Somebody’s Mother Extra Questions and Answers Class 8 English Chapter 5

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Somebody’s Mother Extra Question Answer Class 8 English Chapter 5

Somebody’s Mother Very Short Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What is moral of the poem ‘Somebody’s Mother”?
Answer:
The poem Somebody’s Mother by Mary Dow Brine conveys a powerful moral lesson about kindness, empathy, and the importance of helping those in need.

Question 2.
Who helped the old woman?
Answer:
A kind schoolboy helped the old woman.

Question 3.
Where was the old woman standing?
Answer:
The old woman was standing at the crossing.

Question 4.
What did the woman place on the boy’s arm?
Answer:
The woman placed her aged hand on the boy’s arm.

Question 5.
What did the woman do after reaching home?
Answer:
After reaching home the woman prayed for the boy.

Somebody’s Mother Short Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Describe the weather conditions mentioned at the beginning of the poem.
Answer:
In the beginning of the poem the street was wet with a recent snow, and there was a chill from the winter’s day, making the conditions cold and potentially slippery.

Question 2.
How did the old woman appear as she stood at the crossing?
Answer:
The old woman appeared old, ragged, and grey, bent with the cold, and her feet were aged and slow. She seemed timid and afraid to move when she stood at the crossing.

Question 3.
How did the group of schoolboys react to the old woman?
Answer:
The group of school boys did not react to the old woman and passed by laughing and shouting, without offering any help.

Question 4.
What is the significance of the phrase “Somebody’s mother”?
Answer:
The phrase “Somebody’s Mother” signifies and remind us that every person is someone’s loved one and deserves care and respect.

Question 5.
What fear did the old woman have that made her hesitant to cross the street?
Answer:
The old woman was hesitant to cross the road because she was afraid that carriage wheels or horses’ feet might crush her down on the slippery street if she tried to move on her own.

Somebody’s Mother Long Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What makes the boy different from the other schoolboys in the poem?
Answer:
While all the other schoolboys laugh and pass the old woman without noticing her need, one boy stops and offers help. His compassion sets him apart. He notices her fear, offers his arm, and carefully helps her cross the street. His thoughtful nature and sense of empathy show maturity beyond his age, proving that kindness comes from the heart, not experience or age.

Question 2.
What role does the setting (time and place) play in the poem?
Answer:
The poem is set on a cold winter day, with a busy street full of rushing carriages. The street is wet with snow, making it slippery and dangerous, especially for someone old and weak. This setting highlights the woman’s struggle and increases the tension in the scene. It also makes the boy’s action more meaningful, as he helps her in challenging conditions, putting her safety above his own convenience.

Question 3.
Analyse how the poet uses imagery and descriptive language to enhance the reader’ understanding of the setting and the old woman’s condition.
Answer:
In the poem “Somebody’s Mother,” the poet uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to portray the cold, harsh setting and the old woman’s helpless condition. Phrases like “bent with the chill of the Winter’s day” and “wet with a recent snow” help readers visualise the slippery, uncomfortable street. The woman is described as “old and ragged and grey,” which emphasises her frailty and poverty. Her “trembling feet” and “anxious eyes” evoke sympathy and show her fear. In contrast, the boy’s “firm and strong” feet highlight his ability to help. This powerful imagery helps readers understand the woman’s vulnerability and the kindness of the boy’s action.

Question 4.
Describe the sequence of events in the poem, highlighting the transformation from the old woman’s initial state to her eventual relief.
Answer:
At the beginning of the poem “Somebody’s Mother,” the old woman stands at a busy street crossing, described as old, bent, and timid. She is surrounded by people but remains unnoticed and unaided. A group of cheerful schoolboys pass by, ignoring her. Finally, one kind boy stops and offers help. He gently guides her across the slippery street, showing empathy and care. The woman is relieved and grateful for his kindness. When she reaches home, she prays for the boy, wishing him well. The transformation is clear—from fear and helplessness to comfort and peace—thanks to one act of compassion.

Question 5.
How does the poem “Somebody’s Mother” inspire readers to show empathy and kindness in everyday life?
Answer:
The poem “Somebody’s Mother” inspires readers to notice those who are often overlooked, like the old woman at the crossing. It shows how a simple act of kindness—helping someone cross the road—can bring great comfort and gratitude. The young boy’s action is selfless and thoughtful; he doesn’t help for praise, but because he imagines someone doing the same for his own mother. This encourages readers to place themselves in others’ shoes and act with compassion. The poem teaches that even small, thoughtful gestures can make a big difference in someone’s life and that kindness is a powerful value everyone should carry.

Somebody’s Mother Competency Based Questions

Question 1.
How would you explain the importance of kindness to your classmates using an example from the poem?
Answer:
I would tell my classmates that kindness means noticing when someone needs help and doing something about it. In the poem, the young boy helped an old woman cross the road, even though others ignored her. His small act made a big difference in her life, showing that kindness doesn’t need to be grand—it just needs to be sincere.

Question 2.
If you were in a group and saw someone being left out -or ignored, what would you do? Relate it to the poem.
Answer:
I would include the person and make them feel welcome, just as the boy in the poem stopped to help the woman who was ignored by others. Everyone deserves respect and support, especially when they are feeling left out or helpless.

