Gujarat Board GSEB Class 8 English Textbook Solutions Honeydew Chapter 10 The Great Stone Face 2 Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.
Gujarat Board Textbook Solutions Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 10 The Great Stone Face 2
GSEB Class 8 English The Great Stone Face 2 Text Book Questions and Answers
Answer the following questions:
Question 1.
How was Ernest different from others in the valley?
Answer:
The wise thoughts of Ernest made him different from others in the valley. Ernest was well-known in his valley and had becoihe famous even beyond the valley. College professors and even the active men of cities came from far to see and converse with him. He received them with gentle sincerity and spoke freely with them of whatever came uppermost or lay deepest in his heart or their own.
Question 2.
Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?
Answer:
When Ernest read his poems, ne hoped that the poet was like the Stone Face. The poet had celebrated the Great Stone Face in his poems. Ernest believed that the poet’s thoughts were worthy of him bearing resemblance to the Stone Face.
Question 3.
What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?
Answer:
The poet said that Ernest could hear the distant voice of a heavenly song in his thoughts and poems. However, the poet felt that his own life had not corresponded, with his thoughts. He had grand dreams, but they had been only dreams. Sometimes he even lacked faith in his own thoughts.
Question 4.
What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face ?
Answer:
When Ernest was addressing the inhabitants of the valley, the poet realised that – the life and character of Ernest were nobler than his works of poetry. At a distance high up in the golden light of the setting sun, the Great Stone Face appeared with white mists around it, similar to the white hairs around the brow of Ernest. At that moment, Ernest’s face took on an expression so grand that the poet proclaimed that Ernest was the s Stone Face.
Question 5.
Write ‘Ernest’ or ‘Poet, against each statement below:
1. There was a gap between his life and his words.
2. His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts.
3. His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream,
4. His thoughts were worthy.
5. Whatever he said was truth itself.
6. His poems were nibble.
7. His life was nobler than all the poems.
8. He lacked faith in his own thoughts.
9. His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived.
10. Greatness lies In truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great.
Answer:
1. Poet
2. Ernest
3. Poet
4. Ernest
5. Ernest
6. Poet
7. Ernest
8. Poet
9. Ernest
10. Ernest
Question 6.
(i) Who, by common consent, turned out to be like the Great Stone Face ?
Answer:
By common consent, Ernest turned out to be like the Great Stone Face.
(ii) Did Ernest believe that the old prophecy had come true? What did he say about it?
Answer:
No, Ernest did not believe that the old prophecy had come true. Even though everybody had agreed that he was the likeness of the Great Stone Face, he himself hoped that some wiser and better man than himself would appear, bearing a resemblance to the Great Stone Face.
Working With Language
Question 1.
Mark the meaning that best fits the word or a phrase in the story;
(1) (sun) going down:
(a) becoming smaller
(b) weakening
(c) setting
Answer:
(c) setting
(2) brightening:
(a) making (it) look bright and cheerful
(b) lending (it) a special glow
(c) causing (it) to appear hopeful
Answer:
(b) lending (it) a special glow
(3) spacious:
(a) lonely and wild
(b) big and wide
(c) special and important
Answer:
(b) big and wide
(4) prophecy:
(a) proverb
(b) prediction
(c) rumour
Answer:
(b) prediction
(5) marvellous:
(a) wonderful
(b) Surprising
(c) shocking
Answer:
(a) wonderful
(6) proclaim:
(a) reveal
(b) declare
(c) shout
Answer:
(b) declare
(7) cease:
(a) happen
(b) stop
(c) remain
Answer:
(b) stop
(8) (a night’s) shelter:
(a) stay
(b) safety
(c) hospitality
Answer:
(a) stay
(9) gazed:
(a) wandered about
(b) stared at
(c) thought of
Answer:
(b) stared at
(10) took on (an expression):
(a) challenged
(b) resembled
(c) assumed
Answer:
(c) assumed
Question 2.
(i) Read the following sentences:
(a) I do hope I’ll live to see him.
(b) He will come ! Fear not, Ernest; the man will come.
