Students can find accurate Class 8 English Extra Questions and Class 8 English Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother Extra Questions and Answers for better understanding.
Somebody’s Mother Extra Question Answer Class 8 English Chapter 5
Somebody’s Mother Short Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Why was the old woman standing at the crossing?
Answer:
The old woman was standing at the street crossing because she wanted to go to the other side. However, she was old, weak, and frightened by the slippery road. Her slow steps and fear of carriages and horses made her hesitant to move. She hoped someone would come forward and help her cross safely.
Question 2.
How does the poet describe the old woman’s appearance?
Answer:
The poet describes her as “old and ragged and grey.” Her clothes were shabby, and she was bent due to the chill of the winter day. Her feet were described as aged and slow, showing her frailty. She stood helplessly, uncared for by the crowd around her.
Question 3.
What was the condition of the street when the woman was trying to cross?
Answer:
The street was wet and slippery due to recent snowfall. It was dangerous for someone old and weak to cross alone. Carriages and horses were moving about, adding to the risk. This made the woman more afraid to take a step forward.
Question 4.
How did the people in the street treat the old woman?
Answer:
The people ignored the old woman completely. Though she looked around anxiously, no one paid attention to her. She stood in the middle of a busy crowd but still felt alone. This showed society’s indifference to the elderly.
Question 5.
What were the schoolboys doing when they passed the woman?
Answer:
The schoolboys were happy as school had just ended. They ran, shouted, and played in the snow. None of them noticed or offered help to the woman. They were busy enjoying their freedom and ignored her presence.
Question 6.
Who finally helped the old woman cross the street?
Answer:
A cheerful and kind-hearted boy from the group stopped to help her. He was described as the “gayest laddie” of the troop. He noticed her need and gently offered his help. Unlike the others, he was empathetic and helpful.
Question 7.
How did the boy speak to the woman when offering help?
Answer:
The boy whispered softly and politely. He did not shout or command but spoke with respect. His tone showed care and concern. He wanted her to feel safe and not frightened.
Question 8.
How did the woman respond to the boy’s offer?
Answer:
The woman accepted his offer silently. She placed her trembling hand on his strong arm. She trusted him and allowed him to guide her across. Her response showed gratitude and relief.
Question 9.
What feelings did the boy experience after helping the woman?
Answer:
The boy felt proud and happy. His heart was full of satisfaction for doing a good deed. He didn’t boast but felt inward joy. It showed his pure and selfless nature.
Question 10.
What thought did the boy share with his friends after helping?
Answer:
He told them that the woman was somebody’s mother. He hoped that if his mother were ever in such a situation, someone would help her too. His words
reflected deep empathy. He connected the woman’s need with his own personal feelings.
Question 11.
How does the poem encourage kindness?
Answer:
It shows how a small act of kindness can deeply affect someone. The boy didn’t expect anything in return. His action gave hope and gratitude to the old woman. The poem encourages us to look out for others.
Question 12.
What is the message of the poem “Somebody’s Mother”?
Answer:
The poem teaches us to be kind, especially to the elderly. It reminds us that everyone deserves respect and help. Even the smallest gesture can mean a lot. It urges us to act with empathy and humanity.
Somebody’s Mother Long Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Describe the condition of the old woman and how the poet portrays her helplessness.
Answer:
The old woman is portrayed as fragile, old, and weak. She is described as “ragged and grey” and bent from the winter cold. Her feet are aged and slow, making it hard for her to cross the slippery street. She stands alone amid a busy crowd, but no one notices her. Her anxious eyes look around for help, but people just walk past. This vivid description shows her physical vulnerability and emotional loneliness.
Question 2.
How does the poet show the contrast between youth and old age in the poem?
Answer:
The poet uses physical and emotional contrasts to show the difference between youth and old age. The boys are described as merry and energetic, shouting and laughing in the snow. On the other hand, the woman is slow, trembling, and scared. The boy’s firm and strong feet are contrasted with the woman’s trembling steps. This not only shows the difference in strength but also highlights how the young can help the weak. The contrast makes the boy’s kind act even more meaningful.
Question 3.
Explain the significance of the boy’s thoughts after helping the woman.
Answer:
After helping the woman, the boy tells his friends that she is “somebody’s mother.” He expresses hope that if his own mother were ever in such a situation, someone would help her too. This thought reveals his deep empathy
and emotional maturity. He sees the woman not as a stranger but as someone’s loved one. His perspective connects the act of helping with universal love and humanity. It teaches that our actions today may return as blessings in the future.
Question 4.
What message does the poem convey about kindness and humanity?
Answer:
The poem emphasizes that small acts of kindness have a powerful impact. The young boy’s help might have seemed small to others, but to the old woman, it meant safety and dignity. The poem shows that we should not ignore people in need, especially the elderly. It encourages readers to look beyond themselves and act with empathy. Kindness connects people across generations. The boy’s noble act becomes a symbol of true humanity.
Question 5.
Why is the poem titled “Somebody’s Mother”? Do you think the title is appropriate?
