"Be the Best" is a poem by Douglas Malloch. The poet says that not everyone can be big or important – not everyone can be a pine tree on a hill, a captain or the sun. But whatever we are, we should be the best of that. Success does not depend on size or position.
Key points
If you cannot be a pine on the top of the hill, be a scrub (small bush) in the valley – but be the best little scrub beside the rill (stream).
If you cannot be a tree, be a bush; if not a bush, be a bit of grass that makes a highway happier.
If you cannot be a muskie (a big fish), be a bass – but the liveliest bass in the lake.
We cannot all be captains; some must be crew (workers on a ship).
There is big work and smaller work for everyone; the task we must do is the one near us.
If you cannot be a highway, be a trail (narrow path); if not the sun, be a star.
"It isn't by size that you win or you fail – Be the best of whatever you are!"
Message: every job and every person has value; do your best in your own place.
Important terms
Scrub – small, low bushes.
Rill – a small stream.
Muskie / bass – names of fish (muskie is bigger).
Crew – people who work on a ship.
Trail – a narrow path.
Lesser – smaller, less important.
Language study
Rhyming pairs: hill – rill, tree – be, grass – bass, crew – do, trail – fail, star – are.
Contrast: big and small things – pine/scrub, tree/bush, muskie/bass, captain/crew, highway/trail, sun/star.
Repetition: "If you can't be…".
Order of size: stream → river → sea → ocean; seed → sapling → plant → tree; baby → child → youth → adult.
5 important questions
Q1. Who wrote the poem "Be the Best"?
Douglas Malloch.
Q2. Complete: If you can't be a tree, ________.
…be a bush.
Q3. What can a bit of grass do?
It can make the highway happier (greener and more pleasant).
Q4. True or false: "We win or fail depending upon size or position."
False. "It isn't by size that you win or you fail."
Q5. Write the message of the poem.
Not everyone can be great or important, but everyone can do their own work in the best possible way. That is real success.
Exam tip
Learn the big–small pairs; they are often asked as "complete the lines" questions.
This is an old story about Androcles, a slave in ancient Rome. He runs away from his cruel master and helps a wounded lion by pulling out a thorn from its paw. Later both are caught. When Androcles is thrown to the lion in the arena as punishment, the lion recognises him and does not harm him. The emperor sets him free.
Key points
Androcles was a slave. His master treated him cruelly, so he ran away to a forest.
He hid in a cave. A lion came in, roaring in pain. Androcles was terrified.
The lion licked its paw. Androcles saw a big thorn stuck in one toe; the paw was swollen.
He gathered courage, took the paw, pulled out the thorn and tied it with a piece of his own clothing.
The lion licked his arm in gratitude (कृतज्ञता). Androcles nursed it, cleaned the wound and shared food with it.
His master complained; soldiers searched and caught both Androcles and the lion.
Androcles was put in chains; the lion was caged. Running away from one's master was a serious crime, so he was to be thrown to wild beasts.
In the arena, before the emperor and crowds, a ferocious lion was released. It rushed at him – then stopped, recognised him and licked his hands.
The surprised emperor heard the story and set Androcles and the lion free.
Message: kindness is never wasted; even animals remember kindness.
Important terms
Slave – a person owned by another and forced to work (गुलाम).
Distress – great pain or trouble.
Deftly – skilfully and quickly.
Arena – an open ground with seats around for public shows.
Ferocious – very fierce.
Dismayed – very sad and afraid.
Language study
Phrases: summon up courage, high and low (everywhere), fall into the hands of.
Adverbs from the story: deftly, slowly, loudly.
5 important questions
Q1. Why did Androcles run away?
His master treated him very cruelly.
Q2. What was the cause of the lion's pain?
A big thorn had pierced one of its toes, and the paw was sore and swollen.
Q3. How did Androcles nurse the lion?
He pulled out the thorn, tied the paw with a piece of his clothing, cleaned and dressed the wound every day and shared his food.
Q4. Why was Androcles to be thrown to wild beasts?
Running away from one's master was a serious crime, and such criminals were fed to wild beasts as punishment.
Q5. What happened in the arena?
The lion rushed at him but recognised him and licked his hands. The emperor heard the story and set both free.
Exam tip
Write the story in sequence in 6–8 sentences; "story writing from points" is a common question.
"Trees are the Kindest Things I Know" is a poem by Harry Behn. The poet praises trees because they harm no one and give so much – shade, a home for birds, fruit, wood, leaves and new buds. They hold the first and last light of the day and seem to hum lullabies at night.
