NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 4 The Treasure Within

The chapter focuses on Mr. Hafeez Sorabji’s school life, where he was considered a “terrible” student because he did not perform well in traditional academics. He found classroom learning boring and struggled with textbooks, which often led to poor grades. However, the story shows that academic marks do not define intelligence or success. Hafeez possessed a natural talent for drawing, design, and construction, which later shaped his successful career as an architect.

Through this conversation, students learn that every child has a unique way of learning and understanding the world. Some excel in books, while others shine in practical or creative fields. NCERT Solutions clearly explain the chapter’s message that teachers and parents should encourage children to explore their interests instead of forcing them into rigid academic patterns. Overall, the lesson teaches confidence, self-belief, and the idea that true success comes from discovering and nurturing the treasure within.

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Class 8 English Chapter 4 The Treasure Within Questions Answers

Question 1 What did Hafeez Contractor have nightmares about?

Answer: Hafeez Contractor often had nightmares about appearing for a Mathematics exam in which he did not know any answers.

Question 2 What did the Principal say to him that influenced him deeply?

Answer: The Principal told Hafeez that his mother was working very hard to support him and paid his school fees on time despite his father’s absence. He also said that Hafeez was capable of doing well if he studied seriously. This made Hafeez feel responsible and motivated him to work hard.

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

Answer: That year, Hafeez stopped playing sports and focused only on studying for his SSC examination. He spent his time eating, studying, and going for prayers.

Question 4 (i) What “distraction” did Hafeez create one day?

Answer: One day, Hafeez created a distraction by making the students play “chor–police” in school for nearly one hour during class time.

(ii) Would you like to take part in such a distraction? Why/Why not?

Answer: Yes, it would be fun to take part in such a game as it gives a break from routine studies, but it should not be done during class time as it disturbs learning.

Comprehension Check (Page 32)

Question 1 Why did Hafeez Contractor not join the police force?

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

Question 2 Why was Hafeez advised to drop everything and join architecture?

Answer: In the architect’s office, Hafeez corrected a wrong window design made by someone. Later, he was asked to draw and design a house, which he did well. Seeing his natural talent, his cousin’s husband advised him to take up architecture seriously.

Question 3 (i) What advice did Mrs Gupta give Hafeez?

Answer: Mrs Gupta advised Hafeez that he should become an architect when he grows up.

(ii) Why did she give him this advice?

Answer: She noticed that Hafeez was very good at drawing and sketching but not interested in other subjects, so she felt that architecture would suit his talent.

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

Answer: He used to cut small buttons out of chalk using a blade and give them to students who had lost their uniform buttons.

Question 5 Which rules did Hafeez break as a schoolboy?

Answer: Hafeez often copied in exams, played pranks, loitered during school hours, and created disturbances like making students play games in class. He also took part in group fights.

Question 6 (i) What is Hafeez Contractor’s definition of mathematics?

Answer: Hafeez says mathematics means combining design, construction, psychology, and sociology to create a proper structure or building.

(ii) How would you define mathematics? Do you like it?

Answer: Mathematics is the study of numbers, shapes, and logical thinking used to solve problems in daily life. I like it because it helps improve reasoning skills.
(Students may write their own opinion.)

Exercise (Page 32)

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

Answer: No, such a learner should not be called a failure because everyone has different talents. Some students may not perform well in exams but may be very creative or skilled in other fields. Hafeez was not good in academics, but he became a successful architect because he followed his natural talent. Success is not decided only by marks.

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

Answer: An unusual learner is someone who learns in a different way and has special talents that may not be shown through regular exams, such as drawing, designing, music, or sports.

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

Answer: Schools should identify students’ talents and encourage them through activities like art, sports, music, and creative projects. Teachers should not judge students only by marks but should guide them to improve their special skills and build confidence.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 4 The Treasure Within help students understand an inspiring real-life conversation between journalist Ms. Bela Raja and renowned Indian architect Mr. Hafeez Sorabji. The Treasure Within questions and answers explain how this chapter highlights the importance of recognizing hidden talent and believing in one’s inner strengths.

