NCERT English Class 8 | Chapter 6 | The fight | Question Answer |

COMPREHENSION CHECK I                                                       PAGE 49

1. In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?

Answer: In the Rajputana Desert, Ranji had seen only sticky, dirty, and muddy pools, where buffaloes wallowed and women washed clothes. The forest pool was different from the pools that Ranji had known until then as it was clean, cold, and inviting.

2. The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain’ himself.

(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?

Answer: He expected Ranji to say who he was and where he came from.

(ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?

Answer: In my opinion, he could have avoided asking the question. He was wrong in asking such a question.

3. Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer: Between Ranji and the other boy, it is the latter who is trying to start a quarrel. Ranji was prepared to be friendly, but the other boy, who was thickset and taller than Ranji claimed that the pool belonged to him and that Ranji was not invited to his pool.

4. “Then we will have to continue the fight,” said the other.

(i) What made him say that?

Answer: Ranji’s stubbornness in not leaving the pool made the other boy say that they would have to continue to fight.

(ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?

Answer: The fight did not continue as both Ranji and the other boy were exhausted so much that they could not even move.

 

COMPREHENSION CHECK II                                                     PAGE 53

1. What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?

Answer: Ranji found it hard to explain the bruises and cuts that showed on his face, arms and leg.

2. Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar.

(i) What does he wish to do?

Answer: Upon seeing his adversary in the bazaar, Ranji wishes to turn away and look elsewhere. He also wants to throw the lemonade bottle at him.

(ii) What does he actually do, and why?

Answer: He ends up scowling at his rival probably because he knows that doing something nasty would cause him more trouble.

3. Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?

Answer: Ranji doesn’t want to acquiesce in his defeat. Although he is weak and not eager to fight, he decides to head to the pool as not turning up there would mean an acknowledgement of defeat.

4. Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?

Answer: Ranji was the better swimmer since he could dive into the water and even swim under it. The warrior couldn’t do both.

5. What surprises the warrior?

Answer: The fact that Ranji can dive into water surprises the warrior. Furthermore, Ranji’s disappearing under water and circling the warrior only to come upon him from behind leaves the warrior amazed.

6. Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?

Answer: Despite being in the pool, they don’t continue the fight as they realise they have something to learn from each other. It is the warrior who is first amazed by Ranji’s swimming skills. He tells the latter that he would make him a pahalwan if he taught him to dive and swim underwater. Therefore, instead of fighting, both end up befriending each other.

7. Ranji’s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following:

Physical strength, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming underwater, making a good point, willingness to help

Underline the relevant phrases.

Answer: good diving, sense of humour, swimming underwater, willingness to help

8. What, according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into good friends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood.

Answer: The two adversaries turned into friends after they realised they had something interesting to learn from each other. The warrior, who only a day before had wanted to fight again with Ranji, is surprised by the fact that Ranji can dive effortlessly and even swim underwater. While he wants Ranji to teach him these skills, he tells Ranji that he would make him a good wrestler. Ranji agrees to the warrior's proposal, and thus, both the warrior and Ranji end up befriending each other.

 

EXERCISE                                                                                                PAGE 54

1. Is fighting the only way of resolving differences of opinion? What else can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?

Answer: Fighting shouldn’t be thought of as the sole way of resolving differences of opinion. It is always wise to sort out differences of opinion by talking or debating. If there is no end to the conflict, one can ask someone intelligent to interfere and solve the matter at hand.

2. Have you ever been in a serious fight only to realise later that it was unnecessary and futile? Share your experiences/views with others frankly and honestly.

Answer: Yes, I have been in a few serious fights, and towards the end of such fights, I always concluded that fighting over things only drains one’s energy and makes one weaker. No matter what the problem is, one can always approach it with an open mind instead of indulging oneself in a physical brawl with the other person. Fighting, furthermore, adds fuel to the fire, and instead of solving the problem, it creates many.

3. Why do some of us find it necessary to prove that we are better than others? Will you be amused or annoyed to read the following sign at the back of the car in front of you?

                                           I may be going slow but I am ahead of you.

Answer: Some people find it necessary to prove they are better than the rest as they have inflated egos. They cannot accept defeat, and they are always on the lookout for proving their strength to somebody they feel is inferior to them. Nevertheless, I would be amused to read the given sign if it appeared at the back of the car in front of me. Such a sign would not annoy me.