What did Dev Datt notice about the animal from the tracks?

It had been suffering from a pain in the stomach

Were the four men given jobs by the King in the end?

Yes the King appointed each one to his service based on their abilities

No they were sent back to their village

Yes but only the most talented one was chosen

How did the four men know details about the camel without having seen it?

The merchant had described it to them earlier

They inferred each detail by carefully observing the camel's tracks

They had heard about it from other travellers

They had seen it from a distance

Why was the merchant convinced the four men had stolen his camel?

They described it so accurately yet claimed not to have seen it

They were found near the missing camel

They had camel food in their possession

They had been seen near the merchant's house

How did Ram Datt conclude the camel was lame in one leg?

One foot's track was lighter and less deep than the others

The camel had left a broken shoe behind

He had seen many lame camels before

How did Dev Datt deduce the camel had a stomach problem?

It had stopped frequently to lie down

There were droppings on one side with unchewed grass suggesting poor digestion

The camel had vomited near the path

The merchant mentioned the camel had been unwell

How did Shiv Datt know the camel was blind in the right eye?

The grass on the left side of the path was eaten but not the right

The camel had walked in circles

The tracks showed the camel favouring its left side

What did each young man demonstrate through their reading of the camel's tracks?

Keen powers of observation and logical reasoning

Knowledge of veterinary science

Why did the King appoint the four men to his service?

He was impressed by their physical strength

He was convinced by their sharp observation and deductive reasoning

They brought gifts for the King

What was the purpose of the four men travelling to Ujjain?

They were fleeing from their village

They were looking for employment

They were going to attend a festival

They were merchants with goods to sell

What does the play suggest about the value of keen observation?

Observation is useful only in science

Careful observation of the environment can yield detailed and accurate conclusions

Observation is less important than experience

Only trained detectives can observe well

How does the playwright build dramatic tension in Scene I?

By showing a conflict between the four men

By creating a situation where the men are falsely accused based on knowledge they could not have obtained without seeing the camel

By describing a storm approaching

What does the King's decision to employ all four men tell us about his character?

He was a wise ruler who recognised and valued talent

He was desperate to fill positions in his court

He wanted to please the merchant

What role does the merchant play in the plot structure of this drama?

He is the catalyst who inadvertently brings the four men into contact with the King

How does each young man's unique deduction from the same set of tracks illustrate teamwork?

Each man worked alone and did not need the others

Together their individual observations created a complete and accurate picture of the camel

They competed to make the best deduction

Only one of them was actually correct

What is the significance of the setting being a road leading to Ujjain?

It establishes the men as outsiders seeking opportunity

It suggests a background of pilgrimage

It shows the men were running away

How does the phrase "Wisdom Paves the Way" relate to the central message of the chapter?

The story shows that practical wisdom through observation and reasoning creates opportunities and proves innocence

Wisdom is about following rules

The title refers to the King's wisdom only

What irony exists in the merchant's accusation?

The merchant was actually a thief

The men's ability to describe the camel so accurately — the very evidence of their innocence — became the basis for the accusation against them

The King had already known the men were innocent

The merchant had not lost his camel at all

Which of the following deductions did the four men correctly make about the camel from its tracks?

The camel was lame in one leg / The camel was blind in the right eye / The camel had a short tail / The camel had a stomach ailment

Which qualities do the four young men collectively demonstrate in this drama?

Sharp observation / Logical reasoning / Intellectual confidence in the face of accusation

What theme does the chapter primarily explore?

The dangers of travelling alone

That wisdom and sharp observation can unlock opportunities and prove innocence

The importance of loyalty to one's king

The history of the city of Ujjain

What does the chapter suggest about the nature of truth and evidence?

The same evidence can be misinterpreted depending on one's perspective and assumptions

Truth is always on the side of authority

Evidence can be fabricated easily

How does the playwright use the King's court as a space for the resolution of conflict?

The court becomes the space where reason and evidence are tested before authority enabling justice to emerge

The court is biased against travellers

The court resolves conflict through force

What does the play suggest about the relationship between knowledge and power?

Power is more important than knowledge

Practical knowledge and the ability to reason can grant access to power and opportunity

Knowledge is only useful in academic settings

Power is independent of knowledge

Which deduction from the tracks required the most sophisticated reasoning and why?

