Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 2: A Concrete Example NCERT Solutions

A Concrete Example Question Answer – Let us do these activities before we read (Page 17)

I. Read the names of items you usually find in a garden and write their names against each picture given below.

II. Work in groups of four. What kind of garden would you like to have? Mention the features that you can include and the reasons for your choice. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:
I would love to have a butterfly garden filled with bright, colourful flowers such as sunflowers, lavender, and marigolds. I would also include benches, a small fountain, and a pebble walkway. The garden would be bordered by a wooden fence and decorated with stone figures. I like this kind of garden because it would attract butterflies and birds, making it peaceful and full of life — a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

III. Read the title of the poem. What comes to your mind when you read the word ‘concrete’? Does it have more than one meaning? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:
When I hear the word “concrete,” I think of the grey, hard substance used in buildings. But it also means something that is real and definite, like a “concrete example” when we explain something clearly.

Yes, it has two meanings:

• Literal meaning: Cement or stone, like in Mrs. Jones’s garden.
  
  

• Figurative meaning: Something real or specific, such as a clear example.
  This double meaning makes the title interesting because it plays on both senses of the word.
  
  

A Concrete Example Class 8 Question Answer – Let us discuss (Pages 19–20)

I. Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker’s next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filed with 1. _________. Her garden includes a peculiar 2. _________, a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. _________ that she fids charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. _________ plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. _________. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. _________ that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. _________ flwer is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. _________ on it all along.

Answer:

1. stones
   
   

2. path
   
   

3. device
   
   

4. delicate
   
   

5. pin
   
   

6. flower
   
   

7. lovely
   
   

8. standing
   
   

II. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.

Question 1.
The tone of the poem is _________
(i) mocking
(ii) humorous
(iii) mournful
(iv) amusing
(v) light-hearted
A. (i), (ii), and (iii)
B. (i), (ii), and (v)
C. (ii), (iii), and (iv)
D. (ii), (iv), and (v)

Answer:
D. (ii), (iv), and (v)

Question 2.
The speaker in the poem is
(i) Mrs. Jones
(ii) the poet
(iii) a gardener
(iv) a child

Answer:
the poet

Question 3.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is
(i) AABBCC
(ii) ABABCC
(iii) AABCAC
(iv) ABBACC

Answer:
(i) AABBCC

III. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct answer given in the brackets.

1. The poet uses the word ‘stones’ in all stanzas in order to emphasise her _________ (obsession with a stony garden/pride in gardening skills)
   
   

2. The poet uses imagery to describe the features of the garden that help readers _________ (understand Mrs. Jones love for plants/visualise the garden’s peculiar nature)
   Answer:
   
   

3. obsession with a stony garden
   
   

4. visualise the garden’s peculiar nature
   
   

IV. Pick examples of alliteration from the poem.

Answer:
puts plants, flower for quite a quarter

V. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase that appears in each stanza. Identify the refrain from the poem.

Answer:
My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones.

VI. Irony is a literary device that emphasises the difference between what is expected and what actually happens. It often involves a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected, creating a surprising or a humorous effect. For example, Mrs. Jones’ excitement about her garden contrasts with the speaker’s disappointment on how ordinary it is. Identify the line(s) from the poem that display(s) situational irony.

Answer:
“You’re standing on it,” she replied.

VII. Complete the following sentences appropriately.

1. The word ‘concrete’ can refer to _________ in Mrs. Jones’ garden.
   Answer:
   the stones and hard surfaces
   
   

2. The title also has a symbolic meaning, as the poem provides a clear or ‘concrete’ example of Mrs. Jones’ _________ gardening habits.
   Answer:
   clear or fixed
   

VIII. The title ‘A Concrete Example’ carries both literal and symbolic (metaphorical) meaning. Such word play is called a pun. A pun is a figure of speech that uses words with multiple meanings or words that sound alike but have different meanings, creating a humorous effect.

I tried arguing with my pencil but it kept making sharp points (suggests the idea of an actual sharp pencil point and strong argument points)

Answer:
Literal: Garden made of concrete/stones

My pencil and I had a disagreement but we finally got to the point (refers to solving an argument and the pencil’s tip)

Answer:
Metaphorical: Clear example of Mrs. Jones’ unusual gardening style

Class 8 English A Concrete Example Question Answer – Let us think and reflect (Pages 20–21)

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
   has got a garden full of stones:
   A crazy path, a lily pond, a rockery and,
   just beyond A sundial with a strange device,
   which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.
   
   

(i) What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones’s taste in gardening from the description of her garden being ‘full of stones’?
Answer:
She likes simplicity and prefers an uncommon, stone-based garden design.

