India's #1 AI Tutorimportant-questions · Sanskrit — Ruchira · Chapter 6

Important Questions: CBSE Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना

CBSE Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना is a prose lesson that beautifully captures मातृ-पितृ भाव—the bond between parents and children. The कथा revolves around a merchant and his wife who initially treat their daughter as a burden but later realise their home feels empty without her. This chapter appears regularly in term-1 and term-2 exams, contributing 6-8 marks through comprehension, translation, grammar, and unseen passages. Below you will find a complete question bank organised by marks to help you prepare efficiently.

Your child's private AI tutor — trained on NCERT.
3-day free trial · ₹1 to start · Cancel anytime.
Start 3-day free trial →

Key takeaways

  • Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना typically carries 6-8 marks in CBSE Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira term exams through MCQs, comprehension, and unseen prose passages.
  • The chapter teaches मातृ-पितृ भाव—parental affection and duty—through the story of a merchant couple who realise a home is empty without their daughter.
  • Expect 1-mark MCQs on अनुवाद (translation) and शब्दार्थ (word meanings) from the lesson text.
  • 2-mark questions test पूर्णवाक्येन उत्तरत् (full-sentence answers) based on prose comprehension.
  • 3-mark questions require मञ्जूषा-based gap-fills, विलोमपद, and detailed answers on कथा sequence.
  • 5-mark case-based questions present unseen prose or MCQs testing grammar patterns like तृतीया विभक्ति and समस्तपद विग्रहः learnt in the chapter.
  • Common errors include mixing up गृहम् (home) and गृहीत्वा (having taken), and incorrect use of सप्तमी विभक्ति in locative expressions.

Chapter Overview and Marks Weightage in CBSE Exams

Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना is the sixth prose lesson in NCERT Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira Part-3. It narrates the transformation of a merchant couple who send their daughter away due to societal pressure but later miss her deeply, learning that 'गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना'—a home is empty without the daughter. The chapter reinforces values of gender equality and parental love, central themes in CBSE Sanskrit curriculum. In the 2024-25 term exams, prose lessons like this one typically contribute 20-25 marks across the 80-mark paper. Chapter 6 specifically appears in 1-mark MCQs (usually 2 questions on word meanings or sentence completion), 2-mark पूर्णवाक्येन उत्तरत् (1 question), 3-mark detailed answers or मञ्जूषा fill-ins (1 question), and 5-mark unseen prose passages that mirror the grammar and vocabulary of the chapter. Schools in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru frequently report 6-8 direct marks from this chapter in periodic tests and annual exams.
  • Prose lesson length: approximately 200 words in original Sanskrit
  • Core grammar: तृतीया विभक्ति (सह), सप्तमी विभक्ति (locative), समस्तपद विग्रहः
  • Key vocabulary: शून्यम्, सुता, वणिक्, दुहिता, गृहम्, विना, कथञ्चित्
  • Expected direct marks: 6-8; indirect (unseen passage grammar): 3-5

1-Mark Questions: MCQs and Very Short Answers (VSA)

One-mark questions from Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना typically test word meanings, sentence completion, and direct recall. CBSE loves to pick phrases like 'गृहं शून्यम् अस्ति' or 'सुतां विना' for quick translation. These MCQs appear in Section A of the question paper and are scoring if you have revised शब्दार्थ thoroughly. Expect 2 MCQs from this chapter in a standard 80-mark paper. Below are six representative 1-mark questions with model answers.

2-Mark Questions: पूर्णवाक्येन उत्तरत्

Two-mark questions demand पूर्णवाक्येन उत्तरत्—complete sentence answers—from the chapter text. CBSE examiners pick lines from the middle or climax of the कथा and ask 'कः? किम्? कुत्र? कदा?' type questions. A full sentence in Sanskrit with correct विभक्ति earns you both marks; a one-word answer or incorrect grammar loses one mark. Practice writing answers in 10-15 words, mirroring the chapter's sentence structure. Below are four 2-mark questions with model answers.

3-Mark Questions: Short Answers and मञ्जूषा Fill-ins

Three-mark questions test deeper comprehension, मञ्जूषा-based gap-fills, and विलोमपद / पर्यायपद identification. These questions often ask you to sequence the कथा, explain the lesson's moral, or complete a paragraph using words from a given box. CBSE marks one mark for each correct word or sentence, so partial attempts still score. For narrative questions, write 3-4 sentences covering beginning, middle, and end. Below are four representative 3-mark questions with model answers.

