CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH

TOPIC: LINES COMPOSED IN A WOOD ON A WINDY DAY

Anne Brontë (17 January 1820 --- 28 May 1849) was an English
novelist and poet, the youngest member of the Brontë literary
family.
Anne Brontë was the daughter of Maria and Patrick Brontë.
Anne lived most of her life with her family at the parish
of Haworth on the Yorkshire Dales. Otherwise, she attended a boarding school
in Mirfield between 1836 and 1837, and between 1839 and 1845 lived elsewhere
working as a governess. In 1846, she published a book of poems with her
sisters and later two novels, initially under the pen name Acton Bell. Her first
novel, Agnes Grey, was published in 1847 at the same time as Wuthering
Heights by her sister Emily Brontë. Anne's second novel, The Tenant of Wildfell
Hall, was published in 1848. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is often considered one of
the first feminist novels.

Anne died at 29, most likely of pulmonary tuberculosis. After her death, her
sister Charlotte edited Agnes Grey to fix issues with its first edition, but prevented
republication of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As a result, Anne is not as well-known
as her sisters. Nonetheless, both of her novels are considered classics of English
literature.

powerful wind. Th
stirs both awe and inspiration. The wind, with its untamed energy, symbolizes

natural world.
Summary: Anne Brontë In a Wood on a Windy Day
and joy as she stands amidst a windy woodland scene. She feels energized and alive
as the wind rushes around her, bringing a sense of vibrancy to everything it
touches. The grass turns vivid green, the trees sway gracefully, and even the fallen

waves and hear their powerful roar reflects her deep curiosity and admiration for
the beauty and force of the natural world. The poe
energy and magic, showing how it can awaken the spirit and fill the heart with
joy.
Explanation:
(Line1-2)

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My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring
And carried aloft on the wings of the breeze;
The poet says her inner self feels awake, and her emotions are flying high like a
bird on the wind. Here, the poet uses the idea of her soul awakening to show how

feelings like a bird flying on its wings.

(Line3-4)
For above and around me the wild wind is roaring,
Arousing to rapture the earth and the seas.
The poet talks about how the wind is making a loud noise all around her, exciting
both the land and the sea. The poet uses the word roaring to make us imagine

world feel happy and excited.

(Line5-6)
The long withered grass in the sunshine is glancing,
The bare trees are tossing their branches on high;
The dry and brown grass looks green and happy in the sunshine. The trees with no
leaves are moving their branches up in the air. The poet uses the word glancing
to show how the grass looks lively and fresh in the sunlight. And when she says
the trees are tossing their branches on high, it means the trees are swaying their
branches in the wind, which makes them seem joyful.

(Line 7-8)
The dead leaves beneath them are merrily dancing,
The white clouds are scudding across the blue sky
Even the dead leaves on the ground are dancing happily. In the sky, there are fast-
moving white clouds. The poet makes us imagine that even the lifeless leaves are
happy and dancing because of the wind. The white clouds moving quickly in the
blue sky create a picture of a dynamic and lively scene in nature.

(Line9-10)
I wish I could see how the ocean is lashing
The foam of its billows to whirlwinds of spray;

and spray because of the strong wind. The p

curiosity and excitement about the natural world. She imagines the ocean as being
wild and powerful, with waves that are like whirlwinds of spray.

(Line11-12)

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I wish I could see how its proud waves are dashing,
And hear the wild roar of their thunder today!

loud noise they make, like thunder. The poet uses the word proud to show that
she thinks the ocean waves are powerful and majestic. She wants to experience the
excitement and noise of the ocean on this windy day.

• Poetic Devices
1.Imagery

My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring --- evokes a sense of freedom and

exhilaration.

The trees are all tossing their sprays to the sky --- creates a vivid picture of the
trees swaying in the wind.

2. Personification

The bright clouds are dancing --- the clouds are animated as if they are joyfully
moving to music.

The dead leaves are flying --- suggests the leaves have life and movement.

3. Alliteration
Spirit is soaring ---

Sprays to the sky --- reinforces the imagery of upward movement.

4. Symbolism

.
It serves as a metaphor for emotional liberation and creative energy.

5. Metaphor

My soul is awakened --- compares her emotional state to the stirring of the
natural world.

Reference to the Context:

I wish I could see how its proud waves are dashing,
And hear the wild roar of their thunder today!

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i. What does the poet want to see?
Ans. The poet wishes to see the mighty waves lashing against one another
causing the waves to shower a spray of the ocean she also wants to see the high
waves crashing against the shore.
ii. Why the waves are called proud?
Ans. The waves are called proud because they are mighty, soaring high and
having a thunderous force in them.

iii. Identify the poetic device in the lines given above.

Ans. Personification.

Short questions and answers:

i. What is the central theme of the poem?
Ans. The poem explores the beauty and power of nature, capturing a sense of
freedom and emotional awakening.
ii. Why are the clouds moving quickly across the sky?
Ans. The clouds are moving quickly across the sky because of the strong wind.

iii. Which natural elements are described?

Ans. Wind, trees, leaves, clouds, ocean waves, and sunlight.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: THE HERO

ABOUT THE POET

Rabindranath Tagore was indeed a Bengali
polymath/walking encyclopedia, widely recognized
for his contributions to literature, music, and art. He
reshaped Bengali literature and made significant
contributions to the world of poetry, music, and other
creative forms. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Literature in 1913, becoming the first Asian and non-
European to receive this prestigious honour. Tagore's
most famous work is "Gitanjali" (meaning "Song Offerings" in English), a collection
of poems for which he received the Nobel Prize. He started writing poetry at a very
young age and was a prolific writer throughout his life. Tagore's literary works
include not only poetry but also novels, short stories, essays, and philosophical
writings. He is known for his wide range of creative output, including dance
dramas like "Chitrangada" and "Chandalika." While Tagore's work often touched on
political and personal themes, he was also a philosopher and educator who
emphasised the importance of holistic education. Tagore's composition "Jana Gana
Mana," was adopted as the national anthem of India, and "Amar Shonar Bangla" as
the national anthem of Bangladesh.

Theme: It describes a moment of conflict and resolution, highlighting the son's

courage and the mother's reliance on him for protection. The poem captures
themes of heroism, maternal love, courage and the bond between a mother and her
child.

Message:
The poem The Hero conveys the message of true strength, courage and heroism
in times of peril and hardship. Despite all the chaos, Tagore also ensures the
implementation of the theme of unwavering love ,sacrifice and the bond of
protection that encompas

Summary: The narrative poem The Hero by Rabindranath Tagore is about a son
who comforts his fearful mother during a perilous journey across the barren
landscape. In the evening, when the sun is set, the child and his mother reach a
barren place. There is not a single soul there. Even the cattle have returned home.
Plodding silence reigns there. The mother is a bit afraid and wonders where they
have arrived. The child reassures her and tells her that there is a small river

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ahead. The mother sees a shimmering light and asks her son about it. Suddenly,
they hear the cry as a band of bandits attacks their caravan. The mother shivers
inside the palanquin; the palanquin-bearers hide in the bush. The son reassures his
mother and confronts them courageously. A fight follows, in which the son
emerges victorious. The son returns to his mother, who kisses his forehead and
thanks him.
The imagination now turns from this event as the poet wonders why some
exciting thing like this does not actually happen in the mundane course of
everyday life. The poet contemplates that it would be like an adventure story that
would fascinate everybody.

Explanation:
Stanza 1: Mother, let us imagine we are travelling, ------------ -------do not be
afraid."

The narrative poem The Hero by Rabindranath Tagore is about a son who
comforts his fearful mother during a perilous journey across the barren
landscape.The poem begins with the young boy imagining that he and his mother
are passing through a strange and
palanquin (a covered seat that is carried on poles by people) he is mounted on his
red horse. As he travels, the path gets gloomy leading to a vast, and barren land
called Joradighi. The mother is terrified of the darkness and is unsure of the
location. The mother is reassured by his son not to get frightened.
Stanza 2: The meadow is prickly---------------------------------- near the bank?"

They pass over a meadow covered with spiky grass and a narrow broken path
running through it as they travel. The cows returned to their villages as the sun
had set and hence were not visible. To emphasize the darkness Tagore says that it
was a barren land without any cattle or living beings in sight. As they pass the
land, it grows darker making it harder for them to travel. Suddenly, the mother
questions her son about the light she saw near the riverbank.
Stanza 3: Just then there bursts--------------------------------------- mother. I am here."
They simultaneously hear a terrifying shout and a few individuals running toward
them. The mother is curled up in a palanquin and prays to the gods seeking
protection. The palanquin bearers, terrified, hide themselves inside the bushes. The
youngster yells by soothing his terrified mother Don't be afraid Mother I am here .
Stanza 4 and 5: With long sticks in their hands------------------------ horse for a wild
gallop.

