NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English (Poorvi) Unit 1: Chapter 2 - A Concrete Example

Chapter 2, "A Concrete Example", is a charming and insightful poem that appears in the NCERT Class 8 English syllabus. This work, often attributed to poet Reginald Arkell, is a brilliant study in contrasting perspectives. The poem describes the garden of Mrs. Jones, the narrator’s next-door neighbour. However, Mrs Jones’s garden is far from the conventional flower-filled paradise; it is dominated by stones, a "crazy path", and unusual ornaments.

The title itself is a clever play on words (a pun), as "concrete" literally refers to the stones and hard surfaces in the garden and symbolically refers to a clear, definite example of someone’s peculiar tastes and unique approach to life. The poem serves as a lesson for young readers on the idea that beauty is subjective and that unconventional choices, when pursued with dedication, can hold their own unique charm and merit. It encourages students to look closer at the world and appreciate the different ways people express their creativity and personality.

We provide comprehensive NCERT Solutions to help students analyse the poem's literary devices, understand the character of Mrs. Jones, and prepare their answers to all textbook questions effectively. These solutions are carefully designed to match the NCERT Class 8 English syllabus, providing clear and helpful explanations to boost students' understanding and appreciation of literature. These resources are perfect for homework assistance, test preparation, and in-depth poetic analysis.

1.0Download NCERT Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 2 - A Concrete Example: Free PDF

In Class 8 English – Chapter 2, "A Concrete Example", students learn important lessons about perspective and the appreciation of unconventional beauty. Our NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English enable you to understand the poem’s deep meaning and poetic techniques more clearly. 

2.0Class 8 English Chapter 2 - A Concrete Example: Brief Explanation

The poem unfolds as the narrator visits Mrs Jones’s garden. The description is immediate and striking: the garden is "full of stones," featuring a "rockery", a "crazy path", and a sundial with a "strange device". The flowers, which the narrator expects to see, are so tiny and few that they are barely noticeable—the narrator even accidentally steps on one while enthusiastically searching for a "lovely thing".

Mrs. Jones, far from being disappointed, displays immense pride, patience, and good humour about her unique creation. She cultivates only the most "delicate" and small flowers, planting them carefully between the stones. This contrast between the harsh, fixed nature of the stones and the fragility of the tiny flowers is central to the poem’s meaning. The poem gently highlights that Mrs. Jones finds beauty in the unconventional, valuing her own unique vision over traditional gardening standards. The poem’s tone is light-hearted and amusing, making Mrs. Jones a truly endearing character.

Important Lessons from This Chapter

• Beauty is Subjective: The chapter clearly illustrates that what one person considers ordinary (stones) or disappointing (tiny flowers), another can view as a unique, beautiful work of art.
• The Power of Unconventionality: Mrs. Jones’s garden, though non-traditional, reflects her individual personality and creative spirit, teaching students to value uniqueness.
• Deeper Meanings in Simple Things: The title’s pun suggests that a physical object ("concrete" pavement/stones) can represent a clear philosophical idea ("concrete example" of unique taste).
• The Contrast Between Appearances and Reality: The speaker initially judges the garden by its lack of flowers, but the ensuing conversation reveals the charm and dedication of Mrs. Jones.

3.0NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 2 - A Concrete Example: Detailed Solutions

Let us discuss

I Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker’s next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. . Her garden includes a peculiar 2. , a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual

3. that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. . One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. flower is,

Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. on it all along. Answer:

1. stones
2. path
3. device
4. delicate
5. pin
6. flower
7. lovely
8. standing

2. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.
3. 1. The tone of the poem is .
   2. 1. mocking
      2. humorous
      3. mournful
      4. amusing
      5. light-hearted

A. (i), (ii), and (iii)

B. (i), (ii), and (v)

C. (ii), (iii), and (iv)

D. (ii), (iv), and (v)

Answer:

D. (ii), (iv), and (v)

2. The speaker in the poem is .
3. 1. Mrs. Jones
   2. the poet
   3. a gardener
   4. a child Answer: the poet
3. The rhyme scheme of the poem is .
4. 1. AABBCC
   2. ABABCC
   3. AABCAC
   4. ABBACC

Answer:

1. AABBCC
2. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct answer given in the brackets.
3. 1. The poet uses the word ‘stones’ in all stanzas in order to emphasise

her . (obsession with a stony garden/pride in gardening skills)

2. The poet uses imagery to describe the features of the garden that help readers . (understand Mrs. Jones’ love for plants/visualise

the garden’s peculiar nature)

Answer:

1. obsession with a stony garden
2. visualise the garden’s peculiar nature
3. Pick examples of alliteration from the poem. Answer:

puts plants, flower for quite a quarter

5. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase that appears in each stanza. Identify the refrain from the poem.

