Class 8 English Question Answers - The Great Stone Face-II (Old Syllabus)

Comprehension Check (Page 136) 

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements.

1. Ernest's words reminded people of the wise old sayings. 
 2. Total strangers from far away, who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar. 
 3. The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest's view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness. 
 4. When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other equally.
 5. The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley.
 6. The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were far nobler than his own verses.

Answers:

1. Ernest's words reminded people of the wise old sayings. 
 Ans. True

2. Total strangers from far away, who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar. 
 Ans. True

3. The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest's view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness. 
 Ans. False

4. When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other equally. 
 Ans. True

5. The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley. 
 Ans. False

6. The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were far nobler than his own verses. 
 Ans. True

Working with the Text (Page 137) 

Answer the following questions.

Q1. How was Ernest different from others in the valley?
 Ans. Ernest was unlike other commoners in the valley. He was a good, simple hearted, noble and thoughtful person. He had been under observation. He did not go with the crowd. He welcomed total strangers as the prophets.

Q2. Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?
 Ans. The poet wrote wonderful songs. He had celebrated the Great stone Face in one of his poems. When Ernest read this poem he became convinced that the poet was like the stone face.

Q3. What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?
 Ans. The poet confessed that he was not worthy to be compared with the Stone Face. His actions did not match with his thoughts. He had only grand dreams but he lacked faith in his own thoughts.

Q4. What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face?
 Ans. Ernest and the poet together went to a meeting place. Ernest addressed the gathering. His words had power and his thoughts had depth. They were the words of life, a life of good deeds and selfless love. The poet was convinced that Ernest was much nobler than him. Ernest’s face had such a grand expression that he declared that Ernest bore the likeness of the Great Stone Face.

Q5. Write ‘Ernest’ or ‘Poet’, against each statement below.
 (i) There was a gap between his life and his words.
 (ii) His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts.
 (iii) His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream.
 (iv) His thoughts were worthy.
 (v) Whatever he said was truth itself.
 (vi) His poems were noble.
 (vii) His life was nobler than all the poems.
 (viii) He lacked faith in his own thoughts.
 (ix) His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived.
 (x) Greatness lies in truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great.

Answers:

(i) There was a gap between his life and his words.
 Ans. Poet 

(ii) His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts. 
 Ans. Ernest

(iii) His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream. 
 Ans. Poet

(iv) His thoughts were worthy. 
 Ans. Poet

(v) Whatever he said was truth itself. 
 Ans. Ernest

(vi) His poems were noble. 
 Ans. Poet

(vii) His life was nobler than all the poems. 
 Ans. Ernest 

(viii) He lacked faith in his own thoughts. 
 Ans. Poet

(ix) His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived. 
 Ans. Ernest

(x) Greatness lies in truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great. 
 Ans. Ernest

Q6. (i) Who, by common consent, turned out to be like the Great Stone Face?
 Ans. Ernest was accepted by common consent exactly like the Great Stone Face.

(ii) Did Ernest believe that the old prophecy had come true? What did he say about it?
 Ans. No, Ernest still was not convinced that the old prophecy had come true. He hoped that some day, a man wiser and nobler than him would come, and would look truly similar to the Great Stone Face.