Class 8th NCERT Solution

NCERT Solutions for Class 8th: Ch 7 Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Our Past

Let’s Recall

1. What kinds of cloth had a large market in Europe?

Answer

Cotton and silk textiles had a huge market in Europe. Indian textiles were by far the most popular, both for their fine quality and exquisite craftsmanship. Different varieties of Indian textiles were sold in the Western markets; for example, chintz, cossaes or khassa, bandanna and jamdani. From the 1680s, there started a craze for printed Indian cotton textiles in England and Europe, mainly for their exquisite floral designs, fine texture and relative cheapness.

2. What is jamdani?

Answer

Jamdani is a fine muslin on which decorative motifs are woven on the loom, typically in grey and white. Often a mixture of cotton and gold thread is used.

3. What is bandanna?

Answer

‘Bandanna’ refers to brightly coloured and printed scarf for the neck or head produced through a method of tying and dying.

4. Who are the Agarias?

Answer

The Agarias are an Indian community of iron smelters.

Page No: 94

5. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The word chintz comes from the word __________.
(b) Tipu’s sword was made of _________ steel.
(c) India’s textile exports declined in the _________ century.

Answer

(a)The word chintz comes from the word chhint.
(b)Tipu’s sword was made of Wootz steel.
(c)India’s textile exports declined in the nineteenth century.

Let’s Discuss

6. How do the names of different textiles tell us about their histories?

Answer

→ European traders first encountered fine cotton clothes from Indian carried by Arab merchants in Mosul in present-day Iraq. So they began referring to all finely woven textiles as ‘muslin‘ – a word acquired wide currency.
→ When Portuguese first came to India in search of spices they landed in Calicut on the Kerala coast in South West India. The cotton textiles which they took back to Europe, along with the spices, came to called “Calico” (derived from Calicut) and subsequently calico became the general name for all cotton textiles.

→ Chintz is derived from the Hindi word chhint, a cloth with small and colourful flowery designs.

→ Bandanna now refers to any brightly coloured and printed scarf for the neck or head. Originally the term derived from the word “bandanna” (Hindi for tying).

7. Why did the wool and silk producers in England protest against the import of Indian textiles in the early eighteenth century?

Answer

By the early eighteenth century, worried by the popularity of Indian textiles, the wool and silk makers in England began protesting against the import of Indian cotton textiles. At this time, the textile industries had just begun to develop in England. Unable to compete with Indian textiles, English producers wanted a secure market within the country by preventing the entry of Indian textiles.

8. How did the development of cotton industries in Britain affect textile producers in India?

Answer

Effects of the development of cotton industries in Britain on the textile producers in India:

→ Competition- Indian textiles had to compete with British textiles in European and American markets.
→ High duties- Exporting textiles to England became increasingly difficult due to the very high duties imposed on Indian textiles imported into Britain.

→ Capture of foreign markets- By the beginning of the nineteenth century, English-made cotton textiles ousted Indian textiles from their traditional markets, thereby throwing thousands of Indian weavers out of employment. The English and European companies stopped buying Indian textiles and their agents no longer gave out advances to weavers to secure supplies.
→ Capture of the Indian market- By the 1830s, British cotton cloth flooded Indian markets. By the 1880s, two-third of all cotton clothes worn by Indians were made of cloth produced in Britain. This greatly affected both the weavers and the spinners.
Thus, Indian textiles declined in the nineteenth century, and thousands of Indian weavers and spinners lost their livelihood.

9. Why did the Indian iron smelting industry decline in the nineteenth century?

Answer

The Indian iron smelting industry declined in the nineteenth century for the following reasons.
→ The forest laws implemented by the colonial administration prevented the free movement of people in reserved forests. Charcoal – an essential ingredient in the iron smelting process – could therefore not be obtained easily.
→ When in some areas the government did grant access to the forests, the iron smelters were in return required to pay a very high amount in tax to the forest department for every furnace they used. This reduced their income.
→ By the late nineteenth century, iron and steel was being imported from Britain. Ironsmiths began using the imported iron to manufacture utensils and implements. This reduced the demand for iron produced by local smelters.

→ In the late nineteenth century, a series of famines devastated the dry tracts of India. As a result, many of the local smelters stopped work, deserted their villages, and migrated, looking for some other work to survive the hard times.

10. What problems did the Indian textile industry face in the early years of its development?

Answer

The development of cotton industries in Britain affected textile producers in India in several ways.
→ Indian textiles now had to compete with British textiles in the European and American markets. Exporting textiles to England also became increasingly difficult since very high duties were imposed on Indian textiles imported into Britain.

→ By the beginning of the nineteenth century, English made cotton textiles successfully outsets Indian goods from their traditional markets in Africa, America and Europe.
→ Thousands of weavers in India were now thrown out of employment.
→ Bengal weavers were the worst hit. English and European companies stopped buying Indian goods and their agents no longer gave out advances to weavers to secure supplies. Distressed weavers wrote petitions to the government to help them.
→ The textile factory industry in India faced many problems. It found it difficult to compete with the cheap textiles imported from Britain.
→ In most countries, governments supported industrialisation by imposing heavy duties on imports. This eliminated competition and protected infant industries.

11. What helped TISCO expand steel production during the First World War?

Answer

→ In 1914 the First World War broke out.
→ Steel produced in Britain now had to meet the demands of war in Europe.
→ So imports of British steel into India declined dramatically and the Indian Railways turned to TISCO for the supply of rails.
→ As the war dragged on for several years, TISCO had to produce shells and carriage wheels for
the war.
→ By 1919 the colonial government was buying 90 percent of the steel manufactured by TISCO.
→ Over time TISCO became the biggest steel industry within the British Empire.

Chapter 6 Colonialism and the City ncert solution

1. State whether true or false:

(a) In the Western world, modern cities grew with industrialisation.
► True

(b) Surat and Machlipatnam developed in the nineteenth century.
► False

(c) In the twentieth century, the majority of Indians lived in cities.
► False

(d) After 1857 no worship was allowed in the Jama Masjid for five years.
► True

(e) More money was spent on cleaning Old Delhi than New Delhi.
► False

Page No: 77

2. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The first structure to successfully use the dome was called the __________.
(b) The two architects who designed New Delhi and Shahjahanabad were __________ and _____________.

(c) The British saw overcrowded spaces as ______________.

(d) In 1888 an extension scheme called the ___________ was devised.

Answer

(a)The first structure to successfully use the dome was called the __________.

• This question is not clear. Note that Jama Masjid was the first mosque in India with minarets and full domes.
(b)The two architects who designed New Delhi and Shahjahanabad were __________ and _____________.
• This question is not clear. Note that Edward Lutyensand Herbert Bakerwere the two architects who designed New Delhi and its buildings.

(c)The British saw overcrowded spaces as unhygienic and unhealthy, the source of disease.
(d)In 1888 an extension scheme called the Lahore Gate Improvement Scheme was devised.

