NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English (Poorvi) Unit 3: Chapter 14 - Magnifying Glass

Chapter 14, "Magnifying Glass," is an intellectually stimulating chapter in the NCERT Class 8 English textbook (Poorvi) that explores the wonders of science, observation, and the hidden details of the natural world. The narrative centres on the simple yet profound tool—the magnifying glass—and how it alters the protagonist's perspective on their surroundings. It transitions from a mere toy to a gateway into a "micro-universe" teeming with life and complexity.

This chapter serves as an excellent lesson in scientific temper and curiosity. It imparts to Class 8 students the understanding that the world extends beyond what is immediately visible. By following the protagonist's journey of discovery, students are encouraged to slow down, look more closely, and appreciate the fine details of everyday objects, from the veins of a leaf to the scales of an insect's wing.

We provide comprehensive NCERT Solutions to help students understand the descriptive language, the technical aspects of optics discussed in the text, and the deeper philosophical themes of perception. Our solutions perfectly align with the latest NCERT syllabus, offering clear, concise, and informative answers for exam preparation.

1.0Download NCERT Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 14 - Magnifying Glass: Free PDF

In Class 8 English – Chapter 14, "Magnifying Glass", students learn about the power of observation and the beauty of the microscopic world. Our NCERT Solutions for Class 8 offer detailed summaries and solved exercises to help you excel. Download the free PDF below.

2.0Class 8 English Chapter 14 - Magnifying Glass: Brief Explanation

The story follows a young, curious student who receives a magnifying glass as a gift. Initially, the protagonist uses it for simple tricks but soon becomes fascinated by the hidden structures of everyday objects. The chapter describes the "visual shocks" of seeing a tiny ant appear like a formidable monster or discovering that a "smooth" piece of paper is actually a forest of tangled fibers.

The narrative explains the basic principle of how a convex lens works—bending light to make objects appear larger. However, the true focus is on the emotional and intellectual "magnification". The protagonist realizes that knowledge acts like a lens; the more you know, the more you see. The chapter concludes with a sense of wonder, implying that the most spectacular things in the world are often the smallest ones that are right in front of us.

Important Lessons from This Chapter

• The Power of Observation: True discovery doesn't always require traveling to far-off lands; it requires looking at your own backyard with a new perspective.
• Scientific Curiosity: The chapter encourages students to ask "what" and "how" about the physical world.
• Appreciation for Detail: It highlights the complexity of nature, showing that even the simplest organisms are marvels of engineering.
• Knowledge as a Lens: Just as the glass magnifies physical objects, education magnifies our understanding of life.

3.0NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 14 - Magnifying Glass: Detailed Solutions

Let us discuss

I Complete the summary of the poem given below with suitable words from the poem.

The poem describes the magic of seeing the world through a 1. . It reveals how tiny things like 2. and 3. can appear vast and complex. Even a 4. of water can seem like a hive of 5. . The poet is impressed at how the spider spins its 6. from its 7. . The poem ends with the idea that, through lenses, the 8. could seem within reach.

Answer:

1. magnifying glass
2. moss
3. chalk
4. drop
5. bees
6. web
7. spinnerets
8. moon

II Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from the brackets.

1. The main idea of the poem is the transformative power of (wonders in nature/close observation) through the magnifying glass.
2. The tone of the poem is . (wonder and curiosity/peaceful and emotional)
3. The poem has stanzas with lines in each stanza. Hence, it is a quatrain. (four; six/six; four)
4. The rhyme scheme of the poem is . (ABCD; ABCB) Answer:
5. 1. close observation
   2. wonder and curiosity
   3. six /four
   4. ABCB

III Pick examples from the poem for the following poetic devices.

1. Simile
2. Alliteration
3. Metaphor Answer:
4. 1. A drop of water/Like hive of bees Yes, and with lenses like it
   2. Shells show, forest-flowers, wait and watch, woven web-silk, make more marvellous
   3. “Magic talk” (the magnifying glass is not literally talking)

The whole poem is metaphorical in how it compares ordinary things to magical wonders.

IV The poem is rich in visual imagery, painting vivid pictures of small, everyday things magnified into something grand.