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.
Answer:
True

(iii) What does the poet mean by ‘crazy path’?
Answer:
The phrase ‘crazy path’ refers to an uneven or irregularly shaped pathway.

(iv) What does the sundial with a ‘strange device’ suggest about Mrs. Jones’ personality?
A. She has a fascination with unusual items.
B. She prefers traditional garden decorations.
C. She is uninterested in her garden’s appearance.
D. She likes modern and expensive items.

Answer:
A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

Answer:
Mrs. Jones feels proud of her garden. She genuinely admires its unique look and finds joy in its small, special details.

Question 2.
Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?

Answer:
The speaker says this because the plants are extremely tiny and delicate, so small they seem like they could be planted with a pin instead of a tool.

Question 3.
What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones—based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?

Answer:
From her gardening style and behaviour, we can tell that Mrs. Jones is careful, imaginative, and has an eye for detail. She enjoys beauty in simple, overlooked things.

Question 4.
The poem portrays Mrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.”

Answer:
Yes, the poem shows Mrs. Jones as creative and passionate about her hobby. Her gardening reflects her love for nature and her unique way of expressing it.

Question 5.
What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?

Answer:
The poem teaches that everyone sees beauty in different ways. It encourages us to value diverse viewpoints and appreciate what others find meaningful.

I. Select the appropriate word from the brackets that correctly replaces the underlined word in the sentences from the text.

1. A sundial with a strange device, (unusual, peculiar, new, rare, external)
   
   

2. … which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice, (pleasant, superior, agreeable, gentle, charming)
   
   

3. They are so delicate… (delicious, fragile, dainty, graceful, weak)
   
   

4. “Where is this lovely thing?” I cried. (exclaimed, wept, shouted, announced, whispered)
   
   

Answer:

1. Strange → peculiar
   
   

2. Nice → charming
   
   

3. Delicate → fragile
   
   

4. Cried → exclaimed
   
   

II. The ‘sundial’ is referred to as a ‘device’ in the poem. Work in pairs to infer the meaning of ‘device’. Share your thoughts with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:
The term device means a piece of equipment designed to serve a particular purpose or perform a specific task.

Now, match the type of instruments in Column 1 with their definitions in Column 2. Column 3 shows one example of each type of instrument. Add more examples in Column 3.

III. Complete the table by making new words in Column 1 using the hints given in Column 2. Replace the first letter of the given word to create new words. One example has been done for you.

Answer:
(i) dice
(ii) rice
(iii) mice
(iv) vice

2. 

Answer:
(i) boil
(ii) toil
(iii) coil
(iv) foil

A Concrete Example Question Answer Class 8 – Let us listen (Pages 23–24)

I. You will listen to a presentation about the wonderful Rock Garden of Chandigarh. As you listen, answer the following questions using one to three exact words from the presentation. (Refer to the NCERT Textbook Page 47 for transcript.)

1.Where was Nek Chand’s Rock Garden featured?
Answer: Indian postage stamp

2. What kind of sculptures does the Rock Garden have?
Answer: colourful sculptures

3. How is the Rock Garden divided?
Answer: three distinct phases

4. Name any one thing that has been transformed into a piece of art in the Rock Garden.
Answer: toilet pots (Other acceptable answers: terracotta pots, light fixtures)

5. Approximately, how many statues border the Rock Garden?
Answer: 5,000 statues

Class 8 English Chapter 2 Question Answer – Let us speak (Page 23)

I. The speaker of the poem might have felt sorry for stepping on Mrs. Jones’ flower. When we make a mistake, we must express regret and apologise for our actions.

1. When we apologise to a friend or a family member, we use informal language.
Take turns to apologise for the following situations and respond to the apology,
(i) You have eaten your brother’s share of sweets.
(ii) You have broken your sister’s flower craft.
(iii) You accidentally spilled ink on your mother’s important documents.
(iv) You forgot to bring your friend’s notebook to the school after borrowing it.
You may use the following phrases given below.

Answer:
(i) Apology: I’m really sorry, I ate your sweets by mistake. I didn’t mean to upset you.
Response: It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.

(ii) Apology: Please forgive me, I accidentally broke your flower craft. I didn’t do it intentionally.
Response: That’s alright. I can make a new one.

(iii) Apology: Mom, I’m very sorry for spilling ink on your documents. It was an accident!
Response: It’s fine. Just be careful next time.

(iv) Apology: I’m sorry I forgot your notebook. I’ll definitely bring it tomorrow.
Response: No problem. Just make sure you remember it next time!

2. When we apologise to someone in authority like a Principal or a teacher in a formal setting, we use formal language. Work in pairs and take turns to apologise for the following situations and respond to the apology.
(i) You did not bring an assignment that was due for submission.
(ii) You were late to school for the past three days and had to meet the Principal.
(iii) You did not submit your project work and were asked to explain.
You may use the following phrases given below.

