NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English chapter-8 A Short Monsoon Dairy

Author at PW

January 24, 2026

A short monsoon diary question answer guide is designed to help you understand the heart of Ruskin Bond’s famous diary. This chapter is not just a story; it is a collection of moments that show us how nature changes from the first day of the monsoon to the last bit of winter snow. By using this a short monsoon diary question answer class 8 guide, you will learn why the mountains of Mussoorie are so special. This guide makes it easy for you to see the world through the author’s eyes and helps you get ready for your school exams.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English chapter-8 A Short Monsoon Dairy

NCERT Solutions for class 8 English chapter 8 A Short Monsoon Dairy is prepared and uploaded for reference by academic team of expert members of Physics Wallah. Get solutions of all chapters of NCERT class 8 English from Physics Wallah. use as a reference of the following NCERT solutions of chapter 8 prepared by Physics Wallah.

Comprehension Check

Question 1. Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Solution : The author could not see Bijju because of the mist that concealed the hills. So he could hear the voice of Bijju but not see him.

Question 2. What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Solution : When the mist comes up, the hills appear to change. All the birds sitting on the hills fall silent when the mist comes climbing up the hill. When the mist comes up, it conceals not only the hills but blankets them in silence also.

Question 3. When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?
Solution : The monsoon enters India from east and south somewhere around mid of May. It reaches northern part of the country around second week of June. The monsoon ends around September. We take out our rain coats and umbrellas to face the monsoon.

Question 4. Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?
Solution : In this diary entry, the author describes the beauty of the lovely hill station named Mussoorie.

Question 5. For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?
Solution : It rained without stopping for eight or nine days. Since there was nowhere to go, the author paced in his room and looked out of the window at a few bobbing umbrellas.

Question 6. Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?
Solution : The snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics and godowns in order to save themselves from rain water.

Question 7. What did the author receive in the mail?
Solution : The author received a cheque in the mail.

Working with Text

Question 1. Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.
Solution : June 24 is the first day of monsoon mist. The hills are concealed by the mist. It blankets the hills with a cover of silence. The real monsoon shower comes on June 25. The whole nature welcomes it. The first cobra lily rears its head from the ferns. By August 2, the people become weary of the monsoon. There is no storm, no thunder, just a steady tropical downpour. People keep in their houses and enjoy the sound of raindrops falling on their roofs. Snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics and godowns. March 23 heralds the end of winter. The sky starts to become clear after a hailstorm. And a rainbow starts forming in the clear sky. One can enjoy this sight of rainbow which shows the beauty of nature.

Question 2. Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?
Solution : The grandmother asked the children not to kill the Chuchundar because it was considered lucky. She said that it brought money.

Question 3. What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?
Solution : Wild balsam, dahlias, begonias and ground orchids begin to appear. The seeds of cobra lily are turning red. These signs show that the monsoons are about to end.

Question 4.
Complete the following sentences.
(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because __________________.
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as __________________.
(iii) The leopard was successful in __________________ but had to flee when __________.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because __________________.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when __________________.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because __________________.
Solution :
(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because of the mist in the surroundings.
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as a paradise that might have been.
(iii) The leopard was successful in attacking one of Bijju’s cows but had to flee when Bijju’s mother came screaming curses.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because of their bright colours.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ground orchids, mauve lady’s slipper and the white butterfly orchids bloom.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because they have been flooded out of their holes and burrows.

Question 5. ‘Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.’
(i) Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing’?
(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?
(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
Solution :
(i) The word ‘springing’ means ‘to develop suddenly’. The writer says that tin roofs are prone to developing unexpected leaks.
(ii) The writer was physically untouched by the rain as the tin roof stopped the rain from leaking in.
(iii) The writer was in touch with the rain at the same time because he could feel the rain by listening to its drumming sound on the corrugated tin roof.

Question 6. Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.
Solution : When there is endless rain for days together, everything becomes damp and soggy. There is no place for anybody to go to. The hillsides are lush as late monsoon flowers such as wild balsam, dahlias, begonias and ground orchids begin to appear.

Question 7. What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?
Solution : When monsoon begins, the first cobra lily appears from the ferns. When the seeds of the cobra lily turn red, it signifies that the monsoon is coming to an end.

Working with Language

Question 1. Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms. The first one is done for you.
(i) We (get out) of the school bus. The bell (ring) and everyone (rush) to class.
(ii) The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.
(iii) I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
(iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
(v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.
(vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).

Solution :
(i) We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was rushing to Class.
(ii) The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road and they were shouting slogans.
(iii) I wore my raincoat. It was raining and people were getting wet.
(iv) She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully.
(v) We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games.
(vi) The Class was quiet. Some children were reading books and the rest were drawing.

Question 2. Here are some words from the lesson which describe different kinds of sounds.

drum

swish

tinkle

caw

drip

(i) Match these words with their correct meanings.
(a) to fall in small drops
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound
(d) harsh sound made by birds
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)

Solution :
(a) to fall in small drops – drip
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly – drum
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound – swish
(d) harsh sound made by birds – caw
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.) – tinkle

(ii) Now fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given above.
(a) Ramesh ____________ on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water ____________ from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony ____________ its tail.
(d) The _________________ of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The ____________ of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

Solution :
(a) Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony swished its tail.
(d) The tinkling of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The cawing of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

Question 3. Complete each sentence below by using appropriate phrase from the ones given below.
(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And ___________ it soon started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was ___________ for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies are ___________ to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was ___________ to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was ___________ to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was ___________ to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was ___________ for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was ___________ to repeat the same mistake again.
(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘___________.

Solution :
(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough it started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was anxious enough to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was kind enough to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again.
(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘fair enough.’

