WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 English Reading Skill Seen Lesson 7 A Kings Tale

Reading Skill Seen Lesson 7 A Kings Tale

Word meanings:

Part 1

protector (প্রোটেক্টর)-রক্ষক; tending (টেন্ডিং) — পালন করে; flocks (ফ্ল) – পশুর পাল / দল; tilling (টিলিং)—চাষ করে ; heir (হেয়ার ) — উত্তরাধিকারী; royal throne – রাজ সিংহাসন; opponents (অপোনেন্টস্)— প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বীরা, বিরোধীরা; seize (সীজ্ ) — দখল করা; counsellors (কাউন্সেলর)— পরামর্শদাতারা; prophet (প্রফেট্)— ভবিষ্যদ্বক্তা ; knight (নাইট্)— যোদ্ধা; loyal (লয়াল্) – বিশ্বস্ত; wrapped (রা)—জড়ানো; scarlet (স্কারলেট্)— উজ্জ্বল লাল রঙের; bring up (ব্রিং আপ) – লালন-পালন করা; obey (ওবে) — মেনে চলা; broke out — সুরু হল; passing away—মারা যাওয়া; barons – অভিজাতরা; plotting (প্লটিং) – ষড়যন্ত্র করা; lawlessness (ললেনেস্)—অরাজকতা ; robbed (রবড্)—লুটতরাজের শিকার হওয়া।

Part 2

handsome (হ্যান্ডসাম)—সুশ্রী; torn (টন)—ছিন্নভিন্ন; rivalry (রাইভারি) — শত্রুতা, প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতা; longed for —চেয়েছিল; prosperity (প্রপ্যারিটি) — সমৃদ্ধি; festivity (ফেটিভিটি) — উৎসব; all around — চারিদিকে; frightened (ফ্রাইটেড্)—ভীত; magnificent (ম্যাগনিফিসেন্ট্) — জমকালো; inscribed (ইন্‌স্ক্রাইব) – খোদিত; right of birth— জন্মাধিকার; jostled (জলড্) –ধাক্কাধাক্কি করল ; succeeded (সাক্সীডেড্) – সফল হয়েছিল ; disappointed (ডিসাপয়েন্টেড)—হতাশ হওয়া; demanded (ডিমান্‌ডেড) – দাবি করল; craftsmen (ক্রাফ্টমেন্)—কারিগরগণ ; slender (স্লেন্ডার্)—ছিপ্‌ ছিপে; hailed (হেইড্) – অভিবাদন জানাল; secure (সিকিওর) — সুনিশ্চিত করা; concerned (কন্সার্নড্)—চিন্তিত; humblest (হাম্বলে)—দীনহীনতম; bracelets (ব্রেসলেট্স)—বালা; rubies (রুবিজ্‌)—চুনিগুলি ; emeralds (এমারেল্স্) – পান্নাগুলি

Read And Learn Also WBBSE Class 8 English Reading Skills

Part 3

fearless (ফিয়ারলেস্)—নির্ভীক ; protect (প্রোটেক্ট) — রক্ষা করে; possess (পসেস্) – অধিকারী হওয়া; enchanted (এচ্যান্টেড)—মায়াবি; mysterious (মিস্টিরিয়াস্)— রহস্যময়; personal (পারসোনাল)—ব্যক্তিগত; benefit (বেনিফিট্ —সুবিধা, স্বার্থ, gift (গিট্)—উপহার; greedy (গ্রীডি)— লোভী ; gilded (গিলডেড্)–ঝলমলে ; pavilion (প্যাভিলিয়ন্)—মণ্ডপ; crimson (ক্রিসন্)—টক্টকে লাল; carved (কার)–কারুকার্য্য করা; gathered (গ্যাদার্ড্) —জমায়েত হত; vows (ভাওস্)—অঙ্গীকার; hazardous (হ্যাজারডাস্) –ঝুঁকিপূর্ণ; adventures (অ্যাডভেনচার) – দুঃসাহসিক অভিযানগুলি; perished (পেরিশড্) — প্রাণ হারিয়েছিল ; trusted (ট্রাটেড্)—বিশ্বস্ত ; disappeared (ডিস্যাপিয়ার্ড)— অদৃশ্য হয়ে গেল; barge (বার্জ) –বজরা; twilight (টুইলাইট্)— গোধুলি ; tearful (টিয়ারফুল – অশ্রুপূর্ণ; goodbye (গুড্‌বাই)— বিদায়।

Reading Skill Seen Lesson 7 A Kings Tale Examples

Read the texts below and do as directed.

