Important Questions and Answers for Class 8 English Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother 2025-26

1. Multiple choice questions.

1. What is the main theme of “Somebody’s Mother”?

• (a) Adventure and excitement
• (b) Kindness and empathy
• (c) Humour and fun
• (d) Science and invention

Answer: (b) Kindness and empathy

2. Which poetic device is used in the line “Came the boys like a flock of sheep”?

• (a) Metaphor
• (b) Alliteration
• (c) Simile
• (d) Repetition

Answer: (c) Simile

3. The poem “Somebody’s Mother” is written in which rhyme scheme?

• (a) ABAB
• (b) ABCB
• (c) AABB
• (d) ABBA

Answer: (c) AABB

2. Very Short Answer (VSA).

1. What does the word “ragged” mean in the poem?

Answer: “Ragged” means old and torn, especially referring to shabby clothes, highlighting the woman’s poor condition.

2. Why was the old woman standing at the crossing?

Answer: The old woman stood at the crossing because she was afraid to cross the slippery street alone.

3. Name the poet of “Somebody’s Mother.”

Answer: Mary Dow Brine is the poet who wrote “Somebody’s Mother.”

4. Who helped the old woman in the poem?

Answer: A kind young schoolboy helped the old woman cross the street safely.

3. Short Answer Questions.

1. How does the poet show the helplessness of the old woman in the poem?

Answer: The poet describes the old woman as being “old and ragged and grey,” “bent with the chill,” and “alone, uncared for, amid the throng.” She waits long at the crossing, anxious and unable to cross the busy slippery street by herself.

2. Why did none of the other children help the old woman?

Answer: The other children were eager to enjoy their freedom when school let out and hurried past her without noticing her anxious glance. They were busy playing and did not offer help, unlike the kind boy.

3. What thought does the boy share with his friends after helping the old woman?

Answer: The boy tells his friends that the woman is “somebody’s mother” and hopes someone will also help his mother if she is ever old, poor, or alone when he is far away, reflecting empathy and care for others.

4. Describe one example of imagery from the poem.

Answer: An example of imagery is the description, “The street was wet with a recent snow and the woman’s feet were aged and slow.” This line creates a vivid picture of the cold and slippery street and the woman’s difficulty in walking.

4. True or False Questions.

1. The poem “Somebody’s Mother” is mainly about adventure and courage.

Answer: False

2. The woman in the poem was quickly helped by many people.

Answer: False

3. The boy in the poem helped the woman without expecting anything in return.

Answer: True

4. The phrase “came the boys like a flock of sheep” is an example of a simile.

Answer: True

3. Fill in the Blanks Questions.

1. The poet repeats the phrase “Somebody’s mother” to show that every elderly person is ______ to someone.

Answer: dear

2. The street was wet with a ______ snow, making it difficult for the old woman to cross.

Answer: recent

3. The kind boy hoped that someone would help his ______ if she was old and alone.

Answer: mother

4. The old woman was afraid to cross the busy and ______ street by herself.

Answer: slippery

How “Somebody’s Mother” Encourages Empathy and Values in Students

The poem “Somebody’s Mother” inspires students to build compassion and understanding towards elders. Through relatable examples, this chapter from Important Questions Class 8 English Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother shows how small acts of kindness bring big changes in lives.

Practising questions from this chapter helps students improve their literary skills and understand how empathy works in real life. Every core idea in Class 8 English Chapter 5 is presented in a student-friendly way, supporting better learning and joyful reading habits.

The values and moral lessons found in “Somebody’s Mother” prepare children for everyday life. It is an excellent resource for holistic development, making learning with Important Questions Class 8 English engaging for CBSE 2025-26 exams and class discussions.