3. Identify three differences in the city design of New Delhi and Shahjahanabad.

Answer

4. Who lived in the “white” areas in cities such as Madras?

Answer

The British were lived in the “white” areas.

Let’s Discuss

5. What is meant by de-urbanisation?

Answer

For the sake of convenience of trade the British developed new centers of trade like Calcutta, Madras and Bombay on eastern and Western coastal areas respectively. In late 18th century these places became as Presidency cities under the British rule. These cities which were very important right from the ancient as well as during the Mughal period gradually lost their importance. Simultaneously many towns manufacturing specialized goods declined due to a drop in the demand for what they produced. Old trading centers and ports could not survive when the flow of trade moved to the new centers. Trades and exports via the earlier important ports like Surat, Masulipatnam etc failed dramatically. At the same time, the earlier centers of regional power collapsed when local rulers were defeated by the British and new centers of administration emerged. As a result of all these happenings more and more people began to shift from these places which used to be important cities in the past. This process is often described as de-urbanization.

6. Why did the British choose to hold a grand Durbar in Delhi although it was not the capital?

Answer

Though Calcutta was the capital of the British, they were aware of the symbolic importance of Delhi. It was the city where the Mughals had ruled. It was the same city that had become the rebel stronghold in the rebellion of 1857, a rebellion that had momentarily threatened the collapse of the British rule in India. It was therefore important to celebrate British power with pomp and show at this very place. So, a grand Durbar to acknowledge Queen Victoria as the Empress of India was held in Delhi, in 1877. Later, in 1911, a Durbar was held in Delhi to celebrate the crowning of King George V. It was at this Durbar that the decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced. What these displays did was to show to the people of India the ultimate power and supremacy of the British.

7. How did the Old City of Delhi change under the British rule?

Answer

The Old City of Delhi was constructed as a walled city with 14 gates, adjoining a fort-palace complex, with the river Jamuna flowing near it. The city was characterised by mosques, havelis, crowded mohallas, narrow and winding lanes and bylanes and water channels. The British gained control of Delhi in 1803. Before the revolt of 1857, the British adjusted themselves to the Mughal culture of the Old City by living in the Walled City, enjoying Urdu/Persian culture and poetry, and participating in local festivals. The Delhi College was established in 1792, which led to a great intellectual flowering in the sciences as well as the humanities.
However, after the revolt, they embarked on a mission to rid the city of its Mughal past. They razed several palaces, closed down gardens and built barracks for troops in their place. For security reasons, the area around the Red Fort was completely cleared of gardens, pavilions and mosques. Mosques in particular were either destroyed or put to other uses. No worship was allowed in the Jama Masjid for five years. One-third of the city was demolished, and its canals were filled up. In the 1870s, the Western walls of Shahjahanabad were broken to establish the railway and to allow the city to expand beyond the walls. The sprawling Civil Lines area came up in the North of the city. This was the place where the British began living. The Delhi College was turned into a school, and shut down in 1877. The British constructed a new city, known as New Delhi, South of the Old City. Built as a complete contrast to the Old City, New Delhi became the centre of power. The Old City, meanwhile, was pushed into neglect.

8. How did the Partition affect life in Delhi?

Answer

The partition of India in 1947 led to a massive transfer of people on both sides of the new border. As a result, the population of Delhi swelled (nearly 500,000 people were added to Delhi’s population). Delhi became a city of refugees, with people living in camps, schools, military barracks and gardens. The riots accompanying the Partition led to the killing of thousands of people, and the looting and burning of their houses. Over two-third of the Delhi Muslims migrated, and almost 44,000 homes were abandoned. Their places were taken over by Sikh and Hindu refugees from Pakistan. These refugees were mostly rural landlords, lawyers, teachers, traders and shopkeepers. After Partition, their lives changed as they took up new jobs as hawkers, vendors, carpenters and ironsmiths. The influx of Sikh and Hindu refugee population and the outflow of the Muslim population changed the social milieu of Delhi. An urban culture largely based on Urdu was overshadowed by new tastes and sensibilities, in food, dress and the arts.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8th: Ch 4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age

QUESTIONS

1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The British described the tribal people as __________.
(b) The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as ___________.

(c) The tribal chiefs got _________ titles in central India under the British land settlements.

(d) Tribals went to work in the ___________ of Assam and the __________ in Bihar.

Answer

(a) The British described the tribal people as wild and savage.
(b) The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as broadcasting or scattering.
(c) The tribal chiefs got land titles in central India under the British land settlements.
(d)Tribals went to work in the tea plantations of Assam and the coal mines in Bihar.

2. State whether true or false:

(a) Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds.
► False

(b) Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price.
► True

(c) Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery.
► True

(d) The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life.
► False

3. What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?

Answer

For administrative and economic reasons, the British government tried settling the jhum or shifting cultivators. However, settled plough cultivation did not prove to be helpful to these jhum cultivators. They often suffered because their fields did not produce good yields. The new forest laws also affected the lives of the shifting cultivators. Shifting or jhumcultivation is usually done on small patches of forest land. Under the forest laws, the British extended their control over all forests and declared that forests were state property. Thus, the jhum cultivators were prevented from practising jhum cultivation freely. Many were forced to move to other areas in search of work and livelihood.

4. How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?

Answer

Under the colonial rule the functions and powers of the tribal chiefs changed considerably. Before the arrival of the British these tribal chiefs enjoyed a certain amount of economic power and used to administer and control their territories, which were not sow now. They were allowed to keep their land titles over a cluster of villages and rent out lands. In this process they lost much of their administrative power and were forced to follow laws made by the British officials. They also had to pay tribute to British and discipline the tribal groups on behalf of the British. Hence, under the colonial rule they lost the authority they had earlier enjoyed amongst their people and were unable to fulfill their traditional functions.

5. What accounts for the anger of the tribals against the dikus?

Answer

The word “dikus” means outsiders or who come from outside like – moneylenders, traders, zamindars, contractors, British etc. There are a number of reasons for anger of the tribals against the dikus:

→ The tribals practiced shifting cultivation but the British forced them to follow settled agriculture and also introduced land settlements.
→ Traders and moneylenders were coming into the forest, wanting to buy forest produce at a very cheap rate, luring them to take cash loans at high interests etc. The innocent and poor people initially fell in the trap of these moneylenders and traders and remained indebted throughout their lives. So the tribals considered the traders, moneylenders as evil outsiders.
→ Under British rule the tribal chiefs lost their authorities they had enjoyed earlier amongst their people, were unable to fulfill their traditional functions. Rather they had to pay tribute to the British.
→ By the introduction of forest laws, the British evacuated them from their own lands. As a result they became homeless and went in search of work and livelihood.