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The attackers approach with long rods and wild hair. The child cautions that if the
robbers take any further step they would be in danger. Repeatedly, the attackers
cry out loud and charge against them. Grabbing her child's hands the mother pleads
for him to stay away from the attackers. The son instructs his mother to keep a
careful eye on him, making his horse spur for a wild gallop. This shows his
commitment, bravery, and love.
Stanza 6: Many of them fly----------------------------------,"Mother, the fight is over
now."
The son valiantly uses his sword and shields to attack and battle the bandits. Since
the battle got more gruesome the mother became terrified, unable to observe the
battle. A few of them flee after the son defeats his attackers. The mother sitting
alone, pondering over the fact that her child must have been dead by now, is
depicted by the poet as experiencing intense terror. But soon, a surprise awaits her.
When she sees her bloodied son return, the mother feels satisfied and relieved of
fear. He tells her that the struggle is over.
Stanza 7 and 8: You come out and kiss me--------------------- was with his mother?"

She beams with excitement, giving her son a strong hug and kiss. Thinking about
what she would do without her courageous kid to defend her fills her with
gratitude. In this final stanza, the child returns to real life from his imagination. He
says that so many unnecessary things were happening daily and why this brave
the son was imagining these
dangerous lands and the attacks. The poet says he is tired of his monotonous
routine life, which makes him think of all the possible ways to prove his bravery.
His brother, who always doubted him and referred to him as 'delicate
would be surprised if this had happened in real life. The people in their village
would also be amazed at his courage. They would say how fortunate the boy stood
for his mother by all means to protect her.

Poetic Devices
Imagery
Imagery is used by the writer to bring a scene to life. It describes a scene vividly

of the examples include

waste of Jordini lies wan and grey
land is desolate and barren
the meadow is prickly with spikey grass
hair all wild about their heads

Alliteration
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It is defined as the consonant sounds in two or more neighbouring words or
syllables that are repeated. Some of the examples from the poem are

• Dark and dim

• Hands and hair
Hyperbole

It is the use of exaggeration and emphasis to prove a point. An example from the
poem is

• A thousand useless things happen

ASSIGNMENT
Reference to Context
You are riding in a palanquin and
I am trotting by you on a red horse.
It is evening and the sun goes down.
The waste of Joradighi lies wan and grey before us.
The land is desolate and barren.
You are frightened and thinking-
"I know not where we have come to."
I say to you, "Mother, do not be afraid."

i.How is the narrator traveling in this strange and dangerous country?

Ans. The narrator is riding a red horse, trotting alongside the palanquin in which
the mother is traveling.

ii. What is the mother's emotional state during the journey, and how does the
narrator reassure her?
Ans. The mother is frightened and unsure of where they have arrived, thinking, "I
know not where we have come to." The narrator reassures her by saying, "Mother,
do not be afraid."

iii.Why does the narrator feel the need to reassure the mother, and what does this
reveal about their relationship?
Ans. The narrator reassures the mother because she is frightened and confused in
the strange land. This suggests a protective, comforting relationship, where the

Short Answers
-
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1. Describe the place through which the speaker and his mother are travelling.
Ans: The place through which the speaker and his mother were travelling was a
strange and dangerous country.

2. Why does the speaker ask his mother not

to be afraid? What does the speake
Ans: The speaker asked his mother not to be afraid because he was confident
about his heroic talent that he would be able to take care of his mother from the
oy
away from them.
3. What does the speaker want to prove? How does he want to prove that?
Ans: Through the fight, the speaker wanted to prove that he was no less than a
hero. He wanted to prove this by saving his mother from the villains in his
imagination.
4.Why do you think the speaker dreams about being a hero? Is this something he
can do in real life?
Ans: It is the dream of every boy to be a hero in the eyes of the world, especially
his mother. The boy in the
that he is weak or delicate. He wants the world to acknowledge his bravery and
valour. He has a faithful and sincere love for his mother, proved by his
willingness to save her at the cost of his own life; it is this, says the poem that
transforms him into a real hero. Yes, this is something he can do in real life as
well.
Extrpolatory question
Imagine you are mother from the poem The Hero Why were you worried at the
beginning, and how did your feelings change after the boy fought the attackers?
Write about it in the form of a diary entry.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: LA VISITA

About the Poet:

Margarita Engle (born in Los Angeles, California on September
2, 1951) is a Cuban American poet and author of many award-
winning books for children, young adults and adults. Most of
Engle's stories are written in verse and are a reflection of her
Cuban heritage and her deep appreciation and knowledge of
nature. She became the first Latino awarded a Newbery
Honor in 2009 for The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's
Struggle for Freedom. She was selected by the Poetry Foundation serve from 2017
to 2019 as the sixth Young People's Poet Laureate. On October 9, 2018, Margarita
Engle was announced the winner of the 2019 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's
Literature. She was nominated by 2019 NSK Prize jury member Lilliam Rivera. Her
2024 book, Wild Dreamers, was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young
People's Literature.

Theme/Message: The theme of La Visita revolves around intergenerational bonds,

cultural exchange, and love transcending distance and time. The poem beautifully
captures the relationship between the speaker and Abuelita, highlighting how
their visits bridge the gap between their two worlds------Cuba and America. Through
embroidery, a metaphor for tradition and shared experiences, the poem explores
how wisdom is passed down while also allowing space for new perspectives.

and the enduring connection between generations, regardless of cultural

differences or physical distance.

Explanation:

almost magical, as if time slows down when she is

around. She, though young, feels deeply connected to her
Cuban heritage and gains a sense of wisdom from her
al of roles: while
the speaker feels older and more connected to Cuban
traditions, Abuelita adopts a youthful, American way of
being, showing their cultural exchange. They share

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stories from both their worlds------Cuba and America------bridging the generational
and geographical gap between them.

The act of embroidery symbolizes tradition and storytelling. The cloth represents
shared dreams and experiences, with each stitch reflecting their bond. The
embroidery is chaotic and imperfect, symbolizing her journey of learning
and growth. The wilderness reflects both creativity and inexperience. She
struggles with embroidery, feeling that her hands are too small to create
something flawless, which represents the difficulty of mastering tradition and
skills passed down through generations.

Despite the imperfections, Abuelita praises the effort rather than focusing on
flaws, highligh
willingness to engage in tradition. The speaker expects Abuelita to inspect the back
of the embroidery, as is traditional in Cuban culture, where neatness and precision
are valued. She worries about her imperfections being judged.

time.

Instead of focusing on the mistakes, Abuelita embraces the speaker, showing

unconditional love and acceptance. She allows the speaker to share modern
thoughts, appreciating both tradition and change. Their relationship is like an
embroidered tapestry, woven over time despite the physical distance between
them. Their bond remains strong, blending the past and present, tradition and
modernity.

This stanza highlights the deep connection between the speaker and her Abuelita,
showing how love, culture, and wisdom are passed between generations. The
metaphor of embroidery represents both tradition and imperfection, while
reflects the unconditional warmth of family.

Poetic Devices

1. Metaphor :"A wilderness of messy flowers starts to grow .

imperfect embroidery is compared to a wilderness, symbolizing her growth and
the beauty in imperfection. Gardens of distance embroidered by time . The idea
of time and distance being like an embroidered garden represents their enduring
bond despite being separated by geography.

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2. Personification: "Time seems to stop". Time is given human-like qualities,

3. Symbolism: Embroidery: Represents tradition, cultural heritage, and the

passing down of wisdom. Messy stitches: Symbolize imperfection, learning, and
growth. : Represents unconditional love and acceptance.

4. Enjambment: The poem flows without rigid punctuation at the end of lines,
creating a natural, conversational tone.

Assignment

Reference to the context

Perfecto! Abuelita says with a smile

to show she is happy I tried.
I wait to see if she is going to follow
the island tradition of turning cloth over
to witness and judge any lumpy knots
Or stray strands at the back

Q1.

in stitching.

Q 2.

r encouragement and support.

Q 3.

inspect the backside of the stitching, checking for any mistakes like lumpy knots
or loose strands.

Q 4. Why does the speaker wait after Abuelita praises her?

Ans. The speaker waits to see if Abuelita will follow the tradition of checking the

about whether her work is truly good.

