DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL BANGALORE NORTH

ACADEMIC SESSION 2021-2022

Workbook Content for April and May

CLASS : VIII SUBJECT : ENGLISH

1.COMPREHENSION PASSAGE
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
1. The daily commute from home to work in a Mumbai local is a fascinating
experience. The railway is the biggest leveller in this city. What caught my attention
one day, in the ladies compartment was that everyone – from a ten year old girl
accompanying her mother – sat with earpieces on, plugged into their own world of
music and private thoughts, consciously avoiding eye contact with anyone, lest a
need should arise for small talk. Or worse, a conversation throughout the journey.
2. We all live in a plugged in world where communication is a child’s play. But one of
the biggest casualties of this connected world has been the art of conversation. We
simply don’t have the patience to talk anymore or even listen to others. Says an
advertisement executive conversation is a formality these days. Even when friends
meet and talk their eyes are glued to their phones. I have heard people say, “Make it
quick, what do you have to say? It’s almost like they are waiting for the talk part to
get over, so that they can relax and go back to texting and checking their Facebook
statuses.”
3. We live in a self-absorbed world. We love talking, arguing and debating in our own
heads. The moment it becomes real we lose control. Whether it is a sociologist’s
speech on the caste system, a superstar’s article on being a Muslim in India or TV
debates that sound more like slanging matches; our inability to listen and talk to
people to understand their view point, stands out.
4. A spiritual guru BK Shivani asks, “Whether on social media platforms, TV or in real
life, why are conversations only about winning or proving a point?” By choosing to
fight a corner, aren’t we saying to the world that we would rather be right than
happy? Winning an argument isn’t winning. It is the ego’s way of trying to convince
us that we are victorious because we have avoided defeat.
5. A professor of the social studies of science and technology at one of the US
universities writes in her latest book that one of the main reasons people don’t
converse anymore is because a conversation takes place in real time and we can’t
control what we are saying. We don’t get to edit or delete. Texting is preferred to
talking. Emails have made our conversations crisp, cool and to the point. Whether
it’s an official mail or a personal text, we can type and retype till we see a sentence
that satisfies our ego. There is no room for mistakes.

1] Answer the following questions briefly:

a.Why the local train in Mumbai is called the biggest leveller?
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______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

b. Why do people avoid talking to each other?

__________________________________________________________________________

c. Why don’t people have patience these days?

________________________________________________________________________

d. How have Emails changed our way of communicating?

2] Complete the following sentences:

a. According to the professor of Social Studies in the USA, we do not communicate
anymore because .
b. Winning an argument is important because .
c. The biggest casualty of this connected world has
been .
3] Find a word from the passage which means the same as:
a. mindful (para 1) -
b. glued (para 2) -
4] Find a word from the passage which means the opposite as:
a. intolerant (para 2) -
b. capability (para 3) -
5] Make meaningful sentences using the following words:
a. self-absorbed

b. convince

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 2. LITERARY DEVICES/ FIGURES OF SPEECH
Writers often deviate from the ordinary mode of expression or the ordinary course of ideas
in order to produce a greater effect. For this purpose they make use of several literary
devices.

1. SIMILE-A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison showing

similarities between two different things.
Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
He is as funny as a monkey.
He is cunning like a fox.
2. METAPHOR- is an implied simile. Here things are compared by stating one as
another.
You are an angel.
Life is a game.
The clouds are cotton balls in the sky.

3. PERSONIFICATION- is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an

animal is given human attributes.
The wind whispered through dry grass.
The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.
Time and tide waits for none.
The fire swallowed the entire forest.

4. REPETITION-is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few
times to emphasize the meaning. It also adds the musical effect to the poem.
It poured and poured until dawn.
She ran far and fast, fast and fast till she reached them.

5. ALLITERATION- brings together words which begin with the same

consonant or vowel sound.
Down the slippery slide they slid
sitting slightly sideways.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
hover through the fog and filthy air.

