NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory

NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory and select need one. NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory and After Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT English Class 8 Solutions.

NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory

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Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 8 English Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory and After, NCERT Class 8 English Textbook of Honeydew and It So Happen. for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory

Chapter: 4

HONEYDEW

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Page No – 58 

1. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief? 

Ans: The man stared at Bepin Babu in disbelief because Bepin Babu did not recognise him even though he was sure that he knew him and had met him in Ranchi.

2. Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October “58”? 

Ans: Bepin Babu said that he spent the Puja holidays in ’58 with a friend in Kanpur.

3. Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.

Ans: Parimal Ghose knew following things about Bepin Babu:

(i) That Bepin Babu slipped near Hundru falls and hurt his leg.

(ii) That Bepin Babu stayed in a Bungalow because he preferred food by bawarchi.

(iii) That Bepin Babu’s wife died 10 years ago.

Page No – 61

1. Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?

Ans: Bepin Babu continuously worried about what Parimal Ghose had said because he had shown that he knew many intimate facts about him. He knew about the bag of books, his wife’s death and his brother’s insanity. Considering that Parimal Ghose knew so much about him, Bepin Babu couldn’t say with conviction that he was making a mistake about the Ranchi trip

2. How did he try to decide who was right—his memory or Parimal Ghose? 

Ans: He tried to determine whether his memory was correct or if Parimal Ghose was right by checking his right knee, where Parimal claimed he had a cut. Indeed, there was an old scar on his knee, but he couldn’t be sure if it was from a fall in Ranchi or from some other childhood incident. To resolve his doubt, he decided to ask Dinesh Mukherjee, who, according to Parimal Ghose, had been with him in Ranchi. He hoped that speaking to Dinesh would clarify the situation and put an end to his Doubt.

3. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him? 

Ans: Bepin Babu hesitated to visit Mr Dinesh Mukerji because he was afraid of the ruthless sarcasm he would have to face. He thought if the entire story about Ranchi would be false, then Mr Mukerji would think that he was insane. Being constantly troubled by the incident at the bookshop and having no other means for verifying the claims of Primal Ghose, Bepin Babu finally decided to ask Mr Mukerji. However, he decided to call him up rather than asking face to face as he didn’t want to show his discomfort.

4. What did Mr Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?

Ans: Mr. Mukerji, after checking his diary, said that they had visited Ranchi in October 58. This added to Bepin Babu’s worries as he could not figure out how he could possibly have forgotten about the trip.

Page No – 64 

1. Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

Ans: Chunilal was an old schoolmate of Bepin Babu. He had been having a rough time lately and had been coming to see Bepin Babu for a job.

2. Why was Dr Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory?

Ans: Dr Chanda was puzzled because he had never come across such a case like that of Bepin Babu’s. It was out of his league.

The unusual thing about Bepin Babu’s case was that he remembered everything in his past except for one particular incident. Dr Chanda said that he must have been to Ranchi but for some unknown reason, the entire incident had got wiped out of his memory.

Page No – 66

1. Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi? 

Ans: No, Bepin Babu had not really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi. It was a trick played by Chunilal.

2. Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he has no money; what is it that he does have?

Ans: Chunilal did what he did because Bepin Babu did not help him at a time when he had no money and required a job. He was badly in need of a job. He had approached Bepin Babu for help but he did not do anything for him. So he wanted to punish him by rekindling a haunting memory of his fall near Hydro. Chunilal was a good writer with very rich thoughts. That is what he thought would help him to come over his bad phase of life.

1. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this?

Ans: The author has described Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. The evidence which supports this statement is that he worked daily in his office which was a big firm. He had worked with the company for twenty-five years and had a reputation for being a conscientious worker. He had a good standing for being a diligent, hard-working worker.

2. Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result of this meeting? 

Ans: Bepin Babu changed his mind about meeting Chunilal because he felt that there was a possibility that Chunilal would remember something about the Ranchi trip. When Chunilal confirmed that Bepin Babu had been to Ranchi, Bepin Babu decided to see a specialist doctor.

3. Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls. What do you think was the reason for this? 

Ans: Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls because he had a fall. He had broken his hip.

4. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him?

Ans: After discovering that Chunilal had tricked him, Bepin Babu must have been overcome with remorse for his insensitive behavior toward an old friend who was struggling. He would have realized that he had indeed been a victim of forgetfulness, not just of events, but also of the true meaning of friendship, which he had neglected during his time of prosperity.

1. Look at these two sentences. 

He had to buy at least five books to last him through the week. 

Bepin had to ask Chuni to leave. 

Had to is used to show that it was very important or necessary for Bepin Babu to do something. He had no choice. We can also use ‘have to’/ ‘has to’ in the same way.

Fill in the blanks below using ‘had to’/ ‘have to’/ ‘has to’.

(i) I ____________ cut my hair every month.

Ans: I have to cut my hair every month.

(ii) We ___________ go for swimming lessons last year. 

Ans: We had to go for swimming lessons last year.

(iii) She ____________ tell the principal the truth. 

Ans: She has to tell the principal the truth.

(iv) They ____________ take the baby to the doctor. 

Ans: They had to take the baby to the doctor.

(v) We ___________ complain to the police about the noise. 

Ans: We have to complain to the police about the noise.

(vi) Romit ___________ finish his homework before he could come out to play. 