Question 1. Many hundreds of years ago, England was ruled by a king called Uther-Pendragon. The king, who was a friend and protector to all his people, was fair to everyone. The people of Britain lived in peace and happiness, tending their flocks and tilling their fields.

King Uther-Pendragon had married the beautiful Lady Igraine and had a son. This child was the heir to the royal throne.

The king and the queen died soon after the baby boy was born. It was a difficult time. Many of the king’s oponents were looking to seize the throne. King Uther-Pendragon had two wise counselors- Merlin, a prophet and a magician, and the brave knight, Sir Ulfius. They were greatly trusted by the royal family. When the king and the queen were no more, the two counselors met Sir Ector the Trustworthy, a loyal subject of the king, on a cold and windy midnight. They placed in his hands a baby wrapped in a scarlet cloak. Merlin said, “We order you and your wife to bring up this child as though he were your own son.”

“The boy is to be called Arthur,” Sir Ulfius said. Sir Ector, being a true knight asked no questions and promised to obey his late king’s counsellors.

As Merlin and Sir Ulfius had feared, trouble broke out in Britain after the passing away of the king. The barons were fighting among themselves and plotting to capture the throne. Britain was in the grip of lawlessness. Travelers were regularly robbed. The peasants were unhappy.

1. Answer the questions below:

1. Who was the king of England and how did he treat his people?
2. What happened to Britain soon after the death of king Uther-Pendragon?
3. Who were Merlin and Ulfius?
4. What did they do for the king’s orphan child?
5. How did Sir Ector respond to the counselor’s order?

Answer:

1. Uther-Pendragon was the king of England, and he was a friend and protector to all his people and was fair to everyone.
2. Soon after the death of king Uther-Pendragon, trouble broke out in Britain. The barons started to fight among themselves and plot to capture the throne.
3. They were king Uther’s two wise counselors greatly trusted by the royal family. Merlin was a prophet and magician and Sir Ulfius was a brave knight.
4. After passing away of the king and the queen, they took the king’s orphan baby to Sir Ector, a loyal subject of the king, and ordered him and his wife to bring up the child as if he were their own son.
5. Sir Ector asked no questions and promised to obey the counselor’s order.

2. Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given:

Question 1. During the reign of King Uther-Pendragon, the people of Britain lived a-

1. Peaceful life,
2. Disturbed life,
3. Unhappy life.

Answer: 1. Peaceful life

Question 2. Lady Igraine was Uther-Pendragon’s-

1. Mother,
2. Wife,
3. Sister.

Answer: 2. Wife

Question 3. The royal baby was to be brought up by-

1. Merlin,
2. Sir Ulfius,
3. Sir Ector.

Answer: 3. Sir Ector

Question 4. Sir Ulfius was a-

1. Knight,
2. Prophet,
3. Merchant.

Answer: 1. Knight

3. Fill in the chart with information from the text.

Answer:

4. Match the words in A with their meanings in B.

Answer:

Question 2.

In the home of Sir Ector, Arthur, the son of the late king, was spending his boyhood in happiness and safety. As he grew older, he became gentle, strong, handsome and good like his father Uther-Pendragon.

Eighteen years passed. Britain was torn by bitter rivalry. None of the fighting barons had managed to become the king. The people longed for the old days of peace and prosperity under Uther-Pendragon.

It was Christmas time, a time of festivity. But all around Britain, people were hungry, cold and frightened. One day, in a churchyard, people found a large stone on which was fixed a magnificent sword.

Upon the stone, in gold letters, was inscribed, “Whoever pulls out this sword is by right of birth, the king of England.” Immediately, the eager barons who longed to become the king,, jostled among themselves to lift the sword. None succeeded. The sword remained fixed to the stone.

