Introduction to the Story

• The story is narrated by Anita, a 14-year-old girl.
• Her younger brother Anand, aged 13, loves inventing things.
• Anand thinks he is a scientist and creates gadgets that often fail.
• His inventions cause trouble at home, like annoying their father or scaring others.
• The story describes two of Anand’s inventions: a burglar alarm and a time machine.
• It shows how his creative ideas lead to funny and unexpected events.

The Burglar Alarm Incident

• Background
  • Many thefts happen in their colony, worrying everyone.
  • Anand decides to make a burglar alarm to catch thieves.
  • He works on it when their parents are out, involving Anita.
  • Anita warns Anand she doesn’t want to be blamed if it fails.
• How the Alarm Works
  • Anand makes a detailed plan, calling it a blueprint.
  • The alarm has wires, bells, and a water bag.
  • When the door opens gently, the alarm makes a loud ringing sound.
  • The water bag falls on the person opening the door.
  • Anand says it will only work for thieves who open doors quietly.
  • Anita doubts if the alarm can tell a thief from others.
• The Mishap
  • Their father comes home and opens the door softly.
  • The alarm goes off, and the water bag soaks him.
  • He gets very angry and shouts about the nonsense.
  • Their mother tries to calm him, saying it’s a burglar alarm.
  • Anand hides to avoid his father’s anger and returns after dinner.
  • Anita stays out of trouble, as she warned Anand earlier.
• Aftermath
  • Anand avoids new inventions for a week after the incident.
  • His father is frustrated with his constant tinkering.
  • The failed alarm shows Anand’s ideas don’t work as planned.

The Time Machine Project

• Inspiration
  • Anand and Anita watch the movie Back to the Future.
  • The movie is about a time machine, exciting Anand.
  • He decides to build his own time machine at home.
  • His parents are cautious after the burglar alarm failure.
• Building the Machine
  • Anand works in his room for two weeks, making a mess.
  • He uses wires, springs, levers, bulbs, and a big control panel.
  • He takes apart household gadgets for parts, worrying his mother.
  • His father locks his toolbox to stop him from using tools.
  • Anand looks wild, not combing his hair, focused on his project.
  • He doesn’t let anyone into his room until it’s ready.
• Family Reactions
  • Anand announces the time machine is ready to test.
  • His father firmly says no, fearing another disaster.
  • His mother feels sorry for Anand’s sad look and wants to see it.
  • His father agrees to look but warns against testing it.
  • Anita is relieved when their parents plan to leave for a wedding.
  • Their mother makes Anand promise not to test the machine.

The Nighttime Intruder

• Parents’ Absence
  • Their parents go to Kharagpur for a wedding, leaving Anita and Anand alone.
  • They promise to stay safe and go to neighbors if needed.
  • Anand falls asleep, but Anita stays up reading a murder story.
  • She hears strange noises like scratching and a click at the door.
• The Thief Appears
  • Anita wakes Anand, scared someone is breaking in.
  • The door opens, revealing a rough-looking man with a green scarf.
  • They recognize him as Boppa, who sweeps their colony.
  • Boppa threatens them with a stick, telling them not to scream.
  • He asks for their father’s room to steal valuables.
• Anand’s Quick Thinking
  • Anita almost tells Boppa the right room, but Anand lies.
  • He says the room next to theirs is their father’s, which is his own room.
  • Anita is angry, thinking Boppa will get mad when he finds out.
  • Anand says it buys them time to shout for help.
  • This shows Anand’s quick thinking in a dangerous situation.
• The Time Machine Activates
  • Boppa enters Anand’s room, and they hear a loud crash and scream.
  • Strange noises come from the room: thumps, a whine, and humming.
  • Anand realizes Boppa started the time machine by mistake.
  • They shout for help, and neighbors Mrs. Sharma, her husband, and Dr. Mohan arrive.
  • The neighbors unlock the door and find Anita and Anand safe.
• Boppa’s Disappearance
  • They check Anand’s room, but Boppa is gone.
  • The time machine is humming softly, with no other sounds.
  • They find Boppa’s green scarf near the control panel.
  • The neighbors search the house but can’t find him.
  • Anand believes Boppa went through the time machine to the past.
  • The neighbors think he escaped, not believing Anand’s idea.
• Conclusion
  • Boppa is never seen again, making Anand think his machine worked.
  • Their father dismantles the time machine, thinking it’s unsafe.
  • He might suspect it worked, as Boppa vanished.
  • Anand is convinced he’s a genius and starts a new project.
  • He wants to make a telephone to contact outer space creatures.
  • Anita plans to share more about his next adventure later.

