Class 8 English - The Light on the Hills - Questions & Answers


Questions and Answers for Class 8 English - Unit 3 Seeds and Deeds | Std 8 English - The Light on the Hills - Questions & Answers | Textual Activities
The Light on the Hills

Lucy Clifford (1846-1929),
better known as Mrs W. K. Clifford, was a British novelist and journalist, and the wife of William Kingdon Clifford. Her best-known story, Mrs Keith's Crime (1885), was followed by several other volumes. She also wrote The Last Touches and Other Stories (1892) and Mere Stories (1896); and a play, A Woman Alone (1898). She is perhaps most often remembered, however, as the author of The Anyhow Stories, Moral and Otherwise (1882), a collection of stories written for children.

Summary
‘Light on the Hills’ is a short story about how one person’s words influence another. A boy was drawing scenes from nature. His younger sister stared at him. She pointed out some of the shortcomings of his painting. She commented that people who see that painting will be happy and they will feel that it is real. The child asked her if people would be unhappy if she painted badly. The girl replied that if he does his job with dedication and honesty, they will understand how much he has tried to draw it and will definitely like his picture. The girl pointed to the light from the top of the hill. Both of them enjoyed watching it.
Trees, fields, dark shadows and distant hills were tried to be painted with light. He stopped his painting when the sunlight began to fade. The girl said the world is so beautiful. The child repeated these words with a pinch of grief. The boy asked her what she would do when she wanted to do something big. The girl replied that she would think he was doing this for the person he loved the most. This will make her stronger and forget all her sorrows. So she can move on and never get bored. The boy thought for a moment and said that if so, he would draw his picture for her. The two then returned home.
That night there was a tragedy in the family. The girl died in her sleep. The grieving mother told the boy that her younger sister would never return to this world. The boy's grief was beyond words. He thought about the words she had said before gaining extraordinary strength. He finished the picture. Everyone appreciated the film. He whispered in his ear that it was love, true love, from which all virtue came. Happiness could be called heaven.

Questions and Answers
1. How, according to the girl, can the boy make people feel happy while looking at his picture?
When people look at the picture of the fields painted by the boy they will feel as if they are in the field and this will make them happy.

2.‘It is a beautiful world.’ What makes the little girl say so?
The sight of the trees and fields the deep shadows and hills beyond, the glimmering sunlight along with the rustling leaves and rippling stream make the world beautiful.

3. What is described as a ‘sin’ by the boy?
To do anything which might represent the world badly or imperfectly

4. What, according to the girl, should we do when we want to give our best?
According to the girl if we want to give our best we should do it for the people we love.

5.‘...a big tragedy struck the family.’ What was the tragedy?
The death of the little girl

6. Why was the boy reluctant to go to the same field once again?
The boy was so filled with grief at the loss of his little sister that he could not gather enough courage to see the same field without her.

7. What was the desire in the boy’s heart?
To put into the world something which should make the meanest, humblest citizen, a little happier or better.

8. What was the comment made by the audience on seeing the picture?
This is better than all he has done before. It is surely beautiful for it makes one happy to look at it.

9. Why did the boy say that his heart ached as he did the picture?
The memories of his sister made his heartache.

10. How can one find happiness for one’s own self?
One can find happiness for oneself by seeking it for others.

11.‘Ah, then it is called Heaven.’ What does the statement mean?
Love helps one to live one’s life. When that love helps to bring happiness to others as well as oneself, it becomes heavenly.

Let’s Write
Activity 1
And yet my heart ached as I did it,’ the boy said, as he went back to the field. ‘I thought of her all the time I worked.’ Many thoughts must have passed through his mind while painting the pictures. What would those thoughts be? Attempt a diary entry based on the boy’s thoughts.
Answer:
October 12 Thursday
A memorable day! My promise to her has been fulfilled. But, I miss my little sister a lot. How happy she would be if she were alive! She was the one who wished the most to see me successful. It was her words of love and encouragement that kept me going. I am really indebted to her. How I wish she were with me! In fact, it is her memories that gave me the strength to complete our dream picture. I was so pleased when I saw the happiness on the face of the people who came to see my picture. All the appreciation and happiness, I dedicate to my dearest sister. My sister still continues to inspire me.

