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STD. VI English Balbharati

10380_10900_JUP

Printed at: Repro India Ltd., Mumbai

P.O. No. 27491

Written as per the new syllabus prescribed by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Pune.

PREFACE Our Std.VI English book comes equipped with Summaries, Paraphrases, Formative and Summative Questions

and Answers and of course Grammar. The goal of this English book was to simplify the Text Book and break

it into smaller bites so as to make it easier for the students to understand. Every chapter in the book begins with a Glossary section that explains the meaning of difficult words. It

moves ahead with a paraphrase/ summary that gives the readers a snapshot of the poem/ chapter. The section that follows consists of Summative Assessment which includes Questions and Answers based

upon the poems and chapters. We have deliberately broken the poems and chapters into smaller extracts for

an easy understanding. The Summative Assessment section also includes Language Study and Open Ended

Questions that compel the students to think out of the box and ignite their imagination. The Formative Assessment part of the poems and chapters includes Speaking, Reading and Writing Activities

along with Project Work. Here, we've answered as many Questions as we could and deemed necessary. To be

judicious towards the exercise, we've left a few Questions unanswered and have expected the students to

answer them on their own. However this was done either based on the nature of the questions or to prod the

students to dig deeper into the given topics. The Grammar section which is included towards the end of the book consists of eight chapters. It focuses on

all the topics as mentioned in the syllabus and is packed with solved and practice exercises. The final section

of the book includes the Model Test Papers. Every Model Test Paper is based on a Single Unit as it appears in

the Text Book. It gives students a chance to test their knowledge quotient based on what they've learned so

far. We hope this book turns out to be a guiding angel for the students of Std.VI and helps them prepare aptly for

their examination. The journey to create a complete book is strewn with triumphs, failures and near misses. If you think we’ve

nearly missed something or want to applaud us for our triumphs, we’d love to hear from you. Please write to us at : mail@targetpublications.org A book affects eternity; one can never tell where its influence stops.

Best of luck to all the aspirants! From,

Publisher

No. Topic Name Page No.

Voyage One

1.1 Don’t Give Up! 1

1.2 Who’s the Greatest? 4

1.3 Autobiography of a Great Indian Bustard 11

1.4 Children are going to school ... 19

1.5 A Kabaddi Match 24

1.6 The Peacock and the Crane 33

1.7 Param Vir Chakra : Our Heroes 39

Voyage Two

2.1 The Clothesline 44

2.2 The Worth of a Fabric 48

2.3 A Wall Magazine for your Class! 57

2.4 Anak Krakatoa 61

2.5 The Silver House 68

2.6 Ad‘wise’ Customers 72

2.7 Yonamine and Bushi 75

Voyage Three

3.1 It Can Be Done 81

3.2 Seven Sisters 86

3.3 Stone Soup 93

3.4 Sushruta (A Peep into the Past) 100

3.5 The Donkey 108

3.6 The Merchant of Venice 112

3.7 At the Science Fair 120

Voyage Four

4.1 Sleep, My Treasure 126

4.2 The Story of Gautama’s Quest 130

4.3 Mr Nobody 136

4.4 A Mad Tea Party 139

4.5 If I can stop one heart from breaking ... 144

4.6 The Phantom Tollbooth (A Book Review) 147

4.7 The Sword in the Stone 153

4.8 An Autumn Greeting 162

Grammar

01 Main Parts of Speech 165

02 Types of Verbs 168

03 Degrees of Comparison 170

04 Wh-Questions 173

05 Polar Questions 174

06 Prefix and Suffix 176

07 Rhyming Words 178

08 Alliteration 180

Model Test Paper

Model Test Paper - I 182

Model Test Paper - II 183

Model Test Paper - III 184

Model Test Paper - IV 185

Note: Textual Questions are represented by * mark.

1

Chapter 1.1: Don’t Give Up! Std. VI

bowed her (phrase) pulled her down defeat (n) failure give up (phrase) lose heart and stop trying has known many a blast (phrase) has survived many blows of stormy winds loftier (adj) taller and stronger patient (adj) to be calm and uncomplaining prouder (adj) feeling good about oneself stronger (adj) physically powerful sturdy (adj) strong victory (n) success you beat (phrase) you win

Read the extract from line (1 to 16) on page (1) of your textbook and answer the following questions. 1. What is the poet trying to teach us? Ans: The poet is trying to teach us to never give up in life. She wants us to keep trying until we succeed. 2. What difficulties does the young bird face while learning to fly? Ans: The young bird keeps falling while learning to fly for a longer period of time. However, it never stops

trying and eventually grows strong and learns to fly. 3. How does the oak tree become loftier and prouder? Ans: The oak tree becomes loftier and prouder only after surviving countless blows of stormy winds. 4. Choose any four pairs of Rhyming Words from the poem. Ans: The four pairs of Rhyming Words are: i. won - done ii. crying - trying iii. stronger - longer iv. known - grown

1.1 Don’t Give Up!

Summative Assessment

Extract I

Glossary

Paraphrase In the poem ‘Don’t Give Up!’, the poet is asking the readers to never give up. She says that

even if one has tried and failed, one should never stop there. She says that having patience helps one achieve great things in life.