Let us discuss

• I Complete the cause-and-effect table given below.
  • Causes Effects 1. Anand set up his burglar alarm and rigged it to work when the door was opened softly. Their father got soaked by the water bag and became very angry. 2. Anita warned Anand she didn’t want to be involved in the burglar alarm plan. Anita was able to avoid any responsibility as Anand faced the consequences alone. 3. We watched the movie Back to the Future. Anand decided to build a time machine, causing noise and mess at home. 4. Papa firmly said ‘NO’ to trying out the time machine. Anand was disappointed but promised not to test it until his parents returned.
• II Do you think Anand was able to keep his promise regarding the time machine? If yes, why? If no, why not?
  • Yes, Anand kept his promise not to test the time machine.
  • He promised his mother half-heartedly but didn’t try to use it himself.
  • The machine was activated by Boppa, the thief, by mistake, not Anand.
  • This shows Anand followed his mother’s instructions, even though he was upset.
  • His obedience kept him from causing trouble while his parents were away.
• Arrange the following events in the correct order of occurrence.
  • 1. Anita wakes Anand up, informing him that someone is trying to get into the house.
    2. The door swings open, and they see Boppa, standing there with an evil grin.
    3. Anand misleads Boppa into entering his room instead of his father’s room.
    4. Mrs. Sharma, her husband, and Dr. Mohan unlock the door and enter the house to help the children.
    5. Boppa is nowhere to be found, but his green scarf is lying near the time machine.

