i Substitute “quickly and without delay” with a word from the extract.

Answer Promptly — “The Kho-kho captain changed her strategy promptly when a new player came in.”

ii What does rolling the cherry seed in his mouth suggest about Rakesh’s mood?

Answer B. He is enjoying the taste and the moment. He keeps the seed in his mouth, savouring the lingering “tang” — a sign of a relaxed, contented mood rather than impatience or boredom.

iii Complete: “Rakesh’s decision to plant the seed shows that ______.”

Answer …he has a close bond with his grandfather and a willingness to learn from him. He instantly acts on Grandfather’s advice that “luck must be put to some use,” showing respect and trust in the older man’s wisdom.

iv How does the grandfather’s advice reflect his view about luck and effort?

Answer Grandfather believes that luck does not lie in keeping or hoarding things idly — “Nothing is lucky if you put it away.” Real luck comes only when something is put to use through effort. By telling Rakesh to plant the seed, he shows that fortune follows action and hard work, not passive waiting.

i The phrase “field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage” suggests that ______.

Answer …the winter was extremely harsh and cold, so cold that even the field-mice abandoned their burrows in the open and crept into the warmth of the cottage roof for shelter.

ii What can be inferred about the tree’s toughness from “The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow”?

Answer B. The tree could withstand harsh weather. It bent under the heavy snow but did not break — proving its flexibility and strength against severe conditions.

iii How did the early winter affect Grandfather’s mood and storytelling?

Answer The road from the valley was blocked, so no newspaper arrived for several days. This made Grandfather grumpy and bad-tempered, and his stories — usually delightful — “began to have unhappy endings.”

iv The comparison of Rakesh’s age to the cherry tree’s age symbolises ______.

Answer …the tree’s growth paralleling Rakesh’s own development. As Rakesh grows older and stronger, so does the tree he planted — their lives are intertwined and grow side by side.

1 Why did Rakesh’s parents send him to Mussoorie?

Answer There were no schools in their village. Rakesh’s parents were keen that he should be educated, so as soon as he was of school-going age they sent him to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie, where a school was available.

2 Why did Rakesh let the praying-mantis remain on the branch?

Answer Because it was the cherry tree’s very first visitor. Rakesh felt proud and happy that his tree had grown enough to attract life, so he let the insect stay undisturbed.

3 How is life in the Himalayan foothills described?

Answer Life is hard and the land is harsh. The soil is stony, and dry, cold winds stunt the growth of most plants, so there are few fruit trees. Yet the sheltered slopes hold thick forests of oak and deodar. People live simply, growing maize, rice and barley in narrow terraced fields on the lower slopes.

4 What might Rakesh mean by “Is this what it feels to be God?”

Answer Rakesh feels the wonder of creation and nurturing life. From a single tiny seed he has — through care and patience — helped raise a living, blossoming tree taller than himself. Touching its bark and leaf, he senses the joy and power of a creator who gives, sustains and watches life flourish. It is a moment of awe and deep connection with nature.

5 How does the writer describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather?

Answer Theirs is a warm, loving and companionable bond. They share evenings by the charcoal fire, swap stories and newspaper readings, work in the garden together, and sit in comfortable silence under the tree. Grandfather is a gentle mentor and Rakesh his eager, affectionate companion — they share both the garden and the joy of watching the tree grow.

6 What can you infer about the connection between humans and nature?

Answer The story shows that humans and nature are deeply interdependent and nurturing of each other. When humans care for nature — watering, protecting, observing — nature responds by growing, blossoming and giving shade, beauty and joy. The tree becomes “special” because it was planted and loved by them, teaching that caring for nature brings meaning, wonder and a sense of belonging.

7 Imagine Rakesh reflects on watching a seed become a full-grown cherry tree. Write how he felt.

• 2. plodded, galloped, scrambled, trudged → odd word: galloped (means to move fast; the others mean to move slowly / with difficulty)
• 3. tender, delicate, soft, smooth → odd word: smooth (refers to texture — free of roughness; the others describe gentleness / fragility)
• 4. stared, peered, pecked, gazed → odd word: pecked (a bird striking with its beak; the others all mean ways of looking)
• 5. growing, blossoming, progressing, planting → odd word: planting (an action we perform; the others describe natural growth / development)

Sample sentences

• Sweet: The mango milkshake was perfectly sweet.
• Sour: The raw mango was so sour that it made my eyes water.
• Bitter: Bitter gourd is healthy but hard to eat.
• Spicy: The street chaat was too spicy for my little sister.
• Salty: The soup tasted far too salty today.

• 1. tender → hard
• 2. sturdy → shaky
• 3. narrow → wide
• 4. warmth → coldness
• 5. feasting → fasting
• 6. grumpy → cheerful
• 7. sheltered → unprotected
• 8. special → ordinary

Extra (not used): growing, fussing

• 1. Rakesh was on his way home … when he bought the cherries. → Simple Past Tense
• 2. Rakesh was looking for Grandfather without finding him … → Past Progressive Tense
• 3. Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle. → Simple Past + Past Perfect

Fill in the blanks

✎ Complete the article “Trees — Our Lifeline” using words from the box.