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Extrapolatory Question:

Imagine you are the speaker in the poem. Write a diary entry expressing your
thoughts and feelings about your experience with Abuelita and what you learned
from it.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: LITERARY DEVICES

Literary devices are common structures used in writing. A figure of speech is the
use of a word diverging from its usual meaning, or a special repetition,
arrangement or omission of words with literal meaning, or a phrase with a
specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words in it, such as a
metaphor, simile, hyperbole, or personification. Figures of speech often provide
emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity. However, clarity may also suffer from
their use, as any figure of speech introduces an ambiguity between literal and
figurative interpretation.
Figure of speech is not only
used to embellish the
language, but also cause a
moment of excitement
when reading. It is used
equally in writing as well
as in speech. It also
strengthens the creative
expression and description
along with making the
language more graphic, pointed and vivid.
Poetic devices are a type of literary device used in poetry, while literary devices are
used in a variety of writing. All poetic devices are literary devices but not all
literary devices are poetic devices.
SIMILE: An indirect relationship where one thing or idea is described as being similar
to another. Similes usually contain the words like or as to draw out the
comparison or likeness. E.g. As black as coal, As white as snow. He lifted his head
from drinking, as cattle do. As slippery as an eel. He eats like a pig. As blind as a
bat. They are like peas in a pod.
METAPHOR: A comparison drawn between two objects by saying it is that thing

where one thing or idea substitutes for another. E.g. Heart of stone. Time is money.
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
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 ------ (William Shakespeare)
ALLITERATION: This is a figure of speech used in poetry. It brings together words
which begin with the same consonant (or vowel) sound. For example:-
• The tiny ship on the shiny shore
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
• Walter wondered where Winnie was.
• She sells seashells on the seashore.
REPETITION: Where a specific word, phrase, or structure is repeated several times,
usually in close proximity, to emphasize a particular idea. It also increases the
musical effect of a poem. For example:-
• "And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."
• Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
REFRAIN: A line or phrase that recurs throughout a poem or a short part of a song

Ogden Nash used the refrain:

HYPERBOLE: A description, which exaggerates, usually employing extremes and/or

superlatives to convey a positive or negative attribute or hype. Notice the
hyperbole to describe a character: the greatest human being ever to walk the
earth. t must
have cost a billion dollars.
IMAGERY: The suggestion of vivid mental pictures, or images, by the skillful use of
words. The poet can suggest or create beautiful sight-effects, as well as beautiful
sound effects, by means of words.
E.g. Host of golden daffodils
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
PERSONIFICATION: Figure of speech whereby
inanimate objects or an abstract concept is
given human characteristics. E.g.Out of
the sea came he (the sun). He struck with
his overtaking wing (the sea storm has

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ALLEGORY: A story, play, poem, picture or other work in which the characters and
events represent particular qualities or ideas, related to morality, religion or
polit
interplay of themes and feelings are disguised references to human situations and

in ancient Greece. They are a collection of fables, often aimed at children and teach
them how to behave and what to value.
IRONY: Irony is a mode of speech in which the real meaning is exactly the opposite
of that which is literally conveyed. eg. But Brutus is an honourable man Here
Brutus is the one who stabbed Caesar from behind. E.g. How nice ! She said, when
I told her I had to work all weekend. The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but sank
on its first voyage.
ONOMATOPOEIA: It is applied to a word, or a combination of words, whose sound
seems to resemble the sound it describes. E.g. The buzz of bees, the hiss of snakes,
the screeches of tyres, jingle of bells etc. all use onomatopoeia.
OXYMORON: An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two contradictory words or
ideas are put together. Its usage gives a smoothness and crispness to the style of
writing. E.g. Fiery ice, Sweet murderer, Elaborate carelessness, Sweet sorrow, Peace
force.
ANAPHORA: Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase in successive clauses,
sentences, or phrases. Its purpose is to emphasize the repeated words, often with
the goal of creating rhythm and structure. E.g. "After taking Literary Criticism, I
found myself analysing everything I read. I analysed video game dialogue. I
analysed magazine articles. I analysed the fluffy genre fiction I read on the beach.
I even analysed recipes." By repeating I analysed four times, the author
emphasizes just how frequently they found themselves analysing text that
is.
ENJAMBMENT: Enjambment is a poetic device that occurs when a sentence or phrase
continues from one line to the next without a pause. The word comes from the
French word enjamber, which means "to step over". An enjambed line typically
lacks punctuation at its line break, so the reader is carried smoothly and swiftly------
without interruption------to the next line of the poem. E.g. I wandered lonely as a
cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills.

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TRANSFERRED EPITHET: A transferred epithet is a figure of speech that uses an
adjective to describe a different noun than the one it's usually used to describe.
Example- "I had a sleepless night."
PARADOX: A paradox is a figure of speech that's a statement or situation that seems
to contradict itself, but may actually be true. Example- You have to spend money
to make money. I must be cruel to be kind.

EXERCISE
Identify the figures of speech used in these sentences:
1. The wind whispered through dry grass.
2. The flood raged over the entire village.
3. I am so hungry, I could eat a horse.
4. Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man.
5. The shadow of the moon danced on the lake.
6. She was a wildfire of rage.
7. The bag weighed a ton.

9. Her smile is as bright as the sun.

10. We shall come to school; we shall gather in the prayer ground; we shall
celebrate Independence Day.
11. That football player is really putting the team on his back this evening!
12. The leaves danced their way through the lawn.
13. She was a rock star at our last business presentation.
14. He is as cunning as a fox.
15. Your skin is softer like silk.
16. Stay safe, stay well, stay happy.
17. My dad will kill me when he comes home.
18. Our soldiers are lions.
19. She's as skinny as a toothpick.
20. The tread of time is so ruthless that it tramples even the kings under its feet.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: LINKING WORDS

They played well. They lost the game.

These two sentences can be combined into one:
Although they played well, they lost the game.
Thus although is the linking word that joins the two sentences.

Linking words and phrases are used to combine two clauses or sentences
presenting contrast, comparison, condition, supposition, purpose, etc.
They can really help our fluency in English, as they help us to create longer
sentences.
For example:
I bought a dog.
I bought a dog because I really wanted a pet.
I bought a dog because I really wanted a pet. However, now I wish I hadn't!

Examples of linking words within one sentence:

Linking Words Examples of Use
As long as provided You can take my car as long as/provided you don't damage it.
(I will lend you my car on condition that you don't damage it.)

Although/even Although/even though he is rich, he lives in a small house.

though (In spite of the fact that he is rich, he lives in a small house.)
He is poor and has no house even if he had money, he
Even if wouldn't buy a house.
(Supposing he had the money, he still wouldn't buy a house.)

In case Take an umbrella in case it rains.

(It might rain, so it's a good idea to take an umbrella.)
In spite of/despite the rain, she walked to the station.
In spite of/Despite In spite of/despite being blind, he walked to the station.
(without being affected by the rain or by being blind.)
So that She arrived early so that she could help her colleagues.
(She arrived early for the purpose of helping her colleagues.)
Whatever You can count on me whatever you decide to do.
(No matter what your decision is, you can count on me.)
Whereas Tom is rich, whereas Jack is poor.
(Tom is rich; in contrast, Jack is poor.)

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Whenever I will lend you my car whenever you need it.
(No matter when you need my car, I will lend it to you.)
Wherever My thoughts will be with you wherever you go.
(No matter where you go, my thoughts will be with you.)

Examples of linking words that connect two separate sentences or two clauses:

Linking Words Examples of Use

As a result Prices were reduced by 20%. As a result, sales increased.

Consequently
Therefore The company is expanding. Consequently, there are jobs on offer.
A hurricane has been announced. Therefore, air traffic will be
disrupted.
Besides The trip is too expensive. Besides, I don't really like hot weather.
Furthermore In Computers are cheaper nowadays; furthermore, they are lighter.
addition You haven't paid the rent yet. In addition, you owe me money.
Moreover The report is badly presented. Moreover, it contains inaccuracies.
For instance There are several problems to consider; for instance,/for example,
For example there is a lack of public transport.
Conversely Northern European countries had a great summer.
On the contraryOn the contrary/conversely, southern Europe had poor weather.
On the other hand Laptops are convenient; on the other hand, they can be
expensive.
However The hotel was open. However, nobody came to the reception
Nevertheless desk.
Nonetheless He had severe injuries; nevertheless, he completely recovered.
The weather was bitterly cold. He went hiking nonetheless.
In the same way Alex enjoys telling jokes; in the same way /similarly / likewise,
Likewise Similarly his son adores funny stories.
By the same token Teenagers should be more respectful; by the same token, parents
should be more understanding.
To sum up I've covered the main events of the year. To sum up, our team is
Briefly now one of the best in the world.
To conclude To conclude / In conclusion, I want to wish you all a very happy
In conclusion holiday season.

ASSIGNMENT:
I. Use the most suitable linking word to fill in the blanks.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 19 of 60
Furthermore, Nonetheless, Due to, In addition, Instead, Therefore, in contrast,
on the other hand, consequently, but also, Despite,

1. The weather forecast predicts rain for the entire week. __________, it suggests we
should carry umbrellas.
2. John prefers tea; ______________, Sarah loves coffee.
3. The team not only won the championship ____________ set a new record. Moreover,
their performance was outstanding.
4. I can't go to the party. ____________, I have to work on a project.
5. Some people enjoy spicy food; ____________, others prefer mild flavors.
6. ____________ bad weather, the concert was postponed.
7. The traffic jam lasted for hours; ____________, many people arrived late.
8. After a long day at work, I needed to rest. ____________, I took a nap.
9. ____________ the challenges, they completed the task. ____________, they remained
determined.
10. She's an excellent chef. ____________ to her culinary skills, she's a talented painter.

