Changing Times, My English Reader, Class VIII, DAV Board, The Best Solutions, Section- C

Section – C

C.1: Work in pairs.

At what age do you think people tend to behave in these ways? Talk with

your partner and tick (✓) one or more age groups for each behaviour.

Age-Based Behaviour Table

Sample Conversation:

• A: I think people in their teens tend to be more adventurous.
• B: Yes, but I think people in their thirties and forties can be argumentative, especially when balancing work and family.

C.2.  Now read the poem.

Summary of the Poem – In Frictionland

English Summary:

The poem “In Frictionland” talks about a teenager named Raghu, who faces conflicts with his father over his lifestyle and choices. He wants independence, but his father keeps rejecting his ideas—from mountain climbing to joining a band. Raghu feels misunderstood and frustrated, but finds comfort in his grandfather who understands him better and supports him. In the end, Grandpa tells Raghu that father-son conflicts are normal and that one day Raghu will be in his father’s shoes.

सारांश:

कविता “इन फ्रिक्शनलैंड” में रघु नामक एक किशोर की कहानी है, जो अपने पिता के साथ अपने जीवन के चुनावों और स्वतंत्रता को लेकर टकराव में रहता है। रघु पर्वतारोहण और बैंड में गाना चाहता है, पर उसका पिता बार-बार उसे मना कर देते हैं। रघु खुद को गलत समझा हुआ महसूस करता है। लेकिन उसके दादा उसका समर्थन करते हैं और उसे तकनीक से जोड़ते हैं। अंत में दादा समझाते हैं कि पिता और पुत्र के बीच ऐसे मतभेद सामान्य होते हैं, और एक दिन रघु भी अपने बेटे से यही कहेगा।

Word Meanings Table

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Why did Raghu go to his father?
   a) To get money
   b) To seek advice about mountain climbing
   c) To complain about school
   d) To show his computer skills
   → Answer: b)
2. What did Raghu’s father say about the band?
   a) He was supportive
   b) He was happy
   c) He was flabbergasted and disagreed
   d) He agreed happily
   → Answer: c)
3. Who supported Raghu and called him a genius?
   a) His father
   b) His friend
   c) His grandfather
   d) His teacher
   → Answer: c)
4. What message did the grandfather give at the end?
   a) Don’t join a band
   b) Fathers are always right
   c) Conflicts between fathers and sons are natural
   d) Become a scientist
   → Answer: c)

Short Questions and Answers

1. Q: What was Raghu’s wish at the beginning of the poem?
   A: Raghu wanted to go mountain climbing.
2. Q: How did Raghu’s father react to his mountain climbing idea?
   A: He rejected the idea, saying Raghu wasn’t really sporty.
3. Q: What was Raghu’s complaint about his parents?
   A: He felt they treated him like a baby at home, despite being a prefect at school.
4. Q: How did Raghu feel after being rejected again and again?
   A: He felt angry, misunderstood, and cried.
5. Q: How did the grandfather help Raghu?
   A: He supported Raghu, learned from him about the internet, and gave emotional support.
6. Q: What life lesson did the grandfather give?
   A: He said father-son conflicts are common, and one day Raghu would also understand when he becomes a father.

C.3. On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the web given below.

What Raghu Wants but can’t have

• To go mountain climbing
• To join a band
• To be independent
• To look and dress as he likes
• To be understood by his father

C.4. Complete the following statements on the basis of your reading of the poem

(a) For any two of the answers written in C.3, write a reason given by Raghu’s father for rejecting it.
(i) Mountain climbing – His father says he’s not really sporty.
(ii) Joining a band – His father says it’s not a good career choice and that it will make life sad.

(b) Write the line that suggests that Raghu is confused.
“Am I the Prefect at school? Or the baby at home?”

(c) Do you think Raghu is stubborn? Give a reason for your answer
Yes, he is stubborn because he refuses to change his appearance or behaviour, even though his father repeatedly tells him to.

(d) Is Raghu’s father reasonable or unfair? Give a reason for your answer.
He is somewhat unreasonable because he doesn’t try to understand Raghu’s perspective and outright rejects his interests without discussion.