For example, she talks about the little birds that fall while learning to fly. But they still do not stop trying. Through a continuous effort, they finally learn to fly and grow stronger.

The poet gives us an example of an oak tree that has survived many storms and has grown taller and stronger with time.

She concludes by saying that if one wins by easy means, it would be of no value. Hence, winning, after facing defeat is the real achievement.

2

Chapter 1.1: Don’t Give Up! Std. VI

5. Give two examples of Alliteration. Ans: Alliteration is a figure of speech where a repetition of sound or letter in the beginning of words, gives a

musical quality to the line. Examples of Alliteration: i. Up a little longer. ii. That’s the test that tries you! Here, the words ‘that’, ‘the’, ‘test’ begin with the same sound and letter ‘t’. *1. Your friend fell down learning to ride a bicycle and now has given it up altogether. What do you

think will be the poet’s advice? Write it down. Ans: I think, the poet will advise my friend to keep trying until he learns to ride the bicycle. 2. You have failed a class test and now you lack the confidence to face any class test again. What do

you think will the poet advise you? Write it down. [Note: Students are expected to attempt the above question on their own.] *1. Have you ever given up on something good? Share your story with your friend. Ans: Yes, I did give up on something good when I was in class XI. I was selected to take part in a singing

contest. However, I was afraid to go up on the stage and perform in front of the crowd. I, therefore, asked my music teacher to withdraw my name from the competition, giving up on my dream of winning the singing contest.

2. Recite your favourite motivational poem in class. Ans: Your Best

If you always try your best Then you’ll never have to wonder About what you could have done

If you’d summoned all your thunder. And if your best Was not as good

As you hoped it would be, You still could say,

“I gave today All that I had in me.”

-Barbara Vance

Formative Assessment

Open Ended Questions

Speaking Activity

3

Chapter 1.1: Don’t Give Up! Std. VI

1. Read the following quotes and guess the names of the speakers.

Arise, Awake and stop not until the goal is reached.

Swami ____________

Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

____________ Ford

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Thomas____________

Reading Activity

4

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

agitated (adj) disturbed compete (v) to take part in a competition courtier (n) a person who is present in the court of a king curious (adj) eager to know emperor (n) king, ruler exclaimed (v) to say or shout with strong emotions expression (n) the look on someone’s face extends (v) to stretch favours (n) to give someone things they desire flog (v) beat someone hard, especially with a whip in a proper fix (phrase) in a tight corner, in a difficult situation incur displeasure (phrase) make someone angry interesting (adj) something that catches attention moustache (n) hair that grows on the upper lip of a man nobleman (n) a man born into high class of rank or title occasion (n) a particular time or event offending (adj) upsetting, causing a problem opportunity (n) chance patron of art and culture (phrase) a person who appreciates, supports and encourages art and culture pose (v) to put across scholar (n) an intelligent and learned person stunned (adj) shocked, surprised sweetmeats (n) sweet food thoughtfully (adv) with a careful thought whip (v) to hit someone word of mouth (phrase) passing information orally from one person to another

Glossary

1.2 Who’s the Greatest?

Summary Emperor Akbar is known as one of the greatest ruler in the world. Moreover, he was also a

good human being. He had great respect for scholars, writers, poets and artists of various religions. Birbal was his favourite among the nine gems or ‘nav-ratnas’ in his court. Akbar liked to ask questions to his courtiers and Birbal was usually the one to come up with witty answers.

One day the Emperor asked his courtiers in a very serious manner as to what should be the punishment extended to the person who pulls his moustache. This question surprised some courtiers and left some disturbed. Only Birbal was witnessing the scene calmly and had a smile playing on his lips.

Akbar, suddenly, threw the question at Birbal to which he cleverly replied that the offender should be given his favourite sweets. The courtiers looked at Birbal with a question mark on their face. Birbal explained that it could only be the Emperor’s grandson, who would have the courage to pull his moustache. Upon hearing this Emperor Akbar burst out laughing. The exact incident had taken place earlier that day.

On another occasion, when Akbar was relaxing with his courtiers, they began to flatter him to gain favours. He was called the greatest of kings by one of them. They even compared his

5

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

Read the extract from line (1 to 16) on page (2) of your textbook and answer the following questions. I. Do as directed.