Activity 2.
The boy finally came up with a wonderful painting appreciated by everyone. His little sister’s words were the real inspiration behind his achievement. Having heard of the achievement of the boy, you have decided to send a letter of appreciation to him. Write the letter.
Answer:
New Delhi
12 October 2017
Dear Harry,
Hope you are doing well. I’m writing this to express my happiness on hearing about your achievement. Hearty congratulations! I read all the details of your art exhibition in the papers today. I must say it is indeed spectacular. Harry, I read about your growth as an artist. I was really touched to learn about the wonderful way in which you were inspired by your sister. You are truly dedicated to art. Moreover, you, have worked very hard to groom yourself as an artist. Now, the result is here for the whole world to see and for you to feel proud of. I am sure, you will bloom as a renowned painter in the coming years. I wish you luck in all your future endeavours. Congratulations once again!
Lovingly,
Mike

Activity 3.
Attempt a character sketch of the little girl
Answer:
The little girl plays a dominant role in the story ‘The Light on the Hills’ written by Mrs Lucy Clifford. In spite of being the younger of the two siblings, the girl is portrayed as a very mature person with a comprehensive and positive outlook towards life. The girl encourages her brother to paint the picture saying, ‘it will make people happy to look at it She tries to build up his confidence by pointing out to him that ‘If you do your work with dedication and honesty, people will know how hard you have tried. Not only does she display a rare strength of character and confidence but tries to instil it in her brother also. She tells him that if he wants to do his best j then he has to do it for the people whom he loves. That will help him endure everything and enable him to move forward.
She shares a strong and loving relationship with her brother and remains a constant source of inspiration even after her death.

Let’s enrich our vocabulary
Activity 4
1. What do you call such words?
Ans. Regular Verbs.

2. What do you call verbs that do not follow this pattern?
Ans. Irregular Verbs
Let’s Revisit

Activity 2
A few of the major incidents of the story are given below. Complete the following flowchart

The little sister watched her brother paint the portrait.
She suggested a few changes to the picture.
It is a beautiful world. It is a great honour to make things for it.
Doing your best for other people you love makes you very strong.
A big tragedy struck their family.
One night when the family was sleeping, the little sister died in her sleep.
If you want to find happiness for one’s own self, then you must seek it for others.
But if perfect love gives on happiness too?
Ah, then it is called Heaven!
DISCOURSES BASED ON THE LESSON THE LIGHT ON THE HILLS
The young boy becomes a great artist later in his life. His painting received rant reviews from the audience. Prepare a newspaper report.

A PAINTING THAT TOUCHED MANY HEARTS
STAFF REPORTER.
17/10/2017,Kozhikode. An enthralled audience gathered in the Ashirvad Lawns yesterday, was seen touchy and emotional, at a painting exhibition held as a part of enhancing Artistic Skills in budding artists. The crowd thronged in front of one particular picture titled as'The light on the hills. This amazing painting received rant reviews. The artist was seen next to the picture, gloomy and melancholic. On being asked about the person behind his inspiration, he unveiled a woeful tale, leaving the audience in tears. His little sister who died an unexpected death inspired him to make people happier and taught him the power of love. The painting was recommended for higher acclaim by the leading think- tanks of the city. The young painter went on eloquent about his sister and the courage she instilled in him and the painting was dedicated to her sweet memories.

Prepare a character sketch of the young boy.
The young boy is a character from the story, The light on the hills, written by Lucy Clifford, the famous British novelist. The boy is a talented painter but is not sure of himself. He painted pictures without much care and his pictures weren’t much perfect. He neglected the details and didn’t put his heart into it while painting. His trees weren’t as straight as they ought to be and his sky appeared
less blue. He failed to observe the details and therefore was misrepresenting this beautiful nature. But, his little sister who was more like a mother pointed out his shortcomings and wanted him to be a great painter. She observed that it is an honour to possess the skill of representing beauty. She said love could give one the power to make oneself dedicated and perfect. The boy understood the words of his sister once she left this world for good. He loved her very much and
promised her that he would dedicate his picture to her and would make it flawless. Later, he mustered the courage to visit the same field where he and his sister stood together to paint the picture. He was empowered with a strange power. it was his love for his sister. He completed the picture, thinking about her all the while he painted. It was an amazing picture which made the onlookers
happier. He got appreciated for the effort he took. He was a talentless, dedicated and hardworking young boy who loved his sister very much and proved that love could make wonders and could make the impossible, possible. He set an example for the rest of the artists. His willpower and determination coupled with his pure love for his sister brought him success.

