Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 2 Important Question Answers - The Tsunami

Q1: What is it that people believe about animals concerning natural disasters?
Ans: Many people believe that animals have a sixth sense that lets them know when the earth or surrounding will shake. According to experts, they believe that the hearing ability of the animals is the main reason for this perception. Animals can hear and feel the earth’s vibrations with their hearing power. The animals could sense when a disaster is approaching and predict it before human machines. It also happens that they don’t collect data accurately. In some cases, humans also fail to understand these changes in nature.

Q2: What did people observe at Yala National Park an hour after the Tsunami?
Ans: Visitors at Yala National Park observed three elephants running away from Patanangala Beach an hour after the Tsunami hit. A man from Sri Lanka who lived on the corner of the coast near Galle elaborated that his dogs also didn’t go for their daily run on the beach. In addition, he added that his dog used to walk outside, but they refused to go the day the tsunami hit. Further, he was thankful that the dogs saved their life.

Q3: How are Meghna and Almas’s stories similar?
Ans: Almas’ and Meghna’s families were affected due to tsunami waves, and they were the only survivors from their families. Both floated in the water for several days. Almas climbed a wood log and fainted; later, she woke up in a hospital in Kamorta and was brought to Port Blair. Whereas Meghna spent two days floating in the sea, and she was holding on to a wooden door. Later she reached the shore with the help of a wooden plank. Almas and Meghna both were traumatised by the incident. No one wanted to talk or discuss the tragic incident with anyone.

Q4: What happened after the tremors?
Ans: Almost everyone thought the tremors had stopped, but they saw a rise in sea level. People observed chaos, and two children caught their relative’s hand. All rushed in the opposite direction. However, his wife, relatives, and two children have swept away in the sea. But only he and his children could be saved.

Q5: Where was Meghna found?
Ans: Meghna was swept away by tsunami waves and spent two days on a wooden block. She was spotted walking mindlessly on the seashore in a dazed condition.

Q6: What were the signs Penny Smith and her daughter noticed about the Tsunami?
Ans: Penny Smith and her daughter noticed that the seawater and waves were unusual. The seawater level was rising, and the size of the beach was decreasing constantly. However, no one knew what was happening. But Telly noticed something unusual about the water level, and she noticed a rise in its water level. It was foaming, bubbling, and forming whirlpools.

Q7: Does the Tsunami affect the areas along India’s Cuddalore coast?
Ans: Tsunami affected many different regions of the world. In India, houses were destroyed along the Cuddalore coast, and many lost their lives. However, buffaloes, goats and dogs were found as they were, unharmed. Sri Lanka suffered a major loss of human lives, but animals were left unchanged. Different types of animals are presently found in Yala National parks, such as elephants, leopards, and 130 species of birds. However, the national park was hit by a tsunami and washed away many visitors. Besides, no one saw a single carcass of animals except two water buffaloes.

Q8: Write a brief note on tsunamis.
Ans: Tsunami is a powerful wave, caused by the occurrence of earthquakes under the sea. The Tsunami hit many regions of Thailand and India on 26 December 2004. In addition, it affected the lives of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the coasts of Tamil Nadu. Many people who were affected due to the Tsunami and survived its aftermath are some of the most courageous people. Many people lost their families, homes, friends, savings, and assets but are still moving on with life with strength. Besides, all people who face such disasters and survive are some fortunate and brave people.

Q9: Who was Igneous? Why did his wife wake him up?
Ans: Igneous was a corporate employee who worked as a manager at a cooperative society in Catchall. During the earthquake, his wife felt something unusual and woke him up at 6 a.m. Igneous immediately kept his television on the ground, so it did not break. The entire family ran outside the house towards a safe location.

Q10: What happened when Sanjeev heard about the Tsunami?
Ans: Sanjeev was working as a policeman on Catchall Island. He managed to save himself and his family from the Tsunami. But when he heard the cook’s wife crying for help, he returned to rescue her and a wave swept them away.

Q11: Who was in the Smith family? What were they doing in Thailand?
Ans: There were four members of the Smith family. Tilly Smith was a ten-year-old schoolgirl; she had a seven-year-old sister and their parents, Penny and Colin Smith. The entire family went to Thailand to celebrate Christmas. Tilly Smith and her family faced Tsunami on 26 December 2004.

Q12: What happened in Sri Lanka when the giant waves slammed into the coast of India?
Ans: While the giant waves slammed the corner of the coast in Sri Lanka, the animals got aware of what was going to happen. Every animal moved to safer areas, and some people noticed that elephants were screaming and ran for higher ground. In addition, the dogs didn’t step out of the house, and the zoo animals caved into their shelters. Further, flamingos refused to low-lying breeding grounds.