Class 8 English Chapter 9 – Spectacular Wonders with easy NCERT Poorvi Notes and complete Book Solutions. Get simple explanations, important ideas, questions and answers, and revision material to understand the chapter and prepare effectively for tests and exams.
Class 8 English Poorvi
Unit 3 – Mystery and Magic
Spectacular Wonders
Notes and Complete Book Solutions
Chapter Summary
“Spectacular Wonders” describes some amazing natural phenomena found in India. The chapter takes us through the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya, Lonar Crater Lake in Maharashtra, Magnetic Hills in Ladakh, Glowing Waters of Kerala, the Sundarbans in West Bengal, and Chandipur Beach in Odisha.
These places show the beauty, power and mystery of nature. Some are formed by flowers and forests, some by meteorite impacts, tides and living roots, while others create unusual visual effects. The chapter also explains the science behind these wonders.
The main message is that nature is full of beauty and surprises. Scientific knowledge helps us understand these unusual phenomena and appreciate the wonderful world around us.
Important Points at a Glance
- The Valley of Flowers is in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
- The Living Root Bridges are found in Meghalaya.
- Lonar Crater Lake is in Buldhana district, Maharashtra.
- Magnetic Hills are in the Leh district of Ladakh.
- Glowing Waters are associated with Kumbalangi in Kerala.
- The Sundarbans is a mangrove forest region in West Bengal.
- Chandipur Beach is in Balasore district, Odisha.
- Some natural wonders may look magical, but many have scientific explanations.
Pictures of the Wonders
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya
Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra
Magnetic Hills, Ladakh
Glowing Waters, Kerala
The Sundarbans, West Bengal
Chandipur Beach, Odisha
Kallanai Dam, Tamil Nadu
Nalanda, Bihar
Vittala Temple, Hampi
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mystifying | strange or impossible to explain |
| spectacle | an unusual sight that attracts interest |
| exotic | uncommon |
| botanical | relating to plants |
| feats | tasks that are difficult to achieve |
| indigenous | native to a particular place |
| tangible | noticeable or real |
| futile | useless |
| intertwined | twisted together |
| persist | continue to exist |
| whopping | huge |
| nestled | situated in a sheltered position |
| colossal | extremely large |
| cradles | holds or supports |
| rugged | rough and uneven |
| terrestrial | related to the earth |
| allure | attraction |
| optical illusion | something that tricks our eyes |
| serene | calm and peaceful |
| backwaters | parts of water where the flow is slow or absent |
| bioluminescence | light produced by a living organism through a chemical reaction |
| eco-tourism | tourism that helps preserve the environment |
| acquaint | to become familiar with something |
| estuarine | related to an estuary |
| retreats | goes backwards or moves away |
| ebb tide | the period when water flows away from the shore |
| mystique | mystery |
| enigmatic | puzzling or mysterious |
| intrigue | interest or curiosity |
Let us do these activities before we read
I Look at the pictures given below and sort them into natural and man-made wonders.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Natural: ______, ______, ______, and ______
Man-made: ______, ______, ______, and ______
Natural: 3, 4, 7, and 8
Man-made: 1, 2, 5, and 6
II Which of these wonders—man-made or natural—are more appealing and why? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Natural wonders are more appealing to me because they show the beauty, power and creativity of nature. They are formed naturally and often surprise us with their unusual features.
III Work in pairs. Write down two wonders of nature that have amazed you. Discuss what makes them impressive. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
- Waterfalls amaze me because of their huge flow of water and beautiful sound.
- Snow-covered mountains impress me because of their great height, beauty and peaceful surroundings.
IV Work in groups of four. Complete the web chart given below with words that you associate with the phrase, ‘Nature’s Power’. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Let us read
India has many natural wonders that look unusual and mysterious. They are found in different parts of the country and show the amazing power and beauty of nature.
1. The Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
The Valley of Flowers is in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is famous for around 600 species of exotic flowers such as orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, daisies and anemones. It also has waterfalls, streams and rare animals. It becomes a beautiful botanical wonderland between May and October.
2. The Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya
The Living Root Bridges are made from the living roots of trees. Indigenous people of Meghalaya developed these bridges to cross waterways. The roots are intertwined and can continue growing for many years. Some bridges can last for hundreds of years.
3. The Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra
Lonar Crater Lake is in Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It was formed when a huge meteorite crashed into the Earth. The crater is in basaltic rock and contains a saline lake. It is a rare combination of a meteorite impact and natural beauty.
