Comprehension Check
- What prevents the author from seeing Bijju?
Answer: The mist envelops the hills of Mussoorie, making it impossible to see clearly. - How do the hills change appearance when the mist rises?
Answer: The mist blankets the landscape like a white shroud, creating a feeling akin to twilight. This also hushes the birds, as they mistakenly perceive it as nighttime, resulting in a tranquil silence in the forest. - When does the monsoon season commence and conclude? What preparations do you make for the monsoon?
Answer: The monsoon begins in India from the east and south, typically around mid-May, reaching northern India by the second week of June, and withdrawing by September. To prepare for the monsoon, we ensure our raincoats, boots, and umbrellas are easily accessible. - Which hill station is highlighted in the author’s diary entry?
Answer: The author vividly describes the enchanting beauty of Mussoorie. - For how many days does the rain continue without interruption? What does the author do during this time?
Answer: The rain persists for about eight or nine days without a break. During this period, the author remains indoors, observing a few umbrellas from his window. - Where do snakes and rodents seek refuge, and why?
Answer: Snakes and rodents find shelter in roofs, attics, and godowns to escape the rain. - What item did the author receive through the mail?
Answer: The author received a cheque in the mail.
Working with Text
- Compare the diary entries from June 24-25, August 2, and March 23. What changes occur as the rainy season progresses from June to March?
Answer: On June 24, the monsoon mist arrives, enveloping the hills in silence. The following day, June 25, the showers begin, and nature eagerly welcomes the rain. By August 2, after several days of rain, people grow weary, facing tropical downpours that confine them indoors. Snakes and rodents seek shelter in attics and godowns during this time. By March 23, the sky clears up, revealing a rainbow. - Why did the grandmother advise the children against killing the Chuchundar?
Answer: The grandmother considered the Chuchundar a symbol of good fortune, explaining that it brings wealth to the household. - What natural signs indicate the end of the monsoon season?
Answer: As the monsoon concludes, the seeds of the cobra lily turn red, and flowers such as wild balsam, begonias, and ground orchids emerge. - Complete the sentences: (i) Bijju’s voice can be heard, but he cannot be seen because ____________.
Answer: of the surrounding mist. (ii) The author describes the hill station and valley as ___________.
Answer: a paradise that could have been. (iii) The leopard successfully _____________ but had to escape when ____________.
Answer: attacked one of Bijju’s cows; Bijju’s mother came yelling curses. (iv) The minivets stand out due to ____________.
Answer: their vibrant colors. (v) It resembles a fashion show on the slopes when ____________.
Answer: ground orchids, mauve lady’s slipper, and white butterfly orchids bloom. (vi) During the monsoon, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because ____________.
Answer: they have been driven out of their burrows due to flooding. - Interpret this sentence: “Although tin roofs are prone to developing leaks unexpectedly, there is a sensation of being untouched by, yet connected to, the rain.” (i) Why does the author use the term “springing”?
Answer: The term “springing” indicates that the leaks appear suddenly in unexpected locations during the monsoon. (ii) In what way is the author unaffected by the rain?
Answer: The tin roof acts as a barrier, preventing raindrops from hitting the author directly. (iii) In what manner does the author remain aware of the rain?
Answer: The rhythmic drumming of the rain on the corrugated roof makes the author aware of the rain’s presence, even without direct contact. - What are some consequences of prolonged rain?
Answer: Continuous rain creates a damp atmosphere, resulting in puddles on the roads and algae growth on wet surfaces. Flowers such as dahlias and begonias bloom, and landslides frequently occur in hilly areas. - What role do cobra lilies play regarding the monsoon season?
Answer: Cobra lilies signify the beginning of the monsoon when they first bloom, and their seeds turn red as the monsoon comes to an end.
Working with Language
- List additional words related to the monsoon. Can you find their translations in your native language?
Answer: Additional words include: puddles, hailstorm, petrichor, paper boats, and frogs. In the local language, these can be translated as barish (rain), baad (flood), kohara (mist), baadal (cloud), chaata (umbrella), moosaladhaar barish (heavy rain). - Fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms: (i) We (get out) of the school bus. The bell (ring) and everyone (rush) to class.
Answer: We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing, and everyone rushed to class. (ii) The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.
Answer: The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road, shouting slogans. (iii) I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
Answer: I wore my raincoat. It was raining, and people were getting wet. (iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
Answer: She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully. (v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.
Answer: We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games. (vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).
Answer: The class was quiet. Some children were reading books while the rest were drawing. - Identify and match sound-related words with their meanings:
- drum
- swish
- tinkle
- caw
- drip
(a) to fall in small drops — drip
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly — drum
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound — swish
(d) harsh sound made by birds — caw
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.) — tinkle(ii) Fill in the blanks:
(a) Ramesh ______________on his desk in impatience.
Answer: drummed(b) Rain water _____________ from the umbrella all over the carpet.
Answer: dripped(c) The pony ____________its tail.
Answer: swished(d) The ___________of breaking glass woke me up.
Answer: tinkling(e) The ____________of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.
Answer: cawing - Complete the sentences with appropriate phrases: (i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And _____________it soon started raining heavily.
Answer: sure enough (ii) The blue umbrella was ______________ for the brother and sister.
Answer: big enough (iii) The butterflies are _____________ to get noticed.
Answer: colorful enough (iv) The lady was _____________ to chase the leopard.
Answer: brave enough (v) The boy was ______________ to call out to his sister.
Answer: anxious enough (vi) The man was _____________ to offer help.
Answer: kind enough (vii) The victim’s injury was ______________for him to get admitted in hospital.
Answer: serious enough (viii) That person was ____________to repeat the same mistake again.
Answer: foolish enough (ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘___________ ___________.’
Answer: fair enough
Speaking
- Do you hold any beliefs in superstitions? Why or why not? Share three superstitions you know.
Answer: I do not subscribe to superstitions as they seem to offer an unreliable way to foresee the future, especially negative outcomes. Three prevalent superstitions in my country are: a black cat crossing your
1. The monsoons are a time of great fun and even a few adventures: playing in the rain and getting wet, wading through knee-deep water on your way to school, water flooding the house or the classroom, power cuts and so on.
Write a paragraph describing an incident that occurred during the rains which you can never forget.
Writing
1. The monsoons are a time of great fun and even a few adventures: playing in the rain and getting wet, wading through knee-deep water on your way to school, water flooding the house or the classroom, power cuts and so on. Write a paragraph describing an incident that occurred during the rains which you can never forget.
It’s the time
when nature enchants mankind.
The flowers dot the earth with colours
and their fragrance intoxicates the air.
After a season of white heaven,
colours dance on earth again.
To welcome love and warmth
into the heart of the mortals again.
Everyone watches in awe
the beauty nature spreads beneath our feet
And it makes us realize
how enchanting life can be again,
after a stagnant, dull period.
or
Write a poem of your own about the season of spring when trees are in full bloom.
Ans: My sister and I eagerly wait for rain every year. It’s our tradition to make paper boats and swim them in the puddles that get formed on the road. It is always as thrilling as the first time. We run around with our umbrellas, drenched in water from head to toe trying to make the most of the rainy season. The moments become more special when we are joined by our cousins. The game became even more fun and we did a small boat race too. It’s a memory that I always cherish and revisit.
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