CG SCERT (Chhattisgarh Board) Class 8 English Reader Solutions | 2026-27 Official Edition
Complete 100% textbook-grounded CG Board Class 8 English Reader Chapter 12 Solutions: Children Ask Kalam (बच्चे कलाम से पूछते हैं) in Bilingual Format (English & Hindi Medium).
Reading Comprehension A Answer the following questions
राष्ट्रपति कलाम बच्चों को विज्ञान के सूत्र याद…
(1) What suggestion does President Kalam give to children for remembering formulas of science?**
President Kalam suggests that one can remember various formulas of science and maths by constant application.
(2) Describe Kalam’s happiest day.
Kalam’s happiest day was when polio affected children were fitted with light weight Floor Reaction Orthosis (FROs) weighing 1/10th of their original weight. Seeing those children running, walking, and pedalling cycles, and the joy on their parents’ faces, was true bliss for him.
(3) Why does the President remember his class teacher so much?
President Kalam remembers his class V teacher, Shri Sivasubramania Iyer, because he taught students how birds fly by showing real life examples at the seashore of Rameswaram. This incident etched in Kalam’s memory forever and inspired him to study science.
(4) What is ‘courage’ according to Dr. Kalam?
According to Dr. Kalam, courage is saving others from disaster without minding about one’s own safety.
(5) Which point do you like the most in the 10 point oath? Why?
I like the point “I will be honest and endeavour to make a corruption free society” the most because honesty is the foundation of a strong, just, and progressive nation.
- Kalam’s full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.
- His best friend in school was Pakshi Ramanatha Sastry.
- His favourite teacher was Shri Sivasubramania Iyer.
- FRO’s help polio affected persons.
- Courage according to Kalam is saving others from disaster without minding about your own safety.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
| Sr. No. | Column A / Clues | Column B (Correct Match) | Completed Proverb in English | : |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | A stitch in time (search for number) | saves nine. | A stitch in time saves nine. | |
| 3. | An apple a day (search for profession) | keeps the doctor away. | An apple a day keeps the doctor away. | |
| 4. | Empty vessels (search for noise) | make more noise. | Empty vessels make more noise. | |
| 5. | The pen is (search for weapon) | mightier than the sword. | The pen is mightier than the sword. | |
| 6. | Failure is the (search for achievement) | stepping stone to success. | Failure is the stepping stone to success. | |
| 7. | Barking dogs (search for what dogs do!) | do not bite. | Barking dogs do not bite. | , |
| 8. | Make hay (search for planet/sun) | while the sun shines. | Make hay while the sun shines. | |
| 9. | Honesty (end with ‘cy’) | is the best policy. | Honesty is the best policy. | |
| 10. | A friend in need (rhymes with ‘friend’) | is a friend indeed. | A friend in need is a friend indeed. | , |
#### A. Match the following to complete the proverbs:
#### B. Make sentences using the proverbs given in exercise A:
- Tiny drops make a mighty ocean: Daily small savings will build a big college fund because tiny drops make a mighty ocean.
- Hindi:
- A stitch in time saves nine: Repair the leaking roof now; a stitch in time saves nine.
- Hindi: ,
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away: Eat fresh fruits regularly; an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- Hindi: ;
- Empty vessels make more noise: He boasts a lot about his poor knowledge because empty vessels make more noise.
- Hindi:
- The pen is mightier than the sword: Writers change society through peaceful thoughts because the pen is mightier than the sword.
- Hindi:
- Failure is the stepping stone to success: Do not lose heart after losing a match; failure is the stepping stone to success.
- Hindi: ;
- Barking dogs do not bite: Do not fear his loud threats; barking dogs do not bite.
- Hindi: ;
- Make hay while the sun shines: Complete your homework while you have free time; make hay while the sun shines.
- Hindi: ;
- Honesty is the best policy: The boy returned the lost wallet because honesty is the best policy.
- Hindi:
- A friend in need is a friend indeed: Rahul helped me pay my school fees when I was in trouble; a friend in need is a friend indeed.
