He writes a heartfelt letter to his wife, Connie, describing this unbelievable event where enemies shared food, sang carols, and played football. This shows his emotional and sensitive nature. Captain Macpherson believes in the goodness of people and dreams of a world where peace replaces war. His character reminds us that love, friendship, and understanding can exist even in the darkest of times.
Class 8 Exam > Class 8 Notes > English Class 8 > Assignment: The Best Christmas Present in the World
Assignment: The Best Christmas Present in the World | English Class 8 PDF Download
| Table of contents |
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| Comprehension Questions (MCQs) |
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| Short Answer Questions |
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| Character Sketch |
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| Creative Writing Task |
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| Vocabulary Activity – "Guess the Word" |
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Comprehension Questions (MCQs)
Read the passage and answer the following questions:
“There was something in there. I reached in and took out a small black tin box. Sello-taped to the top of it was a piece of lined notepaper, and written on it in shaky handwriting: ‘Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes.’”
Q1: What was found inside the roll-top desk?
(a) An old photograph
(b) A secret message
(c) A black tin box containing a letter
(d) A golden pen
Correct option: (c)
Explanation: The narrator found a black tin box with a letter inside.
Q2: Who was the letter addressed to?
(a) Jim Macpherson
(b) Mrs Jim Macpherson
(c) Hans Wolf
(d) The narrator
Correct option: (b)
Explanation: The letter was addressed to Mrs Jim Macpherson, Jim’s wife.
Q3: What is the date written on the letter?
(a) January 25, 1915
(b) December 26, 1914
(c) December 25, 1914
(d) January 1, 1915
Correct option: (b)
Explanation: The letter was written on December 26, 1914, the day after the Christmas truce.
Q4: Why did the narrator feel guilty opening the box?
(a) It belonged to a soldier
(b) It was not addressed to him
(c) He had no scruples
(d) It was supposed to be buried
Correct option: (d)
Explanation: The note on the box said the letter was to be buried with the writer.
Q5: What war is being described in the letter?
(a) World War II
(b) Civil War
(c) World War I
(d) Cold War
Correct option: (c)
Explanation: The letter describes an event from World War I.
Short Answer Questions
Q1: What extraordinary event took place on Christmas during the war?
Ans: On Christmas Day 1914, British and German soldiers called a truce. They came out of their trenches, greeted each other, exchanged food and gifts, played football, and celebrated Christmas together in peace.
Q2: Who was Hans Wolf and what did he and Jim talk about?
Ans: Hans Wolf was a German officer and a cellist from Dusseldorf. He and Jim Macpherson, a British officer, talked about books, music, their homes, families, and the beauty of England, especially Dorset.
Q3: What was Connie’s reaction when she received the letter again?
Ans: Connie was filled with joy and emotion. She mistook the narrator for her husband Jim, believing he had returned as promised. She called it the best Christmas present in the world.
Q4: How does the story show that soldiers are humans first?
Ans: Despite being enemies, the soldiers share food, laughter, and a game. Their actions during the truce show compassion, friendship, and a longing for peace — proving their shared humanity.
Q5: What did the narrator do after reading the letter?
Ans: The narrator decided to return the letter to its rightful owner, Mrs Macpherson. He located her at a nursing home and gave her the letter, making her believe Jim had returned.
Character Sketch
Q1: Write a character sketch on Captain Jim Macpherson
Ans: Captain Jim Macpherson is a British army officer shown in Chapter 1: The Best Christmas Present in the World from the NCERT Class 8 English textbook. He is a kind-hearted, gentle, and peace-loving man who values humanity more than war. Even though he is on the battlefield during World War I, he is not filled with anger or hatred towards the enemy. Instead, he feels hope and warmth when German and British soldiers come together on Christmas Eve to celebrate a short moment of peace.
Creative Writing Task
Q1: Imagine you are Jim Macpherson, writing in your diary on December 25, 1914, after the Christmas truce. Describe your feelings, the event, and your hopes for the future.
December 25, 1914
Dear Diary,
Today was the most extraordinary day of my life. Despite the cold and the war, something magical happened. On Christmas Eve, German soldiers began singing carols, and soon we joined in. This morning, both sides stepped out of their trenches—unarmed. We shook hands, shared food, sang together, and even played football in No Man’s Land.
For a moment, the war disappeared. There was laughter instead of gunfire, friendship instead of fear. I saw not enemies, but men like us—longing for peace, for home, for family.
My heart is full of hope. If we can come together like this, even during war, perhaps peace is not impossible after all.
Dear Connie,
I wish you could have seen it. It felt like a miracle. I pray this war ends soon, and I return to you.
With love,
Jim
Vocabulary Activity – "Guess the Word"
(a) Clue: A German drink made from grain, shared during the truce.
Word: Schnapps
Explanation: It was offered by the German soldiers to their British counterparts.
(b) Clue: A shelter dug in the ground for soldiers.
Word: Dugout
Explanation: Jim and his men returned to their dugouts after the truce.
(c) Clue: A sweet almond-based cake topping, praised by Hans Wolf.
Word: Marzipan
Explanation: It was on Connie’s Christmas cake, shared during the truce.
(d) Clue: A German name used for a soldier in the story.
Word: Fritz
Explanation: “Fritz” was a common name used to refer to German soldiers.
(e) Clue: A word meaning ‘to look vacant or lost in thought’.
Word: Vacantly
Explanation: Connie looked vacantly at the narrator before recognising him.
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