NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 2 The Tsunami

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Physics Wallah Academic Expert

September 03, 2024

Class 8 English:- In Class 8 English, Chapter 2, "The Tsunami," provides students with a powerful narrative centred around the catastrophic tsunami of December 26, 2004. This chapter includes the harrowing impact of the tsunami on affected communities, highlighting both the immense destruction and the remarkable acts of bravery and resilience that emerged in the wake of the disaster. Through this chapter, students gain insight into the devastating effects of natural calamities while also learning about the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome challenges. Get the ncert solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 2 The Tsunami below.

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Class 8 English Chapter 2 Question Answer

Comprehension Check (Page 27)

Question 1: Say whether the following are true or false.

1. Ignesious lost his wife, two children, his father-in-law, and his brother-in-law in the tsunami.

2. Sanjeev made it to safety after the tsunami.

3. Meghna was saved by a relief helicopter.

4. Almas’s father realised that a tsunami was going to hit the island.

5. Her mother and aunts were washed away with the tree that they were holding on to.

Answer:

True

False

True

Comprehension Check (Page 29)

Question 1: Why did Tilly’s family come to Thailand?

Answer: Tilly Smith and her family travelled from South-East England to a beach resort in southern Thailand to celebrate Christmas.

Question 2: What were the warning signs that both Tilly and her mother saw?

Answer: Earlier on December 26, 2004, Tilly and her family had already felt the impact of a massive earthquake off northern Sumatra. As the day progressed, her mother observed that the water level was rising and encroaching on the beach, which appeared to be shrinking. Meanwhile, Tilly noticed that the sea was gradually rising, foaming, bubbling, and forming whirlpools.

Question 3: Do you think Tilly’s mother was alarmed by them?

Answer: At first, Tilly’s mother didn't grasp the gravity of the situation. However, when she saw her terrified daughter urgently screaming that it was a tsunami, she realised the seriousness of the situation.

Question 4: Where had Tilly seen the sea behaving in the same strange fashion?

Answer: Tilly had observed the sea behaving in a similar unusual manner during a geography lesson. Her teacher had shown a video explaining that tsunamis could be triggered by earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides.

Question 5: Where did the Smith family and the others on the beach go to escape from the tsunami?

Answer: The Smith family, along with others on the beach, fled to the third floor of a hotel to seek safety from the tsunami. The building managed to endure the impact of three tsunami waves.

Question 6: How do you think her geography teacher felt when she heard about what Tilly had done in Phuket?

Answer: Tilly’s geography teacher must have felt immense pride upon learning about Tilly's actions in Phuket. She was pleased that her lesson and the video had equipped Tilly with the knowledge to alert her family and others about the tsunami, ultimately helping to save many lives.

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Comprehension Check (Page 30)

Answer using a phrase or a sentence.

Question 1: In the tsunami, 150,000 people died. How many animals died?

Answer: Despite the giant waves sweeping through the Indian Ocean and causing the deaths of over 150,000 people across several countries, there have been relatively few reports of animal casualties. The precise number of animals affected remains unknown in comparison to the human toll.

Question 2: How many people and animals died in Yala National Park?

Answer: Sixty visitors were carried away by the tsunami at Patanangala Beach within Yala National Park. Remarkably, only two water buffalo carcasses were found, with no other animal remains reported.

Question 3: What do people say about the elephants of Yala National Park?

Answer: Visitors at Yala National Park witnessed three elephants fleeing from Patanangala Beach about an hour before the tsunami struck the area.

Question 4: What did the dogs in Galle do?

Answer: On the day the tsunami struck the coast, the dogs in Galle refused to go for their usual run on the beach.

Working with the text (Pages 30-31)

Question 1: When he felt the earthquake, do you think Ignesious immediately worried about a tsunami? Give reasons for your answer. Which sentence in the text tells you that the Ignesious family did not have any time to discuss and plan their course of action after the tsunami struck?

Answer: No, Ignesious did not realize a tsunami had struck when he initially felt the earthquake. He quickly got up, carefully moved his television set from its table to the floor to prevent it from falling and breaking, and then the family hurried out of the house.

In the ensuing chaos and confusion after the tsunami struck, Ignesious's family had no time to discuss or plan their next steps. When the tremors ceased, they saw the sea beginning to rise. Amidst the turmoil, two of his children grabbed their maternal grandfather and uncle’s hands and fled in the opposite direction.

Question 2: Which words in the list below describe Sanjeev, in your opinion? (Look up the dictionary for words that you are not sure of.)

cheerful ambitious brash brave careless

heroic selfless heartless humorous

Use words from the list to complete the three sentences below.