(e) Raghu’s father does not allow him to join the band because
he believes it won’t lead to a stable career and fears Raghu is wasting his future.

(f) Raghu’s grandpa is different from his father. The difference is
Grandpa is open-minded and supportive, while the father is strict and dismissive of Raghu’s choices.

(g) Grandpa feels that Raghu should not worry about dad’s attitude because:
Grandpa says not to worry about his father’s attitude because this is a common phase in every father-son relationship, and Raghu will understand it when he grows up.

(h) Write the word from the poem that suggests the same meaning as ‘shocked’.
Flabbergasted

C.5. Give an appropriate title to the poem.

“Generation Gap: A Teenage Tug-of-War”
or
“Between Two Worlds – Raghu’s Story”

C.6. HOTS

Develop a short story (150-200 words) either beginning or ending with the following prompt from the poem.

‘Am I the Prefect at school? or the baby at home?’

Story:

“Am I the Prefect at school? Or the baby at home?” Raghu slammed the door behind him as he muttered to himself. At school, he was respected for his leadership and confidence. At home, his every choice—from hairstyle to hobbies—was doubted. Frustrated, he turned to his grandpa, who patiently listened and said, “Your father loves you, but he still sees you as his little boy. He doesn’t realise how much you’ve grown.”
That evening, Raghu decided not to yell or argue. Instead, he showed his father the emails he helped Grandpa send, and the music he was working on for his band.
To his surprise, his father sat down and asked questions. For the first time, there was a real conversation.
Raghu smiled, realising he didn’t need to fight to prove himself. He just needed to be understood.

C.7. Life Skills

Imagine you are Raghu. You made Grandpa your confidant and sought solace in him. Grandpa’s wise words began to impact you positively and eventually brought about a better understanding of your age and thoughts.

A friend of yours is distressed and often finds themselves in a personal psychological conflict. How would you help them overcome this conflict?

Discuss in your group.

As Raghu, I would help my friend by:

• Listening without judgment – just being there matters.
• Encouraging expression – asking them to talk, write or draw their feelings.
• Sharing Grandpa’s advice – that confusion and identity crises are a normal part of growing up.
• Suggesting hobbies – like music, reading, or journaling for emotional release.
• Reminding them of self-worth – they are more than others’ opinions.
• Helping them seek help – maybe from a counsellor or a trusted adult if things feel too heavy.

C.8. Values – Given the accelerating rate of change in the society, generation gap is inevitable. Disagreements over taste in music, fashion, values, personality and mannerisms between parents and children are common and affect their interaction.

Generation Gap

(a) Write down what changes in traditional values have contributed to generation gap (any four to five)?

• Respecting elders without questioning them → Now questioning is part of growing.
• Joint family systems → More nuclear families and independent lifestyles.
• Fixed career paths (doctor/engineer) → Now diverse creative careers are encouraged.
• Conservative dress codes → Now freedom of expression through fashion.
• Strict gender roles → Now more equality and flexibility in roles.

(b) How can the adverse effects of these changes be reduced?

• Encourage open dialogue between parents and children.
• Parents should listen and understand modern challenges and trends.
• Teenagers should respect experience while expressing individuality.
• Organize family activities that promote bonding.
• Seek help from counsellors or mentors if misunderstandings grow.
• Teach empathy and patience to both generations.

C.9. Imagine you are the teenager’s mother, who goes to his hostel room. You are shocked. Write a letter to your child suggesting the changes that you would like him to make in his room and the reasons for your saying so.

Dear Aarav,

I visited your hostel room last weekend and was quite surprised. I understand you’re busy with classes and friends, but your room looked untidy and cluttered. Clothes were all over, dishes piled up, and books scattered on the floor.

This kind of environment affects your mental clarity and discipline. I suggest keeping your space cleaner—it will reflect a clear, calm mind. Make your bed daily, arrange your books neatly, and do laundry regularly.

Also, your food packets and gadgets everywhere made it look like you’re skipping proper meals and rest. Please prioritize your health.

I know you’re growing and learning to be independent. A tidy room is a step in the right direction. It will make you feel more in control and responsible. I’m proud of your achievements—just want you to live in a way that helps you grow even better.

Take care of yourself.

Love,
Maa