Class 8 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - It So Happened

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Ques 1: What does the title of the lesson ‘The Treasure Within’ mean and highlight?
Ans: The Treasure Within’ refers to the hidden talent of every child who has his own style of learning and area of interest. Not every topper in the academics becomes an achiever in life. Every child can achieve greatness in his area of interest.

Ques 2: Who is Hafeez Contractor? What does he tell about himself to his interviewer? How does he find his calling?
Ans: Hafeez Contractor is a leading architect in India at present. In this interview he traces the story of his childhood and schooldays. He had little interest in studies. He passed the annual examinations by copying. He used to be a good sportsman. But his cousin’s husband once noted his hidden talent and told him to become an architect.

Ques 3: Mr Hafeez at school was more interested in other things than his books. How does he support this statement?
Ans: At school he used to be interested in games and playing jokes. He was a good sportsman, the cricket captain. He used to copy in class during exam times. Maths was a terror for him. Though he did badly in school, he was good at designing. This skill helped him become an architect.

Ques 4: How does Hafeez give to his client the kind of structure he wants?
Ans: Hafeez is good at drawing the design of a house on the spot. He looks at the client’s face and the way he talks to know what his taste would be like. Then he sketches on the spot and gives it to his client in the office.

Ques 5: Do you agree with Hafeez that learning disabilities do not go hand in hand with gifted?
Ans: There is a general belief that the genius usually do not shine in studies. Those who always stand first or second do very ordinary jobs later on. Personality and skills ultimately decide the careers of boys.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Ques 1: How did the. Principal’s words influence Hafeez Contractor?
Ans: The Principal was a sensible man. He had been seeing Hafeez from day one. He thought it as his duty to guard him on right time. So, when Hafeez approached his eleventh standard, he called him and told him that he was a good student but he never studied. He had lost his father and his poor mother had worked hard to bring him up and pay his fees. It was the time now to rise to the occasion and study. These words of the Principal influenced Hafeez deeply. He forgot games that year and studied day and night. As a result, he got a second class, 50 per cent in his SSC. His Principal was very happy because he had got 50 per cent on his own.