II. Use appropriate linking words from the box to fill in the blanks.

Not only when but also

But that to conclude what

________ I was a small girl, my grandpa used to tell me the story of an honest
woodcutter who was rewarded with a gold, silver and a copper axes by God
Mercury. _____ these days situations have totally changed. ________ do we have
honest woodcutters _____ such gods. By saying this I do not mean __________ it does
not pay to be honest. _______ used to be a virtue in the past has become a crime today.
_______, it is a changed world with new challenges and opportunities.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 20 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: FINITE AND NON-FINITE VERBS

Bare
infinitive
Infinitive to infinitive

Present
Non-finite Participle
participle
Verbs
Past
Finite participle
Gerunds

Finite Verbs Non-finite Verbs

Finite Verbs are those verbs that Non-finite verbs are verb forms
have a definite relation with the that do not act like verbs. They
subject or noun and can be changed are used as nouns, adverbs, and
according to the noun. They are adjectives. Therefore, a non-
limited by person, place, and time. finite verb is never the main
verb in a sentence. They do not
indicate any tense, mood, or
gender.
Examples Examples
1. I speak. 1. This is an interesting book.
2. He speaks. 2. To win the prize is my dream.
3. They are speaking. 3. Walking in the park is my
4. I have spoken. favourite activity.

There are three types of non-finite verbs: Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles.
1. Gerunds: It is partly a verb and partly a noun. It is also known as a verbal noun.
--- Nouns.
Reading is relaxing.
Here the non-finite verb is Reading and it is used as a noun.
More examples:
• Riding is an exercise.
• I like going for long walks.
• He is confident of passing the examination.
2. Infinitives
They are of two kinds: To infinitives and Bare infinitives

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To infinitives
came to collect
Here the non-finite verb is to collect. Non-

Examples:
• On a nice day, I like to walk in the woods.
• They will try to build a new stadium in ten years.
• To see is to believe.
Bare infinitives

make, see, hear, need, dare, etc., it is also used after modal verbs.
Examples:
• I should do my English homework.
• She made me cry.
• I let the dog finish my food.
3. Participles: Participles are those non-finite verbs that are modifications of the
verb so that they become adjectives, that is, they describe another word in the
given sentence and are also known as Verbal Adjectives.
There are two kinds of participles:
-
Examples:
• A rolling stone gathers no moss.
• I love the sound of falling rain.
• My bleeding knees were treated immediately.
Past participles are formed by adding -d, -ed, -en, -t, or -n to the base form of a
verb.
Examples:
• He was driven home in an armoured car.
• We repaired the broken window.
• The recovered animals will be released.
Assignment
I. Pick out Infinitives, Gerunds, and Participles in the following sentences:
1. Eating excess food leads to ill-health.
2. The house being unlocked, the thieves got inside without any difficulty.
3. Feeling thirsty, I asked for water.
4. Reaching the main entrance, I walked out.
5. Courage cannot easily rekindle a defeated army.
6. He preferred walking.
7. she wanted to see my score.
8. Leaking taps must be fixed.
9. Having finished my homework, I went out to play.

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10. He lost no time in getting down to work.
II. Identify the finite and non-finite verbs in the following sentences.
1. He is very fond of playing.
2. My brother taught me how to ride a bicycle.
3. Will you please help me tidy up the room?
4. Drifting in the current, the boat slowly reached the distant shore.
5. The tired traveller took a rest under a tree.
6. I tried my hand at painting.
7. Having sent all his money, he decided to borrow from his friend.
8. Struck by her beauty, he decided to marry her.
9. I am sorry to hear of your failure.
10. I felt my legs shake before the headmaster.
III. Complete the letter using the appropriate non-finite - - - ,
form).
Yesterday, I (i) __________ to the park. While I was there, I (ii) __________ a group of
children (iii) __________ on the swings. I (iv) __________ them for a while. After that, I
decided (v) __________ them. We all had a great time (vi) __________ and (vii) __________
together. Later in the day, I (viii) __________ under a tree and (ix) __________ a book. It
was a relaxing day, and I look forward (x) __________ back to the park soon.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: TENSES

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action
takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take place
sometime in the future.

TENSES TABLE
Simple Continuous Perfect Perfect
Continuous
Present Ist form + s/es Is/am/are + Ist Has/have + Has/have +
form + ing IIIrd form been + Ist
form + ing +
since/for
Past IInd form/ed Was/were + Had + IIIrd Had + been +
Ist form + ing form Ist form + ing
+ since/for
Future Will/shall + Will/shall + be Will/shall + Will/shall +
Ist form + Ist form + have + IIIrd have + been +
ing form Ist form +
since/for

Types of Tenses
PAST TENSE
1) Simple Past Tense-
Indicates an action that took place before the present moment and that has no real
connection with the present time.
For example- He danced at the party. (The action took place in the past, is finished,
and is completely unrelated to the present)
They watched a movie yesterday.
He flew to London yesterday.

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or
event in the past.
For example- He had reached home before it started to rain.
My sister had finished her homework before I came back from the market.
Note-. The form of the Past Perfect Tense is - had + past participle.

3) Past Continuous Tense-

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Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that
is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example- It was getting darker, so I rushed home.
The light went out while they were reading.
Note-. The form of Past Continuous Tense is - was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the
past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example- At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months.
He had been practicing for two months before the competition.
Note- The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE
1) Simple Present Tense-
Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the
past, continues to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This
tense is used to denote-
A habitual action- He walks to school daily.
General truths- The sun rises in the east. or Honesty is the best policy.
A future event that is part of a fixed timetable - The match starts at 9 .

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment,
with a result that affects the present situation.
For example- He has finished the work.
He has slept really well.
Note-. The form of the Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + past participle

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example- She is walking.
I am studying.
Note-. The form of the Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example- He has been sleeping for an hour.
My grandfather has been reading a newspaper upstairs.
Note- The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is - has/have + been + verb +
ing

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FUTURE TENSE
1) Simple Future Tense-
Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real
connection with the present time.
For example- She will visit her ailing grandmother soon.
He will walk home.
Note- The form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another
time or event in the future.
For example- By the time we arrive, he will have studied.
He will have eaten his lunch by the time his wife reaches home.
Note- The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + past participle form

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in
the future.
For example- He will be walking when it starts to rain.
My brother will be playing football after completing his homework.
Note-. The form of Future Continuous Tense is - will/shall be + verb + ing
4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-
Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time
or event in the future.
For example- He will have been exercising for an hour at 2:00.
The farmers will have been sowing crops for one month.
Note-. The form of the Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been +
verb + ing

Assignment
I. Change the tenses of the following sentences, as directed.
1. The driver drove the car rashly. (Past Continuous Tense)
2. I have been waiting for you at the bus stop. (Simple Past tense)
3. You are not paying attention to me. (Past Perfect Continuous Tense)
4. The regiment had been marching through the jungle for a month to reach the
border. (Simple Past Tense)
5. Ravi practised swimming for four hours every day before he participated in the
National Competition. (Past Perfect Continuous Tense)
6. Had he been driving for five hours? (Present Perfect Tense)
7. Charles Dickens wrote for a newspaper under a false name before he became
famous as a novelist. (Past Perfect Tense)
8. I am sure you like my new house. (Simple Future Tense)
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 26 of 60
9. The teacher started a new chapter on Monday. (Future Continuous Tense)
10. Around this time next year I will learn French. (Future Continuous Tense)

II. Choose the correct verb form from those in brackets:

continuously. (watch, watches, will watch)

2. I _____ (wait) for you at the station. (wait, waits, will wait)
3. I was tired yesterday because I ______ well the night before. (not sleep, do not sleep,
did not sleep)
4. Yesterday they all _____ shopping in the new mall. (go, went, had went)

6. Rohan ________two mistakes in the test. (make, making, made)

7. This morning Ranjeet ______ his tea, when I reached his house. (make, was
making, made)
8. Our school team _________ any trophy at the tournament. (did not win, do not win,
not win)
9. By this time next year, we ___________ out from grade VIII. (shall pass, shall have
pass shall have passed)
10. Aditi _______ a fixed salary every month from her taekwondo classes.
(earning, earns, earn)

III. Fill in the correct tense of the verb given in brackets

ond of her but she ____________________
(worry) too much about her health. These days she is _____________________ (suffer) from
constant headaches. I ______________________ (tell) her about a new medicine that I
_________________(hear) of from my doctor. She said she could ________________ (try) it, so
that she may _________________ (get) relief from her headaches.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: ARTICLES
Articles are of TWO types:
i. Indefinite (A, An)
ii. Definite (The)
A / AN
• A/An means ONE or ANY.
• A is used before consonant sound, e.g. A cat.
• An is used before vowel sound, e.g. An egg.
THE
• It is used for a particular person or thing, e.g. The book you want is currently
not available.
• It is used to represent a whole class. e.g. The cow gives us milk.
• It is used before the name of a ---
i. Gulf, e.g. The Persian gulf
ii. River, e.g. The Ganges, The Thames
iii. Sea, e.g. The Red sea
iv. Ocean, e.g. The Atlantic ocean
v. Group of islands, e.g. The Andamans
vi. Mountain range, e.g. The Himalayas, The Alps
vii. Unique celestial bodies, e.g. The sun, The moon, The earth
• It is used before superlative adjectives, e.g. The sweetest, The best.
• When used before an adjective, it refers to the whole community, e.g. The
blind means all the blind people.
• It is used before comparative adverb to show comparison, e.g. The more we
get, the more we want.
OMIT THE ARTICLES
• When referring to the whole community, e.g. Man is mortal.
• Before Proper noun, e.g. Patna is located in Bihar.
• Before kind of , e.g. What kind of person is she?
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 28 of 60
 • Before certain phrases like: To give ear, In debt, At sunset, On earth, At dinner.
ASSIGNMENT:
Fill in the blank with a suitable article:
1. Sanskrit is ............... difficult language.
2. ............... Ganges is ............... sacred river.
3. Kabir got ............... best present.
4. French is ............... easy language.
5. ............... French defeated the Germans.
6. Which is ............... longest river in India?
7. Mumbai is ............... very dear place to live in.
8. She is ............... untidy girl.
9. The children found ............... egg in the nest.
10.I bought ............... horse, ............... ox and ............... buffalo.
11. English is ............... language of ............... people of ............... England.
12.He looks as stupid as ............... owl.