Let us think and reflect

• I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
  • 1. Before beginning this story, let me put you in the picture…
    • (i) Complete the following sentence suitably by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.
      • When Anita says, “…let me put you in the picture”, she wants to introduce the situation for the benefit of the readers.
      • Answer: The correct option is introduce. Anita uses this phrase to give readers background about herself, Anand, and his inventions.
    • (ii) Anand loves ‘tinkering’ with all sorts of electrical gadgets. This means that he enjoys gadgets.
      • A. dismantling and creating
      • B. labelling or naming
      • C. repairing or improving
      • D. collecting and displaying
      • Answer: The correct option is A. dismantling and creating. Anand takes apart gadgets and uses parts to build new inventions, like the burglar alarm and time machine.
    • (iii) Which of the following options most suitably describes Anand’s personality?
      • A. methodical and cautious
      • B. creative and experimental
      • C. energetic and hasty
      • D. shy and reserved
      • Answer: The correct option is B. creative and experimental. Anand loves making new inventions and trying ideas, even if they fail, showing his creative and experimental nature.
    • (iv) Based on the extract, compare what Anita thinks of her brother Anand with what he thinks of himself.
      • Anita thinks Anand causes trouble with his failed inventions. She says he gets on their father’s nerves and scares others, believing his gadgets never work as planned.
      • Anand thinks he is a scientist. He loves tinkering and feels proud of his creations, like calling his plan a blueprint to seem professional.
      • Anita sees him as bothersome, while Anand sees himself as a talented inventor.
  • 2. I was about to direct him upstairs, when Anand said quickly…
    • (i) Complete the sentence given below with a suitable reason.
      • Anita was angry with Anand because he misled Boppa into entering his own room instead of their father’s, which could make Boppa angrier when he realized the mistake.
    • (ii) Which action of Anand shows his presence of mind?
      • Anand’s quick lie to Boppa, saying his room was their father’s, shows his presence of mind. It gave them time to shout for help before Boppa could steal anything.
    • (iii) What might be the cause of the strange noises emerging from the next room?
      • A. The intruder moving furniture around
      • B. Anand’s time machine getting activated
      • C. The intruder locating the light switch
      • D. Anand’s invention malfunctioning
      • Answer: The correct option is B. Anand’s time machine getting activated. The noises like thumps, a whine, and humming match the machine starting, as Anand confirms.
    • (iv) Which of the following best describes the atmosphere in this extract?
      • A. relaxing
      • B. peaceful
      • C. tense
      • D. sad
      • E. suspenseful
      • F. joyful
      • (a) A, D and E
      • (b) B and F
      • C and E
      • (d) Only D
      • Answer: The correct option is © C and E. The situation is tense and suspenseful due to the intruder, the noises, and the children’s fear.
• II Complete the table with the suitable traits of the characters based on evidence from the text.
  • Character Traits Evidence from the Text Anand 1. bothersome And this is not the first time he’s got on Papa’s nerves or frightened someone half to death in the house. Anand 2. creative He loves tinkering with all sorts of electrical gadgets, tools, dynamos, planks of wood, and things like that. And he keeps creating ‘inventions’ that never work out as they are supposed to. Anand 3. confident “Nothing will go wrong this time. I’ve planned it out carefully. See the blueprint.” Anita 1. responsible “We’re old enough to look after ourselves, Ma…” Anita 2. curious “But how does the alarm know that a burglar is opening the door?” Anita 3. careful “Now clean up this mess before anyone gets home.”
• III Answer the following questions.
  • 1. What prompted Anand to create the burglar alarm?
    • Anand created the burglar alarm because there were many thefts in their colony. He thought a burglar alarm was needed to catch thieves and protect their home.
  • 2. How did Anand’s father become the target of the burglar alarm?
    • Anand’s father became the target because he opened the door softly when he came home. The alarm was set to go off for gentle door openings, mistaking him for a thief, and the water bag soaked him.
  • 3. How did Anand’s parents and sister react to his ideas?
    • His father was annoyed, often getting angry at Anand’s failed inventions, like the burglar alarm, and locked his toolbox to stop him.
    • His mother was kinder, feeling sorry when Anand was sad, and agreed to see the time machine, but was cautious and made him promise not to test it.
    • Anita was doubtful, warning Anand she didn’t want to be blamed, and questioned his plans, like how the alarm would detect thieves.
  • 4. How did Anand behave when he was on his ‘inventing binges’?
    • Anand became very focused, working frantically for weeks, ignoring his appearance, like not combing his hair.
    • He made a mess, taking apart gadgets and filling his room with wires and tools.
    • He was secretive, not letting anyone into his room until his invention was ready.
  • 5. Why did Mr. Sharma not believe Anand when he spoke about his time machine?
    • Mr. Sharma didn’t believe Anand because the idea of a time machine sounded unrealistic. He thought Anand had a big imagination and assumed Boppa escaped, as they didn’t see him leave.
  • 6. Give an ending to this story, explaining what might have happened to Boppa.
    • Boppa likely got scared by the time machine’s noises and ran away. When he entered Anand’s room and accidentally started the machine, the loud crash, scream, and humming frightened him. He probably dropped his scarf and fled through a window or back door before the neighbors arrived. The neighbors missed him because they focused on the front entrance. Anand’s belief that Boppa went to the past is just his imagination, as the machine was later dismantled and never tested again.

Let us learn

• I Onomatopoeia
  • Onomatopoeia means words that sound like the noises they describe, like “boom” or “tick-tock.”
  • The story uses sound words to make events vivid.
  • Column 1 Column 2 (i) Crash sudden loud sound of breaking (ii) Humming a continuous low and soothing sound (iii) Hissed whispered angrily (iv) Hammering, sawing, clattering constant and loud construction noises
• II Binomials
  • Binomials are two words used together in a fixed order, like “peace and quiet.”
  • Column 1 Conjunction Column 2 (i) safe and E. sound (ii) odds and F. ends (iii) make or A. break (iv) pros and B. cons (v) now or C. never (vi) give or D. take
  • Sentences:
    • (i) This project will be a make or break moment for our team’s success.
    • (ii) After a long journey, we were relieved to arrive home safe and sound.
    • (iii) Every friendship works well when there is a balance of give or take.
    • (iv) She organised all the odds and ends in the cupboard, to make space for new clothes.
    • (v) Before making a decision, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
    • (vi) This is our final chance to perform on stage, it is now or never.
• III Idioms
  • Idioms are phrases with meanings different from their words, like “raining cats and dogs” for heavy rain.
  • Sentences:
    • 1. Shekhar knew he would get a shelling for breaking his mother’s favourite flower vase.
      2. We fell over ourselves trying to help the injured dog and get it to the vet as quickly as possible.
      3. Faizy distracted Kanchan, leaving the coast clear for us to get inside the room to prepare the birthday surprise.
      4. The constant power fluctuations during meetings can get on our nerves.
      5. When I am alone at home, any unexpected loud noise in the night can frighten me half to death.
• IV Past Tenses
  • 1. Underline the verbs in simple past and past perfect tense.
    • (i) Ma had rushed (past perfect) in to see what the racket was (simple past) all about and found (simple past) Papa standing there, sopping wet and scowling.
    • (ii) Anand had vanished (past perfect) by this time and reappeared (simple past) only after dinner when Papa had cooled (past perfect) down.
  • 2. Fill in the blanks with the simple past or past perfect form of the verbs.
    • (i) After Rohan had finished (past perfect) his homework, he decided (simple past) to go for a walk. He left (simple past) the house and realised (simple past) he had forgotten (past perfect) his keys inside.
    • (ii) By the time we reached (simple past) the station, the train had already left (past perfect). We waited (simple past) for the next one to arrive.
  • 3. Combine the pairs of sentences using the time expressions.
    • (i) Rohan had packed his suitcase before he left for the airport.
    • (ii) We had started work before he arrived in the morning.
    • (iii) They had set up the tents by the time the others brought food and medicine.
    • (iv) The students had become quiet when they heard the teacher coming.
    • (v) The villagers had left the village before the flood submerged the entire area.