Key points
Trees do no harm; they simply grow.
They spread shade for sleepy cows and gather birds among their branches.
They give us fruit and wood to build houses.
They give leaves to burn on Hallowe'en and new green buds in spring.
They are the first to touch the morning sun's rays and the last to hold the light when evening turns into night.
When the moon floats in the sky, they seem to hum a drowsy lullaby.
The poet repeats: "Trees are the kindest things I know."
Message: trees are kind and useful; we must protect them.
Important terms
Boughs – big branches.
Beams – rays of light.
Drowsy – sleepy.
Lullaby – a soft song to put a child to sleep (अंगाई).
Hallowe'en – a festival on 31 October in western countries (autumn season there).
Degrees of comparison: strong – stronger – strongest; kind – kinder – kindest.
Positive: Yatin is strong. Comparative: Amit is stronger than Yatin. Superlative: Pravin is the strongest of all.
5 important questions
Q1. Why are trees called harmless?
They do no harm to anyone; they simply grow and give us many things.
Q2. What do trees give us? (Any four)
Shade, fruit, wood for houses, leaves, and a home for birds.
Q3. Which part of the day is meant by "They are the last to hold the light"?
Evening, when the day changes into night; the treetops hold the last sunlight.
Q4. Give the comparative and superlative of "kind".
kinder, kindest.
Q5. Write a short conversation to stop your neighbour from cutting an old banyan tree.
Me: Good morning, Sir! Please don't cut this banyan tree. Neighbour: I need space. Me: It gives shade, oxygen and a home to birds; we can build around it. Neighbour: You are right, I will think again.
Exam tip
Learn the three degrees of comparison with examples – a regular grammar question.
"Miss Slippery" is adapted from a story by Popti Hiranandani. Sayali is a lonely girl. Her parents quarrel all the time, so she is nervous and makes mistakes at school. Classmates tease her as "Slippery". A kind teacher understands her, gives her confidence and responsibility, and Sayali changes.
Key points
In the English period Sayali took out the maths notebook by mistake; nervous, she dropped it at the teacher's feet. The girls laughed and she was punished.
In History, her favourite subject, she knew the answers about the Battle of Panipat but went blank when her turn came.
At home Mama and Papa had never-ending tiffs (quarrels); the "punishment" fell on Sayali at school.
She fell and hurt herself; her mother did not comfort her. Her little brother lovingly asked, "Are you in great pain?"
She often stumbled. The class monitress named her "Slippery" and the girls made a teasing verse.
She lived in constant fear and could not gather courage to speak to anyone.
Part 2: She was late; the teacher let her in and asked to see her. The teacher's words helped her.
When the girls teased her again ("slip, slip!") as she squeezed water from her wet frock, she remembered the teacher's words, turned her back and ignored them. They were confused and went away. She felt a sense of victory.
The teacher gave her responsibilities – bringing the register, chalk and duster, and carrying notebooks to the teachers' room.
Sayali did the work quickly and happily. She felt proud and lost her fear.
Message: love, understanding and responsibility can build confidence; ignoring teasing takes away its power.
"Try Again" is a short motivational poem by W. E. Hickson. It teaches us never to give up. If we fail once or twice, we should try again with patience. Trying hard is never a shame, even if we do not win.
Key points
The poet gives one lesson to keep in mind: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
Then your courage should appear, because if you keep trying you will conquer (win). Never fear.
Even if you fail once or twice, try again; that is how you will prevail (win) at last.
If we strive (try hard), there is no disgrace (shame) even if we do not win the race.
If your task is hard, try again; time will bring you your reward.
What other people can do, you also can do – with patience.
Message: perseverance, patience and courage lead to success.
Important terms
Strive – try very hard.
Prevail – win in the end.
Disgrace – shame (लज्जा).
Conquer – win, overcome.
Patience – the ability to wait calmly without losing hope.
Language study
Refrain: "Try again" ends many lines.
Rhyme: fear – appear, fail – prevail, disgrace – race, hard – reward, do – you.
Anagrams from the lesson: rainy tag = try again; our cage = courage; vet sir = strive; red raw = reward; tap niece = patience; serve peer = persevere.
5 important questions
Q1. Who wrote "Try Again"?
W. E. Hickson.
Q2. What should we do if we fail once or twice?
We should try again; then we will win at last.
Q3. Is it shameful to lose after trying hard? Give the line.
