Kerala Syllabus Class 8 English - Little Things Matter - Summary, Questions and Answers

Kerala Syllabus Class 8 English - Study Note on "Little Things Matter " | Std 8 English Unit - 1 Bonds of Life - Chapter 3 - Little Things Matter - Summary, Questions and Answers

എട്ടാം ക്ലാസ് English ലെ Unit I Bonds of Life ലെ Little Things Matter എന്ന പാഠത്തെ അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കി തയ്യാറാക്കിയ Summary, Questions and Answers. 
 
Class 8 English - Chapter 3 Little Things Matter  
∎SSLC English Study Notes
♦ Summary of ''Little Things Matter''
• In the excerpt “Little Things Matter”, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam recalls an important time from his childhood during World War II. He was just eight years old when his cousin Samsuddin gave him the job of collecting newspaper bundles from the railway station and delivering them around Rameswaram town. It was a time of difficulty, as the war brought rationing of goods. Kalam saw how his family, especially the women, struggled and sacrificed for the children.
Though very young, he was excited to take responsibility and earn a little money to help his family. Every day, he woke up early for maths tuition, went to Arabic school, ran to the station to collect the newspapers, delivered them across town, attended school, and helped Samsuddin again in the evening with accounts.
Through this experience, Kalam learned discipline, time management, and the value of hard work. Reading the newspapers also opened his eyes to the wider world, and he began dreaming of visiting big cities and meeting great leaders. Even though the work was tiring, the support of his family and his sense of duty kept him going with a smile.

While we read
1. How did Kalam stay in touch with news from India on his travels abroad?
During his travels abroad, Kalam stayed in touch with news from India by going online to read news articles and editorials in magazines and papers.


2. Mention a few people who influenced Kalam’s early life.
Samsuddin and Jalalluddin influenced Kalam’s early life.

3. What was the effect of the sanctions on Kalam’s family? How did the
family cope with this?
Kalam’s large family felt the difficulties of procuring food, clothes and needs
of children acutely. The women in the family compromised on their nutrition,
feeding the children first and reducing their own portions.

4. Why does young Kalam say 'my enthusiasm knew no bounds'?
Young Kalam said this because he was thrilled to take up a job at the age of eight that would help support his family. It made him feel proud and responsible.

5. What was the condition posed by the mathematics teacher and how did it impact Kalam's daily schedule?
The teacher’s condition was that students should arrive at his home at dawn after taking a bath. So, Kalam had to start his day while it was still dark outside, in order to keep his schedule of tuition, Arabic classes, newspaper delivery, and school balanced.

6. How did Kalam go about the work of newspaper distribution?
He reached the station on time and stood at the right spot to watch the
newspaper bundles being thrown from the moving train. He collected them, divided
them by neighbourhood, and tore around Rameswaram delivering the papers.

7. Newspapers opened up new worlds for young Kalam. Do you agree? Give
reasons.
Yes, I agree. Through newspapers, Kalam became aware of national leaders, freedom movements, and global events. He developed a curiosity about the outside world and began dreaming of visiting big cities and meeting great people.

8. Kalam says he grew “taller and browner” in a year. What does this suggest?
It suggests his physical growth and outdoor exposure due to his constant running around in the sun while delivering newspapers.

9. How was Kalam able to ignore the intense tiredness at the end of each day?
Kalam ignored the intense tiredness because he knew his work was helping his family.
Let’s rewind:
A.  Go through the passage and choose the most suitable of the options given.
1. What motivated Abdul Kalam to take on the newspaper delivery?
 A. to satisfy his desire for adventure 
B. to fulfil a school requirement 
C. to impress his friends 
D. to help and support his family
Answer:
D. to help and support his family

2. What do you think was the biggest challenge Abdul Kalam faced as a newspaper delivery boy?
A. the need to balance work and learning 
B. ill-health 
C. dissatisfied customers 
D. lack of transportation
Answer:
A. the need to balance work and learning 

3. What was the major effect of World War II on Kalam’s family?
 They ...
A. lived in fear. 
B. had to ration food.
C. lost their house. 
D. lived in a relief shelter.
Answer:
B. had to ration food.

4. What important skill did Kalam develop by newspaper delivery?
A. cycling     
B. technical skills
C. time management  
D.  reading skills
Answer:
C. time management  

B. Revisit the story and respond to the following questions.
1.  What did Kalam’s mother do to support him in his daily routine?
Kalam’s mother woke him up early every day and prepared food for him. She made sure he had everything he needed before he left for school and work. Her care and support helped Kalam manage his routing smoothly. 

2. Kalam balanced his work and school, playing his part in a way that truly mattered. What is your opinion on children evolving into responsible members of the family?
When children take small responsibilities at home, they learn the value of hard work and care for others. It inspires them to grow into kind, strong and responsible people. Like Kalam, such children often go on to do great things in life.

