your cat?  (Falling tone for Wh-question)

(iii) Will you be going to your village?  (Rising tone for Yes/No question)

(iv) Why are you going to your village?  (Falling tone for Wh-question)

(v) Is this where you live?  (Rising tone for Yes/No question)

I. Intonation Practice (Continued from previous page):

(vi) Where do you live?  (Falling tone for Wh-question)

(vii) Can I meet your parents?  (Rising tone for Yes/No question)

(viii) How are your parents?  (Falling tone for Wh-question)

(ix) Do you have any plans for tomorrow?  (Rising tone for Yes/No question)

(x) What are you going to do tomorrow?  (Falling tone for Wh-question)

II. 'What', 'Why', 'When', 'How', 'Where', and 'Who' are the words used to ask questions. These words are called question words. Let us use these words and make some questions.

While making questions, remember the correct word order.

●     Who is the cleverest character in the story? (Correct)

●     Who the cleverest character is in the story? (Incorrect)

Here are some prompts for you. Work in pairs and take turns to ask and answer questions about an activity that you are planning. Remember to use the correct intonation while asking these questions.

●     The destination (Where...)
Question: Where are we going for the trip?

●     Purpose (Why...)
Question: Why are we planning this activity?

●     Mode of transport (How...)
Question: How will we travel there?

●     Duration (When...)
Question: When will the activity take place?

●     Travel companions (Who...)
Question: Who will be joining us?

●     Activities (What...)
Question: What activities will we do there?

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Now, work in pairs and take turns to ask and answer the questions about witty characters in folktales or stories you have read. Use the correct intonation while asking questions.

 

1. The name of the witty character (Who...?)
   Question: Who is the witty character you read about?
2. The reason for her/his wit being important in the story (Why...?)
   Question: Why was their wit important in the story?
3. The most famous trick or clever idea she/he used (What...?)
   Question: What was the cleverest trick they used?
4. The time period or setting of the folktale/story (When...?)
   Question: When did the story take place?
5. The way she/he used her/his intelligence to solve a problem (How...?)
   Question: How did they use their intelligence to solve a problem?
6. The location where the story takes place (Where...?)
   Question: Where does this story happen?

 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

Worksheet 1 :- Wit and Wisdom

Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions (10 Questions)

Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What was the primary reason for the quarrel between King Krishnadeva Raya and the Queen?

    a) The King disliked the Queen's choice of attire.

    b) The Queen yawned while the King was reciting his poem.

    c) The Queen refused to attend a court meeting.

    d) The King was upset about the Queen's spending.

2. Who did Queen Thirumalambal approach for help to resolve the issue with the King?

    a) Allasani Peddana

    b) The chief minister

    c) Her personal attendants

    d) Tenali Rama

3. Which of the following best describes Tenali Rama's role in the King's court?

    a) A fierce warrior and head of the army.

    b) A minister focused only on agriculture.

    c) A poet and a witty advisor known for clever solutions.

    d) The King's scribe who recorded events.

4. What was the King's initial reaction when Tenali Rama claimed his paddy seeds were "revolutionary"?

    a) He was excited and ordered them to be planted immediately.

    b) He was amused and laughed at the idea.

    c) He was unimpressed and thought the idea was absurd.

    d) He was angry that Rama interrupted the court discussion.

5. How did the King's own actions lead him to realize his mistake?

    a) He overheard the courtiers making fun of him.

    b) He had a dream that revealed his error.

    c) He instinctively yawned during Tenali Rama's explanation.

    d) The Queen wrote him a letter explaining her side.

6. The word "insurmountable" used to describe the problems Tenali Rama solved means:

    a) Unimportant

    b) Very common

    c) Secret

    d) Undefeatable 

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)

7. The word "unfazed" is used to describe Tenali Rama's reaction to the courtiers' sarcasm. It means:

    a) Not worried or bothered

    b) Very angry and annoyed

    c) Surprised and confused

    d) Disappointed and sad

8. The story suggests that the atmosphere in the palace during the quarrel was:

    a) Bustling and cheerful

    b) Quiet and forlorn

    c) Tense and angry

    d) Normal and unaffected

9. What does the King's final apology to the Queen show about his character?

    a) That he is afraid of the Queen.

    b) That he has maturity and self-awareness.

    c) That he is easily manipulated by others.

    d) That he does not care about his poetry.

10. What is the central lesson of this story?

    a) That kings should not write poetry.

    b) That cleverness is more important than strength.

    c) That pride can lead to misunderstandings that can be solved with wit and wisdom.

    d) That farming is the most important issue in an empire.

Part 2: Fill in the Blanks (5 Questions)

Complete the sentences using the words from the word bank below.

Word Bank: sceptical, orchestrated, trivial, pride, distraught

1. The quarrel between the king and queen started over a seemingly __________ matter.
2. Queen Thirumalambal was __________ and upset when she could not resolve the issue herself.
3. The King later admitted that his __________ had blinded him to the truth.
4. The courtiers were __________ when Tenali Rama first presented his "magic seeds."
5. Tenali Rama cleverly __________ the settlement between the royal couple.

Part 3: Short Answer Questions (5 Questions)

Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

1. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its 'Golden Era' under Krishnadeva Raya?
2. Briefly describe the strategy Tenali Rama used to make the king realize his mistake about yawning.
3. According to the Queen, what was the issue with the King's poem?
4. What does the queen's statement, "If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us," show about her character?
5. How were Tenali Rama's contributions rewarded by the King and Queen in the end?

HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION) 

Part 4: Match the Following (10 Items)

Match the words in Column A with their correct meanings in Column B.

Column A (Word)	Column B (Meaning) HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)
1. Forlorn	a. Mockery
2. Absurd	b. Fine and attractive
3. Sarcasm	c. Supporter
4. Patron	d. Overflowed
5. Exquisite	e. Illogical
6. Furrowed	f. Wrinkled
7. Brimmed	g. Intensely
8. Keenly	h. Suppressed laughter
9. Snickers	i. Upset
10. Distraught	HARSIDDHI - ONE DIRECTION (FROM VOID TO CREATION)j. Lonely

 

Answer Key

Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions

1. b
2. d
3. c
4. c
5. c
6. d
7. a
8. b
9. b
10. c

Part 2: Fill in the Blanks

1. trivial
2. distraught
3. pride
4. sceptical
5. orchestrated

Part 3: Short Answer Questions (Suggested Answers)

1. The empire was renowned for its glory, wealth, and cultural achievements, including a flourishing of art and literature.
2. He used an analogy about yawning while sowing seeds, which made the king instinctively yawn and realize it was a natural, uncontrollable action.
3. She said the poem was filled with "vague expressions" and "made no sense."
4. It shows she is forgiving, gracious, and eager to restore her relationship with the king.
5. The king and queen presented him with valuable gifts for his service.

Part 4: Match the Following

1. j (Lonely)
2. e (Illogical)
3. a (Mockery)
4. c (Supporter)
5. b (Fine and attractive)
6. f (Wrinkled)
7. d (Overflowed)
8. g (Intensely)
9. h (Suppressed laughter)
10. i (Upset)