Let us do these activities before we read
1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
Answer: My answer would be (i) Trying new activities. It is always fun to learn or do something I have never done before, like trying a new sport or visiting a new park. (Your own answer might be different!)
2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
Answer: My answer would be (i) Dense forests and clear streams. I would love to see different kinds of trees, listen to the sounds of birds, and watch the clear water in the streams. (Your own answer might be different!)
3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
Answer: My answer would be (ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a secret world. It sounds like a very exciting adventure, full of mystery and surprises. (Your own answer might be different!)
4. What do you think about teamwork?
Answer: My answer would be (ii) I enjoy working with others. It is nice to work on something together with friends because we can share ideas and help each other. (Your own answer might be different!)
Let us discuss (Part I)
1. Suraj compares the train to a magical creature. Pick the phrases that convey the meaning.
Answer: The phrases that show Suraj thinks of the train as a magical creature are:
- “some green, black, and gold dragon”
- “some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams”
2. Suraj knew that the train was close by because…
Answer: Suraj knew the train was close by because he heard the “shrill whistle of the engine” in the distance and then a sound “like distant thunder” coming from the tunnel.
3. What did Suraj see inside the tunnel?
Answer: Inside the tunnel, Suraj saw a bat fly past him and a lizard that ran quickly between the railway lines.
4. Select the correct option. What does Sunder Singh convey about the tunnel? He says that… (it is damp and sticky inside/he has lent it to the Government).
Answer: He says that he has lent it to the Government.
5. The watchman has created a system through which he informs the locomotive driver about any danger in the tunnel. The following flow chart shows this system. Refer to the text and complete the flow chart.
Answer:
- (i) Day
- (ii) No danger found
- (iii) Danger found
- (iv) Walks back up the line and waves a red flag
- (v) Hangs his lamp at the door of his hut and goes to sleep
Let us discuss (Part II)
1. Sunder Singh knew that the leopard was in the tunnel because…
Answer: Sunder Singh knew the leopard was in the tunnel because he heard a “rhythmic sawing sound”, which he recognized as the sound a leopard makes.
2. Why do you think Suraj was unable to do any shouting in the tunnel in the beginning?
Answer: (i) He was afraid of the leopard. His throat was dry because he was scared of facing the animal in the dark tunnel.
3. What made the leopard disappear into the darkness?
Answer: Suraj and Sunder Singh both shouted together, and their loud voices echoed through the tunnel. The leopard got confused about how many people were there, so it turned and ran away into the darkness.
4. How did Suraj know Sunder Singh was at the tunnel?
Answer: When Suraj was on the train, it was too dark to see Sunder Singh, but he saw the light from his lamp and knew his friend was there watching over the tunnel.
5. Why did Suraj’s father take him along to Delhi?
Answer: Suraj’s father took him to Delhi because he wanted Suraj to learn something about his business.
Let us think and reflect
I. Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow.
Passage 1: “Suraj had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s other opening was just a small round circle of light. The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would be several hours before another train came through. Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again. Suraj didn’t stop, because there was nothing to do in the tunnel and nothing to see. He had simply wanted to walk through, so that he would know what the inside of a tunnel was really like.”
- (i) Write whether the following statement is true or false. Suraj looked back at the opening of the tunnel to check if the train was coming.
Answer: False. Suraj looked back to comfort himself by seeing that there was still daylight outside. - (ii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence given below. Suraj did not stop anywhere in the tunnel because…
Answer: A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel - (iii) What does the sentence ‘Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again’ mean?
Answer: It means that in the time between trains, the railway area becomes quiet and peaceful, and the wild animals of the jungle can use it as their own space again. - (iv) Suraj wanted to know the inside of the tunnel. What character trait of Suraj is highlighted here?
Answer: This shows that Suraj is curious and adventurous.
Passage 2: “”The train will soon be here,” said Suraj. “Yes, my friend. And if we don’t drive the leopard out of the tunnel, it will be run over and killed. I can’t let that happen.” “But won’t it attack us if we try to drive it out?” asked Suraj, beginning to share the watchman’s concern. “Not this leopard. It knows me well. We have seen each other many times. It has a weakness for goats and stray dogs, but it will not harm us. Even so, I’ll take my axe with me. You stay here, Suraj.””
- (i) What was the watchman’s concern?
Answer: The watchman was concerned that if the leopard stayed in the tunnel, the train would hit it, and it would be killed. - (ii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Sunder Singh was sure that the leopard in the tunnel would not attack him and Suraj because…
Answer: …it knew him well as they had seen each other many times. - (iii) Select the sentences that are true from those given below.
Answer:- B. Suraj is concerned about Sunder Singh’s safety.
- C. The leopard in the tunnel attacks goats and stray dogs.
- D. Sunder Singh wants to protect Suraj.
- (iv) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. Sunder Singh decides to take his axe with him. This tells us that he was…
Answer: B. cautious
II. Answer the following questions.
- What does Sunder Singh convey by saying that he has lent his tunnel to the Government?
Answer: By saying this, Sunder Singh is making a little joke. He means that he spends so much time looking after the tunnel that it feels like his own personal property, even though he knows it really belongs to the government. - According to Sunder Singh, “It is safer in the forest than in the town”. What example does Sunder Singh give to support his opinion? What does this tell us about him?
Answer: Sunder Singh says that when he went into town the previous month, he was almost run over by a bus. This tells us that he is very comfortable living in the jungle and understands nature, but finds the busy town to be more dangerous and unpredictable. - Sunder Singh has become part of the jungle life. Support the view with a suitable reason.
