NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 9 Spectacular Wonders

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 9 – Spectacular Wonders takes students on a fascinating journey through India's most extraordinary natural phenomena. From the disappearing sea at Chandipur Beach in Odisha to the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya, the Lonar Crater Lake in Maharashtra, and the glowing bioluminescent waters of Kerala, this chapter introduces learners to nature's most breathtaking and mysterious wonders. The chapter also encourages students to appreciate and respect India's rich and diverse natural heritage.

Q1. Sort the pictures into natural and man-made wonders.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 9 Spectacular Wonders

Spectacular Wonders
Difficult
Q.
Combine the following pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds. You may use the clues given in brackets. One example has been done for you.
1. Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner. (participle)
Answer: Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
2. Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)

3. Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)

4. Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)

5. Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)
Spectacular Wonders
Difficult
Q.
You just read vivid descriptions of the natural wonders of our country. Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine describing anything from nature that attracted your attention. It may be an object, a place, or an event experienced by you. Remember to give a title to your essay.
Use proper format and content organisation—begin with a title, include introduction (one paragraph), body (two to three paragraphs), and conclusion (one paragraph).
Spectacular Wonders
Difficult
Q.
Underline the gerunds and participles in the following sentences. Write ‘G’ for gerunds and ‘P’ for participles in the space provided. One example has been done for you.
1. Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G

2. Travelling can broaden your perspective.
3. The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn.
4. She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family.
5. Reading helps improve your vocabulary.
6. He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky.
7. Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door.
Spectacular Wonders
Medium
Q.
Select the correct synonyms from the box given below that match the list of words in 1–5. You may refer to a thesaurus.
(colossal, exotic, serene, enigmatic, spectacular)

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 9 Spectacular Wonders

Ans:
Natural Wonders: 3, 4, 7, 8
Man-made Wonders: 1, 2, 5, 6

Q2. Which wonders — man-made or natural — are more appealing and why?

Ans: Natural wonders feel more captivating because they reveal the true beauty, mystery, and strength of nature. Since they are not created by humans and have formed naturally over time, they appear more unique and fascinating.

Q3. Write two wonders of nature that have amazed you.

Ans:

  1. Niagara Falls – The thunderous sound and massive water flow are mesmerising.
  2. Aurora Borealis – The dancing lights in the sky are magical and show nature's artistic side.

Let Us Discuss (Page 142)

Q1(i). Replace the underlined phrase in: "India is the birthplace of several rare species..."

Ans: home to

Q1(ii). What does 'nature's unusual side' suggest about the phenomena described?

Ans: It shows that nature can produce rare, unusual, and unexpected sights or events that are unlike our everyday experiences, often leaving us surprised or amazed.

Q1(iii). spark : imagination :: ______ : ______

Ans: B. wonder : amazement

Q1(iv). True or False: Some natural phenomena can surprise people.

Ans: True

Q2(i). The writer's purpose of introducing Chandipur Beach with a question is to ______.

Ans: capture the reader's curiosity and build a sense of suspense.

Q2(ii). Assertion-Reason: Chandipur Beach — sea disappears / tides retreat drastically.

Ans: A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q2(iii). What does 'unique' suggest about the beach in Balasore?

Ans: B. One of its kind

Q2(iv). What does 'playing hide-and-seek with its visitors' convey?

Ans: The writer wants to highlight the surprising and almost magical way the sea disappears and returns at Chandipur Beach, much like a game of hide-and-seek, making it a truly unusual natural phenomenon.

Let Us Think and Reflect (Pages 142–144)

Q1. How are the Living Root Bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya?

Ans: The Living Root Bridges are a blessing because they provide a sustainable and long-lasting way to cross rivers and streams, especially in the monsoon season. Grown naturally from tree roots, they are strong, durable, and showcase the skill and deep environmental understanding of the indigenous people.

Q2. Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?

Ans: It is the only crater in India created by a meteorite impact on basaltic rock and is the third-largest crater in the world. Its perfectly circular shape, rare saline lake, and mix of earthly and celestial features make it a remarkable geological wonder.

Q3. What might be the writer's purpose of highlighting the natural wonders of India?

Ans: The writer wants to inspire a sense of wonder and respect for nature, showcase India's diverse natural heritage, and encourage readers to be curious, environmentally aware, and interested in exploring these unique places.

Q4. What impact does descriptive language and introductory questions have on readers?

Ans: It captures the reader's attention, sparks curiosity, and makes the content more engaging. It also helps readers picture the wonders clearly and understand what makes them unique.

Q5. Which unusual phenomenon did you find the most interesting and why?

Ans: The Glowing Waters of Kerala — the sight of water glowing at night due to tiny living organisms feels both magical and scientifically intriguing. It beautifully blends mystery and wonder.

