NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 4 The Treasure Within

Class 8 English Chapter 4 The Treasure Within Questions and Answers

Comprehension Check

Question 1: What did Hafeez Contractor have nightmares about?

Answer: Hafeez Contractor had nightmares about appearing for a Mathematics examination in which he did not know the answers.

Question 2: What did the Principal say to him, which influenced him deeply?

Answer: The Principal reminded Hafeez that his mother worked hard to raise him and pay his school fees. He told Hafeez that he was capable of doing well but needed to take responsibility for his studies. His words had a deep impact on Hafeez.

Question 3: “That year I did not step out onto the field.” What was he busy doing that year?

Answer: Hafeez spent that year studying for his SSC examination. He stopped playing games and mainly spent his time eating, studying, and going for prayers.

Question 4: What “distraction” did Hafeez Contractor create one day?

Answer: Hafeez created a distraction by playing chor-police with his classmates for about an hour.

Question 5: Would you have liked to participate in the “distraction” had you been with him?

Answer: This is a personal-response question. A suitable answer is: Yes, I would have liked to participate because chor-police is an enjoyable game. However, playing during class time would disturb the lesson.

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Comprehension Check: The Treasure Within

Question 1: Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force. Why didn’t he?

Answer: Hafeez wanted to join the police force, but his mother advised him to complete his graduation first. Therefore, he joined Jai Hind College instead.

Question 2: In the architect’s office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join architecture. Why?

Answer: Hafeez noticed that a window design drawn in the architect’s office was incorrect and explained why the window would not open properly. He was then asked to design a house, which he did successfully. His natural ability in drawing and design impressed the people there, so he was advised to pursue architecture.

Question 3: What was Mrs Gupta’s advice to Hafeez Contractor? What made her advise him so?

Answer: Mrs Gupta advised Hafeez to become an architect when he grew up. She gave this advice because she had noticed his excellent sketches and his natural talent for drawing.

Question 4: How did Hafeez help fellow students who had lost a button?

Answer: Hafeez used to make small buttons from pieces of chalk with a blade and give them to students who had lost buttons from their uniforms.

Question 5: Which rules did Hafeez break as a schoolboy?

Answer: Hafeez copied in examinations, played pranks, disturbed classes, loitered during school hours, and took part in fights and other activities that broke school rules.

Question 6: What is Hafeez Contractor’s definition of Mathematics?

Answer: Hafeez viewed Mathematics as the combination of design, construction, psychology, and sociology to create a proper structure or building.

How would you define Mathematics? Do you like the subject?

Answer: Mathematics is the study of numbers, quantities, shapes, patterns, and logical relationships. It helps us solve problems and understand many situations in daily life. Students can also give their own opinion about whether they like the subject.

Read More : NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 1 Together We Can

The Treasure Within Exercise Questions and Answers

Question 1: Should an original and intelligent learner who does not do well in school be called a failure? Why or why not?

Answer: No, an intelligent learner should not be called a failure only because of poor academic performance. Students have different abilities and ways of learning. Hafeez struggled with traditional studies but had strong skills in drawing, design, and practical thinking. His experience shows that success can take different forms.

Question 2: Who is an ‘unusual’ learner according to you?

Answer: An unusual learner is someone who understands or learns things differently from the usual classroom approach. Such a learner may show strong abilities in areas such as drawing, designing, sports, music, practical work, or creative thinking.

Question 3: What can schools do to bring out the best in unusual learners?

Answer: Schools can provide opportunities for students to explore different interests through art, sports, practical activities, projects, discussions, and creative work. Teachers can observe students’ strengths and guide them according to their abilities instead of judging them only by marks.

The Treasure Within Summary

The Treasure Within is based on a conversation with architect Hafeez Contractor about his school life, interests, and career.

Hafeez was initially a good student, but he gradually lost interest in conventional classroom studies. Mathematics was particularly difficult for him, and he even had nightmares about appearing for a Mathematics examination without knowing the answers.

His Principal’s advice made him take his studies more seriously. Hafeez stopped playing games and concentrated on his SSC examination.

Even during school, however, Hafeez showed strong practical and creative abilities. He enjoyed drawing, designing, observing structures, and thinking about how things worked. Mrs Gupta noticed his talent for sketching and suggested that he should become an architect.

Later, while visiting an architect’s office, Hafeez noticed an error in a window design. He was also able to design a house when asked to do so. This helped others recognise his natural talent for architecture.

The chapter shows that academic performance alone does not reveal every student's abilities. It encourages learners to recognise their strengths and develop their interests.

Important Points from The Treasure Within

• Hafeez Contractor was not always interested in academic studies.

• Mathematics was one of the subjects he found difficult.

• His Principal’s advice had a strong influence on him.

• Hafeez had a natural talent for drawing and design.

• Mrs Gupta recognised his sketching ability when he was young.

• Hafeez initially wanted to join the police force.

• His mother advised him to complete his graduation.

• His talent for architecture became clear at an architect’s office.

• He later became an architect.

• The chapter highlights different forms of learning and ability.

Character and Learning Points

Hafeez Contractor

Hafeez was curious, creative, practical, and interested in drawing and design. Although he struggled with conventional academics, he developed his natural abilities and became an architect.

Principal

The Principal recognised that Hafeez needed to take his studies seriously. His advice made Hafeez reflect on his responsibilities.

Mrs Gupta

Mrs Gupta noticed Hafeez’s talent for sketching at an early age and encouraged him to consider architecture.

Read More : NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 4 One Thing at a Time

Quick Revision: The Treasure Within