If you're a student in Class 8 studying English, you may be looking for NCERT solutions for Chapter 10 of the Honeydew textbook - The Great Stone Face

Introduction to The Great Stone Face 2.

The Great Stone Face 2 is a chapter in the Class 8 English textbook, Honeydew. It is a continuation of the story from The Great Stone Face 1, where a young boy named Ernest dreams of meeting a man who resembles the Great Stone Face, a natural rock formation in his village. In The Great Stone Face 2, Ernest is now a grown man and still searching for the man who resembles the Great Stone Face. The chapter explores themes of identity, fame, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Great stone face 2 chapter summary

The Great Stone Face 2 is a chapter in the Class 8 English textbook, Honeydew. It continues the story of Ernest, who is now a grown man still searching for the man who resembles the Great Stone Face. The chapter explores themes of identity, fame, and the pursuit of happiness. In the end, Ernest realizes that the man he has been searching for is actually a humble and kind person who has been living in his village all along. The chapter teaches important lessons about the true meaning of success and happiness.

The Great Stone Face II is a fanciful short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne that focuses on Ernest and his noble characteristics and how people perceived him as a deserving person identical to The Great Stone Face.

The story began with a brief description of Ernest's looks in his aged years, as well as the knowledge he had accumulated over the years. He grew into a 'Man of Excellent Qualities' due to his belief in the Great Stone Face and persistent practice of his good virtues.

Many people travelled from far to meet and speak with the noble person (Ernest). One of them was a poet whose work was loved by the great Ernest, leading him to believe that the poet was the human figure of the Great Stone Face. Ernest soon realised that the poet didn't look at all like the Great Stone Face. In reality, the poet amitted that, while his concepts in the poems were worthy, they were not genuine.

Also, when the poet observed Ernest preaching to his neighbours, he felt that those were not just words but were the words of his life. And when he compared Ernest's majestic, thoughtful face to that of The Great Stone Face, he was overwhelmed by finding a similarity between both. At that exact moment, the poet exclaimed joyfully, revealing Ernest's true identity as the prophesied person whom people had waited decades to meet.

The valley inhabitants were delighted with the disclosed answer because everyone thought he was a deserving person of all ages. Ernest, who was virtuous, returned home after meeting his neighbours, hoping that someone greater and wiser than him might come to the valley eventually.

The Great stone face 2 question answer

NCERT SOLUTIONS

Questions (Page No. 132)

(Comprehension Check)

Question 1. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following statements.

a.     Ernest’s words reminded people of the wise old sayings. ______

b.    Total strangers from far away, who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar. ______

c.     The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest’s view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness. ______

d.    When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other equally. ______

e.    The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley. ______

f.      The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were far nobler than his own verses. ______

Answer:

a.     Ernest’s words reminded people of the wise old sayings. – True

b.    Total strangers from far away, who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar. – True

c.     The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest’s view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness. – False

d.    When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other equally. – True

e.    The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley. – False

f.      The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were far nobler than his own verses. – True

Questions (Page No. 133)

(Working with the text)

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. How was Ernest different from others in the valley?

Answer: Unlike other inhabitants in the valley, Ernest was a very humble, noble, thoughtful and kind-hearted person. As he grew old, he became a renowned personality and his qualities reached beyond the limits of the valley. College professors and active men of cities would come from far-off places to visit and converse with Ernest. He welcomed and received them with gentle sincerity and would talk to them freely with an open heart. He led a selfless life doing good deeds to others. He was a thoughtful person and while talking to the audience, his face would brighten up and shine upon them like a mild evening light. These are some of the ways he was different from others in the valley.

Question 2. Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?

Answer: The poet wrote beautiful songs and he celebrated the Great Stone Face in one of his poems. The songs of this poet found their way to Ernest. Ernest would read his poems and songs with great interest after his customary day at work and found them worthy of appreciation. When the poet came to visit Ernest, he gently looked at the wise and kind-hearted soul. As the poet talked to him, Ernest imagined that even the Great Stone Face would have looked so hospitably at a stranger and leaned forward to listen to their conversation. In due course, the poet pointed out that Ernest was indeed reading the poems written by him. After reading his poems, Ernest was convinced that the poet had a likeness to the Great Stone Face.

Question 3. What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?

Answer: When the poet talked with a man like Ernest who was so wise, gentle and kind, he felt as though he could hear a distant voice of a heavenly song from his views and simple thoughts. The poet strongly felt that his own life did not correspond to his thoughts although he had grand dreams, but he could never convert those to reality. The poet lacked faith in his own thoughts as he talked sadly to Ernest with teary eyes. He confessed that he was not worthy to be compared to the likeness of the Great Stone Face as his actions did not match his thoughts.

Question 4. What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face?