Let us listen

• I Choose the true statements from 1-5.
  • 1. Toby misses his school. False. Toby says he misses his people and home, not school.
    2. Anita accepts Toby as her friend. True. She says, “I am happy to have you as my friend.”
    3. Anita asks Toby about one of his facial features. True. She asks how he sees with one eye.
    4. Toby tells Anita that she had a banana for breakfast. False. He mentions an apple, not a banana.
    5. Toby shares that he can see much clearer with a closed eye. True. He says he can see clearly even with his eye closed.
• II Fill in the blanks with the exact words you hear.
  • 1. Toby: I miss my people and home.
    2. Toby: Well, we don’t need to eat anything. We get our energy from the Sun.
    3. Anita: Oh! Don’t you ever feel like having ice creams and chocolates?
    4. Anita: Okay, tell me one thing. How are you able to see with only one eye?
    5. Toby: I can see beyond mountains and clouds, woods and even metals.

Let us speak

• I Pronounce words ending with -ough.
  • Sounds like ‘oo’ Sounds like ‘off’ Sounds like ‘o’ Sounds like ‘ow’ Sounds like ‘aw’ through cough dough bough thought plough
• II Read the story aloud.
  • The story describes a woman working on her farm despite a cough, through rough weather, filling a trough, ploughing fields, and making chutney and rotis, showing her hard work and peace.
• III Tongue twister.
  • “The boy with the tough dough on the rose bough fell in the trough and caught a cough” is practiced to improve clear pronunciation.

Let us write

• Write a paragraph about a vocation.
  • I choose the vocation of a chef because I love cooking tasty food. A chef needs training in a cooking school to learn recipes, food safety, and kitchen skills. They use tools like knives, ovens, and mixers, and work with other cooks and waiters. Teamwork is imp to prepare dishes quickly and keep customers happy. I would treat customers kindly, asking about their tastes to make their meals special. I plan to pursue this with pride by practicing recipes at home and joining a culinary course after school, aiming to open my own restaurant one day.

Paper Boats

Introduction to the Poem

• The poem Paper Boats is written by Rabindranath Tagore.
• It describes a child’s simple act of floating paper boats down a stream.
• The child imagines the boats carrying his name and dreams to faraway places.
• The poem captures the child’s innocence, imagination, and hope.
• It uses nature, like flowers and stars, to show the child’s dreamy thoughts.
• The tone is gentle and wishful, creating a thoughtful mood.

The Child’s Actions

• Floating Paper Boats
  • Every day, the child floats paper boats down a running stream.
  • He writes his name and village name in big black letters on the boats.
  • He hopes someone in a strange land will find them and know who he is.
  • This shows his desire to connect with the world beyond his village.
• Loading the Boats
  • The child fills the boats with shiuli flowers from his garden.
  • Shiuli flowers bloom at dawn, symbolizing purity and new beginnings.
  • He hopes the flowers will safely reach another land at night.
  • This reflects his wish for his dreams to travel far and stay safe.
• Imagining the Sky
  • As he launches the boats, the child looks at the sky.
  • He sees little clouds like white sails racing with his boats.
  • He imagines a playmate in the sky sending clouds to join his game.
  • This shows his playful imagination, linking nature with his boats.
• Dreaming at Night
  • At night, the child buries his face in his arms and dreams.
  • He dreams his paper boats float under the midnight stars.
  • He imagines fairies of sleep sailing in the boats, carrying baskets of dreams.
  • This creates a magical image of his hopes continuing through the night.