1. Name the courtier closest to the Emperor’s heart. Ans: Birbal 2. King Akbar was a patron of _____ and _____. (Fill in the blanks) Ans: art and culture 3. Choose the verb form of the word ‘belief’ from the extract. Ans: believe II. Give the meaning of the following words and phrases. *1. untold wealth - a large quantity of wealth *2. closest to the Emperor’s heart - Emperor’s favourite 3. pose interesting questions - to ask exciting questions III. Answer of the following questions in 2-3 sentences.

1. Why was Akbar known as one of the greatest rulers in the world? Ans: Akbar was known as one of the greatest rulers in the world because along with having a vast

empire, a very strong army and untold wealth, he was a good human being. 2. What did Akbar love to do? Ans: Akbar loved to pose interesting questions to his courtiers in his court. 3. How have the stories of Akbar and Birbal handed down over generation? Ans: The stories of Akbar and Birbal have been handed down over generations mostly by word of

mouth.

Summative Assessment

Extract I

greatness to God. Akbar wasn’t foolish to believe them, so he decided to test them on their word. He asked them to point out one thing that he could do but God Almighty couldn’t. He warned them that if they failed to come up with an answer by the next day, they would have to face his displeasure. Everyone was puzzled. They could not find any solution other than to ask Birbal for his help.

The next morning, in a court full of people, the Emperor asked the courtiers for their answer. Birbal stepped forward to answer the question in his usual witty form. According to him, there was certainly one thing that Akbar could do, but God Almighty could not. He said that Emperor Akbar could banish a person from his kingdom, but God could not. This is because God’s kingdom extends everywhere.

Akbar, once again, praised Birbal for his wit and forgave the courtiers for their foolishness.

6

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

Read the extract from line (17 to 54) on page (2 and 3) of your textbook and answer the following questions. I. Give the meaning of the following words and phrases. *1. grave offence - serious crime 2. offer an explanation - to make clear 3. burst out laughing - to laugh suddenly II. State with a reason, whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Akbar wanted to punish the person who pulled his moustache. Ans: False. Akbar did not want to punish the person who pulled his moustache because he was none other

than his grandson.

2. Birbal was smiling whereas everyone else was agitated. Ans: True. Birbal knew that only the Emperor’s grandson would dare to pull his moustache and hence he

was smiling.

3. Akbar was furious after hearing Birbal’s explanation. Ans: False. Akbar burst out laughing after hearing Birbal’s explanation because the same incident had taken

place earlier during the day. III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences. 1. What was the question that Akbar asked his courtiers in his court? Ans: In his court, Akbar asked his courtiers as to what punishment should be given to the person who

pulled his moustache. 2. What punishment did Birbal suggest for the offender? Ans: Birbal suggested that the offender should be given his favourite sweetmeats.

3. Why did Akbar burst out laughing? Ans: Akbar burst out laughing because he realized that Birbal was clever enough to guess that it was

none other than the Emperor’s grandson who dared to pull his moustache. Read the extract from line (55 to 97) on page (3, 4 and 5) of your textbook and answer the following questions. I. Give the meaning of the following words and phrases. *1. banish- to send someone away from the kingdom as a punishment 2. shower praise - to appreciate a lot 3. stepped forward - to come ahead II. State with a reason, whether the following statements are true or false. *1. Akbar thought he was greater than God. Ans: False. The courtiers thought Akbar was greater than God.

Extract II

Extract III

7

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

*2. Birbal thought Akbar was greater than God. Ans: False. Birbal knew that God was kind enough to not banish anyone from His kingdom which proved

that He was greater than Akbar. 3. Akbar punished the courtiers for their stupidity. Ans: False. Akbar forgave the courtiers for their stupidity. III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences. 1. Who was Akbar compared to? Ans: Akbar was compared to the God Almighty. 2. What did Akbar ask the courtiers to prove? Ans: Akbar asked the courtiers to prove to him at least one thing that he could do but God Almighty

could not. 3. Write a short note on Emperor Akbar. Ans: Emperor Akbar was a great king. He had a vast empire and an interest in art and culture. He had

great respect for scholars, writers, poets and artists belonging to different religions. He cared for his subjects. Emperor Akbar was loved not only because he was a great king but also because he was a wonderful human being.

*1. Write a sentence each about three of your friends. Each time you should say what your friend

cannot do, and yet, pay a compliment to your friend. Ans: My friend Ram cannot lie because he is an honest man. My friend Karan cannot work fast because he pays detailed attention to everything. My friend Meena cannot be rude to anybody because she is polite. 2. Write an instance wherein your friend cleverly saved you from getting punished by your teacher. [Note: Students are expected to attempt the above question on their own.] *1. Listen to the stories carefully, as your teacher reads them aloud. Note down the new words, ideas

or concepts. Discuss them in the class. [Note: Students are expected to attempt the above question on their own.] *1. Convert the stories into dialogues and read the dialogues aloud in the class. Ans: i. (One day, the Emperor entered the court.)

