A Visit to Cambridge

AP/ NCERT Class 8 Honeydew Textbook Solution, Textual Notes

Prose - 7 A Visit to Cambridge

Comprehension Check (Page 100)

Which is the right sentence?

1. “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,

(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.

(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.

(iii) Cambridge was the real England. ✔

2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house

(i) from the nearest phone booth.

(ii) from outside a phone booth. ✔

(iii) from inside a phone booth.

3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because

(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.

(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser. ✔

(iii) he was face to face with a legend.

4. “I felt a huge relief… in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to

(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist. ✔

(ii) standing up, walking.

(iii) speaking, writing.

Working with the text (Page 100-101)

Answer the following questions.

(i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?

The writer felt nervous about meeting Stephen Hawking, a famous astrophysicist who wrote a big book called A Brief History of Time. Even though he was paralyzed, he was brilliant and took over a special chair at Cambridge University after Sir Isaac Newton.

(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?

Firdaus Kanga was very excited to meet Stephen Hawking unexpectedly. Despite Hawking's paralysis, he achieved a lot, following Sir Isaac Newton at Cambridge University. This inspired Firdaus, making him realize he too could achieve more than he imagined, opening up countless possibilities for his future.

2. Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.

The first question that the writer might have asked the scientist was if he felt relieved and brave for accomplishing such great achievements in life despite being disabled.

3. Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?

Even though Stephen Hawking said he had no choice about being in a wheelchair, the writer believed living creatively with his changing body was a choice. Firdaus thought Hawking could have been sad, but instead, he chose to achieve great things despite being disabled.

4. “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?

Stephen Hawking, a brilliant scientist, made important contributions to science. Despite his keen mind, he relied on a voice synthesizer lacking emotions. The writer sensed Hawking's frustration as he wanted to express numerous thoughts but could only do so through a computer, causing him much anguish.

5. What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?

The writer asked Hawking if disturbances annoyed him. He quickly said yes but gave a sweet one-way smile, endearing him to the writer. In that moment, the writer felt he was seeing one of the most beautiful people—a man with a beautiful soul, where the body was just an accessory.

6. Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?

The most beautiful sentence in the description of ‘the beautiful’ man is – “Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man.”

The above sentence describes Hawking’s personality as his inner beauty or glow that’s so beautiful and vibrant which renders his physical inability nothing but just an accessory.

(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?

If ‘the lantern’ is the man, its ‘walls’ would refer to the structure of the human body.

(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?

The light of life is housed within the thin walls of the external structure.

(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?

The author implies that inside the human body, there is an eternal soul, which is the incandescence of a man. The outer physical structure is nothing more than just an accessory.

8. What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?

Hawking stressed that everyone, regardless of ability, should focus on their strengths. Disabled individuals shouldn't try to imitate others. Instead, they should use available resources, be grateful to God for their abilities, and believe they can achieve any challenging task.

9. Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?

When Hawking said disabled Olympics were a waste, it made the author recall struggling with a big Spanish guitar. One night, he loosened its strings without regret. Hawking's message was clear: focus on strengths, not on comparing or imitating "normal" people.

10. The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is gratitude for?

Stephen Hawking's bravery and achievements inspired the author, creating deep gratitude. The scientist embodied courage, showing a positive way to live despite disability. The author learned to appreciate life, thanks to Hawking, finding a new perspective beyond constant complaints about his own limitations.

11. Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.

(i) There was his assistant on the line …
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, …
(iii) There he was, …
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, …
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know …

A

tapping at a little switch in his hand
and I told him
that there are people
as if you have a courage account
and they are saying something huge and urgent

B

trying to find the words on his computer.
I had come in a wheelchair from India.
on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
it is hard to tell what.

(i) There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.

(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.

(iii) There he was, tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find the words on his computer.

(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent – it is hard to tell what.

(v) It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.

Working with language (Page 102-103)

1. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.

guide succeed chair travel pale draw true

(i) I met a traveller from an antique land.

(ii) I need special guidance in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.

(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy successor to Isaac Newton.

(iv) His other problems paled into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.

(v) The meeting was chaired by the youngest member of the board.

(vi) Some people say ‘yours truly’ when they informally refer to themselves.

(vii) I wish it had been a drawn match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.

2. Look at the following words.

walk stick

Can you create a meaningful phrase using both these words?

(It is simple. Add -ing to the verb and use it before the noun. Put an article at the beginning.)

..a walking stick

Now make six such phrases using the words given in the box.

read/session smile/face revolve/chair
walk/tour dance/doll win/chance

a reading session
a smiling face
a revolving chair
a walking tour
a dancing doll
a winning chance

3. Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.

(i) He has two brothers. Both are lawyers.

(ii) More than ten persons called. All of them wanted to see you.

(iii) They all cheered the team.

(iv) Both her parents are teachers.

(v) How much have you got? Give me all of it.

4. Complete each sentence using the right form of the adjective given in brackets.

(i) My friend has one of the fastest cars on the road.

(ii) This is the most interesting story I have ever read.

(iii) What you are doing now is easier than what you did yesterday.

(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both short.

(v) He arrived late as usual. Even the chief guest came earlier than he did.