Let us discuss

• I Choose the correct words from the brackets to complete the summary of the poem.
  • The poet sends paper boats down a stream each day, writing his name and the name of his village on them. He hopes that someone in a strange land will find them and know who he is. The poet fills his boats with shiuli flowers from his garden, hoping they will be safely carried to another land at night. As he launches his boats, he imagines that the clouds in the sky are like friends, racing with his boats. At night, he dreams that his paper boats continue to float under the midnight stars, with the fairies of sleep sailing in them, their baskets full of dreams.
• II Choose the correct option for the following.
  • The theme of the poem is:
    • 1. innocence
      2. imagination
      3. ignorance
      4. playfulness
      5. travel
    • (i) 1, 2 and 3
    • (ii) 3, 4 and 5
    • (iii) 1, 4 and 5
    • (iv) 1, 2 and 4
    • Answer: The correct option is (iv) 1, 2 and 4. The poem shows the child’s innocence in hoping others find his boats, imagination in picturing clouds and fairies, and playfulness in floating boats as a game.
• III Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
  • The setting of the poem is a natural, outdoor environment.
  • True. The poem describes a running stream, garden flowers, clouds, and stars, all part of a natural outdoor setting.
• IV Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word given within the brackets.
  • The tone is gentle and wishful and the mood is thoughtful.
  • Answer: The tone is gentle and wishful, as the child softly hopes and dreams, and the mood is thoughtful, making readers reflect on his innocent desires.
• V Identify the examples of alliteration from the poem.
  • Alliteration is when words starting with the same sound are used together.
  • Examples:
    • “Big black letters” (repetition of ‘b’ sound).
    • “Paper boats” (repetition of ‘p’ sound).
    • “Blooms of the dawn” (repetition of ‘b’ sound).
    • “Fairies of sleep” (repetition of ‘f’ sound).
• VI Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the poem.
  • 1. The repetition of words day by day and one by one emphasises the passage of time.
    2. The poet uses imagery like midnight stars and white bulging sails to create a clear picture in the minds of the readers.
• VII Match the descriptions in Column 1 with what they symbolise in Column 2.
  • Column 1 Column 2 1. the child’s innocence, dreams, hopes, and messages sent out into the world (ii) paper boats 2. purity, beauty, and the start of a new day (iii) shiuli flowers 3. the vast universe and the child’s dreams continuing through the night (i) midnight stars

Let us think and reflect

• I Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
  • 1. When night comes I bury my face in my arms and dream…
    • (i) Select the option that is most likely to be the speaker as per the extract.
      • A. An adult
      • B. A sailor
      • C. A child
      • D. A fairy
      • Answer: The correct option is C. A child. The speaker’s innocent dreams about paper boats and fairies suggest a child’s imagination.
    • (ii) What can be inferred about the speaker’s feelings when night comes?
      • The speaker feels dreamy and hopeful. He buries his face in his arms, imagining his boats floating under stars, showing a calm, wishful mood.
    • (iii) What kind of beings are the ‘fairies of sleep’ imagined as?
      • A. mischievous
      • B. gentle
      • C. fearsome
      • D. playful
      • Answer: The correct option is B. gentle. The fairies sail softly in boats, carrying dreams, suggesting a kind and soothing presence.
    • (iv) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets.
      • The phrase ‘lading is their baskets full of dreams’ suggests that the speaker imagines the fairies of sleep carefully carrying his dreams in their baskets.
• II Answer the following questions.
  • 1. Why do you think the poet writes his personal details on the paper boats?
    • The poet writes his name and village on the boats to share his identity with the world. He hopes someone far away will find them and know who he is, showing his desire to connect and be remembered.
  • 2. The poet talks about the imagination of a child. Support this view with examples from the poem.
    • The poem shows a child’s imagination through vivid images.
    • He imagines clouds as playmates racing with his boats, linking nature to his game.
    • He dreams of fairies of sleep sailing in his boats, carrying baskets of dreams.
    • He pictures his boats reaching a strange land, carrying his name and flowers, showing his hopeful, creative mind.
  • 3. How does the poet bring together imagination and reality to make the poem more interesting?
    • The poet mixes real actions with imaginative thoughts.
    • Reality: The child floats paper boats and writes his name, simple acts anyone can do.
    • Imagination: He dreams the boats reach far lands, race with clouds, and carry fairies with dreams.
    • This blend makes the poem relatable yet magical, capturing the child’s wonder in a real setting.