No. "If we strive, 'tis no disgrace, though we do not win the race."
Q4. What will time bring if the task is hard and we keep trying?
Time will bring us our reward.
Q5. Write the message of the poem in your own words.
Never give up. Failure is a step to success; with patience and effort we can do what others do.
Exam tip
Learn the anagram answers – they are a favourite activity question.
"The House Builder" is a story about an expert mason who decides to retire. His contractor asks him to build one last house. The mason works carelessly and uses poor material because he only wants to finish. At the end the contractor gives him that very house as a gift. The story teaches us to always do our work with full dedication.
Key points
The mason was an excellent, hard-working house builder; his houses were in great demand and owners were very pleased.
He decided to retire and spend time playing with his grandchildren.
The contractor was disheartened and urged him to continue, but to no avail (without result).
As a special favour, the contractor convinced him to build one last house on a beautiful site.
The mason agreed unwillingly (with reluctance).
His heart was not in the work. He worked roughly and carelessly and used low-quality material.
The house was ready early – with weak walls and poor finish, not as good as designed.
When the mason gave the keys to the contractor, the contractor smiled and gave him the ownership papers: the house was a gift for him.
The mason was shocked and sorry; if he had known, he would have built it with his best effort.
Message: our life is like the house we build – we live in what we make; always give your best.
Important terms
Mason – a person who builds with bricks or stone (गवंडी).
Contractor – a person who takes up building work for others.
Reluctance – unwillingness.
To no avail – of no use.
Legal documents – official papers connected to law (ownership).
"The Little River" is a poem by Rabindranath Tagore (in translation). It describes a small village river that winds along gently. In summer it is shallow and calm, and village life goes on along its banks. In the monsoon month of Ashadh it floods and becomes strong and noisy, and the whole village wakes up to celebrate the rain.
Key points
The little river meanders (flows with twists and turns).
In summer the water is only knee-deep; cows and carts cross it easily. The banks are high but not steep.
There is no slime; the sands shine bright. On one shore kash grass blossoms white.
Mynahs chirp there; at night the jackal's howl is heard.
Across the river are groves of mango and palm, where village priests live in the cool shade.
Girls and boys bathe near the bank, splashing with their gamchhas (thin cotton towels).
At dusk and dawn, after bathing, they dip washcloths in the water and scour (scrub) dishes.
In Ashadh, clouds gather and the river is in spate (flood). The current grows strong.
The air is full of babbling sounds as the muddy torrent swirls along.
The woods stir to life and the village wakes up to celebrate the rain.
Important terms
Meander – flow with twists and turns.
Kash – tall grass with white feathery flowers.
Gamchha – thin cotton towel.
Scour – scrub clean.
In spate – in sudden flood.
Torrent – a fast, strong flow of water.
Language study
Two trees: mango, palm. Two animals/birds: cows, jackal (mynahs). Two seasons: summer, Ashadh (monsoon).
Non-English words: kash, gamchha, Ashadh.
Sound words: chirping, howl, babbling, splashing.
Words for flow: meanders, rise, swirls, torrent, in spate.
5 important questions
Q1. How do we know the river is just knee-deep in summer?
Cows and carts can cross it easily.
Q2. What does one see along the banks of the river?
White kash flowers, chirping mynahs, groves of mango and palm and children bathing.
Q3. How do children enjoy in the river?
They bathe close to the bank and splash with their gamchhas as they wade.
Q4. How does the river change in Ashadh?
Clouds gather, the water rises and the river floods; the strong muddy current swirls with babbling sounds.
Q5. Write the central idea.
A small village river is calm in summer and full and strong in the rainy season; it is closely linked with village life and brings joy.
Exam tip
"Name the following" questions (trees, animals, seasons) come from this poem – make a list.
"Excuses!" is a funny skit. Ritesh comes late to school and gives his teacher, Mrs Sen, a long and dramatic story to explain why – a scream, a thief, a fake injured man, a dog sitting on his bag, and a lost puppy. When Mrs Sen asks him to take part in a story-writing competition, he says he is not good at making up stories!
Key points
Ritesh is late and Mrs Sen asks why.
He says he heard a scream from the main road and saw a thief running out of a shop.
A man was lying near the pavement, groaning with pain. Ritesh wanted to help him.
Then the "injured" man got up and ran away with the thief. They vanished around a corner.
Ritesh had left his bag at the shop. When he went back, a huge, hairy, brown dog was sitting on it and would not budge (move).
