Class 8 English Chapter 2 My Native Land
Subject: English
Board: SEBA Assam
Medium: English
Introduction
My Native Land is a poem in which a young speaker describes the sights, sounds and smells of their homeland to an old blind man. The poem uses the senses touch, hearing and smell to paint a vivid picture of Assam’s natural beauty, festivals and local life.
Textual Questions and Answers
1. Read the poem and answer these questions
- (a) What does the old man ask the poet?
The old man asks the poet to tell him what his land is like. - (b) Why does the old man ask this question?
He is blind and cannot see; he wants to know how his land looks, sounds and feels. - (c) How does the poet address the old man? What does it mean?
The poet calls him “Koka,” which means grandfather in Assamese. - (d) Why does the poet ask the old man to breathe deep?
So that the old man can feel the warm air and remember the sensations of his childhood land. - (e) With what does the poet compare the cool breeze?
The poet compares the cool breeze to the peaceful breath of his land. - (f) With what does the poet compare the gurgling of the little baby?
The poet links the gurgling to the soil of the land, indicating life and freshness. - (g) What does the chorus of the cuckoo and sparrows do?
Their chorus plays around the treetops and fills the land with song and joy. - (h) What things together create the soul of the poet’s beloved country?
Traditional instruments (dhol, pepa, gogona), local foods (pitha, laroo), prayers and natural sounds together create the soul of the land.
2. Match the stanzas with summaries (short answers)
- Stanza (a): The poet feels safe in his native land, like a baby carried on its mother’s back.
- Stanza (b): Unity in diversity — different people and traditions form one community.
- Stanza (c): The blind old man asks the poet to describe the land.
- Stanza (d): The land is rich with birds, animals, greenery and cultural sounds.
- Stanza (e): The touch of the native land is peaceful and refreshing like a cool breeze.
3. Senses used by the poet
Touch: warm air, cool breeze.
Hearing: cuckoo, sparrows, dhol, pepa, gogona.
Smell: aroma of pitha and laroo.
4. Match words with meanings
| Word | Meaning |
| thunder | loud explosive sound after lightning |
| morn | morning |
| contented | satisfied |
| gurgling | happy bubbling sound made by babies |
| chorus | group of sounds or voices singing together |
| aroma | strong pleasant smell |
| sturdy | strong and firm |
5. Pronunciation practice (examples)
Pairs: sturdy / study, breathe / breed, warm / worm, rain / ran, than / then, church / search, deep / dip, land / lend.
Sample sentences for practice:
- The sturdy boys study hard.
- The worms come out when the weather is warm.
- They lend their plough to till the land.
- The river is too deep to take a dip.
6. Musical instruments mentioned
- dhol – drum used in Bihu
- pepa – pipe made from buffalo horn
- gogona – a small string instrument used during husori
7. Letter writing (sample)
Task: Write a letter inviting a friend to your house during Rongali Bihu. Include special foods and rituals.
Sample letter:
Your address
Morigaon, Assam
Date: 10 April 2025
Dear [Friend’s name],
I hope you are well. Rongali Bihu is near and I invite you to my home to celebrate. We will prepare pitha, laroo and other traditional dishes. There will be husori performances and family rituals. Please come and join us for the festivities.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
8. Listening / Role play (notes)
The chapter suggests a listening activity about an American tourist called Gordon who visits the Jonbeel Mela. He hears about Kaziranga and other attractions and wants to visit Assam’s famous places.
9. Onomatopoeic words (matching)
| Cow | moo |
| Owl | hoot |
| Hen | cluck |
| Lamb | bleat |
| Parrot | screech |
| Pigeon | coo |
| Crow | caw |
| Snake | hiss |
10. Grammar – Indirect speech (imperative)
Example: Direct – “Tell me what my land is like.”
Indirect – The old man asked me to tell him what his land was like.
Practice conversions (short answers):
(a) The poet asked the old man to feel the cool breeze.
(b) The man asked me to listen to the gurgling of the baby.
(c) The teacher told us to enjoy our holidays.
(d) She asked me to tell her my mobile phone number.
(e) My mother told me to always obey my teachers.
11. Group / Pair activity (short)
Discuss what inspires you most about your native land – rivers, forests, wildlife, festivals and the friendly people. Note down two lines you can present in class.
12. Practical activity – Making pitha (short steps)
Ingredients: sticky rice (bora rice), black sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gur).
Method: soak rice, dry and grind into flour; roast sesame, mix with melted jaggery for filling; spread rice flour on hot pan, add filling, roll and toast till crisp.