The Case of the Fifth Word – NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English (Poorvi)

The Case of the Fifth Word Question Answer – Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 101)

I. Work in pairs. Solve the crossword puzzle given below with the clues in the form of anagrams.
Note: An anagram is a word or phrase that is made by rearranging the letters in a different order to make a new word or phrase. For example, ‘Neat’ is an anagram of ‘a net’. ;

Across:

3. Declare

6. Tucks

7. Heart

9. Felt

10. Sown

12. Sword

13. Evil

Down:

1. Aces

2. Read

4. Tool

5. Alps

6. Hooks

Answer:

II. Work in pairs. Match the different meanings of ‘case’ in Column 2 with the correct usage in the sentences in Column 1. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

The Case of the Fifth Word Class 8 Question Answer – Let us Discuss (Page 104)

I. Complete the following statements with suitable reasons. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. Leroy’s nickname was Encyclopedia and everyone called him by that name because ____________

2. At the dinner table on Tuesday night, Chief Brown stared at his cream-of- mushroom soup as ____________

3. Encyclopedia sat quietly at the dinner table because ____________

4. Nolan put the will on the kitchen table because ____________

Answer:

1. he had read many books and never forgot a fact, making him as knowledgeable as an encyclopedia.

2. he was deep in thought, puzzled by the strange four-word message found in Nolan’s notebook and trying to solve the mystery.

3. he sensed that something serious was troubling his father and was waiting to be invited into the conversation.

4. he wanted to ensure that Davenport received the secret message hidden in the four words, which revealed the location of the stolen jewellery.

II. Do you think Chief Brown would need Leroy’s help to solve this case? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Answer:

Yes, Chief Brown would need Leroy’s help because the coded message was cleverly hidden and could not be understood through normal reasoning. Even though Chief Brown and Mrs. Brown were smart, they were unable to find the meaning behind the four strange words. Leroy, however, used his sharp thinking and creative ideas to discover the trick involving the fifth word on each dictionary page. His special way of linking clues made him important for solving the case.

Class 8 English The Case of the Fifth Word Question Answer – Let us discuss. (Page 107 – 108)

Read the difference between fact and opinion on Page 107 of NCERT Textbook

Identify which of the following statements from part I and II of the story are facts or opinions. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. Encyclopedia’s father was the Chief of Police. – Fact

2. Everyone thought that Chief Brown must be the smartest police chief in the country.

3. An encyclopedia is a book or set of books filled with facts from A to Z.

4. Leroy’s friends said that he was like a library and computer rolled into one, and more user-friendly.

5. Two masked men held up the Diamond Mart on Sixth Avenue.

6. Nolan and Davenport had met while both were in prison in South Carolina.

7. Chief Brown’s hunch was that Davenport and Nolan decided to hide the loot until things cooled down.

8. Nolan wrote a four-word code to tell Davenport where he had hidden the stolen jewellery.

Answer:

1. Fact

2. Opinion

3. Fact

4. Opinion

5. Fact

6. Fact

7. Fact

8. Fact

II. Complete the table by choosing the character traits of Leroy given in the box below. There is an extra word that you do not need. One example has been done for you.

Answer:

The Case of the Fifth Word Class 8 Questions and Answers – Let us think and reflect (Pages 108-110)

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

1. Chief Brown would have liked to tell everyone about his only child. But who would believe him? Who would believe that the best detective alive was an eighth grader? So, he said nothing.

Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father. He didn’t want to seem different from other boys. But there was nothing he could do about his nickname. He was stuck with it.

Only his parents and teachers called him by his real name, Leroy. Everyone else called him Encyclopedia.

(i) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.

Chief Brown’s dilemma can be called unique because ____________.

Answer:

He knew his son was the best detective around, but he also understood that no one would believe a young boy could solve difficult cases better than experienced adults.

(ii) What can be inferred about why Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father?
A. He is shy and lacks confidence in his abilities to share his insights.
B. He wants to avoid the jealousy others might feel about his skills.
C. He desires to blend with the other boys to prevent seeming different.
D. He is embarrassed about .being smarter than most adults around him.

Answer:
C. He desires to blend with the other boys to prevent seeming different.