Q1. Fill in the blanks with correct expressions.

Ans:

  1. to name a few
  2. came into existence
  3. to no end
  4. age-old problem
  5. in disbelief
  6. in full glory

Q2. Select correct synonyms.

Ans:

  1. mysterious, puzzling, baffling → enigmatic
  2. mighty, gigantic, huge → colossal
  3. breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring → spectacular
  4. peaceful, calm, tranquil → serene
  5. unusual, peculiar, foreign → exotic

Q3. Use binomials in sentences of your own.

Ans:
Odds and ends: While cleaning the attic, we found a box filled with old buttons and broken toys.
On and off: It rained on and off the whole day, so we delayed the picnic.
Mix and match: You can mix and match colours to create a unique outfit.
All or nothing: For Riya, winning was an all-or-nothing matter.
Part and parcel: Stress is part and parcel of preparing for board exams.
Leaps and bounds: Her English has improved by leaps and bounds since she joined the new course.

Q4. Fill in the blanks using present/past participle forms.

Ans:

  1. glowing
  2. amazing
  3. carved
  4. Standing
  5. scattered

Q5. Identify gerunds (G) and participles (P).

Ans:

  1. Dancing → G
  2. Travelling → G
  3. falling → P
  4. cooking → G
  5. Reading → G
  6. shimmering → P
  7. Forgetting → P

Q6. Combine sentences using participles or gerunds.

Ans:

  1. Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
  2. Walking carelessly, Smitha slipped on the doormat.
  3. Sleeping for eight hours is good for health.
  4. Feeling happy about the result, Ranjith called his parents.
  5. Father encouraged Meena to join the course.

Q1. Write a descriptive essay on something from nature that attracted your attention.

Ans:

Title: The Magical Glow of a Rainy Evening

Introduction: Last year, during the monsoon season, I visited a peaceful fishing village near Kochi, Kerala, called Kumbalangi. As night approached and the rain slowly faded, I noticed the backwaters glowing softly under the dark sky.

Body: The water sparkled with a gentle blue light, almost as if tiny stars were drifting beneath the surface. I later learned that this beautiful sight was caused by bioluminescence — light produced by microorganisms known as plankton. Whenever a boat cut through the water, the glow became brighter, forming ripples of light that moved gracefully in the darkness. Tall palm trees surrounded the water, their silhouettes adding to the charm, and the calm sounds of nature made the moment even more magical.

Conclusion: This experience showed me that nature holds incredible secrets beyond our imagination. The glowing waters of Kumbalangi are not just a scientific occurrence — they remind us how breathtaking and mysterious our world truly is. I hope more people visit such places to appreciate the silent wonders our planet has to offer.

Q1. Man-made Wonders of India.

Ans: Do it yourself. Students may explore Kallanai Dam, Nalanda University, Hampi (Vittala Temple), Bandra–Worli Sea Link, and the Statue of Unity.

Q2. Identify the bioluminescent insect shown.

Ans: Firefly (Jugnu)

Fireflies emit light from their abdomen through a chemical reaction, similar to the glow produced by microplanktons.

Common names in Indian languages: Hindi – Jugnu | Malayalam – Minnaminungu | Tamil – Minnal Poochi | Bengali – Jonaki Poka | Telugu – Deepa Purugu | Marathi – Jugas

FAQ Section

Q: What is the main theme of Class 8 English Chapter 9 Spectacular Wonders?
A: The chapter explores India's extraordinary natural phenomena such as the disappearing sea at Chandipur Beach, Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya, Lonar Crater Lake, and the bioluminescent waters of Kerala, highlighting the beauty and mystery of nature.

Q: What are participles and gerunds as taught in this chapter?
A: Participles are verb forms used as adjectives — present participles end in -ing (living, striking) and past participles usually end in -ed, -d, -t, or -en (rugged, carved). Gerunds are verb forms that function as nouns and also end in -ing (Swimming, Reading, Travelling).

Q: What is bioluminescence mentioned in Spectacular Wonders?
A: Bioluminescence is the natural emission of light by living organisms such as plankton (microorganisms in water) and fireflies. It causes the sea to glow blue at night, as seen in the Glowing Waters of Kerala.

Q: What makes Chandipur Beach in Odisha unique?
A: The sea at Chandipur Beach mysteriously recedes (retreats) twice a day due to tidal movements, exposing the beach floor, and then returns — giving it its famous "hide-and-seek" behaviour with visitors.

Q: What are binomials in English grammar?
A: Binomials are fixed pairs of words joined by "and" or "or", such as "hide-and-seek", "flora and fauna", "odds and ends", "leaps and bounds". They can be synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, or alliterations.