(c) Gathergold is arriving tomorrow, people said.
(d) Blood-and-Thunder starts his journey back to the valley next week, everyone proclaimed.
(e) The great man is going to spend his old age in his native town.
Notice that in the above sentences, verbs in bold type are in four different forms, denoting four important ways of expressing future time. None of these can be said to be exclusively used to show future time, though each is used to refer to some action in future.
(ii) Which form of the verb is more natural in these sentences? Encircle your choice:
(a) I’m not free this evening. I will work /am working on a project.
(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary?
Yes, I have. I will go/am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
(c) Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt/isn’t hurting you.
(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.
(e) Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.
Answer:
(a) I’m not free this evening. I am working on a project.
(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary?
Yes, I have. I will go to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
(c) Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt you.
(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow in Ranikhet tonight.
(e) Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father is coming to see her.
Question 3.
(i) Complete these pieces of conversation using will or going to with s the verbs given:
(a) Rani: Why are you turning on the radio ?
Ravi: I …………….. (listen) to the news.
(b) Rani: Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.
Ravi: Don’t worry. I …………….. (lend) you some.
(c) Rani: Look at those dark clouds.
Ravi: I think it ……………. (rain).
(d) Rani: What shall we have for dinner ?
Ravi: I can’t decide.
Rani: Make up your mind.
Ravi: All right, then. We ……………… (have) fried rice and dry beans.
(e) Rani: Why are you filling the kettle with water?
Ravi: I ……………. (make) coffee.
(f) Rani: We need some bread and butter for breakfast.
Ravi: All right. I ……………. (go) to the bakery and get some.
(Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)
Ravi: I ……………… (get) some bread and butter. Do you want anything from the bakery ?
Father: Yes, I want some salt biscuits.
Ravi: Fine, I (get) you a packet.
Answer:
( a) Rani: Why are you turning on the radio ?
Ravi: I am going to listen to the news.
(b) Rani: Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.
Ravi: Don’t worry. I will lend you some.
(c) Rani: Look at those dark clouds.
I Ravi: I think it is going to rain.
(d) Rani: What shall we have for dinner ?
Ravi: I can’t decide.
Rani: Make up your mind.
Ravi: All right, then. We will have fried rice and dry beans.
(e) Rani: Why are you filling the kettle with water ?
Ravi: I am going to make coffee.
(f) Rani: We need some bread and butter for breakfast.
Ravi: All right. I will go to the bakery and get some.
(Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)
Ravi: I am going to get some bread and butter. Do you want anything from the bakery?
Father: Yes, I want some salt biscuits.
Ravi: Fine, I will get you a packet.
(ii) Let pairs of children take turns to speak aloud the (above given) dialogues:
Answer:
Pairs of children will speak aloud the (above given) dialogues by turn.
Speaking And Writing
Question 1.
Each of the following words has the souhd/f/as in feel. The words on the left have it initially. Those on the right have it finally. Speak each word clearly:
flail – life – fact – tough
Philip – puff – fail – laugh
flowed – deaf – fast – stiff
Answer:
Students will speak each word clearly aloud.
Question 2.
Underline the letter or letters representing/ words: f / in each of the following
file – slough – faint – lift
cough – defence – afford – enough
photograph- staff – tough – aloof
affront – philosophy – sophistry
Answer:
file – slough – faint – lift
cough – defence – afford – enough
photograph – staff – tough – aloof
affront – philosophy – sophistry
Question 3.
Imagine that you are the poet. You have come to your native valley to meet a famous preacher called Ernest. Narrate the incident of your first meeting with him.
Answer:
I lived so far away from the valley. But I had heard about Ernest’s character and wisdom. One summer day I called on him. I found him reading a book. We sat down together and talked. I found Ernest wise, gentle and kind. Ernest greeted me warmly and called me a ‘gifted guest’. Then I introduced myself as one who wrote the poems Ernest was reading. Ernest compared my face with the Stone Face. He had hoped to see the fulfilment of the prophecy but he was disappointed. I told him I was not worthy of that likeness. I said that my thoughts and actions had no harmony. I went with my host to a meeting place. I heard his address and found depth in his thoughts. In the golden f light of the setting sun, Ernest appeared to me exactly like the Great Stone Face. The gathering also agreed with me.
