NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 3 The Selfish Giant

Comprehension Check 

1. Why is the Giant called selfish?

Ans: The Giant built a high wall around his garden, with a warning sign that no one is allowed to enter. He didn't allow children to enter and play in the garden.

2. On one occasion the children said: "How happy we are here!" Later they said: "How happy we were there!" What are they referring to in both cases?

Ans: In the first case the kids were talking about the happy times they had with their friends when they visited and played in the Giant’s garden. The Giant soon refrained kids from entering and playing in the garden and the kids were reminiscing about the good old days in the second case. They are referring to the Giant's garden in both cases.

3. (i) When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?

Ans: Winter shows lifelessness. All the life in nature is dead and the trees stand still, covered with snow, devoid of their leaves. It also represents sadness, depression, and longingness for happiness to arrive. Since there was no source of happiness and warmth in the Giant’s garden, the winter prolonged its stay there. No kids visited the garden and no bird came to sing in his garden.

(ii)Winter has been presented as a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.

Ans: When the spring wrapped the world with warmth, it didn't enter the Giant’s garden since he didn't allow kids or anyone else to enter the home. The trees didn't blossom and if a flower sprung from the soil, it went back to dormancy seeing the sad atmosphere that was a part of his garden. The North Wind and Hail were asked to visit the garden which rattled the castle’s roof every day and broke some parts of it.

4. Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?

Ans: There was winter eternally in the Giant’s garden. Spring didn't come to his garden and Northwind, hail, and snow didn't leave which made him upset about its state. He couldn't comprehend why the spring didn't show up in his garden.

5. What effect did the linnet's song have over Hail and the North Wind?

Ans: The hail stopped and the North Wind stopped roaring when the linnet sang.

Questions

1. (i)The Giant saw a most wonderful sight. What did he see?

Ans: The children entered the garden through a small hole and sat on the branches of each tree present in the garden. The trees covered themselves back with blossoms as they were happy to get the warmth back from the kids. The birds, flowers, and the grass all returned back to the garden and it was a beautiful sight that the Giant saw.

(ii)What did he realize on seeing it?

Ans: He realized the reason for the late arrival of spring in his garden. He refrained from feeling happiness by building walls around his home and garden. When the kids came back into the garden, they brought back happiness with them and spring arrived.

2. Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?

Ans: A little boy was standing near the tree but couldn't reach its branches. The North Wind was still blowing over it and it was covered with frost and snow. Since the tree was in one corner of the garden, spring couldn't arrive there.

3. Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.

Ans: The Giant met the little boy beneath the tree that was still covered with snow and frost. The Giant gently picked up the kid and made him sit on the tree and as he did that the spring came on the tree. After that, the child stretched his hands towards the Giant, who picked him again. The boy then gently kissed him.

4. Describe their second meeting after a long interval.

Ans: During one winter in the Giant’s garden a tree blossomed and was covered in lovely white blossoms and had silver fruits hung on it. The Giant was elated to see the boy standing beneath it but was furious to see imprints of nails on his palm and feet. The child told him that there was nothing to worry about since they were wounds of love and the child wanted to take him to his garden in paradise since he allowed him to play in his garden.

5. The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?

Ans: The Giant changed his ways. He was once cruel and selfish but eventually accepted humanity and allowed his heart to love. When he died, he was covered with white flowers which symbolize peace and he was blessed with the afterlife in Paradise because of his charitable deeds.

Exercise

1. The little child's hands and feet had marks of nails. Who does the child remind you of? Give a reason for your Answer.

Ans: The child’s hands and feet were covered with marks of nails. The image reminded us of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. When he was crucified on the cross, nails were dug into his palms when he sacrificed himself for humanity. This act freed the humans from the sins they committed. Hence the child told the Giant that these marks were actually wounds of love.

2. Is there something like this garden near where you live? Would you like one (without the Giant perhaps) and why? What would you do to keep it in good shape?

Ans: No there isn't anything like the garden near where I live. Yes, I would like to have one since it would provide an exceptionally beautiful place to relax and play for everyone living nearby. We could keep the place clean by regularly brooming it to remove the dead leaves and taking help from a gardener to trim the leaves and keep them in proper shape. We can pick up the garbage which will keep the place neat and tidy.

Benefits of Class 8 English Chapter 3 The Selfish Giant Question Answers

• NCERT Solutions to Class 8 The Selfish Giant provides detailed explanations and interpretations of the story, helping students comprehend the moral and thematic elements of "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde.

• Class 8 English Chapter 3 Question Answers include definitions and contextual meanings of new words and phrases used in the story, enhancing students' vocabulary and language skills.

• The Selfish Giant Questions and answers encourage students to think critically about the characters, plot, and underlying messages, fostering analytical skills.

• These solutions are aligned with the curriculum and exam patterns, providing practice questions and answers that are likely to appear in exams, helping students prepare effectively.

• The story's themes of love, compassion, and transformation are highlighted in the solutions, helping students understand and appreciate these important life lessons.

• The Class 8 English Supplementary Chapter 3 Question Answer include a variety of questions that promote engagement and interaction, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective.  

• It presents information in a clear and structured format, making it easier for students to follow and understand the content, aiding in better retention of information.

• Class 8 English The Selfish Giant Question Answer serves as a helpful resource for teachers and parents to guide students through the story, ensuring they grasp the essential concepts and themes.

Other Study Material for CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 3

Conclusion

The Class 8 English Chapter 3 The Selfish Giant Question Answer provides complete, comprehensive solutions to all the textbook questions. These solutions are available to Download for FREE in PDF format for students to be able to easily access anywhere, anytime. The solutions given are created and checked by subject matter experts therefore the doubt about their accuracy is out of the question. Students can use the complete comprehensive NCERT Solutions provided on this page to prepare well and excel in their examination.

NCERT Chapter-wise for Solutions Class 8 English - It So Happened

Students can also refer to the following table to access complete comprehensive solutions for all chapters from the ‘It So Happened Supplementary Reader’ for Class 8 English.

Book-wise Links for CBSE Class 8 English NCERT Solutions

Important Related Links for CBSE Class 8 English