In this chapter, a British soldier named Tom pens a letter to his sister Janet during World War I, recounting the heartening events of Christmas Eve, 1914. He narrates that amidst the chilling conditions, the bitter fighting was momentarily......
The Christmas Truce - English Access Coursebook - Class 8 - English
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Back Questions - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
The story is in the form of a letter written by:
a. a British soldier to his sister.
b. a German soldier to his sister.
c. a British soldier to his wife.
a. a British soldier to his sister.
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In his letter, the soldier describes:
a. a normal day in his life on a battlefield in France
b. an unusual and unexpected interaction between British and German soldiers
c. a Christmas Eve celebration among his fellow soldiers in the British trenches
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Unlock now 🔓At the end of his letter, the soldier expresses his conviction that the interaction between the German and British soldiers on No Man’s Land on Christmas Eve:
a. Would result in them remaining friends
b. would make no difference, and that they would be enemies as before
c. their leaders would be influenced by their actions and end the war
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Unlock now 🔓Fill in the blanks with the correct option from the brackets.
a. The British and German soldiers were in trenches on a battle field in … .(Germany/Britain/France)
b. The distance between the British and German trenches on either side of … (No Man’s Land/No One’s Land/No Man’s Area) was fifty … . (feet/miles/yards)
c. When the British soldiers looked over at the German trenches on Christmas Eve, they were astonished to see that the trenches were lined with … . (decorated rifles/Christmas trees/coloured spotlights)
d. From German and British trenches came the sound of soldiers of both sides … . (Praying loudly/singing Christmas carols/exchanging angry words)
e. The Germans explained that many of them could speak English well because … . (They had worked in England/they had taken English lessons in Germany/they had watched a lot of English movies)
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Unlock now 🔓Though the soldiers in the British trenches were relieved that the fighting had ceased temporarily, they were still not completely at peace as there was the danger of being killed by:
a. …
b. …
They also suffered considerable physical discomfort owning to:
a. …
b. …
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Unlock now 🔓To our astonishment, we saw two figures rise from the trench, climb over their barbed wire, and advance unprotected across No Man’s Land. One of them called, ‘Send officer to talk.’
a. Who are the persons referred to as ‘we’ in the extract? Who were the ‘two figures’ that approached them? Why was this act astonishing?
b. Describe two equally surprising things that had happened just before the action described in the extract.
c. Briefly describe what happened after the two sets of officers had their discussion. (Write three to four sentences only.)
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Unlock now 🔓The writer of the letter says, in the second paragraph, ‘there has been little serious fighting of late’. Explain how this was a good thing and yet, at the same time, not something to celebrate. (Hint: Consider what the writer says in his next sentence.)
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Unlock now 🔓Clearly they are lied to – yet after meeting these men, I wonder how truthful our own newspapers have been.
a. Describe briefly the circumstances that led the narrator to say, ‘Clearly they are lied to’. Who are ‘they’? Who does he think ‘lied to’ them? About what?
b. This episode leads the narrator to a very significant realization about ‘our own newspapers and about ‘these men’. What is this realization?
c. Consult your dictionary and find out the meaning of the word ‘propaganda’. In what way is this word relevant to what the narrator is talking about here? Discuss with your partner.
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Unlock now 🔓For the fighting here, of course, it means regrettably little.
a. To what does the writer refer by the word ‘it’? (Hint: Read the paragraph just before the quoted line.)
b. Why, according to the writer, does it mean ‘regrettably little’? (Hint: Consider the rest of the paragraph.)
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Unlock now 🔓Read carefully and reflect on the sentiments expressed by the writer in the second-last paragraph of his letter (Still one cannot help imagine … was end at once?).
a. Consider the conflicts that are taking place in the world today. Do you think the solution suggested by the writer is a realistic and practical way to resolve these conflicts?
b. What are your own recommendations for the achievement of true peace in the world?
