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Solutions

Overview

Step-by-step NCERT solutions for Mystery and Magic (Chapter 3, NCERT Class 8 English) — every question and answer worked out in full, not just the final result. You can also read the Mystery and Magic textbook chapter.

Solved

What these solutions cover

All 101 questions in Mystery and Magic are solved in the PDF. Here's what's inside, exercise by exercise:

Pre-reading — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. Work in pairs. Solve the crossword puzzle with anagram clues. (Illustrative responses for selected clues)
  2. Match the different meanings of 'case' with the sentences. Which meaning does the title refer to?

Let us discuss I (after Part I) — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. Complete: Leroy's nickname was Encyclopedia and everyone called him by that name because ______________.
  2. Complete: At the dinner table on Tuesday night, Chief Brown stared at his cream-of-mushroom soup as ______________.
  3. Complete: Encyclopedia sat quietly at the dinner table because ______________.
  4. Complete: Nolan put the will on the kitchen table because ______________.
  5. Do you think Chief Brown would need Leroy's help to solve this case? Why or why not?

Let us discuss II (after Part II) — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. Identify which statements are facts or opinions. (Statement 1 done as example: Fact)
  2. Complete the character traits table for Leroy (Textual Evidences given; match each to a trait from: cleverness, listener, knowledgeable, gentle, keen, humble).

Let us think and reflect — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. Extract 1 (Chief Brown / Encyclopedia passage). (i) Complete: Chief Brown's dilemma can be called unique because ____________.
  2. Extract 1. (ii) What can be inferred about why Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father? (A–D options)
  3. Extract 1. (iii) Select the reason that is FALSE for why the parents choose not to call their son 'Encyclopedia'.
  4. Extract 1. (iv) What does the writer mean by the fact that Leroy was 'stuck with' the name Encyclopedia?
  5. Extract 2 (Nom Utes Sweden Hurts passage). (i) What does Chief Brown's reaction of shaking his head suggest? (A–D options)
  6. Extract 2. (ii) True or False: Mrs. Brown explained the actual meanings of the individual words rather than decoding the hidden message behind them.
  7. Extract 2. (iii) What does Mrs. Brown's inability to decode the words suggest about the message?
  8. Extract 2. (iv) Complete: The purpose of Encyclopedia's reminder in the last line of the extract was to _________________.
  9. II.1 Nolan and Davenport were very close. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
  10. II.2 Why did Davenport disappear right after the jewellery hold-up? What might his plans have been if Nolan had not died?
  11. II.3 What does Mrs. Brown's interest in the case tell us about her?
  12. II.4 Explain why Chief Brown was proud of his son.
  13. II.5 Why were Chief Brown's suspicions regarding Nolan and Davenport justified, even when there was a lack of concrete proof?
  14. II.6 Analyse the role of the four-word coded message in the story.
  15. II.7 Write a character sketch on Leroy (beginning: 'Encyclopedia was a knowledgeable eighth grader who never forgot a fact that he read.').

Let us learn — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. I. Match phrasal verbs from the text with their meanings. Then fill in the blanks.
  2. II. Fill in the blanks with correct homophone pairs from the box (week/weak, peace/piece, dying/dyeing, break/brake, fore/four).
  3. III. Solve the visual word puzzles (rebus puzzles). Example done: 'Top secret'.
  4. IV. Find the correct order for the following spoonerisms.
  5. V. Fill in the blanks to complete the paragraph about detective stories using words from the box (where, when, why, because, who, whose, though, if, which, how).
  6. VI. Combine sentences using the word given in brackets.
  7. VII. Transform the five sentences from direct speech to indirect speech (Mrs. Brown as reporting character).
  8. VIII. Rewrite sentences in Reported Speech.
  9. IX. Complete the indirect speech paragraph from the Aditi–Rahul dialogue.

Let us speak — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. I. Practise reading tricky words aloud with pronunciation guides. (Scope B — speaking practice)
  2. II. Conduct a group discussion on 'The Interesting Aspects of a Mystery Story'. (Scope B — talking points)

Let us write — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. Write a report on an 'Inter-school Art Exhibition' organised by your school. (Scope B — model report)

Let us explore — The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. I. Look at the optical illusion images and check your answers. (Scope B — observation activity)
  2. II. Play the 'Name the Mystery Object' language game. (Scope B — model example response)
  3. III. Visit the library and look for an encyclopedia. How is it different from a dictionary?
  4. IV. Use a thesaurus to find alternative words for any five words of your choice.

Pre-reading — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. I. Discuss: 1. A magical object you would like to have and why. 2. What you would draw with a magic paintbrush and why. 3. Would you use it for someone else?
  2. II. Discuss instances of acts of kindness you have heard, read, or experienced.
  3. III. Guess meanings of words and draw pictures; then sort into categories (Things, Actions, Emotions).