1. Answer the questions below:

1. Describe the royal baby as he grew at the home of Sir Ector.
2. What was written upon the stone on which the sword was fixed?
3. What was the condition of Britain for eighteen years after King Uther-Pendragon had passed?
4. What did the people long for?

Answer:

1. As the royal baby started growing older at the home of Sir Ector, he became gentle, strong, handsome, and good like his father Uther-Pendragon.
2. Upon the stone was written in gold letters the words “whoever pulls out this sword is by right of birth, the king of England.”
3. For eighteen years after the King Uther-Pendragon had passed away, Britain was torn by bitter rivalry among the barons fighting to become the king.
4. The people longed for the old days of peace and prosperity that prevailed during the time of Uther- Pendragon.

2. Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given:

Question 1. The royal child was brought up by —

1. Sir Ulfius,
2. Sir Ector,
3. Merline.

Answer: 2. Sir Ector

Question 2. The barons fought amongst themselves to become—

1. The king,
2. The knight,
3. The lord.

Answer: 1. The king

Question 3. The sword was found—

1. Under the ground,
2. Fixed on a stone,
3. Fixed on a large tree.

Answer: 2. Fixed on a stone

Question 4. The sword was lifted by—

1. A baron,
2. Arthur,
3. None.

Answer: 3. Arthur

3. Complete the sentences with information from the text

Question 1. Arthur was growing up in __________
Answer: Arthur was growing up in the home of Sir Ector as a gentle, strong, and handsome boy, and good like his father Uther-Pendragon.

Question 2. For eighteen years__________
Answer: For eighteen years after the king had passed away, Britain was torn by bitter rivalry among the barons.

Question 3. None was successful________
Answer: None was successful in pulling out the sword fixed on the stone.

Question 4. The people longed for___________
Answer: The people longed for the old days of peace and prosperity under Uther-Pendragon.

Question 5. The stone was found_______
Answer: The stone was found to have some inscription’s on it in gold letters.

4. Fill in the blanks with words from the text. There are a few extra words.

List of words: rivalry, torn, festivity, people, handsome, safety, frightened, immediately.

Question 1. Her husband looks very __________
Answer: Handsome

Question 2. October is the mouth of __________
Answer: Festivity

Question 3. The children were _______ to see the elephant.
Answer: Frightened

Question 4. Our main concern is the ______________ of the child.
Answer: Safety

Question 5. The hoardings were __________ to pieces by the storm.
Answer: Torn

Question 3.

It was Arthur, at the age of eighteen, who succeeded in lifting the sword for the first time. The barons were angry and disappointed. They demanded a test.

Upon a bright May morning, a great trial took place in the presence of many people. There were the peasants, the craftsmen, the merchants, as well as the barons. In front of everyone, Arthur, slender and young, lifted the sword easily. The crowd hailed him as the king.

After becoming the king of England, Arthur’s first duty was to secure peace in England. He was helped by wise Merlin. Like his father, Arthur was concerned about the good of the common people. King Arthur fought battles so that no one could ill-treat the humblest of his subjects.

King Arthur had lost his royal sword in a battle. One day, Merlin took him to a valley of sweet-smelling flowers. At the edge of the plain there was a deep lake. As Arthur approached the lake, a beautiful arm with golden bracelets rose from the water. The hand held a sword set with rubies and emeralds.

1. Complete the sentences with information from the text.

Question 1. At the age of eighteen, Arthur ______________
Answer: At the age of eighteen, Arthur became of the king of England.

Question 2. The barons were angry and disappointed because ______________
Answer: The barons were angry and disappointed because while none of them could lift the sword, Arthur lifted the sword for the first time and became the king of England

Question 3. Arthur’s first duty after becoming the king was ______________
Answer: Arthur’s first duty after becoming the king was to secure peace in England.

Question 4. The crowd hailed Arthur as the king when __________
Answer: The crowd hailed Arthur as the king when he lifted the sword easily.