6. What was Birsa’s vision of a golden age? Why do you think such a vision appealed to the people of the region?

Answer

Birsa talked about a golden age, a satyug, an age of truth in which, like in the past, the tribal people would live a good life, construct embankments, tap natural springs, plant trees and orchards and practise cultivation to earn their living. He talked of an age in which the tribals would not kill one another and would live an honest life. His golden age consisted of a reformed tribal society in which there was no place for vices like liquor, uncleanliness, witchcraft and sorcery, and outside forces like the missionaries, Hindu landlords, moneylenders, traders and the Europeans.
This vision was appealing to the tribal people as all the vices and outside forces that Birsa talked about were indeed thought of by everyone as the root causes of their misery and suffering.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside

Answe

Question 1.
Match the following:

Answer:

Question
Fill in the blanks:

1. Growers of woad in Europe saw Indigo as a crop which would provide competition to their earnings.
2. The demand for indigo increased in late eighteenth-century Britain because of industrialization
3. The international demand for indigo was affected by the discovery of synthetic dyes
4. The Champaran movement was against indigo planters

Question 3.
Describe the main features of the Permanent Settlement.
Answer:
Main features of the permanent settlements:

1. Permanent Settlements benefited landlords more than the government. The Zamindars and revenue collectors were converted into numerous landlords.
2. They were not only to act as agents of the Government in collecting land revenue from the ryot but also to become the owners of the entire land in their Zamindaris.
3. Their right of ownership was made hereditary and transferable. On the other hand, the cultivators were reduced to the low status of mere tenants and were deprived of long-standing rights to the soil and other customary rights.
4. The Zamindars were to give 10/11th of the rental they derived from the peasantry to the state, keeping the only 1/11th for themselves.
5. If the rental of a Zamindar’s estate increased he would keep the entire amount of the increase. The state would not make any further demand upon him. At the same time, the Zamindar had to pay his revenue rigidly on the due date even if the crop had failed for some reason; otherwise, his lands were to be sold.

Question 4.
How was the Mahalwari system different from the Permanent Settlement?
Answer:
Difference between Mahalwari System and Permanent Settlement:

1. Under the permanent settlement, the revenue rate was fixed Permanently, not to be increased. But in the Mahalwari System, it was decided that the rate of revenue would be revised periodically.
2. Zamindars collected the revenue from peasants in Permanent Settlement and gave a fixed part to the company. In Mahalwari this work was done by village headmen.

Question 5.
Give two problems that arose with the New Munro System of Fixing Revenue.
Answer:

• The ryots were supposed to improve their lands, but they did not. The system supposed peasants to get changed into rich enterprising farmers, but this did not happen.
• The revenue officials fixed too high a revenue demand. Ryots were not able to pay this much revenue.

Question 6.
Why were ryots reluctant to grow indigo?
Answer:
The reluctance of Ryots to grow Indigo:

1. The planters generally forced the ryots to sign a contract.
2. Cash advances were given at low-interest rates but that loan committed the ryots to cultivate at least 25% of holding with indigo.
3. The planter provided seed, drill, etc. and actual cultivation was done by the cultivator.
4. After the delivery of the harvested crop to the planter, a new loan was given to the ryot.
5. This way the ryot \yas trapped in a cycle of the loan. They realized that they were actually getting a low rate for their hard labour.
6. Planters forced the ryots to grow indigo on the best soils. Whereas the cultivators wanted to use that for rice.

Question 7.
What were the circumstances which led to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal?
Answer:

1. The indigo cultivators in Bengal were given loans but for that, they had to grow indigo on at least 25 percent of the area under their holdings.
2. The planters provided only seed and drill. The rest of the works till the crop was harvested, was to be done by the ryots.
3. The price the ryots got for their indigo, was very low. They had to take loans to repay their previous loans. Thus, the cycle of loans was never-ending.
4. The planters usually insisted that indigo should be cultivated on the best soils in which peasants preferred to cultivate rice.
5. The indigo crops exhausted the soil rapidly. After an indigo harvest, the land could not be sown with rice. These were certain circumstances which led to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal.

Question 8.
Find out more about the Champaran movement and Mahatma Gandhi’s role in it.
Answer:
Hints: Discuss the following points:

• The oppressive attitude of the British Government.
• The rebellion of the Ryot peasants.
• Gandhiji’s role in it.

Question 9.
Look into the history of either tea or coffee plantations in India. See how the life of workers in these plantations was similar to or different from that of workers in indigo plantations.
Answer:
Hints: Life in Tea Plantations of Assam:

• Estate owners
• Workers
  (a) Wages (b) Habitation (c) Facilities
• Problems.
  Life in the Indigo Fields
• Cultivators or Zamindars were the owners.
• Generally, cultivators worked in fields themselves.

Objective Type Questions

1. Match the following:

Answer:
(i)   c
(ii)  d
(iii) e
(iv) a
(v)  b
(vi) f

2. State whether True or False:

1. The demand for indigo increased in the late seventeenth century. False 
2. Revenues were fixed in the permanent settlement. True 
3. The company purchased goods in India before 1865 through gold and silver imports. True 
4. Mahalwari system came into existence in 1700. False 
5. The very high rate of revenue was the major problem of the ryotwari system. True 
6. Weekly markets were very flourishing during the economic crisis of Bengal. False 
7. The company introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793. True

3. Fill in the blanks:

1. Gomasthas were the agents of planters 
2. The Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal.
3. The painter was commissioned by Clive to record memorable events of his life.
4. Ryotwari system was also known as Munro System
5. Ryoti is cultivation on Ryot’s lands.
6. Bigha is the unit of land measurement by the British in Bengal.

 Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct answer:
1. The Champaran movement was against
(a) peasants
(b) East India Company
(c) the oppressive attitude of the planters
(d) none of the above

2. The Company was appointed as the Diwan of Bengal in
(a) 1762
(b) 1763
(c) 1764
(d) 1765

3. Gandhiji visited Champaran
(a) to see the plight of Indigo planters in Champaran
(b) to see the progress of indigo plantation
(c) to see the managing system of the company
(d) none of the above

4. Who devised the new-system of revenue called Mahalwari?
(a) Queen Elizabeth
(b) Holt Mackenzie
(c) Queen Victoria
(d) Gandhiji

5. Growers of woad in Europe saw ……. crop as competition to their earnings.
(a) tea
(b) rubber
(c) indigo
(d) coffee

6. Indigo production came down in Bengal in
(a) 1850
(b) 1852
(c) 1855
(d) 1859

7. Who had developed the Munro system?
(a) Captain Alexander
(b) Holt Mackenzie
(c) Thomas Munro
(d) None of these

8. How much proportion of Indigo was imported from India by Britain in 1810?
(a) 75%
(b) 95%
(c) 90%
(d) 85%

9. Colebrook describes the conditions of the under-tenant farmers in
(a) 1800
(b) 1805
(c) 1806
(d) 1810

10. After harvest, the indigo plant was taken to the …….. in the indigo factory.
(a) dye
(b) vat
(c) farm
(d) machine

11. The international demand for indigo was affected by the discovery of
(a) synthetic dyes
(b) woad
(c) blue colour
(d) none of these

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory Question: Match the following:

Answer:

Question: Fill in the blanks:

1. The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of ___________.
2. Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of ___________.
3. Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of ___________.
4. Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the ___________ part of India.