Let us discuss — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. I. Arrange the events in order of occurrence in the poem. (Event 10 is last.)
  2. II. Fill in the blanks about the poem's shifting tone (options: playful and innocent / tension and suspense / triumphant and celebratory).
  3. III. Fill in the blanks about rhyme scheme and poetry genre.
  4. IV. Give examples from the poem for: 1. Imagery. 2. Effect of repetition in 'On you, and you and you!'
  5. V. Match phrases from Column 1 with what they symbolise in Column 2.
  6. VI. True or False: While Gopi uses the magic brush to help others, the Zamindar wants to use it for personal gain. This contrast drives the moral of the story.

Let us think and reflect — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. Extract 1 (man gives Gopi the brush). (i) Fill in: The man is whispering and telling Gopi to keep the brush a secret, reflecting his ________ nature. (Options: careful and secretive / magical and delightful)
  2. Extract 1. (ii) What is the significance of the man slipping the brush into Gopi's hand?
  3. Extract 1. (iii) Complete: The most likely reason the man instructs Gopi to 'Paint not for wealthy ones but only for the poor' is because he _______.
  4. Extract 1. (iv) Select the most appropriate title from: A. The Magic Brush's Secret B. Gopi's Special Gift
  5. Extract 2 (news spreads / Zamindar's demand). (i) Complete: The news of Gopi's magic brush spreads 'through forests, fields, and plains' because of its _______.
  6. Extract 2. (ii) Why does the poet refer to things painted by Gopi's paintbrush as 'magic gains'?
  7. Extract 2. (iii) Which statement is false? Rectify it. A. Gopi's magic brush draws the attention of the powerful Zamindar. B. The Zamindar requests Gopi to paint a grand fortress and jewels.
  8. Extract 2. (iv) What does the Zamindar's demand for a grand fortress and jewels reveal about his character?
  9. II.1 Explain why Gopi made the right decision by refusing to paint for the Zamindar.
  10. II.2 Gopi threatens to draw a beast to scare away the Zamindar. Justify her action. How would you have dealt with the situation differently?
  11. II.3 What is the significance of Gopi celebrating with the villagers at the end of the poem?
  12. II.4 Compare Gopi's use of the magic brush to how the Zamindar would have used it.
  13. II.5 What can be inferred about Gopi's character based on her refusal to follow the Zamindar's orders?
  14. II.6 Justify the appropriateness of the title 'The Magic Brush of Dreams'.
  15. II.7 If you had the magic brush, how would you use it in today's world?

Let us learn — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. I. Match sentences in Column 1 with appropriate meanings of the verb 'draw' in Column 2.
  2. II. Fill in the crossword using words from the poem. (Clues given)
  3. III. Match expressions (interjections) in Column 1 with emotions in Column 2. Then create sentences using any five.

Let us speak — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. I. Read sentences with falling tone (imperative sentences). Practice notes.
  2. II. Make formal and informal requests for the given situations. (Scope B — model talking points)

Let us write — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. II. Complete the checklist for an imaginative essay based on 'My Life as EcoFlash'. (Scope B — model analysis)
  2. III. Write an imaginative essay on one of the topics: 1. A scarf that flew away from a clothesline. 2. A magical book that transported you to a different time period. (Scope B — model essay)

Let us explore — The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. I. P. C. Sorcar Sr. — Find out about him. He is known as one of the 'World's Greatest Magicians'.
  2. II. Solve the riddles about things that seem unreal.
  3. III. Create a magical object — draw and describe its special quality.

Pre-reading — Spectacular Wonders

  1. I. Sort the pictures into natural and man-made wonders. (Scope B — illustrative response)
  2. II & III. Which wonders — man-made or natural — are more appealing and why? Write two wonders of nature that amazed you.
  3. IV. Complete the web chart with words associated with 'Nature's Power'.

Let us discuss — Spectacular Wonders

  1. I. Complete the table: Amazing Natural Phenomena — Location and One Unique Feature.

Let us think and reflect — Spectacular Wonders

  1. Extract 1 ( … (i) Replace the underlined phrase: 'India is the birthplace of several rare species of flora and fauna that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.' — replace 'the birthplace of' with a phrase from the extract.
  2. Extract 1. (ii) What does the phrase 'nature's unusual side' suggest about the phenomena described?
  3. Extract 1. (iii) Complete the analogy: spark : imagination :: ______________ : ______________.
  4. Extract 1. (iv) True or False: Some natural phenomena can surprise people.
  5. Extract 2 (Chandipur Beach passage). (i) Complete: The writer's most likely purpose to introduce the Chandipur Beach information with a question is to ____.
  6. Extract 2. (ii) Select the correct option for Assertion (A) and Reason (R). A: Chandipur Beach is known for the sea disappearing. R: The tides retreat drastically, exposing the beach.
  7. Extract 2. (iii) What does the term 'unique' suggest about the beach in Balasore?
  8. Extract 2. (iv) What does the writer want to convey with 'playing hide-and-seek with its visitors'?
  9. II.1 How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya?
  10. II.2 Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?
  11. II.3 What might be the writer's purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring natural wonders of India?
  12. II.4 The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for some phenomena. What impact does it have on readers?
  13. II.5 Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting and why?