Question 5. When Arthur and Merlin came to the edge of the deep lake __________
Answer: When Arthur and Merline came to the edge of the deep lake, a beautiful arm with golden bracelets holding in hand a sword set with rubies and emeralds rose from the water

Question 6. Arthur needed a new sword because _______
Answer: Arthur needed a new sword because he had lost his royal sword in a battle.

2. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements.

Question 1. Arthur lifted the sword with great effect.
Answer: False

Question 2. A trial was held for the lifting of the sword by Arthur.
Answer: True

Question 3. Arthur was concerned about the good of his people.
Answer: True

Question 4. A sword was held in a hand rising from the sea.
Answer: False

Question 5. Arthur was slender and young.
Answer: True

3. Find words in the text which mean the following:

1. Disheartened;
2. Artisans;
3. Welcomed;
4. Worried;
5. Precious stones of green colour
6. Ensure.

Answers:

1. Disappointed,
2. Craftsmen,
3. Hailed,
4. Concerned;
5. Emeralds;
6. Secure.

Question 4.

“This is the Excalibur”, Merlin said, “Only an honest and fearless knight who protects the common people can possess this sword.”

King Arthur accepted the enchanted sword from the mysterious hand appearing from the depths of the Jake. “I shall never use this magic sword for any personal benefit,” King Arthur declared.

King Arthur could gift peace and prosperity to England. The greedy barons were unhappy with King Arthur because he was gentle and just. He married the beautiful Lady Guinevere, daughter of the king of Cornwall. On the wedding day, Merlin took him to a richly gilded pavilion, painted crimson and dark blue.

The floor was marbled. In the middle of the room was a huge, round, oak table, richly carved, capable of seating fifty people. This was the famous round table around which gathered King Arthur’s devoted knights. These Knights promised that they would help the helpless, be gentle to the weak and punish the wicked. To keep their vows, the knights undertook countless hazardous adventures. The stories of their goodness and kindness spread throughout the country.

King Arthur ruled for many happy years and grew old with time. Many of his trusted knights had perished during their adventures. The king gave his magic sword, the Excalibur, to a trusted Knight. At the king’s command, the Knight threw the sword into the lake amid the plain of the sweet-smelling flowers. A beautiful arm arose from the lake, caught the sword, and disappeared into the green depths of water.

The Knight came back and told the king what had happened. King Arthur smiled. He instructed his people to put him on a barge. It was the hour of twilight. With tearful eyes, everyone bade goodbye to the old king as the barge sailed with him toward the setting sun.

1. Answer the questions below:

1. Who could possess the Excalibur?
2. Where did Merline take King Arthur on the wedding day?
3. Describe the pavilion where the round table was placed.
4. What did the devoted Knights of King Arthur promise?
5. What happened when the Excalibur was thrown into the lake?

Answer:

1. Only an honest and fearless Knight who protects the common people can possess Excalibur.
2. On the wedding day, Merlin took King Arthur to a pavilion which was richly gilded and painted crimson and dark blue.
3. The pavilion was richly gilded and painted crimson and dark blue. The floor was marbled, and in the middle of the room was a huge, round oak table, richly carved, capable of seating fifty people.
4. The devoted Knights of King Arthur promised that they would help the helpless, be gentle to the weak and punish the wicked.
5. When the sword was thrown into the lake, a beautiful arm arose from the lake, caught the sword, and disappeared into the water.

2. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements. Write supporting sentences for each of your answers:

Question 1. King Arthur failed to bring peace and prosperity to England.
Answer: False

King Arthur could gift peace and prosperity to England.

Question 2. Arthur married the daughter of the king of Cornwall.
Answer: True

He married the beautiful lady Guinevere, daughter of the king of Cornwall.

Question 3. The devoted Knights of King Arthur gathered around the round table.
Answer: True

This was the famous round table around which gathered King Arthur’s devoted Knights.

Question 4. The goodness and kindness of the barons were known all over the country.
Answer: False

Question 5. The king himself threw the sword into the lake.
Answer: False

The Knights undertook. The stories of their goodness and kindness spread throughout the country.

3. Match the words in A with their meanings in B.

Answer: