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    2.3. The Tsunami - Part 3 - Class 8 - Honeydew



    📘 The Tsunami

    Author: Not mentioned (factual recount based on real events)

    Textbook: Honeydew

    Genre: Non-fiction / Real-life Accounts


    📝 Summary

    The chapter "The Tsunami" is a compilation of true stories from the 2004 tsunami disaster. It presents first-hand accounts of survival and loss from different parts of the Indian Ocean region. In the Andaman Islands, a man named Ignesious felt the earthquake but didn’t realise it was a tsunami. His family took immediate action but could not all survive. Sanjeev, a policeman, died while trying to save others. Two young girls, Meghna and Almas, were swept away by the waves but miraculously survived alone. Another part of the story focuses on Tilly Smith, a 10-year-old British girl, who recognised the signs of an approaching tsunami from a geography lesson and warned her family, saving many lives in Thailand. The chapter also explores the belief that animals have a sixth sense; very few animal deaths were reported compared to human casualties. This gripping narrative honours courage, awareness, and the mysterious instincts of animals.


    👤 Character Sketches

    Tilly Smith – Intelligent, observant, and quick-thinking. She showed bravery and presence of mind, using her classroom learning to save lives.


    Meghna – A young girl with great resilience. Though swept away, she clung to a wooden door and survived alone.


    Almas Javed – Another courageous survivor who endured personal loss but displayed immense strength.


    Sanjeev – Brave and selfless policeman who died while trying to save others, reflecting heroism.


    📚 Themes

    Theme

    Description

    Natural Disasters

    The suddenness and destruction caused by tsunamis

    Courage and Survival

    Ordinary people showing extraordinary strength in tough situations

    Presence of Mind

    Importance of awareness and education during emergencies

    Human vs Nature

    Nature’s unpredictability and the struggle for survival

    Animal Instincts

    Mysterious ability of animals to sense danger ahead of humans

    ✨ Literary Devices

    Device

    Example

    Imagery

    “The beach was getting smaller and smaller”

    Repetition

    “Run! Run!”

    Personification

    “The entire sea had come out after them”

    Contrast

    Human panic vs. calm animal response

    Hyperbole

    “The killer tsunami struck…”

    📖 Title Justification

    The title The Tsunami aptly captures the essence of the chapter, which is a collection of real-life experiences during the deadly 2004 tsunami. It reflects the focus on the disaster itself, the varied human and animal responses, and the lessons learned from it. The tsunami becomes not just a natural event, but a central force that tests knowledge, courage, and survival.


    ✅ One-Mark Questions

    1. Why did Tilly’s family go to Thailand?

      They went to Thailand to celebrate Christmas.


    2. What did Tilly notice about the sea?

      She noticed the sea bubbling and forming whirlpools.


    3. How did Meghna survive the tsunami?

      Meghna held on to a wooden door for two days.


    4. Where did the Smith family take refuge?

      They went to the third floor of their hotel.


    5. How many animals reportedly died in Yala National Park?

      Only two water buffaloes were found dead.


    ✅ Three-Mark Questions

    1. How did Tilly’s geography lesson help her family?

      Tilly recognised the warning signs of a tsunami from her geography class. She insisted her family leave the beach, saving not just themselves but other tourists as well.


    2. What do the stories of Meghna and Almas teach us?

      Both girls were swept away by the tsunami but survived alone. Their stories show resilience, willpower, and the unpredictability of survival during natural disasters.


    3. What is unusual about the animal deaths during the tsunami?

      Despite the tsunami’s massive human toll, very few animals died. This suggests that animals might sense danger in ways humans cannot.


    🧠 Value-Based Question

    Q: What lesson can we learn from Tilly Smith’s story?A: Tilly’s story teaches us that knowledge is powerful. Even a young child can make a life-saving difference if they stay aware and trust their learning. It also highlights the importance of education and listening to others in times of crisis.


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