Answer: The poet and Ernest had a long conversation when they met. They went to a meeting place together where Ernest addressed the audience. The poet heard him speak and realised that Ernest’s words and thoughts had great depth and wisdom. He led a life of good deeds and selfless love towards whomever he was in touch with. As Ernest talked, at a distance along with the golden light of the setting sun, the Great Stone Face appeared with white mists around it just like the white hairs around the brow of Ernest. At that moment, Ernest’s face took on an expression so grand that the poet was moved and proclaimed that Ernest held a striking resemblance to the Great Stone Face. The audience also looked and consented that the poet was indeed correct in his observation. Thus, the old prophecy was fulfilled.

Question 5. Write ‘Ernest’ or ‘Poet’, against each statement below.

a.     There was a gap between his life and his words.

b.    His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts.

c.     His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream.

d.    His thoughts were worthy.

e.    Whatever he said was truth itself.

f.      His poems were noble.

g.     His life was nobler than all the poems.

h.    He lacked faith in his own thoughts.

i.       His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived.

j.      Greatness lies in truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great.

Answer:

a.     Poet

b.    Ernest

c.     Poet

d.    Ernest

e.    Ernest

f.      Poet

g.     Ernest

h.    Poet

i.       Ernest

j.      Ernest

Question 6.

a.     Who, by common consent, turned out to be like the Great Stone Face?

b.    Did Ernest believe that the old prophecy had come true? What did he say about it?

Answer:

a.     Ernest turned out to be like the Great Stone Face by common consent. He looked very wise, gentle and kind just like the Great Stone Face.

b.    No, Ernest did not believe that the old prophecy had come true. Although everyone in the audience consented that he had the likeness of the Great Stone Face, he hoped that some wiser and better man than himself would appear someday who would have a striking resemblance to the Great Stone Face.

Questions (Page No. 133-135)

(Working with language)

Question 1. Mark the meaning that best fits the word or a phrase in the story.

        i.          (sun) going down

a.     becoming smaller

b.    weakening

c.     setting

      ii.          brightening

a.     making (it) look bright and cheerful

b.    lending (it) a special glow

c.     causing (it) to appear hopeful

     iii.          spacious

a.     lonely and wild

b.    big and wide

c.     special and important

     iv.          prophecy

a.     proverb

b.    prediction

c.     rumour

       v.          marvellous

a.     wonderful

b.    surprising

c.     shocking

     vi.          proclaim

a.     reveal

b.    declare

c.     shout

   vii.          cease

a.     happen

b.    stop

c.     remain

 viii.          (a night’s) shelter

a.     stay

b.    safety

c.     hospitality

     ix.          gazed

a.     wandered about

b.    stared at

c.     thought of

       x.          took on (an expression)

a.     challenged

b.    resembled

c.     assumed

Answer:

        i.          (sun) going down

c.     setting

      ii.          brightening

b.    lending (it) a special glow

     iii.          spacious

b.    big and wide

     iv.          prophecy

b.    prediction

       v.          marvellous

a.     wonderful

     vi.          proclaim

b.    declare

   vii.          cease

b.    stop

 viii.          (a night’s) shelter

a.     stay

     ix.          Gazed

b.    stared at

       x.          took on (an expression)

c.     assumed

Question 2.

        i.          Read the following sentences.

a.     I do hope I’ll live to see him.

b.    He will come! Fear not, Ernest; the man will come.

c.     Gathergold is arriving tomorrow, people said.

d.    Blood-and-Thunder starts his journey back to the valley next week, everyone proclaimed.

e.    The great man is going to spend his old age in his native town.

Notice that in the above sentences, verbs in bold type are in four different forms, denoting four important ways of expressing future time. None of these can be said to be exclusively used to show future time, though each is used to refer to some action in future.

      ii.          Which form of the verb is more natural in these sentences? Encircle your choice.

a.     I’m not free this evening. I will work/am working on a project.

b.    Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go/am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.

c.     Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt/isn’t hurting you.

d.    The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.

e.    Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.

Answer:

       i.          Attempt it yourself by reading the sentences carefully.

     ii.           

a.     I’m not free this evening. I will work/am working on a project.

I’m not free this evening. I am working on a project.

b.    Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go/am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.

c.     Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt/isn’t hurting you.

Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt you.

d.    The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.

The weatherman has predicted that it will snow in Ranikhet tonight.

e.    Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.

Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father is coming to see her.

Question 3.

       i.          Complete these pieces of conversation using will or going to with the verbs given.

a.     Rani : Why are you turning on the radio?

Ravi : I ___________ (listen) to the news.

b.    Rani : Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.

Ravi : Don’t worry. I ___________ (lend) you some.

c.     Rani : Look at those dark clouds.

Ravi : I think it ___________ (rain).

d.    Rani : What shall we have for dinner?

Ravi : I can’t decide.