Answer:

My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones.

6. Irony is a literary device that emphasises the difference between what is expected and what actually happens. It often involves a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected, creating a surprising or

a humorous effect. For example, Mrs. Jones’ excitement about her garden contrasts with the speaker’s disappointment on how ordinary it is.

Identify the line(s) from the poem that display(s) situational irony.

Answer

“You’re standing on it,” she replied.

7. Complete the following sentences appropriately.
8. 1. The word ‘concrete’ can refer to in Mrs. Jones’ garden.

Answer:

the stones and hard surfaces

2. The title also has a symbolic meaning, as the poem provides a clear or ‘concrete’ example of Mrs. Jones’ gardening habits.

Answer:

clear or fixed

8. The title ‘A Concrete Example’ carries both literal and symbolic (metaphorical) meaning. Such word play is called a pun. A pun is a figure of speech that uses words with multiple meanings or words that sound alike but have different meanings, creating a humorous effect.

• I tried arguing with my pencil but it kept making sharp points. (suggests the idea of an actual sharp pencil point and strong argument points) Answer:

Literal: Garden made of concrete/stones

• My pencil and I had a disagreement but we finally got to the point.

(refers to solving an argument and the pencil’s tip)

Answer:

Metaphorical: Clear example of Mrs. Jones’ strange gardening style

Let us think and reflect

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

1. My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones, has got a garden full of stones:

A crazy path, a lily pond,

a rockery and, just beyond

A sundial with a strange device, which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.

1. What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones’s taste in gardening from the description of her garden being ‘full of stones’?

Answer:

She prefers minimalism and unusual garden design.

2. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.

The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.

Answer:

True

3. What does the poet mean by ‘crazy path’?

Answer:

By the term ‘crazy path’ the poet means a path with an odd or irregular arrangement.

4. What does the sundial with a ‘strange device’ suggest about Mrs. Jones’ personality?

A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

B. She prefers traditional garden decorations.

C. She is uninterested in her garden’s appearance.

D. She likes modern and expensive items. Answer:

A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

II Answer the following questions.

1. How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

Answer:

Mrs. Jones takes pride in her unique garden. She sees beauty in its tiny elements.

2. Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?

Answer:

The speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin because they are so small and delicate.

3. What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones—based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?

Answer:

Based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker, it is obvious that Mrs. Jones is detail- oriented, eccentric, and values things that others may overlook.

4. The poem portrays Mrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.

Answer: Yes, she is shown as someone with a strong taste and passion for gardening. Gardening encourages planting trees.

5. What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?

Answer:

People find beauty in different things; it encourages respecting varied views.

4.0Key Features of the Poem and Solutions

• Use of Poetic Devices (Pun): The chapter’s title, "A Concrete Example," uses a pun to combine a literal description (garden full of stone/concrete) with a symbolic meaning (a clear illustration of uniqueness).
• Vivid Imagery: The poem creates strong visual contrasts, such as the crazy path and the delicate, tiny flowers, to paint a memorable picture of the setting.
• Character Study: It effectively uses the garden to reveal the personality of Mrs. Jones—patient, imaginative, proud, and unconventional—as an indirect form of characterisation.
• Comprehensive Question Coverage: The NCERT Solutions provide in-depth analysis for all comprehension questions, including those on poetic devices, inference, and character analysis.
• Focus on Theme and Tone: Solutions guide students in identifying the poem’s light-hearted, humorous, and non-mocking tone, essential for literary appreciation.
• Vocabulary Enhancement: The exercises help students understand words like 'peculiar,' 'dainty,' and 'exclaimed' in the context of poetry.