Lesson 7 – A King Tale | Chapter Solution Class 8

Book Name	: Blossom
Subject	: English
Class	: 8 (Madhyamik)
Publisher	: Prof. Nabanita Chatterjee
Chapter Name	: A King’s Tale (7th Chapter)

Activity 1

Tick the correct alternative:

(i) During the reign of King Uther-Pendragon, the people of Britain lived a

1. peaceful
2. disturbed
3. unhappy life

(ii) Merlin, the prophet and Sir Ulfius, the brave knight, were trusted by the

1. opponents of the king
2. members of the royal family
3. counsellors of the king.

(iii) The royal baby was to be brought up by

1. Sir Ulfius
2. Merlin
3. Sir Ector

(iv) After the passing away of King Uther-Pendragon, there was

1. lawlessness
2. prosperity
3. development in Britain

Answer

1. peaceful
2. members of the royal family
3. Sir Ector
4. lawlessness

Activity 2

Rearrange the following sentences in the correct order and put the numbers in the given boxes:

1. Sir Ector promised to obey Merlin and Sir Ulfius.
2. King Uther-Pendragon was loved by his people.
3. There was trouble in Britain after the king and queen died.
4. Lady Igraine was the beautiful wife of King Uther- Pendragon
5. The two trusted counsellors placed in Sir Ector’s hands the royal baby.
6. The royal baby was born to King Uther-Pendragon and Lady Igraine.

Answer

King Uther- Pendragon was loved by his people.

Lady Igraine was the beautiful wife of King Uther- Pendragon.

The royal baby was born to King Uther –Pendragon and Lady Igraine.

There was trouble in Britain after the king and queen died.

The two trusted counsellors placed in Sir Ecto’s hands the royal baby.

Sir Ector promised to obey Merline and Sir Ulfius.

Activity 3

Answer the following question:

Why do you think Merlin and Sir Ulfius entrusted Sir Ector with the baby of the king and queen?

Answer

Sir Ector was the trustworthy and loyal subject of the king so Merlin and Sir Ulfius thought that he was the right choice to take care of the royal baby.

Activity 4

Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

1. After King Uther- Pendragon, Britain had no king because ____.
2. The magnificent sword was fixed ____.
3. Arthur was eighteen when ____.
4. The beautiful arm that rose from the water ____.

Answer

1. After King Uther- Pendragon, Britain had no king because none of the fighting barons had managed to become the king.
2. The magnificent sword was fixed on a large stone in a churchyard.
3. Arthur was eighteen when he succeeded in lifting the sword.
4. The beautiful arm that rose from the water held a sword set with rubies and emeralds.

Activity 5

Answer the following questions:

1. What was written upon the stone on which the sword was fixed?
2. What happened on the bright May morning?
3. Why did Arthur need a new sword?

Answer

1. “Whoever pulls out this sword is by right of birth, the king of England.” – this was written upon the stone on which the sword was fixed.
2. On the bright May morning, Arthur lifted the sword easily.
3. Arthur needed a new sword because he had lost his royal sword in a battle.

 Activity 6

Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements in the given boxes. Give supporting statements for each of your answers:

1. The people of England were unhappy during Arthur’s rule.
2. Merline took King Arthur to the glided pavilion on his birthday.
3. Fifty people could sit at the Round Table.
4. The goodness and kindness of the knights were known all over the country.

Answer

1. False; King Arthur could gift peace and prosperity to England.
2. False; On the wedding day, Merlin took him to a richly glided pavilion, painted crimson and dark blue.
3. True; In the middle of the room was a huge, round oak table, richly carved, capable of seating fifty people.
4. True; The stories of their goodness and kindness spread throughout the country.

Activity 7

Answer the following questions:

1. Who, according to Merlin, could possess the Excalibur?
2. Describe the pavilion where the round table was placed.
3. What did King Arthur’s devoted knights promise?
4. Why did King Arthur smile when he was informed that the Excalibur was taken back into the lake by a beautiful arm?

Answer

1. According to Merlin, only an honest and fearless knight who protects the common people can possess Excalibur.
2. The pavilion was richly glided, painted crimson and dark blue. The floor was marbled. In the middle of the room was a huge, round, oak table, richly carved, capable of seating fifty people.
3. King Arthur’s devoted knights promised that they would help the helpless, be gentle to the weak and to punish the wicked.
4. King Arthur smiled when he was informed that the Excalibur was taken back into the lake by a beautiful arm because he had done his duty and realized that the Excalibur was back to its original place.

Activity 8 (a)

In the following sentences underline the groups of words that do the work of an Adjective:

1. The king is wearing a crown ____.
2. He walked on the path ____.
3. He has a friend ____.

Answer

1. The king is wearing a crown which is made of gold.
2. He walked on the path that was stony.
3. He has a friend who is very helpful.

Activity 8 (b)

In the following sentences underline the groups of words that do the work of an Adverb:

1. He returned home when it was raining.
2. The knight fought in a manner which was brave.
3. The student could not understand the lesson as he was not present in the class.

Answer

1. He returned home when it was raining.
2. The knight fought in a manner which was brave.
3. The student could not understand the lesson as he was not present in the class.

Activity 8 (c)

In the following sentences underline the groups of words that do the work of a Noun:

1. I expect that he will come.
2. That you behave like this, hurts me.
3. Mother was very happy that her child had succeeded.

Answer

1. I expect that he will come.
2. That you behave like this, hurts me.
3. Mother was very happy that her child had succeeded.

Activity 8 (d)

Underline the Clauses in the following sentences and state what kind of clauses they are:

1. He was a man whom everyone admired.
2. I hope that my uncle will visit me.
3. He could not walk further as he was tired.
4. They live in a place where it is always cold.
5. My friends took me to a garden which was very beautiful.
6. The artist hoped that he would win an award.

Answer

1. He was a man (independent clause) whom everyone admired (adjective clause).
2. I hope (independent clause) that my uncle will visit me (noun clause).
3. He could not walk further (independent clause) as he was tired (adverbial clause).
4. They live in a place (independent clause) where it is always cold (adverbial clause).
5. My friends took me to a garden (independent clause) which was very beautiful (adjective clause).
6. The artist hoped (independent clause) that he would win an award (noun clause).