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Spectacular Wonders – NCERT Solutions Class 8 English (Poorvi)

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Spectacular Wonders – NCERT Solutions Class 8 English (Poorvi) includes all the questions with solutions given in the NCERT Class 8 English (Poorvi).

NCERT Solutions Class 8

English Poorvi Hindi Malhar Maths Ganita Prakash Science Curiosity Social Exploring Society

Spectacular Wonders – NCERT Solutions

Q.1: Look at the pictures given below and sort them into natural and man-made wonders.

Solution:

Natural:
Living Root Bridge, Dzukou Valley, Ice Stupa, and Moon over the Himalayas
Man-made:
Mysore Palace, Bogibeel Bridge, Fountain Garden, and Marble Rocks with Cable Car

Q.2: Which of these wonders-man-made or natural-are more appealing and why? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Solution:

Natural wonders are more appealing because they are created by nature without any human help. They show the beauty and power of the Earth. For example, the Living Root Bridge and the Himalayas are not only beautiful but also show how nature can create amazing things over time. These places feel peaceful and make us feel close to the environment.

Q.3: Work in pairs. Write down two wonders of nature that have amazed you. Discuss what makes them impressive. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Solution:

  1. The Grand Canyon (USA)- It’s a huge valley carved by the Colorado River. Its size, colours, and rock layers show how old and powerful nature is.
  2. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)- These colourful lights in the night sky happen in cold places like Norway and Alaska. They look magical and happen because of Earth’s magnetic field and solar winds.
    What makes them impressive:
    They are both natural and cannot be made by humans. They remind us of the vast and wonderful natural world.

Q.4: Complete the information in the table given below. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Amazing Natural PhenomenaLocationOne Unique Feature
1. The Valley of FlowersChamoli district, UttarakhandAround 600 species of exotic flowers
2. The Living Root Bridges  
3.Buldhana district, Maharashtra 
4. Magnetic Hills  
5. Glowing Waters  
6.West Bengal 
7.Balasore district, Odisha 

Solution:

Amazing Natural PhenomenaLocationOne Unique Feature
1. The Valley of FlowersChamoli district, UttarakhandAround 600 species of exotic flowers
2. The Living Root BridgesMeghalyabuilt from interwined roots
3. Lonar Crater LakeBuldhana district, Maharashtraformed by meteorite impact
4. Magnetic HillsLeh, Ladakhvehicles appear to roll uphill
5. Glowing WatersKumbalangi, KeralaBioluminescence from micro planktons
6. SundarbansWest BengalMangrove forest with sundari trees
7. Chandipur BeachBalasore district, OdishaSea disappears during ebb tide

Q.5: Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.
India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena that surprise and spark our imagination.

  1. Replace the underlined phrase with one from the extract.
    India is the birthplace of several rare species of flora and fauna that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.
  2. What does the phrase ‘nature’s unusual side’ suggest about the phenomena described?
  3. Complete the similarity by choosing the correct option.
    spark: imagination : : ________ : ________.
    1. inspiration; creativity
    2. wonder; amazement
    3. effort; reward
    4. knowledge; books
  4. Identify whether the following statement is true or false. Some natural phenomena can surprise people.

Solution:

  1. nature’s unusual side
  2. It suggests rare and surprising natural events that are different from everyday nature.
  3. B. wonder: amazement
  4. True

Q.6: Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.
Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously- the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors.

  1. Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
    The writer’s most likely purpose to introduce the information about the Chandipur Beach phenomenon with a question is to ________. (engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense/draw the reader to learn more about the unusual phenomenon/set the tone for the surprising nature of the content that follows)
  2. Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
    (A): Chandipur Beach in Odisha is known for its unique feature of the sea disappearing.
    {tex}({R}){/tex}: The tides retreat drastically, exposing the Chandipur beach.
    1. Both {tex}({A}){/tex} and {tex}({R}){/tex} are true, and {tex}({R}){/tex} is the correct explanation of {tex}({A}){/tex}.
    2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
    3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
    4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
  3. What does the term ‘unique’ suggest about the beach in Balasore?
    1. very popular
    2. one of its kind
    3. ancient place
    4. far from city
  4. What does the writer want to convey with the use of the phrase ‘playing hide-and-seek with its visitors’?

Solution:

  1. Engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense
  2. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
  3. B. one of its kind
  4. The sea appears and disappears due to changing tides, creating a playful and mysterious effect for the visitors.

Q.7: How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya? Answer with reference to the chapter ‘Spectacular Wonders’.

Solution:

They allow safe crossing over waterways during monsoons, unlike weak bamboo bridges.

Q.8: Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?

Solution:

It’s formed by a meteorite impact in basaltic rock, one of the top five largest craters globally, with a unique saline lake.

Q.9: What might be the writer’s purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring natural wonders of India? Answer with reference to the chapter ‘Spectacular Wonders’.