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Unlock now 🔓Back Exercises - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
Use the words given below to fill in the blanks in the following sentences. Then use each of the words in a sentence of your own construction to demonstrate your complete understanding of the meaning of the word.
maiming | beacons | harmonizing | shirk | reprisals | slurs |
|---|
Through the pouring rain, the airport runway lights were like ................................. guiding the pilot to a safe landing.
We were captivated with the singing of the boys’ choir, their voices ............................. together perfectly to produce beautiful music.
If you ................................... from your responsibilities of school prefect and house captain, you may be removed from those positions.
The villagers were unwilling to give the police information about the gangsters as they feared ................................... from them.
The multiple explosions in the shopping mall resulted in the deaths and ............................... of several innocent people.
Though he was declared innocent by the courts, he continued to face the .............................. of his neighbours and enemies.
Through the pouring rain, the airport runway lights were like beacons guiding the pilot to a safe landing.
Sentence: In the dense fog, the lighthouse served as a beacon, guiding ships away from the treacherous rocks.
We were captivated with the singing of the boys’ choir, their voices harmonizing together perfectly to produce beautiful music.
Sentence: The orchestra did an excellent job of harmonizing with the soloist, creating a mesmerizing performance.
If you shirk from your responsibilities of school prefect and house captain, you may be removed from those positions.
Sentence: It's essential not to shirk your duties at work if you want to be considered for a promotion.
The villagers were unwilling to give the police information about the gangsters as they feared reprisals from them.
Sentence: The whistleblower decided to remain anonymous to avoid possible reprisals from the corrupt organization.
The multiple explosions in the shopping mall resulted in the deaths and maiming of several innocent people.
Sentence: The accident at the factory led to the maiming of workers, prompting an investigation into safety protocols.
Though he was declared innocent by the courts, he continued to face the slurs of his neighbours and enemies.
Sentence: Despite her accomplishments, she had to endure slurs about her background from jealous colleagues.
Match the phrases and clauses in column A with their explanations in column B.
A | B |
|---|---|
1. Seems almost like a fairy tale | a. not having the courage to |
2. Not daring to | b. to our great surprise |
3. Couldn’t help feeling curious | c. very hard to accept as real |
4. Didn’t count on it | d. keen to know more about |
5. To our astonishment | e. didn’t expect it to happen |
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Unlock now 🔓Fill in each of the blanks in the sentences below with one of the phrases chosen from column A of the table given on the previous page.
1. That I have been offered a place in one of the leading universities in USA ..............................
...................................... .
2. I .................................................. about what was in the large package which my father said
contained my birthday present.
3. ................................................. walk past the principal’s office, I entered the school building
from a rear entrance.
4. Ravi never took his lessons seriously, but ........................................ he stood first in the final
examinations.
5. We were hoping that India would win the final match of the tournament, but we .................
.......................... as two of its star players were injured and unable to play.
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Unlock now 🔓Match the adverbs of manner in column A with their antonyms in column B.
A | B |
|---|---|
1. Boldly | a. compassionately |
2. Cautiously | b. eagerly |
3. Courageously | c. clumsily |
4. Calmly | d. energetically |
5. Cruelly | e. timidly |
6. Gracefully | |
7. Lazily | g. rudely |
8. Politely | h. recklessly |
9. Reluctantly | i. gently |
10. Violently | j. frantically |
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Unlock now 🔓In each of the sets of sentences given below, put a tick () beside the sentence that has been correctly punctuated.
1. a. He told us that he was very excited as he had won the inter-school debate! ..................
b. he told us that he was very excited as he had won the inter-school debate. ..................
c. He told us that he was very excited! He had won the inter-school debate. ..................
2. a. She demanded to know where we were going?
b. She demanded to know where we were going. ..................
c. She demanded to know where we were going! ..................
3. a. ‘Where do you live?’ the teacher asked the student. ..................
b. ‘Where do you live’? the teacher asked the student. ..................
c. ‘Where do you live,’ the teacher asked the student? ..................