Answer: Sunder Singh has become a part of the jungle life because he is not scared of the forest at night. He knows all the different sounds of the animals, like the barking deer and the nightjar. He even has a relationship with the leopard, which knows him and doesn’t harm him. - Sunder Singh and Suraj form an unlikely friendship. What draws them together?
Answer: They become friends because they both share a love for the train, the tunnel, and the jungle. Suraj is curious about the tunnel, and Sunder Singh is happy to have a visitor to share his world with. - Why is Sunder Singh referred to as a ‘firefly’?
Answer: Sunder Singh is called a ‘firefly’ because his lamp is like a small, steady light in the big, dark jungle. For the thousands of people traveling on the train at night, his light is a sign that someone is watching over them and keeping them safe, just like a little firefly lighting up the darkness. - Do you think Suraj is an adventure-loving boy? Give reasons.
Answer: Yes, Suraj is an adventure-loving boy. He cycles out of town and walks through the jungle just to watch a train come out of a tunnel. He is curious enough to walk through the dark tunnel all by himself. He also chooses to go with Sunder Singh to face a leopard instead of staying alone in the dark.
Let us learn
I. Complete the following sentences using the suitable phrases from the text.
- We could hear the approaching engine of the train long before it came into view at the station.
- The street was completely dark but the little boy walked to his house guided by the flickering lights from the houses.
- The sawing sound from the carpenter’s workshop grew louder every hour.
- From the balcony, she watched the drifting smoke from her neighbour’s chimney float across the backyard.
II. The text has many ‘sound words’. Match the words with their meanings.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. creaking | (ii) making a long low sound when a door or wooden object moves or is moved |
| 2. chatter | (iii) repeated series of short high sounds made by birds or monkeys |
| 3. hissing | (i) making a noise like a long ‘s’ sound |
| 4. rustle | (v) a soft low, dry sound made by the movement of things such as leaves, paper, etc. |
| 5. puffing | (iv) blowing with short, quick blasts, as the wind |
Now, complete the sentences given below by filling in the blanks with the correct form of the sound words.
- The steam engine reached the station puffing black smoke into the sky.
- Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made a hissing noise.
- When the wind blew, I heard the creaking of the wooden roof.
- He heard a rustle of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
- I get disturbed by the continuous chatter of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.
III. Notice the use of ‘would’.
- Why is the word ‘would’ used here?
Answer: (iii) to talk about a habit in the past - Complete the sentences using the verb in brackets with the correct form of ‘used to’ or ‘would’.
Answer: When I was a child we used to live in a village near a forest. Back then, we (i) would grow vegetables in our back garden. Every day we (ii) would get up early and go for a walk. The weather in summer (iii) would be really nice. There was a lake near the house and we (iv) would go there every Sunday for a picnic. Winters (v) would be rather cold. In the evenings, my father (vi) would tell us incredible stories and we (vii) would listen with admiration.
IV. Punctuation
Now, use semicolons and colons to punctuate the following paragraph.
Answer: We explored the busy by-lanes of Charminar, the heart of Hyderabad; it was an exciting day. We wanted to do a few things: buy bangles, taste biryani, and purchase pearl earrings, which are special to this area. As we walked through the lanes, we saw stalls selling spices, clothes, and jewellery; the market was full of colours. We visited some famous spots: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace; each place was beautiful.
Let us listen
Listen to the audio recording and as you listen, mark your map with the route to take to find the treasure.
Answer: Since there is no audio recording provided, I cannot give the exact answers. However, when you listen to the audio, you need to identify the rooms it mentions and write their names in the numbered circles on the map.
For example, the audio might say: “From the Entrance Hall, your first clue is in the place with old swords and shields.” You would then write weapon room in circle 1. Listen carefully for directions like “turn left,” “go straight,” or “on your right” to fill in all the circles and find the treasure!
Here is how the map could be filled based on a possible audio guide:
- Weapon Room
- Musical Instruments Hall
- Library
- Art Gallery
- Auditorium
Let us speak
Work in pairs and have this conversation. Student A will play the role of Anju and mark the route on the map given below. Student B will play the role of the tour manager. Looking at the map, give directions to reach the trekking site from the railway station.
Answer: Here is a sample conversation:
Anju (Student A): Hello, is this the tour manager? My name is Anju. I have reached the railway station. Could you please tell me how to get to the trekking site?
Tour Manager (Student B): Hello Anju! Welcome. Yes, of course. When you come out of the railway station, you will see a school on the opposite side of the road.
Anju: Okay, I see the school.
Tour Manager: Great. From there, turn right and keep going straight until you reach a big roundabout.
Anju: Turn right and go straight to the roundabout. Got it.
Tour Manager: At the roundabout, you need to take the road that goes straight ahead, passing the Lake and Bird Sanctuary on your left.
Anju: Okay, so I go past the sanctuary.
Tour Manager: Exactly. Keep going straight on that road for a little while, and you will see the Trekking Site on your right. You can’t miss it!
Anju: Perfect! Thank you so much.
Tour Manager: You’re welcome. Have a great trek!
Let us write
Write a descriptive paragraph about your experience of a train journey.
Answer: My train journey started with a loud whistle that made me jump with excitement. I quickly found my seat by the window and pressed my face against the cool glass. The train started with a small jerk and then began its rhythmic ‘clack-clack’ sound on the tracks. Outside, green fields, small villages, and big trees rushed by in a blur of colour. Inside the train, people were chatting, a baby was laughing, and a man was selling hot tea in small clay cups. The smell of samosas filled the air. As the sun began to set, the sky turned a beautiful orange. I felt so happy and relaxed, watching the world go by from my little window. It was a journey I will always remember.