NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Supplementary Reader Chapter 6 The Fight free PDF is given here. These Solutions contains answers to all questions provided in the textbook. Class 8th English It So Happened Chapter 6 solutions are explained by the expert English teacher and as per NCERT (CBSE) guidelines.
Class 8 English The Fight NCERT Questions and Answers
Comprehension Check Page No. 49
Question 1: In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?
Answer: In the Rajputana desert, the pools were sticky and muddy where women washed clothes or buffaloes wallowed. But forest pool was clean, cold and inviting. So Ranji leapt into the water for swimming.
Question 2: The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain’ himself.
(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?
(ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?
Answer: (i) The other boy, Suraj, expected Ranji to say ‘sorry’.
(ii) Suraj was a bully. He was wrong to prevent Ranji from using the pool. The pool was common property.
Question 3: Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer: It is Suraj who starts the quarrel. He asks Ranji to run away from the pool. He even threatens to beat him.
Question 4: “Then we will have to continue the fight,” said the other.
(i) What made him say that?
(ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?
Answer: (i) The Punjabi boy Suraj said these words. He was too tired to continue the fight that day. Yet he did not want to spare Ranji. Ranji had not yet accepted defeat. So he proposed to continue the fight next day.
(ii) No, the fight didn’t continue the next day. Both Suraj and Ranji needed each other’s help, so they compromised. Suraj asked Ranji to teach him to dive and swim underwater. While Ranji agreed to become a wrestler with the help of Suraj.
Comprehension Check Page No. 53
Question 1: What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?
Answer: Ranji had several cuts and bruises on his face and arms. He finds it difficult to explain the injuries at home.
Question 2: Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar.
(i) What does he wish to do?
(ii) What does he actually do, and why?
Answer: (i) At first Ranji felt like turning away and look the other way. His second thought was to hit his enemy with the lemonade bottle.
(ii) He actually stands his ground and only scowls at Suraj. Ranji decides to go back to the pool to gain self-respect. If he surrenders now, he will be beaten for all time.
Question 3: Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?
Answer: He goes to the pool because he can not refuse a challenge. Not to go to the pool could be an acknowledgement of defeat. He could not quietly accept his defeat. He wants to gain self-respect.
For this, he has to defy his enemy to the last. As long as he fights, he has a right to the pool in the forest. So, he goes back to the pool.
Question 4: Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?
Answer: Ranji was a better swimmer. That was why Suraj forgot to fight. Instead, he asked Ranji to teach him to dive.
Question 5: What surprises the warrior?
Answer: The warrior, Suraj, is surprised to see Ranji’s skill.
Question 6: Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?
Answer: At the pool, the two contestants forgot to continue the fight. Their interest shifts to swimming and swinging (diving).
Question 7: Ranji’s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following:
Physical strength:, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming under water, making a good point, willingness to help.
Underline the relevant phrases.
Answer: Good diving, swimming underwater, willingness to help, sense of humour.
Question 8: What, according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into good friends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood it.
Answer: Ranji and Suraj, two adversaries, turned into good friends in a few minutes for a couple of reasons. Both were tired of fighting. Both needed each other’s help, guidance and support. Suraj wanted to learn diving from Ranji. While Ranji liked the idea of becoming a strong wrestler with the help of Suraj.
Exercise
Discuss the following topics in small groups.
Question 1: Is fighting the only way of resolving differences of opinion? What else can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?
Answer: Fighting cannot resolve differences of opinion. They can be resolved only through dialogue. For this, they may, if necessary, seek the help of a third party. This third person must enjoy the trust of both involved in quarrelling.
Question 2: Have you ever been in a serious fight only to realise later that it was unnecessary and futile? Share your experience/views with others frankly and honestly.
Answer: People usually quarrel over minor issues which can be resolved over a cup of tea. Such violent quarrels harm both the parties. In a war, no party actually wins. Both suffer equally and feel sorry later on. Every person can recall one or two occasions of this type.
Question 3: Why do some of us find it necessary to prove that we are better than others? Will you be amused or annoyed to read the following sign at the back of the car in front of you?
Answer: I May be going slow but I am ahead of you. It is our common weakness to do better than others or to pull somebody down. Some pretend to be superior to others and try to hurt them. This is, in fact, a symptom of their inferiority complex. We should avoid ego clash