Class 8 English (Honeydew) Chapter 2 The Tsunami

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I. Chapter Summary:

The Tsunami is a factual, multi-part narrative recounting the devastating tsunami that struck parts of Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004, after a massive undersea earthquake. The chapter consists of real-life stories of courage, loss, survival, and human compassion. It focuses on different survivors like Ignesious (a manager in the Andaman Islands), Sanjeev (a policeman), Meghna (a 13-year-old girl who floated for two days on a wooden door), and Tilly Smith (a 10-year-old British girl) whose knowledge of tsunamis helped save many lives in Thailand.

The chapter highlights the power of nature, the importance of awareness and education, and the bravery and resilience of people in the face of disaster.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

ConceptExplanation
Natural Disasters (Tsunamis)Sudden sea waves caused by undersea earthquakes, affecting coastal areas.
Human Courage and BraveryPolice, common citizens, and even children displaying heroic efforts.
Importance of AwarenessEducation can help save lives, as shown by Tilly’s warning.
Survival and ResilienceHow some individuals survived despite overwhelming odds.
Empathy and LossEmotional consequences of losing loved ones and rebuilding life.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

  1. What caused the tsunami described in the story?
    a) Heavy rainfall
    b) A volcanic eruption
    c) An undersea earthquake ✔️
    d) A glacier collapse

  2. How did Meghna survive the tsunami?
    a) She swam to shore
    b) She held onto a log
    c) She floated on a wooden door for two days ✔️
    d) She was rescued by a boat

  3. What did Tilly Smith recall in time that helped save lives?
    a) A geography lesson on volcanoes
    b) A science experiment
    c) A documentary
    d) A school lesson on tsunamis ✔️

  4. Who was Sanjeev in the story?
    a) A fisherman
    b) A tsunami expert
    c) A police constable ✔️
    d) A relief worker

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

  1. What was Ignesious doing when the tsunami hit, and how did he save his family? (PYQ 2020)

  2. Describe how Tilly’s quick thinking saved others on the beach.

  3. What happened to Sanjeev when he tried to help others?

  4. Why is Meghna’s story considered miraculous?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

  1. Compare the actions of Meghna and Tilly. What makes both girls heroic in different ways? (PYQ 2021)

  2. How do the different survivors’ experiences teach us about human courage and preparedness?

  3. What role did awareness and education play in saving lives during the tsunami?

  4. Describe how The Tsunami teaches both scientific facts and emotional understanding.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

  1. “Knowledge is power.” How does this apply to Tilly’s experience on the beach?

  2. What lessons should governments and schools take from the events described in this chapter?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts (Science Integration):

ConceptExplanation
TsunamiA series of huge waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea.
Seismic WavesShock waves generated by an earthquake.
Disaster PreparednessHaving plans, education, and warning systems in place to reduce casualties.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/ChapterEstimated MarksType of Questions Typically Asked
The Tsunami6–8 MarksMCQs, Short Answers, Long Answer (Narrative + Analysis), HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

YearQuestionMarks
2020Describe Meghna’s survival story and what makes it miraculous.3 Marks
2021What did Tilly Smith do that saved many lives?5 Marks

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

  • Disaster Awareness: Importance of learning geography and safety measures in schools.

  • Mental Resilience: How survivors like Meghna coped emotionally and physically.

  • Role of Youth: Children like Tilly can become heroes with the right education.

  • Community Preparedness: Understanding the value of early warning systems and evacuation drills.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

  • Break the chapter into Individual Stories for easier recall: Ignesious, Meghna, Sanjeev, Tilly.

  • Revise key events using a visual flowchart.

 Exam Preparation:

  • Practice map-based questions: Locate tsunami-affected areas on a map.

  • Memorize key dates, causes, and responses using mnemonics.

 Stress Management:

  • Reading survival stories helps build emotional resilience.

  • Write your own “survivor story” to reflect on courage.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration (Class-Specific):

For Classes 9–10:
Career PathRelevance to the Chapter
Disaster Management ExpertPlanning and managing emergency responses.
Geologist / SeismologistStudy of earthquakes, earth plates, and tsunami forecasting.
Environmental ScientistFocus on disaster-prone zones and environmental safety.
Social Worker / NGO WorkerHelping survivors in times of crisis.

 Encourage participation in mock drills, disaster awareness campaigns, and geography fairs.

XI. Important Notes:

  •  Always verify topics and updates from https://cbseacademic.nic.in.

  •  Use storytelling to enhance memory of real-life accounts.

  •  Reinforce learning through value-based discussions and empathy activities.

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