Think Deeply, Read Smartly: Short Reading Passages for Class 8 

This Class 8 worksheet features five meaningful short reading passages that build advanced comprehension, analytical thinking, and real-world awareness. With topics like disaster readiness, sustainable food systems, public art, air-quality monitoring, and communication skills, learners practise extracting key details, understanding cause-effect, and answering one-word questions with accuracy. 

Why Short Reading Passages Matter in Grammar? 

Short, information-rich passages help students: 
1. Strengthen analytical comprehension through real-world themes. 
2. Practise locating answers quickly with accuracy. 
3. Build vocabulary across domains like environment, civic action, transport, and communication. 
4. Prepare for higher-order comprehension, unseen passages, and summary tasks. 
 

What’s Inside This Worksheet? 

This worksheet includes five structured passages (Pages 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10), each followed by one-word answer questions (Pages 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11). Themes include: 
• Urban flood preparedness 
• Sustainable food choices 
• Public art and creativity 
• Smart air-quality monitoring 
• Skill-building hubs for communication 

Passage 1 – Urban Flood Readiness (Page 2) 
Tanvi participates in a school module that teaches practical flood-response skills. Students practise safe waiting zones, spotting hazards, identifying blocked drains, and forming buddy groups. They map frequently flooded spots, suggest solutions like clearing drains and temporary barriers, and share them with the municipal helpdesk. Their observations are reviewed by a disaster volunteer, encouraging Tanvi to value community participation. 

Passage 2 – Sustainable Food Trail (Page 4) 
Pranav joins a trail exploring how food choices impact the environment. He observes drip irrigation, compost pits, reduced food miles, and café menus using local produce. He creates an infographic summarising irrigation, composting, and emission savings. Displayed on the school board, it inspires discussions and a proposal for a “local menu day.” 

Passage 3 – Metro Arts Initiative (Page 6) 
Shruti’s city launches a Metro Arts Initiative showcasing murals, recycled sculptures, and student-made digital art. Her school art club contributes a mural on “Voices of the City,” portraying urban life—tea stalls, newspaper vendors, traffic lights, and evening parks. Once installed, it attracts commuters and highlights how public art builds civic identity and shared appreciation. 

Passage 4 – Smart Air Monitoring (Page 8) 
Devraj’s school project trains students to use sensors that record particulate matter, traffic flow, temperature, and humidity. His team studies pollution spikes at a flyover and compares results with government data. Their report suggests cycling, staggered timings, and reducing idling. Parents adopt some changes, helping reduce local pollution. 

Passage 5 – Neighbourhood Skill Hub (Page 10) 
Liyana attends weekend communication-skills training at a new community Skill Hub. Through role-plays and posture, tone, and eye-contact practice, she improves her speaking abilities. After presenting on “Waste Segregation,” she is encouraged to volunteer as a youth mentor, gaining confidence and purpose. 
 

✅ Answer Key (For Parents & Educators) 

Exercise 1 – Urban Flood Readiness 
1. Simulation 
2. Plastic 
3. Sketch 
4. Volunteer 
5. Readiness 

Exercise 2 – Sustainable Food Trail 
1. Drip irrigation 
2. Cafeteria waste 
3. Food mileage 
4. Local menu day 
5. Polyhouse 

Exercise 3 – Metro Arts Initiative 
1. Metro 
2. Recycled 
3. Voices of the City 
4. Mural 
5. Identity 

Exercise 4 – Smart Air Monitoring 
1. Science department 
2. Sensors 
3. Flyover 
4. Government 
5. Cycling 

Exercise 5 – Neighbourhood Skill Hub 
1. Skill Hub 
2. Communication 
3. Role-play 
4. Waste Segregation 
5. Mentor 

Help your child strengthen analytical reading with these Class 8 short passages — ideal for higher-level comprehension skills and real-world awareness. 

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