NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem The Last Bargain

Working with the poem

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Question 1. Who is the speaker in the poem?

Answer:-  The speaker in the poem is a daily wage earner who is looking for work.

Question 2. “The king, sword in hand” suggests

(i) wealth

(ii) power

(iii) more power than wealth.

Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.

Answer:- (ii) power

Question 3. The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer?

Answer:-  The man turn down the offer of old man because he valued his freedom above being a slave for gold.

Question 4. Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another.

(i) I have nothing to give you except goodwill and cheer.

(ii) Her happiness was no more than sorrow in disguise.

(iii) The king’s might was not worth much.

Answer:-

1. “I hire you with nothing.”
2. “Her smile paled and melted into tears.”
3. “But his power counted for naught.”

Question 5. How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach?

Answer:- The speaker realised after speaking with the child that he might not earn a penny here, but he felt immensely happy, free, and satisfied.