Question 4.
(i) Put each of the following in the correct order to construct sentences :
(1) a resident of Noida near Delhi, / is visually Impaired / George Abraham,
(2) confidence and competitive spirit / and infuses discipline among the participants / It
provides
(3) he has helped / The brain behind the World Cup Cricket,/the disabled to dream
(4) to the blind school in Delhi / It was a chance visit /that changed his life
(5) sport is a powerful tool/the disabled/He believes that/for rehabilitation of
Answer:
(1) George Abraham, a resident of Noida near Delhi, is visually impaired.
(2) It provides confidence and competitive spirit and infuses discipline among the \ participants.
(3) The brain behind the World Cup j; Cricket, he has helped the disabled to dream.
(4) It was a chance visit to the blind school in Delhi that changed his life.
( 5 ) He believes that sport is a powerful tool for rehabilitation of the disabled.
(ii) Now rearrange the sentences above to construct a paragraph:
George Abraham, ……………….
Answer:
George Abraham, a resident of Noida near Delhi, is visually impaired. The brain behind the World Cup Cricket, he has helped the disabled to dream. It was a chance visit to the blind school in Delhi that changed his life. He believes that sport is a powerful tool for rehabilitation of the disabled. It provides confidence and competitive spirit and infuses discipline among the participants.
Writing
Write a paragraph on ‘A Visit to a Historical Place’.
Answer:
A Visit to a Historical Place
Travelling is always source of joy and education. A visit to a historical place is very interesting and informative. India is a land of monuments and memorials. The Golden Temple at Amritsar has religious importance. The paintings of Ajanta and Ellora paint the life of the primitive man in pictures. The Taj at Agra is one of the seven wonders of the world. Last year, we, a group of twenty students, went to see this work of art.
GSEB Class 8 English The Great Stone Face 2 Additional Important Questions and Answers
Select the most appropriate options as answers and complete the following sentences:
Question 1.
College professors and active men came from far to Ernest to ………………
A. see him.
B. converse with him.
C. get his blessings.
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Answer:
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Question 2.
The poet had ……………… in the regard of the Great Stone Face.
A. written some poems
B. told stories to the people in the valley
C. sung songs
D. created images
Answer:
A. written some poems
Question 3.
People had a great regard for Ernest not only for his wisdom but also for his ……………..
A. nobility.
B. kindness.
C. simplicity of his life.
D. All these three
Answer:
D. All these three
Question 4.
When the poet visited Ernest, he addressed him with the words ………………….
A. ‘dear gentleman’.
B. “wise man’.
C. ‘my gifted guest’.
D. ‘my long awaited guest’.
Answer:
C. ‘my gifted guest’.
Question 5.
What are the mists around the Great Stone Face compared to?
A. White hairs around the brow of Ernest
B. White hair of the visitor
C. White clouds travelling in the sky
D. None of these three.
Answer:
A. White hairs around the brow of Ernest
Question 6.
What did the poet announce Ernest as?
A. A wise man
B. A gifted man
C. The prophesised man
D. A great man
Answer:
C. The prophesised man
Question 7.
What was Ernest still hoping for?
A. Some wiser and better man than himself would appear someday bearing, a resemblance to the Great Stone Face.
B. Some divine person from heaven
C. Some mystic
D. None of these three
Answer:
A. Some wiser and better man than himself would appear someday bearing, a resemblance to the Great Stone Face.
Answer the following questions in two to three sentences each:
Question 1.
What was Ernest’s image in the valley?
Answer:
Ernest commanded respect in the valley. He was heard patiently by his neighbours. He was regarded as wise and noble.
Question 2.
Why did Ernest’s words and thoughts have force and appeal?
Answer:
Ernest’s words expressed real thoughts, and his thoughts were in harmony with his real life. So both had great force and appeal.
Question 3.
