Class 8 English Question Answers - Earthquake in Assam

Short Type Questions

Q1: What awards has Ruskin Bond received for his contribution to literature?
Ans: Ruskin Bond has received the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Shri, the Delhi Government's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to literature.

Q2: How old was Ruskin Bond when he wrote his first novel?
Ans: Ruskin Bond was only seventeen years old when he wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof.

Q3: What was the reaction of the animals before the earthquake?
Ans: The animals, including crows, chickens, and dogs, exhibited signs of restlessness and fear before the earthquake. They sensed the approaching disaster and reacted accordingly.

Q4: What happened to the town of Shillong after the main shock of the earthquake?
Ans: After the main shock of the earthquake, the town of Shillong was reduced to ruin and rubble. Buildings made of masonry, such as Government House, the post office, and the jail, all collapsed. The entire town suffered extensive damage.

Q5: Why were people sleeping in carriages in Calcutta?
Ans: Nerves were on edge and people slept in carriages in Calcutta due to the fear of recurring earthquakes. The initial earthquake had caused panic, and people were apprehensive about the possibility of aftershocks. Sleeping in carriages provided a sense of safety and mobility in case of another disaster.

Long Type Questions

Q3: Describe the scene when the earthquake struck and explain why the author says that the thatched roofs had slithered like 'a pack of cards.'
Ans: The author says that the thatched roofs had slithered like 'a pack of cards' to illustrate the sudden and swift collapse of the roofs. The phrase implies that the roofs came down rapidly and in a cascading manner, much like a deck of cards falling one after another. It suggests that the roofs collapsed with little resistance or stability, signifying the severity of the earthquake and its impact on the structures.

Q4: Analyze the extent of the calamity based on the descriptions provided in the text. How did the earthquake affect different structures and regions?
Ans: The descriptions provided in the text suggest that the calamity caused widespread destruction and loss. The earthquake reduced the town of Shillong to ruin and rubble. Government buildings, including Government House, the post office, and the jail, collapsed. The extensive damage affected both residential and public structures, indicating the scale of the calamity. The collapse of the jail and the prisoners' huddled state also points to the chaos and disruption caused by the earthquake.

Q5: What was the impact of the earthquake on the people, animals, and natural surroundings? Provide specific examples from the text to illustrate the consequences.
Ans: The earthquake had a profound impact on people, animals, and the natural surroundings. The tremors caused panic and fear among the inhabitants. Animals exhibited signs of distress, with crows taking flight, chickens flapping in circles, and dogs fleeing. The landscape experienced violent shaking, with treetops lashing, doors banging, and windows shaking. The earthquake also led to the flooding of the Brahmaputra river, drowning many cultivators and wildlife. The death toll was high, and structures made of masonry crumbled. The consequences of the earthquake were far-reaching, affecting both human and natural environments.