Supplementary · Class 8 English · Chapter 1

Samacheer Class 8 English - The Woman on Platform 8

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Chapter-wise textbook exercise answers for The Woman on Platform 8 with validation-aware solutions.

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The Woman on Platform 8 — key concepts & quick answers

Who is the author of 'The Woman on Platform 8'?
The story was written by Ruskin Bond, a well-known Indian author famous for his simple, heart-warming stories.
What is 'The Woman on Platform 8' about?
A schoolboy named Arun, waiting alone at night on platform 8, is befriended by a kind, quiet woman who buys him food and looks after him for a short while before his train arrives, showing him a mother's love though they are strangers.
What is the theme of 'The Woman on Platform 8'?
The story is about selfless love and kindness. It shows that genuine affection can come even from a stranger, and contrasts the warm woman with a fussy, suspicious fellow passenger.
Why does the woman on the platform behave so kindly towards Arun?
She treats Arun with a quiet, motherly tenderness — buying him food and caring for him — suggesting she may have lost a son of her own and finds comfort in looking after the lonely boy.
What lesson does Arun learn from the woman?
Arun learns to value sincere kindness for its own sake and not to judge people by appearances, unlike the well-dressed lady who keeps warning him against the stranger.
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Book Back Questions 16
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1Book Back Questions16 questions
Q.1Satish’s mother handed to her son …………….v
  1. A. bag of pencil
  2. B. bag of vegetables
  3. C. big box of chocolates
  4. D. cricket ball
Answer:

c) big box of chocolates

Q.2The train would come at …………….v
  1. A. one o’clock
  2. B. twelve o’clock
  3. C. two o’clock
  4. D. eleven o’clock
Answer:

b) twelve O’clock
Age calculator is online tool to calculate age from date of birth to current date. It can also be used to calculate time difference between two dates.

Q.3The strange lady gave ……………. to Arun.v
  1. A. coffee and vada
  2. B. tea and bajji
  3. C. samosas and jalebis
  4. D. black tea and cake
Answer:

c) samosas and jalebis

Q.4Arun was sitting on platform ……………. .v
  1. A. no. 7
  2. B. no. 8
  3. C. no. 4
  4. D. no. 3
Answer:

b) no. 8

Q.5Satish and Arun were ……………. years old boys.v
  1. A. 12
  2. B. 11
  3. C. 13
  4. D. 10
Answer:

a) 12

Q.1I am glad to know that.v
Answer:

Mother of Satish

Q.2Are you all alone, my son?v
Answer:

strange lady

Q.3Yes, I am going to school.v
Answer:

Arun

Q.4He is one of my friends.v
Answer:

Satish

Q.5Goodbye mother.v
Answer:

Arun

Q.1Where was arun sitting?v
Answer:

Arun was sitting on platform no. 8 at Ambala station.

Q.4What did the vendors sell?v
Answer:

The vendors on the platform were selling various items including curds and lemon, sweet meat, and newspapers. These vendors represented the typical commercial activity found at railway stations, where they would approach passengers waiting for trains to sell them food items and reading materials. Their presence added to the realistic portrayal of the busy platform environment.

Q.5How did the woman appear?v
Answer:

The woman had a pale face and dark, kind eyes that conveyed warmth and compassion. She was dressed very simply in a white saree and wore no jewels, which suggested a modest and unpretentious appearance. Her simple attire and gentle expression gave her an air of dignity and maternal kindness, making her seem approachable despite being a stranger to Arun.

Q.6Where was Arun travelling to?v
Answer:

Arun was traveling to his boarding school.

Q.7What did the woman buy for him?v
Answer:

The woman bought samosas and jalebis for Arun, showing her kindness and concern for the young boy. She also ordered tea for him, ensuring that he had refreshments while waiting for his train. These gestures demonstrated her maternal affection and care for a stranger, revealing her compassionate nature and willingness to help a child traveling alone.

Q.9What were Arun’s last words?v
Answer:

Arun's last words were "Goodbye – mother". These words were significant as they represented his final communication, expressing his farewell and his thoughts of his mother at that crucial moment. The simplicity and emotional weight of these words capture the essence of Arun's character and his relationship with his mother, making them a poignant conclusion to his interaction in the story.