Class 8 English Chapter 3 Explore India : Quiz Time

Subject: English
Board: SEBA Assam
Medium: English

Introduction

“Explore India: Quiz Time” is a lively lesson presented in the form of a quiz competition.
It helps students learn about India’s history, geography, and culture through a fun and interactive format.
The quiz includes questions about important places, freedom fighters, monuments, and symbols of our nation.

Summary

The chapter describes a State Level School Quiz Competition where five school teams—A, B, C, D, and E—take part.
The quiz is hosted by Anjali Das, and conducted by Quizmaster P. K. Baruah. The scorer is Aparna.
Teams represent different zones of Assam. Through five rounds of questions, the students answer about Indian culture,
geography, history, and national symbols. The team from R.K.M. School, Cachar, wins and is selected to represent Assam in the National Quiz Competition.

Textual Questions and Answers

1. Answer the following questions:

(a) What is a quiz?
A quiz is a competition or game where participants answer questions to test their knowledge.
(b) How many school teams participated in the quiz programme for the selection phase?
Five school teams participated in the quiz programme.
(c) Who was the Quizmaster?
The Quizmaster was Mr. P. K. Baruah.
(d) What were the rules of the quiz as announced by the scorer Aparna?
There were five rounds. Each team would get one direct question.
Ten marks were awarded for every correct answer and five marks for a passed-over question.
There were no negative marks.
(e) Which team was the winner of the State Level School Quiz Competition?
Team D from R.K.M. School, Cachar, was the winner.

2. Complete the following sentences:

(a) The ancient name of Assam was Kamrup.
(b) Su-ka-pha established the Ahom kingdom in Assam in the year 1228 AD.
(c) Myanmar does not share its border with Assam.
(d) The capital of Assam during the Ahom rule was Sivasagar.
(e) The colours of our tricolour National Flag are saffron, white, and green.
(f) White stands for peace and truth.
(g) Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar in the state of Gujarat.
(h) Amritsar in Punjab is famous for the Golden Temple.
(i) The largest population of Indian rhinos can be seen in Kaziranga National Park.
(j) The ancient name of Patna, the capital of Bihar, was Pataliputra.
(k) The Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest free-standing stone tower, was built in 1193 AD by Qutubuddin Aibak.

3. Match the statements under A with those under B:

A	B
1. One name by which India is known is Hindustan.	4. ‘Bharat’ or ‘Bharatvarsha’ is another name for it.
2. The colour of the first band of our flag is saffron.	1. It signifies courage and sacrifice.
3. The blue wheel in the centre of the flag is called the Ashok Chakra.	2. It signifies life in movement and death in stagnation.
4. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal.	5. It was in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
5. Dandi in Gujarat is famous for a historical event.	3. Gandhi’s Salt March started here in 1930.

4. True or False (listening activity):

(a) The announcement is about the incessant rains in Assam. – False
(b) The announcement is about postponing the quiz programme. – True
(c) The quiz programme has been postponed indefinitely. – False
(d) The quiz programme has been rescheduled for next Monday. – True
(e) The next date of the quiz has been notified in the announcement. – True
(f) The participants of other districts are requested to go back. – True
(g) The new date for the quiz will be notified shortly. – False
(h) Students of the venue school are asked to go to their classes. – True

5. Grammar – Question Words:

Example sentences:
(a) How do you spend your free time?
(b) What is your free-time activity?
Words like what, where, when, who, whose, how are called Question Words.

Write questions for the given answers:

(a) We are from C.R. School, Tinsukia. → Where are you from?
(b) You will get ten marks for a direct question. → How many marks will you get for a direct question?
(c) Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife. → Who built the Taj Mahal?
(d) Guru Ram Das built the Golden Temple. → Who built the Golden Temple?
(e) The historic Salt March started at Dandi in Gujarat. → Where did the Salt March start?
(f) Kaziranga is famous for the one-horned rhino. → What is Kaziranga famous for?
(g) The winner of today’s quiz is Team D. → Who is the winner of today’s quiz?

6. Yes/No Questions

(a) Are you representing the East Zone? → Yes, we are representing the East Zone.
(b) Is Tezpur Academy in Sonitpur? → Yes, Tezpur Academy is in Sonitpur.
(c) Will the winning team represent Assam in the National School Quiz? → Yes, it will.
(d) Was the ancient name of Assam Kamatapur? → No, it was not Kamatapur.
(e) Was the capital of Assam during the Ahom rule Cooch Behar? → No, it was Sivasagar.
(f) Does saffron signify courage and sacrifice? → Yes, it does.
(g) Is Porbandar located in Madhya Pradesh? → No, it is in Gujarat.

7. Writing Task – Notice

Question: Imagine you are members of the literary and cultural forum of your school. Write a notice inviting participants to join the Zonal Level Quiz Competition to be held on October 2nd at 10 a.m.

Sample Notice:

NOTICE
ZONAL LEVEL QUIZ COMPETITION
Our school is organizing a Zonal Level Quiz Competition on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, 
on 2nd October (Monday) at 10 a.m. in the school auditorium. Students interested in participating 
are requested to give their names to the undersigned by 28th September.
For details, contact the Literary and Cultural Forum.

(Signature)
School Captain

8. Activity – Project Work

Prepare a short project on the following topics:
Pragjyotishpur, The Ahoms, Bharatvarsha, The Taj Mahal, and The Golden Temple.
Use pictures, charts, and maps to make the presentation more attractive.

Conclusion

“Explore India: Quiz Time” teaches students about India’s pride and heritage in an enjoyable way.
It builds general knowledge and teamwork skills through friendly competition.