Brain Grain · braingrain.in
English — Practice Paper · Set 1
Class: 8Samacheer KalviMax Marks: 59
Name: ____________________Reg No: ____________
Part I — Multiple Choice Questions 10 × 1 = 10
Choose the correct answer. (Answer all questions.)
1.Why do birds sing?A. To locate one anotherB. To warn other birdsC. To find a mateD. All of the above[1]
2.Let us browse about it.A. surfB. readC. glance[1]
3.Grandpa got a call from ……………….A. his sonB. wifeC. his old friend[1]
4.In a certain code language, if INFER = 25 and JERSEY = 28, then CHOICE =?A. 43B. 34C. 89D. 52[1]
5.One day he ………………. into a hotel in Ooty, a beautiful city in Tamilnadu.A. bookingB. was bookingC. bookedD. had booked[1]
6.Harshini ………………. her mother in making rangoli in the yard for the last one hour.A. is helpingB. has helpedC. has been helpingD. helps[1]
7.I’m right?A. amn’t I?B. am not I?C. aren’t I?[1]
8.They will wash the car,A. will it?B. won’t they?C. wouldn’t they?[1]
9.Alfred Nobel left his colossal fortune to the cause of progress in human knowledge because heA. was Europe’s richest vagabondB. were a chemist, engineer, and an aspiring poetC. felt guilty for having invented highly destructive thingsD. felt guilty for having earned so much money[1]
10.Nice fun indeed.A. infactB. doubtedlyC. fine[1]
Part II — Fill in the Blanks 5 × 1 = 5
Fill in the blanks. (Answer all questions.)
11.The computer actually gobbled a ……………..[1]
12.I am not …………….. to drink soda, (aloud, allowed)[1]
13.As soon as the giant was full, he fell fast ………………… .[1]
14.If you …………….. (speak) English, you will get along with them perfectly.[1]
15.She is collecting stickers, ……………………..?[1]
Part III — True or False 5 × 1 = 5
Write True or False. (Answer all questions.)
16.Prasanth’s friend came on by walk.[1]
17.A fraud middle-aged man pretended to be Chaitra.[1]
18.Shree’s aunt stays with them.[1]
19.Vetri never visited Chennai.[1]
20.The magic beans grew into a huge beanstalk.[1]
Part IV — Short Answer Questions 12 × 2 = 24
Answer briefly. (Answer all questions.)
21.What did the dog do when the door is opened?[2]
22.Why was the dog frightened?[2]
23.How was the weather?[2]
24.What did the hen do when Jack picked it up?[2]
25.Who was the last kill of the Champawat Tiger?[2]
26.What does ‘smart as a fox’ mean?[2]
27.How does the poet describe her computer?[2]
28.What is being personified in the sentence- ‘The full moon peeped through partial clouds’?[2]
29.The wind howled[2]
30.Mervin said that he wanted to be a soldier.[2]
31.When was he admitted in the hospital?[2]
32.Whom did the station master try to catch?[2]
Part V — Long Answer Questions 3 × 5 = 15
Answer in detail. (Answer all questions.)
33.“Go down to the bazaar. Bring me some oil and a lump of ice.” ordered his master.[5]
34.What was the secret shared by pundit to milkmaid?[5]
35.‘I just wanted you to know.’[5]
🔑 Show Answer Key — Set 1
- 1. d) All of the above
- 2. a) surf
- 3. c) his old friend
- 4. a) 43
- 5. c) booked
- 6. c) has been helping D) Identify the errors in the sentences given below and rewrite them. (Text Book Page No. 136)
- 7. c) aren’t I?
- 8. b) won’t they?
- 9. c) felt guilty for having invented highly destructive things
- 10. a) infact
- 11. worm
- 12. allowed
- 13. asleep C) Answer the following questions.
- 14. speak
- 15. isn’t she?
- 16. True
- 17. This statement is true. A fraud middle-aged man pretended to be Chaitra and attempted to deceive Shree. This man was the actual imposter who had been communicating with Shree online using a false identity and a stolen profile picture of a film star. He lured Shree to the train station with the intention of meeting her in person, revealing the dangerous reality behind the online friendship that Shree thought she had developed.
- 18. True
- 19. True
- 20. True
- 21. The dog rushed in when the door was opened.