How did his speech affect the poet ?
Answer:
The poet was greatly impressed by Ernest’s speech. He felt that Ernest’s own life and character were a nobler kind of poetry than his own.
Question 4.
How did the poet happen to meet Ernest ?
Answer:
The poet had been a native of the valley. One summer day he arrived at Ernest’s door and asked for a night’s shelter.
Question 5.
What was the poet’s assessment about his own worthiness?
Answer:
The poet had no misunderstanding about his own worth. He admitted that his own life was different from his poems and his dreams were hollow.
Question 6.
What did the people accept as true about Ernest?
Answer:
The people accepted at once that Ernest himself was the noblest and the greatest man bearing the likeness of the stone face.
Question 7.
The story was completed’. Elaborate and explain.
Answer:
Ernest had heard the story from his own mother that some day a person, a native of the valley, would become the greatest and ; noblest person of his time, and his face would resemble the Stone Eace.
Question 8.
Did Ernest himself believe that the old prophecy had come true? What did he say about it?
Answer:
No, Ernest himself did not believe so because he was very humble and also an ideal person.
Question 9.
What changes come to be seen in Ernest with passing of time ?
Answer:
Ernest was now a man of middle age. His hairs turned white and there were wrinkles across his forehead and furrows in his cheeks. He had become wiser with profound thoughts. The people of the valley respected him and took his advice on several occasions.
Question 10.
Why did Ernest become sad after he examined the poet’s features?
Answer:
The poet had celebrated the Great Stone Face in one of his poems. When Ernest read that poem he became convinced that the poet had the likeness of the Great Stone Face. But when he met the poet, all his hopes shattered. He found no resemblance between the poet and the Stone Face. This was the reason why he became sad.
Question 11.
Why did the poet’s eyes fill with tears?
Answer:
The poet became sentimental while listening to Ernest. His words had power because they had depth. They were the words of life, a life of good deeds and selfless love. The poet felt that the life and character of Ernest were of a nobler strain of poetry than that of what he had ever written. His eyes filled with tears and he said to himself that never was there so worthy a sage as that thoughtful face, with the glim of white hair diffused about it.
Answer the following questions in four to five sentences each:
Question 1.
Give a character sketch of Ernest.
Answer:
Ernest was a small boy when he became interested in the Great Stone Face. He felt that the face smiled on him. He wished to love the man with such a face. He was dutiful and helpful to his mother. He grew up to be a gentle and quiet youth. He regarded the Stone Face as his teacher. He turned to the Face for advice. He was not influnced by the common belief that Gathergold or Blood-and-Thunder General had any resemblance With the Stone Face.
Even the poet’s face made him sad. And he was right when the poet himself admitted that he wasn’t worthy to be the likeness of the face. Finally, the same poet shouted with joy that Ernest himself was the likeness of the Stone Face. But Ernest remained humble to the last. He kept hoping that some wiser and better man than himself would appear.
Question 2.
How did Ernest feel when people hailed him as the likeness of the Stone Face ?
Answer:
Ernest was truly noble and humble. His deeds matched with his thoughts. He received the poet warmly. For a while he thought the writer of those poems was truly the greatest and wisest person. The poet and the people ultimately hailed him as the man with the likeness of the Stone Face. But Ernest did not agree with them. He kept hoping that a wiser and better man than himself would appear to make the prophecy true.
Question 3.
Describe in brief Ernest’s reaction on three occasions when Gathergold, General Blood-and-Thunder and the poet came to the valley.
Answer:
The inhabitants of the valley believed j the story that one day a man bearing resemblance to the Stone Pace would come there. The first one to arrive was the rich merchant named Gathergold. The people were greatly excited. But Ernest noticed no resemblance between Gathergold’s face and that of the Stone Pace. Likewise he did not agree with the people who welcomed General Blood-and-Thunder as the greatest man. But Ernest almost believed that the poet was the person he had been waiting for. But again he was disappointed. In fact, Ernest himself s was accepted as the Prophet.
Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions given below them:
Question 1.