Answer:

1. Plassey
2. Mysore
3. Lapse
4. Western

Question: State whether true or false:

(a) The Mughal Empire became stronger in the eighteenth century.

Ans. False

(b) The English East India Company was the only European company traded with India.

Ans. False

(c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of Punjab.

Ans. True

(d) The British did not introduce administrative changes to conquered territories.

Ans. False

Question: What attracted European trading companies to India?

1. i) The fine quality of cotton and silk produced in India had a big European market.
2. ii) Pepper, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon were in great demand. These attracted European Trading Companies.

Question: What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?

1. After the death of Aurangazeb, the Bengal Nawabs asserted their power and autonomy.
2. They refused to grant the company concessions and demanded large tributes for the company’s right to trade.
3. They denied the right to mint coins.
4. Nawabs even stopped the Company from extending fortifications.

Question: How did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?

Answer: The assumption of Diwani benefited the East India Company in the following way.

1. In 1765 the Mughal emperor appointed the company as the Diwani of the provinces of Bengal.
2. The Diwani allowed the company to use the vast revenue resources of Bengal.
3. The outflow of gold and silver the company imported to buy goods in India was stopped.
4. The revenue from Bengal could be used to purchase cotton and silk textiles in India.
5. The revenue helped the company maintain its troops and meet the cost of building forts and Company offices.

Question: Explain the system of “subsidiary alliance.”

1. Under the system of ‘subsidiary alliance,’ Indian rulers were not allowed to have independent armed forces.
2. They were to be protected by the Company but had to pay for the subsidiary forces that the company was supposed to maintain for this protection.
3. If the Indian rulers failed to make the payment, then part of their territory was taken away as a penalty.
4. The states which had to lose their territories on this ground were Awadh and Hyderabad.
   1. How was the Company’s administration different from that of Indian rulers?
   2. The Company made a proper system of administration. The Indian rulers did not have a proper system of administration.
   3. British territories were broadly divided into administrative units called Presidencies. Whereas the Indian kingdom was divided into provinces.
   4. The supreme head of the British administration was the Governor General. Whereas the supreme head of the Indian administration was King.
   5. A new system of justice was established under British rule.
   6. Each district has two courts – a criminal court (faujdari Adalat) and a civil court (Diwani Adalat).
   7. The Company took suggestions from pundits and maulvis before making new criminal and civil case laws. The Indian rulers seldom thought about respecting local sensibilities before making any rule.
   8. Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army.
   9. The Company recruited the peasants into the army and trained them as professional soldiers.
   10. It came to be known as the sepoy army.
   11. As warfare technology changed from the 1820s, the cavalry requirements of the company’s army declined.
   12. Soldiers of the Company army had to keep pace with the changing requirements of the military, so its infantry regiment became more important.
   13. In the early nineteenth century, the British developed a uniform military culture.
   14. Soldiers were increasingly subjected to European-style training, drill, and discipline that regulated their life far more than before.

Question: After the British conquest of Bengal, Calcutta grew from a small village to a big city. Discover the city’s culture, architecture, and life of Europeans and Indians during the colonial period.

Answer: Indians were influenced by British culture, architecture, and lifestyle.

1. Culture: British influence began.
2. Architecture: Influenced by British Architecture (fortification of the city, churches, etc.). Rich Indians started constructing bungalows in the English style.
3. Life: English education and English clothes became to be popular.

Question: Collect pictures, stories, poems, and information about the Rani of Jhansi, Mahadji Sindhia, Haidar Ali, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord Dalhousie, or any other contemporary ruler of your region.

Lakshmibai was born probably on 19 November 1828 in the holy town of Varanasi in a Marathi brahmin family. Her father was Moropant Tambe. Her father worked for a court in Peshwa of Bithoor district. Peshwa brought Manikarnika up like his own daughter. The Peshwa called her “Chhabili,” which means “playful.”

She was educated at home and was more independent in her childhood than others of her age; her studies included archery, horsemanship, and self-defense.

Rani Lakshmibai was accustomed to riding on horseback accompanied by a small escort between the palace and the temple. The Rani Mahal, the place of Rani Lakshmibai, has now been converted into a museum. She died, fighting British Army bravely to save her state Jhansi.

Srikanth Mahadji Shinde (also spelled as Mahadji Scindia) was a Maratha statesman known for his crucial role in resurrecting Maratha power following the disastrous Third Battle of Panipat in 1761

Between 1742 and 1761, he would undertake many more campaigns in Northern India. These campaigns would bring regions such as Malwa, Rajputana, Rohilkhand, Bundelkhand, etc., under the Maratha Empire.

His role during the ‘First Anglo-Maratha War was greatest from the Maratha side since he humbled the British in Central India single-handedly, which resulted in the Treaty of Salbai in 1782, where he mediated between the Peshwa and the British.

Hyder Ali was a Muslim ruler of the Mysore princely state and military commander who played an important part in the wars in southern India in the mid-18th century.

He offered anti-colonial solid resistance against the military advances of the British East’India Company during the First and Second Anglo-Mysore Wars, and he was the innovator of military use of the ‘iron-cased Mysorean rockets.

Ranjit Singh was born to Sardar Maha Singh and Raj Kaur on 13 November 1780, in Gujranwala, Punjab (now in Pakistan). As a child, he suffered from smallpox, resulting in one eye loss. At the time, much of Punjab was ruled by the Sikhs under a Confederate Sarbat Khalsa system, which had divided the territory among factions known as misls. Ranjit Singh’s father was the commander of the Sukerchakia Misl and controlled a territory in west Punjab based around his headquarters at Gujranwala.

In 1799, Ranjit Singh captured Lahore (now in Pakistan) from the Bhangi Misl and later made it his capital. This was the first important step in his rise to power. He brought the whole of central Punjab from the Sutlej to the Jhelum in the following years under his sway. This area includes north of Satluj (Jullundhar, Amritsar, Pathankot, etc.); and Lahore, Multan, etc. of Pakistan.

Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856 .. He introduced the Doctrine of Lapse policy which turned out to be one of the major causes of the Revolt of 1857.

In India, he was famous for various negative and positive reasons.
Positive:

1. Railway started in 1853 A.D. for the first time between Bombay and Thane.
2. I am starting with postal and telegraph services in India.
3. I am starting with widow remarriage in 1856 A.D.
4. Completion of Ganges Canal.
5. Reform in Indian civil services.