Let us learn

• I Create phrases with ‘of’.
  • Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 wings the wind wings of the wind waves the ocean waves of the ocean dreams the evening dreams of the evening songs the children songs of the children glimmers the stars glimmers of the stars cries the thunder cries of the thunder tears the rain tears of the rain roars the thunder roars of the thunder shadows the clouds shadows of the clouds
• II Words for parts of the day.
  • Morning Afternoon Evening Night dawn night midnight
• III Match words with their opposites.
  • Column 1 Column 2 1. strange (v) ordinary 2. dawn (iv) dusk 3. launch (i) halt 4. bulging (vi) shrinking 5. float (iii) sink 6. lading (ii) emptying

Let us listen

• Select the true statements from 1-7.
  • 1. Sai was trying to make an origami boat. False. Sai was trying to make an origami crane.
    2. Sai’s father used to do origami as a child. True. He says he remembers doing origami when he was young.
    3. Paper was very expensive so it was used only for special occasions. True. He mentions paper was costly and used for ceremonies.
    4. People have been making paper cranes for thousands of years. False. Cranes were made since the seventeenth century, not thousands of years.
    5. There is a belief that if you make a thousand paper cranes, your wish will come true. True. The father mentions this Japanese belief.
    6. The art of origami is about enjoying the process. True. He says it’s about patience and creativity, not just the final shape.
    7. Sai’s father suggests making a paper bookmark next time. False. He suggests making a paper boat.

North, South, East, West

Introduction

• The text is about Shaana, a girl from Rameswaram island, traveling across India.
• She travels with her parents, exploring different landscapes, people, and cultures.
• Shaana writes postcards to her school friends, sharing her experiences.
• The postcards describe places like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and others.
• Her writings show her excitement, curiosity, and sometimes fears about new places.
• The text highlights India’s diverse geography and Shaana’s learning journey.

Shaana’s Postcards

• Thajiwas Glacier, Kashmir (30 April 20XX)
  • Shaana visits the Thajiwas glacier in northern India.
  • The glaciers are white and blue, and it’s very cold.
  • She and her parents wear many layers of clothes.
  • Her parents enjoy throwing snowballs at each other.
  • They say there was more snow last year, suggesting less snow now.
  • Shaana’s hands shake from not wearing gloves, showing the cold.
• Himachal Pradesh (10 May 20XX)
  • Shaana travels by train to Himachal Pradesh, also in the north.
  • It’s quiet, with many mountains visible from their cabin.
  • Colorful birds wake her with their chirping at sunrise.
  • She thinks she hears bears growling at night, but it’s her father snoring.
  • She wants to hug a bear, showing her playful curiosity.
  • The peaceful setting contrasts with her lively thoughts.
• Arunachal Pradesh (17 May 20XX)
  • Shaana travels far to Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
  • She learns it’s not near Himachal, despite both being “Pradesh” states.
  • They take two trains and drive to reach a treehouse.
  • They walk through a thick forest, where it’s easy to get lost.
  • Shaana loves Arunachal the most and hopes to see red pandas.
  • Her excitement grows as she enjoys the journey.
• Sundarbans
  • Shaana visits the Sundarbans, a wetland area.
  • She learns mangroves grow in seawater, which amazes her.
  • Her mother is sad about frequent flooding in the area.
  • They see crocodiles and a snake while boating, making Shaana slightly nervous.
  • She asks if her friends miss her, showing she misses them.
• Goa
  • Shaana is in Goa, in the southwest of India.
  • She stays awake at night, loving the view of plateaus and hills.
  • There are beaches and many tunnels the train passes through.
  • She used to fear tunnels but now feels comfortable with them.
  • She wishes to tour the plateaus with her friends, showing her connection to them.
• Gujarat
  • Shaana visits Gujarat, seeing flat landscapes and unique culture.
  • She describes the vibrant markets and traditional clothes.
  • Her parents enjoy the local food, and Shaana tries new dishes.
  • The visit adds to her understanding of India’s diversity.
• The Narmada River
  • Shaana experiences rafting on the Narmada river.
  • She enjoys floating and watching fish in the water.
  • Her parents go diving, exploring underwater.
  • The river’s beauty and activities excite Shaana.
• Chennai
  • In Chennai, Shaana enjoys the coastal city’s warm weather.
  • She describes the busy streets and beaches.
  • Her parents dive again, and Shaana watches fish from the shore.
  • The lively city adds to her travel adventures.

