WATER’S FOR Class 8 English Lesson 1 POEM

This poem presents two contrasting perspectives on water use. The first part reflects the practical, everyday uses of water as described by an adult (likely the mother), focusing on cleaning, drinking, and gardening. The second part, narrated by a child, highlights water’s playful and imaginative uses, such as puddle jumping, squirting siblings, and mixing with mud for fun. It captures childhood’s joy and creativity while showcasing water’s essential role in daily life.

WATER’S FOR Class 8 English Lesson 1 POEM

Water’s for . . .
washing, drinking
making tea,
cleaning the bath
or scrubbing me;
shining a car
or rinsing a shirt
watering tomatoes,
shifting the dirt
… my Mum says.

पानी किसलिए है . . .
धोने के लिए, पीने के लिए
चाय बनाने के लिए,
बाथटब साफ़ करने के लिए
या मुझे रगड़कर नहलाने के लिए;
कार चमकाने के लिए
या शर्ट खंगालने के लिए
टमाटरों को पानी देने के लिए,
गंदगी हटाने के लिए
… मेरी माँ कहती हैं।

But I say . . .
Paddling in wellies
or just in feet
(puddles are good
but the sea’s a treat)
squirting at brothers,
splashing Dad,
soaking my sister
to make her mad!

लेकिन मैं कहता हूँ . . .
बूट पहनकर पानी में चलने के लिए
या बस नंगे पैरों से
(पानी के गड्ढे अच्छे होते हैं
लेकिन समुद्र तो एक तोहफ़ा है)
भाइयों पर पानी की पिचकारी मारने के लिए,
पापा पर पानी उछालने के लिए,
अपनी बहन को भिगोने के लिए
ताकि वह गुस्सा हो जाए!

Mixing with mud
to bake a pie,
spraying the dog
or catching a fly.
bath or puddle,
sleet or rain,
let’s all play
a WATER game!

मिट्टी में मिलाकर
पाई बनाने के लिए,
कुत्ते पर पानी छिड़कने के लिए
या मक्खी पकड़ने के लिए।
बाथटब हो या पानी का गड्ढा,
बर्फ़ हो या बारिश,
चलो हम सब मिलकर खेलें
एक पानी का खेल!

Multiple-Choice Questions:

1. What is the main focus of the first part of the poem?
   a) Playing with water
   b) Practical uses of water
   c) Saving water
   d) Environmental pollution
   Answer: b) Practical uses of water
2. What is the child’s favourite activity with water?
   a) Drinking water
   b) Washing clothes
   c) Playing and splashing
   d) Watering plants
   Answer: c) Playing and splashing
3. What does “shifting the dirt” mean in the poem?
   a) Cleaning dirty places
   b) Moving soil in a garden
   c) Playing in the mud
   d) Spraying water on dirt
   Answer: a) Cleaning dirty places
4. Which poetic device is used in “Paddling in wellies”?
   a) Simile
   b) Alliteration
   c) Metaphor
   d) Personification
   Answer: b) Alliteration
5. What does the mother value most about water?
   a) Its practical uses
   b) Its entertainment value
   c) Its beauty
   d) Its availability
   Answer: a) Its practical uses
6. Why does the child enjoy spraying the dog?
   a) To clean the dog
   b) For fun
   c) To teach the dog tricks
   d) To shift the dirt
   Answer: b) For fun
7. What type of water is described as a “treat”?
   a) Rain
   b) The sea
   c) Puddles
   d) A bath
   Answer: b) The sea
8. What emotion is likely caused by soaking the sister?
   a) Joy
   b) Anger
   c) Gratitude
   d) Fear
   Answer: b) Anger
9. Which action does NOT involve water in the poem?
   a) Spraying the dog
   b) Mixing with mud
   c) Rinsing a shirt
   d) Sweeping the floor
   Answer: d) Sweeping the floor
10. What is the tone of the child’s section of the poem?
    a) Serious
    b) Playful
    c) Sad
    d) Neutral
    Answer: b) Playful
11. What does the word “wellies” refer to?
    a) Gloves
    b) Rain boots
    c) Hats
    d) Raincoats
    Answer: b) Rain boots
12. What does “sleet” refer to in the poem?
    a) Snow
    b) Frozen rain
    c) Strong winds
    d) Puddles
    Answer: b) Frozen rain
13. Why is water important for tomatoes?
    a) To clean them
    b) To water them for growth
    c) To wash off dirt
    d) To mix with mud
    Answer: b) To water them for growth
14. What does the child use mud for?
    a) Cleaning
    b) Making a pie
    c) Painting
    d) Shifting dirt
    Answer: b) Making a pie
15. What activity involves “paddling”?
    a) Cooking
    b) Walking through the water
    c) Jumping on a trampoline
    d) Drinking water
    Answer: b) Walking through the water
16. What does the word “soaking” mean in the context of the poem?
    a) Drying
    b) Absorbing
    c) Drenching with water
    d) Splashing lightly
    Answer: c) Drenching with water
17. What does the mother’s perspective emphasize?
    a) The scarcity of water
    b) Water’s role in hygiene and chores
    c) The joy of playing with water
    d) Rainy weather
    Answer: b) Water’s role in hygiene and chores
18. What poetic device is prominent in the line “bath or puddle, sleet or rain”?
    a) Rhyme
    b) Simile
    c) Hyperbole
    d) Onomatopoeia
    Answer: a) Rhyme
19. What kind of game does the child suggest?
    a) A card game
    b) A water-based game
    c) A puzzle
    d) A video game
    Answer: b) A water-based game
20. What lesson can be inferred from the poem?
    a) Water should be used only for work.
    b) Water is essential for fun and utility.
    c) Playing with water is a waste.
    d) Adults know better than children.
    Answer: b) Water is essential for fun and utility.

Reading Comprehension

1. Complete the table, “What’s water for,” according to the child and the mother.

2. Given are some situations. Imagine yourself as a five-year-old child. Tick some of the situations that you would enjoy doing:

1. Waking up someone by pouring water. (X)
2. Watering plants. (√)
3. Jumping in rainwater. (√)
4. Washing clothes. (X)
5. Throwing water on someone. (√)
6. Floating paper boats in a tub or bucket. (√)
7. Fill an empty bottle with water. (√)
8. Pouring out water from one glass to another. (V)
9. Put a piece of paper in the water and stick it on the walls or door. (√)
10. Playing with water. (√)

3. Complete the table with your own rhyming words. Pick up one from the poem :