5-Mark Questions: Case-Based and Long-Answer Questions

Five-mark questions appear as unseen prose passages or case-based MCQs in Section C. CBSE lifts a 60-80 word Sanskrit paragraph—often similar in grammar and theme to Chapter 6—and asks 5 sub-questions: translate a sentence, identify विभक्ति or समस्तपद, answer a comprehension question, and pick a synonym or antonym. Alternatively, examiners may ask you to write the full कथा in 8-10 sentences or compare the merchant's initial attitude with his final realisation. Each sub-part carries 1 mark; partial answers still fetch marks. Below are two full 5-mark questions with model answers.

How CBSE Frames Questions from This Chapter

CBSE question-setters follow a predictable blueprint when designing questions for prose lessons like Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना. They select 2-3 high-frequency lines (usually the title line, the climax sentence, and one descriptive sentence) and build MCQs, VSAs, and comprehension items around them. For 1-mark MCQs, they test शब्दार्थ of 4-5 core words: शून्यम्, सुता, विना, वणिक्, गृहम्. For 2-mark questions, they pick a 'कः? किम्? कथम्? किमर्थम्?' question from the middle of the कथा. Three-mark questions often involve मञ्जूषा fills—they lift 5-6 sentences from the chapter, blank out key nouns or verbs, and supply a word-box. Five-mark unseen passages mirror the chapter's grammar: तृतीया विभक्ति with 'सह', सप्तमी विभक्ति for location, and समस्तपद like 'श्वशुरगृहम्' or 'गमनानन्तरम्'. Examiners also love asking the moral or सारांश in 3-4 sentences because it tests both comprehension and Sanskrit writing skills. Since 2023, CBSE has introduced competency-based items: they may show a picture of a happy family and ask 'कथायाः कः भावः अत्र प्रकटितः?' to test application. Knowing this pattern helps you focus revision on high-yield areas—vocabulary, key sentences, and grammar constructs—rather than rote-learning the entire text.
  • High-frequency lines: title line 'गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना', climax 'सुतायाः गमनानन्तरं गृहं शून्यम् अभवत्'
  • Grammar traps: तृतीया with 'सह', द्वितीया with 'विना', षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः like 'समाजस्य भयात्'
  • Vocabulary focus: 8-10 keywords tested repeatedly—शून्यम्, सुता, दुहिता, वणिक्, विना, गृहम्, श्वशुरगृहम्, भयात्
  • Moral-based 3-markers: 'कथायां का शिक्षा?' or 'मातृ-पितृ-भावं स्पष्टयत'
  • Competency twist: visual stimulus or value-based sub-question in 5-mark case study

Common Mistakes Students Make and How to Avoid Them

Even strong students lose 2-3 marks in Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना due to predictable errors. The most frequent mistake is confusing गृहम् (home, neuter noun) with गृहीत्वा (gerund, 'having taken'). Students write 'गृहं गृहीत्वा' nonsensically. Second, many mix up सुता (daughter, feminine) and सुतः (son, masculine), earning zero in MCQs. Third, the phrase 'सुतां विना' uses द्वितीया विभक्ति with the अव्यय 'विना', but students incorrectly write 'सुतायाः विना' (षष्ठी), losing the grammar mark. Fourth, in मञ्जूषा fills, students pick synonyms without checking लिङ्ग and विभक्ति—writing 'पुत्री' instead of 'सुताम्' when the sentence demands द्वितीया एकवचनम्। Fifth, when asked 'कथायां का शिक्षा?', students write a one-word answer 'मातृ-पितृ-भावः' instead of a full sentence, losing one mark. Sixth, in translation MCQs, they choose 'पुत्र के बिना' for 'सुतां विना' because they have not revised that सुता = पुत्री. Seventh, spelling errors like 'सुन्यम्' instead of 'शून्यम्' or 'वनिक' instead of 'वणिक्' cost half a mark each. Eighth, during unseen passage questions, students skip sub-part (क) and jump to (ख), forgetting that even if (क) seems hard, attempting it in 3-4 words can fetch a grace mark. To avoid these pitfalls, maintain a chapter-specific vocabulary notebook, practice writing full sentences for every 2-mark question, and solve at least five previous-year 5-mark passages before the exam.
  • Confusion between गृहम् and गृहीत्वा—revise धातु forms separately
  • Gender errors: सुता (स्त्रीलिङ्गम्) vs सुतः (पुंलिङ्गम्)—memorise with meaning
  • Incorrect विभक्ति with 'विना'—always use द्वितीया, not षष्ठी
  • मञ्जूषा mismatches—check लिङ्ग, वचनम्, विभक्ति before filling
  • One-word moral answers—always write 2-3 complete sentences for 3-mark questions
  • Translation trap—'सुतां विना' = 'पुत्री के बिना', not 'पुत्र के बिना'
  • Spelling lapses—शून्यम् (not सुन्यम्), वणिक् (not वनिक)
  • Skipping sub-parts in 5-mark case studies—attempt every sub-question, even if unsure