- 22. The dog was frightened by the fireworks on a bonfire night.
- 23. The weather was rainy and windy.
- 24. When Jack picked up the hen, it began to squawk loudly and flapped its wings in alarm. This noise and commotion from the hen threatened to wake up the giant, putting Jack in a dangerous situation and forcing him to act quickly to escape with the hen before the giant could catch him.
- 25. The last person to be killed by the Champawat Tiger was a sixteen-year-old girl in a village near Champawat. This tragic incident marked the final victim of this notorious man-eating tigress before Jim Corbett undertook the mission to hunt and eliminate it. The death of this young girl highlighted the danger posed by the Champawat Tiger to the local population and underscored the urgent need for Corbett's intervention.
- 26. The phrase 'smart as a fox' means that someone appears foolish or innocent on the surface but is actually very clever, cunning, and intelligent. A fox is traditionally known for its intelligence and ability to outwit others, so this simile suggests that the person being described possesses similar qualities of wit and shrewdness despite any outward appearance to the contrary.
- 27. The poet describes her computer as very intelligent, smart, and knowledgeable. The computer appears to possess a vast amount of information and seems to know many things by heart. It is portrayed as a capable and efficient machine that can process and retrieve information quickly, making it appear highly competent and sophisticated in its functioning.
- 28. The moon is being personified in the sentence 'The full moon peeped through partial clouds.' The verb 'peeped' is a human action that suggests the moon is looking or glancing out from behind the clouds, as if it were a living being with the ability to see and observe. This personification makes the moon seem curious and alive, creating a more poetic and imaginative description of the natural scene than a straightforward statement would provide.
- 29. The wind, an inanimate thing is imagined to be a person who howls.
- 30. Mervin said, "I want to be a soldier." This is the correct conversion of the indirect speech into direct speech. The sentence expresses Mervin's ambition or desire for his future career. When converting from indirect to direct speech, the exact words are enclosed in quotation marks and the reporting verb "said" introduces the statement. The period at the end indicates that this is a declarative sentence expressing a fact or intention. The use of the present tense "want" in direct speech corresponds to the original meaning in the indirect form. This conversion shows how Mervin's personal aspiration is communicated directly through his own words.
- 31. Cesar was admitted to the emergency room of the hospital at about 3 a.m.
- 32. The station master tried to catch the man who was an imposter pretending to be Chaitra. When the station master witnessed the fraudulent man standing in front of Shree and learned about the deception, he attempted to apprehend him. However, the imposter managed to escape by running towards and boarding a train, evading capture at that moment.
- 33. The master ordered his servant to go down to the bazaar and bring him some oil and a lump of ice. This sentence converts the direct command into reported speech using the verb 'ordered' followed by the infinitive forms 'to go' and 'to bring'. The two related instructions are connected by the conjunction 'and' to show they are part of a single command. The pronoun 'me' in the original becomes 'him' in the reported form to maintain grammatical consistency, and the specific items requested, oil and a lump of ice, are preserved to convey the complete nature of the master's instructions.
- 34. The pundit shared a secret with the milkmaid Moti in a jocular manner. He told her that one could cross even the ocean of life by uttering the name of Lord Vishnu. This was meant as a spiritual or philosophical teaching about the power of faith and devotion to the divine. The pundit spoke these words in a lighthearted tone, not expecting Moti to take them literally or to actually attempt crossing the river using this method. However, Moti's simple faith and innocent belief in his words led her to apply this secret in a practical way, resulting in her successful crossing of the river.
- 35. What did the poetess want her father to know? Father was the child’s special hero. The poetess wanted her father to know.
Brain Grain · braingrain.in
English — Practice Paper · Set 2
Class: 8Samacheer KalviMax Marks: 59
Name: ____________________Reg No: ____________
Part I — Multiple Choice Questions 10 × 1 = 10
Choose the correct answer. (Answer all questions.)
