NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English
The Fight NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 6
The Fight NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers
The Fight Comprehension check
Question 1.
In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?
Answer:
The pools in the Rajputana desert were sticky and muddy, because buffaloes wallowed and women washed clothes in them.
Question 2.
The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain ’ himself
i. What did he expect Ranji to say?
Answer:
He expected Ranji to apologize for swimming in his pool.
ii. Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?
Answer:
Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate individual answers. In my opinion, he was wrong to ask that question because the pool belonged to nobody. It was a shared resource. But the boy was arrogant and did not want the “villagers” to use his pool.
Question 3.
Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer:
The other boy is the one trying to start a quarrel. When Ranji offers the boy to join him in swimming, he acts haughtily and tells him that he had not invited Ranji there,and it was his pool. Later he says that he is a warrior who does not take replies from “villagers”.
Question 4.
“Then we will have to continue the fight, ” said the other.
i. What made him say that?
Answer:
Both the boys were tired of fighting and could not fight any further. They knew that neither of them will budge from their position and leave the pool. So, they decided to continue the fight the next day.
ii. Did the fight continue? If not, why not?
Answer:
No, the fight did not continue because they were too tired to fight any further. Also, they decided to postpone the fight for the next day.
The Fight Comprehension check
Question 1.
What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?
Answer:
Ranji finds it difficult to explain the cuts and bruises that showed on his face, leg and arms. It was difficult to conceal the fact that he had been in an unusually violent fight.
Question 2.
Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar.
i. What does he wish to do?
Answer:
On seeing his adversary in the bazaar, at first Ranji wishes to turn away and look elsewhere. Then he wishes to his second to throw his lemonade bottle at him.
ii. What does he actually do, and why?
Answer:
He stands his ground, and scowls at his adversary.
Question 3.
Ranji is not at all eager for a secondfight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?
Answer:
He goes back to the pool because he does not want to concede his defeat in front of his enemy. If he did not turn up at the pool, it would be an acknowledgement of his defeat. He wanted to gain the respect of his enemy by fighting with him to the last.
Question 4.
Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?
Answer:
Ranji was the better swimmer because even his enemy appreciated his swimming skills, and wanted to learn how to dive from him. Ranji also tries to teach Suraj how to swim under water.
Question 5.
What surprises the warrior?
Answer:
Ranji’s excellent swimming skills surprise the warrior. He was amazed when Ranji dived straight into the water, cutting through it like a knife, and surfacing with hardly a splash.
Question 6.
Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?
Answer:
They do not continue the fight because they get busy swimming and Suraj who was keener to have the fight wants to learn how to dive from Ranji. In this way, they become friends and stop fighting.
Question 7.
Ranji s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following:
physical strength, good diving, him being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming under water, making a good point, willingness to help , Underline the relevant phrases.
Answer:
physical strength, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming under water, making a good point, willingness to help
Question 8.
What, according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into goodfriends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood it.
Answer:
Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate their own answers. The two adversaries turn into good friends when they realize each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Ranji earns Suraj’s respect with his wonderful swimming skills. And Ranji realizes that behind Suraj’s tough exterior is a vulnerable child who is willing to befriend him if he teaches him how to dive. When the two learn that they have much to offer each other, they decide that it is better to be friends than adversaries.
The Fight Exercise Question and Answer
Discuss the following topic in small groups.
Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate their own answers.
Question 1.
Is fighting the only way of resolving differences of opinion? What else can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?
Answer:
No, fighting is the worse way to resolve differences of opinion. The world is full of different types of people. There are bound to be differences of opinion. We cannot go on fighting with each other. The best way to resolve a conflict is by engaging in meaningful discussion and seeing things from another person’s point of view.
A mutually acceptable settlement can happen only when the parties involved in a quarrel accept each other’s opinion without feeling a need to blame each other. When’everyone accepts their mistakes, and allows for differences in opinion, any conflict can be resolved. We need to see each other as an extension of our own selves instead of hating each other. Everyone is vulnerable in their own way.
Even a stopped clock tells the correct time two times a day. So, sometimes we need to agree to disagree and not take things personally. We should allow for and appreciate differences of opinion if we want to live peacefully in this world.
Question 2.
Have you ever been in a serious fight only to realize later that it was unnecessary and futile? Share your experience/views with others frankly and honestly.
Answer:
Yes, every time I have a fight with anyone, I realize the futility of the fight. I find it deeply unnecessary. Once I fought with a very dear friend over a trivial matter. She said some things that hurt me. So, instead of telling her that I was hurt, I also said things I knew would hurt her. We stopped talking. I had an uneasy feeling throughout the day.
I felt miserable because I wanted to talk to her, and tell her things. But she would not even look at me. Then, I thought that there is no use of fighting, and that I must apologize to her. I did so, and we quickly made up. I was so relieved. How could I have let her go so easily! I am glad that the fight did not last very long. After all, she knew all my secrets.
Question 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:
It is possible that most people find pleasure in proving that they are better than others. It is in reality a trait that almost all human beings possess. We all get a boost to our self-esteem or self-worth when we feel that we are better than the other person in any way. It helps us deal with feelings of insecurity and makes us feel better about ourselves.
People do it different ways, and some are quite open about it. The sign mentioned in the question is quite creative. It would amuse me if I came across such a sign, because it is not meant to belittle those who read it, but is merely a humourous quote. I would not mind waving to such a person and telling them that I find the sign funny.