Let us discuss

• Complete the table based on Shaana’s postcards.
  • Places Visited Interesting Descriptions and Activities 1. Thajiwas glacier, Kashmir White and blue glaciers; throwing snowballs 2. Himachal Pradesh Quiet mountains; birds chirping at sunrise; hearing snoring mistaken for bears 3. Arunachal Pradesh Walking through a thick forest to reach the treehouse 4. Gujarat Vibrant markets; trying new foods; seeing traditional clothes 5. The Narmada river Rafting; floating and watching fish 6. Chennai Busy streets; watching fish; parents diving

Let us think and reflect

• I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
  • 1. Amma tells me that places like the Sundarbans are called wetlands…
    • (i) What feeling does Shaana most likely experience when she says, “I never knew such a place existed…”?
      • A. pride
      • B. hope
      • C. relief
      • D. wonder
      • Answer: The correct option is D. wonder. Shaana is amazed to learn mangroves grow in seawater, showing her awe at the new discovery.
    • (ii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
      • Amma is sad about the frequent flooding in Sundarbans because it harms the environment and people living there, disrupting their lives and the ecosystem.
    • (iii) Select the evidence from the text that reflects a feeling of the speaker’s slight nervousness.
      • The evidence is: “I hope they don’t follow us home.” Shaana’s hope that crocodiles and snakes don’t follow shows her slight fear.
    • (iv) Select the option that applies to both the Assertion and the Reason.
      • Assertion: The speaker is missing her friends.
      • Reason: The speaker wishes to know the well-being of her friends.
      • A. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
      • B. Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason does not correctly explain the assertion.
      • C. The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
      • D. Both the assertion and the reason are false.
      • Answer: The correct option is A. Shaana asks, “Are you missing me yet?” showing she misses her friends, and her question about their well-being explains her feelings.
  • 2. Amma and Appa are fast asleep, and I should be sleeping too…
    • (i) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason.
      • The speaker chooses to stay awake because she loves looking at the beautiful plateaus and hills outside the train window in Goa.
    • (ii) What does the speaker mean by saying, ‘You won’t believe how nice the plateaus look’?
      • Shaana means the plateaus are so beautiful that her friends would be amazed. She’s excited and wants to share how stunning the view is.
    • (iii) What has been the change in the speaker’s attitude towards tunnels?
      • A. from fear to comfort
      • B. from courage to confidence
      • C. from doubt to clarity
      • D. from fascination to delight
      • Answer: The correct option is A. from fear to comfort. Shaana says she used to be afraid of tunnels but isn’t anymore, showing she now feels at ease.
    • (iv) Fill in the blanks with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
      • The speaker’s wish to share the experience of touring the plateaus with others indicates her sense of connection as well as the value she places on shared experiences with her peers.
• II Answer the following questions.
  • 1. Shaana mentions that she used to be afraid of tunnels. What could have been the most likely reason for her to be scared of tunnels?
    • Shaana was likely scared of tunnels because they are dark and enclosed, which can feel frightening for a child. The train passing through them might have seemed unsafe or mysterious, causing fear.
  • 2. Do you think Shaana’s Appa and Amma enjoyed themselves, just like children do? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
    • Yes, Shaana’s parents enjoyed themselves like children.
    • In Kashmir, they throw snowballs at each other, a playful act.
    • In Chennai and the Narmada river, they go diving, showing excitement for adventure.
    • Their actions show they have fun and act youthful during the trip.
  • 3. Shaana mentions less snow in the glaciers and more flooding in the Sundarbans. Explain what these observations indicate.
    • Less snow in the Thajiwas glacier suggests climate change, as warmer temperatures melt snow, reducing glacier size.
    • More flooding in the Sundarbans indicates environmental issues, like rising sea levels or heavy rains, harming wetlands.
    • These show how human actions affect nature, causing concern for Shaana’s mother.
  • 4. Shaana’s visits to different parts of the country highlight the diversity of India’s geography. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
    • Shaana visits varied landscapes, showing India’s diverse geography.
    • Kashmir has cold glaciers, contrasting with Chennai’s warm beaches.
    • Himachal Pradesh has quiet mountains, while Arunachal has thick forests.
    • The Narmada river offers rafting, and Gujarat has flat markets.
    • The Sundarbans’ wetlands and Goa’s plateaus add to the variety, from snowy north to coastal south.
  • 5. How does Shaana use language to convey her excitement, curiosity, and sometimes her fears about the places she visits?
    • Excitement: She uses phrases like “You won’t believe how nice the plateaus look” in Goa, showing thrill.
    • Curiosity: In Arunachal, she wonders about red pandas and learns “Pradesh” states aren’t close, showing eagerness to know more.
    • Fears: In the Sundarbans, she says, “I hope they don’t follow us home,” about crocodiles, indicating slight nervousness.
    • Her lively questions and vivid descriptions make her feelings clear.
  • 6. What might Shaana have learnt from her travels across India? How would it impact her understanding of the country?
    • Shaana learns about India’s diverse landscapes, like glaciers, forests, and wetlands.
    • She understands cultural differences, like Gujarat’s markets and Chennai’s streets.
    • She notices environmental issues, like flooding and less snow, raising awareness.
    • Meeting new people and trying foods broadens her perspective.
    • This makes her appreciate India’s variety and feel connected to its regions, shaping her as a curious, open-minded person.
  • 7. What could be the author’s purpose of presenting the text in the form of postcards?
    • The author uses postcards to make Shaana’s experiences personal and engaging.
    • They show her direct thoughts and feelings, like a letter to friends.
    • The format highlights different places briefly, keeping the text lively.
    • It reflects a child’s perspective, making the diversity of India relatable to young readers.
    • Postcards create a sense of adventure, as if Shaana is sharing her journey in real-time.

