AT SCHOOL CLASS 8 ENGLISH
This excerpt from Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography provides insight into his early life, schooling, and formative experiences. As a child, Gandhi was shy, reserved, and focused on his studies. Despite being a mediocre student, his dedication and moral values stood out. Two plays—“Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka” and “Harischandra”—deeply influenced him, instilling ideals of truth, devotion, and selflessness. His headmaster, Dorabji Edulji Gimi, introduced physical activities like gymnastics and cricket, which Gandhi initially disliked but later realized were crucial for holistic education. Gandhi also acknowledges his neglect of good handwriting, later recognizing its importance as part of a complete education. These experiences shaped his personality and values, laying the foundation for his future philosophies.
20 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
1. Where did Gandhi’s father move when Gandhi was about seven years old?
A. Mumbai
B. Rajkot
C. Porbandar
D. Ahmedabad
Answer: B. Rajkot
2. What type of student did Gandhi consider himself to be?
A. Excellent
B. Mediocre
C. Poor
D. Extraordinary
Answer: B. Mediocre
3. What were Gandhi’s main companions during his school days?
A. Friends
B. Teachers
C. Books and lessons
D. Sports
Answer: C. Books and lessons
4. Why did Gandhi avoid talking to others?
A. He was afraid of punishment.
B. He disliked people.
C. He was shy and feared being ridiculed.
D. He wanted to focus on studies.
Answer: C. He was shy and feared being ridiculed.
5. Which play influenced Gandhi with the theme of devotion to parents?
A. Harischandra
B. Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka
C. Ramayana
D. Mahabharata
Answer: B. Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka
6. What did Gandhi find inspiring about Shravana?
A. His bravery
B. His devotion to his parents
C. His intelligence
D. His strength
Answer: B. His devotion to his parents
7. What instrument did Gandhi use to play the tune from the play about Shravana?
A. Guitar
B. Concertina
C. Flute
D. Harmonium
Answer: B. Concertina
8. Which play instilled the value of truthfulness in Gandhi?
A. Harischandra
B. Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka
C. Ramayana
D. Mahabharata
Answer: A. Harischandra
9. What did Gandhi do after watching the play “Harischandra”?
A. Ignored it
B. Memorized its lines
C. Tried to emulate Harischandra’s truthfulness
D. Criticized it
Answer: C. Tried to emulate Harischandra’s truthfulness
10. Who was Gandhi’s headmaster during his seventh standard?
A. Dorabji Edulji Gimi
B. Mahadev Desai
C. Narayan Pandit
D. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: A. Dorabji Edulji Gimi
11. What activities did Gandhi’s headmaster make compulsory?
A. Singing and dancing
B. Gymnastics and cricket
C. Meditation and yoga
D. Reading and writing
Answer: B. Gymnastics and cricket
12. Why did Gandhi initially avoid sports?
A. He lacked interest.
B. He was physically weak.
C. He thought it was unrelated to education.
D. He disliked his headmaster.
Answer: C. He thought it was unrelated to education.
13. What does Gandhi later recognize about physical training?
A. It is irrelevant.
B. It is unnecessary.
C. It is as important as mental training.
D. It is only for athletes.
Answer: C. It is as important as mental training.
14. What was Gandhi’s belief about handwriting during his school years?
A. It was unimportant.
B. It was very crucial.
C. It was a sign of intelligence.
D. It was unnecessary for education.
Answer: A. It was unimportant.
15. When did Gandhi realize the importance of good handwriting?
A. During high school
B. After reading books
C. In England
D. During his seventh standard
Answer: C. In England
16. Which value did the play “Harischandra” primarily inspire in Gandhi?
A. Courage
B. Devotion
C. Truthfulness
D. Intelligence
Answer: C. Truthfulness
17. What left an indelible impression on Gandhi from the play about Shravana?
A. The storyline
B. The characters
C. The lament of the parents
D. The costumes
Answer: C. The lament of the parents
18. What penalty did Gandhi mention for neglecting physical exercise?
A. Lack of physical fitness
B. Poor grades
C. Isolation from friends
D. Weak moral values
Answer: A. Lack of physical fitness
19. What lesson does Gandhi highlight about handwriting?
A. It is a waste of time.
B. It is a necessary part of education.
C. It is more important than physical training.
D. It is only useful for artists.
Answer: B. It is a necessary part of education.
20. Which two plays are mentioned in this lesson?
A. Ramayana and Mahabharata
B. Harischandra and Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka
C. Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka and Bhagavad Gita
D. Harischandra and Ramayana
Answer: B. Harischandra and Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka
Reading Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
1. Gandhiji’s sole companions at high school were his books and lessons. Why?
Ans. Gandhiji’s sole companions at school were his books and lessons. It was so because he was very shy and avoided all company.
2. What made Gandhiji do his lessons though his mind was not on them?
Ans. Although Gandhiji did not have his mind on the lessons he did them because he disliked be- ing taken to task by his teachers as much as he disliked deceiving them.
3. How did the book and pictures of Shravana affect Gandhiji?
Ans. The book and pictures of Shravana left an indelible impression on Gandhiji’s mind. He thought that it was an example for him, worthy of copying.
4. Which ideal did the play Harishchandra in- spire in him?
Ans. The play Harishchandra inspired in him the ideal of being truthful.
5. Why did Gandhiji weep piteously?
Ans. The thought of the ordeal, Harishchandra had to pass through made Gandhiji weep piteously.
6. What was the wrong notion that he had?
Ans. The wrong notion that Gandhiji had was that good handwriting was not a necessary part of education.