Kerala Syllabus Class 8 English: Unit 02 Wings of Hope: Lesson 02 - A Prescription for Life - Questions and Answers | Teachers Handbook
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ഈ ബ്ലോഗ് ഉടമയുടെ രേഖാമൂലമുള്ള അനുമതിയില്ലാതെ ഈ ബ്ലോഗിൽ നൽകിയിരിക്കുന്ന ചോദ്യോത്തരങ്ങൾ, ഇതേരീതിയിലോ പി.ഡി.എഫ് രൂപത്തിലോ, മറ്റേതെങ്കിലും ഡിജിറ്റലോ, പ്രിന്റഡ് ഉൾപ്പെടെയുള്ള ഏതെങ്കിലും രൂപങ്ങളിലേക്കോ മാറ്റി മറ്റൊരു വെബ്സൈറ്റിലോ, ബ്ലോഗിലോ, യുട്യൂബ്, സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയാ ഗ്രൂപ്പുകളിലോ ഉൾപ്പെടെ ഒരിടത്തും പ്രചരിപ്പിക്കാൻ പാടില്ലാത്തതാകുന്നു.
Std 8 English Unit II Wings of Hope - Lesson 02 A Prescription for Life - Textual Questions and Answers & Activities
A Prescription for Life - Questions and Answers
1. Why did the narrator visit the British Museum?
The narrator visited the British Museum to learn about some sort of illness that he thought he had, probably hay fever.
2. Do you think the narrator worries too much? Why?
Yes, the narrator worries too much. He went to the museum just to read about hay fever. After reading a few pages, he believed he had many serious diseases. He didn't stay calm. Even though he was healthy, he thought he was very sick. This shows that he gets scared easily and thinks too much about small things.
3. Have you come across anyone who worries about their health just like the narrator? Share your experience.
Yes, I have seen people like that. One of my friends always thinks he is sick, even when he is fine. If he has a small headache, he thinks it is something serious. He keeps searching on the internet and finds scary diseases. Then he gets more worried. Sometimes he even goes to the doctor, and the doctor says he is perfectly healthy. But still, he worries a lot. Just like the narrator, he thinks too much and feels sick even when he is not.
4. How does the narrator describe his condition when he left the reading room?
The narrator says that he walked into the reading room as a happy, healthy man, but he crawled out as a decrepit wreck. This means he entered the room feeling well and strong, but after reading about all the diseases, he felt weak, sick, and broken. Nothing was really wrong with him.
5. Why did the narrator decide to visit the doctor?
The narrator decided to visit the doctor because he thought he had many serious diseases. He was very scared and wanted to be sure about his health. Also, the doctor was his friend and checked him for free, so he thought it was a good idea to go and get help.
6. What did the narrator tell the doctor about his illness?
The narrator told the doctor that he had every disease except housemaid's knee. He said he didn't know why. hehe didn't have that one, but he had all the others. He didn't explain each illness because he thought it would take too long to do so.
7. Did the doctor take the narrator's concerns seriously? Give reasons to support your answer.
No, the doctor did not take the narrator's worries seriously. He knew the narrator was not really sick but was only thinking too much. The doctor gave him a funny check-up and wrote a simple note that said: eat good food, drink water, walk every day, sleep early, and stop thinking about things he doesn't understand. This shows the doctor knew the narrator just needed rest and a calm mind.
8. Why did the pharmacist return the prescription to the narrator?
The pharmacist returned the prescription because it didn't have any medicine in it. It only said things like: eat well, drink water, walk every day, and sleep early. The pharmacist said he could not help because he only gives medicine, not food, water, or rest.
♦ Let's rewind
1. What happened when the narrator began reading the medical encyclopaedia?
When the narrator began reading the medical encyclopedia, he started with hay fever, but soon became absorbed in reading about various other diseases. To his horror, he realized he had the symptoms of every illness he read about. By the time he finished going through the entire book alphabetically, he believed he had every disease listed except for housemaid's knee.
2. How did the narrator's visit to the doctor change his perspective on life?
The doctor, instead of prescribing medicine, gave him a humorous but wise "prescription": eat a balanced diet, drink water regularly, walk daily, go to bed early, and avoid worrying about things he didn't understand. This simple advice made the narrator realise the importance of living sensibly and not overthinking about health. It shifted his mindset from fear to a healthier approach to life.
3. What aspect of the narrator's character is revealed in the story?
The narrator is imaginative, humorous, and slightly dramatic. His tendency to exaggerate and self-diagnose shows he is overanxious and prone to jumping to conclusions. However, his wit, honesty, and ability to laugh at himself make the narrative lighthearted and relatable.
4. How does the narrator's experience bring out the risks of self-diagnosis and the benefits of taking medical advice?
The narrator's experience highlights the dangers of self-diagnosis, especially when based on incomplete or misunderstood information. His panic and false belief that he was suffering from multiple diseases show how easy it is to misinterpret symptoms. In contrast, his visit to the doctor brings clarity, comfort, and practical advice. It shows professional medical guidance is far more reliable and calming than internet or book-based self-assessment.