The chapter focuses on Mr. Hafeez Sorabji’s school life, where he was considered a “terrible” student because he did not perform well in traditional academics. He found classroom learning boring and struggled with textbooks, which often led to poor grades. However, the story shows that academic marks do not define intelligence or success. Hafeez possessed a natural talent for drawing, design, and construction, which later shaped his successful career as an architect.

Through this conversation, students learn that every child has a unique way of learning and understanding the world. Some excel in books, while others shine in practical or creative fields. NCERT Solutions clearly explain the chapter’s message that teachers and parents should encourage children to explore their interests instead of forcing them into rigid academic patterns. Overall, the lesson teaches confidence, self-belief, and the idea that true success comes from discovering and nurturing the treasure within.

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 Class 8 English Chapter 4 The Treasure Within Ques

Easy Answers for The Treasure Within for Class 8 English

Understanding your own potential is a vital part of growing up, and this chapter serves as a perfect inspiration. When you look through the treasure within question answers class 8, you'll notice that Hafeez Contractor wasn't always the successful architect he is today. In fact, he was a student who had nightmares about mathematics examinations and preferred playing games to studying books.

Many students find that downloading the treasure within question answer pdf helps them analyze the dialogue format of this chapter more effectively. It's a conversation that challenges the conventional definition of "intelligence." By practicing the treasure within question answer extra topics, you can explore how Hafeez’s sketches of forts and buttons eventually led him to a career where he designs massive skyscrapers. At the end of the day, this story proves that your "treasure" is hidden in what you love to do most.

Hafeez Contractor’s Early School Days

In the first and second years of school, Hafeez was a good student. However, by the third year, he lost all interest in studies and spent most of his time playing and being "the champion" in various games.

• Academic Struggles: He had a particular fear of mathematics and frequently dreamed of appearing for a math exam where he knew nothing.

• Distractions: He was interested in "other things," like the flow of water in a dam or how a broken button could be fixed using a blade and a piece of chalk.

The Turning Point: Principal’s Advice

A significant moment in Hafeez's life occurred when his Principal spoke to him in the eleventh grade. The Principal told him that even though he was a good person, he was not studying, and his mother had worked very hard to pay his fees.

1. The Impact: The Principal’s words touched Hafeez deeply. He didn't even go out to the playground that day.

2. The Result: He focused entirely on his studies for that year, eating, sleeping, and studying only. He managed to get a second class (50%) in his SSC, which he considered a great achievement.

Interests Beyond the Classroom

Hafeez was always a leader in school, but not in academics. He was a "distraction" for others. If it rained, he would think about how much water the dam could hold. He was obsessed with the mechanical and structural side of things.

He would often draw sketches of forts or guns during class. He even designed a "war" for his classmates where they would plan strategies and prepare for combat. These activities, though dismissed as distractions by teachers, were actually early signs of his architectural genius.

Discovery of the Architect Within

Hafeez didn't plan to become an architect. He initially wanted to join the Army or the Police force, but his mother and aunt discouraged him. While visiting his cousin's office—who was married to an architect—he noticed someone drawing a window detail incorrectly.

• The Challenge: Hafeez pointed out the error and explained why the window wouldn't open.

• The Bet: His cousin’s husband challenged him to draw a sketch for a house, which Hafeez did instantly and brilliantly.

• The Career Shift: He was told to drop everything and join architecture immediately. Despite having low marks, he passed the entrance exam with an 'A+' and never looked back.

Hafeez’s Definition of Mathematics

One of the most profound takeaways in the treasure within question answer class 8 english is Hafeez's new perspective on math. He went from hating the subject to seeing it everywhere.

Hafeez’s View: Putting design, construction, psychology, and sociology together and making a sketch from all that is "Mathematics."

He now handles the subject with ease because he sees it as a tool for his creative expression rather than a set of abstract formulas on a blackboard.

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