(i) I don’t know if Sanjeev was cheerful, ___________ or ___________.

(ii) I think that he was very brave, ___________ and___________.

(iii) Sanjeev was not heartless, ___________or___________.

Answer:

In my view, the words that best describe Sanjeev are brave, heroic, and selfless.

(i) I don’t know if Sanjeev was cheerful, ambitious or humorous.

(ii) I think that he was very brave, heroic and selfless.

(iii) Sanjeev was not heartless, brash or careless.

Question 3: How are Meghna and Almas’s stories similar?

Answer: Both Almas and Meghna lost their families to the tsunami waves and were the sole survivors from their respective households. They both floated in the sea for several days. Meghna spent two days drifting on a wooden door before a wave brought her to shore. Similarly, Almas clung to a log of wood, fainted, and later woke up in a hospital in Kamorta, from where she was subsequently transferred to Port Blair. The traumatic experience left both girls deeply affected: Meghna was found wandering aimlessly along the seashore, while Almas preferred not to speak about the tragedy with anyone.

Question 4: What are the different ways in which Tilly’s parents could have reacted to her behaviour? What would you have done if you were in their place?

Answer: Tilly was able to predict that a tsunami was approaching. Her panic and hysteria alerted her parents to the seriousness of the situation. They quickly moved both their daughters away from the beach and to the hotel’s swimming pool. Seeing them take action, other tourists also left the beach and followed suit. Tilly also shouted to everyone around to seek safety

However, Tilly’s parents could have responded differently by ignoring her fearful reactions. If they had tried to calm her down instead of acting on her warnings, they might have been caught by the tsunami.

If I had been in a similar situation, I would have heeded Tilly’s warnings, recognised the imminent danger, and swiftly moved to the safety of the hotel away from the beach.

Question 5: If Tilly’s award was to be shared, who do you think she should share it with — her parents or her geography teacher?

Answer: In my view, Tilly should have shared her award with her geography teacher, who educated her about tsunamis and their effects. This knowledge enabled her to save many lives, making her teacher an essential part of her achievement.

Question 6: What are the two different ideas about why so few animals were killed in the tsunami? Which idea do you find more believable?

Answer: Few animals were killed by the tsunami, likely due to their heightened senses. Many believe that animals possess an innate ability to sense impending earthquakes. Some experts think that animals can detect vibrations or hear low-frequency sounds that are imperceptible to humans. This heightened sensitivity allows them to sense disasters well before humans do, enabling them to seek safer locations.

Animals' superior hearing and instinctive awareness are scientifically supported, showing that they can detect disturbances and sounds beyond the human range. While it may seem extraordinary, this ability is indeed real.

Check out; Science Experiment Kit For Class 8th

The Tsunami Class 8 Summary

"The Tsunami" in ncert solutions for Class 8 English recounts the harrowing events of the December 26, 2004, tsunami. The story opens with a peaceful morning that is shattered by a powerful earthquake beneath the ocean. This quake triggers a massive tsunami, sending enormous waves crashing onto the shores of several countries around the Indian Ocean.

The narrative focuses on the sudden and overwhelming impact of the tsunami, detailing how it devastates everything in its path. It follows the experiences of a young boy and his family, illustrating their struggle to survive amidst the chaos. Their personal story highlights the immense destruction and the emotional toll of the disaster.

The unit also discusses the broader aftermath, including the international aid efforts and the resilience shown by affected communities. It emphasizes the courage of those who risked their lives to save others and the collective effort to rebuild and recover from the catastrophe. Through these accounts, "The Tsunami" conveys important lessons about human endurance and the power of solidarity in the face of natural disasters.

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The Tsunami Class 8 FAQs

Q1. What is the main event described in "The Tsunami"?

Ans. The main event is the tsunami that occurred on December 26, 2004, triggered by a massive earthquake under the ocean, causing widespread devastation.

Q2. Who are the key characters in "The Tsunami"?

Ans. The story primarily follows a young boy and his family, who experience the tsunami's impact and struggle to survive.

Q3. What are the main themes of the story?

Ans. The story highlights themes of natural disaster, loss and destruction, survival, and resilience. It also emphasizes the bravery and solidarity of individuals who help others during such crises.

Q4. How does the tsunami impact the lives of the characters?

Ans. The tsunami brings significant disruption, loss, and destruction to the characters' lives, forcing them to cope with the immediate aftermath and seek safety.

Q5. What role do rescue operations play in the story?

Ans. Rescue operations are crucial in the story, showcasing the efforts of individuals and organizations to save lives, provide aid, and support the recovery process.

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