Negative

1. East India Company captured the princely state of Punjab in 1849 A.D.
2. Second Anglo-Burmese War.
3. The doctrine of Lapse (Most Controversial).
4. Annexation of Awadh.

Chapter 18 Pollution of Air and Water solution Exercise

1. What are the different ways in which water gets contaminated?

Answer

Water gets contaminated by the addition of:
→ Agricultural chemicals: Farmers use excessive amounts of pesticides and fertilizers to increase crop production. These chemicals get carried away to the water bodies due to rains and floods which lead to water pollution.
→ Industrial wastes: Industries release harmful chemical wastes into water sources, thereby polluting them.

→ Sewage wastes: Waste materials from kitchens, toilets, and laundry sources are also responsible for contaminating water.

2. At an individual level, how can you help reduce air pollution?

Answer

An individual can reduce air pollution by:
→ Avoiding the use of cars as much as possible and by using public transport whenever possible.
→ By not using vehicles for short distances.
→ By using clean fuels such as LPG and CNG instead of diesel and petrol.
→ Always disposing the garbage properly and not burning it.

→ Controlling the emissions from vehicles and household chimneys.

3. Clear, transparent water is always fit for drinking. Comment.

Answer

Clear and transparent water is not always fit for drinking. Water might appear clean, but it may contain some disease causing micro-organisms and other dissolved impurities. Hence, it is advised to purify water before drinking. Purification can be done by water purifying systems or by boiling the water.

4. You are a member of the municipal body of your town.

Make a list of measures that would help your town to ensure the supply of clean water to all its residents.

Answer

To ensure the supply of clean water to all residents the following steps must be taken:
→ Leakages in pipelines of water should be repaired.
→ The main water source must be built in clean surroundings and should be maintained properly.

→ Open defection in water resources by slum dwellers should be strictly prohibited.
→ Chemical methods such as chlorination must be used for purifying water.

5. Explain the differences between pure air and polluted air.

Answer

6. Explain circumstances leading to acid rain. How does acid rain affect us?

Answer

When harmful gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, react with moisture present in air, they form nitric acid and sulphuric acid. These acids when drop down on earth along with rain, is called acid rain.Effects of acid rain:
→ Acid rains damage crops, decrease fertility of soil and affect aquatic life.
→ Acid rains corrode buildings and structures.

7. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Sulphur dioxide
(c) Methane
(d) Nitrogen

► (d) Nitrogen

Page No: 253

8. Describe the ‘Greenhouse Effect’ in your own words.

Answer

The greenhouse effect is the rise in the temprature of the Earth’s surface due to increased concentration of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour in the atmosphere. These gases trap solar radiations released back by the Earth. This helps in keeping our planet warm and thus, helps in human survival. However, an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases can lead to an increase in the Earth’s temperature leading to global warming.

9. Prepare a brief speech on global warming. You have to deliver the speech in your class.

Answer

Global warming is one of the greatest challenges that our planet is facing. It is the unequivocal and continuing rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system. It occurs as a result of an increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  These gases trap solar radiations released back by the Earth. This helps in keeping our planet warm and thus, helps in human survival. However, an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases can lead to an increase in the Earth’s temperature leading to global warming.

10. Describe the threat to the beauty of the Taj Mahal.

Answer

Acid rain is a major threat to the beauty of the Taj Mahal. When acid rains fall on the monument made of marble, they react with marble to form a powder-like substance that is then washed away by the rain. This phenomenon is known as marble cancer. Also, the soot particles emitted from the Mathura oil refinery located near Agra is leading to the yellowing of the marble.

11. Why does the increased level of nutrients in the water affect the survival of aquatic organisms?

Answer

The increased in the level of nutrients in the water leads to an excessive increase in the population of algae in the water body. When these algae die, they serve as food for decomposers. A lot of oxygen is utilised in this process, consequently leading to a decrease in the level of oxygen dissolved in the water body. This in turn causes fishes and other aquatic organisms to die.

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Chapter 18 Pollution of Air and Water Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions

Detailed explanation provided under each NCERT solutions for Class 8 Science will help in understanding the concepts better. These NCERT Solutions are curated by the experts in a comprehensive which can be helpful in clearing your doubts instantly. It will be useful in analyzing the problems and answering it with precision and the right concepts.

Class 8 Science Chapter 18 Pollution of Air and Water NCERT Questions and Answers – Topics

• Air Pollution

• How does Air Get Polluted?

• Case Study – The Taj Mahal

• Greenhouse Effect

• What can be Done?

• Water Pollution

• How does Water Get Polluted?

→ Case Study

• What is Potable Water and How is Water Purified?

• What Can be Done?

Chapter 18 Pollution of Air and Water NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science  – Notes

• Pollution is the introduction of harmful or poisonous substances into environment that have adverse

effects on lives.

• When air is contaminated by unwanted substances which have a harmful effect on both the living and the non-living, it is referred to as air pollution.

• The substances which contaminate the air are called air pollutants.

→ The sources of air pollutants are factories, power plants, automobile exhausts and burning of firewood and dung cakes.

• Smog is made up of smoke and fog. Smoke may contain oxides of nitrogen which combine with other air pollutants and fog to form smog. The smog causes breathing difficulties such as asthma, cough and wheezing in children.

→ Other kinds of pollutants are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays.

• Experts have warned that pollutants in air are discolouring Taj Mahal’ white marble.

→ The industries located in and around Agra like rubber processing, automobile, chemicals and especially the Mathura oil refinery, have been responsible for producing pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. 

→ The corrosion of the Taj Mahal due to acid rain is called ‘marble cancer.’

• Global warming has resulted in a rise in the global sea level. Gases, like methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour, also contribute to the greenhouse effect, and, along with carbon dioxide, are collectively called the greenhouse gases.

→ Many countries have reached an agreement to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol is one such agreement.

• Steps to prevent air pollution:

→ Use of fuels like CNG and unleaded petrol in automobiles.

→ Switching to alternative fuels, like solar energy, hydropower and wind energy.

→ Planting more and more trees.

→ Use of public transport or car pooling.

→ Avoiding the burning of leaves, trash and vegetable matter.

→ Restricting cigarette smoking.

• Whenever harmful substances such as sewage, toxic chemicals, silt, etc., get mixed with water, the water becomes polluted. The substances that pollute water are called water pollutants.

• Ganga is one of the most famous rivers of India. It sustains most of the northern, central and eastern Indian population.

→ The pollution levels have been rising for many years due to quantities of garbage, untreated sewage, dead bodies, and many other harmful things, directly into the river.

→ The river is ‘dead’ at many places where the pollution levels are so high that aquatic life cannot survive.

→ The Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1985 which aimed to reduce the pollution levels in the river.

→ The Government of India has launched a new initiative known as National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in 2016.

• Water which is suitable for drinking is called potable water.

