The Wit that Won Hearts — Class 8 MCQs with Answers
Class 8 CBSE English · Chapter 1
48 practice questions · 16 Easy · 16 Medium · 16 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 8 CBSE English questions from Chapter 1, "The Wit that Won Hearts". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 48 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 16 Easy, 16 Medium and 16 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "The Wit that Won Hearts", focus on comprehension, grammar and writing skills. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on The Wit that Won Hearts, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 8 English mastery score. 9 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
The Wit that Won Hearts — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 8 English)
9 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation.
- Q1Easy
In which South Indian empire is the story 'The Wit that Won Hearts' set?
A.The Mughal EmpireB.The Maratha EmpireC.The Vijayanagara Empire✓ CorrectD.The Maurya EmpireAnswer: C. The Vijayanagara Empire
Explanation: The story unfolds in the Vijayanagara Empire of South India during its celebrated golden age.
- Q2Easy
Who is the king ruling the empire in this story?
A.King Krishnadeva Raya✓ CorrectB.Emperor AkbarC.Chhatrapati ShivajiD.Chandragupta MauryaAnswer: A. King Krishnadeva Raya
Explanation: King Krishnadeva Raya, a wise ruler and poet, governs the Vijayanagara Empire in the story.
- Q3Easy
What did the king recite to the queen at the start of the trouble?
A.A folk songB.A prayerC.A poem he had himself composed✓ CorrectD.A royal orderAnswer: C. A poem he had himself composed
Explanation: The king proudly recited a poem that he had composed himself.
- Q4Medium
The reign of King Krishnadeva Raya is often called a 'Golden Era' mainly because ___.
A.no wars were ever foughtB.art, literature and learning flourished under his patronage✓ CorrectC.large deposits of gold were discoveredD.all taxes were abolishedAnswer: B. art, literature and learning flourished under his patronage
Explanation: The age is called golden because art, literature and architecture flourished under the king's patronage.
- Q5Medium
What does the king's angry reaction to a mere yawn reveal about his character?
A.That he was hard of hearingB.That he was uneducatedC.That he secretly hated poetryD.That he was proud and easily hurt✓ CorrectAnswer: D. That he was proud and easily hurt
Explanation: Overreacting to an involuntary yawn shows the king's wounded pride and his sensitivity to slights.
- Q6Medium
Why did Tenali choose an indirect trick instead of arguing with the king directly?
A.A clever, roundabout lesson would let the proud king see his error himself✓ CorrectB.He was too afraid to speak in courtC.He did not know what the real problem wasD.The queen had forbidden him to talkAnswer: A. A clever, roundabout lesson would let the proud king see his error himself
Explanation: A direct rebuke would wound the king's pride further; the indirect demonstration lets him realise the truth on his own.
- Q7Hard
The contrast between the king's anger and Tenali's calm wit mainly highlights that ___.
A.courtiers are more powerful than kingsB.a cool, clever mind achieves what a hot temper cannot✓ CorrectC.kings are always foolishD.poets ought to rule kingdomsAnswer: B. a cool, clever mind achieves what a hot temper cannot
Explanation: The story sets impulsive royal pride against measured wit to show which one truly solves the problem.
- Q8Hard
Which statement best captures the central theme of 'The Wit that Won Hearts'?
A.Intelligence and humour can resolve conflicts that anger cannot✓ CorrectB.Kings should never marry at allC.Farming is far more valuable than poetryD.Silence is always the best response to an insultAnswer: A. Intelligence and humour can resolve conflicts that anger cannot
Explanation: Tenali mends the royal rift with wit and humour, showing that intelligence succeeds where anger fails.
- Q9Hard
Tenali's paddy-seed demonstration works in the story mainly as ___.
A.a lucky coincidenceB.a veiled threat to the kingC.an analogy that lets the king discover the truth for himself✓ CorrectD.a serious scientific experiment about farmingAnswer: C. an analogy that lets the king discover the truth for himself
Explanation: The seed story is an analogy: linking yawning-while-sowing to the queen's yawn lets the king see his error indirectly.
