The Treasure within: ncert solution class 8

Comprehension Check (page-28)

1. What did Hafeez Contractor have nightmares about?

Ans:- Hafeez Contractor had nightmares about the examination of his toughest subject mathematics. He dreamt that he was sitting in the examination of mathematics without any idea of the subject.

2. What did the Principal say to him, which influenced him deeply?

Ans:- Principal advised him to prepare hard for the coming SSC examination because of circumstances that compelled him to do so. Now the Principal’s help would no longer be useful for his future. This suggestion of the Principal influenced him very deeply.

3. "....that year I did not step out onto the field." What was he busy doing that year?

Ans:- After the suggestion of the Principal he started studying the books keenly and carefully. It means he was busy studying all his books concerned with his syllabus.

4. (i) What "distraction" did Hafeez Contractor create one day?

Ans:- Hafeez Contractor did not pay any attention to his studies instead of playing chor-police.

(ii) Would you have liked to participate in the "distraction" had you been with him?

Ans:- Of course. I would have liked it because distraction gives relief from the exertions of studies.

Comprehension Check (page-32)

1. Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force. Why didn't he?

Ans:- Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force but his mother did not want him to do so, instead, she wanted him to be a graduate. So he did not join the police force.

2. In the architect's office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join architecture. Why?

Ans:- In the architect's office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join architecture because the architect discovered  Hafeez Contractor that he had an excellent ability and interest in making design concerned with architectural works.

3. (i) What was Mrs. Gupta's advice to Hafeez Contractor?

Ans:- Mrs. Gupta advised Hafeez Contractor to be an architect. It is because of his extraordinary sketches.

(ii) What made her advise him so?

Ans:- The beautiful sketches of Hafeez Contractor impressed Mrs. Gupta. So she advised him to be an architect.

4. How did he help fellow students who had lost a button?

Ans:- He was master-mind of imitating buttons from the chalk. He used his blade so keenly and carefully that no one would understand the button was imitation. In this way, he used the chalk to set the lost button.

5. Which rules did he break as a schoolboy?

Ans:- He broke the rules of examinations. He used to use unfair means to pass the examinations up to the 11^th standard.

6. (i) What is Hafeez Contractor's definition of mathematics? Do you like the subject?

Ans:- According to Hafeez Contractor putting carefully many things together and keen and careful drawing of sketches is mathematics.

Answer the following questions.

1. Is it likely that someone who is original and intelligent does not do very well at school? Should such a learner be called a failure? If not, why not?

Ans:- No learner is a failure. The fact is that success depends on the keen attention and interests of the learner in a particular area of learning whether it is scholastic or co-scholastic. Some learners are found very advanced in their scholastic areas whereas some are excellent in co-scholastic activities such as games and sports. So, such a learner should never be called a failure. It is because the learner is able to exhibit his potential in the field of his interests.

2. Who, in your view, is an 'unusual' learner?

Ans:- An unusual learner shows interest in some particular subjects this is why he doesn’t get success comprehensively.
3. What can schools do to draw out the best in unusual learners? Suggest whatever seems reasonable to you.

Ans:- School should try to create interest among them by using games and sports on regular basis. They should be allowed to take part in the activities in which they show their keen interests along with their potentials. Also, schools should try to discover the environment at their homes including the attitude of their parents regarding education and learning.