• Ways of making water potable are:

→ Using candle type water filters

→ Boiling

→ Chlorination

Chapter 18 Pollution of Air and Water Class 8 Science Questions and Answers – MCQ Questions with answers

1. Water pollution is caused by

a) Aquatic animals living in water

b) Excess drawing of water from water bodies

c) Plant growing near water bodies

d) Addition of untreated sewage in water bodies

► d) Addition of untreated sewage in water bodies

2. The process of waste treatment is called

a) Pollutant separation

b) Sewage treatment

c) Water treatment

d) Chlorination

► b) Sewage treatment

3. What is the effect of sulphur dioxide present in air on human beings?

a) Harms the skin and the lungs

b) Mixes with the blood and prevents it from carrying oxygen

c) Affects the heart and the liver

d) Raises the air temperature

► a) Harms the skin and the lungs

4. Which is not produced by burning of fossils fuel?

a) Carbon dioxide

b) Oxygen

c) Nitrogen oxide

d) Sulphur dioxide

► b) Oxygen

5. The Taj Mahal is being affected due to:

a) Noise pollution

b) Air pollution

c) Water pollution

d) None of the above

► b) Air pollution

6. Which one is not a natural source of water

a) Pond

b) Canal

c) River

d) Lake

► b) Canal

7. What is smog?

a) A combination of fire and water.

b) A combination of smoke and fog.

c) A combination of water and smoke.

d) A combination of air and water.

► b) A combination of smoke and fog.

8. Addition of harmful substance in water to make it unfit for human consumption is called

a) Water pollution

b) Biomagnifications

c) Decomposition

d) Retardation

► a) Water pollution

9. From which of the following bad effects does the ozone layer in our atmosphere protect us?

a) Carbon dioxide

b) CFC’s

c) The sun’s ultraviolet rays

d) All of the above

► c) The sun’s ultraviolet rays

10. The purest form of water is

a) Spring water

b) Subsoil water

c) Hand pump water

d) Rain water

► d) Rain water

Chapter 17 Stars and the Solar System  solution

Exercises

1. Which of the following is NOT a member of the solar system?
(a) An asteroid
(b) A satellite
(c) A constellation
(d) A comet
► (c) A constellation

2. Which of the following is NOT a planet of the sun?
(a) Sirius
(b) Mercury
(c) Saturn
(d) Earth
► (a) Sirius

3. Phases of the moon occur because
(a) we can see only that part of the moon which reflects light towards us.
(b) our distance from the moon keeps changing.
(c) the shadow of the Earth covers only a part of the moon’s surface.
(d) the thickness of the moon’s atmosphere is not constant.

► (a) we can see only that part of the moon which reflects light towards us.

4. Fill in the blanks:
(a) The planet which is farthest from the sun is _________.
(b) The planet which appears reddish in colour is _________.

(c) A group of stars that appear to form a pattern in the sky is known as a __ _________.

(d) A celestial body that revolves around a planet is known as a_________.
(e) Shooting stars are actually not _________.
(f) Asteroids are found between the orbits of __________ and _________.

Answer

(a) The planet which is farthest from the sun is Neptune.
(b) The planet which appears reddish in colour is Mars.
(c) A group of stars that appear to form a pattern in the sky is known as a constellation.
(d) A celestial body that revolves around a planet is known as a satellite.
(e) Shooting stars are actually not stars.
(f) Asteroids are found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

5. Mark the following statement as true (T) or false (F).

(a) Pole star is a member of the solar system. ( )
► False

(b) Mercury is the smallest planet of the solar system. ( )
► True

(c) Uranus is the farthest planet in the solar system. ( )
► False

(d) INSAT is an artificial satellite. ( )
► True

(e) There are nine planets in the solar system. ( )

► False

(f) Constellation Orion can be seen only with a telescope. ( )

► False

Page No: 235

6. Match items in column A with one or more items in column B.

Answer

7. In which part of the sky can you find Venus if it is visible as an evening star?

Answer

Venus appears in the western sky after sunset and is called the evening star.

8. Name the largest planet of the solar system.
► Jupiter

9. What is a constellation? Name any two constellations.

Answer

A constellation is a group of stars that form a recognisable pattern in the sky.
The two constellations name are Ursa Major and Orion.

10. Draw sketches to show the relative position of prominent stars in (a) Ursa Major and (b) Orion.

Answer

(a) Ursa Major appears like a big dipper. There are three bright stars in the handle and four stars in the bowl of the dipper as shown in below figure.

(b) Orion appears like a hunter. Three bright stars appear in the belt, while five bright stars are arranged in the form of a quadrilateral as shown in the below figure.

11. Name two objects other than planets which are members of the solar system.

Answer

Asteroids and Meteors are objects other than planets which are members of the solar system.

Page No: 237

12.  Explain how you can locate the Pole Star with the help of Ursa Major.

Answer

The pole star can be located using the ursa major constellation, by imagining a line towards the Northern direction connecting two stars present at the end of the bowl, This imaginary line meets Pole Star. The length of the imaginary line from the bowl is about five times the distance between the two stars of the bowl.

13. Do all the stars in the sky move? Explain.

Answer

No, Stars do not move they actually appear to move from east to west due to rotation of earth on its axis from west to east.

14. Why is the distance between stars expressed in light years? What do you understand by the statement that a star is eight light years away from the Earth?

Answer

The distance of the stars from the Earth and the distance between the stars are very large. It is inconvenient to express these distances in kilometer (km). Thus, these large distances are expressed in light years. One light year is the distance travelled by light in one year. One light year is equal to 9.46 x 10¹²km.
A star is located eight light years away from the Earth. This means that the distance between the star and the Earth is equivalent to the distance travelled by light in eight years, i.e., a star is located 8 x (9.46 x 10¹²) = 7.6 x 10¹³km away from the Earth.

15. The radius of Jupiter is 11 times the radius of the Earth. Calculate the ratio of the volumes of Jupiter and the Earth. How many Earths can Jupiter accommodate?

Answer

Earth and Jupiter can be considered as two spheres with radii R and R’ respectively. Given that the radius of Jupiter is 11 times the radius of the Earth.
Thus, R’ = 11 R

16. Boojho made the following sketch (Fig. 17.29) of the solar system. Is the sketch correct? If not, correct it.

Answer

No, the sketch is not correct as the planet because he has interchanged the positions of Mars and Venus and also the positions of Uranus and Neptune. Also, he has shown the Asteroid belt in the gap between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn which is not correct. The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The correct fig is given below.

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Chapter 17 Stars and the Solar System Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions

Given NCERT Solutions are available in understandable language in order to be effective and perform better in the class. You will develop the ability to identify what improvements and changes need to be made. Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions Chapter 17 is an effective method for learning since you can be le to learn a lot within a short time.