The years hurried on, and brought S white hairs upon the head of Ernest, and made wrinkles across his forehead and furrows in his cheeks. He was an old man. But not s in vain had he grown old; more numerous than the white hairs on his head were the wise thoughts in his mind. And Ernest had ceased to be obscure. Unsought for, undesired, had come the fame which so many seek.
He had become famous beyond the limits of the valley. College professors, and even the active men of cities, came from far to see and converse with Ernest, and he received s them with gentle sincerity, and spoke freely s with them of whatever came uppermost, or lay deepest in his heart or their own. While they talked together, his face would brighten, unawares, and shine upon them, as with a mild evening light.
Questions :
(1) What does the first line of the passage indicate ?
Answer:
The first line of the passage indicates the old age (of Ernest).
(2) What comparison is made in the passage ?
Answer:
The number of hair on Ernest’s head is compared with the wise thoughts in his mind.
(3) Give another expression for ’And Ernest had ceased to be obscure’.
Answer:
And Ernest had ceased to be obscure’ means ‘Ernest became known (to everyone) soon’.
(4) Give the meaning of the phrase ’hurried on.
Answer:
The meaning of the phrase ‘hurried on’ is ‘passed on soon’.
Question 2.
Now it happened that the poet, though he lived so far away, had not only heard of Ernest but had thought much about his character and wished to meet this man whose wisdom walked hand in hand with the noble simplicity of his life. One summer day, therefore, he arrived at Ernest’s door, where he found the good old man holding a book in his hand, which he read and, then, with a finger between the leaves, looked lovingly at the Great Stone Face.
“Good evening,” said the poet. “Can you give a traveller a night’s shelter?”
“Gladly,” answered Ernest; and then he added, smiling, “I think I never saw the Great Stone Face look so hospitably at a stranger.”
Questions:
(1) Why was the poet eager to see Ernest ?
Answer:
The poet was eager to see Ernest as he had heard a lot about Ernest’s wisdom and character.
(2) What was Ernest doing when the poet visited him?
Answer:
When the poet visited Ernest, he found him (Ernest) engrossed in reading a book.
(3) What request did the poet make to Ernest ?
Answer:
The poet requested Ernest to give him shelter for the night in his cottage.
(4) What did Ernest observe while welcoming the visitor?
Answer:
While welcoming the visitor, Ernest observed that the Great Stone Face looked hospitably at the stranger.
Question 3.
At the hour of sunset, as had long ; been his custom, Ernest was to speak to a group of neighbours in the open air. Together ‘ he and the poet went to the meeting place, arm in arm. From there could be seen the s Great Stone Face.
Ernest threw a look of familiar kindness around upon his audience. He began to speak to the people what was in his heart and mind. His words had power, because they agreed s with his thoughts; and his thoughts had reality and depth, because they harmonised with the life which he had always lived. It was not mere breath that the preacher uttered; they were the words of life. A life of good deeds and selfless love was melted into them. The poet, as he listened, felt that the life and character of Ernest were a nobler strain of poetry than he had ever written. His eyes filled with tears and he said to himself that never was there so worthy a sage as that mild, sweet, thoughtful face, with the glory of white hair diffused about it.
Questions:
(1) What did Ernest use to do at sunset ?
Answer:
At sunset, Ernest spoke to a group of neighbours in the open air.
(2) What was special about Ernest’s speech ?
Answer:
The words of Ernest’s speech agreed with his thoughts which had reality and depth of the life that he lived.
(3) What do you understand by the word ’strain’ used in this passage?
Answer:
The word ‘strain’ in this passage means ‘theme’ or ‘subject’ of the poetry.
(4) What was the impression of Ernest’s speech on the poet?
Answer:
Having heard Ernest’s speech, the poet’s eyes filled with tears and he realised that Ernest was a worthy sage.
Vocabulary
Replace the underlined words selecting the most appropriate options from the brackets:
(1) They tried in vain to persuade her to go.
(their level best, uselessly, quite sincerely)
(2) The two drugs work hand in hand to combat the disease.
