Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother – NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother (2025-26)

Let us do these activities before we read.

1. List the difficulties that old and physically challenged people face while walking on the road. Use the following points as clues:

• Crossing busy roads due to heavy traffic.
• Uneven pavements and lack of ramps.
• Speeding vehicles not giving way.
• Crowded streets causing inconvenience.
• Not enough support or help from people around.

2. Complete the sentences. Use the words given below.

• The old woman was bent with the chill of the winter’s day.
• The street was wet with a recent snow.
• The boy guided the old woman across the street.

Let us discuss

I. Answer the following questions:

1. Why was the old woman waiting at the crossing?
   Answer: The old woman was standing at the crossing to go to the other side of the road, but she was afraid to cross because the road was crowded and slippery with snow.
2. How did the schoolboys react on seeing the old woman?
   Answer: The schoolboys laughed at the old woman and did not help her. They passed by quickly, not caring for her difficulties.
3. What did the young boy do for the old woman?
   Answer: The young boy went up to the old woman, held her hand, and gently helped her cross the road, making sure she walked safely to the other side.
4. How did the boy feel after helping the old woman?
   Answer: The boy felt proud and happy that he could help someone, hoping that someone would help his mother in the same way one day.

II. Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets.

The poem tells us that the boy was ‘proud’ that his feet were strong. This tells us that the boy was __________ (arrogant about being strong/ grateful for his ability to help)

Answer: grateful for his ability to help

Let us learn

I. Match the words from the text given in Column 1 with the underlined phrases in Column 2.

II. In the poem, the poet uses the idiom ‘lend a hand’ which means ‘help somebody’. Some more idioms using ‘hand’ are given in Column 1. Match these idioms with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Let us write

I. Write a diary entry of a day you helped someone in need. Remember to include the following points while writing it.

• Start with a sentence describing the day.
• Mention whom you helped.
• Explain the situation in which the other person needed help.
• Add the place and time of the day when the situation arose.
• Describe how you helped the other person.
• Describe the reaction of the person you helped.
• Mention how you felt during and after helping the person.
• Conclude by mentioning why you would do something like this again.

Sample Answer:

Dear Diary,
Today was a cold winter morning. While going to school, I saw an old man struggling to carry his shopping bags across the street. He looked worried as the road was slippery. I immediately went over and helped him cross the road safely. He smiled and thanked me with tears in his eyes. I felt so happy that I could help someone in need. It made my day special. I realised that helping others brings inner satisfaction, and I would surely help everyone in need whenever possible.

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 5 Somebodys Mother – Summary and Insights

Mastering NCERT Solutions Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 5 Somebodys Mother is simple with clear, stepwise answers. These solutions help students understand the importance of showing kindness and empathy, which are key values for both exams and everyday life.

By reading the poem and practicing the chapter-wise solutions, students learn to appreciate compassion and understand the lesson’s moral. These concepts are highlighted through easy-to-follow answers tailored for the 2025-26 syllabus.

Focus on key words, attempt all exercise-based questions and revise regularly. This approach ensures that you gain complete conceptual clarity and boost your confidence for your Class 8 English exams.