4. Magnetic Hills in Leh district, Ladakh
Magnetic Hill is about 30 km from Leh. Vehicles parked at a particular point appear to move uphill. This is an optical illusion caused by the surrounding slopes and the horizon.
5. Glowing Waters of Kerala
Kumbalangi, near Kochi, is known for waters that can appear to glow at night. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence. It is caused by tiny organisms called micro-planktons that produce light through a chemical reaction.
6. The Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is a large mangrove forest in West Bengal. Its trees can grow in coastal areas and help protect the coastline from erosion. The region is home to many plants and animals, including the Bengal tiger, estuarine crocodile and Indian python.
7. The Invisible Chandipur Beach, Odisha
Chandipur Beach is in Balasore district of Odisha. During ebb tide, the sea retreats by about 2–5 km. Later, it returns during high tide. Therefore, the sea appears to disappear and reappear.
Let us discuss
I Complete the information in the table given below. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
| Amazing Natural Phenomena | Location | One Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Valley of Flowers | Chamoli district, Uttarakhand | Around 600 species of exotic flowers |
| 2. The Living Root Bridges | Meghalaya | Bridges made from intertwined living roots |
| 3. The Lonar Crater Lake | Buldhana district, Maharashtra | Crater formed by a meteorite impact |
| 4. Magnetic Hills | Leh district, Ladakh | Vehicles appear to move uphill |
| 5. Glowing Waters | Kumbalangi, Kerala | Water appears to glow at night due to bioluminescence |
| 6. The Sundarbans | West Bengal | Large mangrove forest with rich wildlife |
| 7. The Invisible Chandipur Beach | Balasore district, Odisha | The sea retreats 2–5 km during ebb tide |
Let us think and reflect
I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena that surprise and spark our imagination.
(i) Replace the underlined phrase with one from the extract.
India is the birthplace of several rare species of flora and fauna that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.
India is home to several rare species of flora and fauna that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.
(ii) What does the phrase ‘nature’s unusual side’ suggest about the phenomena described?
It suggests that the phenomena are unusual, surprising and different from what we normally see in nature.
(iii) Complete the similarity by choosing the correct option.
spark: imagination : : ______________ : ______________.
A. inspiration; creativity
B. wonder; amazement
C. effort; reward
D. knowledge; books
B. wonder; amazement
(iv) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
Some natural phenomena can surprise people.
True
2. Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously—the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors.
(i) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The writer’s most likely purpose to introduce the information about the Chandipur Beach phenomenon with a question is to ____________________.
engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of suspense about the unusual phenomenon.
(ii) Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
(A): Chandipur Beach in Odisha is known for its unique feature of the sea disappearing.
(R): The tides retreat drastically, exposing the Chandipur beach.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of(A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(iii) What does the term ‘unique’ suggest about the beach in Balasore?
A. very popular
B. one of its kind
C. ancient place
D. far from city
B. one of its kind
(iv) What does the writer want to convey with the use of the phrase ‘playing hide-and-seek with its visitors’?
The writer wants to show that the sea seems to disappear and then return, just like someone playing hide-and-seek.
II Answer the following questions.
1. How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya?
The living root bridges help local people cross rivers and waterways, especially during the monsoon. They are strong, natural and long-lasting.
2. Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?
It was formed by a meteorite impact in basaltic rock. Its circular crater and saline lake make it a rare and remarkable natural site.
3. What might be the writer’s purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring natural wonders of India?
The writer wants readers to know about India’s amazing natural wonders and appreciate the beauty, mystery and power of nature.
4. The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for some of the natural phenomena. What impact does it have on the readers?
It makes the descriptions interesting and lively. The questions create curiosity and encourage readers to continue reading.
5. Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting and why?
I found the Invisible Chandipur Beach most interesting because the sea seems to disappear and later returns. The phenomenon is caused by the movement of tides.
Let us learn
I Fill in the blanks with the correct expressions from the text given in the box below.
