NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother - 2026-27 Free PDF Download

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother are designed to help students understand the chapter, practise textbook questions and prepare effectively for the 2026-27 academic session. The chapter is part of the current NCERT Class 8 English textbook Poorvi.

This NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 5 Question Answer PDF is prepared around the questions and learning objectives of the prescribed NCERT chapter. The answers are presented in simple, student-friendly language with clear explanations to help learners understand the text, identify its key ideas and develop better answer-writing skills. Students should refer to their latest textbook while using these solutions so that their preparation remains aligned with the prescribed content.

The resource is intended to support homework, revision, self-study and examination preparation. Exercise-wise answers can help students check their understanding after attempting the questions themselves, while chapter explanations and important questions can be useful during revision.

This resource is primarily intended for CBSE Class 8 students studying Poorvi. It can also be useful for teachers and parents who need a structured reference to guide students through Chapter 5. The current Class 8 English curriculum uses Poorvi as the prescribed NCERT textbook, with Somebody’s Mother included as Chapter 5 in the five-chapter book.

Infinity Learn provides NCERT-based study resources with a focus on clear explanations and practical exam preparation. Students can use these Class 8 English Chapter 5 Question Answer PDF resources alongside the NCERT textbook for a more organised approach to learning and revision.

Download Somebody’s Mother Class 8 Questions and Answers PDF

In Somebody's mother Question answer Class 8 PDF students explore the importance of kindness, compassion and helping others. Our NCERT Solutions for class 8 English chapter 5 pdf provide simple explanations and well-structured answers to help students understand the chapter and prepare effectively for exams. A free PDF is also available for convenient revision and practice.

Somebody’s Mother Class 8 Question Answer

Somebody’s Mother Question Answer – Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 70)

I Recall a time you helped someone. Write two words describing:

1. What were your feelings after you did so?
2. What might have been the feelings of the person whom you helped? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

1. Happy, Proud
2. Relieved, Grateful

II. Work in pairs. Read the words given below. Circle the words you would associate with an elderly person and underline the words you would associate with a school student. Share the reasons for your choices with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

III. Read the lines.

The woman was old and ragged and grey 
And bent with the chill of the Winter’s day.

Select the suitable meaning of ‘ragged’ as used in these lines. There are other four meanings given below. Discuss with your classmates and teacher.

1. (of clothes) old and torn; synonym: shabby

• a ragged jacket

2. Having an outline, an edge, or a surface that is not straight or even

• a ragged coastline

3. Not smooth or regular; not showing control or careful preparation

• I could hear the sound of his ragged breathing.
• Their performance was still very ragged.

4. (Informal] very tired, especially after physical effort

• The elderly man was ragged after climbing the stairs.

Answer:

The suitable meaning of “ragged” in these lines is:

1. (of clothes) old and torn; synonym: shabby

Here, “ragged” describes the woman’s old and worn-out clothes. The poet uses the word to show that she was poor and dressed in shabby, torn clothing.

Somebody’s Mother Class 8 Question Answer – Let us discuss (Pages 73-74)

I. Arrange the events of the poem in the correct order of occurrence. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. The boy returned to his friends, feeling proud of what he had done.
2. The old woman stood alone at the crossing, hesitant to move.
3. A group of schoolboys passed by, playing, and laughing.
4. The boy offered to help the old woman cross the street.
5. The woman prayed for the boy who helped her.
6. The children hurried past the old woman without offering help.
7. The woman placed her hand on the boy’s arm, and he guided her safely across the street.
8. The boy thought about his own mother and hoped someone would help her one day.

Answer: 2 → 3 → 6 → 4 → 7 → 1 → 8 → 5

II. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from the options given in the brackets.

1. The central theme of the poem is __________ (kindness and empathy/adventure and courage)
2. The tone of the poem is __________ (humorous and playful/sympathetic and hopeful)
3. The poem is written in couplets with lines in each stanza. __________ (four/two)
4. The structure of the poem gives a rhythmic flow that reflects both the __________ (narrative and emotions /story’s pace and message)
5. The poem follows a rhyme scheme of (AABB/ABAB)

Answer:

1. kindness and empathy
2. sympathetic and hopeful
3. two
4. story’s pace and message
5. AABB

III. Pick examples from the poem for the following poetic devices.

1. Simile
2. Alliteration
3. Repetition

Answer:

1. The boys arrived in a large group, moving together like a flock of sheep.
2. The woman was elderly, dressed in worn-out clothes, and had grey hair.
3. She appeared very gentle, humble, and timid.

