8th Class English Notes (Unit-2.2) Friends Can Change Life

Exercise

Being in a new place surrounded by strangers can be terrifying. Omer conveys his experience by creating a sense of place or setting and by sharing his feelings.

Can you identify:

• ⚫ the words he used to describe the place or setting he was living in
• ⚫his feelings and fears of moving to a new place

“Overnight, I had no friends, was in a new country where everyone was different and was living in a cramped apartment with my mother, my sister and two cousins. I was not able to speak the language. I remember feeling really messed up inside: I think shock overwhelmed me at first. ‘How do I share my feelings with someone when I am unable to even converse in their language? This is all I could think about.”

Answer(s)

Exercise

– Imagine your country is stormed by a massive earthquake. Hundreds and thousands of people are affected. You and your friends are going to the places hardest hit by the earthquake to help your fellow countrymen.

– Write a description of how you imagine the scene to be and how people and rescue teams were helping the affected people. Your description needs to have explicit and implicit details of the area.

Build up your description of setting and atmosphere by using interesting vocabulary. You can also share your feelings.

The given flow chart will help you organise your thoughts.

Start by thinking about what you are trying to convey about the earthquake you are stuck in (it is powerful and scary).

Use connectives to start a new point. Try to use similes in your writing to make it more impactful.

Divide your work in at least 4 paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a new point. Try to use longer and complex sentences and all types of sentences.

Answer

It was on October 8, 2025, when the Northern areas of Pakistan and Kashmir were severely hit by a devastating earthquake. It was a tragic event that shook the entire nation, and everyone had this desire to help their countrymen in the time of need. We wished the same.

So, the next day, we set off to Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as volunteers to help and rescue those who needed it badly. When we reached there, we saw nothing but heart-wrenching scenes of destruction and devastation. Buildings had fallen down, and the streets were filled with rubble and broken stuff. It was hard to breathe because of all the dust and smoke in the air.

We saw people removing the rubble with hands and shovels to search for their dear ones buried and stuck under broken houses, schools, and buildings. Their faces reflected the shock and horror of what had just happened.  Families were separated, and many lost their loved ones. The sounds of people crying and shouting were all around, showing how bad things were.

But even though it was really bad, there was still hope. Rescue teams and volunteers from different places came to help. They worked really hard, using anything they could find to search for anyone who might be trapped under the rubble.

The air was buzzing with continuous flights of army and rescue helicopters transporting the locals to safe areas. Up until now, the heavy machinery had also arrived to serve the rescue missions. Cranes and excavators were moving the remains of broken shops and destroyed vehicles away to clear the roads. Tent-homes were being built to provide shelter to those who had lost everything in the earthquake.

As we joined in to help, we felt like we were part of something bigger. Despite the overwhelming challenges, we were determined to do whatever it took to help our fellow Pakistanis in their time of need. It was a tiresome task, but knowing that we were not alone gave us strength.