6. IMAGERY- is the suggestion of vivid mental pictures by the skillful use of

words.
It was dark and dim in the forest.
The children were screaming and shouting in the fields.
The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric.

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7. ONOMATOPOEIA-Words that mimic or imitate sound.
The burgers are sizzling on the grill.
And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling
And out of the houses, the rats came tumbling.

8. IRONY-is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their
intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words.
• Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.
• “Oh great! Now you have broken my new camera.”

9. HYPERBOLE- is an exaggeration used for effect or emphasis.

The glass broke into a thousand pieces.

Your suitcase weighs a ton!
She is as heavy as an elephant!
I will die of shame.
I am trying to solve a million issues these days.

10. REFRAIN - a short part of a song or poem that is repeated, between the verses.

Men may come, men may go, I go on forever.

Miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep.

11. PUN – use of a word in such a way that it is capable of more than one application, the
object being to produce humorous effect.

An elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight.

12. ANTITHESIS – is a figure of speech in which opposite ideas are expressed in

the same line.

That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
Man proposes, God disposes.

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EXERCISES

Identify the literary devices used in the following sentences:

1. The waves broke on the shore with a noise like thunder.

2. Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears!

3. Variety is the spice of life.

4. Laughter holding both her sides.

5. Alice’s aunt ate apples and acorns around August.

6. The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,

The furrow followed free.
7. Her brain is the size of a pea.

8. A traffic cop got his license suspended due to unpaid tickets.

9. The camel is the ship of the desert.

10. A man looked out of the window to see the storm intensify. He turned to his friend and
said “Wonderful weather we’re having!”
11. The King was as brave as a lion.

12. When he was on the way to work, he heard the muffled cry of a woman.

13. I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

14. The bird’s chirp filled the empty night air.

15. The fresh and juicy orange is very cold and sweet.

16. Silence your cellphone so that it does not beep during the movie.

17. The politician declared, “We will fight come what may, we will fight on all fronts, we will
fight for a thousand years.”
18. The President said, “Work, work, and work” is the key to success.

19. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

20. She had a photographic memory but never developed it.

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 3. TENSES
Tense may be defined as the form of the verb that shows the time of an action or a state
of being.

There are three main tenses:

a. The Present Tense

b. The Past Tense
c. The Future Tense

These tenses have four forms/blends each:

a. Simple
b. Continuous
c. Perfect
d. Perfect Continuous

PRESENT TENSE
1. The Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is used to express, a habitual action, a general truth, a fact
that is true at the time of speaking and a future event that is already arranged.
It uses the base form of the verb, but adds‘s’ or ‘es’ for third person singular and
other singular nouns.

Anu gets up at six every morning.

Anu and his sister get up at six every morning.
Water boils at 100 degree centigrade.
The sun sets a little after six these days.

2. The Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous tense is used to describe an action that is going on at the
time of speaking.

Is/am/are + Present Participle

It is raining.
The students are playing in the field.
The President is visiting some countries next month.

3. The Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect tense is used to express an action that has just been completed. It is also
used to talk about events that happened in the recent past but the effect of the event is still
felt in the present.

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 Has/have + Past Participle

I have bought a new house.

The government has decided to impose tax on luxury goods.
Mr. Kumar has just reached his office.
The children have made a mess in the kitchen

4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The Present Perfect Continuous tense is used to express an action or event that
began some time ago, has continued till now, and is still going on.

Has/have + been + Present Participle

He has been living here since 1985.

The books have been lying here for four days.
He is tired because he has been playing for a long time.

PAST TENSE
1. Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense is used to express a habitual or regular action in the past, to
express an action that occupied a period of time in the past and has now ended and to
express events that occurred at a particular point in the past.
It uses the second form of the verb, in the simple past tense.

He brought me flowers every morning.

She lived in Mumbai for five months.
He bought this book from Kolkata.

2. Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense is used to express a continuing action at some point in the
past, when another event took place and to describe two or more actions going on at
the same time.
Was/were + Present participle

He was reading a book when his mother called him.

They were playing chess when their friend entered the room.
I was sleeping while my brother was watching television.

3. Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is used to express an action in the past which was completed
before another action, also in the past.

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 Had + past participle

The train had left before he reached the station.

He had passed the examination before I met him.
The cook had prepared nothing when the visitors came.

4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

The past perfect continuous tense is used to express an action or event that had
begun and was going on up to a given point of time in the past.
Had been + present participle

They had been playing for twenty minutes when it began to rain.
He had been acting in films for three years when he got a break as a
hero.
He said that he had been doing the work since morning.

FUTURE TENSE
1. Simple Future Tense

This tense is used to express an action that will take place in the future.
Shall/will + base form of the verb

The boys will come here tomorrow.

We shall join school this year.
You will not leave this place until you are given permission to do so.

2. Future Continuous Tense

This tense is used to express an event that is expected to take place in the normal
course, to express an action that will be in progress at a given point of time in the
future.
Shall/will + be + present participle

My sister will be taking the examination next year.

When I reach Kashmir, it will be snowing.
Some new books will be arriving in the library tomorrow.

3. Future Perfect Tense

This tense is used to express an action which is expected to be completed by a
certain time in the future.
Shall/will + have + past participle

The train will have left the station by the time you reach there.
I will have finished the chores by the time the maid arrives.
He will have finished reading his book before the guests arrive.
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4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense is used to express an action that will have been going on, at or before
some point in the future.
Shall/will + have been + present participle

He will have been studying since two in the morning when his parents wake
up.
I shall have been playing for twenty minutes when you reach the playground.
You will have been talking for a long time before the teacher warns you.

EXERCISES

1. Rewrite the sentences with the suitable form of the present tense.
1. I (live) in this house since 1990.

2. Keep quiet, I (do) my work.

3. You are (waste) my time, go away.

4. He is (sing) a song at the moment.

5. She (take) my pen just now.

6. They (know) each other for twenty years.

7. He (serve) his master faithfully.

8. Politeness (cost) nothing.

9. I (forget) his name. Do you remember it?

10. Kevin will send me the parcel once he (receive) it.

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2. Fill in the blanks with the suitable form of the past tense:

1. He us last year. (visit)

2. The thief the house before the dog _ barking.
(enter, start)
3. We only last week.(meet)
4. I _ a movie when he to see me. (watch, come)
5. Columbus America. (discover)
6. I my purse while I about town. (lose,
move)
7. We since 4 PM. (wait)
8. She here for four years when she . ( serve,
marry)
9. When the teacher some students . (enter,
play)
10. The telephone for five minutes when he
the receiver. (ring, pick up)

3. Fill in the blanks with the suitable form of future tense:

1. I Meerut city next week.(visit)

2. They the game if they don’t play well. (lose)
3. He a letter at this time tomorrow. (write)
4. I my work before you come back. (finish)
5. If you walk quickly, you there in five minutes. (reach)
6. He you everything when you ask him. (tell)
7. I hope you your promise by next week. (not/forget)
8. We hope it raining by 3 PM. (stop)
9. You the plants when your brother arrives. (water)
10. He English when you visit him next year. (learn)

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4. Fill up the blanks using the correct form of the verbs given in the brackets:

a. Once Martin Luther king [address] a public meeting. Suddenly someone

[throw] a shoe at him. He [not lose] his cool. He
[pick] up the shoe and told the gathering that some kind gentleman, knowing that he could
not afford shoes [throw] one for him. He [request] the
gentleman to throw him the other one too.

b. A rain forest vine [have] dish shaped leaves which

[produce] echoes to [attract] birds for pollination. The leaves of this plant
develop with echoes that help the bats [discover] its flowers at once. This
discovery [make] by a team of scientists from university of Bristol UK.

c. Louis Braille was three years old when he [lose] his eyesight as a result
of an accident. Louis [play] in his father’s workshop. He
[imitate] his father at work. Louis [take] a sharp needle and hit
it playfully with a hammer. The needle [bounce] up and pierced one of his
eyes. Although the doctors [do] their best, his eye could not be saved.