Ram Datt's deduction about the lame leg

Dev Datt's deduction about the stomach ailment as it required interpreting dietary evidence — undigested grass in droppings — rather than a visible track

Shiv Datt's deduction about the blind eye

Har Datt's deduction about the short tail

Which aspects of the play make it an effective educational drama?

It teaches values of honesty / It demonstrates reasoning skills / It shows how wisdom earns recognition / It presents a moral resolution

It features a famous historical battle

It has elaborate sets and costumes

What might the story suggest about how societies should evaluate individuals?

By their appearance and background

By their demonstrated abilities and intellectual qualities

By the recommendations of others

What are the consequences of hasty judgement as illustrated through the merchant's accusation?

The four men are nearly condemned for their intelligence highlighting the danger of judging without understanding context

In what ways does the King serve as a model ruler in this drama?

He listens only to his ministers

He questions thoroughly and reaches fair judgement based on reason / He recognises and rewards merit / He resolves conflict justly

He blindly follows the merchant's complaint

He punishes all four men equally

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English - Poorvi Chapter 1.3 – Wisdom Paves the Way

Name: Wisdom Paves the Way – Class 8 English - Poorvi
Uploaded: 2026-07-23T06:31:28+00:00
Description: Four young men used keen observation and reasoning to solve a merchant’s mystery, impressing the King of Ujjain. Recognizing their wisdom, the king appointed them as his advisers.

Class 8 English - Poorvi

Last Updated: 23 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Four young men used keen observation and reasoning to solve a merchant’s mystery, impressing the King of Ujjain. Recognizing their wisdom, the king appointed them as his advisers.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

चार युवाओं ने गहन निरीक्षण और तर्क से एक व्यापारी की समस्या सुलझाई और उज्जैन के राजा को प्रभावित किया। उनकी बुद्धिमत्ता को देखकर राजा ने उन्हें अपने सलाहकार नियुक्त किया।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (39 questions)

Q1. What is the name of the city the four young men are travelling to?

Q2. What are the names of the four young men travelling together?

Q3. What animal's tracks do the four men observe on the road?

Q4. Who accuses the four men of stealing his animal?

Q5. Before whom are the four young men brought to defend themselves?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Resolute

Meaning: Determined and firm

अर्थ: दृढ़ निश्चयी

"The young men were resolute to reach Ujjain."

Bustling

Meaning: Full of activity and noise

अर्थ: चहल-पहल वाला

"The bustling city could be heard from afar."

Prospect

Meaning: The possibility of something happening

अर्थ: संभावना

"The prospect of finding work gave them hope."

Eludes

Meaning: Escapes or avoids

अर्थ: नहीं मिलना/बचना

"Finding work still eludes them."

Befitting

Meaning: Suitable or appropriate

अर्थ: उचित

"They wanted employment befitting their talents."

Audience

Meaning: A formal meeting with someone important

अर्थ: श्रोता/दर्शन

"They hoped for an audience with the King."

Devise

Meaning: To plan or invent

अर्थ: योजना बनाना

"They needed to devise a strategy."

Deliberate

Meaning: To discuss carefully

अर्थ: विचार-विमर्श करना

"We can deliberate once we reach the city gates."

Scrutinise

Meaning: To examine carefully

अर्थ: सूक्ष्म जाँच करना

"They scrutinised the camel’s tracks."

Peculiar

Meaning: Strange or unusual

अर्थ: अजीब

"He noticed something peculiar about the camel."

Haste

Meaning: Great speed or urgency

अर्थ: जल्दी/आवश्यकता

"A merchant approached in haste."

Countenance

Meaning: A person’s face or expression

अर्थ: चेहरा/हावभाव

"His worried countenance revealed his loss."

Astray

Meaning: Lost or away from the right path

अर्थ: भटक जाना

"My camel has gone astray."

Indignant

Meaning: Angry at being treated unfairly

अर्थ: आक्रोशित

"The merchant grew indignant at their reply."

Deceivers

Meaning: People who trick or mislead others

अर्थ: धोखेबाज

"He accused them of being deceivers."

Grievance

Meaning: A complaint about unfair treatment

अर्थ: शिकायत

"The merchant came with a grievance."