Class 8 Science Chapter 17 Stars and the Solar System NCERT Questions and Answers – Topics

• The Moon

→ The Moon’s Surface

• The Stars

• Constellations

• The Solar System

→ The Sun

→ The Planets

• Some Other Members of the Solar System

→ Asteroids

→ Comets

→ Meteors and Meteorites

→ Artificial Satellites

Chapter 17 Stars and the Solar System NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science  – Notes

• The stars, the planets, the moon and many other objects in the sky are called celestial objects.

• The study of celestial objects and associated phenomena is called astronomy.

• The moon is a natural satellite of the earth.

→ When the moon is positioned between the sun and the earth, the illuminated portion of the moon is away from the earth, and we are not able to see the moon. We call this day as the ‘new moon day’.

→ With time, the position of the moon changes and the illuminated portion of the moon exposed to the earth gradually increases. Thus, the size of the apparent disc of the moon increases gradually from a crescent to a full round when the earth lies between the moon and the sun. We call this day the ‘full moon day’.

→ The various shapes of the bright part of the moon as seen during a month are called phases of the moon.

→ The moon has no atmosphere. It has no water.

• The stars emit light of their own. The Sun is also a star.

→ The stars are millions of times farther away than the Sun. Therefore, the stars appear to us like points.

→ Large distances are expressed in another unit known as light year. It is the distance travelled by light in one year. The speed of light is about 300,000 km per second. The Sun is nearly 150,000,000 kilometres (150 million km) away from the Earth.

• The stars forming a group that has a recognisable shape is called a constellation.

→ One of the most famous constellations which you can see during summer time in the early part of the

night is Ursa Major. It is also known as the Big Dipper, the Great Bear or the Saptarshi. There are seven prominent stars in this constellation. It appears like a big ladle or a question mark.

→ Orion is another well-known constellation that can be seen during winter in the late evenings.

→ Cassiopeia is another prominent constellation in the northern sky. It is visible during winter in the early part of the night. It looks like a distorted letter W or M.

• The Sun and the celestial bodies which revolve around it form the solar system. It consists of large number of bodies such as planets, comets, asteroids and meteors.

→ The eight planets in their order of distance from the Sun are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

→ The Sun is the nearest star from us. It is continuously emitting huge amounts of heat and light. The Sun is the source of almost all energy on the Earth.

→ A planet has a definite path in which it revolves around the Sun. This path is called an orbit. The time taken by a planet to complete one revolution is called its period of revolution.

→ The planet mercury is nearest to the Sun. It is the smallest planet of our solar system.

→ Venus is earth’s nearest planetary neighbour. It is the brightest planet in the night sky.

→ The Earth is the only planet in the solar system on which life is known to exist. From space, the Earth appears blue-green due to the reflection of light from water and landmass on its surface.

→ The Mars slightly reddish and, therefore, it is also called the red planet. It has two small natural satellites.

→ Jupiter is the largest planet of the solar system. Jupiter has a large number of satellites. It also has faint rings around it.

→ Saturn appears yellowish in colour and has beautiful rings. These rings are not visible with the naked eye. It also has a large number of satellites.

→ Uranus and Neptune are the outermost planets of the solar system. They can be seen only with the help of large telescopes.

→ The first four planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars  are called the inner planets while Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are called the outer planets. They have a ring system around them.

• The large gap in between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter is occupied by a large number of small objects that revolve around the Sun which are called asteroids.

• Comets revolve around the Sun in highly elliptical orbits. However, their period of revolution round the Sun is usually very long.

• A meteor is usually a small object that occasionally enters the earth’s atmosphere. Some meteors are large and so they can reach the Earth before they evaporate completely. The body that reaches the Earth is called a meteorite.

• Artificial satellites are man-made. They are launched from the Earth. They revolve around the Earth much closer than earth’s natural satellite, the moon.

→ Aryabhata was the first Indian satellite. Some other Indian satellites are INSAT, IRS, Kalpana-1, EDUSAT, etc.

→ These satellites are used for forecasting weather, transmitting television, radio signals, telecommunication and remote sensing.

Chapter 17 Stars and the Solar System Class 8 Science Questions and Answers – MCQ Questions with answers

1. How do stars appear to move?

a) From east to west

b) From west to east

c) From north to south

d) From south to north

► a) From east to west

2. The stars, planets, moon and objects in sky are called

a) Solar system

b) Celestial bodies

c) Natural bodies

d) Lunar bodies

► b) Celestial bodies

3. The tilting of the earth is responsible for

a) change of days

b) change of the sun’s rays

c) change of season

d) none of the above

► c) change of season

4. Which of the following physical quantities has light year as its unit?

a) Time

b) Intensity of light

c) Illumination

d) Distance

► d) Distance

5. The path of planet around the sun is called its

a) Orbit

b) Spin

c) Rotation

d) Revolution

► a) Orbit

6. The brightest object in clear night sky is

a) Venus

b) Sun

c) Moon

d) Star

► c) Moon

7. Size of moon keeps changing when viewed from earth. This change is called

a) Phases of moon

b) Lunar eclipse

c) Solar eclipse

d) Segment of moon

► a) Phases of moon

8. Moon is the

a) Natural satellite of Earth

b) Artificial satellite of Earth

c) Largest star of solar system

d) Nearest star of solar system

► a) Natural satellite of Earth

9. The sun makes life possible by providing us with

a) Oxygen

b) Water

c) Heat and light

d) Carbon dioxide

► c) Heat and light

10. Which of the following is not a planet?

a) Mercury

b) Moon

c) Saturn

d) Mars

► b) Moon

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 15 Some Natural Phenomena

Page No: 197

Exercise

1. Which of the following cannot be charged easily by friction?
(a) A plastic scale
(b) A copper rod
(c) An inflated balloon
(d) A woollen cloth
► (b) A copper rod

2. When a glass rod is rubbed with a piece of silk cloth the rod
(a) and the cloth both acquire positive charge.
(b) becomes positively charged while the cloth has a negative charge.
(c) and the cloth both acquire negative charge.
(d) becomes negatively charged while the cloth has a positive charge.
► (b) becomes positively charged while the cloth has a negative charge.

3. Write T against true and F against false in the following statements.

(a) Like charges attract each other. (T / F)
► False

(b) A charged glass rod attracts a charged plastic straw. (T / F)
► True

(c) Lightning conductor cannot protect a building from lightning. (T/F)
► False

(d) Earthquakes can be predicted in advance. (T / F)
► False

4. Sometimes, a crackling sound is heard while taking off a sweater during winters. Explain.

Answer

Sweater is made of wool and generally shirt we wear is made of cotton blended with some synthetic fibers. Constant friction between the shirt and sweeter lets transfer of electrons from one material to the other. This results in building of electric potential. When enough potential has been accumulated, while taking of the sweater it discharges and transfer of electrons take place. Passage of electrons through air in the forms of spark let out heat and sound energy. Thus we hear the crackling sound and in dark rooms we may see the spark lights as well.