5. Have you heard of the saying, 'A healthy mind in a healthy body'? What do you think it means in the light of 'A Prescription for Life'?
Yes, the saying means that physical health and mental well-being are closely connected. In the light of 'A Prescription for Life,' it suggests that worrying excessively about health can damage the mind. Simple, healthy habits like good food, exercise, sleep and peace of mind can lead to both physical and mental wellness. Jerome's story humorously shows how overthinking can harm us. A calm and sensible living is the best prescription for a happy life.
♦ Let's explore
♦ Activity 1
A. The events of the story have been jumbled. Rewrite them in the correct order.
• He decides to consult his doctor for help.
• The doctor examines him and gives him a prescription.
• The chemist reads the prescription and finds it interesting.
• Jerome takes the prescription back and reads it for the first time.
• Jerome leaves the pharmacy feeling hopeful.
• Jerome goes to the British Museum to learn more about an illness.
• He expresses his fear to the doctor.
• Jerome takes the prescription to the pharmacy.
• There, he reads the medical encyclopaedia and believes he has all the illnesses mentioned in it.
• It was some common-sense advice on proper diet and exercise.
Answer:
• Jerome goes to the British Museum to learn more about an illness.
• There, he reads the medical encyclopaedia and believes he has all the illnesses mentioned in it.
• He decides to consult his doctor for help.
• He expresses his fear to the doctor.
• The doctor examines him and gives him a prescription.
• Jerome takes the prescription to the pharmacy.
• The chemist reads the prescription and finds it interesting.
• Jerome takes the prescription back and reads it for the first time.
• It was some common-sense advice on proper diet and exercise.
• Jerome leaves the pharmacy feeling hopeful.
B. Draft a detailed narrative using the sentences above. You may rephrase them and add more sentences. Add suitable linkers to make the narrative interesting.
Jerome had always been a little anxious about his health. One afternoon, determined to learn more about a troubling illness, he went to the British Museum. As he explored the shelves, he discovered the medical encyclopaedia and began reading it with great interest. Yet, the deeper he read, the more alarmed he became, for he started to imagine that he was suffering from every single illness described in its pages.
Unable to bear the worry, Jerome decided that the only sensible step was to consult his doctor. When he arrived at the clinic, he poured out his fears, explaining how the encyclopaedia had convinced him that he was gravely ill. The doctor listened patiently, examined him thoroughly, and then, with a knowing smile, wrote out a prescription.
Jerome, still nervous, carried the prescription to the pharmacy. The chemist, upon reading it, raised his eyebrows in surprise, for it was unlike any prescription he had seen before. Curious, Jerome took the paper back and read it himself for the first time. To his astonishment, it contained no medicines at all, but instead a set of wise instructions:
"A balanced diet with water every couple of hours. A ten-mile walk every morning. To bed at sharp 11 o'clock every night. And don't stuff up your head with things you don't understand."
At that moment, Jerome realized that what he needed was not medicine, but common-sense advice on healthy living. Relieved and hopeful, he left the pharmacy with a lighter heart, determined to follow the doctor’s guidance and live more sensibly.
♦ Activity 2
A. Read the following diary entry.
Monday, 18 June
Oh! What a day! Truly unforgettable. I went to the British Museum Library
today, hoping to learn something about hay fever. Going through the medical encyclopaedia, I felt I had almost all the diseases listed in it. All except 'housemaid's knee'! Why was that illness left out? I don't know. Good heavens! Am I a hospital myself? Anyway, good thing I consulted a doctor and that too a close friend of mine. After his routine physical examination and a few questions, he gave me a prescription. And what a prescription it was? Oh... I made such a fool of myself when I took the prescription to the chemist, who was quite helpless. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read it out: Have a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, take a long walk daily and go to bed early. Thank goodness! I'm quite relieved. In fact, I was making a fuss about nothing. From now on, I'll strictly follow the doctor's advice. Well, that's it for today. Enough of my worrying and overthinking!
Early to bed...
• What style of narration do we observe in the diary entry above—first
person/third person narration?
The diary entry uses first-person narration
This is evident from the use of pronouns like "I", "me", and "my", which show that the writer is talking about his own personal experience.
• Is the language of the diary entry formal or informal?
The language is informal.
Diary entries are usually personal and conversational. Phrases like "Oh! What a day!", "Good heavens!" and "I made such a fool of myself" reflect a relaxed and expressive tone, typical of informal writing.
• What kind of events or experiences do we include in a diary entry?
In a diary entry, we usually include:
Personal thoughts and feelings
(e.g. "I felt I had almost all the diseases", "I'm quite relieved.")
Daily events or experiences
(e.g. visiting the British Museum, meeting the doctor)
Reactions to situations or people
(e.g. surprise at the doctor's prescription, embarrassment at the pharmacy)
Lessons learned or future plans
(e.g. From now on, I'll strictly follow the doctor's advice.)
