Children at Work Summary & Solution - CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 2

Summary 

Children at Work: How Dangerous Jobs Rob Kids of Their Childhood" delves into the global issue of child labor, focusing on the children who are engaged in hazardous or exploitative work. The book explores the various industries and circumstances where children are compelled to work in unsafe conditions, such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic labor.

It sheds light on the consequences of child labor, both immediate and long-term, on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of these children. It also addresses how child labor deprives youngsters of their right to education, play, and a normal childhood experience.

The book discusses the socioeconomic factors that drive child labor, including poverty, lack of access to education, and societal attitudes towards children's work. It advocates for stronger legal protections, enforcement of existing laws, and initiatives aimed at eradicating child labor globally.

Moreover, "Children at Work" emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, policy reforms, and community involvement in creating safer environments for children and ensuring they are not exploited for labor.

Overall, the book aims to raise awareness, stimulate conversation, and encourage action to protect the rights of children and provide them with opportunities to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment without being forced into hazardous work at a young age.

NCERT solutions for class 8 English It So Happened Children at work

Comprehension Check on page 9 

1. Velu stood on the platform but he felt “as if he was still on a moving

train”. Why?

2. What made him feel miserable?

3. (i) Velu travelled without a ticket. Why?

(ii) How did he escape the ticket collector’s attention?

4. Why had Velu run away from home?

5. Why did he decide to follow the ‘strange’ girl?

Answer:

1. Velu had escaped from his house. As a young child, he was inherently worn out, ravenous, and terrified of the ticket inspector. He took a seat close to the compartment entrance. The sense that his train adventure was coming to an end persisted in his mind.

2. Velu was lonely, worn out, and ravenous. He, too, was without a ticket. He was hence miserable.

3. (i) Velu didn't have any money, therefore he went without a ticket.

(ii) Because the ticket collector did not visit that unreserved compartment, he managed to avoid being noticed.

4. Due to his father's wrongdoings, who used to steal all of the money from him and his sister, Velu had fled their house. He also gave the kids beatings.

5. Velu consented to pursue the "weird" girl because he was hungry and the girl prom­ised to get food for him.

Comprehension Check on page 13 

1. Can Velu read Tamil and English? How do you know?

2. “If you are not careful, you will soon be counting bars there,” the girl said.

(i) What is she referring to?

(ii) What does she mean when she says “If you are not careful...”?

(She says something a little later which means the same. Find that

sentence.)

3. (i) Where did the girl lead Velu to?

(ii) What did they get to eat?

4. What work did she do? Think of a one-word answer.

Answer:

1. Velu had gotten away from his residence. As a youngster, he was naturally tired, famished, and scared of the ticket inspector. He took a seat near the compartment door. In his mind, he had the feeling that his train excursion was coming to an end.

2. Velu was lonely, exhausted, and starving. He, too, lacked a ticket. As a result, he was unhappy.

3. (i) Because Velu didn't have any money, he travelled without a ticket.                                                      (ii) By not visiting that unreserved compartment, the ticket collector avoided being observed.

4.Velu had abandoned their home due to his father's wrongdoings, who used to take all of the money from him and his sister. He also abused the children. Velu agreed to pursue the "weird" girl because

Comprehension Check on page 15 

1. (i) What material are the ‘strange’ huts made out of?

(ii) Why does Velu find them strange?

2. What sort of things did Jaya and children like her collect and what did

they do with those things?

3. Is Velu happy or unhappy to find work? Give a reason for your answer

Answer:

1. (i) The ‘strange’ huts are made out of tin sheets, bricks, wood and plastic.

   (ii) Velu finds those huts strange because in his own village the huts were made of mud and palm leaves.

2. Jaya and other children like her collected paper, plastic, and glass etc. They sold all that to a kabadi or junk-dealer.

3. Velu is not at all happy. He had never done such a dirty job in his village.

Answer:

1. Velu is not a bright young man. He flees his house to avoid his father's beatings. He was depressed at the train station. He found himself alone and starving. He took rag picking since he couldn't do anything else.
2. Jaya is a bold and caring young lady. She feels sorry for Velu and goes out to bring him some food. She supports herself boldly by gathering and selling abandoned materials. She also has a sense of comedy. The 'dirty trickle of water Buckingham Canal' is what she refers to.
3. Yes, the plastic, the paper and rusty metal sheets thrown away by the people, become valuable to ragpickers. They eat leftover food for survival. They sell junk food to some dealer to earn their livelihood.