(jointly, adversely, satisfactorily)
(3) These plans are destined to fail as they have been chalked out unscientifically.
(sure to, likely to, uncertain to)
(4) The garden has been designed to harmonize with the natural landscape.
(be suitable with, beautify, meet the requirements of)
(5) The rain poured down in a torrent, but by and by, the clouds thinned and the sun eventually came out again.
(after a while, in a long run, without any sign)
Answer:
(1) They tried uselessly to persuade her to go.
(2) The two drugs work jointly to combat the disease.
(3) These plans are likely to fail as they have been chalked out unscientifically.
(4) The garden has been designed to be suitable with the natural landscape.
(5) The rain poured down in a torrent, but after a while, the clouds thinned and the sun eventually came out again.
Choose the correct words from the brackets and complete the following passages:
Question 1.
(furrows, thoughts, wrinkles, grown, hurried, numerous)
The years ……………1………… on, and brought white hairs upon the head of Ernest, and made …………..2………….. across his forehead and …………..3…………… in his cheeks. He was an old man. But not in vain had he …………..4…………… old; more ………….5…………….. than the white hairs on his head were the wise ………….6……….. in his mind.
Answer:
1. hurried
2. wrinkles
3. furrows
4. grown
5. numerous
6. thoughts
Question 2.
(moved, talked, beside, images, gentle, together)
The poet sat down ……………1…………. him, and he and Ernest talked …………2………….. . Never before had the poet ………………..3…………….. with a man like Ernest, so wise, and …………..4………………. , and kind. Ernest, on the other hand, was ……………5……………. by the living …………..6…………… flung out of the poet’s mind.
Answer:
1. beside
2. together
3. talked
4. gentle
5. moved
6. images
Grammar
Choose the correct Article(s), Conjunction (s) and Preposition(s) and complete the following passage:
Question 1.
Now it happened …………..1…………… the poet, ………….2…………. he lived so far away, had not only heard of Ernest ………….3…………… had thought much ………….4……………… his character and wished to meet this mein …………….5……………… wisdom walked hand in hand …………6………… the noble simplicity of his life.
Answer:
1. that
2. though
3. but
4. about
5. whose
6. with
Question 2.
Ernest threw a look of familiar kindness around …………..1………….. his audience. He began to speak to the people …………..2………….. was in his heart ………….3…………. mind. His words had power, ………….4………….. they agreed …………..5…………. his thoughts; s and his thoughts had reality and depth, because they harmonised with the life …………..6………….. he had always lived.
Answer:
1. upon
2. what
3. and
4. because
5. with
6. which
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of verbs given in the brackets and complete the texts:
Question 1.
At the hour of sunset, as had long ……………1……….. (be) his custom, Ernest was …………2……………. (speak) to a group of neighbours in the open air. Together he and the poet ………….3…………… (go) to the : meeting place, arm in arm. From there ………….4………….. (can + see) the Great Stone Face.
Answer:
1. been
2. to speak
3. went
4. could be seen
Question 2.
The poet …………..1………… (sit) down beside him, ‘ and he and Ernest talked together. Never before ……………….2…………… the poet ……………2…………… (talk) with a man like Ernest, so wise, and gentle, and kind. Ernest, on the other hand, …………3…………… (move) by the living images ……………………4…………….. (Jing) out of the poet’s mind.
Answer:
1. sat
2. had, talked
3. was moved
4. flung
Change the voice of the following:
(1) Ernest received them with gentle sincerity
(2) God had granted a new poet to this earth.
(3) He had spent the greater part of his life in distant cities.
(4) He found the good old man holding a book in his hand.
(5) The poet laid his finger on the book.
(6) All through life I have awaited the fulfillment of a prophecy.
(7) From there could be seen the Great Stone Face.
Answer:
(1) They were received with gentle sincerity by Ernest.
(2) A new poet had been granted to this earth by God.
(3) The greater part of his life had been spent by him in distant cities.
(4) The good old man was found holding a book in his hand by him.
(5) His finger was laid on the book by the poet.
(6) All through life the fulfillment of a prophecy has been awaited by me.