Complete the passage using suitable Articles:

Once upon .......... time, there was .......... small village near .......... river. .......... old
man lived in .......... cottage by .......... woods. Every morning, he would go for
.......... walk by .......... river. One day, he found .......... beautiful bird with ..........
orange feather. He decided to take it home and care for it. The bird loved to
sing .......... lovely song every morning. .......... eagle flew over .......... village,
looking for its prey. .......... old man warned .......... children to stay inside. He
then took .......... umbrella to protect himself from .......... rain. By .......... end of
.......... day, .......... bird had flown away, but .......... old man was happy to have
helped it.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH
TOPIC: TRANSITIVE & INTRANSITIVE VERBS
TRANSITIVE VERBS
A Verb that requires an Object to complete its meaning (sense) is called a Transitive
Verb.
• I bought a car.
• I cut my finger.
• The man stole a bike.
• He cannot fool me.
• My mother has sent her a letter.
We need to ask WHAT or WHOM to the Verbs (bought, cut, stole, fool, sent) to find
the Object.

Transitive Verbs need an object after them. The object receives the action of the
verb.
Example sentences using TRANSITIVE verbs:
• We enjoyed the concert.
• I opened the door.
• She kicked the ball.
• I saw an accident.
Transitive Verbs can also have an indirect object that precedes the direct object.
• He sent Robert the letter.
The direct object ( letter) receives the action ( sent). The indirect object ( Robert) is
the person to whom the letter is sent.

INTRANSITIVE VERBS
A verb that does not require an Object to make sense but makes good sense by itself
is called an Intransitive Verb.
E.g., I laughed aloud.
Intransitive verbs do not have a direct object after them.
An intransitive verb does not pass the action to an object. It cannot be changed into
a passive voice.
• He arrived.

need an object to receive the action.

• The baby smiled.
• The apple fell from the tree.

From the tree is not an object, it is an adverbial phrase ( = it acts like an adverb
and tells us where it happened).

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 30 of 60
 Example sentences using INTRANSITIVE verbs
• We arrived around midday.
• She sneezed loudly.
• Your baby cries a lot.
• His grandfather died last year.
• I was waiting for you at the bus stop.
• The jokes were not funny at all.
• I walk to work every day.
• We sat on the bench.
• He stood in the corner.

ASSIGNMENT
I. Pick the verbs and state whether they are Transitive or Intransitive verbs:
Transitive Intransitive
1. She bought a new dress for the party. ____________ ____________
2. They cooked a delicious meal together. ____________ ____________
3. He fixed the broken window in the garage. ____________ ____________
4. The caged birds were released in the forest. ____________ ____________
5. She smiled warmly when she saw her old friend. ____________ ____________
6. I wrote a heartfelt letter to my grandmother. ____________ ____________
7. The sun set behind the mountains. ____________ ____________
8. Mr. Sharma runs a hotel ____________ ____________
9. They travelled by night. ____________ ____________
10. She enjoyed her vacation. ____________ ____________

II. Read the following sentences and fill in the columns according to the headings
given. Some sentences may not have an object at all:

Sentence Verb Object Type of verb

1. She broke the clock. broke the clock Transitive

1. 2. The teapot broke all of

a sudden.
2. into
the Atlantic Ocean.
3. 4. These tomatoes are
not ripe.
4. 5. The birds chirped
loudly in the morning.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 31 of 60
5. 6. She laughed at the
joke.

6. 7. She always plays in

the park.
7. 8. She carried a big
umbrella to protect
herself from the harsh
sun.
8. 9. The river flows gently
through the valley.
9. 10. The chef cooked a
gourmet meal for the
guests.
11. Can you bring me
some mangoes?
12. The boy went to the
park.

news analysis.
14. She studies in
California.
15. I am going to buy her
some flowers.
16. I have invited my
friends.

well.
18. She sat on the bench.

19. We went to the

beach yesterday.
20. Our team played
well.
21. The car may need a
new battery.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 32 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: ACTIVE & PASSIVE VOICE

A Transitive Verb (a Verb that has an object) has two voices.

1. Active voice
2. Passive voice.
ACTIVE VOICE:
When the subject of the verb is doing the action, we say the verb is in Active Voice.
Sentences in Active Voice have a subject that performs the action and an object
that receives the action.
e.g., The hunter killed the tiger.

PASSIVE VOICE:
When a sentence is changed so that the object of the
transitive verb becomes the subject, then we say the
verb is in Passive Voice. The subject in the passive
sentence is inactive and has a helping verb or
auxiliary verb.
e.g., The book is read by me.
In Passive sentences ---
• The Object of the active verb is made the Passive Subject of the passive verb.
• The Subject of the active verb is made the Passive Object and we have used
the before it.
• However, if the subject is not important, we omit it in the Passive Voice.
• E.g., Active Voice- Somebody knocked at the door.
• Passive Voice- The door was knocked at.
• The passive verb must have the past participle form of the finite verb.
• When the verb in the Active Voice takes two objects, one direct and the other
indirect, either of them becomes the Subject of the passive verb and the other
remains as a retained Object in the Passive Voice.
• E.g., Active Voice- She told me a story.
• Passive Voice- A story was told to me by her.
• Or- I was told a story by her.
• Active Verbs followed by Prepositions retain them when they are changed
into Passive Voice.
• E.g., Active Voice- She did not care for the child.
• Passive Voice- The child was not cared for by her.

• Intransitive verbs have no object. So, these cannot be changed into passive.

CONVERSION FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE:

TENSE ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE
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Simple Present Tense See is seen
(Helping Verb+ Past
Participle)
Present Continuous is/ are seeing is/are being seen
Tense (Helping Verb+
being+Past Participle)
Present Perfect Tense has/have seen has/have been seen
(Helping Verb+been+
Past Participle)
Simple Past Tense saw was/were seen
(Helping Verb+ Past
Participle)
Past Continuous Tense was/were seeing was/were being seen
(Helping Verb+being+
Past Participle)
Past Perfect Tense had seen had been seen
(Helping Verb+been+
Past Participle)
Future Tense will/shall see will/shall be seen
(Helping Verb+ be+Past
Participle)
Future Perfect Tense will/shall/have seen will/shall have been seen
(Helping Verb+been+
Past Participle)

Examples:
Mr. Mehta has taught you. (AV)
You have been taught by Mr. Mehta. (PV)

The children laughed at the joker. (AV)

The joker was laughed at by the children. (PV)

Suman was reading a comic. (AV)

A comic was being read by Suman. (PV)

Aryan had made a big mistake. (AV)

A big mistake had been made by Aryan. (PV)

You will never forget this lesson. (AV)

The lesson will never be forgotten by you. (PV)

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 34 of 60
Mother will have cooked dinner. (AV)
Dinner will have been cooked by Mother. (PV)

Imperative Sentences
i. Open the door. (AV)
Let the door be opened. (PV)
ii. Sit down. (AV)
Be seated. (PV)
iii. Do not beat the dog. (AV)
Let not the dog be beaten by you. (PV)
Or- You are warned not to beat the dog. (You can to put emphasis)

Interrogative Sentences
i. Who stole your book? (AV)
By whom was your book stolen? (PV)
ii. How did you do this sum? (AV)
How was this sum done by you? (PV)
iii. Do the children play cricket? (AV)
Is cricket played by the children? (PV)
iv. Did your friend invite you? (AV)
Were you invited by your friend? (PV)
v. Can anybody help me? (AV)
Can I be helped? (PV)
vi. May god bless you with good health! (AV)
May you be blessed with good health! (PV)

SAMPLE
PROCESS WRITING:

Tea is always refreshing. Given below is the process for making tea. Write down
the process in not more than 100 words.
• Boil one cup of water in a vessel.
• Add one teaspoon of tea leaves to it.
• Brew the tea for a minute.
• Strain the brew into a cup.
• Add half a cup of milk and sugar to taste and stir thoroughly.
• Serve.

Recipe for Making Tea

Firstly, one cup of water is boiled in a vessel. Then, one teaspoon of tea leaves is
added to it. Let the tea brew along with water and rest it for 5 minutes. Next, the

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 35 of 60
brew is strained into a cup. As per taste half a cup of milk and sugar, or lemon juice
with sugar is added to taste and stirred thoroughly. Finally, the tea is served.

ASSIGNMENT
I. Use the passive form of the verb to complete the sentences.
1. Three men are loading the wagon.
The wagon ____________________________________________________________.
2. The President rewarded Sasha for her bravery.
Sasha ___________________________________________________________________.
3. People know Mr. Singh as a magnanimous man.
Mr. Singh ______________________________________________________________.