- Hindi: ;
(1) Abdul Kalam is an inspiration to young people. (achievement/inspiration)
(2) Teachers play an important part in shaping children’s interest in subjects. (forcing/shaping)
(3) The Defence Research and Development Organisation employs a lot of scientists. (employs/arrests)
(4) Kalam believes that children will help build a strong nation. (citizens/build)
(5) It is important for children to develop their personalities. (personalities/brains)
Example Sentences What will you do for the…
जोड़े में कार्य कीजिए। अपने साथी से पूछिए…
When I grow up, I will take care of old people.
What will you do for the society when…
जब मैं बड़ा होऊंगा तो लड़कियों की शिक्षा…
When I grow up, I will work for education of girls.
What will you do for the society when…
जब मैं बड़ा होऊंगा तो लोगों को पर्यावरण…
When I grow up, I will encourage people to keep this environment clean.
What will you do for the society when…
जब मैं बड़ा होऊंगा तो पानी बचाने और…
When I grow up, I will raise awareness to save water and plant more trees.
Writing
Writing
#### A. (I) If you were given a chance to ask President Kalam 3 questions, what would they be?
- Question (i): How can a student maintain focus amidst so many distractions today?
- Hindi: ?
- Question (ii): What is the role of youth in making India a developed superpower?
- Hindi: ?
- Question (iii): How did you overcome failures in your early satellite launches?
- Hindi: ?
- Ans. (i): Set a clear goal, work hard persistently, and keep your mind engaged in reading good books and learning new skills.
- Ans. (ii): Every youth must become an enlightened citizen, work with honesty, and contribute to educating others and protecting the environment.
- Ans. (iii): Defeat the defeatist tendency; learn from mistakes, analyze problems courageously, and keep striving until you succeed.
Story Completion:
A man met a girl on the road. He asked her if he could walk along with her. The girl agreed. So he walked along with her and asked what her father was and what her fortune was. She replied that her father was a businessman and her talent was her fortune. The man said that he could not marry her. She replied that she never asked him to marry her.
Hindi Translation:
Listening Activity Appendix1 Lesson 12 Kitchen Cures
Listening Activity Appendix1 Lesson 12 Kitchen Cures
| Sr. No. | Plant/Spice/Fruit | Ailment | Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mustard | Cold/slight fever and headache | Soaking feet in hot water with a little mustard powder. |
| 3 | Ginger | Vomiting sensation / Travel sickness | Taking a one centimetre slice of fresh ginger at least 20 minutes before travelling. |
(Based on Appendix-1 Lesson 12 text on Kitchen Cures: Lemon, Mustard, and Ginger)
#### Task-Sheet Table Completion:
Hindi Translation:
- : ,
- : /
- : / 20 1
### *6. Speaking Activity
#### Look at the cartoons given in the textbook and write what you understand:
- Overall sentence: I like the cartoons because they highlight human behavior and social situations with witty humor.
- Hindi:
- Cartoon 1: The leader is giving a long, boring speech while all the audience members are falling asleep on their chairs.
- Hindi:
- Cartoon 2: A man holding an umbrella gets splashed with muddy water by a fast driving auto-rickshaw in heavy rain.
- Hindi:
- Cartoon 3: A smiling doctor holds a huge syringe to give an injection while the young patient watches nervously.
- Hindi:
- Cartoon 4: An overweight woman is struggling to sit on a tiny, weak plastic chair.
- Hindi:
Project Work
Project Work
| S. No. | *Local Language Proverb | Meaning in English | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | It is useless to regret after the damage is done. | ||
| 3. | Might is right. | ||
| 4. | Distance lends enchantment to the view. | ||
| 5. | Tit for tat. | ||
| 6. | All’s well that ends well. | ||
| 7. | Proof does not require evidence. | ||
| 8. | Killing two birds with one stone. | ||
| 9. | Deep rivers move with silent majesty (shallow knowledge shows off). | ||
| 10. | Where there is a will, there is a way. |
#### A. Identify 10 proverbs in your local language (Hindi / Chhattisgarhi) and state their meaning:
- Proverb: Cut your coat according to your cloth.
- Meaning: Don’t try to live beyond your means.
- Sentence: Ramesh earned a modest salary, so he decided to buy a small car rather than an expensive luxury vehicle, knowing he should cut his coat according to his cloth.