Key concepts: The Wit that Won Hearts (Class 8 English)
'The Wit that Won Hearts' is the opening chapter of the 'Wit and Wisdom' unit in the new NCERT Class 8 English reader Poorvi. Set in the golden age of the Vijayanagara Empire, it tells how King Krishnadeva Raya recites a poem he has composed to his tired queen, Thirumalambal, and wrongly takes her yawning as an insult. The proud king stops speaking to her and gloom falls over the palace, until the witty court poet Tenali Ramakrishna steps in. Through a clever paddy-seed trick that makes the whole court (and the king) laugh and yawn, Tenali gently shows that yawning is natural and unstoppable. The king realises his mistake, apologises, and the couple is reconciled, proving that intelligence and humour can win hearts where anger only divides.
- Setting: Vijayanagara Empire
- A powerful South Indian kingdom in its 'golden age', when art, literature and learning flourished under King Krishnadeva Raya's patronage.
- King Krishnadeva Raya
- The ruler, a talented poet and patron of the arts, but proud and quick to feel insulted, which is the flaw that sparks the whole conflict.
- Queen Thirumalambal
- The king's wife, who yawns only because she is tired; patient and forgiving, she quietly seeks help to mend the rift.
- Tenali Ramakrishna
- The witty court poet, one of the eight 'Ashtadiggajas', who solves problems with humour and intelligence rather than force.
- The paddy-seed trick
- Tenali claims his special seeds yield three times the crop, then jokes that yawning while sowing scatters them, an analogy that reveals yawning is natural and involuntary.
- Central conflict and resolution
- A tired queen's yawn is misread as disrespect; the king's silence saddens the palace, until Tenali's wit leads the king to see his error, apologise and reconcile.
- Theme and moral
- Pride and hasty judgement damage relationships, while wit, humour and clear communication heal them; the wise choose understanding over anger.
- Key vocabulary
- patron (a supporter of the arts), wit (quick, clever intelligence), yield (to produce a crop), mocked (ridiculed), reconcile (to make peace after a quarrel).
- Idioms and figurative language
- 'won hearts' means to gain people's love and affection; 'pride blinded him' and a yawn that 'built a wall' are figurative (metaphorical) expressions, not literal facts.
- Genre and tone
- A humorous folk-tale style anecdote from Krishnadeva Raya's court; its tone stays light-hearted and playful and ends happily in laughter.
Start this chapter free
You have 9 solved above. Sign in with Google (no card needed). You get 1 Easy + 1 Medium quiz on every chapter during your 30-day trial. After that, you keep 1 Easy quiz on every chapter, free for good, plus the exam tips.
This chapter has 48 questions (16 Easy · 16 Medium · 16 Hard), with timed scoring and instant feedback. The rest unlock with the ₹999/year plan.
Start this chapter free →The Wit that Won Hearts — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 8 English The Wit that Won Hearts?+
'The Wit that Won Hearts' is the opening chapter of the 'Wit and Wisdom' unit in the new NCERT Class 8 English reader Poorvi. Set in the golden age of the Vijayanagara Empire, it tells how King Krishnadeva Raya recites a poem he has composed to his tired queen, Thirumalambal, and wrongly takes her yawning as an insult. The proud king stops speaking to her and gloom falls over the palace, until the witty court poet Tenali Ramakrishna steps in. Through a clever paddy-seed trick that makes the whole court (and the king) laugh and yawn, Tenali gently shows that yawning is natural and unstoppable. The king realises his mistake, apologises, and the couple is reconciled, proving that intelligence and humour can win hearts where anger only divides. Key ideas include Setting: Vijayanagara Empire, King Krishnadeva Raya, Queen Thirumalambal, Tenali Ramakrishna, The paddy-seed trick, Central conflict and resolution.
What does Class 8 English Chapter 1 (The Wit that Won Hearts) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 48 NCERT-based MCQs on "The Wit that Won Hearts": 16 Easy, 16 Medium and 16 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "The Wit that Won Hearts" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "The Wit that Won Hearts" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 8 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 9 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "The Wit that Won Hearts" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "The Wit that Won Hearts" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 9 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "The Wit that Won Hearts" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from The Wit that Won Hearts (Class 8 English)?+
The questions that matter most test Setting: Vijayanagara Empire, King Krishnadeva Raya, Queen Thirumalambal, Tenali Ramakrishna, The paddy-seed trick, Central conflict and resolution. This page shows 9 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 48 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for The Wit that Won Hearts?+
Yes — Class 8 English The Wit that Won Hearts has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.