d. The class 12th results [declare] yesterday. Gaurav [thrill]

because he [top] his school. He [praise] by
the Principal and all his teachers. All his friends [congratulate] him.
Some juniors [approach] him to seek guidance.

e. A forty year old man _ [kill] and six others

[injure] when the van in which they [travel] overturned after colliding
with a truck last evening. Soon after the incident a huge crowd
[gather] on the spot and [start] beating the driver of the truck as he
[find] to be under the influence of alcohol.

f. A few months ago a young man from Punjab [decide] to go to Canada. He

[contact] an agent in Delhi. The agent [tell] him that he would
have to pay seven lakh rupees for his journey. The young man agreed to pay the amount.
The agent _ [demand] some advance which [pay] to him. Later
the agent [turn] out to be a fraud.

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 4.SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

A verb must agree with its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a
singular verb whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example:
Soham is a smart boy. He goes to school regularly.
My sisters are extremely smart. They attend college regularly.

Rules of Subject Verb Agreement

1. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by and require a plural verb.
Sonam and Ritu are going to see the movie
The Director and the Manager are coming to attend the meeting.

But, if the nouns suggest one idea or refer to the same person or thing, then the verb
required is singular.
The great author and poet is dead.
The car and driver is at the door.

2. Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, not
only/ but also require a singular verb.
Either Raj or his brother has to attend the conference.
Neither Manu nor Tina is writing the article.
Not only reading but also writing is also done in class.

If both the subjects are plural and are connected by or, nor, neither/nor, either/or,
not only/but also require a plural verb.
Either books or worksheets are sent home.
Neither Manu’s parents nor his siblings are present for the meeting.

If one subject is singular and one is plural and are connected by or, nor, neither/nor,
either/or, not only/ but also, then the verb in the sentence agrees with the noun or
pronoun with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
Either Raj or his brothers have to submit the report.
Neither Manu’s papers nor his briefcase was found in the car
.
3. When two or more singular subjects are connected by with, as well as, along with,
together with, accompanied by, then the verb agrees with the first subject.
The politician along with his supporters is arriving at the venue shortly.
The teachers as well as the supporting staff were praised on the stage.

4. Indefinite pronouns- each, everyone, no one, nobody, somebody, every,

etc. must be followed by a singular verb.
No one is allowed to smoke or drink at the party.
Each man and woman is required to fill the form.

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5. Nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb.
The Three Musketeers is an interesting novel.
Physics is an interesting subject.

6. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the members of the group are working
as one unit. If the members of a group are working as individuals, then the collective
noun takes a plural verb.
The fleet of ships was to leave for France the next day.
The orchestra were asked to name their musical instruments.

7. When the plural noun is a proper name of countries, organizations or books, it must
be followed by a singular verb.
The Parents Teachers Association is having a meeting.
Gulliver’s Travels is my favourite book.

8. Expressions of time, money, measurement, weight, volume, fractions, etc are

considered as one unit, so, the verb is singular.
Ten days is not enough to complete my work.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.

9. Nouns such as stationery, furniture, clothing, cutlery, etc. take singular verb.
The furniture in this store is very expensive.
The stationery is lying in the box.

10. Nouns such as police, cattle take a plural verb.

The cattle are roaming in the neighborhood.
The police have caught a thief.

11. Collective nouns such as herd, Senate, class, crowd etc take a singular verb.
The herd is grazing in the fields.
The crowd has gathered around the area.

12. Nouns such as trousers, scissors, sunglasses, jeans, shorts, pliers, slacks, tweezers,
binoculars, spectacles etc take plural verb.
Your jeans are dirty!
The sunglasses are lying on the table.
But if used with a phrase, a pair of, then it takes a singular verb.
A pair of trousers is on discount.
A pair of scissors has been used to cut this paper.

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13. If the noun is uncountable, it is considered as a singular subject and takes a singular
verb.
There was no sugar in the coffee.
There is little water in the well.
14. In sentences beginning with one of the , the verb agrees with one and takes a
singular verb.
One of the boxes is open.
One of the guests has forgotten his mobile in the room.