(7) From there they could see the Great Stone Face.
Turn the following dialogue into Indirect Speech:
Question 1.
“Good evening,” said the poet.. “Can you give a traveller a night’s shelter?”
“Gladly,” answered Ernest; and then he added, smiling, “I think I never saw the Great Stone Face look so hospitably at a stranger.!’
Answer:
The poet wished Ernest good evening and requested him to give a night’s shelter. Ernest welcomed his proposal gladly and added with a smile that he thought he had never seen the Great Stone Face look so hospitably at a stranger.
Question 2.
“Why are you sad ?” inquired the poet.
“Because,” replied Ernest, “all through life I have awaited the fulfilment of a prophecy, and when I read these poems, I hoped that it might be fulfilled in you.”
“You hoped,” answered the poet, faintly smiling, “to find in me the likeness of the Great Stone Face. I am not worthy to be its likeness.”
Answer:
The poet inquired why he was sad. Ernest replied giving the reason that all through life he had awaited the fulfilment of a prophecy, and when he read those poems, he had hoped that it might be fulfilled in him. The poet answered faintly smiling that he had hoped to find in him the likeness of the Great Stone Face. Then he added humbly that he was not worthy to be its likeness.
Rewrite as directed:
(1)The wise thoughts in Ernest’s mind were more numerous than the white hairs on his head. (Change the Degree.)
(2)And Ernest had ceased to be obscure. (Turn into Negative.)
(3) As he read, he lifted his eyes to the mountain. (Make it Simple.)
(4) The face seemed to smile, but did not answer. (Use ‘Though’.)
(5) You have read these poems (Add a Question Tag.)
(6) He shook his head and sighed. (Use Not only … but also.)
(7) But my life, dear Ernest, has not corresponded with my thoughts. (Turn into Affirmative.)
Answer:
(1) The white hairs on Ernest’s head were as numerous as the wise thoughts in his mind.
(2) And Ernest had not continued to be obscure.
(3) While reading, he lifted his eyes to the mountain.
(4) Though the face seemed to smile, it did not answer.
(5) You have read these poems, haven’t you?
(6) He not only shook his head but also sighed.
(7) But my life, dear Ernest, has hardly corresponded with my thoughts.
The Great Stone Face 2 Summary in English
The Great Stone Face 2 Summary:
Ernest still lived in his native valley. He was a middle-aged man by now. He is well known for his goodness and love for mankind. Very noble thoughts came out of his mouth. His hair turned grey. But more numerous than his white hair were the wise thoughts in his mind. His fame travelled beyond the valley. Men came from distant places to see and speak with him. While Ernest was growing old, a new poet had appeared on the earth.
He too was a native of the valley. He had spent the greater part of his life in distant cities. Ernest became a great admirer of that poet and used to read his poems after the day’s work. He felt that the poet was worthy to be the likeness of the great face. The poet also heard stories of Ernest’s character and wished to meet him. One summer day, he arrived at Ernest’s door. He found Ernest reading his poems and looking lovingly at the mountain.
Ernest gave him shelter for the night. He examined the poet’s features and noticed a lot of similarity with the Stone Face. The poet said humbly that, he was not worthy of the stone face’s likeness. There was no doubt that there is a heavenly voice in his poems. However, his life did not match with his thoughts. He had only grand dreams. But he lacked faith in his own thoughts. He praised Ernest as the pure seeker of good and true. At sunset, it was usual for Ernest to speak to his neighbours. He went to the open meeting place along with the poet.
His words had power because they agreed with his thoughts; his thoughts had power because they agreed with the life he had always lived. The poet was greatly impressed. He felt that Ernest’s life and character were nobler than his own poetry. The Great Stone Face in the distance had white clouds around it. Ernest with his white hair also looked similar to the Stone face. The poet shouted to the people; “See, Ernest himself bears the likeness of Great Stone Face!” then all the people looked and agreed with the poet. But Ernest, as he walked homeward, still hoped that some man wiser and better than himself would surely come some day, bearing a likeness to the Stone Face.