5. One of the most eminent scholars of the day reviewed the book on wildlife.
The book ________________________________________________________________.
6. Why did Sam deprive you of your money?
Why ______________________________________________________________________?
7. Who has broken the glass?
By whom _________________________________________________________________?

The king was _____________________________________________________________.

9. They must listen to his music.
His music _________________________________________________________________.
10. Give the command.
Let the ____________________________________________________________________.
11. Ramesh can do the work.
The work __________________________________________________________________.
12. We respectfully notify customers that they may not bring dogs into the
restaurant.
Customers are ____________________________________________________________.

II. Choose the correct option to complete the passage in passive voice.
The Indian moon mission Chandrayaan-3 (i) ________ successfully from the Satish
Dhawan Space Centre. The spacecraft (ii) ________ into space by a GSLV Mk III rocket.
The launch (iii) ________ by a team of skilled scientists and engineers. Chandrayaan-
3 (iv) ________ and monitored by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Mission Control Centre. The mission's objectives (v) ________ through careful
planning and execution by ISRO's team. Detailed information about the mission's
progress (vi) ________ by ISRO in the coming days. The successful launch of
Chandrayaan-3 marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts.

i. (a) are launched (b) was launched

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 36 of 60
 (c) were launched (d) launched
ii. (a) propelled (b) are propelled
(c) was propelled (d) will be propelled
iii. (a) has overseen (b) was overseen
(c) were overseen (d) is being overseen
iv. (a) has operated (b) was operated
(c) is operating (d) is being operated
v. (a) been achieved (b) achieved
(c) will achieve (d) will be achieved
vi. (a) will be provided (b) be provided
(c) had been provided (d) provided

III. Below you can see a set of instructions for making fruit salad. Complete the
following paragraph which describes how fruit salad is made.
• Wash all the fruits under cold running water.
• Cut them into appropriate sizes.
• Peel the oranges, break them into segments, and add to the mixture of
fruits.
• Place all the prepared fruits in the large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle the lemon juice over the fruits to prevent them from browning.
• Add honey for a touch of sweetness.
• Gently toss the fruits in the bowl to mix them, ensuring that the
optional ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Serve chilled.
In the first step, all the fruits (i) _________________ under cold running water, ensuring
they are properly cleaned. Next, they (ii) _________________ into appropriate sizes,
preparing them correctly for the salad. The oranges (iii) _________________, and broken
into segments, which (iv) _________________ to the mixture of fruits. All the prepared
fruits (v) _________________ in the large mixing bowl. Lemon juice (vi) _________________
over the fruits to prevent them from browning. For a touch of sweetness, honey
(vii) _________________. Then the fruits (viii) _________________ in the bowl, ensuring that the
optional ingredients are evenly distributed.
Finally, the mixture (ix) _________________ chilled.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 37 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: DATA INTERPRETATION

I. DATA INTERPRETATION
Data Interpretation is the process of reviewing data through some predefined
processes which will help assign some meaning to the data and arrive at a relevant
conclusion. It involves taking the result of data analysis, making inferences on the
relations studied, and using them to conclude.
Data Analysis is the process of

Manipulating Summarizing
Categorizing
Ordering data

It is usually the first step taken toward data interpretation.

It is the process of making sense of a collection of data that has been processed. This
collection may be present in various forms like bar graphs, line charts, tabular
forms, and other similar forms and hence needs an interpretation of some kind.

BARGRAPH LINE CHART

TABULAR FORMS PIE CHART

STEPS INVOLVED IN INTERPRETING GIVEN DATA:

❖ A detailed study of the data provided must be done.
❖ The gist of the data and its subject must be understood.
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 38 of 60
 ❖ Give a suitable title.
❖ While writing the analytical details, care should be taken not to provide a
replica of figures, percentages, etc. One needs to present language skills
while providing a description and avoid quoting mathematical expressions.
❖ The answer should be done in a single paragraph not exceeding 100 words.
❖ Grammatical accuracy along with non-repetition of the same
vocabulary/sentences must be maintained.
❖ Use introductory expressions/time expressions like:
• The data shows / indicates / depicts / illustrates
• From the data/study it is clear
• It can be seen from the figure/data/map
• As can be seen from the graph/map/pie chart/bar graph
• As is shown/illustrated in the map/
The following expressions are useful in interpreting data:

To report an increase • Has risen/increased/gone up/shot up

• Has reached a maximum of / an upward
trend in the demand for
To report a decrease • Has fallen/gone down/come down to
• Has hit/reached its lowest
To report differences • Is better than/ more than double/half as
much/ three times more
• Many times, over/more/less
To report comparisons and • As compared to
contrast • In (sharp) contrast to/with
To report similarity • Is the same as/similar to
• There are striking similarities between

To report constancy or no • Has seen/registered/experienced/no

change change
• Has remained constant/unchanged/the
same
SOLVED EXAMPLES:
1. Global weather is warming leading to the Arctic meltdown. Study the following
pie chart and write a brief paragraph on factors affecting global warming in not
more than 100 words:
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 39 of 60
 Global Warming

2. Study the chart given below, which is the result of the survey conducted in the
public schools and government schools of Vadodara. This depicts the types of
activities the teenagers (Aged 13- 19 years are involved in during their leisure
time). Complete the summary in about 80 words.
Type of activities done by teenagers in leisure
time
60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Watching TV Net Surfing Cell Phones friends

Public Government

Teenagers and leisure time

Nowadays teenagers are more techno-savvy than children used to be ten years ago.
They do not play games like Ludo, Carrom, Chess, and other indoor games. 9-18 %
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 40 of 60
of boys and girls in the age group of 13-19 years possess their cell phones. In the
survey conducted recently on some 2000 students of two leading schools- one
government and the other a public school, the following facts were revealed.
While the students from public schools spend more of their leisure time netsurfing
and talking on cell phones, the government school students spend it watching TV
and talking to their friends. There is a sharp contrast between public and
government school teenagers in the field of net surfing. Whereas watching TV and
talking with friends there is a slight difference of only 8 to 10 %. The use of cell
phones by the students of both private and government schools is quite less as
compared to other fields. Most likely children like to spend their time watching
TV.

3. The following data shows that death due to violence has increased considerably
in recent years. Write its interpretation in 100 words on how educated youth can
play a major role in establishing peace in society.

Death Rate in %
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020

Role of youth in establishing peace in society

Youth and peace are interlinked in society. Youth can play an important role in
establishing peace in society. In a survey conducted, it has been found that the
number of deaths due to violence has increased enormously since the nineties. The
death rate in 2.5% in 2010. But in 2020, it increased to 8.8. Ever since the death
rate has been increasing. There is a gradual rise in the death rate through the years
from 2010 to 2020. In 2012 the death rate was 3.9%, then it rose to 4.8% in 2014.
Later in 2016, it reached up to 6.8% and further increased to 7.3% in 2018. There is
a sharp contrast between the years 2010 and 2020. This is a matter of concern. Our
youth can play a major role in controlling this crime graph. They can contribute to

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 41 of 60
establishing peace in many ways. They can awaken the people towards the
necessity of peace. They can help the police in catching criminals. They can bring
criminals into the mainstream by educating them and they can do much more.

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS:
1. Study the graph given below, which is based on a survey done on students of a
tenth class in three different types of schools in Ahmedabad. The chart depicts
the number of students speaking English and Hindi. Based on the details given in
the bar graph given below, briefly summarize the data making comparisons
wherever necessary in about 80 words.

Number of students speaking English & Hindi

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Govt Private KVs

English Hindi

2. Based on the given pie chart representing the causes of mental stress among
students, write a paragraph in about 100-120 words.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 42 of 60
3. The following pie chart shows the kinds of book categories preferred by
students of the age group 7-12 years. Interpret the data given below in about
80 words.

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 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: SPEECH WRITING

Speech writing is the art of using proper grammar and expression to convey a
thought or message to a reader.
There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first,
to get into your subject, then to get your subject into
yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of
your audience. - Alexander Gregg
The way you start your English speech can set the tone for
the remainder of it. For example, try some of these
engaging speech in English language starters.
➢ Rhetorical questions: A rhetorical question is a figure
of speech that uses a question to convey a point
rather than asking for a response. The answer to a rhetorical question may be
clear, yet the questioner asks it to emphasize the point. Rhetorical questions
may be a good method for students to start their English speeches. This
method of introducing your material might be appealing to the viewers and
encourage them to consider how they relate to your issue.
➢ Statistics: When making an instructive or persuasive speech in an English

understanding of the subject. To get your point over quickly and create an
emotional response, try using an unexpected statistic or fact that will
resonate with the audience.
➢ Set up an imaginary scene:

thoughts if you want to persuade them to agree with you with your speech.
This method of starting your speech assists each member of the audience in
visualizing a fantastic scenario that you wish to see come true.
Format of Speech Writing:

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 44 of 60
 ➢ Introduction: Greet the audience, tell them about yourself, and further
introduce the topic.
➢ Body: Elaborately present the topic, explaining its key features, pros, and
cons, if any.
➢ Conclusion: Summary of your speech, wrap up the topic, and leave your
audience with a compelling reminder to think about!
Remember:
➢ A speech must begin with a catchy introduction in the form of an anecdote,
quotation, statistical data, or a thought-provoking question.
➢ the accuracy of facts, and a
balanced view through comparison and contrast with other viewpoints.
➢ It must bring credibility to views by quoting adequate supporting data.
➢ It must infuse humour through anecdotes.
➢ Summing up or consolidating ideas, suggestions/measures to improve the
situation, and personal observations and predictions must be made.
➢ It must have persuasive and powerful language.
➢ must be delivered at the end.
➢ Important Points
➢ The speech must be written in the appropriate format and style.
➢ Remember to keep within the word limit.
Sample Questions:
Q. Corruption is an evil that prevails in every nook and corner of our lives. As
president of the student council, write a speech, expressing the need to curb this
evil immediately.

