NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 17 - The Ant and the Cricket

Question 1:

The cricket says, “Oh! what will become of me?" When does he say it, and why?

Answer:

The cricket says this when winter sets in. He says so because he has saved nothing for winter. His cupboard is empty and he has nothing to eat. He is sure to die of starvation.

Question 2:

Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be”. (Shakespeare).

Answer:

... we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.

Question 3:

What is your opinion of the ant’s principle?

Answer:

The ant’s principle has a strong logic. It is based on the fact that borrowing and lending are the scissors of love and friendship.

Question 4:

The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away”. Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?

Answer:

The word ‘dance’ here is very much appropriate. It is used as a satire on the idleness of the cricket.

Question 5:

Which lines in the poem ‘The Ant and the Cricket’ express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.

Answer:

Folks call this a fable, I’ll warrant it true: Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.

Question 6:

Write the previous comment in your own words.

Answer:

The poet says that this story is not an imaginary one. He can prove it true. There are crickets of different kinds.