I Select the FOUR true statements (conversation about Chipko / Appiko / Thimakka / Jadav Payeng).

True statements ✓ 2, ✓ 3, ✓ 5, ✓ 7

• 2. The son was surprised to know about the Appiko Movement — he reacts with “Really?” ✓
• 3. The son agreed the Chipko Movement was about people uniting to make an impact. ✓
• 5. The mother was curious to hear about Saalumarada Thimakka. ✓
• 7. The son found the information on Jadav Payeng wonderful / inspiring. ✓

False: 1 (the son already had the project; she didn’t “encourage” it), 4 (the son shared about Thimakka, not the mother), 6 (there was no disagreement about Jadav Payeng).

i What does bringing songs and garlands as tribute suggest about the people’s relationship with the divine?

Answer B. They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine. The offerings are made willingly, with joy and music — a mark of thankfulness, not fear or compulsion.

ii The word ‘gold’ in “the gold of our fields” and “the gold of our fruit” symbolises ______.

Answer …the rich, ripe, golden harvest — the precious grain and fruit produced by the land. ‘Gold’ stands for the wealth, abundance and value of the crops the farmers have reaped.

iii How does “O giver of mellowing radiance” help us understand Surya’s role in the harvest?

Answer It shows the Sun as the source of warm, gentle light that ripens and mellows the crops. Surya’s radiance is essential for growth — without his warmth the grain and fruit could never reach a sweet, golden maturity, so he is vital to a good harvest.

iv The use of cymbal and flute signifies ______.

Answer …joy and celebration. The music expresses the farmers’ festive happiness and thanksgiving at harvest time.

i In “Lord of our being,” the word ‘being’ most likely refers to ______.

Answer B. Our entire existence. The divine is hailed as the lord of all that the people are — their whole life and existence, not merely their body.

ii True / False: “Seed and Scythe” symbolises the divine as both the beginning (creation) and the end (harvest) of the agricultural cycle.

Answer True. The Seed stands for the beginning (sowing / creation) and the Scythe for the end (cutting / harvesting) — showing God as both creator and reaper of all life.

iii Identify the phrases that mean the following:

A. The divine as a timeless, everlasting presence “Father eternal”

B. Beyond human comprehension or description “ineffable Om”

iv How do we know that these lines are spoken as a chorus?

Answer They are clearly labelled “All Voices,” which tells us that men and women speak/sing these lines together, as one unified chorus of praise.

1 Why do the farmers hail the God of rain?

Answer Because rain (Varuna) shows mercy by nourishing the furrows and the grain. Crops cannot grow without water, so the farmers thank the rain god whose showers make cultivation and a good harvest possible.

2 What is referred to as ‘wealth of our valleys’? Why?

Answer It refers to the ripe, newly-harvested crops and grain grown in the valleys. They are called “wealth” because the harvest is the farmers’ true riches — their food, income and very livelihood.

3 Why do the women call the Earth a ‘source of manifold gladness’?

Answer Because the Earth (Prithvi), like a mother, feeds and nurtures all her children and gives abundant gifts — food, grain and a rich harvest. These many blessings bring countless joys, making her the source of “manifold” (many) gladness.

4 Why does everyone offer their ‘labours for tribute’?

Answer To express gratitude and devotion. The farmers feel that their hard work in the fields is itself a gift to the gods; by offering their labour, they thank the divine for the harvest and seek continued blessings.

5 Why has the poet presented the poem as voices of men, women, and all?

Answer To show that the whole community joins in worship. The men praise the Sun and Rain (linked with field work), the women praise the Earth (mother and giver of fertility), and finally all voices together praise the Supreme Being (Brahma). This structure highlights unity, inclusiveness and collective gratitude.

6 How does the poet create the joyous atmosphere of rural India at harvest time?

Answer Through vivid sensory images and the sounds of celebration — cymbals, flute, drum and pipe; garlands offered as tribute; golden fields and ripe fruit; songs and praise. These details paint a lively, festive picture of villagers rejoicing and thanking the gods after a good harvest.

7 Why is the poem presented as a hymn?

Answer Because it is a song of praise and worship addressed to the gods — Surya, Varuna, Prithvi and Brahma. Its devotional tone, repeated lines, reverent address (“we hail thee, we praise thee”) and the offering of tribute are all features of a hymn.

• 1. beneficent → kind (given — clue: “took good care”)
• 2. munificent → generous (clue: “donated a lot”)
• 3. succour → help (clue: “supporting him with money”)
• 4. radiance → brightness (clue: “sun’s rays… dark room full of”)
• 5. ineffable → indescribable (clue: “speechless… birthday gift”)

• 1. morrow → tomorrow / next day
• 2. hither → here / to this place
• 3. quoth → said
• 4. betwixt → between
• 5. yonder → over there / at a distance

I Number the events in the correct order.