1.We must lock the doors,A. mustn’t they?B. shouldn’t we?C. mustn’t we[1]
2.It is a latest mobile.A. updatedB. outdatedC. newD. modem[1]
3.Will it is all right if I …………….. a friend tonight?A. had broughtB. bringC. brought[1]
4.Chennai is the …………….. of Tamilnadu.A. capitolB. capital[1]
5.Asif quarreled with his friend.A. foughtB. differC. peaceD. fun[1]
6.In a certain code language, if BUG = 30 and ALMS = 45 then CADET:A. 70B. 24C. 33D. 37[1]
7.So you bought a car,A. didn’t you?B. haven’t you?C. weren’t you?[1]
8.Nobody called,A. do they?B. didn’t they?C. did they?[1]
9.Reading : Knowledge, Work : ?A. ExperienceB. EngagementC. ExperimentD. Employment[1]
10.I am living in the outskirts of the village.A. borderB. outpostC. centerD. region.[1]
Part II — Fill in the Blanks 5 × 1 = 5
Fill in the blanks. (Answer all questions.)
11.I am so lucky to get you ………………[1]
12.___________ was the servant maid of Meenakshi Ammal.[1]
13.take five _________[1]
14.The ……………. glimmered over the smooth flowing stream.[1]
15.Arya ………………. (play) the same song for the last three days. It has become boring now.[1]
Part III — True or False 5 × 1 = 5
Write True or False. (Answer all questions.)
16.Too much of anything is good for nothing.[1]
17.Rani was frightened of an online predator.[1]
18.The hen laid a perfect iron egg.[1]
19.Strangers don’t misuse your information.[1]
20.Ramayya’s wife put the stud away in her box.[1]
Part IV — Short Answer Questions 12 × 2 = 24
Answer briefly. (Answer all questions.)
21.List the rhyming words in the first three lines.[2]
22.Write a simile using the word ‘like’.[2]
23.Punitha asked her what it was all about.[2]
24.“Don’t you know the way home?” asked I.[2]
25.What was the father’s instruction to Gladin and Rani?[2]
26.‘My computer has always been so brainy and smart’ What are the qualities of a computer given in the above line?[2]
27.Do you have any childhood friendship that is still strong today?[2]
28.Punitha then asked her friend who gave her the book.[2]
29.Asif was a businessman.[2]
30.“Hurry up,” he said to his servant, “do not waste time.”[2]
31.Why did Jack ask for an axe?[2]
32.I am glad to know that.[2]
Part V — Long Answer Questions 3 × 5 = 15
Answer in detail. (Answer all questions.)
33.The poet feels that his computer needs ……………..[5]
34.Building a friendship with someone is easy or difficult? Why?[5]
35.Write about road safety rules?[5]
🔑 Show Answer Key — Set 2
- 1. c) mustn’t we?
- 2. b) outdated
- 3. bring
- 4. a) capital
- 5. a) fought
- 6. c) 33
- 7. a) didn’t you?
- 8. c) did they?
- 9. a) Experience
- 10. a) border
- 11. How did I get so lucky
- 12. Kuppayi
- 13. for a break
- 14. moonlight
- 15. had been playing
- 16. True. The proverb 'Too much of anything is good for nothing' means that excess of anything, even something beneficial, can be harmful. For example, too much internet use can be detrimental to health, studies, and social relationships, even though the internet itself is a valuable tool. This statement emphasizes the importance of moderation and balance in all activities.
- 17. True
- 18. False
- 19. False
- 20. True
- 21. Seed, deep, asleep
- 22. He fought ‘like’ a lion in the battle.
- 23. “What is it all about”? Punitha asked.
- 24. I asked if he knew the way home. This sentence converts the direct question 'Don't you know the way home?' into indirect speech. The reporting verb 'asked' introduces the indirect question. The negative question is transformed using the conjunction 'if' to introduce the indirect form. The pronoun 'you' changes to 'he' to reflect the third person perspective, and the verb 'don't know' changes to 'knew' to maintain the past tense required in indirect speech. The phrase 'the way home' remains unchanged as it is already clear in meaning.
- 25. Father advised Rani and Gladin never to chat with anybody until they know them personally, such as classmates, friends, and family members. This instruction was meant to protect them from potential dangers posed by strangers online. By limiting their online interactions to known and trusted people, they could avoid falling prey to online predators and other harmful individuals who might try to exploit them.
- 26. The qualities of the computer mentioned in the line are that it is brainy and smart. Brainy means intelligent and capable of processing complex information, while smart refers to its quick and efficient functioning. These qualities highlight the computer's ability to think logically, solve problems, and perform tasks with speed and accuracy, making it a powerful and useful tool for the poet's work.