The shopkeeper gave him biscuits; he lured the dog away from the bag.
Mrs Sen says that accounts for fifteen minutes. Ritesh says there is more.
The dog – really a lost puppy – followed him. He asked shopkeepers and passers-by about the owner.
Finally the puppy itself saw its owner across the road and ran to the person. Ritesh then ran to school.
Mrs Sen invites him to the story-writing competition. Ritesh says he wouldn't know what to write – he is "not good at making up stories". This is the humour (irony).
Important terms
Skit – a short, funny play.
Excuse – a reason given to explain a mistake.
Budge – move a little.
Lure – attract someone to do something.
Vanish – disappear.
Account for – explain.
Language study
Fill-in words from the skit: budge, investigate, tempted, relieved, groaning, vanished.
Irony: Ritesh tells a long made-up story but says he cannot make up stories.
5 important questions
Q1. Why was Ritesh late?
According to him, he saw a thief, tried to help an "injured" man, found a dog sitting on his bag and helped a lost puppy find its owner.
Q2. How did Ritesh get his bag back?
The shopkeeper gave him biscuits; he offered them to the dog and lured it away from the bag.
Q3. Arrange in order: (a) dog followed Ritesh (b) Ritesh heard a scream (c) dog on the bag (d) thief ran out of a shop.
(b) → (d) → (c) → (a).
Q4. How did Ritesh describe the dog the second time?
First he called it huge; later he said it was small, then corrected that it was big but only a young puppy.
Q5. What is funny about Ritesh's last excuse?
He refuses the story-writing competition saying he cannot make up stories, though he has just told a long made-up story.
Exam tip
Rearranging events is a common question – learn the order of Ritesh's story.
"A Heroine of the Sea" is the true story of Grace Darling, the daughter of a lighthouse keeper in England. In 1838, during a terrible storm, a ship was wrecked on the rocks. Grace and her father rowed a small boat through huge waves and rescued the survivors. Her courage made her famous.
Key points
Lighthouses on England's rocky coast warn sailors of dangerous rocks at night.
Grace's father, William Darling, was a lighthouse keeper – a wise, educated man who taught his children to be honest, brave and unselfish.
When Grace was ten, the family moved to the Longstone lighthouse on wild islands near England's east coast.
In 1838 a ship was wrecked on the rocks in a storm; some survivors clung to a bare rock all night.
At six in the morning Grace saw people clinging to the distant rocks.
Her father thought it hopeless to row alone. Grace said she could row as well as any man.
Her mother tried to stop them, but Grace was determined; at last her father agreed.
They rowed through waves as high as hills. William jumped on the rock while Grace held the boat steady alone.
On the first trip they brought back three women and two sailors (who helped row). William and the sailors went back for four more men.
Grace and her mother warmed and fed the rescued people.
Grace and her father became famous and were rewarded; money was raised for lighthouse keepers.
Grace died young, at twenty-seven, but is remembered for her unselfish courage.
Important terms
Lighthouse – a tower with a strong light to guide ships (दीपगृह).
Shipwreck – destruction of a ship at sea.
Rescue – save from danger.
Oar – a pole with a flat blade used to row a boat.
Sea-travel words: lighthouse, shipwreck, oar, sailor, storm, waves, rock, boat.
Parts of a ship: anchor, bow (front), keel (bottom), hull, crow's nest, porthole, bridge.
5 important questions
Q1. What is the role of a lighthouse?
Its light warns sailors at night about dangerous rocks so that they keep their ships away.
Q2. What did Grace notice from her window?
People clinging to the distant rocks, half under the sea, after a shipwreck.
Q3. Why did Mrs Darling discourage them?
She feared they would drown in the storm and thought a girl could not do such a hard job.
Q4. How were the survivors rescued?
Grace and her father rowed to the rock; Grace held the boat while her father helped people in. Two sailors helped row back. Later her father and the sailors went back for four more men.
Q5. Write a character sketch of Grace Darling.
Brave, unselfish, determined, strong and kind; she risked her life to save strangers.
Exam tip
Learn the year 1838 and the Longstone lighthouse; also quote Grace's line "I can row a boat as well as any man".
"Why?" is a light poem about a curious little boy who is always asking "why?". He wants to know the reasons behind everything around him – why wood floats, why stars shine, why fish have gills, why boys cannot fly and much more. The poem celebrates a child's curiosity.
Key points
The poet knows a curious little boy who always asks "why?" – why this, why that, why then, why now.