Let’s recall and recreate:
Activity 2
♦ Samsuddin offers young Kalam the job of collecting and distributing newspapers from the railway station. He readily agrees to this. Write the likely conversation between them.
Samsuddin: Abdul, I need your help with newspaper delivery.
Kalam: Sure, Anna! What should I do?
Samsuddin: You know the train no longer stops at Rameswaram due to the war situation. The newspapers are thrown from the moving train. I need someone to collect and distribute them quickly.
Kalam: I can do it! I’ll wake up early and help you.
Samsuddin: Are you sure? It’s not easy.
Kalam: I want to help. I’ll do my best.
Samsuddin: Thank you, Abdul. I’m proud of you.
Kalam: I’m happy to help, Anna!
Let’s play with words:
Activity 1
A. Read the following passage from ‘Little Things Matter’.
Samsuddin had great affection for me and encouraged me in so many ways, that he became a guiding light for me.

• What could be the meaning of ‘a guiding light’ in this context? Discuss.
In this context, ‘a guiding light’ means someone who inspires, supports, and
shows the right path in life. Samsuddin was like a mentor to young Kalam—he
guided, motivated, and helped him grow into a responsible person.

• What do we call such phrases?
Phrases like ‘a guiding light’ are called idioms
An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of its individual words.
B.  Now, match the following idiomatic phrases with their corresponding 
meanings. You may refer to a dictionary.
Idioms Meaning
• Keep an eye out• stay connected
• Stay in touch• to do what one promised
• Keep one's word• to watch carefully for something or someone to appear
Answer:
Idioms Meaning
• Keep an eye out• to watch carefully for something or someone to appear
• Stay in touch• stay connected
• Keep one's word• to do what one promised
C. Fill in the blanks with suitable idiomatic phrases from the table above.
Mani’s father asked Granny and Mani to ………………….. with him during their journey to Nain and to return the next day. When it was time for their arrival, he couldn’t help but………………………… for them. They ………………….. and arrived on time.
Answer:
Mani’s father asked Granny and Mani to stay in touch with him during their journey to Nain and to return the next day. When it was time for their arrival, he couldn’t help but keep an eye out for them. They kept their word and arrived on time.

Activity 2
A. Read the following sentences.
When I was about eight, World War II broke out. Daily life, however, remained fairly unaffected initially, particularly for us in the southern tip of the country.
What might be the meaning of the phrasal verb ‘broke out’ in this context?
In this context, the phrasal verb “broke out” means that World War II suddenly began or started—usually implying that the event happened unexpectedly or erupted with force.

B.  Now, try to use the phrasal verbs given in the box below and complete young Kalam's diary. One has been done for you.
look forward to, hang in, carry on, toss out, pore over
20 Dec.1939, Saturday
It is a wonderful day, indeed. As always, I ……………….reaching the railway station as early as possible. I knew that the bundles of newspapers would be tossed out of the moving train and I had to catch them. I know it isn’t easy for a child of eight like me, But, I will do it. I can’t complain. I will have to ……………… somehow. It is my responsibility to help my parents. I can’t contribute much, but the little that I do matters. I think I will have to …………….. and play my part. Moreover, after distributing all the newspapers, just to …………….. the news is great fun and a means of acquiring knowledge. Oh God! Let me always have the strength to help my parents.
Answer:
20 Dec.1939, Saturday
It is a wonderful day, indeed. As always, I look forward to reaching the railway station as early as possible. I knew that the bundles of newspapers would be tossed out of the moving train, and I had to catch them. I know it isn’t easy for a child of eight like me, but I will do it. I can’t complain. I will have to hang in somehow. It is my responsibility to help my parents. I can’t contribute much, but the little that I do matters. I think I will have to carry on and play my part. Moreover, after distributing all the newspapers, just to pore over the news is great fun and a means of acquiring knowledge. Oh God! Let me always have the strength to help my parents.
Let’s analyse:
Activity 1
A. Read the following passages.
In the course of their journey Granny and Mani witnessed a landslide. This caused them some discomfort and inconvenience. Natural disasters may sometimes be the result of human activities. Don't you agree? If we care for nature, nature will surely protect us.
Granny’s eyesight was growing steadily weaker. She couldn’t see anything properly. Mani thought that if she got new glasses, she could see properly. 

Write the highlighted sentences of the passages above in the space given.
a) If we care for nature, nature will surely protect us. 
b) if she got new glasses, she could see properly.  

One part of the given sentences expresses a condition and the other its consequence.
Now, note the conditions and the consequences and write them in the table below.
Condition Consequence
• If we care for nature• Nature will surely protect us
• If she got herself new glasses• She could see properly
B. Discuss the differences in meaning between the two sentences.
a) If we care for nature, nature will surely protect us. 
This sentence talks about a possible or probable future situation. It means that if we take steps to protect and care for the environment, nature will return to safeguard us from harm, such as natural disasters. It is a general truth or strong possibility.

b) if she got new glasses, she could see properly. 
This sentence talks about an improbable or unreal situation in the present. It means that she doesn't have glasses now, but if she did, her vision would improve. It expresses a hope or possibility that is not yet real.

C. Now, write down the sentences in the situations in which you would use them.
Possible/or probable situation Improbable, unreal or imaginary situation
• If we care for nature, nature will surely protect us.• if she got new glasses, she could see properly. 
Conditionals which express possible or probable situations are called Type 1 conditionals and those that express improbable, unreal or imaginary situations are called Type 2 conditionals.