(iii) The parents choose not to call their son ‘Encyclopedia’. Select the reason that is false.
A. For them he is more than his unique abilities; he is their child, with a personal identity.
B. Calling him by his real name reflects their affection and the desire to acknowledge him as an ordinary boy.
C. They want him to be remembered as different from the others around.

Answer:
C. They want him to be remembered as different from the others around.

(iv) What does the writer mean by the fact that Leroy was ‘stuck with’ the name Encyclopedia?
Answer:
It means that even though Leroy didn’t choose the nickname or really like it, people used it so much that he eventually had no option except to accept it.

2. Chief Brown studied the four words: Nom Utes Sweden Hurts. He shook his head and passed the notebook to Mrs. Brown again. “Can you figure it out?”
“Nom is a shortening of nominative, a grammatical term,” stated Mrs. Brown, who had taught English and other subjects in high school. “Utes is an American Indian tribe. Sweden is a country in northern Europe. Hurts is hurts. ”
She lifted her gaze to Encyclopedia and shook her head.
“I can’t figure it out,” she confessed.
“Davenport disappeared right after the hold-up, ” Encyclopedia reminded her.

(i) What does Chief Brown’s reaction of shaking his head suggest about his understanding of the four words?
A. He is confident that the words are a clue.
B. He is confused, unable to make sense of the words.
C. He believes the words are random and meaningless.
D. He thinks the words are unrelated to the case.

Answer:
B. He is confused, unable to make sense of the words.

(ii) Identify whether the given statement is true or false.
Mrs. Brown explained the actual meanings of the individual words rather than decoding the hidden message behind them.

Answer:
True

(iii) What does Mrs. Brown’s inability to decode the words suggest about the message?
Answer:
It suggests that the message is cleverly disguised and not easily interpreted using the literal meanings of the words. It requires lateral thinking or a deeper understanding of the context”

(iv) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The purpose of Encyclopedia’s reminder in the last line of the extract was to (refocus the discussion on the context of the crime/suggest that the coded message was meant for Davenport/imply that the message was likely a clue about the location of the stolen jewellery)

Answer:
This implies that the message was probably a clue pointing to the location of the stolen jewellery.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Nolan and Davenport were very close. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
Answer:
Nolan and Davenport were said to have met in prison, where they grew close. After their release, they teamed up for a jewellery heist. Nolan trusted Davenport so much that he left him a secret four-word coded message about where the stolen loot was hidden, showing how strong their bond was.

2. Why did Davenport disappear right after the jewellery hold-up? What might his plans have been if Nolan had not died?
Answer:
Davenport disappeared to avoid being caught and to stay hidden while the police were investigating the robbery. If Nolan hadn’t died, Davenport probably planned to meet him later, use the coded message to find the stolen jewellery, and then divide the loot once things had calmed down.

3. What does Mrs. Brown’s interest in the case tell us about her?
Answer:
Mrs. Brown’s interest shows that she is intelligent, curious, and enjoys solving intellectual challenges. Her background as an English and general subject teacher suggests she is analytical and observant. Even though she couldn’t solve the puzzle, her willingness to get involved shows that she values logic and deduction and supports her family’s passion for solving cases.

4. Explain why Chief Brown was proud of his son.
Answer:
Chief Brown was proud of Encyclopedia because of his sharp intelligence, keen observation, and strong logical thinking. Even as an eighth grader, he could solve difficult cases that even adults struggled with. His humble nature and the quiet help he gave his father also earned Chief Brown’s deep respect and admiration.

5. Why were Chief Brown’s suspicions regarding Nolan and Davenport justified, even when there was a lack of concrete proof?
Answer:
Chief Brown’s suspicions were supported by strong circumstantial clues. Nolan and Davenport’s criminal past, their sudden disappearance after the robbery, and the mysterious note in Nolan’s notebook all suggested their involvement. Even without direct evidence, these details made his guess both reasonable and logical.

6. Analyse the role of the four-word coded message in the story.
Answer:
The four-word coded message — “Nomutes Sweden Hurts” — was the key puzzle in the mystery. It seemed meaningless at first, but Encyclopedia figured out that the fifth word on the dictionary page for each of those words revealed the real clue: “Under steps,” which showed where the stolen jewellery was hidden. The code added complexity to the case and highlighted Encyclopedia’s impressive deduction skills.