Answer:
(i) Apology: I sincerely apologise for not bringing the assignment that was due today. I regret the delay.
Response: Apology accepted. Please ensure it’s submitted tomorrow.

(ii) Apology: I owe you an apology for being late these last few days. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Response: Thank you for admitting it. Please be punctual hereafter.

(iii) Apology: I’m sorry for not submitting my project on time. It won’t happen again.
Response: I appreciate your honesty. Please meet the next deadline.

NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 2 Question Answer – Let us write (Page 25)

You are a member of the Nature Club of your school. Draft a notice informing the students of Grades 6–8 about the inauguration of the Herb Garden.

2. Use formal language in the third person form.”

3. Write the notice in a box.

Answer:

GREENFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL
NATURE CLUB
NOTICE
16th May 2025

Inauguration of the School Herb Garden

The Nature Club of Greenfield Public School invites all students of Grades 6 to 8 to the inauguration of the newly built Herb Garden. The event aims to promote awareness about herbal plants and eco-friendly gardening.

Date: 20th May 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Venue: School Backyard (behind the Science Block)

Students who wish to volunteer or participate in the plantation drive can contact Mrs. Anita Sharma (Science Department) by 18th May during school hours. All students from Grades 6 to 8 are welcome to attend and learn about useful herbs such as mint, tulsi, and aloe vera.

Let’s grow green and learn together!

Priya Mehta
(Member, Nature Club)

Class 8-B

Let us explore (Pages 25–26)

I. Amrit Udyan is a garden spread over an expanse of 15 acres around Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. It has multiple attractions that include a specially curated garden for children called Bal Vatika, a treehouse, nature’s classroom, etc. It also has the Bonsai, Herbal-I, Herbal-II, Tactile Garden, Arogya Vanam, and Circular Gardens with a diverse variety of flora and fauna.

Now, find out about popular gardens in your region and share with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

Popular Garden in My Region
Name of the Garden: Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Key Attractions:

• Spread across 240 acres in the city’s centre.
  
  

• Home to more than 1,800 varieties of plants, trees, and herbs.
  
  

• Features a famous Glass House inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, used for flower exhibitions.
  
  

• Has a lake, fountains, and centuries-old trees.
  
  

• Contains an ancient rock formation believed to be over 3,000 million years old.
  
  

Children’s Attractions:

• Open green spaces for playing.
  
  

• Walking paths and information boards about plants.
  
  

• Stunning floral displays during annual flower shows.
  
  

Educational Value:

• Excellent for school trips and environmental learning.
  
  

• Spreads awareness about biodiversity and plant conservation.
  
  

Other well-known gardens in different cities include:

• Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden, Patna
  
  

• Hanging Gardens, Mumbai
  
  

• Mughal Gardens, Srinagar
  
  

• Eden Gardens, Kolkata (historic park, not the stadium)
  
  

• Nehru Zoological Park and Gardens, Hyderabad
  
  

II. A herbarium is a collection of plant samples preserved for long-term study, usually in the form of dried and pressed plants mounted on paper. Now, collect some fallen flowers and leaves from your neighbourhood. Place them in folds of a newspaper carefully and put a pile of books on them. After one week, take them out and use them to make a card, wall hanging or any other artwork. A sample has been given for your reference.

Answer:

My Herbarium Activity

I collected fallen leaves and flowers from my nearby park and garden. These included a Gulmohar leaf, Hibiscus flower, Mango leaf, Bougainvillaea petal, and Neem leaf.

Steps I followed:

1. I placed each flower and leaf carefully between newspaper sheets.
   
   

2. I put a stack of books on top to press them flat.
   
   

3. I left them for about a week to dry completely.
   
   

How I used them:
After a week, I used the dried flowers and leaves to create a handmade Teacher’s Day greeting card. I decorated the front with hibiscus and bougainvillaea petals and used a mango leaf as a border. I wrote the message — “Thank You for Helping Me Grow!”

What I learned:
This activity taught me how to preserve plant samples safely and use them creatively. I realised how nature can inspire beautiful art and understood the concept of a herbarium better.

Answer:
Do it yourself.

Understanding NCERT Solutions Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 2 A Concrete Example

The poem A Concrete Example highlights the beauty found in small, surprising places. Focusing on the main ideas of the chapter can help you develop a deeper understanding of poetic expression in daily life.

Practicing NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 2 solutions helps students build confidence for exams. Regular revision of the summary, meanings, and question-answers ensures you fully grasp important themes and poetic devices.

To score better, review each question from the chapter and write short notes on key points. Consistent practice with exercise-based solutions will sharpen your analytical abilities and help you excel in upcoming English exams.