Let us learn

• II Situations and associated words.
  • Column 1 Column 2 1. In the middle of the night, the little boy heard a loud noise… scary 2. There used to be a bookstore near my house. But it is now shifted to the town. shifted 3. The flashes of light from the car made her suddenly close and open her eyes several times. blink 4. The children jumped into the pool and threw water at each other with loud noises. splashing 5. My grandmother’s place is so beautiful with all green paddy fields and palm trees… lush 6. When I looked up at the sky, the clouds were not staying at one place… drifting
• III Circle travel-related words in the grid.
  • Words: boat, drove, tour, train, walked, rafting.
• V Choose the correct option for subject-verb agreement.
  • 1. A pair of sunglasses is essential when travelling to sunny destinations.
    2. Either the tour guide or the tourists have to arrive first at the meeting point.
    3. The information on travel expenses is useful for first-time travellers.
    4. Neither the flight crew nor the pilot was aware of the delay.
    5. The news about the heavy rains makes many people reconsider their vacation plans.
    6. A pair of binoculars is useful for spotting wildlife on a safari.
    7. The hill stations in India remain a popular travel destination during winter.
    8. Keeping accounts is important for spending money wisely during travel.
    9. Either the ticket or the bus passes needs to be used for travelling in the tourist bus.
    10. Neither the passengers nor the taxi driver was aware of the best route to the hotel.

Let us listen

• Choose the correct option for questions about Agartala.
  • 1. What does the word ‘Agartala’ mean?
    • (i) under the agar tree
    • Answer: (i) under the agar tree.
  • 2. Which of these is another name for agarwood trees?
    • (i) gharuwood
    • Answer: (i) gharuwood.
  • 3. What kind of smell does agarwood have?
    • (ii) woody and flowery
    • Answer: (ii) woody and flowery.
  • 4. How is agarwood formed?
    • (iii) when the tree gets infected
    • Answer: (iii) when the tree gets infected.
  • 5. What is agarwood used to make?
    • (ii) perfumes and wood carvings
    • Answer: (ii)perfumes and wood carvings.

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