7. Write a character sketch on Leroy with the help of the character traits table given in ‘Let us discuss’ section.
You may begin it like this:
Encyclopedia was a knowledgeable eighth grader who never forgot a fact that he read.

Answer:
Encyclopedia was an eighth grader with an excellent memory who never forgot anything he read. His sharp observation skills and logical thinking made him a remarkable young detective. Even with his exceptional intelligence, he stayed humble and never boasted about helping his father solve police cases.

He liked to stay grounded and blend in with other boys his age. Nicknamed “Encyclopedia” because of his vast knowledge, he approached every problem calmly and could notice clues that others easily missed. His quiet confidence, humility, and sharp mind made him not only a brilliant detective but also a likable and trustworthy character.

The Case of the Fifth Word Question Answer Class 8 – Let us learn (Pages 111-117)

I. Match the phrasal verbs from the text given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Answer:

Now, fill in the blanks with the phrasal verbs given in Column 1.

A. Finally, some important evidence about the case has _______________.

B. After I _______________, I understood that I had made a big mistake.

C. I couldn’t _______________ why he was angry with me.

D. He _______________ his special coat and went to his friend’s birthday party.

E. Ravi forgets to do his homework but he _______________ it as teacher didn’t ask for it that day.

F. I do not know what to _______________ his behaviour.

Answer:
A. turned up
B. cooled down
C. figure out
D. put on
E. got away with
F. make of

II. Fill in the blanks in the following sentences by choosing the correct word pairs from the box given below.

2. When the committee met yesterday, they brought _________________ local cases to the _________________.

3. While learning to drive, Rina used too much force on the _________________, causing the car to _________________ down.

4. He has composed a beautiful _________________ of music in order to bring _________________ to thousands of people.

5. She was busy _________________ her hair not caring about the _________________ flowers in her garden.

Answer:

A. turned up

B. cooled down

C. figure out

D. put on

E. got away with

F. make of

III. Leroy solved the mystery of the missing fifth word with his critical thinking abilities. Work in pairs to solve the puzzles given in the illustrations below and infer what they say. One example has been done for you.

Middle-aged, Try to understand, Up to you, Go for it, Sixth sense, One in a million, Once upon a time, Crossroads

IV. Spoonerism is a mistake made when speaking, where the first sounds of the words in a phrase or a sentence are exchanged with each other.

This usually gives a funny meaning.

Some examples of spoonerism are saying ‘wrong load’ instead of ‘long road’, ‘round of mice’ instead of ‘mound of rice’.

1. knowing sits

2. it’s roaring with pain.

3. plaster man

4. blarm wanket

5. tars and crucks

6. shake a tower

7. bead a rook

8. mardon me padam

Answer:

1, Snowing kits

2. It’s pouring with rain

3. Master plan

4. Warm blanket

5. Cars and trucks

6. Take a shower

7. Read a book

8. Pardon me, madam

V. Read the following sentences from the text and study the highlighted words.

1. Everyone thought that he must be the smartest police chief in the country.

2. She read what he had copied.

3. They tell where the jewellery is hidden.

4. “Nom is a shortening of nominative, a grammatical term,” stated Mrs. Brown, who had taught English and other subjects in high school.

5. “Nolan and Davenport had met,” Chief Brown said, “while both were in prison in South Carolina.”

6. When he came up against a case he couldn’t solve, he acted at once.

7. The code is simple, especially as it’s written on a sheet from a calendar.

8. They became friendly because of shared interests.

9. Encyclopedia solved the case for him before dinner was over.

Now, fill in the blanks with the words in the box given below to complete the following sentences. There are two extra words that you do not need.

Fill in the blanks with the words in the box given below to complete the following sentences. There are two extra words that you do not need.

Detective stories are exciting, keeping readers guessing (i) ____________ the real culprit is. They take place in settings (ii) ____________ clues are hidden carefully. (iii) ____________ the mystery seems tricky, a clever detective always finds answers. Readers often wonder (iv) ____________ criminals leave small but important clues. The challenge is to decide (v) ____________ suspect is guilty. (vi) ____________ the truth is revealed, everything makes sense. But one may wonder (vii) ____________ they could have solved it themselves. These stories are fun (viii) ____________ they make readers think till the very end.