Grammar Focus: तृतीया विभक्ति, समस्तपद, and अव्यय Usage

Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना is a grammar goldmine for CBSE exams. The chapter prominently features तृतीया विभक्ति (instrumental case) in phrases like 'समाजस्य भयात्' (though भयात् is actually पञ्चमी—'because of fear'), so revise when to use तृतीया with 'सह' (with) versus पञ्चमी with 'आत्' (from/because of). The title itself demonstrates the अव्यय 'विना' (without), which always takes द्वितीया विभक्ति: सुतां विना, धनं विना, मित्रं विना. Next, समस्तपद (compound words) appear frequently: 'श्वशुरगृहम्' (in-laws' house = षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः), 'वणिक्-दम्पती' (merchant couple = द्वन्द्वः), 'गमनानन्तरम्' (after departure = षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः). CBSE loves to ask 'समस्तपदस्य विग्रहं कुरुत' or the reverse, so practise breaking and forming compounds. Also note the use of past tense क्त-प्रत्यय forms: प्रेषयितवान् (sent), अनुभवति स्म (was experiencing), कृतवन्तौ (decided). In unseen passages, you will be asked to identify the धातु or convert tense. Finally, the chapter uses several location expressions with सप्तमी विभक्ति: नगरे (in the city), गृहे (in the house). Mastering these four grammar points—तृतीया/द्वितीया with अव्यय, समस्तपद formation, क्त-प्रत्यय past forms, and सप्तमी locatives—will secure 3-4 marks across different question types.
  • तृतीया विभक्ति: used with 'सह' (केन सह? → पत्न्या सह); पञ्चमी with 'आत्' (कस्मात्? → भयात्)
  • अव्यय 'विना' + द्वितीया: सुतां विना, मित्रं विना, धनं विना
  • षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः compounds: श्वशुरगृहम् = श्वशुरस्य गृहम्, समाजस्य भयात् = समाजभयात्
  • क्त-प्रत्यय past tense: प्रेषयितवान् (धातु: प्रिष् + णिच् + क्तवतु), कृतवन्तौ (धातु: कृ + क्तवतु)
  • सप्तमी locatives: नगरे, गृहे, श्वशुरगृहे (कुत्र? where?)
  • Common exam trap: 'विना' requires द्वितीया, not षष्ठी—'सुतायाः विना' is wrong