Solution:

To show India’s unique landscapes, spark curiosity, and encourage appreciation of nature.

Q.10: The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for some of the natural phenomena. What impact does it have on the readers?

Solution:

It grabs attention, makes the phenomena vivid, and encourages readers to think and imagine.

Q.11: Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting and why? Answer with reference to the chapter ‘Spectacular Wonders’.

Solution:

The Living Root Bridges, they are built naturally by intertwining roots, showing human creativity and harmony with nature.

Q.12: Fill in the blanks with the correct expressions from the text given in the box below.
(came into existence, to no end, in full glory, in disbelief, to name a few, age-old problem)

  1. I have read many stories ________.
  2. Do you know when this little town ________?
  3. His hard work has helped him ________.
  4. There are no simple solutions to the ________ of traffic jams.
  5. He opened the ancient wooden box and stared at the treasure ________.
  6. The garden is ________ in spring with lots of beautiful flowers in bloom.

Solution:

  1. to name a few
  2. came into existence
  3. to no end      
  4. age-old problem
  5. in disbelief
  6. in full glory

Q.13: Select the correct synonyms from the box given below that match the list of words in 1-5. You may refer to a thesaurus.
(colossal, exotic, serene, enigmatic, spectacular)

  1. mysterious, puzzling, baffling
  2. mighty, gigantic, huge
  3. breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring
  4. peaceful, calm, tranquil
  5. unusual, peculiar, foreign

Solution:

  1. mysterious, puzzling, baffling {tex}\rightarrow{/tex} enigmatic
  2. mighty, gigantic, huge {tex}\rightarrow{/tex} colossal
  3. breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring {tex}\rightarrow{/tex} spectacular
  4. peaceful, calm, tranquil {tex}\rightarrow{/tex} serene
  5. unusual, peculiar, foreign {tex}\rightarrow{/tex} exotic

Q.14: The expressions ‘hide-and-seek’ and ‘flora and fauna’ are used in the text. These are called binomials- a pair of fixed words joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’. The binomials are mostly synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, same-sound words (alliterations), etc. Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Column 1Column 2
1. odds and ends(i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities
2. on and off(ii) complete part of or belong to
3. mix and match(iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
4. all or nothing(iv) at some time in the future
5. part and parcel(v) sometimes, occasionally
6. pick and choose(vi) increase or develop very quickly
7. sooner or later(vii) small, unimportant things
8. leaps and bounds(viii) something to be done completely or not at all

Use the binomials given in Column 1 in sentences of your own.

Solution:

Column 1Column 2
1. odds and ends(vii) small, unimportant things
2. on and off(v) sometimes, occasionally
3. mix and match(i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities
4. all or nothing(viii) something to be done completely or not at all
5. part and parcel(ii) complete part of or belong to
6. pick and choose(iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
7. sooner or later(iv) at some time in the future
8. leaps and bounds(vi) increase or develop very quickly

Sentences:

  1. I cleaned my room and found odds and ends like old pens and buttons.
  2. She visits the park on and off when she has free time.
  3. I like to mix and match my clothes to create new outfits.
  4. This project is all or nothing; we must finish it completely.
  5. Helping others is part and parcel of being a good friend.
  6. At the store, I can pick and choose the best apples.
  7. Sooner or later, I’ll visit the Valley of Flowers.
  8. Her drawing skills improved by leaps and bounds this year.

Q.15: Fill in the blanks using the present participle or past participle form of the verbs in the box given below.
(stand, amaze, carve, scatter, glow)

  1. The ________ marble monument looks even more spectacular in the moonlight.
  2. The ________ view of the Himalayas from Darjeeling attracts visitors from all over the world.
  3. The Sun Temple in Konark features intricately ________ stone wheels and walls.
  4. ________ at a height of 182 m , the Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  5. The ________ islands of the Andaman and Nicobar offer some of the cleanest beaches in India.

Solution:

  1. glowing
  2. amazing
  3. carved
  4. Standing
  5. scattered

Q.16: Study the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
Crossing the many waterways without bridges was difficult for people in the past, during monsoons. In the given sentence, the highlighted word ‘crossing’, is one example of a verb used as a noun. Such a verb is called a gerund.

  1. Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G
  2. Travelling can broaden your perspective.
  3. The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn.
  4. She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family.
  5. Reading helps improve your vocabulary.
  6. He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky.
  7. Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door.

Solution:

  1. Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G
  2. Travelling can broaden your perspective. G
  3. The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn. P
  4. She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family. G
  5. Reading helps improve your vocabulary. G
  6. He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky. P
  7. Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door. P

Q.17: Combine the following pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds. You may use the clues given in brackets. One example has been done for you.

  1. Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner. (participle)
  2. Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)
  3. Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)
  4. Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)
  5. Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)

Solution:

  1. Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
  2. Walking carelessly, Smitha slipped on the doormat.
  3. Sleeping for eight hours is good for health.
  4. Feeling happy about the result, Ranjith called his parents.
  5. Encouraged by her father, Meena joined the course.