Answer:

(i) who

(ii) where

(iii) Though

(iv) why

(v) which

(vi) When

(vii) if

(viii) because

VI. Combine the following pairs of sentences using the word given in brackets. One example has been done for you.

1. We gave him the signal. He was waiting for the signal, (that)
Answer:
We gave him the signal that he was waiting for.

2. We went to a place. The incident occurred there, (where)
Answer:
We went to a place where the incident occurred.

3. Teacher said she would retire soon. She is now nearly sixty, (who)
Answer:
Teacher, who is nearly sixty, said she would retire soon.

4. It was the day. Half the class was absent, (when)
Answer:
It was the day when half the class was absent.

VIII. Rewrite the following sentences in Reported Speech.

1. “Why did you stop talking to me?” asked Rohan.
Rohan questioned ____________
Answer:
Rohan questioned why I had stopped talking to him.

2. “Did you enjoy the family gathering yesterday?” asked my aunt.
My aunt asked ____________
Answer:
My aunt asked if I had enjoyed the family gathering the previous day.

3. “When will you visit us again?” asked my grandmother.
My grandmother inquired ____________
Answer:
My grandmother inquired when I would visit them again.

4. Madavi said to Ravi, “Will you come with me to meet our old teacher tomorrow?” asked Madavi.
Madavi asked Ravi ____________
Answer:
Madavi asked Ravi if he would go with her to meet their old teacher the next day.

5. My friend said, “What gift are you planning to give your brother?”
My friend inquired ____________
Answer:
My friend inquired what gift I was planning to give my brother.

6. “Shall I carry these notebooks to the staffroom, Ma’am?” asked Veenu. Veenu asked her teacher
Answer:
Veenu asked her teacher if she would carry those notebooks to the staffroom.

IX. Read the conversation between Aditi | and Rahul.
Aditi : Did you see anyone leave a package near the lift?
Rahul: I noticed a man wearing a bluejacket drop it off.
Aditi : What time did you see this happen?
Rahul: It was around 6:45 p.m.
Aditi : Were you able to see his face?
Rahul: He wore a hood and so I couldn’t see his face.

Aditi asked Rahul 1 ____________

Rahul replied that he had noticed a man wearing a blue jacket drop it off.

Aditi asked Rahul 2 ____________

Rahul replied that it had been around 6.45 p.m.

Aditi further inquired 3 ____________

Rahul said that he had worn a hood, so he couldn’t see his face.

Answer:

1. if he had seen anyone leave a package near the lift.

2. at what time he had seen that happen.

3. if he had been able to see his face.

Class 8 English Chapter 7 Question Answer – Let us listen (Page 117)

I. You will listen to a podcast about ways of improving observation skills. As you listen, mark the statements 1-4 as true or false. (Refer to the NCERT Textbook Page 151 for the transcript.)

1. Observation skills help improve your common sense.
Answer: True

2. Rushing through tasks helps you focus better and observe more.
Answer: False

3. Taking notes or making sketches helps with what you observe.
Answer: True

4. Incorporating tips on observation skills will soon lead to success.
Answer: True

II. You will once again listen to the podcast. As you listen, complete the given sentences by filling in the blanks with one to three exact words you hear.

1. It is important to slow down and ____________ to notice several aspects around you more clearly.

2. The more senses like hearing and smelling you use, the more ____________ you absorb.

3. People who are ____________ tend to be better observers because they seek to understand what they notice.

4. When you make a note of things, it helps reinforce the ____________ in your memory.

5. Practising mindfulness helps a person stay ____________ with their surroundings.

Answer:

1. take your time

2. information

3. curious

4. details

5. Engaged

NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 7 Question Answer – Let us Speak (Pages 118-119)

I. Read the following words from the text loudly with the help of the pronunciation guide given in brackets.

Now, practise reading the following words.

Answer:
Do it yourself.

II. Work in groups of five or six. Conduct a group discussion on the topic, ‘The Interesting Aspects of a Mystery Story’.

Guidelines

• The moderator initiates the discussion inviting the speakers to share their views on the subject.

• The speakers take turns to put forth their view point using polite expressions to agree or disagree.

• The speakers may interrupt by raising their hands to add or clarify a point.

• The moderator ensures equal participation of all the members in the group, consolidates views, and calls upon other speakers to respond.