Formative Assessment

Open Ended Questions

Listening Activity

Reading Activity

8

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

ii. (Akbar was relaxing with his courtiers…) [Note: Students are expected to attempt the next dialogue writing on their own.]

9

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

*1. Form pairs and make a ‘pair presentation’ of any one of the two stories. To do so, each person

presents only one sentence at a time, and next one is immediately presented by the partner. Thus, each person in the pair presents alternate sentences without breaking the flow of the narration.

[Note: Students are expected to attempt the above question on their own.] *2. Find at least five other Akbar and Birbal stories and share them with your friends. Make a list of

the stories collected by the entire class. Put your list in the alphabetical order. Ans: i. ii. [Note: Students are expected to find the rest of the stories on their own.]

Birbal and Akbar’s Ring It so happened that once, Emperor Akbar misplaced his ring somewhere. When Birbal arrived in the court, Akbar told him, “I have lost my ring. It was very dear to me as my father had given it to me as a gift. Please help me find it!” Birbal said, “You need not worry, Jahanpanah! I will find your ring right away.” He further added, “Your Majesty, the ring is here in this court itself. It is with one of our courtiers. The courtier who has a straw in his beard has your ring.” The courtier who had filched the Emperor’s ring was shocked and immediately moved his hand over his beard. Birbal was waiting for this reaction from one of the courtiers. He immediately pointed towards that particular courtier and ordered the royal guards to search him. The guards frisked the courtier and found the Emperor’s ring lying in the pocket of his achkan. Akbar was pleasantly surprised at another wonderful example of Birbal’s wit and asked “Birbal, tell me how were you able to find the culprit?” Birbal then told the Emperor, “Your Majesty, I just shot an arrow in the dark. As they rightly say that a guilty person is always scared, the real culprit revealed himself by moving his hand over his beard.” Once again, Birbal used his wit and saved the Emperor from being robbed. Moral- One should never lie, steal or cheat.

Birbal Denies a Rumour One day, a man met Birbal in the street. He began telling Birbal his sob story. The man said, “I’ve walked twenty kilometres just to see you. All along my way people said that you were the country’s most generous man.” Birbal thought to himself, “This man is going to ask me for money.” Birbal asked him, “Are you returning the same way?” The man replied, “Yes.” Birbal said, “Will you do something for me?” The man said, “Of course. What do you want?” Birbal said as he walked away, “Please deny the rumour of my generosity.” Birbal, as always, proved to be a genius leaving the man speechless. Moral- One should indeed be smart but shouldn’t act over smart.

Speaking Activity

10

Chapter 1.2: Who’s the Greatest? Std. VI

*1. Visit a library: Find the stories of: Share them in the class. [Note: Students are expected to attempt the above question on their own.]

Mulla Nasiruddin Gopal Bhand

Tenali Raman

Project

185

ÒeMveHeef$ekeÀe - 1 Std. VI

I. Do as directed. 1. Write the Noun form of the word ‘breathe’. 2. The sparrow stirs when he sees day break. (State with a reason whether the given statement is true

or false.) 3. Princess ______ was the daughter of the Koliyan King. (Fill in the blank) II. Write the antonyms of the following words. 1. weakness 2. awake 3. discontent 4. old III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences. 1. What does the poet want to do in the poem ‘If I can stop one heart from breaking…’? 2. Why did the Lords and Knights, began to fight in the lesson ‘The Sword in the Stone’? 3. Why is the tollbooth called a ‘Phantom’ tollbooth? IV. Give the meanings of the following words/phrases. 1. attainment 2. wrapped in shadow 3. indignantly V. Describe the following characters in 5-6 sentences. 1. Prince Siddharth 2. Sir Ector 3. Arthur VI. Compose a short poem of 4-6 lines, using rhyming words. VII. Describe in a few lines how your mother used to put you to sleep when you were a baby. VIII. Identify alliteration in the following sentences. 1. She sells sea shells on the seashore. 2. The sheep is sleeping soundly. 3. The long and lonely day is over. IX. Given below are a few pairs of rhyming words. Add one more to the set. 1. snake - cake - ______ 2. sun - bun - ______ 3. red - bread - ______ X. Form Wh-questions for the given statements. 1. It is a book. 2. I live in Delhi. 3. I will have lunch at 2 pm.

Model Test Paper - IV Based on Unit Four of the Text Book