Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 1 Important Question Answers - The Best Christmas Present in the World

Q1: What was Connie’s Christmas present, and why is it “the best Christmas present in the world”?
Ans: Mrs Macpherson was old and was suffering from memory loss. She was waiting for her husband, Jim Macpherson, to return for Christmas. So, therefore, when the narrator visits Connie, and he delivers her husband’s letter, she mistakes him for her husband. Therefore, she felt this was the best Christmas present she had ever received. Mrs Macpherson used to read the letter multiple times throughout the day, and she used to feel his presence around her. The narrator told Mrs Macpherson how he found the letter. She was extremely happy and glad Jim had come to visit her after so long.

Q2: “I think that is what every soldier wants, on both sides,” who said these lines and why?
Ans: In the letter to Mrs Macpherson, it is explained that these lines were said by Hans Wolf, the officer of the Fritz, to Jim. He is a superior officer to Tommy in the army. When the celebration ended, and all the food was consumed, Jim Macpherson spoke to Hans about his wish. In addition, Hans also stated that he was grateful for this shared time and would never forget it. During the war, almost everyone wished for the war to end so that they could meet their families again and every soldier wished for this on either side.

Q3: Mention the different ways in which the British and the German soldiers become friends and find similar things at Christmas.
Ans: The British and German soldiers were settled in different camps. They were enemies in wartime, but at the end of the day, they were human beings and had similar feelings. On the day of Christmas, they shared the festive spirit, got over their hatred for each other, played games, feasted and drank like good friends. Both sides hated war, and they were anxious to return to their families at the end of the war.

Q4: War does not end the conflict between nations. Discuss.
Ans: War means bloodshed, hate and destruction. In nature, animals fight for some sound reason, but different nations go into a war to settle petty disputes or in the name of religion.
I think war solves no problems; it only creates more complications between two nations. Many lives are lost, and people lose their family members and peace. In addition, with a little bit of understanding and mutual discussion, the conflicts can end. Besides, all religions condemn greed and bloody quarrels. War does not add any value to the development of relationships in nations; it only increases the grudge against each other.

Q5: What did Jim say about someone looking from the trenches?
Ans: Jim Macpherson, in his letter, elaborated that someone was waving a flag from the trenches opposite them. When they approached that person on the other side, they exchanged greetings for the festive season.

Q6: What were the Germans doing, and who was their officer?
Ans: Little Private Morris was the officer who invited everyone to join down to celebrate Christmas with them. They arranged schnapps and sausages with them to enjoy Christmas morning during the war. The German officer took the initiative to ask them to join the little celebration they had prepared for Christmas. Therefore, all the men dressed in their khaki uniforms and made peace with each other. Furthermore, they celebrated Christmas with each other during the war.

Q7: What did he find in a secret drawer?
Ans: The narrator found a shallow space underneath a roll-top desk drawer, a secret drawer. There was a small black tin box with a piece of lined note paper that was sello-taped to its top. In addition, a note was written on it in shaky handwriting: “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915. When the time comes, it should be buried with me.” The letter had mentioned the name of his wife, Mrs. Jim Macpherson and the address is written on the envelope containing the letter.

Q8: How did Hans Wolf get to know about Dorset?
Ans: The two officers talked over rum ration and sausages when discussing details about various things. Hans Wolf knew about Dorset very well from the school books he read in England and various English texts he came across. In addition, he shared details about his favourite book and writer.

Q9: What was the condition of the roll-top box that the narrator found?
Ans: The roll-top box was made of oak and was in very bad condition. It had scorch marks all down one side, and one leg was clumsily mended. The author found it in a junk shop in Bridport.

Q10: What was written on the tin box?
Ans: The author found a cello-taped tin box. On the top of the box was a piece of lined note paper in the secret drawer. This was written on it: “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915.”

Q11: Do you think the title of this story is suitable?? What other title would you recommend?
Ans: In my opinion, the story’s title is appropriate and suits perfectly. The title reflects the meaning and surprising element of the story and Mrs Macpherson’s emotions. It mentions how the warring troops longed for peace, and they had a strong desire to return home safely to their families. They shared good moments by sharing drinks, food and talking to their heart’s content. In addition, they played football matches among themselves.
When the narrator visits Mrs Macpherson and delivers the letter written by her husband, Jim Macpherson, she assumes the author to be her husband and thanks him for giving her the best Christmas present ever.
Another suitable title could be “The Best Christmas Gift Ever.”

Q12: What happens when the author completes reading the letter?
Ans: When the author completes reading the letter, he is filled with guilt and remorse. He soon realised it must be very dear to the reader and he must go and return the letter to the respective owner. The letter’s owner, Mrs Macpherson, lived in Bridport, miles away from his home. The author reached her home, which was all burned to ashes. An older man informed him that she was shifted to the other side of the town in a nursing hospital. He went to the address mentioned by the stranger and visited Mrs Macpherson to deliver her the letter.

Q13: What do you think the soldiers of the two armies are like? Find the evidence from the story to support your answer.
Ans: Every human being is almost the same. They love peace and hate war. Every soldier who fights in wartime is also human; they wish for war to end and live peacefully with their families.
Example from the story: They were calling out to us from across no man’s land. “Happy Christmas, Tommy! Happy Christmas!”
The following are some more instances from the story that proves the point:

• Both the armies wished Merry Christmas to each other.
• They played football matches, and on Christmas night, they shared carols and hoped to unite with the families again.
• Both armies wanted peace and wished for the war to end.

Q14: Why was the letter written in the first place? What was the amazing thing that had happened?
Ans: The soldiers of the German and British countries were fighting a battle. They were living in their trenches to fight the enemy. Many soldiers wrote and received letters. It was only to be in touch with their relatives and family members.
On Christmas day, both British and German soldiers celebrated festive Christmas together. It shows festivals are above all personal enmity.

Q15: What was the man in the grey greatcoat doing?
Ans: The man in a grey coat waved a white flag, and someone followed, instructing him not to shoot. In addition, the instruction was followed when Fritz came upon the parapet. Therefore, Jim instructed the men to keep their heads lowered since he felt it was a trick.

Q16: Why did the narrator go to Bridport?
Ans: The narrator went to Bridport to meet Connie Macpherson, who had her address- Mrs Macpherson, 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport and Dorset. The narrator wanted to deliver the letter written by her husband to her. Besides, he felt guilty and a sense of responsibility for delivering the letter because he had mistakenly opened and read the content.

Q17: Why do Jim and Hans think games are a better way to solve conflicts? Share your view.
Ans: According to Jim and Hans, games or sports are good ways of resolving conflicts because nobody lays down their lives in matches. In addition, Jim and Hans concluded that war only leads to death, conflict and devastation. To end the conflicts, playing matches was the best method. Therefore, I agree with both Jim and Hans’ perspectives that matches are an ideal way to resolve conflicts between two enemy countries without losing life and property.

Q18: What did the Fritz officer tell Captain Jim Macpherson?
Ans: The Fritz officer approached Captain Jim Macpherson when everyone was busy enjoying the Christmas celebrations. He outstretched his hand and said he was “Hans Wolf” and played cello in an orchestra in Dusseldorf. Jim also exchanged the greeting and told him he taught school kids in Dorset in west England.

Q19: Why did the narrator buy the roll-top box even though it was in bad condition?
Ans: The author bought the roll-top box in bad condition because it cost little money, and he could easily restore it by working on it.

Q20: Describe Christmas on behalf of a letter sent by Jim to Connie.
Ans: Christmas morning was quiet and crisp; it was a beautiful and charming day. It was a cold and frosty Christmas morning.