Short Question Answer: The Ant and the Cricket | English Honeydew Class 8 PDF Download

Q1: What did the ant tell the cricket?
Ans: The ant told the cricket that they neither borrow from somebody nor lend to somebody.

Q2: Why did the cricket complain?
Ans: The cricket complained because it found its cupboard was empty and winter had come.

Q3: (i) Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).
(ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principles?
Ans:
(i) "But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend."
(ii) The ant's principles are wise and practical. Planning ahead, saving, and not relying on others are essential for a secure future.

Q4: The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away”. Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?
Ans: Yes, the word 'dance' is appropriate here. The ant uses it metaphorically, suggesting that the cricket should be active and industrious during the winter months, just as it was carefree and sang during the summer.

Q5: Why did the cricket go to the ant?
Ans: The cricket went to the ant for shelter and grains to eat.

Q6: What made the cricket bold?
Ans: Starvation and famine made the cricket bold.

Q7: When was the cricket happier?
Ans: The cricket was happier through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring.

Q8: What did the ant ask the cricket?
Ans: The ant asked the cricket what he was doing in summer times.

Q9: The cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me?” When does he say it, and why?
Ans: The Cricket said this line when it found that its cupboard was empty and winter had arrived. It was cold, couldn't find any food, and was afraid of starving and dying.

Q10: (i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.
(ii) Write the comment in your own words.
Ans:
(i) "Folks call this fable. I’ll warrant it true; some crickets have legs and some have two."
(ii) The poet's comment emphasizes the moral lesson of the poem: that those who plan, work hard, and save for the future are better off than those who are careless and do not prepare for difficult times.

Q11: What was the young cricket accustomed to do?
Ans: The young cricket was accustomed to sing all day long and enjoyed his good times.

Q12: Give the opposite of: empty, warm.
Ans:

• Empty – Full
• Warm – Cold.