1. I have read many stories _____________________.
2. Do you know when this little town _____________________?
3. His hard work has helped him _____________________.
4. There are no simple solutions to the _____________________ of traffic jams.
5. He opened the ancient wooden box and stared at the treasure _____________________.
6. The garden is _____________________ in spring with lots of beautiful flowers in bloom.
II Select the correct synonyms from the box given below that match the list of words in 1–5. You may refer to a thesaurus.
| No. | Words | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | mysterious, puzzling, baffling | enigmatic |
| 2 | mighty, gigantic, huge | colossal |
| 3 | breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring | spectacular |
| 4 | peaceful, calm, tranquil | serene |
| 5 | unusual, peculiar, foreign | exotic |
III The expressions ‘hide-and-seek’ and ‘flora and fauna’ are used in the text. These are called binomials—a pair of fixed words joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’. The binomials are mostly synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, same sound words (alliterations), etc.
Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. odds and ends | (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities | (vii) small, unimportant things |
| 2. on and off | (ii) complete part of or belong to | (v) sometimes, occasionally |
| 3. mix and match | (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.) | (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities |
| 4. all or nothing | (iv) at some time in the future | (viii) something to be done completely or not at all |
| 5. part and parcel | (v) sometimes, occasionally | (ii) complete part of or belong to |
| 6. pick and choose | (vi) increase or develop very quickly | (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.) |
| 7. sooner or later | (vii) small, unimportant things | (iv) at some time in the future |
| 8. leaps and bounds | (viii) something to be done completely or not at all | (vi) increase or develop very quickly |
Use the binomials given in Column 1 in sentences of your own.
- I collected all the odds and ends from the drawer.
- It rained on and off throughout the day.
- We can mix and match different colours.
- For this competition, it is all or nothing.
- Good manners are part and parcel of good behaviour.
- You can pick and choose your favourite books.
- Sooner or later, we will finish the work.
- The plant grew by leaps and bounds.
IV Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
• The living root bridges are one of Meghalaya’s most beautiful…
• …creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding rugged terrain.
In the given sentences, the highlighted words ‘living’, ‘striking’, and ‘rugged’ are examples of verbs used as adjectives. Such verbs are called participles.
Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives, and they come in two types: present participles (‘living’ and ‘striking’) usually ending in –ing, and past participles (‘rugged’) usually ending in –ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n. (though irregular verbs may vary)
Present participles are used to describe ongoing or continuous actions.
Past participles usually describe actions that have already been completed.
Now, fill in the blanks using present participle or past participle form of the verbs in the box given below.
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The _______________ marble monument looks even more spectacular in the moonlight. | glowing |
| 2 | The _______________ view of the Himalayas from Darjeeling attracts visitors from all over the world. | amazing |
| 3 | The Sun Temple in Konark features intricately _______________ stone wheels and walls. | carved |
| 4 | _______________ at a height of 182 m, the Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. | Standing |
| 5 | The _______________ islands of the Andaman and Nicobar offer some of the cleanest beaches in India. | scattered |
V Study the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
Crossing the many waterways without bridges was difficult for people in the past, during monsoons.
In the given sentence, the highlighted word ‘crossing’, is one example of a verb used as a noun. Such a verb is called gerund.
Gerunds are verb forms that can function as nouns and they end in –ing.
Underline the gerunds and participles in the following sentences. Write ‘G’ for gerunds and ‘P’ for participles in the space provided. One example has been done for you.
| No. | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G | G |
| 2 | Travelling can broaden your perspective. | G |
| 3 | The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn. | P |
| 4 | She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family. | G |
| 5 | Reading helps improve your vocabulary. | G |
| 6 | He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky. | P |
| 7 | Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door. | G |
VI Combine the following pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds.
1. Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner. (participle)
2. Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)
3. Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)
4. Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)
5. Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)
Let us listen
I You will listen to a brother and sister discuss a natural phenomenon. As you listen, mark the four true statements from 1–6 given below.
1. The brother was taken aback to see the posted pictures.
2. The brother admitted to not knowing about his sister’s favourite picture.
3. The sister stated that the rainbow mountain was like any other mountain.
4. The brother was aware of the reason for the formation of colours on the mountain.
5. The brother was surprised to learn about the mountain being covered with snow till recently.
6. The sister understood nature’s role in the beauty of the mountain.
Let us speak
I Work in groups of four. Make a presentation on a place of interest in and around your region that people like to visit. You may use the following guidelines to make your presentation.
Guidelines:
- Slides 1–2: Choose any popular place of interest in your region.
- Slides 3–4: Mention where it is located and how to reach there.
- Slides 5–6: Describe the attractions of the place, why it is popular and explain its historical importance, if any.