1. 1 Ploughing of soil
2. 2 Puddling of land
3. 3 Irrigating the field
4. 4 Transplanting of seedlings
5. 5 Harvesting of paddy
6. 6 Threshing of grains
7. 7 Milling of rice

II · MCQs

• 1. Main step in preparing soil for rice → (iii) Puddling the soil
• 2. Time for seeds to become seedlings → (ii) 4–5 weeks
• 3. Why drying grains after threshing is important → (iii) To store the rice grains for longer (it reduces moisture content)

✎ Draft a creative slogan thanking the farmers who feed us.

i What does the first line tell us about Velu’s beliefs?

Answer It shows Velu is practical and rational. He does not believe in superstition — he cannot see how consulting astrologers could possibly bring rain, and prefers logical, real-world solutions.

ii Velu is determined to seek information about the rain because ______.

Answer …he wants to find a practical solution to the drought affecting his farm.

iii Complete the table about Velu’s weather-office visit.

iv The absence of rain despite favourable conditions shows ______.

Answer D. unpredictability of nature.

i Her advice was given with a soft tone and a smile. What does that tell us about her?

Answer She is gentle, kind, patient and wise. She does not lecture or force her view — she shares deep wisdom calmly and lovingly, like a caring elder.

ii The old woman’s advice ______ Velu, at that moment.

Answer B. confused. At first he is puzzled — “Rest? Let the land rest? I don’t understand.” (He only begins to understand later.)

iii State one thing about the old woman when she calls Velu ‘my son.’

Answer It shows she is warm, motherly and affectionate — she treats Velu with the love and concern of an elder for her own child.

iv The ‘difficulty’ the old woman mentions is due to the fact that ______.

Answer …Velu (like most people) does not realise that the earth is old and, like all living things, needs rest, so he finds it hard to accept that the land should pause from constant cultivation.

1 How does the old woman convey Nature’s wisdom to Velu?

Answer She speaks gently, using a simple comparison: just as a hard-working person tires and needs rest, the earth too has “worked for thousands of years” and deserves a break. She describes Nature as a mother who lovingly gives all her children — people, trees, water and soil — the rest they need. Through this image she helps Velu see drought not as punishment but as the land resting.

2 Why couldn’t the farmers tend to their fields in the absence of rain?

Answer Without rain the soil had hardened, crusted and cracked. Dry, stony ground cannot be ploughed or sown, and no seed will grow in it — so the fields simply lay untended.

3 Support the old woman’s view that land needs rest just like people do.

Answer Just as people grow exhausted after working without a break and need rest to regain strength, the soil becomes drained of its nutrients and moisture after continuous cultivation. A period of rest (fallowing) lets it recover its fertility, retain moisture and resist pests and disease — so it returns “fresh and ready” for the next crop. Rest renews both people and the land.

4 What can be inferred about Velu’s character from his reaction to the drought?

Answer Velu is hard-working, honest, dedicated and persistent — he never thinks of rest and is troubled by being idle. He is also rational, rejecting superstition. At first he is restless and a little bitter, but he is open-minded enough to listen, reflect and finally accept the old woman’s wisdom.

5 What does the story suggest about the life of farmers and their relationship with nature?

Answer A farmer’s life is completely tied to nature — his work, food and survival depend on rain and the seasons. The story suggests that humans must live in harmony with natural cycles, respecting nature’s rhythms (including rest) rather than fighting against them.

6 How might the rest and care of land contribute to a balanced, sustainable ecosystem?

Answer Resting and caring for land (fallowing) lets the soil restore its nutrients and moisture, control pests and diseases, and avoid degradation. Fertile, healthy soil supports steady crop production, protects plant and animal life that depend on it, and keeps natural cycles balanced — making farming sustainable for future generations.

• 1. (weather/whether) → whether — “wondered whether the clouds would bring rain”
• 2. (piece/peace) → piece — “a small piece of roti”
• 3. (plain/plane) → plain — “the plain fields stretched endlessly”
• 4. (sell/cell) → sell — “sell his last sack of grain”
• 5. (seam/seem) → seem — “it didn’t seem possible”
• 6. (rain/reign) → rain — “the next rain by nature”

• 1. muttered → (i) spoke in a low voice
• 2. forlorn → (iii) sad and neglected
• 3. at a loss → (i) confused
• 4. sparkled → (ii) showed joy

Identification (given) Simple Present (1 & 2), Present Progressive (3 & 4), Present Perfect (5 & 6).

Fill in the blanks — Ravi & crop rotation

• 1. (a/an) → a rainy afternoon
• 2. (a/the) → the sky
• 3. (her/their) → their house
• 4. (a/the) → the rain
• 5. (some/one) → one puddle to another
• 6. (few/a few) → a few snails
• 7. (each/every) → each jump
• 8. (her/their) → their squeals
• 9. (either/neither) → neither sibling minded

• 1. Delhi will mostly have a cloudy sky with light rain.
• 2. Moderate rain is likely to happen in Mumbai.
• 3. Kolkata’s maximum temperature will be around 34 °C.
• 4. There is a chance of a thunderstorm in Chennai.
• 5. Bengaluru will have a maximum temperature of 29 °C.
• 6. Taking an umbrella is advisable because of the weather conditions.

✎ Letter to the Municipal Councillor requesting a rainwater harvesting unit.