He wants to know why wood floats ("swims") but lead and marbles sink.
Why stars shine, why winds blow, and why we eat and drink.
What makes the clouds, why they cross the sky, why the sun sinks behind the hills and why flowers die.
Why wind comes out of the bellows' nose and why pop-guns go "pop".
Why the ocean ebbs and flows (tides).
Why fish have gills, why boys cannot fly, why steam comes from a kettle's spout and why rain falls.
Why coal burns but stone does not, how seeds get into the apple core and marrow into the bone.
Message: curiosity is the beginning of learning; asking "why" helps us understand the world.
Important terms
Curious – eager to know (जिज्ञासू).
Bellows – a device for blowing air into a fire.
Ebb and flow – the going out and coming in of the tide.
Gills – breathing organs of fish.
Spout – the pipe of a kettle through which liquid is poured.
Marrow – the soft substance inside bones.
Language study
Repetition: "why" is repeated to show the boy's curiosity.
Rhyme: why – by-and-by, sink – drink, sky – die, nose – flows, fly – sky, stone – bone.
"The Song of Songs" is a story about Emperor Akbar, his court musician Tansen and Tansen's guru, Sant Haridas. Akbar thinks Tansen has the best voice in the world, but Tansen says his guru sings far better. Akbar goes to hear Haridas as a humble lover of music, and understands that Haridas sings for God, not for any king.
Key points
Tansen finished singing Raag Darbari; Akbar praised him as having the most wonderful voice in the world.
Tansen said someone sings far better than him, but that person would not come to court even if the emperor called.
Any other emperor would have been angry, but Akbar said he would go to him himself.
Tansen agreed on one condition: Akbar must go not as the Emperor of Hindustan but as a humble lover of music.
The singer was Sant Haridas, Tansen's music teacher, who lived a simple (austere) life like a hermit.
Haridas refused to sing, saying he was past the age for singing.
Tansen sang before his guru and made a deliberate mistake. Haridas corrected him and then began to sing himself.
His music spread through the forest like the first light of dawn or the fragrance of jasmine. Akbar and Tansen listened as if hypnotised.
Akbar asked why Tansen could not sing like that. Tansen said he sings at the emperor's command, but his guru sings for God, the Master of even kings, and his music comes freely from his soul.
Message: true art comes from devotion and the soul, not from orders or rewards.
Important terms
Tanpura – a stringed instrument that gives a steady drone in Indian music.
Raga (Raag) – a fixed combination of notes in Indian classical music.
Austere – very simple, without comforts.
Deliberate – done on purpose.
Exasperated – irritated, annoyed.
Divine – godly (दैवी).
Language study
Music words: tanpura, raag, note, voice, sing, musician, tune.
Simile: the music spread "like the first glimmer of dawn or the fragrance of jasmine".
Who said to whom: "I shall go as a humble lover of music." – Akbar to Tansen.
5 important questions
Q1. How did Akbar praise Tansen?
He said Tansen's singing was wonderful and superb and that he had the most wonderful voice in the world.
Q2. On what condition did Tansen agree to take Akbar to Haridas?
Akbar must go as a humble lover of music, not as the Emperor of Hindustan.
Q3. Why did Tansen make a deliberate mistake?
To make his guru correct him; Haridas would then sing the right note himself and go on singing.
Q4. To what is the music of Haridas compared?
To the first glimmer of dawn and the fragrance of jasmine.
Q5. Why was Haridas's music better, according to Tansen?
Tansen sang at the emperor's command, but Haridas sang for God from the depths of his soul, freely and unasked.
Exam tip
"Who said to whom and why" questions are common – learn the four key dialogues.
"Truth" is a poem by Barrie Wade. It begins with the old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones" but changes it: words can also hurt. Physical wounds heal, but hurtful words leave scars on the mind and heart that we remember for a long time.
Key points
Sticks and stones may break bones, but words can also hurt.
Stones and sticks break only the skin, while words are like ghosts that haunt (trouble) us again and again.
Hurtful words are like slanting, curved "word-swords" that pierce and stick inside.
Bats and bricks may make bones ache, but words can mortify (shame and hurt) us.
Pain from words leaves a scar on the tender mind and heart.
Cuts and bruises have healed, but the poet still remembers the words.
Message: be careful with words; they can hurt deeply. Kind words can also heal.
Important terms
Haunt – trouble again and again.
Pierce – go through, stab.
Mortify – make someone feel ashamed and hurt.