- Slides 7–8: List out weather conditions, local food, customs, and language.
- Slides 9–10: Suggest the best time of the year to visit and why you recommend this place.
Slides 1–2: Place of interest
The Valley of Flowers is a beautiful national park in Uttarakhand.
Slides 3–4: Location and route
It is located in Chamoli district. Visitors can reach the area through the trekking route from Govindghat and Ghangaria.
Slides 5–6: Attractions
It is famous for colourful flowers, waterfalls, streams, mountains and rare wildlife.
Slides 7–8: Weather, food, customs and language
The weather is cool in the mountains. Local food includes simple Himalayan dishes. Hindi and Garhwali are commonly spoken in the region.
Slides 9–10: Best time
The flowering season is the best time to visit because the valley becomes colourful and beautiful.
Let us write
I You just read vivid descriptions of the natural wonders of our country. Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine describing anything from nature that attracted your attention. It may be an object, a place, or an event experienced by you. Remember to give a title to your essay.
Use proper format and content organisation—begin with a title, include introduction (one paragraph), body (two to three paragraphs), and conclusion (one paragraph).
The Beauty of a Waterfall
A waterfall is one of the most beautiful sights in nature. I once saw a waterfall during a family trip to the hills. The sound of falling water immediately attracted my attention.
The water came down from a great height and fell over the rocks like a shining white curtain. Green trees and small plants surrounded the waterfall. The cool breeze and the sound of water made the place peaceful.
Sunlight falling on the water made it sparkle. Birds were singing and the fresh air made everyone feel happy. I stood there for a long time and enjoyed the beautiful view.
The waterfall taught me that nature can create beautiful sights without human effort. It was a memorable experience that I will always remember.
Let us explore
I Man-made Wonders
1. Kallanai Dam (The Grand Anaicut)
Kallanai Dam in Tamil Nadu is one of the world’s oldest dams and is still in use. It is an important example of ancient Indian hydraulic engineering. It was built by the Chola King Karikala around 150 CE.
Key Point: Kallanai shows the engineering knowledge of ancient India.
2. Nalanda
Nalanda in Bihar was an important ancient residential university. It provided higher education to thousands of students. It was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1980.
You may visit the site given below to know more about this.
Nalanda University – History and Revival
3. Hampi
Hampi in Karnataka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vittala Temple was built in the 15th century. It has 56 special pillars known as the SaReGaMa pillars. When tapped, these pillars produce musical notes.
Vittala Temple, Hampi
4. Some of the man-made wonders of modern India include the Bandra–Worli Sea Link in Mumbai; Statue of Unity in Gujarat; Bhupen Hazarika Setu (The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge) in Assam; and many more.
India has many modern man-made wonders. They show human creativity, engineering skills and the ability to build large and useful structures.
II Some micro-planktons in the sea are bioluminescent. Have you seen any other life form that has this quality? Identify the insect given below and find out what it is called in your language. Look out for it when you visit a field or a place with a wetland.
The insect is a firefly. It produces light through a natural chemical reaction in its body. In Hindi, it is commonly called Jugnu.
Quick Revision Notes
| Wonder | Place | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of Flowers | Uttarakhand | Many species of colourful flowers |
| Living Root Bridges | Meghalaya | Made from living roots |
| Lonar Crater Lake | Maharashtra | Created by meteorite impact |
| Magnetic Hills | Ladakh | Vehicles appear to move uphill |
| Glowing Waters | Kerala | Bioluminescent waters |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | Mangrove forest and rich wildlife |
| Chandipur Beach | Odisha | Sea retreats during ebb tide |
Important Grammar Revision
Participles: Verb forms used as adjectives.
Present participle: Usually ends in -ing.
Examples: living, striking, falling, shimmering, glowing
Past participle: Often ends in -ed, -d, -t, -en or -n, though irregular forms also occur.
Examples: carved, scattered, parked
Gerund: An -ing verb form used as a noun.
Examples: Swimming is fun. Reading improves vocabulary. Sleeping is good for health.
Key Message of the Chapter
The chapter teaches us to observe and appreciate the amazing natural world around us. Natural wonders may look mysterious, but science can often explain how they occur. We should respect nature, protect the environment and remain curious about the world.
Prepare this worksheet to practise important questions and revision exercises from Chapter 9. It will help you understand the chapter, revise key concepts, and prepare effectively for tests and exams.
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