Somebody’s Mother Extract Based Questions and Answers

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

1. “The woman was old and ragged and grey,
And bent with the chill of the Winter’s Day.
The street was wet with a recent snow,
And the woman’s feet were aged and slow.” (Page 71)

Question 1.
What season is extract?
(a) Summer
(b) Autumn
(c) Winter
(d) Spring
Answer:
(c) Winter

Question 2.
State Whether True or False:
The poem describes the street as dry and clean.
Answer:
false

Question 3.
Fill in the Blank:
The woman’s feet were described as __________ and slow.
Answer:
aged

Question 4.
Why was the woman bent with the chill of the winter’s day?
Answer:
Because she was old and weak, and the cold made her uncomfortable.

2. Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep.
Past the woman so old and grey
Hastened the children on their way. (Page 71)

Question 1.
What comparison is made for the boys in the extract?
(a) Like birds flying in the sky
(b) Like a flock of sheep
(c) Like fallen leaves
(d) Like racing horses
Answer:
(b) Like a flock of sheep

Question 2.
State Whether True or False:
The children stopped to help the old woman as they passed by.
Answer:
false

Question 3.
Fill in the Blank:
“Past the woman so __________ and __________ hastened the children on their way”.
Answer:
old, grey

Question 4.
What does the wofd “hastened” tell us about how the children moved?
Answer:
It tells us that the children moved quickly/hurriedly past the woman.

3. “At last came one of the merry troop,
The gayest laddie of all the group;
He paused beside her and whispered low,
“I’ll help you cross, if you wish to go.” (Page 71)

Question 1.
How is the boy who stopped described?
(a) The tallest boy of the group
(b) The gayest laddie of all the group
(c) The oldest boy of the group
(d) The strongest boy of the group
Answer:
(b) The gayest laddie of all the group

Question 2.
State Whether True or False:
The boy rudely demanded that the woman move quickly.
Answer:
false

Question 3.
Fill in the Blank:
“He paused beside her and __________,
__________, I’ll help you cross, if you wish to go.”
Answer:
whispered low

Question 4.
What did the boy offer to do for the old woman?
Answer:
He offered to help her cross the street.

4. Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,
He guided the trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong. (Page 72)

Question 1.
How did the boy feel after helping the old woman?
(a) Proud and happy
(b) Angry and tired
(c) Confused and shy
(d) Sad and upset
Answer:
(a) Proud and happy

Question 2.
State Whether True or False:
The boy hurt the old woman while helping her.
Answer:
false

Question 3.
Fill in the Blank:
The boy’s arm is described as __________ and young.
Answer:
strong

Question 4.
What did the boy do with the old woman’s hand?
Answer:
He let her place it on his arm to help her walk safely.

5. “She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know,
For all she’s aged and poor and slow”,
“And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand”,

Question 1.
What does the phrase “lend a hand” mean in the poem?
(a) Borrow something
(b) Hit someone
(c) Offer help
(d) Hold hands
Answer:
(c) Offer help

Question 2.
State Whether True or False:
The boy believes that the woman is rich and strong.
Answer:
false

Question 3.
Fill in the Blank:
The boy calls the old lady “somebody’s __________.
Answer:
mother

Question 4.
What hope does the boy express for his own mother?
Answer:
He hopes someone will help his mother if she is ever old and alone.

Somebody’s Mother Extra Questions for Practice

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Where was the old woman standing?
(a) At the bus stop
(b) At the crossing
(c) In the park
(d) Outside a shop

Question 2.
Why were the boys happy and excited?
(a) They were going for a party
(b) They were going for a picnic
(c) School had ended for the day
(d) They found some money

Question 3.
What was the old woman afraid of?
(a) Getting lost
(b) Being robbed
(c) Carriage wheels and horses’ feet might crush her on the slippery street
(d) The cold weather

Question 4.
How did the old woman respond to the boy’s offer?
(a) She refused his help
(b) She placed her aged hand on his strong young arm
(c) She thanked him but walked away
(d) She ignored him completely

Question 5.
What reason did the boy give his friends for helping?
(a) She reminded him of his teacher
(b) She’s somebody’s mother
(c) She looked veiy rich
(d) She asked him directly

Fill in the Blanks

1. The street was wet with a recent __________.
2. “Should crowd her down in the street.” The repeating ‘s’ sound in this phrase is an example of __________.
3. The boys came down the street with __________ and shout.
4. The boy guided the woman without __________ or harm.
5. The boy’s heart was happy and well __________ after helping the woman.

State Whether True or False

1. The street was dry and clear on the day the woman was at the crossing.
2. The boy who helped was the quietest in the group of schoolboys.
3. The boy was ashamed of his own feet being firm and strong.
4. The poem suggests that kindness is only important for young children.
5. The boy helped the old woman because she called out to him for assistance.

Assertion and Reason Question

Two statements are given- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read them carefully and choose the correct option.

1. Assertion (A): The boy helped the old woman because he wanted to be praised.
Reason (R): He imagined someone helping his own mother one day.
Codes:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is the moral of the poem?

Question 2.
What was the street wet with?

Question 3.
What was the old woman afraid of on the slippery street?

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How did the boy feel about himself after successfully guiding the old woman across the street?

Question 2.
What significant thought did the boy share with his friends about the old woman?

Question 3.
What was the old woman’s reaction to the boy’s kindness once she was safely home?

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the condition and appearance of the old woman in the poem. How does the poet evoke sympathy for her?

Question 2.
Explain the significance of the title
“Somebody’s Mother.”

Competency Based Question

Question 1.
Imagine you are walking home from school and see an elderly person struggling to carry groceries. What would you do, and why?