Scar – a mark left by a wound.
Bruise – an injury that leaves a dark mark on the skin.
Language study
Metaphor: words are "ghosts" and "word-swords".
Contrast: physical pain heals; mental pain from words lasts.
Alliteration: "sticks and stones", "bats and bricks".
Rhyme scheme: abcb in each stanza (me – me, skin – … ; tender – remember).
5 important questions
Q1. What can words do, according to the poet?
Words can hurt us deeply; they haunt us and leave scars on the mind and heart.
Q2. To what are words compared in the first two stanzas?
To ghosts that haunt us and to swords ("word-swords") that pierce inside.
Q3. Where do painful words leave their scars?
On the tender mind and heart.
Q4. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
abcb.
Q5. Write the theme of the poem.
Hurtful words cause more lasting pain than physical injuries. We should choose our words carefully and use kind words.
Exam tip
For poem appreciation, list: title, poet (Barrie Wade), theme, rhyme scheme (abcb), figure of speech (metaphor), favourite line.
This lesson is a review of A. J. Cronin's story "The Two Gentlemen of Verona". It tells about two young brothers, Nicola and Jacopo, who do many odd jobs to earn money. The narrator later learns their secret: they are paying for the treatment of their sister, who suffers from tuberculosis of the spine. The story shows selfless love and dedication.
Key points
The narrator, driving down the foothills of the Alps, meets two boys selling wild strawberries. Though his driver says no, he buys the biggest basket.
Next day he finds them shining shoes in the public square; they do many kinds of work to earn money.
The narrator likes them – they are innocent, serious, pleasant and earnest – and they help him in many ways.
One stormy night he sees them selling newspapers.
When he offers help, they ask for a lift to the village of Poleta.
They enter a building and ask him to wait in a café. He follows and finds it is a hospital.
Through a room he sees them talking to a girl who looks like them – their sister.
The nurse tells him that their father was killed in the war, their home was destroyed, and their sister has tuberculosis of the spine.
The brothers live in a shelter and almost starve to pay for her treatment, and they keep it a secret.
War has not shaken their spirit; they are noble and great in a quiet way.
The review links the story to "Where there is a will, there's a way."
A book review gives: title, writer, setting, characters, summary, style, strong points, drawbacks and conclusion.
Important terms
Tuberculosis – a serious infectious disease (क्षयरोग).
Q2. What surprised the narrator when he saw the brothers the second time?
They were shining shoes in the public square – they did many different jobs.
Q3. Why did the boys want to go to Poleta?
To visit their sister in the hospital there.
Q4. What touching story did the nurse tell?
Their father was killed in the war, their home was destroyed, and their sister had TB of the spine; the boys starved themselves to pay for her treatment.
Q5. Would the boys have accepted a large amount of cash? Why?
Probably not; they were proud and self-respecting and wanted to earn the money by honest work.
Exam tip
The book-review points (title, writer, setting, characters, summary, opinion) can be used for any review question.
"The Vet" is a humorous poem about how difficult a veterinary doctor's job is. Every animal has a different body inside and cannot say what is wrong. The vet must know why the cat refuses milk, why the parrot groans, and treat even zoo animals. At the end the poet jokingly advises his son to become a doctor for humans instead – an easier job!
Key points
A competent (skilled) vet needs very wide knowledge, because every patient has a "different inside".
He must know why the cat refuses her milk, why the dog will not eat his bone, why the horse's coat is not shining like silk and why the parrot only groans.
He must know why ducks and chickens stop laying eggs and why the canary sings so faintly.
At the zoo he must find out if the lion has a cold, the zebra is getting old, the centipede has trouble with his feet, the hippo is ill, the bison has a chill or the Arctic fox is suffering from heat.
He must deal with virulent diseases in chimpanzees and a tortoise that has not moved for days.
If the kangaroo won't jump or the crocodile bites people, everyone runs to the "omniscient" (all-knowing) vet to put things right.
The poet deeply pities the vet, who must learn so much for his pay.
He advises his son to "call yourself 'Doctor'" and treat humans – an easier way to earn a living. This is said in fun.
Message: vets do a hard, valuable job because animals cannot tell their problems.
Important terms
Vet (veterinarian) – a doctor for animals and birds (पशुवैद्य).
Competent – having good knowledge and skill.
Virulent – (disease) very harmful, caused by a virus.
Omniscient – all-knowing.
Cannibal – one who eats its own kind / human flesh.
Profoundly – deeply.