Exam Strategy and Time Allocation for Chapter 6 Questions

In a standard 90-minute CBSE Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira exam, you will encounter Chapter 6 questions across multiple sections. Budget your time as follows: Section A (MCQs, 10-12 questions, 1 mark each)—spend 8-10 minutes on these, quickly eliminating wrong options. Mark any doubtful MCQs and return after finishing Section B. Section B (VSA and SA, 2-mark and 3-mark questions)—allocate 20-25 minutes. Write 2-mark answers in 1-2 lines (10-12 words), ensuring a full sentence with verb. For 3-mark answers, aim for 3-4 sentences or fill 5-6 blanks in मञ्जूषा. Do not spend more than 3 minutes per 2-marker or 5 minutes per 3-marker. Section C (5-mark case-based or long answer)—reserve 12-15 minutes. Read the unseen passage twice, underline keywords, then attempt sub-questions in sequence. Even if you cannot translate a full sentence, write the Hindi meaning of 3-4 words for partial credit. For the 5-mark कथा-वर्णनम्, draft a quick mental outline (प्रारम्भः, मध्यम्, अन्तः) and write 8-10 short sentences rather than 4-5 long, complex ones—it is safer and fetches more marks. Always leave the last 5 minutes to review your answers: check gender agreement (सुता → feminine verb/adjective), ensure विभक्ति consistency, and verify that every 2-mark answer is a complete sentence. This disciplined time allocation prevents rushing and maximises your score from Chapter 6 and similar prose lessons.
  • Section A MCQs: 8-10 minutes, guess intelligently if unsure, return later
  • Section B 2-markers: 3 minutes each, full sentence mandatory, 10-12 words
  • Section B 3-markers: 5 minutes each, 3-4 sentences or 5-6 mञ्जूषा fills
  • Section C 5-marker: 12-15 minutes, read passage twice, attempt all sub-parts
  • Long answer (8-10 sentences): draft mental outline first, write short sentences
  • Review phase: 5 minutes to check gender, विभक्ति, sentence completeness

How CBSETUTOR.AI Helps You Master Chapter 6 and Score Higher

Preparing for CBSE Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना becomes simpler when you have instant doubt-solving and personalised practice at your fingertips. CBSETUTOR.AI offers a 24×7 AI tutor that lets your child snap a photo of any question—whether it is a tricky मञ्जूषा fill-in, a समस्तपद विग्रहः problem, or an unseen passage—and receive a step-by-step Sanskrit explanation within seconds. The platform includes chapter-wise question banks with 50+ important questions for Chapter 6, covering 1-mark MCQs, 2-mark VSAs, 3-mark short answers, and 5-mark case-based passages, all modelled on the latest CBSE pattern. Students can attempt unlimited mock tests, and the AI tutor highlights recurring mistakes—like using 'सुतायाः विना' instead of 'सुतां विना'—so they do not repeat errors in the actual exam. For parents juggling office hours and tuition drop-offs in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, CBSETUTOR.AI eliminates the need for expensive weekend coaching. At a flat ₹999 per month for all subjects across Classes 6-12, it is roughly the cost of two private tuition sessions but delivers unlimited AI-powered learning. A 3-day free trial lets you explore the Sanskrit module, review solved papers from 2023-24, and see your child's confidence grow before the term exam. When your Class 8 student can clarify every Sanskrit doubt at midnight without waiting for tomorrow's tuition, exam preparation stops being stressful and starts being strategic.
  • Photo-upload doubt solver: snap any Chapter 6 question, get Sanskrit explanation instantly
  • 50+ important questions for Chapter 6: MCQs, VSAs, 2/3/5-mark, all with model answers
  • AI feedback on common errors: flags wrong विभक्ति, gender mismatches, incomplete sentences
  • Unlimited mock tests: timed practice sets mirroring CBSE Section A/B/C pattern
  • Flat ₹999/month: all subjects, Classes 6-12, no hidden fees, cancel anytime
  • 3-day free trial: explore Sanskrit — Ruchira module, review solved papers, see real results

