NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem 1 The Ant and the Cricket PDF are available for free on our website that helps you a better understanding of the chapter. These NCERT solutions have been provided after a detailed analysis of the latest syllabus issued by CBSE. Students of Class 8th can study the answers provided here to score well in their school exams.
CBSE Class 8th English Honeydew Poem 1 The Ant and the Cricket Textbook Solutions
Working with The Poem
Question 1: The cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me?” When does he say it, and why?
Answer: The cricket said the line, “Oh! what will become of me?” when he found out that winter had arrived but his cupboard was empty. He could not find a single crumb on the snow-covered ground, neither could he see a flower nor a leaf on the tree. He wondered as it was getting cold and he had nothing to eat in order to survive and would die of starvation very soon.
Question 2: (i) Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).
Answer: The line is: But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.
(ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principles?
Answer: The ant’s principle is not bad. It teaches a lesson to everybody to plan for the rainy day.
Question 3: The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away.” Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?
Answer: The word ‘dance’ here means ‘merry making and wasting time.’ It is appropriate here. The irresponsible cricket does not deserve any sympathy.
Question 4: (i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.
Answer: The poet’s comment is expressed in the last two lines.
“Folks call this a fable, 111 warrant it true.”
(ii) Write the comment in your own words.
Answer: People say that this story of the cricket and the ant is imaginary or a fable with a moral. But I think that the story is true and educational. Some people live only in the present. They spend what they earn, and make merry. But they regret this habit later on.
Question 5: If you know a fable in your own language narrate it to your classmates.
Answer: Do it yourself.