1. In the line, ‘A myriad shells show in a scrap of chalk’, the magnifying glass reveals .
2. In the line, ‘A forest—flowers and trees’ the poet uses the imagery of nature to emphasise . Answer:
3. the hidden patterns or fossil-like structures in something as simple as chalk.
4. how a tiny patch of moss can look like an entire forest under magnification.

V Complete the following sentences with a reason.

1. The poet uses exclamation marks in lines, ‘The tigerish claws he has!’, ‘With all those eyes!’ and ‘In an afternoon!’ because it .
2. In the phrase, ‘Magic talk’ the poet uses personification to describe the magnifying glass because it .
3. Each stanza follows a repetitive pattern of introducing a small or ordinary object and then describing the extraordinary details revealed through magnification. This is because it supports the theme of as the speaker reveals .
4. In the final stanza the poet shifts from small, everyday objects being magnified to a celestial body like moon because .

Answer:

1. expresses his sense of amazement and excitement at what he sees through the magnifying glass.
2. seems to reveal secrets or tell stories that are otherwise hidden from the naked eye.
3. curiosity and discovery; how much beauty and wonder exists in small things.
4. it shows how far human curiosity and observation can go, even reaching space through lenses like telescopes.

Let us think and reflect

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. With this round glass I can make Magic talk— A myriad shells show

In a scrap of chalk;

Of but an inch of moss

A forest—flowers and trees;

1. Identify whether the following statement is true or false. The poet uses his magical powers to make the round glass powerful.

Answer: False

2. Select the line from the extract that expresses the presence of intricate patterns in ordinary objects.

Answer: “A myriad shells show / In a scrap of chalk”

3. What does the comparison of ‘an inch of moss’ to a ‘forest’ suggest about the speaker’s view of the world through the magnifying glass?

Answer: It suggests that the speaker sees immense beauty and complexity in even the tiniest parts of nature. Through the magnifying glass, the ordinary becomes grand and magical.

4. How does the poet feel about the ability of the magnifying glass to reveal hidden wonders?
5. 1. Satisfied
   2. Fascinated
   3. Grateful
   4. Determined Answer: B. Fascinated

II Answer the following questions.

1. What is the significance of the spider in the poem?

Answer: The spider represents skill, precision, and natural beauty. The poet admires how the spider spins its web using its spinnerets and how even its small, tiger-like claws become visible through magnification. It reflects the hidden intricacies of life that are revealed when observed closely.

2. How might the speaker’s view of the natural world change if there was no use of a magnifying glass?

Answer: Without a magnifying glass, the speaker might miss the minute details and hidden beauty of small things. The natural world would seem ordinary rather than extraordinary and magical, and the sense of curiosity and wonder would be diminished.

3. Why does the poem end with the idea of the moon being within reach?

Answer: The poem ends with the idea of the moon being within reach to show that scientific instruments like lenses and telescopes can expand our reach and imagination. It suggests that human curiosity and observation can take us beyond the Earth, even to celestial bodies like the moon.

4. What is the speaker’s attitude towards nature and the act of observation?

Answer: The speaker has a deep sense of curiosity, fascination, and admiration for nature. He sees observation as a way to uncover hidden beauty and believes that even the smallest things hold wonder and mystery when seen up close.

5. Which is your favourite part of the poem? Why?

Answer: My favourite part is “A drop of water/ Like hive of bees” because it beautifully compares a simple drop of water to a busy beehive, showing how full of life and activity even the smallest things can be when seen through a magnifying glass. It reminds me to appreciate the hidden wonders all around me.

4.0Key Features of the Story and Solutions

• Descriptive Prose: The solutions analyze how the author uses vivid adjectives to describe the microscopic world (e.g., crystalline, intricate, formidable).
• Technical Integration: We explain the basic science of the Convex Lens mentioned in the text, helping students bridge the gap between English and Physics.
• Theme of Perception: Detailed analysis of how the protagonist’s attitude changes from boredom to intense interest.
• Vocabulary Enrichment: Includes meanings for words like convex, refraction, minute, sturdy, and specimen.
• Character Development: A look at the protagonist's growth as an amateur scientist and observer.
• Interactive Exercises: Solutions for "Let's Explore" sections that encourage students to perform their own simple observation experiments.