Ans: Romit had to finish his homework before he could come out to play.

(vii) I ____________ repair my cycle yesterday.

Ans: I had to repair my cycle yesterday.

2. Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary in the following way.

First, arrange them in the order in which you would find them in a dictionary. 

(Clue: An idiom is usually listed under the first noun, verb, adjective or adverb in it. Ignore articles or prepositions in the idiom). 

To help you, we have put in bold the word under which you must look for the idiom in the dictionary.)

Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.

Ans: 

3. Study the sentences in the columns below.

Compare the sentences in the two columns, especially the verb forms. Answer the following questions about each pair of sentences. 

(i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place? 

Ans: Column B.

(ii)  Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher? 

Ans: Column A.

(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw? 

Ans: Column B.

(iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind?

Ans: Column B.

4. Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences.

You will find that each sentence contains an idiomatic expression that you have come across in the lesson. Underline the idiom and write down its meaning. Then use your dictionary to check the meaning. 

One sentence has been worked out for you as an example.

Jumbled sentence: vanished/The car/seemed to/into thin/have/air. 

Ans: The car seemed to have vanished into thin air. 

Idiom: vanished into thin air: disappeared or vanished in a mysterious way

(i) Stop/and tell me/beating about/what you want/the bush.

Ans: Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.

Idiom: beating about the bush – avoiding the main topic, not coming straight to the point. 

(ii) don’t pay/If you/attention/you might/the wrong train/to the announcement/board.

Ans: If you don’t pay attention to the announcement, you might board the wrong train.

Idiom: pay attention – listen carefully.

(iii) The villagers/tried/the crime/on the young woman/to pin.

Ans: The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman.

Idiom: pin the crime – place the responsibility of the crime

(iv) Bepin Babu/orders to/telling people/under/loved/doctor’s/eat early/that he was.

Ans: Bepin Babu loved telling people that he was under doctor’s orders to eat early.

Idiom: under doctor’s orders – in complete necessity

(v) the students/The teacher/his eyebrows/when/said that/all their lessons/raised/they had revised

Ans: The teacher raised his eyebrows when the students said that they had revised all their lessons.

Idiom: raised his eyebrows – expressed doubt/surprise.

1. What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need? 

Ans: Bepin Babu came to know the truth of what Chunilal had done. In fact Chunilal had only played a trick with him to test his friendship. Bepin Babu had a mixed feeling of relief as well as anger. He was happy to know that he had not suffered the lapse of memory. He was a little angry with his friend who was not really helpful. But he had made Bepin feel awkward. He must have decided not to disappoint a friend in need.

2. Imagine you are Bepin Choudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him. Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.

Ans: 15th November, 20XX

My Dear Chunilal,

First of all, thank you for your letter dated 10th November. I sincerely regret disappointing you and completely understand your resentment. However, I have some good news to share. I spoke to a friend in Delhi, and he has agreed to offer you the position of Assistant Manager in his firm.

Please visit me on Sunday so that I can introduce you to him personally.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Bepin Choudhury

Or 

A prank is a childish trick. Do you remember any incident when someone played a prank on you or your friends? Describe the prank in a paragraph.

Ans: On March 26, I received a letter from one of my friends. It contained a happy news that I had been granted scholarship from back date. He asked me to call on him in April, so that both would go together to the office of the Superintendent of the school. I was very glad. I even distributed sweets to my neighbours. But when I reached my friend’s house, I found him laughing at me. It was April the first. All Fools Day.’ I got over it soon and admired the practical joke or the prank.

The last Bargain

1. Who is the speaker in the poem?

Ans: The speaker in the poem is a man who is looking for work.

2. “The king, sword in hand” suggests: 

(i) Wealth. 

(ii) Power. 

(iii) More power than wealth. 

Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.

Ans: (ii) Power.

3. The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer? 

Ans: The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. However, he turned it down because he realised that money cannot give him what he actually desires. He had not till then realised that what he actually wanted was happiness and not just money. When the old man was counting the gold coins, the speaker realised that once the money was finished or the work the old man wanted to hire him for was done, he would again be out of work More than that, he would be bound in this deal. It did not give him a feeling of satisfaction and therefore, he turned it down.

4. Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another. 

(i) I have nothing to give you 

Except goodwill and cheer.

Ans: ‘I hire you with nothing.’

(ii) Her happiness was no more,

Than sorrow in disguise. 

Ans: ‘Her smile paled and melted into tears’.

(iii) The king’s might was not worth much. 

Ans: ‘But his power counted for naught’.

5. How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach?

Ans: The speaker felt free after talking to the child on the beach, who ‘hired’ him for nothing. Unlike the king, old man, or fair maid, the child did not seek power, money, or beauty but offered only happiness and cheer. This made the speaker realize that true happiness is priceless and everlasting, unlike material possessions. Free from any terms or conditions, he experienced a sense of liberation through this simple yet meaningful bargain.

Parimol

Hi! my Name is Parimal Roy. I have completed my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy (B.A.) from Silapathar General College. Currently, I am working as an HR Manager at Dev Library. It is a website that provides study materials for students from Class 3 to 12, including SCERT and NCERT notes. It also offers resources for BA, B.Com, B.Sc, and Computer Science, along with postgraduate notes. Besides study materials, the website has novels, eBooks, health and finance articles, biographies, quotes, and more.