- 27. Yes, I have a childhood friendship that is still strong today. This friendship has endured through the years because of the bond and trust that was built during our early years together. Such lasting friendships are special because they are based on genuine connection and shared experiences from childhood, which often create deep and meaningful relationships that can withstand the test of time and distance.
- 28. “Who gave you the book, Pushpa?” Punitha then asked.
- 29. True Section – III
- 30. He ordered his servant to hurry up and not to waste time. .
- 31. Jack asked for an axe because he needed to chop down the beanstalk. Once Jack had safely descended the beanstalk and reached the ground, he realized that the Giant might follow him down. By cutting down the beanstalk with the axe, Jack could destroy the pathway that connected the ground to the Giant's castle in the clouds, preventing the Giant from coming down and ensuring his own safety and that of his family.
- 32. Mother of Satish
- 33. holiday C) Pick out the rhyming words from the poem. Smart – heart click – quick right – sight sick – quick. D) Match the poetic lines with Figures of speech.
- 34. Building a friendship with someone is difficult because it requires the development and nurturing of important qualities such as loyalty, similarity of values and interests, and selflessness. Friendship is not something that can be formed instantly or without effort. It demands time, patience, and genuine care for the other person. One must be willing to understand the other person's perspective, support them through difficulties, and put their needs alongside one's own. The foundation of a strong friendship rests on mutual trust, honesty, and a commitment to maintaining the relationship through both good and challenging times. These qualities do not develop overnight but require consistent effort and dedication from both individuals involved in the friendship.
- 35. Road safety rules are essential guidelines that must be followed strictly whenever we are on the road to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all road users. Understanding and obeying traffic signals is one of the most important aspects of road safety. When we see a red light, it is a clear indication to stop and wait until the signal changes. The green light gives us the instruction to proceed and cross the road safely. The orange or yellow light serves as a warning and insists us to get ready to go, meaning we should prepare to move but also be cautious. When crossing the road, we must always use designated zebra crossings or pedestrian crossings rather than crossing randomly at any point. While walking on the road, we should walk on our right-hand side, against the traffic, so that we can see the vehicles coming towards us from the front. This allows us to be aware of approaching traffic and take necessary precautions. Additionally, we should avoid distractions such as mobile phones while crossing the road, look both ways before crossing, and teach children about these safety rules from an early age. Following these road safety rules consistently helps reduce the risk of accidents and protects lives.
Brain Grain · braingrain.in
English — Practice Paper · Set 3
Class: 8Samacheer KalviMax Marks: 59
Name: ____________________Reg No: ____________
Part I — Multiple Choice Questions 10 × 1 = 10
Choose the correct answer. (Answer all questions.)
1.Asif saw his friend through theA. cameraB. windowC. glas[1]
2.In a certain code language, if Pen means Eraser, Eraser means Book, Book means Scale, Scale means Sharpener, Sharpener means Duster and Duster means Table, then what is the name of the object that is used to clean the blackboard in that language? e) BookA. DusterB. SharpenerC. TableD. Scale[1]
3.He asked the manager to improve the facility in the hall.A. amenityB. comfortC. uneasyD. short coming[1]
4.Personification is ………………A. giving human attributes to human beings.B. comparing unrelated things.C. giving human attributes to non-human objects.D. talking about the negative aspects of a person.[1]
5.Medicine should be stored .A. consumedB. deletedC. preservedD. registered[1]
6.She gathered the information from the internet.A. disburseB. collectC. amass[1]
7.Sabithra ………………. her job by tomorrow evening.A. will be completingB. will completeC. will have completedD. will have been completing[1]
8.I promised the children a trip to the zoo.A. SVOB. SVDOIOC. SVIODO[1]
9.How do variations in the basic song help the birds?A. recognize other membersB. Maintain healthC. increase the length of their songD. Communicate with one another[1]
10.You wouldn’t like to invite my Dad,A. did you?B. would you?C. won’t you?[1]
Part II — Fill in the Blanks 5 × 1 = 5
Fill in the blanks. (Answer all questions.)
11.……………….. is a more serious health-related illness.[1]
12.As we went through the wood, the of the trees were swaying and making a ……………… rushing sound.[1]
13.cat’s meow _________[1]
14.Moti assured to give the milk at the dawn ………………..[1]
15.wild goose chase _________[1]
Part III — True or False 5 × 1 = 5
Write True or False. (Answer all questions.)
16.Chaitra is Shree’s school friend.[1]
17.The beanstalk reached high into the sky in the evening.[1]
18.Chaitra gifted Shree a new camera phone.[1]
19.Grandpa was so angry seeing Prasanth’s friends.[1]
20.Gladin’s mom knew how screw guage works.[1]
Part IV — Short Answer Questions 12 × 2 = 24
Answer briefly. (Answer all questions.)
21.Give a reason for the pundit to ask for the milk at dawn.[2]
22.I saw Mr. Balu this morning and gave Mr. Balu my homework.[2]
23.This is my pen.[2]
24.What was the birth name of Jim Corbett?[2]
25.What does the poet assure us if we make our life worthwhile?[2]
26.How did the police find out the criminal?[2]
27.Why did he sell his properties?[2]
28.Why was Jack surprised when reaching the sky?[2]
29.my favourite soap is pears and my favourite toothpaste is pepsodent[2]
30.How many kills did the Champawat Tiger recorded?[2]
31.Write a sentence on your own that includes a Metaphor:[2]
32.“It takes me to places Near and far”[2]
Part V — Long Answer Questions 3 × 5 = 15
Answer in detail. (Answer all questions.)
33.According to Corbett, why a tiger turns into a man-eater?[5]
34.Do you admire the beauty of nature, animals, people, places, or things? Discuss with your partner. (Text Book Page No. 108)[5]
35.How did the child feel when it was held by its dad?[5]
🔑 Show Answer Key — Set 3
- 1. a) camera
- 2. c) Table
- 3. b) comfort
- 4. c) giving human attributes to non-human objects.
- 5. b) deleted
- 6. b) collect
- 7. c) will have completed
- 8. c) SVIODO
- 9. Variations in the basic song help birds recognize other members of their species and distinguish them from birds of different species. These variations in bird songs serve as a form of identification and communication within bird communities. By producing and recognizing subtle differences in their vocalizations, birds can identify their mates, offspring, and other members of their flock. These song variations also help birds establish and defend their territories, as each bird or pair may have distinctive song patterns. Additionally, variations in songs allow birds to convey different messages such as warnings, mating calls, and territorial claims. The ability to recognize these variations is crucial for bird survival, reproduction, and social organization within their natural habitats.
- 10. The sentence 'You wouldn't like to invite my Dad, would you?' is a question tag structure used in English grammar. A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. In this case, the negative statement 'You wouldn't like to invite my Dad' is followed by the positive tag 'would you?' This follows the rule that when the main clause is negative, the tag should be positive, and vice versa. Question tags are commonly used in spoken English to encourage response and maintain conversational engagement. They help speakers confirm their assumptions or invite the listener to agree or disagree with the statement made.
- 11. Sun-stroke
- 12. branches, terrible
- 13. excellent
- 14. before sunrise
- 15. wasteful
- 16. This statement is false. Chaitra is not Shree's school friend. Chaitra is someone Shree met online through the internet and developed a friendship with in the virtual world. They communicated through a computer and had never met in person before the incident at the train station. This is an important distinction because it shows how Shree formed a friendship with someone she knew only through online communication, which becomes significant to the story's central theme about the dangers of trusting strangers on the internet.
- 17. False. The beanstalk did not reach high into the sky in the evening. According to the story, the magic beans grew into the huge beanstalk overnight, not in the evening. By the morning, the beanstalk had already grown to an enormous height, reaching up into the clouds where the Giant's castle was located.
- 18. This statement is false. Chaitra did not gift Shree a new camera phone. The story does not mention any gift of a camera phone from Chaitra to Shree. Instead, Chaitra deceived Shree by pretending to be her friend and eventually lured her to the train station under false pretenses. The focus of their online interaction was on building a false friendship rather than exchanging gifts.
- 19. False
- 20. False
- 21. The pundit was under a vow for performing a certain ritual for which he needed the milk at dawn.