Rani : Make up your mind.

Ravi : All right, then. We ___________ (have) fried rice and dry beans.

e.    Rani : Why are you filling the kettle with water?

Ravi : I ___________ (make) coffee.

f.      Rani : We need some bread and butter for breakfast.

Ravi : All right. I ___________ (go) to the bakery and get some.

(Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)

Ravi : I ___________ (get) some bread and butter. Do you want anything from the bakery?

Father : Yes, I want some salt biscuits.

Ravi : Fine, I ___________ (get) you a packet.

     ii.          Let pairs of children take turns to speak aloud the dialogues.

Answer:

       i.           

a.     Rani : Why are you turning on the radio?

Ravi : I am going to listen to the news.

b.    Rani : Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.

Ravi : Don’t worry. I will lend you some.

c.     Rani : Look at those dark clouds.

Ravi : I think it is going to rain.

d.    Rani : What shall we have for dinner?

Ravi : I can’t decide.

Rani : Make up your mind.

Ravi : All right, then. We will have fried rice and dry beans.

e.    Rani : Why are you filling the kettle with water?

Ravi : I am going to make coffee.

f.      Rani : We need some bread and butter for breakfast.

Ravi : All right. I will go to the bakery and get some.

(Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)

Ravi : I am going to get some bread and butter. Do you want anything from the bakery?

Father : Yes, I want some salt biscuits.

Ravi : Fine, I will get you a packet.

     ii.          Attempt yourself.

Questions (Page No. 135-136)

(Working with language)

Question 1. Each of the following words has the sound/f/ as in feel. The words on the left have it initially. Those on the right have it finally. Speak each word clearly.

Answer: Attempt it yourself.

Question 2. Underline the letter or letters representing/f/in each of the following words.

Answer:

Question 3. Imagine that you are the poet. You have come to your native valley to meet a famous preacher called Ernest. Narrate the incident of your first meeting with him.

Answer: Attempt it yourself.

Question 4.

       i.          Put each of the following in the correct order to construct sentences.

·       a resident of Noida near Delhi,/is visually impaired/George Abraham,

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

·       confidence and competitive spirit/and infuses discipline among the participants/It provides

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

·       he has helped/The brain behind the World Cup Cricket,/the disabled to dream

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

·       to the blind school in Delhi/It was a chance visit/that changed his life

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

·       sport is a powerful tool/the disabled/He believes that/for rehabilitation of

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

     ii.          Now rearrange the sentences above to construct a paragraph.

George Abraham, _______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Answer:

       i.           

·       a resident of Noida near Delhi,/is visually impaired/George Abraham,

·       George Abraham, a resident of Noida near Delhi, is visually impaired

·       confidence and competitive spirit/and infuses discipline among the participants/It provides

·       It provides confidence and competitive spirit and infuses discipline among the participants

·       he has helped/The brain behind the World Cup Cricket,/the disabled to dream

·       The brain behind the World Cup Cricket, he has helped the disabled to dream

·       to the blind school in Delhi/It was a chance visit/that changed his life

·       It was a chance visit to the blind school in Delhi that changed his life

·       sport is a powerful tool/the disabled/He believes that/for rehabilitation of

·       He believes that sport is a powerful tool for rehabilitation of the disabled

     ii.          George Abraham, a resident of Noida near Delhi, is visually impaired. The brain behind the World

Cup Cricket, he has helped the disabled to dream. It was a chance visit to the blind school in Delhi that

changed his life. He believes that sport is a powerful tool for rehabilitation of the disabled. It provides

confidence and competitive spirit and infuses discipline among the participants.

Analysis of the characters and themes.

The Great Stone Face II is a chapter that explores important themes such as identity, fame, and the pursuit of happiness. The main character, Ernest, is still searching for the man who resembles the Great Stone Face, and this search leads him to reflect on his own life and the meaning of success. The chapter also introduces a new character, Gathergold, who represents the pursuit of wealth and fame. Through the interactions between Ernest and Gathergold, the chapter highlights the importance of humility and kindness. Overall, The Great Stone Face 2 is a thought-provoking chapter that teaches important lessons about the true meaning of success and happiness.

Explanation of important quotes and passages.

In The Great Stone Face 2, there are several important quotes and passages that highlight the themes of the chapter. One such quote is when Ernest reflects on the Great Stone Face and says, "It is better than the real man, because it is the type of a noble character, and because there is no example of mortal life so pure and lofty that it would not be either degraded or alloyed by the introduction of any actual personage." This quote emphasizes the importance of ideals and the pursuit of noble character, rather than the pursuit of fame or wealth. Another important passage is when Ernest meets Gathergold and realizes that his pursuit of wealth and fame has made him unhappy and unfulfilled. This passage highlights the dangers of pursuing material success at the expense of one's own happiness and well-being.