Language study
Humour/exaggeration: the long list of animal problems.
Contrast: the lion "caught a cold" but the Arctic fox "suffering from heat".
Specialist doctors: dentist – teeth; cardiologist – heart; ophthalmologist – eye; orthopaedic – bones; paediatrician – small children; neurologist – brain and spine; veterinarian – animals and birds.
5 important questions
Q1. Why is it difficult to be a successful vet?
Every animal has a different body inside and cannot say what is wrong, so the vet needs very wide knowledge.
Q2. What is wrong with the ducks and chickens?
They are failing to lay eggs.
Q3. What are the opposite illnesses of the lion and the Arctic fox?
The lion has caught a cold, while the Arctic fox is suffering from heat.
Q4. What advice does the poet give his son? Does he mean it?
To become a doctor for humans instead of a vet, as it is easier. He says it in fun, to show how hard a vet's job is.
Q5. Why do paediatricians and vets have a tougher job?
Their patients (small children and animals) cannot explain their pain or illness clearly.
Exam tip
Learn the specialist-doctor matching list; it is a common vocabulary question.
This lesson is about P. V. Sindhu (Pusarla Venkata Sindhu), the famous Indian badminton player. She won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The lesson describes her family, training, achievements and her "never-say-die" spirit.
Key points
She was born in 1995 to volleyball players P. V. Ramana and P. Vijaya. Her father received the Arjuna Award.
She started badminton at the age of eight, inspired by Pullela Gopichand's All England Championship win in 2001.
Her first coach was Mehboob Ali at the Indian Railway Institute courts in Secunderabad. Later she joined Pullela Gopichand's academy.
2009: bronze at the Sub-Junior Asian Badminton Championships, Colombo.
2010: silver at the Iran Fajr International; place in the national team for the Uber Cup.
2013: Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold (her first), India's first medallist in women's singles at the World Championships, Macau Open title, and the Arjuna Award.
2014: back-to-back World Championship medals – the first Indian to do so.
2016: Malaysia Masters title; at the Rio Olympics she beat Wang Yihan and Nozomi Okuhara and won silver; gold went to Spain's Carolina Marin.
2017: she defeated Carolina Marin to win the India Open Superseries.
Honours: Padma Shri (2015) and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2016).
Gopichand praises her attitude and "never-say-die spirit".
Important terms
Ace shuttler – a top badminton player.
Apprenticeship – period of learning as a trainee.
Promising – likely to succeed.
Bagged – won.
Endorsement – approval, support.
Never-say-die – never giving up hope.
Language study
Profile / fact-file format: full name, date of birth, parents, native place, age of starting, coaches, achievements, honours.
"Golden Chain" is a poem by Helen Steiner Rice. The poet compares friendship to a golden chain whose links are our dear friends. Friendship is precious like a rare jewel, held together by true love and happy memories. Time cannot destroy it, and an understanding friend is worth more than gold.
Key points
Friendship is a golden chain; its links are our dear friends.
It is like a rare and precious jewel, treasured more every year.
It is clasped (held) firmly by deep and true love.
It is rich with happy memories and fond recollections.
Time cannot destroy its beauty as long as memory lives; years cannot erase its joy.
Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold.
An understanding friend is worth far more than gold.
The golden chain of friendship is a strong and blessed tie binding kindred (similar) hearts together over the years.
Important terms
Link – one ring of a chain.
Clasped – held tightly.
Recollections – memories of the past.
Erase – wipe away.
Kindred – similar, alike.
Priceless – too valuable to have a price.
Language study
Metaphor: friendship is a golden chain.
Simile: friendship is like a rare and precious jewel.
Acrostic: a poem where the first letters spell a word – e.g. RITES: Reliable, Inspiring, Trustworthy, Encouraging, Supportive.
Word pairs from the poem: precious jewel, kindred hearts, happy memories, priceless gift, blessed tie, understanding friend.
5 important questions
Q1. To what two things is friendship compared?
To a golden chain and to a rare and precious jewel (also a priceless gift).
Q2. What holds friends closely together?
A deep and true love.
Q3. True or false: "Time can destroy the beauty of friendship."
False. Time cannot destroy its beauty as long as memory lives.
Q4. Which possession is more precious than gold?
An understanding friend.
Q5. Give two reasons why friendship is the best gift.
It grows more precious every year; it cannot be bought or sold. (Also: it gives happy memories, binds similar hearts.)
Exam tip
Distinguish the metaphor (golden chain) and simile (like a jewel) in this poem.