EXCERCISES

1. Choose the correct form of the verbs that agree with the subjects:
1. We (are/is) going to the party today.
2. Either Rani or Sumi (is/are) going to be the topper this year.
3. The boys and the girls (is/are) making noise.
4. Either my bag or your bag (are/is) lying on the floor.
5. Both Jim and Tim (don’t/doesn’t) go to school.
6. Sarita (don’t/doesn’t) like to drink coffee.
7. One of my sisters (is/are) a teacher in this school.
8. It (take/takes) about half an hour to reach the bus stop.
9. Sameer as well as Sunil (want/wants) to win this competition.
10. The man who is standing there (live/lives) near my house.
11. Everyone (has/have) seen the movie.
12. Many of the students (hasn’t/haven’t) paid the fee.
13. Nobody (has/have) claimed the mobile yet.
14. Somebody (has/have) switched on the lights.
15. Each of the board members (are/is) willing to attend the charity show.
16. Neither of the two students (is/are) going to get the prize.
17. A pair of sparrows (is/are) sitting on the window sill.
18. A pair of socks (was/were) hung out to dry.
19. The quality of the mangoes (is/are) very good.
20. The tickets to this show (is/are) sold out.

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2. Fill in the blanks with correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject:
1. This equipment in working condition.

2. The teacher teaching in the class.

3. Neither Ram nor his brothers coming to school tomorrow.

4. The team cheered by the crowd.

5. The little boy standing near the gate very rude.

6. Economics a very interesting subject.

7. The doctor told the patient’s parents that there ___ an improvement.

8. Rahul always been a hardworking boy.

9. It is Jamie, not Sam who a right to this property.

10. A thousand rupees _ distributed among the poor beggars.

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs keeping in mind subject verb
agreement-
1. Neither Ravi nor Sahil _ there in the class. All the children
in the auditorium. The dance competition about to begin. The winning
team will be awarded a cash prize of ten thousand rupees. Ten thousand rupees
a big sum. The students eagerly waiting.
2. “Either you or your brother broken my flower vase”, said Mrs. Tara to
Shiva. Neither I nor my brother done anything of that sort. It Romi
who broke it. Both of us sleeping in our room when we heard the loud crash”,
Shiva clarified. “Telling lies been your favourite hobby Shiva”, said Mrs.
Tara. When I ever told lies? You always blamed us, whereas Romi
the real culprit. This not fair. We brothers innocent.
3. Everyone excited about the party. Sara and Dinesh organising the food.
Many of my classmates are arriving early to decorate the party room. The party
at 8 o’clock. Each of us bringing a small gift that less than Rs.250
for another person. Mike, like many other students, been trying to decide on
the best gift to buy. Mike doesn’t want to get something serious, he to make
people laugh.

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 5.COMPREHENSION PASSAGE

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below:
The Fair at La Linea
1. My memories of the fairs I attended as a child are like the curate’s egg- good in parts.
Those were the days when new clothes made an appearance only on special occasions,
so I think I must have been excited by the prospect of a new dress; and I do remember a
pair of white shoes that, try as I might, I never managed to keep clean among the press
of people that thronged the dusty fairground. How often did we cross the frontier to La
Linea during those nine days in July? On one of the days I know I would be decked out
in the so-called gypsy dress- blood-red spots on a white background, the hem thick with
ruffles that flared out as I walked. I think I strutted a little as I walked and hoped people
would notice how splendid I looked.
2.Way back in the late forties those fairs were tawdry affairs in a devastated Spain that
struggled to emerge economically from the civil war. In the circus everything looked
moth-eaten, from sad lions to the sequined costumes that didn’t quite glitter. I feared for
the trapeze artists; I couldn’t find the clowns funny, try as I might; and the only thing I
liked were the little trained dogs that seemed happy as they performed small tricks to our
applause. And we had waited so long for the show to start! None of the shows started on
time. They couldn’t afford to. Not till virtually all the seats had been sold did the
performances finally begin. And all the time you were waiting, loud music blared out
and battered your ears.
3. My favourite stall was the one where they fried crisps on the spot and served them in
‘Cucuruchos’- brown paper cones. I never felt I’d had enough of them. When I think all
the thin slices of potato kept below the stall in a bucket of water, and the number of
times the oil was used and reused throughout the nine days, I can imagine that eating the
crisps grew more hazardous with every passing day. And what of the ghastly lemonade?
No flavour, just killer bubbles that attacked your throat and brought tears to your eyes?
1] Answer the following questions briefly:
a. Why did the author call her memories of the fairs as ‘curate’s egg’?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b. How did the civil war affect the fairs in Spain?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Why did the people have to wait for long for the shows to start?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