Respected Principal, worthy teachers, and my dear friends: today I am going to

express my views on the topic; Corruption is an Evil and the Need to Crush it .
What is corruption? It is the act of bribery and fraud for indulging in unfair
practices to fulfil personal motives. This evil has been present in society since time
immemorial. This evil has gone into each sector and has become a common
practice.

What could be the causes for indulging in corruption? These could be lust for
power, money, property, and prestige. It is a ladder of success through which
people reach the top using undue favours and means and disregarding regulations
and norms.

Corruption is rampant in many forms like nepotism, dereliction of duty, wastage

of public property, and getting admissions. Corruption is eating into the rights of
the common man and is harming our image. CWG, Adarsh Society, and Chit fund
scams all have been a result of corruption and have eaten the money and rights of
the public. Being the youth of society, we should act fast to make our nation
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 45 of 60
corruption-free. The movement led by Anna Hazare for Jan Lok Pal Bill is one of
the biggest movements against corruption in th

Corruption starts from the bottom and reaches the top; thus, it needs to be curbed
at the ground level. There should be a monitoring committee that should be very
vigilant to keep a check on corrupt officials and activities. There should be strict
penalties and punishments for corrupt people. We need to make more and more
people aware and help them to raise their voices and curb corruption.
Thank you.
Assignment
1. International Literacy Day is celebrated every year on 8 September. Imagine you
are the head boy or girl at ABM International School, Haryana. Write a speech that
will be delivered on International Literacy Day, highlighting the importance of
education for all.
2. Write a speech in 120-150 words, on "The Impact of Technology on Our
Generation".
(What are some of the positive aspects of technology in our lives, and how has it
improved our daily routines and learning experiences? On the flip side, what are
the potential negative effects of technology on our generation, and how can we
strike a balance between its benefits and drawbacks?)
3. Media has a stronghold on society. Write a speech in 150-200 words which are
to be delivered in the school assembly, on how media influences public opinion.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 46 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: POSTER MAKING

Posters are an amalgam of notices, advertisements, and invitations. They may be

in the form of large hoardings to be put up on walls, or the size of handbills to be
displayed on the noticeboards, etc. Hence, they have to be captivating, attractive,
and persuasive to influence a large number of people. Generally, they are designed
to create social awareness about current issues or to even extend public invitations
and write notices.
Main Features of a Poster:
• Layout: A creative title in the form of a slogan or rhyming words.
For example- Speed thrills but kills; Pollution needs a solution; Green is clean.
• Posters should be colourful, attractive, and tempting.
• You can use Matchstick figures for illustration.
• Proper spacing and proportionate headings and illustrations.
• Date, time, and venue must be mentioned in case of an event.
• A poster displays a message or an appeal to create awareness.
• The content should be organised in an appropriate style.
• Use appropriate expressions and correct language.
• The theme should be clear.
• The poster should be creative and related to the content and the theme
should not be vague.
• Do not spend much time on illustration. Written language and expressions
will only help you score better.
• Observe the word limit (usually 50)
• The name of the issuing authority or the organizers is a must.

Poster Writing Format:

• Title: This is the point where you can make the deal. Make a catchy title that
is the gist of your announcement or issue.
• A sketch: After the title, you have a draw a picture depicting your issue.
• Use a slogan, jingle, or short verse.
• Proportionate spacing.
• Date, Time, and Venue: (Event Poster) You have to mention the date and
time of the event which has to take place. Do not forget to mention the
venue of the event.
• Issuing Authority: Here you must write the name of the organizing body of
the particular event.
Sample Posters: Your school is organizing a fete to collect funds for victims of a
flood. Make a poster to inform people about the upcoming fete.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 47 of 60
Q. Water is precious and each one of us must stop its wastage. Prepare a poster in
not more than 50 words urging people to employ various methods of rainwater
harvesting in their colonies.

FUN FAIR
Let the Fun Begin! Join Us at the Children's Carnival!

Twirling rides, starry-eyed,

welcome to the fun-filled tide!
Don't be unfair to yourself,
come join the fun at the Fair.
Date: 15 July
Time: 10 am: -7 pm
Venue: RMS Ground
Issued in the public interest by : Navdeep Society

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 48 of 60
Assignment
1.You are Rohan Shrestha of Class VIII A. As Secretary of the Environment Club
of your school, design a poster to promote wildlife conservation and the
protection of endangered species.
2. Make a poster to promote the importance of education and literacy.
3. Every small action we take can have a profound impact on safeguarding our
planet from reducing waste to reusing materials. Design a poster on the simple
mantra 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' that plays a vital role in our mission to care for our
planet and ensure a sustainable future.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 49 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: DIARY ENTRY

Diary writing is one of the most informal categories of writing. Diary writing
usually involves the regularised recording of personal feelings and reflections on a
topic. Generally, the diary is used to record ideas and proceedings of a day to
unburden oneself. It facilitates the growth of self-awareness and self-reliance.
Points to Remember
o It should be written in chronological order.
o The day, date, and time of entry should be included.
o The main body of the diary should be written in a comprehensive manner
giving a precise yet complete description of an event, a place, or a person.
o
emotions rather than on the event itself.
o It should be personalised and written in the first person.

Format
Date Time
Day

Dear Diary
The body of the diary is written in one paragraph

Goodnight Diary

Sample
You have recently visited an old age home with your classmates. Express your
feelings in the form of a diary entry.

10 April 2025 10.00 p.m

Thursday

Dear Diary

Today, I want to share a deeply touching experience. I had the opportunity to visit
an old age home, a place that provides shelter for elderly individuals who, for
various reasons, can't live with their grown-up children or lack family support. It
was a profoundly emotional experience. My friends and I engaged in heartfelt
conversations with the residents, and they shared their life stories with us. After
our conversations, we played a variety of games together, and I was delighted to
see them opening up and enjoying themselves.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 50 of 60
However, as the time came for us to leave, I couldn't help but reflect on the cruelty
of the world. It's disheartening that some of these elderly individuals were left
there by their children. I've made a personal commitment to visit the old age home
regularly, to keep them company and bring some happiness to their lives.

Goodnight Diary

Assignment
Q.1. Your father has scolded you for wasting a lot of time playing with your friends.
You realize your mistake. Describe your feelings in a diary entry.

Q.2. You have a very bad experience of going to school on a rainy day. Express your
feelings in a diary entry.

Q.3. You met a long-lost friend, and you spent the entire day with him/her. Write
a diary entry describing what you did and how you felt.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 51 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH
TOPIC: LETTER TO MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
FORMAL LETTER
Formal letters are written for official purposes to authorities, dignitaries,
colleagues, seniors, etc., and not to personal contacts, friends, or family. In the
English language, several conventions should be followed when writing a formal
letter. Try to write as simply and clearly as possible and to the point. Remember
not to use informal language like contractions.
Layout of a formal letter:

Date
designation and address
Subject: (Begin with a noun related to the topic in the question. For example-
Request/ Complaint/ Views/ Concern/ Appeal/ Permission/ Requisition. Try to
write the subject in 1 line)

Salutation (Dear Sir/ Sir/Madam)

Body of the letter: (Write in three to four paragraphs)
Paragraph 1 - Introduce yourself and the purpose of writing the letter in brief
Paragraph 2 - Give details of the matter. (Analysis of the problem/causes.
Valuable suggestions/ solutions)
Paragraph 3 - Conclude by mentioning what you expect from the Receiver. (For
example, you may want him to highlight the issue in his newspaper. E.g., I do

Subscription
Yours sincerely (To the Principal)
Yours truly (To the Editor and Commissioner to the Municipal Corporation )
Full Name
Designation (optional)

Sample
COMPLAINT LETTER

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 52 of 60
You are Rashmi Verma living in Ajmer. Write a letter to the Municipal
Commissioner of your city Proposing the measures to control the spread of
diseases and ensure public safety.

25, Vinayak Park

Patel Nagar
Ajmer

7 March 2025

The Municipal Commissioner

The Municipal Corporation
M.G Road
Ajmer

Subject : Proposal for Ensuring Public Safety and Controlling the Spread of
Diseases

Sir
I am a resident of Patel Nagar. I am writing to you as a concerned resident of our
city. In light of the ongoing public health challenges and the need to strengthen
measures for disease prevention, I would like to propose a series of measures that
could significantly contribute to ensuring public safety and controlling the spread
of diseases within our city.