IV. Complete the following sentences appropriately explaining the imagery.

1. The poem uses imagery to describe scenes of a bustling street. We know this by the phrase __________
2. The line ‘The street was wet with a recent snow’ suggests a cold and __________ weather, emphasising the woman’s helplessness.

Answer:

1. ‘Amid the throng of human beings who passed her by’.
2. slippery

V. Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.

The poet repeats the phrase Somebody’s mother because it __________.

Answer: It reminds readers that every elderly person is valued and cherished by someone and deserves to be treated with kindness, care, and respect.

VI. Complete the analogy:

The old woman: vulnerable and neglected :: The young boy:

Answer: strong and beloved

Class 8 English Somebody’s Mother Question Answer – Let us think and reflect (Paves 74-75)

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. The woman was old and ragged and grey And bent with the chill of the Winter’s day. The street was wet with a recent snow And the woman’s feet were aged and slow.

(i) What does the phrase ‘ragged and grey’ refer to?

A. The woman’s emotional state that day.

B. The woman’s old and worn-out appearance.

C. The weather conditions of the particular day.

D. The colour of the street and the surroundings.

(ii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:

The woman was ‘bent’ with the chill of the Winter’s day because she was __________

(iii) Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences:

A. The street was wet with recent snow

B. The woman was too weak to cross the street on her own

(iv) Why do you think the woman’s feet were described as ‘aged and slow?

Answer:

(i) B. The woman’s old and worn-out appearance.

(ii) weak due to old age and the cold weather.

(iii) A – Fact B – Opinion

(iv) The woman’s feet were described in this way because she was old and physically weak. Her age, tiredness, and the cold winter weather made her movements slow and unsteady.

2. He guided the trembling feet along,

Proud that his own were firm and strong. Then back again to his friends he went, His young heart happy and well content.

(i) What does the contrast between the ‘trembling feet’ of the old woman and the ‘firm and strong’ feet of the boy emphasise?

Answer: It highlights the contrast between the physical weakness of old age and the energy and strength associated with youth.

(ii) Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets.

• The poem tells us that the boy was ‘proud’ that his feet were strong.
• This tells us that the boy was __________ (arrogant about being strong/ grateful for his ability to help)

Answer: grateful for his ability to help

(iii) What is the boy most likely to tell his friends on getting back?

1.  I’m so glad I could help her.
2. I’m worried about her safety.
3. I’m surprised she forgot to thank me.
4. I’m thankful for all your support.

Answer: A. I’m so glad I could help her.

(iv) Rectify the false sentence given below. The young boy’s actions were driven by a logical decision.

Answer: The young boy’s actions were driven by empathy and kindness.

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1. What might be the old woman’s fears as she waited for a long time at the crossing?

Answer: The old woman might have been afraid of losing her balance on the slippery road or getting injured by passing carriages and horses. Her old age and weakness made the situation more difficult for her.

Question 2. How does the poet show the helplessness of the old woman? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

Answer: The poet shows the helplessness of the old woman by describing her as “meek” and “timid.” She is shown standing alone at the crossing, waiting helplessly for someone to assist her. Her weak condition and lack of support highlight her vulnerability.

Question 3. Why does the boy decide to help the old woman? What does this tell us about him?

Answer: The boy decides to help the old woman because he notices her difficulty and feels concerned for her. His action shows that he is kind, caring, and sensitive towards the needs of others.

Question 4. How was the boy’s approach towards the old woman different from that of the other boys in the group?

Answer: The other boys passed by without paying attention to the old woman’s struggle, but the boy noticed her helplessness and stepped forward to help her. This shows his compassion and willingness to help others.

Question 5. Justify the appropriateness of the title of the poem.