Let us learn — Spectacular Wonders

  1. I. Fill in the blanks with correct expressions from the text (came into existence / in disbelief / to no end / to name a few / in full glory / age-old problem).
  2. II. Select synonyms from the box (colossal, enigmatic, exotic, serene, spectacular) for the five groups of words.
  3. III. Match binomials in Column 1 with meanings in Column 2. Then use them in sentences.
  4. IV. Identify present or past participles used as adjectives in examples, then fill in the blanks.
  5. V. Identify gerunds (G) and participles (P) in sentences.
  6. VI. Combine pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds.

Let us speak — Spectacular Wonders

  1. I. Make a group presentation on a place of interest in and around your region. (Scope B — model outline)

Let us write — Spectacular Wonders

  1. I. Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine about something from nature that attracted your attention. (Scope B — model essay)

Let us explore — Spectacular Wonders

  1. I. Identify and describe the man-made wonders mentioned. (Scope B — from the text)
  2. II. Some micro-planktons are bioluminescent. Identify the insect shown (implied: firefly) and find what it is called in your language.
Sample

Worked examples

3 questions from Mystery and Magic, solved step by step.

Pre-reading — The Case of the Fifth Word

Work in pairs. Solve the crossword puzzle with anagram clues. (Illustrative responses for selected clues)

An anagram rearranges the letters of one word to form another.

Across: 3. DECLARE → CLEARED 6. TUCKS → STUCK 7. HEART → EARTH 9. FELT → LEFT 10. SOWN → OWNS 12. SWORD → WORDS 13. EVIL → VILE

Down: 1. ACES → CASE 2. READ → DARE 4. TOOL → LOOT 5. ALPS → SLAP 6. HOOKS → SHOOK 8. MANE → NAME 11. LOVES → SOLVE

Answer: Model answers above — adapt as needed.

Let us discuss I (after Part I) — The Case of the Fifth Word

Do you think Chief Brown would need Leroy's help to solve this case? Why or why not?

Yes, Chief Brown would need Leroy's help.

The four-word message — 'Nom Utes Sweden Hurts' — appeared completely meaningless to both Chief Brown and Mrs. Brown.

Chief Brown and his wife tried to interpret the words literally (nominative, an Indian tribe, a country, a verb) but could not decode the hidden meaning.

Only Encyclopedia's extraordinary knowledge and lateral thinking allowed him to recognise that the words were derived from days of the week by dropping the letters d-a-y.

Without Leroy, the code would have remained unsolved and Davenport would have retrieved the stolen jewellery undetected.

Answer: Yes — the coded message was beyond Chief Brown's ability to decode; only Encyclopedia's unique knowledge could reveal that the four words represented Monday–Thursday, pointing to 'Friday' (Fir) as the hiding place.

Let us discuss II (after Part II) — The Case of the Fifth Word

Identify which statements are facts or opinions. (Statement 1 done as example: Fact)

1. 'Encyclopedia's father was the Chief of Police.' — FACT (verifiable from the text).

2. 'Everyone thought that Chief Brown must be the smartest police chief in the country.' — OPINION (based on people's beliefs, not proven).

3. 'An encyclopedia is a book or set of books filled with facts from A to Z.' — FACT (a verifiable definition).

4. 'Leroy's friends said he was like a library and computer rolled into one.' — OPINION (it is a comparison expressing the friends' belief).

5. 'Two masked men held up the Diamond Mart on Sixth Avenue.' — FACT (a reported event in the story).

6. 'Nolan and Davenport had met while both were in prison in South Carolina.' — FACT (stated as known information by Chief Brown).

7. 'Chief Brown's hunch was that Davenport and Nolan decided to hide the loot until things cooled down.' — OPINION (it is a hunch, a personal belief, not proven).

8. 'Nolan wrote a four-word code to tell Davenport where he had hidden the stolen jewellery.' — FACT (confirmed at the end of the story).

Answer: Facts: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8. Opinions: 2, 4, 7.

All 101 questions in Mystery and Magic are solved step by step in the Solutions PDF above.

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