Attempt a short story analysis of the story The light on the hills.
Light on the hills is an inspirational story that could melt the minds of readers with its simple narrative. The renowned British novelist Lucy Clifford penned this heart-touching story. The story revolves around a brother who aspires to become a great painter and his motherly younger sister.The boy, initially, as seen in the story is rather, lazy and had no eye for details. Moreover, he had a
bunch of doubts which are cleared by his younger sister. Both love each other very much. The boy leaves certain features while painting the picture.The girl wanted him to make his picture as perfect as he could. she observed that his trees aren’t straight enough and sky blue enough. She replied to him that it makes a great difference in the minds of the onlookers and added that a good picture could make people happy and they would also come to know about the effort he had taken to represent the beauty of nature. It would remain then as a fulfilling task. She advised him that keeping the faces of those whom you love most while doing something could ease out all the difficulties and would provide a strange power to remain inexhaustible till its completion. The boy wasn’t much
focused at that time and told her that he wanted to take or at. Leaving the unfinished picture, they went home. But a tragedy befell on their family. The little girl died at one night and death was beyond the comprehension of the young boy. His mother explained to him that she had gone into another world and lost her way to their world and wouldn’t come back. He was mourning her death
and trying reconcile her loss. but he couldn’t come to terms with the reality that she is no longer with her. He hadn’t the courage to complete the unfinished picture he had dedicated to her,even though he had drawn a lot of other pictures. One day he had mustered up all his courage to go over the field where once they had that lovely conversation. His love to her gave him a strange power and he drew the picture, thinking about her all the time. At the exhibition, his picture got appreciated by all the onlookers and some of them wanted to know the inspiration behind such a marvellous painting. The painting made everyone happy and the young painter said that his heart ached all the time he drew the picture. He really felt his sister's presence, whispering in his ears. he said that it was not from sorrow that he was able to complete the beautiful picture but because of his love. The Tory imparts the enchanting power of love to transform people and their minds. Love has also helped him endure all the troubles and come out victorious.

The English club of your school has decided to invite the young painter to congratulate him. Draft a notice.
NOTICE
A B C SCHOOL
THE YOUNG WHO LIGHTED THE HEARTS.

12.10.17.
The English club of A.B.C school has decided to conduct a function to honour the young boy who has drawn the beautiful picture named Light on the hills. The young artist has expressed his willingness to share a few words with us on his beautiful picture. The programme will be presided over by the honourable H.M. Our Municipal Chairman has kindly consented to do away the honours.

Programme details
Prayer: school choir
Welcome speech: hon'ble H.M
Felicitation: Municipal Chairman
Presenting Momento:Municipal Chairman.

Reply Speech: Young Painter.
Vote of thanks: School leader.
ALL ARE INVITED
Club convenor
Harishanth
Signature.

The young boy was very much troubled on the day he completed the picture. His mind was turbulent. He wrote his feelings in his diary. what would be his thoughts? prepare his diary entry.

10. pm
Monday

What a turbulent day! I was totally derailed. I really wanted to fulfil the promise I gave to my sister. It was getting hard day by day to live without her. But I couldn’t think of going over there and resuming my work. How would I go there without her? We had been to the same field a few years back. I still remember all her words. Poor soul! She wanted me to be the best. Today she is not with me. All my queries died inside me. I know there is no one to answer me as she did. The more I thought about her the more brave I became. A strange power overpowered me. I have decided to go to the field and complete e picture. But each moment I stood there, I was wreathing in pain. My eyes welled up. I
couldn’t help thinking about her. But finally, I made it. I completed the picture. My little sister’s love and my grief made me overcome the difficulty. Everyone who saw the picture said that the picture was amazing. But I know it is my sister who helped me to complete it. May her soul rest in peace.

Your school has invited the young artist to congratulate him. You are the School leader. Deliver a speech congratulating the young artist.
Respected Headmaster, teachers, and my dear friends,
We know that we are gathered here for a special reason. We are blessed to have here the talented young man, who shot to fame within a very short span of time. The young man who sits in front of him is not just an awesome painter but a strong-willed and dedicated man who loved his sister too much. His painting Light on the hills has become an instant topic of discussion among the think tanks of our society and his picture has got nominated for many awards. we, are here, to congratulate this aspirant for his steadfastness and dedication towards his work. I am much delighted to express my heartfelt congratulation. At this special moment,I also would like to request the young artist to share a few words about his success story and inspire each one of us. This brave man who has overcome his grief is a good example to each of us to lead our lives forward. Once again I wish him all the best and more success.
Thank You.

You have read the story The Light on the hills. You are very Mich impressed by the boys' success. Write a letter to him congratulating him.

Kozhikode
10.10.17.

Dear Rohan,
I am Shyam from Kozhikode .You may not know me. I have read your story. I’m quite impressed by it. I was so surprised and I really appreciate your hard work and dedication. Moreover, you are a brave soul. You have bravely withstood the test of trials. Not everyone can do that. Hats off to you. You taught me a new lesson. Lingering on the sad events would not give you anything, instead, if you can turn that painful event into something positive, you could reap in success. You proved that love could make possible all the impossible, in this world. I am a great fan of yours. Thank you for instilling courage and confidence in me through your story. You are a good example to emulate. I wish you succees.
Yours faithfully
Shyam.



ഈ ബ്ലോഗിലെ എല്ലാ പോസ്റ്റുകളും ഒരുമിച്ച് കാണാനും ആവശ്യമുള്ളവ എളുപ്പത്തിൽ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കാനും ഇവിടെ ക്ലിക്കുക.

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