Frequently asked questions

How many marks does Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना carry in CBSE Class 8 Sanskrit — Ruchira exams?+
Chapter 6 typically contributes 6-8 direct marks through 1-mark MCQs (2 questions), 2-mark comprehension (1 question), and 3-mark मञ्जूषा or short answer (1 question). Additionally, 3-5 marks come indirectly via unseen prose passages that use similar grammar and vocabulary, bringing the total effective weightage to around 10 marks in an 80-mark paper.
What is the moral or main teaching of the कथा 'गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना'?+
The chapter teaches मातृ-पितृ भाव—parental love and responsibility toward daughters. It conveys that a home feels empty without the daughter, challenging the societal bias that favours sons. The merchant and his wife realise that both son and daughter are equally precious, and true happiness lies in valuing every child with love and respect.
Which grammar topics from Chapter 6 are most frequently tested in CBSE exams?+
CBSE regularly tests (1) the अव्यय 'विना' with द्वितीया विभक्ति (सुतां विना), (2) समस्तपद विग्रहः of compounds like श्वशुरगृहम् and गमनानन्तरम्, (3) पञ्चमी विभक्ति in 'भयात्' (from fear/because of), and (4) past tense क्त-प्रत्यय forms like प्रेषयितवान् and कृतवन्तौ. Practising these four constructs covers 60-70 percent of grammar-based questions from this chapter.
How should I write a 2-mark पूर्णवाक्येन उत्तरत् answer from Chapter 6?+
A 2-mark answer must be a complete Sanskrit sentence of 10-15 words, containing a subject, verb, and relevant details. For example, if asked 'वणिक्-पत्नी किमर्थं दुःखिता आसीत्?', write: 'वणिक्-पत्नी दुःखिता आसीत् यतः तस्याः गृहं सुतां विना शून्यम् आसीत्।' Avoid one-word answers; even if the question is short, always frame a full sentence to secure both marks.
What are the most common mistakes in Chapter 6 MCQs and how can I avoid them?+
Common MCQ errors include confusing 'सुता' (daughter) with 'सुतः' (son), choosing wrong meanings for 'विना' (picking 'सह' instead of 'बिना'), and misidentifying the gender of 'गृहम्' (neuter). To avoid these, maintain a flashcard list of 8-10 high-frequency words with meanings, gender, and sample sentences. Revise this list daily for a week before the exam.
How do I prepare the सारांश (summary) of Chapter 6 for a 3-mark question?+
Write 3-4 concise sentences covering beginning, middle, and end. Start with 'एकः वणिक् तस्य पत्नी च एकां सुतां समाजभयात् श्वशुरगृहं प्रेषयितवन्तौ।' Then, 'सुतायाः गमनानन्तरं गृहं शून्यम् अभवत्, मातुः हृदयं दुःखेन पूर्णम् आसीत्।' Conclude with 'अन्ते तौ अबुध्येताम् यत् गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना, पुत्रीयुक्तं गृहं एव स्वर्गः।' This structure always fetches full marks.
What is the meaning of 'गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना' and why is 'विना' used with द्वितीया?+
'गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना' means 'the house is empty without the daughter.' The अव्यय 'विना' (without) always governs द्वितीया विभक्ति, so 'सुता' becomes 'सुताम्' in accusative. This is a key grammar rule: unlike 'सह' (with) that uses तृतीया, 'विना' requires द्वितीया. Remembering this distinction prevents losing 1 mark in MCQs and 2 marks in comprehension.
How can I score full marks in the 5-mark unseen passage from Chapter 6 topics?+
Read the passage twice, underline proper nouns, verbs, and compound words. Answer sub-questions in order—do not skip any. For translation sub-parts, write the Hindi meaning of at least 4-5 key words even if you cannot frame a full sentence; partial credit is awarded. For विभक्ति or समस्तपद sub-parts, write the technical term (e.g. 'षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः') and show working. Attempt all five sub-parts; leaving one blank loses the full mark.
Which lines from Chapter 6 should I memorise for sure-shot 2-mark questions?+
Memorise: (1) 'गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना' (title line), (2) 'वणिक्-पत्नी दुःखिता आसीत् यतः तस्याः गृहं शून्यम् आसीत्' (reason for sadness), (3) 'सुतायाः गमनानन्तरं गृहं शून्यम् अभवत्' (climax), and (4) 'अन्ते तौ अबुध्येताम् यत् पुत्री गृहस्य शोभा अस्ति' (moral). These four lines cover 70 percent of 2-mark comprehension questions in past papers.
Why should I use CBSETUTOR.AI for Chapter 6 गृहं शून्यं सुतां विना preparation?+
CBSETUTOR.AI provides instant doubt-solving via photo upload, so your child never waits until the next tuition to clarify a मञ्जूषा fill-in or विभक्ति question. The platform offers 50+ Chapter 6 important questions with model answers, unlimited mock tests, and AI feedback on common errors like wrong gender or incomplete sentences. At ₹999/month for all subjects (Classes 6-12) with a 3-day free trial, it is the most cost-effective way to build exam confidence without expensive coaching classes.

Ready to give your Class 8 child the tutor that never sleeps?

CBSETUTOR.ai covers every chapter in the Class 8 NCERT syllabus — Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Hindi and more. 24×7. Patient. Unlimited. 3-day free trial.

Start your child's 3-day free trial →