Accusation

Meaning: A claim that someone has done something wrong

अर्थ: आरोप

"The king asked to hear the accusation clearly."

Accused

Meaning: A person charged with wrongdoing

अर्थ: आरोपी

"The accused stood before the King."

Deduce

Meaning: To work out something from clues

अर्थ: निष्कर्ष निकालना

"He deduced the camel was lame from the tracks."

Impressions

Meaning: Marks left by pressing on a surface

अर्थ: छाप

"The camel’s feet left deep impressions."

Discern

Meaning: To notice or recognize something

अर्थ: पहचानना

"He discerned the camel was blind in one eye."

Foliage

Meaning: Leaves of a plant or tree

अर्थ: पत्तियां

"The camel had eaten foliage on one side only."

Specks

Meaning: Small spots or marks

अर्थ: धब्बे/कण

"He noticed specks of blood on the track."

Insight

Meaning: A clear understanding of something

अर्थ: अंतर्दृष्टि

"The king praised their insight."

Flawless

Meaning: Perfect, without mistakes

अर्थ: निर्दोष

"Their reasoning was flawless."

Baseless

Meaning: Without any foundation or proof

अर्थ: निराधार

"The king called the accusations baseless."

Chastened

Meaning: Humbled by correction or punishment

अर्थ: विनीत

"The merchant left chastened and embarrassed."

Privilege

Meaning: A special honour or advantage

अर्थ: विशेषाधिकार

"To serve the king was a privilege."

Beacon

Meaning: A guiding light or signal

अर्थ: प्रकाशस्तंभ

"Their wisdom would be a beacon for the kingdom."

Humbled

Meaning: Made to feel modest or respectful

अर्थ: विनम्र

"They were humbled by the king’s trust."

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English - Poorvi Chapter 1.3 – Wisdom Paves the Way

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (39 questions)

Q1. What is the name of the city the four young men are travelling to?

Q2. What are the names of the four young men travelling together?

Q3. What animal's tracks do the four men observe on the road?

Q4. Who accuses the four men of stealing his animal?

Q5. Before whom are the four young men brought to defend themselves?

Q6. What did Ram Datt notice about the animal from the tracks?

Q7. What did Shiv Datt notice about the animal from the tracks?

Q8. What did Har Datt notice about the animal from the tracks?

Q9. What did Dev Datt notice about the animal from the tracks?

Q10. Were the four men given jobs by the King in the end?

Q11. How did the four men know details about the camel without having seen it?

Q12. Why was the merchant convinced the four men had stolen his camel?

Q13. How did Ram Datt conclude the camel was lame in one leg?

Q14. How did Dev Datt deduce the camel had a stomach problem?

Q15. How did Shiv Datt know the camel was blind in the right eye?

Q16. What did each young man demonstrate through their reading of the camel's tracks?

Q17. Why did the King appoint the four men to his service?

Q18. What genre is this chapter an example of?

Q19. How many scenes does the play have in the chapter?

Q20. What was the purpose of the four men travelling to Ujjain?

Q21. What does the play suggest about the value of keen observation?

Q22. How does the playwright build dramatic tension in Scene I?

Q23. What does the King's decision to employ all four men tell us about his character?

Q24. What role does the merchant play in the plot structure of this drama?

Q25. How does each young man's unique deduction from the same set of tracks illustrate teamwork?

Q26. What is the significance of the setting being a road leading to Ujjain?

Q27. How does the phrase "Wisdom Paves the Way" relate to the central message of the chapter?

Q28. What irony exists in the merchant's accusation?

Q29. Which of the following deductions did the four men correctly make about the camel from its tracks?

Q30. Which qualities do the four young men collectively demonstrate in this drama?

Q31. What theme does the chapter primarily explore?

Q32. What does the chapter suggest about the nature of truth and evidence?

Q33. How does the playwright use the King's court as a space for the resolution of conflict?

Q34. What does the play suggest about the relationship between knowledge and power?

Q35. Which deduction from the tracks required the most sophisticated reasoning and why?

Q36. Which aspects of the play make it an effective educational drama?

Q37. What might the story suggest about how societies should evaluate individuals?

Q38. What are the consequences of hasty judgement as illustrated through the merchant's accusation?

Q39. In what ways does the King serve as a model ruler in this drama?