Learn a short monsoon diary question answer

Getting ready for your English test is easy when you follow a simple plan. In this chapter, you will learn how the mist makes the forest quiet and how different animals come out during the rains. You will also see how Ruskin Bond feels happy being near nature. If you practice these a short monsoon diary question answer steps, you will find it easy to tell others about the beauty of the mountains.

The Magic of the Mist and Bijju

The mist is the most important part of the early monsoon. It changes how the forest looks and sounds. You should know how it changes what we see for your a short monsoon diary question answer work.

The Quiet Hills: When the mist climbs the hills, everything goes silent. Bond says the mist is "sad" or "melancholy." This is because the mist is not just a cloud; it is like a blanket that hides the pretty hills and stops the birds from singing. Usually, the trees are full of bird songs, but the mist makes it feel like the middle of the night.
Where is Bijju?: One of the most famous parts of the diary is about Bijju. The writer can hear Bijju calling to his sister across the hillside, but he cannot see him at all. This is because the mist is like a thick white wall that hides everyone.
A Dream Land: Because of the mist and the green trees, Bond says the hill station and the valley look like a "paradise that might have been." It is a place that feels like a beautiful dream.

Life in the Rainy Season: Animals and Birds

The rains bring out many creatures that usually stay hidden. This is a common a short monsoon diary question answer extra topic in school tests because it shows how animals adapt to the weather.

The Leopard: The leopard is a scary but exciting part of the diary. It stays near the houses because it is hungry. The leopard steals a dog from near the servants' rooms. It also tries to catch one of Bijju's cows, but it has to run away when Bijju's mother comes out and yells at it.
The Leeches: When it rains every day, the ground stays wet. This is when leeches come out. They are tiny bugs that stick to the skin to drink blood. Bond says he is getting used to losing "a little blood" every day because there are so many of them.
Snakes and Rats: This is a very popular a short monsoon diary question answer class 8 topic. Because the heavy rain fills their holes in the ground with water, snakes and rats have to find a dry place to stay. They often hide in the roofs, attics, and storerooms of people's houses.
The Lucky Shrew: Many children are afraid of the Chuchundar (shrew), but Bond’s grandmother tells the kids not to kill it. In their culture, the shrew is a lucky animal that brings money and good fortune to the house.
Bright Birds: The forest is full of color. You will see bright yellow and red birds called Minivets. They look like tiny jewels moving through the green leaves. There are also birds called Drongos that are very brave and chase away the bigger birds.

The Sound of the Rain and the Lily

Ruskin Bond is a writer who listens to nature very carefully. He says the rain is more than just water; it is a rhythm and a feeling. This is a big part of the a short monsoon diary question answer pdf.

The Noise on the Roof: Most houses in the hills have tin roofs. Bond loves the sound of the rain hitting the tin. It sounds like a drum. Even though the roof leaks a little and water drips inside, he feels safe and dry. He says it feels like he is "untouched by, and yet in touch with" the rain.
The Cobra Lily: This flower is like a clock for the seasons. When it first shows its head in the ferns, it means the monsoon is starting. By the end of August, the seeds of the cobra lily turn bright red. This is a sign that the rains are almost over and winter is coming.
The Long Rain: Sometimes it rains for eight or nine days without stopping. On these wet days, Bond cannot go out. He stays inside his room, walks back and forth, and looks out the window at the few people walking with umbrellas. Everything becomes damp and soggy.

Science and Nature in the Diary

You can understand the chapter better if you think about how plants grow. This is often asked in a short monsoon diary question answer in english tests.

A Fashion Show: By late August, the hillsides are a "fashion show" of flowers. Wild balsam, dahlias, and ground orchids grow everywhere. They make the mountains look colorful and bright.
End of the Rains: As the monsoon ends, the lush green plants start to turn yellow. The "fern" plants begin to dry up. This shows us that nature has a cycle where things grow, bloom, and then rest.
The Rainbow: On March 23, the winter ends. There is a big storm with hailstones (ice). After the storm, the sky clears up, and a very pretty rainbow fills the sky. This is the author's favorite way to end his diary.

Friendly Advice for Your English Test

When you write your answers, try to use the same words Bond uses. Words like "melancholy," "blanket," and "silent" are very important. Teachers love it when you use words from the book. Keeping your a short monsoon diary question answer pdf class 8 notes in order by date will help you remember the story better.

Writing Good Answers

Always start by saying how the writer feels. If a question asks about the leopard, don't just say what happened. Say that the leopard made the people and animals afraid. Mention the letter Bond gets—it has a check for money in it. This small bit of good news made his rainy day much better.

Using Your Time Well

Don't spend too long on one hard question. Practice a short monsoon diary question answer tasks at home with a timer. Try to write one short sentence for each diary date. For example: "June 24 - Mist makes the hills silent." This helps you remember the whole chapter fast. Always check your spellings for the names of the birds like 'Minivets' and flowers like 'Dahlias'.

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FAQs on Class 8 English Chapter 8

Why is the mist called 'melancholy'?
The mist is called melancholy because it makes everything sad and quiet by hiding the hills and stopping the birds from singing.
Where do snakes and rodents take shelter during the rain?
They take shelter in roofs, attics, and godowns because their holes in the ground are flooded with water.
What does the red color of the cobra lily seeds mean?
The red seeds mean that the monsoon is ending and winter is about to begin.
Why did the grandmother tell the children not to kill the shrew?
She told them not to kill the shrew (Chuchundar) because it is considered lucky and is believed to bring money into the house.
How long did it rain without stopping in August?
It rained for eight or nine days without stopping, making everything damp and soggy.