4. a. ‘I love going to Nainital in the summer,’ said Mrs Jones. ‘It’s so cool there.’ ..................
b. ‘I love going to Nainital in the summer,’ said Mrs Jones, ‘It’s so cool there.’ ..................
c. ‘I love going to Nainital in the summer,’ said Mrs Jones, ‘it’s so cool there.’ ..................
5. a. He is an excellent swimmer he will represent India at the next Olympics. ..................
b. he is an excellent swimmer; he will represent India at the next Olympics. ..................
c. He is an excellent swimmer, he will represent India at the next Olympics. ..................
6. a. She purchased Vegetables; toiletries; fruit; and eggs from the market. ..................
b. She purchased vegetables, toiletries, fruit and eggs from the market. ..................
c. She purchased vegetables toiletries fruit, and eggs from the market. ..................
7. a. This is Mr James’ house. ..................
b. This is Mr James’s house. ..................
c. This is Mr Jame’s house. ..................
8. a. Please arrange for the children’s food. ..................
b. Please arrange for the childrens’ food. ..................
c. Please arrange for the children’s food! ..................
9. a. We enjoyed the new movie the towering inferno the main actor was Paul Newman. ..................
b. We enjoyed the new movie: ‘The Towering inferno’.
The main actor was Paul Newman. ..................
c. We enjoyed the new movie, the towering inferno. The main actor was Paul Newman.
.................. .
10. a. The participants in the debate on TV were Mr K.J. Akbar a journalist from Delhi, Ms Roma
Nandi, a professor from Mumbai; Dr Swaminathan Suramanium, a surgeon from Chandigarh
and Sri Suman Banerjee, the leader of the XYZ party in Bengal. ..................
b. The participants in the debate on TV were: Mr K.J. Akbar, a journalist from Delhi; Ms
Roma Nandi, a professor from Mumbai; Dr Swaminathan Subramanium, a surgeon from
Chandigarh and Sri Suman Banerjee, the leader of the XYZ party in Bengal. ..................
c. The participants in the debate on TV were Mr K.J. Akbar a journalist from Delhi; Ms Roma
Nandi a professor from Mumbai; Dr Swaminathan Subramanium a surgeon from Chandigarh
and Sri Suman Banerjee: the leader of the XYZ party in Bengal. ..................
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Unlock now 🔓Quiz - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
About the Author - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
Aaron Shephard (b. 1950) is an esteemed children's author who demonstrated an early inclination for writing. Known for his literary versatility, Shephard wrote his first story in the fourth grade and continued to produce an array of stories, essays, and poems throughout his formative school years. Before fully immersing himself in professional writing in 1987, Shephard explored a variety of other vocations, including working as a musician, a bamboo flutemaker, a piano repairman, a printer, and an advertising salesman. He also showcased his storytelling expertise in a professional reader's theatre. Shephard has built a reputation for adeptly retelling folktales and other traditional narratives from diverse cultures. He has received numerous accolades for his children's books like The Legend of Lighting Larry, The Sea King's Daughter, and The Baker's Dozen.
Summary - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
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Themes - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Humanity Amidst War:
The chapter significantly brings to the fore the theme of common humanity that can exist even in the midst of war. Soldiers from both sides share Christmas festivities, singing carols and exchanging gifts, revealing their shared humanity.......
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Unlock now 🔓Plot - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Setting the Stage:
In the trenches of a World War I battlefield in France, British soldier Tom details his thoughts and experiences on Christmas......
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Unlock now 🔓Important Lines - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
1. "Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France!" - This line underlines the paradoxical nature of the situation and highlights the......
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - The Christmas Truce | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
Truce: a temporary suspension of fighting during a conflict
They agreed to a truce to stop fighting for a short time.Maim: seriously injure
The accident could maim anyone who gets too close.
No man’s Land: area of ground between two enemy positions, owned by neither
No man's land is .............................
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