B. Read the following extracts.
Sample A:
Sophie had been wearing her grandmother's precious ring for weeks. One day, while at school, she realised it was missing. Panicking, she searched everywhere - her desk, the entire classroom, and even the playground - but couldn't find it. Just as she was losing all hope, her classmate Emma ran to her
Sample B:
3 July
I was so scared today! How could I be so irresponsible? How could I lose my ring? And, most importantly, it had been my grandmother’s favourite! I searched everywhere my desk, the entire classroom, and even the grounds. I’ve never searched the entire school in this way! Thank God! Emma came bearing my ring like an angel. At that moment, she was truly an angel from heaven! I’m so grateful to her, and I’ll never forget it.
C. Share your thoughts by filling in the blanks in the table.
| Sample A | Sample B | |
|---|---|---|
| Point of view | • third person | • first person |
| Purpose | • to narrate an incident | • to record personal thoughts, feelings, and experience. |
| Style | • descriptive | • reflective |
| Structure | • a beginning, middle and end | • free-flowing, personal reflection |
Sample A is a narrative, and sample B is a diary entry.
D. Now, let’s attempt the likely diary entry of the chemist at the pharmacy.
A very strange thing happened today! ......................................................................................
I’d like to know if he took the doctor’s advice and became better.
Answer:
Date:
A very strange thing happened today! A man named Jerome came into the pharmacy carrying a prescription from his doctor. Expecting to see the usual list of medicines, I opened it and was astonished. Instead of drugs or tonics, the doctor had written down a set of instructions that read:
"A balanced diet with water every couple of hours. A ten-mile walk every morning. To bed at sharp 11 o'clock every night. And don't stuff up your head with things you don't understand."
I must admit, I found it both unusual and refreshing. Jerome looked rather puzzled at first, but when he read the words himself, I noticed a flicker of relief on his face. It was clear that the doctor had prescribed not medicine, but common sense and healthy living.
As Jerome left the pharmacy, I couldn’t help but wonder whether he would truly follow this advice. Would he change his habits, eat better, walk daily, and sleep on time? Most of all, would he stop worrying about illnesses he didn’t have? I sincerely hope he did, because sometimes the simplest remedies are the most powerful.
♦ Activity 3
A. Let's read the doctor's prescription again:
"A balanced diet with water every couple of hours. A ten-mile walk every morning. To bed at sharp 11 o'clock every night. And don't stuff up your head with things you don't understand."
Do you think this prescription will be helpful for healthy living? Why?
Yes, this prescription can definitely be helpful for healthy living, and here’s why:
• Balanced diet and hydration: Eating nutritious food and drinking water regularly keeps the body energized, supports digestion, and maintains overall health.
• Daily exercise: A ten‑mile walk every morning may sound ambitious, but the principle of regular physical activity is vital. It strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and reduces stress.
• Proper sleep routine: Going to bed at 11 o’clock every night ensures adequate rest, which is essential for mental clarity, immunity, and emotional balance.
• Avoiding unnecessary worry: The advice “don’t stuff up your head with things you don’t understand” is a reminder to stay calm and not overthink. Mental peace is just as important as physical health.
In short, the doctor’s prescription is not about medicines but about lifestyle discipline. Following it would likely help Jerome—or anyone—live a healthier, more hopeful life.
B. The list of essential habits for maintaining good health is given below. Add a few more such expressions to the list.
• Have a balanced diet.
• Drink enough water.
• Sleep well.
• Exercise regularly
• Stay mentally active and relaxed
• Maintain good personal hygiene
♦ Don’t you think that, while we practise healthy habits, we should also avoid unhealthy practices? Why?
Absolutely. Healthy living is not just about practising good habits but also about avoiding harmful ones. Eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, exercising regularly, and sleeping on time are all essential for keeping the body strong and the mind calm. However, if we continue with unhealthy practices such as overeating junk food, smoking, sitting for long hours, or staying up late, the benefits of healthy routines are lost. In the same way, worrying too much or filling our minds with unnecessary stress weakens our mental health. Therefore, true wellness comes from a balance: we must cultivate positive habits while consciously staying away from negative ones. Only then can we enjoy a healthy, peaceful, and meaningful life.
C. Now, add a few more to the list of unhealthy practices we should avoid.
• Too much junk/processed food
• Lack of physical activity
• Excessive screen time
• Irregular sleep patterns or staying up late unnecessarily
• Smoking and alcohol abuse
• Skipping meals or overeating
• Constant stress and negative thinking
• Ignoring hygiene and cleanliness
D. We have discussed the healthy habits we need to develop and the unhealthy practices that we should avoid. Now, write a paragraph on 'The Role of Habits in Shaping Health and Well-being'.
Habits play a crucial role in determining our overall health and well-being. Good habits such as eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, exercising regularly, maintaining proper sleep routines, and keeping a positive mindset strengthen both the body and mind. They help us build resilience, improve immunity, and maintain energy throughout the day. On the other hand, unhealthy practices like consuming too much junk food, avoiding physical activity, spending excessive time on screens, smoking, or neglecting rest can gradually weaken our system and lead to serious health problems. Since habits are repeated actions, they shape our lifestyle and influence our long-term quality of life. Therefore, cultivating healthy habits and consciously avoiding harmful ones is essential for achieving true wellness, happiness, and balance in everyday living.
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