"The Unsinkable Ship" tells the true story of the Titanic, the largest luxury ship of its time, which people believed could never sink. On its first voyage in April 1912 it hit an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean and sank. About fifteen hundred people died. The disaster led to new safety rules for ships.
Key points
On 10 April 1912 the Titanic set sail on its maiden (first) voyage from Southampton, England to New York. "Titanic" means huge.
It was the world's largest luxury ship and was thought to be unsinkable.
At 11.40 p.m. a look-out saw a huge iceberg in its path. Captain Smith tried to steer away, but the ship's side scraped the iceberg, which cut holes along it.
Water poured into the lower decks; most passengers slept on.
At 12.15 a.m. Captain Smith sent urgent radio messages for help.
The ship "California" was only twenty miles away, but its radio was off and the operator asleep.
The "Carpathia" heard the call but was far away and took over three hours to arrive.
There were lifeboats for only a few hundred people, but more than two thousand were on board.
At 2.20 a.m. on 15 April the Titanic sank. About fifteen hundred people drowned; Captain Smith and most of his crew went down with the ship.
The Carpathia arrived at 3.40 a.m. and saved about seven hundred people from the lifeboats.
In 1913 new rules said ships must have lifeboat space for everyone and keep radios working day and night.
In 1985 scientists found the wreck in two pieces at a depth of around 4000 metres.
Important terms
Maiden voyage – first journey of a ship.
Iceberg – a huge floating mass of ice (हिमनग).
Steer – turn a vehicle in a direction.
Lifeboat – a small boat on a ship for saving people.
Wreck – the remains of a ship that has sunk.
Language study
Root words with prefix and suffix: un-sink-able. Others: uncomfortable (comfort), unhappiness (happy), insecurity (secure), independence (depend), disappearance (appear), misunderstanding (understand).
Prefixes: anti (antisocial), dis (dislike), non (non-stop), re (rewrite).
This lesson describes the colourful festivals of the seven north-eastern States of India. Most festivals are linked to agriculture and are full of music and dance. They thank the gods for a good harvest, ask for protection and keep traditions alive.
Key points
North-east India has seven States with diverse (many different) cultures, communities and tribes.
Assam – Bihu: the chief festival, celebrated by all. Three Bihus mark the beginning of the harvest season, the completion of sowing and the end of harvest. The Bihu dance has brisk steps; instruments include the dhol, the pepa (made of buffalo horn), cymbals and a bamboo clapper.
Arunachal Pradesh – Losar: the new year festival; people clean their homes to welcome the new year and discard the old.
Manipur – Ningol Chakouba: strengthens the bond between married daughters and their parents with a grand feast and gifts. Cheiraoba is the Manipuri new year (April); villagers climb nearby hilltops.
Mizoram – Chapchar Kut: the spring festival with folk dances, traditional dress and headgear, drums, gongs and cymbals.
Meghalaya – Wangala: the "hundred-drum" harvest festival of the Garos; men and women dance in two parallel lines while men beat drums.
Tripura: everyone joins in; dances show hunting, fishing and food-gathering.
Nagaland – Moatsu: celebrated after the sowing season; villagers dance in colourful clothes and headgear with feathers and boar tusks.
Hardly a month passes without a festival. Festivals also encourage art and bring out people's talent.
Important terms
Diverse – of many kinds.
Brisk – quick and lively.
Handed down – passed on to the next generation.
Discard – throw away.
Revive – give new life and energy.
Sumptuous – grand and rich (of a meal).
Calamity – a disaster.
Language study
Words to use: discard, revive, diverse, unique, sumptuous, handed down.
Make a table: State – festival – when/why – special feature.
5 important questions
Q1. On what occasions are the three Bihus celebrated?
At the beginning of the harvest season, at the completion of sowing, and at the end of the harvest season.
Q2. How is Losar celebrated?
It is the new year festival of Arunachal; people clean their homes to bring in the new year and discard the old.
Q3. Who celebrate Ningol Chakouba and why?
The people of Manipur; it strengthens the bond between married girls and their parents, who give them a feast and gifts.
Q4. How do villagers dance during Wangala?
In two parallel lines, one of men and one of women in festive costumes; the men beat drums and the lines move forward rhythmically.
Q5. Why are festivals important in the north-eastern States?
People thank the gods for a good harvest and ask for protection; festivals also keep traditions alive and encourage art and talent.
Exam tip
Match each festival with its State – a very common question.