• The moderator sums up the points of discussion, suggests guidelines for future action and thanks the members of the group.
  
  

Note: Choose a moderator. Decide upon the duration of the discussion.

Do it yourself

Class 8th English Chapter 7 The Case of the Fifth Word Question Answer – Let us write (Pages 119-121)

I A report is written for an event that has already occurred. The purpose of a report is to provide fist-hand details of an incident or event. It presents the information in a proper sequence.

Read the sample report written about the ‘Inter-school Football Tournament organised by your Vidyalaya.

Note the format, content, and language used.

Our school, Greenwood High, organised an exciting Inter-school Art Exhibition on 15th October 2024 in the school auditorium. The event was hosted by the Art and Craft Club in partnership with the Department of Fine Arts, and saw enthusiastic participation from more than 15 well-known schools across the city.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the famous artist Ms. Meera Kulkarni, who lit the ceremonial lamp and encouraged students to keep exploring their creativity. The theme of the exhibition was "Colours of Culture", and the artworks beautifully represented India’s rich traditions, festivals, and cultural heritage.

Each school showcased their finest creations, including paintings, sketches, sculptures, and eco-friendly crafts. The use of recycled materials and natural colours was highly appreciated. Our school’s artwork titled "Nature’s Harmony", a 3D wall mural made of clay and paper, attracted a lot of attention and praise from visitors.

A panel of expert judges evaluated all entries on creativity, originality, technique, and how well they matched the theme. Springdale Public School secured the first prize, followed by Oakridge International School and Greenwood High. The event concluded with a short cultural programme and the prize distribution ceremony.

Overall, the exhibition was a great success, inspiring creativity, teamwork, and a love for art among young learners. We look forward to hosting more such meaningful and enjoyable events in the future.

The Case of the Fifth Word Class 8 NCERT Solutions – Let us explore (Page 121)

I. Work in pairs. Read the words and observe the images given below. Check if your answers match. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

II. Read the steps to play a language game—Name the mystery object.

1. Divide the class into teams.
2. Each team chooses an object and prepares three hints to enable the other teams to name the object.
3. Each team takes turns to name the object given by the other team.
4. If a team names the object with the first hint, they get 20 points, with the second hint 10 points, and with the third hint 5 points.

One example with three hints:
(i) I display information for all to share, with a swipe I’m clean and bare.
(ii) I am rectangular or a square, whom neither teacher nor student can spare.
(in) I am mostly black, sometimes green, now in white too I am seen.

Answer:
Do it yourself.

III. Visit the library and look for an encyclopedia. What is it? Check how it is different from a dictionary. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:
An encyclopedia is a reference book (or a set of books) that provides detailed information on a wide range of subjects. The articles are usually arranged alphabetically and contain facts, explanations, and background knowledge written by experts. Encyclopedias can be general (like Encyclopedia Britannica) or subject-specific (like an Encyclopedia of Animals or Science).

IV. A thesaurus is a reference book or digital tool that provides a collection of words with similar meanings, allowing users to find alternative words or phrases to express the same idea. Choose any five words and find out their alternative words from the thesaurus.

Answer:
1. Happy
Synonyms: joyful, cheerful, delighted, content, pleased, thrilled, overjoyed

2. Fast
Synonyms: quick, speedy, rapid, swift, brisk, prompt, lightning-fast

3. Beautiful
Synonyms: attractive, lovely, stunning, charming, elegant, graceful, gorgeous

4. Smart
Synonyms: intelligent, clever, bright, sharp, brainy, witty, quick-thinking

5. Angry
Synonyms: mad, furious, annoyed, upset, irritated, enraged, frustrated

Mastering Mysteries: The Case of the Fifth Word

In NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 7 The Case of the Fifth Word, students explore logic and deduction skills through an engaging detective story. Studying chapterwise solutions helps clarify doubts and build a strong foundation in comprehension and analysis.

With NCERT Solutions for 2025-26, students can practice answering all types of questions, including matching, phrasal verbs, and text analysis. Consistent practice using detailed explanations can make making connections between themes and answers more effortless.

Focus on character traits, summary skills, and vocabulary exercises to be well-prepared for any exam question from this chapter. Review key statements and examples to strengthen your understanding and boost your confidence for scoring high marks.