There is a need to install sanitization stations equipped with hand sanitizers at key
public spaces like markets, bus stops, and parks. This will encourage regular hand
hygiene among residents. Moreover, Regular waste collection and proper disposal
will deter the breeding of disease-carrying pests. Furthermore, we must enhance
existing community health clinics to provide easy access to basic healthcare
services.

Launching comprehensive public health awareness campaigns focusing on

personal hygiene, sanitation, and disease prevention can help a lot in the spreading
of communicable diseases. We must utilize various communication channels such
as billboards, social media, and radios to disseminate accurate information.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 53 of 60
I firmly believe that implementing these measures will greatly enhance public
safety and contribute to the reduction of disease transmission in our city. I request
your consideration of these proposals and the allocation of necessary resources to
implement them effectively.

Yours truly
Rajkumar Verma
A resident of Vinayak Park colony, Ajmer

ASSIGNMENT
1. Letter to the Municipal Corporation for enhancing waste collection and
disposal system. You are Riya/ Rahul, Navi Mumbai.
2. You are Arjun/Anne Dey living at D-3, Shivaji Chowk, Pune. Write a letter to the
Municipal Authorities of your city urging them to maintain and renovate the
parks in your locality.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 54 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: DIALOGUE WRITING

DIALOGUE WRITING
A dialogue is a piece of writing in the form of a conversation or talk between two
or more people. In fiction, dialogue is a verbal exchange between two or more
characters. Dialogue writing is the process of creating a conversation between
characters in a story, play, or any form of written narrative. It is a crucial element
of storytelling that helps to develop characters, convey information, and move the
plot forward. Effective dialogue should sound natural, reveal character traits, and
be engaging for the reader.
Stage directions and expressions are commonly used in dialogue writing to
provide context, convey emotions, and describe characters' actions and reactions.
They help paint a more vivid picture of the scene and the characters' interactions.
Here's how they are typically used:
Stage Directions: Stage directions are instructions that describe the physical
actions, movements, and positioning of characters during a conversation. They are
typically placed in the narrative part of the text rather than within the dialogue
itself. For example:
Meg: (She paced back and forth, wringing her hands.) I can't believe you're
leaving.
Robert: (He turned away angrily.) I never want to see you again.
Expressions and Gestures: Describing characters' facial expressions, body language,
and gestures within the dialogue or in the narrative can add depth to the
conversation. It helps readers understand the characters' emotions and reactions.
For example:
Meg: (shockingly) Can you tell me why?
Robert: (confusingly
These elements are essential for conveying a character's emotions, tone, and the
dynamics of a scene. They provide a visual and emotional context to the dialogue
and make it more engaging for the reader. However, it's important to strike a
balance and not overload the text with excessive stage directions and expressions,
as this can become distracting. Use them judiciously to enhance the dialogue and
create a more immersive reading experience.

Points to remember:
• Tense
• Subject-verb agreement
• Sentence type-declarative or interrogative
• Punctuation
• Imperatives
• Contractions
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 55 of 60
Dialogue writing has the following features:
1. It is natural and rapid.
2. Its tone depends upon the people who are talking.
3. It is lively and has no dull moments.
4. Interjections, contractions, and exclamations are used.
5. Sometimes expressions are given within brackets to indicate the mood of the
speaker.
6. It has a satisfying ending.
For e.g., Soham : They are extremely useful. Thank you.
7. Use a colon (:) after the names of the characters.
8. Proper tenses should be used in each dialogue.
9. The dialogues should be divided among the speakers. At least 10 to 15 dialogues
in all.
10. Always use appropriate punctuation marks.

Points to Remember
1. Try to imagine what would be the way each character in the dialogue would
express their views. To do this, you must have in your mind a clear idea of the
imaginary persons taking part in the conversation, to
make them speak in character.
2. Keep in mind that your dialogue when completed,
should read like a real spontaneous conversation. So, try
to make your characters talk in an easy, familiar
manner.
3. While writing sentences, one must take care to avoid
errors and ensure that the grammatical elements are
kept in mind.

Sample:
Q. Write a dialogue between a Shopkeeper and a customer who realises that the
shopkeeper is being unfair to him.

(In a small store a Customer enters the shop and picks up a product)
Customer : (Smiling) Good afternoon! How much is this item for?
Shopkeeper : (Indifferently) It costs rupees 150
(Customer notices that the price is higher than the one displayed on the shelf)
Customer : Excuse me, the price tag on the shelf says rupees 100.
Is there a mistake?
Shopkeeper : Oh, that must be an old tag. The price has increased recently.
Customer : (firmly) I'm sorry, but that doesn't seem right. Can you
please check?
Shopkeeper : Fine, let me see You're right, it's rupees 100.
SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 56 of 60
Customer : I understand mistakes can happen, but I hope you'll be more
careful with pricing in the future.
Shopkeeper : (Grumbling) Yes, yes. Here, it's for rupees 100.
Customer : Oh, one more thing. I noticed there's an ongoing promotion on
this brand. Then, s
Shopkeeper : The promotion doesn't apply to this item.
Customer : But the sign says, "Promo on all products of this brand." Can you
please check?
Shopkeeper : (Reluctantly) Ugh, fine. You're right again. You get a 20%
discount.
Customer : It's disheartening as a customer to constantly double-check the
prices and promotions.
Shopkeeper : (Nonchalantly) It's not that big of a deal.
Customer : Actually, it is a big deal. As a loyal customer, I expect honesty and
transparency. I deserve to be treated fairly.
Shopkeeper : My apologies, sir. I'll make sure to be more accurate next time.
Customer : Thank you for understanding. I hope things improve for future
customers too.
(Customer leaves the shop, feeling disappointed)

Assignment:
1. Write a few sets of dialogues between two friends, Harish and Arun about their
favourite hobbies. Complete the dialogue with suitable expression and stage
direction only where required.

2. Write a dialogue between a doctor and a patient talking about the chronic
ailment of acute headache.
Doctor: Good afternoon. How have you been since our last appointment?

Patient: Afternoon, doctor. I wish I could say I've been better, but these chronic
acute headaches just won't let up. They're impacting my daily life.
Doctor: _____________________________________
Patient: _____________________________________

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 57 of 60
 CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: DEBATE

Debate writing is the placement of arguments in which

two opposing views defend or attack a given proposition.
It is a persuasive type of writing, aiming to convert the
-
the writer writes either for or against the issue being
discussed. The purpose of a debate is to pass on a wide
range of information, express an opinion, share a point of
view, experience, observation, etc.

Format to be followed:
1. Paragraph One:
Salutation ---

Introduction --- A quotation/ a question/ some statistics, followed by stating your

of/against the motion.

2. Paragraph Two: Develop 3-4 points in support of your stand.
3. Paragraph Three: Negate 2-3 points of the opponents; at least 1 point is to be
built by asking a series of questions. Instead of making a statement such as

effective if it is structured as, -driven world, may I ask why

4. Paragraph Four: Conclude with a strong point and reiterate your stand once
again, using a quotation.
of the debate.

➢ Remember - If you want to express your opinion about something and

persuade other people, it may help you to follow the steps given below:

Opening Statement/Quotation
Respected Chairperson, members of the Jury, teachers, and my dear friends

First reason: for/against,

Second reason: for/against

Summing up

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 58 of 60
 ➢ Remember to include phrases like:

I disagree with

Let me give you an example

IMPORTANT POINTS

Make sure you know what your opinion is and what reasons you can give for it.
Give reasons why you agree/disagree with the other speakers.

SAMPLE:

Lily Tomlin has quite rightly said, I like a teacher who gives you something to
take home to think about rather than homework. Respected Chairperson,
Principal, members of the jury, worthy opponents, and my dear friends. I stand
here to speak in favour of the topic Homework should be Abolished.

Homework, as we know, is given to students to revise the portion taught in the

classroom and also for a better understanding of the subject. But the truth is, that
homework has little educational value. International comparisons of students
have found that the countries where homework is given do not get very good
results. Even the teachers can never be sure whether the child has understood the
topic or not or whether she/he has done the homework on her/his own. It takes
away the leisure time of children. Hence, I strongly believe that homework should
be abolished so that children get more free time for sports and family.

My worthy opponents may supposedly point out the advantages of homework.

However, they cannot overlook the fact that homework overburdens a child and
restricts more creative engagements. I fail to understand why homework is given
regularly in some schools. But let me tell you, many students copy from others or
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take ternet
that students copy without understanding.

creativity. Once again, I would like to reiterate my stance that homework should
be abolished.
Thank you.

ASSIGNMENT:
1. You are Mukul/Mahima from the Alps Public School. Your school is hosting a
debate on the topic "The Impact of Social Media." Prepare your arguments, either in
favour or against the motion, in a concise essay of 150-200 words.

2. "Online Smart Classes: Shaping the Future of Education." Craft a debate

addressing this motion, supporting either in favour of or against the argument in
150-200 words.

SCM_VIII_ENGLISH_2025-26_TERM-1 Page 60 of 60