d. How did the potato crisps grow hazardous with every passing day?

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 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2] Complete the following sentences:

a. Spain was grappling with economic problems due to .
b. The lions looked sad because they were not properly.
c. The author thought she looked impressive in her .

3] Find the synonym/ antonym from the passage for the following words:
a. Find a synonym of cheap (para 2) -
b. Find an antonym of safe (para 3) -

4] Make meaningful sentences of your own, using the words given below:
a. battered -

b. strutted –

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 6. FORMAL LETTER WRITING

Formal letters include business letters, letters to the Editor, letters to the Principal,
government officials, letters of complaint etc. A formal letter is written to a higher
authority, making a request for the fulfillment of some requirement.

LETTER TO THE PRINCIPAL

At school level, students are required to learn to write applications to the school
Principal, Headmaster or Class teacher for various purposes.

Generally, written applications to the Principal can be for:

Sanction of leave
Fee concession
Change of section
Change of subjects
Requirements in school, etc.

Format of the Formal Letter:

Address of the Sender

Date

Designation

Official Address of the Receiver

Subject of the letter

Salutation

Introduction

Body of the Letter

Conclusion

Subscription

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SAMPLE
Q. You are Aishwarya/ Ashwin of class VIII A, studying in World Knowledge
High. Write a letter on behalf of your class, to the Principal, highlighting the
urgency to develop the school library.
# 105 Gardenia
MGR Layout
Bangalore 54037

14th July 2018

The Principal
World Knowledge High
Bangalore 540388

Subject: Restocking of our school library

Sir

I am Aishwarya/Aswin, a student of Class VIII-A. I am writing this letter on behalf of the

students of Class VIII to place before you our grievances and suggestions with regard to our
school library that appear to be gradually losing its relevance to us.

The reasons are the stock of very old versions of most of the text books, the tattered
appearance of a few important reference books, and the general absence of modern books
that we need for supplementary reading. Regrettably, a good number of titles have gone
missing although they are still listed in the catalogue.

Our library has been the mainstay of our academic life for long. Its deterioration in any
manner hampers our studies. Restocking it with latest edition books and procurement of
some current best-sellers will add some charm to this age-old wing of our institution.
As a way of suggestion, we are enclosing a list of 50 titles which you may please consider
while finalizing the list of annual purchase of books. We hope our request will be treated as
concern for our dear school that has shaped our future in such a conspicuous way under your
stewardship.

Thank you
Yours obediently
Aishwarya / Ashwin
Encl: List of books

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Q1. You are Rohan Sharma/ Romna Sharma, monitor of class VIII -A in Ramjas Sr
Sec. School, Anand Parvat, New Delhi. Write a letter to your Principal, asking him
to arrange for special coaching in English. Give reasons why you need this.
- teacher was unwell
- syllabus completion
-approaching annual exam
- extra study hours – justice to the teaching and learning process

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Q2. Write an application to the Principal of your school for a week’s leave as your
mother has to be hospitalized for an operation. You are Varun Malhotra of class
VIII-B.

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Q3. Write a letter to the Principal of your school apologizing for your misbehavior
during the Mathematics period. You are Deepak Kumar/ Deepika Das of class VIII D.

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