Q.18: You will listen to a brother and sister discuss a natural phenomenon. As you listen, mark the four true statements from 1-6 given below.

  1. The brother was taken aback to see the posted pictures.
  2. The brother admitted to not knowing about his sister’s favourite picture.
  3. The sister stated that the rainbow mountain was like any other mountain.
  4. The brother was aware of the reason for the formation of colours on the mountain.
  5. The brother was surprised to learn about the mountain being covered with snow till recently.
  6. The sister understood nature’s role in the beauty of the mountain.

Solution:

True statements: ii, iv, v, vi

Q.19: Work in groups of four. Make a presentation on a place of interest in and around your region that people like to visit. You may use the following guidelines to make your presentation.
Guidelines:

  1. Slides 1-2: Choose any popular place of interest in your region.
  2. Slides 3-4: Mention where it is located and how to get there.
  3. Slides 5-6: Describe the attractions of the place, why it is popular and explain its historical importance, if any.
  4. Slides 7-8: List out weather conditions, local food, customs, and language.
  5. Slides 9-10: Suggest the best time of the year to visit and why you recommend this place.

Solution:

  1. Slide 1-2: Place – Qutub Minar, Delhi.
  2. Slide 3-4: Location – In Mehrauli, Delhi; reachable by metro (Qutub Minar station) or bus.
  3. Slide 5-6: Attractions – Tallest brick minaret, built in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, with intricate carvings; historically important as a symbol of the Delhi Sultanate.
  4. Slide 7-8: Details – Pleasant weather in winter; local food like parathas; Hindi and English spoken; respect monument rules.
  5. Slide 9-10: Best Time – October to March for cool weather; recommended for its historical beauty and architecture.

Q.20: You just read vivid descriptions of the natural wonders of our country. Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine describing anything from nature that attracted your attention. It may be an object, a place, or an event experienced by you. Remember to give a title to your essay. Use proper format and content organisation- begin with a title, including an introduction (one paragraph), body (two to three paragraphs), and conclusion (one paragraph).

Solution:

A Sparkling Night at Kumbalangi
Last summer, I visited Kumbalangi village in Kerala, and its glowing waters left me spellbound. As night fell, the backwaters twinkled like a sky full of stars, a magical sight I’ll never forget.
The village was quiet, with lush green trees rustling in the breeze. At dusk, we took a boat ride, and soon, the water began to glow with tiny blue-green sparkles. These were micro-planktons, tiny creatures creating bioluminescence. Each ripple in the water sent sparkles dancing, like fireflies in the sea. The air smelled fresh, and the sound of gentle waves was soothing. I dipped my hand in, and the water glowed around my fingers, making me feel like I was in a fairy tale.
The villagers explained that this natural wonder happens when micro-planktons are active, especially on warm nights. I also enjoyed their spicy fish curry and learned about their fishing traditions. The glowing waters felt like nature’s secret light show, teaching me how even tiny creatures can create something extraordinary.
This experience showed me the beauty of nature’s surprises. Kumbalangi’s glowing waters are a treasure, reminding us to explore and protect our environment.

Q.21: Man-made Wonders

  1. Kallanai Dam (The Grand Anaicut) in Tamil Nadu is one of the world’s oldest dams and is still in use. The Kallanai Dam represents a significant achievement in ancient Indian hydraulic engineering. It was built by the Chola King Karikala around 150 CE.
  2. Another spectacular legacy of ancient wisdom that we have is the world’s fist residential university at Nalanda in Bihar. Nalanda was established much before any European university, providing higher education to thousands of students. It was declared as a UNESCO heritage site in 1980. You may visit the site given below to know more about this. https://nalandauniv.edu.in/about-nalanda/history-and-revival/
  3. Hampi, a town in Karnataka, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vittala Temple in Hampi was built in the 15th century. This temple has 56 special pillars known as the SaReGaMa pillars. When these pillars are tapped, they produce musical notes that can be heard clearly.
  4. Some of the man-made wonders of modern India include the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai; Statue of Unity in Gujarat; Bhupen Hazarika Setu (The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge) in Assam; and many more.

Solution: Do it yourself

Q.22: Some micro-planktons in the sea are bioluminescent. Have you seen any other life form that has this quality? Identify the insect given below and find out what it is called in your language. Look out for it when you visit a field or a place with a wetland.

Solution:

  • Insect Shown: Firefly
  • Bioluminescence: Fireflies produce light from their abdomen due to a chemical reaction, similar to the micro-planktons.
    Common Names in Indian Languages:
    • Hindi: Jugnu
    • Malayalam: Minnaminungu 
    • Tamil: Minnal Poochi
    • Bengali: Jonaki Poka 
    • Telugu: Deepa Purugu 
    • Marathi: Jugas 

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