5. Explain why a charged body loses its charge if we touch it with our hand.

Answer

When we touch a charged body, with our hand, the excess of accumulated charge or static charges on it, gets transfer to ground through our body. Thus the charged body loses its charge, and becomes neutral.

6. Name the scale on which the destructive energy of an earthquake is measured. An earthquake measures 3 on this scale. Would it be recorded by a seismograph? Is it likely to cause much damage?

Answer

The destructive energy of an earthquake is measured on Richter Scale.

The reading of magnitude 3 on the Richter scale would be recorded by a seismograph.
If the Richter scale gives a reading of magnitude 3, then the earthquake is not likely to cause much damage. Generally, earthquake of magnitudes higher than 5 is considered destructive in nature.

7. Suggest three measures to protect ourselves from lightning.

Answer

Protective measures against lightning are:→ Stay indoor or under covered area.
→ Do not take bath during lightning.
→ Do not use any electrical appliances during lightning.

8. Explain why a charged balloon is repelled by another charged balloon whereas an uncharged balloon is attracted by another charged balloon?

Answer

A charged balloon is repelled by another charged balloon because both carry same charges and we know same charges repel each other whereas an uncharged balloon is attracted by charged balloon because unlike charges attract each other.

9. Describe with the help of a diagram an instrument which can be used to detect a charged body.

Answer

An electroscope can be used to detect whether a body is charged or not. The following figure shows a simple electroscope.

In an Electroscope, two metal foils are hanged with the help of a conductor in a glass jar with a lid. When a charged body touches this conductor, its charged gets transferred to the metal foil and they move apart due to like charges. This shows that an electroscope detects charges.

10. List three states in India where earthquakes are more likely to strike.

Answer

The three states in India where earthquakes are more likely to strike are Jammu and Kashmir,Gujrat, and Assam.

11. Suppose you are outside your home and an earthquake strikes. What precaution would you take to protect yourself?

Answer

Some of the precautions are:

→ Try to move to an open space.
→ We should not take shelter under trees, buildings or overhead power lines.
→ If travelling in a bus or a car, then do not come out when an earthquake strikes. Ask the driver to drive in an open field.

12. The weather department has predicted that a thunderstorm is likely to occur on a certain day. Suppose you have to go out on that day. Would you carry an umbrella? Explain.

Answer

No. We should not carry an umbrella in a thunderstorm. During thunderstorms, which are accompanied with lightning, electric discharge from the clouds can travel through the metallic rod of the umbrella. This may give an electric shock to the person who is carrying it. Hence, it is not safe to carry an umbrella during lightning.

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Chapter 15 Some Natural Phenomena Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions

Chapter 15 NCERT Questions and Answers can be used to enrich knowledge and make lessons for learners more exciting. These are helpful in building a great foundation of concepts and make easy for the students to understand basics. In the examinations, you will can come up with better answers and lay out the main point effectively.

Class 8 Science Chapter 15 Some Natural Phenomena NCERT Questions and Answers – Topics

• Lightning

→ The Sparks that the Greeks Knew About

• Charging by Rubbing

• Types of Charges and Their Interaction

• The Story of Lightning

• Lightning Safety

→ Finding a Safe Place

→ Do’s and Don’ts during a Thunderstorm

• Earthquakes

→ What is an Earthquake?

→ What Causes an Earthquake?

→ Protection against Earthquakes

Chapter 15 Some Natural Phenomena NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science  – Notes

• Lightning is an electric spark caused by the accumulation of charges in the clouds.

• The electrical charge produced by rubbing is called static charge. There are two kinds of charges—positive charge and negative charge.

→ It is a convention to call the charge acquired by a glass rod when it is rubbed with silk as positive. The other kind of charge is said to be negative.

→ Charges of the same kind repel each other, while charges of different kind attract each other. When charges move, they constitute an electric current.

• Electroscope is a device that can be used to test whether an object is carrying charge or not. Electroscope consists of closely placed two metallic (aluminium) foils or strips. When both the strips are charged with similar charges, they repel each other and become wide open.

• The process of transferring of charge from a charged object to the earth is called earthing.

→ During lightning and thunderstorm no open place is safe.

→ Hearing thunder is an alert to rush to a safer place.

• Lightning Conductor is a device used to protect buildings from the effect of lightning. A metallic rod, taller than the building, is installed in the walls of the building during its construction. One end of the rod is kept out in the air and the other is buried deep in the ground.

• After hearing the last thunder, wait for some time before coming out of the safe place.

• An earthquake is a sudden shaking or trembling of the earth lasting for a very short time. It is caused by a disturbance deep inside the earth’s crust.

• Earthquakes tend to occur at the boundaries of earth’s plates. These boundaries are known as fault zones.

• Destructive energy of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale. The earthquake measuring 7 or more on Richter scale can cause severe damage to life and property.

Chapter 15 Some Natural Phenomena Class 8 Science Questions and Answers – MCQ Questions with answers

1. What is the purpose of an electroscope?

a) To detect and test small electric charges

b) To calculate the amount of electric charge flowing through the conductor

c) To find out the presence of antimatter

d) To test the presence of magnetic field

► a) To detect and test small electric charges

2. Earthquakes are caused by the

a) Tilting of earth axis

b) Movement of water inside

c) High pollution level

d) Movement of earth plates

► d) Movement of earth plates

3. The power of earthquake is measured in terms of

a) Fernier scale

b) Richter scale

c) Newton

d) Pascal

► b) Richter scale

4. Lightning occurred when two charges meet they are

a) both positive

b) both negative

c) one positive and other negative

d) none of the above

► c) one positive and other negative

5. Lightening strike could destroy

a) Life and property

b) Animals only

c) Plants only

d) Microbes only

► a) Life and property

6. When we remove polyester or woollen clothes in dark, we can see a spark and hear a crackling sound. Which of the following is responsible for it?

a) Static electricity

b) Current electricity

c) Positive charge

d) Negative charge

► a) Static electricity

7. Earthing is the process of transferring charge from charged object to

a) Opposite charge

b) Water

c) Earth

d) Neutral

► c) Earth

8. When you touch a charged body, the charge flows through you into the earth. What is this called?

a) Induction

b) Conduction

c) Capacitance

d) Earthing

► d) Earthing

9. Why is a lightning conductor installed on a building?

a) So that it collects the electric power present in the lightning

b) So that it repels the lightning that falls on the building

c) So that it forces the lightning to fall in an area where there are no buildings

d) So that it conducts electric charge to the ground when lightning strikes the building

► d) So that it conducts electric charge to the ground when lightning strikes the building

10. Which scientist showed that lightening and sparks from clothes is same phenomenon?

a) Isaac Newton

b) Rutherford

c) Alfred Noble

d) Benjamin Franklin

► d) Benjamin Franklin