Answer:
Yes, the title is very appropriate. It reminds us that the old woman is not just any stranger; she is loved by someone, just like our own mothers. This title creates an emotional connection between the reader and the elderly woman. It invites the reader to imagine how they would feel if their mother were in her place. The repetition of the title throughout the poem reinforces this message. The title effectively highlights the theme of empathy.
Question 6.
How does the old woman’s prayer at the end reflect the impact of the boy’s action?
Answer:
The woman’s prayer is filled with gratitude and emotion. She prays for the boy’s well¬being and refers to him as “somebody’s son and pride and joy.” Her words show how touched she was by his gesture. She didn’t just feel thankful—she carried that kindness into her prayers. The prayer reflects how deeply good deeds are remembered. It also shows that true kindness brings blessings in return.
Somebody’s Mother Extract Based Questions and Answers
I. She stood at the crossing and waited long, Alone, uncared for, amid the throng Of human beings who passed her by Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eyes.
Question 1.
What does the phrase ‘amid the throng’ refer to?
A. The woman’s inner thoughts and feelings.
B. A group of animals rushing past her.
C. A large crowd of people surrounding her.
D. The noise of passing traffic.
Answer:
C. A large crowd of people surrounding her.
Question 2.
Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:
The woman waited long at the crossing because she was __________
Answer:
afraid to cross the street alone and was hoping someone would help her.
Question 3.
Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences:
A. She stood at the crossing and waited long.
B. The people passing by were too rude to help her.
Answer:
A. Fact
B. Opinion
Question 4.
Why do you think the woman’s eyes were described as ‘anxious’?
Answer:
The woman’s eyes were described as ‘anxious’ because she was nervous and scared about crossing the busy street alone, hoping someone would notice her need for help.
II. At last came one of the merry troop,
The gayest laddie of all the group;
He paused beside her and whispered low,
“I’ll help you cross, if you wish to go.”
Question 1.
What does the phrase “gayest laddie of all the group” mean?
A. The shyest and quietest boy in the group
B. The happiest and most cheerful boy among the group
C. A boy wearing colourful clothes
D. The youngest boy in the group
Answer:
B. The happiest and most cheerful boy among the group
Question 2.
Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:
The boy whispered low to the old woman because he __________
Answer:
didn’t want to frighten her and wanted to be respectful and gentle.
Question 3.
Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences:
A. He paused beside her and whispered low.
B. He was the most thoughtful boy in the group.
Answer:
A. Fact
B. Opinion
Question 4.
Why do you think the boy chose to help the old woman while others didn’t?
Answer:
the boy chose to help the old woman because he was kind-hearted and empathetic, and he understood the importance of helping someone in need.
III. “She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know, For all she’s aged and poor and slow”,
“And I hope some fellow will lend a hand To help my mother, you understand”,
“If ever she’s poor and old and grey,
When her own dear boy is far away. ”
Question 1.
What does the phrase “somebody’s mother” suggest?
A. The woman was related to the boy.
B. The woman was imagining her own son.
C. Every elderly person is the mother of some one, and deserves respect and care.
D. The woman was searching for her child.
Answer:
C. Every elderly person is the mother of someone and deserves respect and care.
Question 2.
Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:
The boy hoped someone would help his mother someday because he __________
Answer:
realised that kindness shown to others may one day be returned to those he loves.
Question 3.
Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences:
A. The woman was poor, aged, and slow.
B. The boy was very noble and thoughtful.
Answer:
A. Fact
B. Opinion
Question 4.
Why do you think the boy connected the old woman with his own mother?
Answer:
the boy did so because he empathised with her situation and imagined how he would feel if his own mother were in her place, needing help from a stranger.
Somebody’s Mother Extra Questions for Practice
Passage For Comprehension
Read the given stanza and answer the questions that follow:
I. And “somebody’s mother” bowed low her head In her home that night, and the prayer she said Was “God be kind to the noble boy,
Who is somebody’s son, and pride and joy!”
Question 1.
What does the phrase “bowed low her head” signify?
A. She was feeling sleepy.
B. She was ashamed other condition.
C. She was praying humbly and gratefully.
D. She was hiding from someone.
Question 2.
Complete the sentence with a suitable reason:
The woman prayed for the noble boy because he __________
Question 3.
Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences:
A. The woman prayed for the boy that night.
B. The boy was the most noble person in the city.
Question 4.
Why does the poet call the boy “somebody’s son, and pride and joy”?
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What does the repeated phrase “somebody’s mother” convey?
Question 2.
How does the poet show the contrast between the boy and the old woman?
Question 3.
What did the old woman do after returning home?
Question 4.
How is the theme of empathy shown in the poem?
Question 5.
Why do you think the poet chose a child as the helper?
Question 6.
What is the tone of the poem?
Question 7.
What poetic devices are used in the poem?
Question 8.
Why was the woman afraid to cross the street?
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What role does imagery play in the poem? Give examples.
Question 2.
Compare the reactions of the other children to that of the boy. What does this say about individual responsibility?
Question 3.
In what way is the boy a role model for all readers?
Question 4.
What does the poem suggest about how society should treat the elderly?