- 22. him
- 23. This pen is mine
- 24. Edward James Corbett was the birth name of Jim Corbett. He was commonly known as Jim Corbett throughout his life and career as a hunter and naturalist. This name became famous worldwide due to his remarkable achievements in hunting man-eating tigers and his later contributions to wildlife conservation and environmental protection in India.
- 25. The poet assures us that if we make our life worthwhile by living with purpose, virtue, and goodness, we will inherit heaven. This means that those who live a purposeful and meaningful life in this world will be rewarded with eternal peace and happiness. The poet suggests that the way we live on earth determines our spiritual destiny, and a life dedicated to goodness and noble deeds leads to ultimate salvation and heavenly reward.
- 26. The police found the criminal through his computer identity address.
- 27. He sold his properties in order to repay the loans he had taken. Vetri had borrowed money to run his company, but due to various difficulties and financial challenges, he was unable to pay back the loans. Therefore, he was forced to sell all his properties to settle his debts and meet his financial obligations.
- 28. Jack was surprised when he reached the sky because by morning the beanstalk had grown so enormously tall that it had reached high into the sky and disappeared among the clouds. He had not expected the beans to be truly magical, and the sight of the beanstalk extending into the clouds above was astonishing and unexpected to him.
- 29. My favourite soap is Pears and my favourite toothpaste is Pepsodent. This sentence correctly demonstrates the capitalization of brand names, which are proper nouns and must always be written with a capital letter. Pears is a well-known soap brand, and Pepsodent is a popular toothpaste brand. Both brand names should be capitalized regardless of where they appear in the sentence. The sentence also shows correct use of the conjunction 'and' to connect two related statements about personal preferences.
- 30. The Tiger recorded 436 deaths.
- 31. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'My mother is the queen of my family' is a metaphor because it directly compares the mother to a queen, suggesting that she is regal, authoritative, and holds an important position in the family, thereby highlighting her significance and leadership role.
- 32. Reading takes you to various places near and far. Through books, a reader can travel to distant lands, explore different cultures, experience various time periods, and visit imaginary worlds without leaving home. Reading serves as a gateway to places that would otherwise be unreachable, making it a powerful tool for exploration and discovery.
- 33. According to Corbett's theory, a tiger turns into a man-eater when it grows old or becomes injured. As tigers age or suffer injuries, they lose their ability to run fast and hunt their natural prey efficiently. Since humans cannot run as fast as wild animals, they become easy targets for these weakened tigers. Once a tiger tastes human flesh, it develops a preference for it and will not eat any other type of flesh. These tigers are then called man-eaters. Corbett's first man-eating tiger hunt was the Champawat Tiger, which was a Bengal tigress. This particular tigress was responsible for nearly 436 deaths across Nepal and the Kumaon area of India, making it one of the most dangerous man-eaters Corbett encountered during his hunting career.
- 34. Yes, we all admire the beauty of nature, animals, people, and things around us. Nature possesses immense beauty that captivates our hearts and minds. Trees are a vital part of nature that provide us with oxygen, shade, and rainfall, which are essential for our survival. Medicinal plants and herbs found in nature are invaluable in the medical field, helping to cure diseases and improve health. We also admire the beauty of animals, which are wonderful creations. Many of us keep pet dogs and pet cats as companions, and we find them lovely and beautiful in their own ways. Natural places like Kuttrallam waterfalls are very pleasant and serene to visit, offering us peace and tranquility away from the chaos of daily life. Additionally, human-made things like dolls, toys, and play materials are very interesting and beautiful to children, bringing joy and wonder to their lives. All these forms of beauty, whether natural or created, enrich our lives and make the world a more wonderful place to live in.
- 35. When held by her father, the child felt a profound sense of love and kindness. She experienced a feeling of complete safety and security, protected from any harm or danger. The child felt cherished and cared for in her father's arms. The lines 'Seems it was sent to me from someplace up above' suggest that the child perceived her father's love as something divine and heavenly, almost as if it were a gift from a higher power. This expression conveys the child's belief that such pure and unconditional love is precious and sacred. The child's emotions reflect the deep bond between parent and child, and how a father's embrace can provide both physical and emotional comfort. The feeling of being held safely by a parent is one of the most fundamental human experiences that creates a sense of belonging and trust.