Practise Class 8 English Chapter 4 – A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam with this easy NCERT Poorvi worksheet. Includes important questions and revision exercises to help students understand the chapter and prepare effectively for tests and exams.
A Tale of Valour
Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam
Class 8 English – Poorvi
Roll No.: ______________________________ Date: __________
Instructions
- Read each question carefully.
- Answer in simple and complete sentences.
- Write neatly and use your own words wherever possible.
- Attempt all questions.
Section A – Reading Comprehension
Read the passage and answer the questions.
Major Somnath Sharma was the commander of D Company of the 4th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment. On 03 November 1947, his company was sent to patrol and assess the situation around Badgam. The company had about 90 soldiers, while the enemy force was around 500 strong.
Major Somnath Sharma and his men faced heavy fire. He continued to guide and encourage his soldiers. When ammunition began to run out, he was asked to withdraw. However, he refused to leave his position. He continued fighting until he was killed by a mortar shell.
1. Who commanded D Company?
2. On which date did the Battle of Badgam take place?
3. How many soldiers were there in D Company?
4. Approximately how many enemy fighters were facing the company?
5. Why was Major Somnath asked to withdraw?
6. What happened to Major Somnath Sharma?
Section B – Choose the Correct Answer
Section C – Fill in the Blanks
1. Major Somnath Sharma was born on __________ January 1923.
2. He was born in Dadh in __________, Himachal Pradesh.
3. Major Somnath Sharma was commissioned into the __________ Hyderabad Regiment in 1942.
4. The Battle of Badgam took place on __________ November 1947.
5. D Company had about __________ soldiers.
6. The enemy force numbered about __________ invaders.
7. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the __________.
8. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra __________.
Section D – True or False
1. Major Somnath Sharma belonged to a military family.
2. Major Somnath Sharma refused to go with his company because his hand was in plaster.
3. D Company had about 90 soldiers.
4. The enemy force was smaller than D Company.
5. Major Somnath Sharma requested air strikes.
6. Major Somnath Sharma left the battlefield when ammunition became scarce.
7. His men continued to hold their position after his death.
8. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
Section E – Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Major Somnath Sharma | A. First recipient of the Param Vir Chakra |
| 2. Badgam | B. Place of the important battle |
| 3. D Company | C. About 90 soldiers |
| 4. Param Vir Chakra | D. Highest military gallantry award |
Answers:
Section F – Vocabulary
Write the simple meanings of the following words.
1. valour
2. infiltrators
3. combat
4. resolute
5. tenacity
6. ammunition
7. conspicuous
8. posthumously
Section G – Expressions
Use the following expressions in suitable sentences.
1. fight to the last man
2. foil the plan
3. deliver a blow
4. hold their ground
Section H – Short Answer Questions
1. Why did Major Somnath Sharma insist on going with his company?
2. Why was Badgam important for the protection of Srinagar?
3. Why did Major Somnath Sharma request air strikes?
4. Why did Major Somnath Sharma refuse to withdraw?
5. How did Major Somnath Sharma encourage his soldiers?
6. How did the soldiers’ resistance help the Indian forces?
7. Why was Major Somnath Sharma awarded the Param Vir Chakra?
Section I – Think and Answer
1. What does Major Somnath Sharma’s decision to fight despite his injured hand tell us about his character?
2. How did Major Somnath Sharma show leadership during the battle?
3. Why is courage alone not enough for a good leader? What other qualities did Major Somnath show?
4. What can students learn from Major Somnath Sharma’s sense of duty?
5. How can determination help us during difficult situations in school and daily life?
Section J – Grammar
A. Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the correct verb.
1. The group of soldiers (was/were) ready.
2. Each soldier (was/were) prepared.
3. The soldiers (was/were) brave.
4. A pair of shoes (is/are) near the door.
5. Neither of the answers (is/are) correct.
B. Choose the Correct Word
1. The teacher gave me good (advice/advise).
2. The doctor will (advice/advise) the patient.
3. Regular (practice/practise) improves our skills.
4. We should (practice/practise) every day.
Section K – Modal Verbs
Fill in the blanks using can, could, may, might, must, should or need to.
1. We __________ respect people who serve the nation.
2. Students __________ work hard to achieve their goals.
3. We __________ learn from the lives of brave people.
4. It __________ rain today.
5. __________ you please help me?
6. You __________ follow the rules of your school.
Section L – Creative Writing
Write a short paragraph of 80–100 words on:
“What I Learn from the Life of Major Somnath Sharma”
Section M – Letter Writing
Imagine that your school wants to visit a war memorial. Write a formal letter to the incharge asking about the available dates, entry fee, tour duration and rules for student groups.
Subject: Enquiry about a School Visit to a Memorial
Section N – Challenge Corner
1. Why was holding Badgam important for the safety of Srinagar airport?
2. How did the 90 soldiers help even though they were greatly outnumbered?
3. Why can Major Somnath Sharma’s actions be described as an example of selfless service?
4. Write any five qualities that you associate with a brave soldier.
Answer Key
Section A
1. Major Somnath Sharma commanded D Company.
2. The Battle of Badgam took place on 03 November 1947.
3. D Company had about 90 soldiers.
4. The enemy force had about 500 invaders.
5. He was asked to withdraw because his company was heavily outnumbered and running out of ammunition.
6. He was killed by a mortar shell while helping a machine-gun operator.
Section B
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. C
8. A
Section C
1. 31
2. Kangra
3. 19th
4. 03
5. 90
6. 500
7. Param Vir Chakra
8. posthumously
Section D
1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. True
Section E
1 – A
2 – B
3 – C
4 – D
Section F
1. Valour – great courage
2. Infiltrators – people who secretly enter a place
3. Combat – battle or fighting
4. Resolute – determined and firm
5. Tenacity – strong determination
6. Ammunition – bullets, shells and other materials used in weapons
7. Conspicuous – clearly noticeable
8. Posthumously – after death
Section J
A. 1. was 2. was 3. were 4. is 5. is
B. 1. advice 2. advise 3. practice 4. practise
Section K
1. should
2. need to
3. should
4. might
5. could
6. must
Sections G, H, I, L, M and N
Answers may differ. Students should write relevant answers based on the chapter, using clear and complete sentences.
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