Answer: The title “Somebody’s Mother” is appropriate because it reminds us that every elderly person is special and loved by someone. The poem teaches us to treat old people with kindness, care, and respect, just as we would treat our own family members.

Question 6. What does the poem suggest about the role of empathy and humanity in society?

Answer: The poem highlights that empathy and kindness are essential qualities that make society better. Even a small act of help can bring comfort to someone in need and reflects the goodness of human nature.

Somebody’s Mother Class 8 Questions and Answers – Let us learn (Pages 76-77)

I. The grid given below has the antonyms of the words from the text. Locate these words in the grid horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. One example has been done for you. You may refer to a dictionary.

Answer: 

II. Match the words from the text given in Column 1 with the underlined phrases in Column 2.

Answer:

III. In the poem, the poet uses the idiom Tend a hand’ which means ‘help somebody’. Some more idioms using ‘hand’ are given in Column 1. Match these idioms with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Answer:

IV. Complete the following analogy by filling in the blanks with the correct words from the poem.

1. ___________ : winter :: heat : summer
2. hurt : ___________ :: old: aged
3. whispered : shouted :: humble : ___________
4. eyes : ___________ :: legs : walk
5. having a lot of money: wealthy :: densely packed people: ___________

Answer:

1. cold
2. harm
3. proud
4. see
5. crowd

Somebody’s Mother Question Answer Class 8 – Let us listen (Page 78)

I. You will listen to a woman read the special broadcast of the news. As you listen, arrange the pictures in the correct sequence of the events that took place. (Refer to NCERT Textbook Page 99 for transcript)

Answer: 3 → 6 → 1 → 5 → 2 → 4

II. You will once again listen to the special broadcast of the news. As you listen, complete the following sentences with one to three exact words.

1. The woman was having a diffilt time staying aflat due to the _________________
2. Rohan leapt into the river to save the woman without any _________________.
3. Rohan’s act of bravery was witnessed by _________________.
4. Rohan was honoured at the Vigyan Bhawan for his incredible courage and _________________.
5. Rohan proved that when it comes to saving lives, age is _________________

Answer:

1. strong currents
2. hesitation
3. several onlookers
4. selflessness
5. just a number

Class 8 English Chapter 5 Question Answer – Let us speak (Page 79)

I. Read aloud the list of words from the poem that end in ‘-ed\ As you read, focus on the final sound of each word and place them in the appropriate columns. One example has been done for you.

Note: Adjectives that come before a noun and end with ‘-ed’ have /id/as the final sound.

Answer: 

NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 5 Question Answer – Let us write (Page 80)

I. Write a diary entry of a day you helped someone in need. Remember to include the following points while writing it.

• Start with a sentence describing the day.
• Mention whom you helped.
• Explain the situation in which the other person needed help.
• Add the place and time of the day when the situation arose.
• Describe how you helped the other person.
• Describe the reaction of the person you helped.
• Mention how you felt during and after helping the person.
• Conclude by mentioning why you would do something like this again.

Diary Entry

Date: 24 August 2026

Day: Monday

Dear Diary,

Today was a memorable day because I got an opportunity to help someone who was in need. While returning from school in the afternoon, I saw an elderly man standing near a busy road crossing. He looked confused and was finding it difficult to cross the road safely.

The incident happened at around 3:30 p.m. near the main market area. Due to heavy traffic, the elderly man was unable to cross the road on his own. I went to him, politely asked if he needed help, and assisted him in crossing the road safely.

After reaching the other side, he smiled and thanked me for my help. His kind words made me feel happy and satisfied. During that moment, I felt responsible and grateful that I could make someone’s day a little easier.

This experience taught me that even a small act of kindness can bring comfort to others. I would always like to help people in need because helping others spreads positivity and makes society a better place.

Class 8th English Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother Question Answer – Let us explore (Pages 80-81)

I. Did you know that even Earth has been referred to as mother in the ancient scriptures of India? In section 12.1.12 of Prthvi-Sukta (hymn-to-the-earth) of Atharva Veda, Earth is referred to as mother and us as her children by stating:

माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः।

It can be translated as ‘Earth is my mother and I am her child’.

Answer: For self-reading.