CBSE Important Questions for Class 8 English Honeydew On the Grasshopper and Cricket - 2025-26
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 8 English Honeydew On the Grasshopper and Cricket - 2025-26
1. What is the central theme of John Keats's poem "On the Grasshopper and Cricket," which is frequently asked in exams?
The central theme, which is an important concept for the CBSE Class 8 exam, is that the "poetry of earth", or the music of nature, is continuous and never-ending. It persists through the extreme heat of summer, represented by the grasshopper's song, and the harsh cold of winter, embodied by the cricket's chirping. The poem celebrates nature's endless cycle of joy and warmth.
2. Explain the meaning of the line, "The poetry of earth is never dead." Why is this an important line for a 3-mark question?
This line is crucial as it encapsulates the poem's entire message. It means that the beauty and sound of nature are eternal and can be found in every season. For a 3-mark question, you should explain:
- It refers to the constant music of nature.
- In summer, this music is carried on by the grasshopper.
- In winter, the cricket continues this song from the warmth of a stove.
- It shows that nature's spirit is always alive, regardless of the season.
3. How do the grasshopper and the cricket serve as contrasting symbols in the poem?
The grasshopper and the cricket are used as contrasting symbols to represent the continuity of nature's song across different seasons. The grasshopper symbolises the vibrant, energetic, and tireless spirit of summer, singing even in the scorching heat. In contrast, the cricket symbolises the warmth, comfort, and persistence of nature during the cold, desolate winter, bringing cheer to a lonely evening. Together, they prove that nature’s music never ceases.
4. From the stanza describing the grasshopper, what type of questions can be expected in the 2025-26 exam?
From the first stanza (the octave), you can expect questions focusing on:
- Imagery: Describing the summer scene, like the "hot sun" and "cooling trees."
- The Grasshopper's Role: Explaining how the grasshopper "takes the lead" when other birds are faint.
- Word Meanings: Defining phrases like "he has never done with his delights."
- Poetic Devices: Identifying personification, where the grasshopper is given human-like qualities of joy and exhaustion.
5. Beyond just representing seasons, what deeper message about persistence might the poet be conveying through the two insects?
This is a Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) question. Beyond the seasons, the poet conveys a deeper message about resilience and the enduring nature of joy. The grasshopper and the cricket show that even in extreme conditions—be it sweltering heat or biting cold—there is always a voice of hope and cheer. It suggests that happiness and beauty can be found in every phase of life if one is willing to listen.
6. What is the significance of the setting in the second stanza, with the "lone winter evening" and the "frost"?
The setting of a "lone winter evening" when "the frost has wrought a silence" is highly significant. It creates a scene of stillness, cold, and isolation. This bleak backdrop makes the cricket's song from the stove seem even more powerful and welcome. Its warmth and shrill notes break the silence, highlighting how nature provides comfort and company even in the harshest and loneliest of times.
7. "On the Grasshopper and Cricket" is a sonnet. How does its structure help develop the main idea?
As a sonnet, the poem's structure is key to its message. The structure is divided into:
- The Octave (first 8 lines): This part introduces the main idea with the example of the grasshopper representing the liveliness of summer. It establishes the problem that other singers (birds) are silent.
- The Sestet (last 6 lines): This part resolves the issue by showing that the poetry of earth continues in winter through the cricket. It acts as a response to the octave, proving the opening statement that the poetry of earth never ends.
8. To score full marks on a question about the poet's message, what key points must be included?
To secure full marks for a question on the poem's message, ensure your answer includes these four points:
- Start by stating the main message: Nature's music is eternal and never stops.
- Mention the role of the grasshopper as the voice of summer's joy.
- Explain the role of the cricket as the voice of winter's warmth.
- Conclude by stating that the poem celebrates the unbroken cycle and persistence of beauty in the natural world.






















