The Day the River Spoke – Question Answers
Before the Text (Pg. 1)
Q1. Are the sounds around us trying to tell you something?
Ans. Yes, sounds of nature communicate feelings—for example, chirping birds show joy, wind suggests movement, and water gives peace.
Q2. Do you think the things around you also listen to you all day long?
Ans. Yes, in a way. Nature responds to us—trees give shade, rivers flow, and animals react to our presence.
Q3. What could Jahnavi’s dream be?
Ans. Jahnavi’s dream was to go to school and study like her siblings.
Q4. How could Jahnavi make her dream come true?
Ans. She could bravely go to school herself and show her interest to the teacher.
Q5. What is your dream? What can you do to make your dream come true?
Ans. (Personal response—example:) My dream is to become a teacher. I will work hard, study well, and stay determined to achieve it.
Intent Questions (Pg. 3–6)
Q1. What was Jahnavi’s dream? Was it important to her? Why?
Ans. Her dream was to study in school. It was very important because she was curious and wanted to learn like her siblings.
Q2. Do you think the river can help her in fulfilling her dream? How?
Ans. Yes, the River encouraged Jahnavi to have courage and guided her to attend school secretly.
Q3. Complete the table with Jahnavi’s questions and the River’s answers.
| Jahnavi’s Questions |
River’s Answers |
| Why does the moon always come from behind the hills? |
Because it goes down to the sea like the River. |
| Can girls do as much as boys? |
Yes, little girls can do as much as boys. |
| What are ships? |
Big boats carrying hundreds of people with shining lights. |
| Will ships come here? |
No, the river is too small; Chandu’s catamaran is enough. |
Extra Questions (Pg. 7–15)
Extract-based
Q1. What is the tone of the River in the given extract?
Ans. The tone of the River is assuring and sympathetic.
Q2. Pick a phrase showing Jahnavi was a frequent visitor.
Ans. “You have been coming here every day, well, almost every day.”
Q3. Why is the exclamation used in ‘It couldn’t be the river!’?
Ans. It shows Jahnavi’s disbelief.
Q4. Mention three qualities of the River.
Ans. The River is affectionate, thoughtful, and kind-hearted.
Q5. Why does the River say little girls can do as much as little boys?
Ans. Because girls are equally capable of learning, swimming, and achieving as boys.
Q6. True or False: The River encourages Jahnavi to have faith in herself.
Ans. True.
Q7. What does ‘slip along’ mean?
Ans. It means to move quietly.
Q8. What does the repetition of “I couldn’t” show?
Ans. It shows Jahnavi’s fear and lack of confidence.
Short/Long Answer
Q1. Why does the writer describe nature in detail at the beginning?
Ans. To create a calm atmosphere and to personify the River as a living character.
Q2. How did the River know so much about Jahnavi?
Ans. Because Jahnavi visited daily and shared her feelings by the riverside.
Q3. What does Jahnavi mean by “I’m so old now, they’ll never let me go”?
Ans. She feels that girls are often not allowed to study if they are older, and she fears being denied education.
Q4. Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school?
Ans. Because Jahnavi was brave with snakes, lizards, and trains but afraid of a classroom.
Q5. Why should Jahnavi follow the River’s advice?
Ans. Because education would empower her and change her life.
Q6. How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story appealing?
Ans. It adds magic, personification, and inspiration, making the story lively.
Q7. What is the main message of the story?
Ans. The importance of girls’ education and the courage to follow dreams.
Language & Activity
Q1. Why has the author capitalized the word ‘River’?
Ans. Because the River is personified as a character.
Q2. Pick sound words from the text.
Ans. Shrieked, splashed, murmuring, wailed, rustle, gasped, rattling, noisy, cried.
Q3. Give meanings of borrowed words.
Q4. Crossword answers (Pg. 9):
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Ship
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Boat
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Raft
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Steamer
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Canoe
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Tug
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Yacht
Q5. Fill in blanks with prepositions (Pg. 10).
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at
-
outside
-
inside
-
between
-
about
-
about
Summary
Jahnavi, a little girl in a coastal village, dreams of going to school but her parents stop her. The River speaks to her, encourages her, and tells her to try. She bravely goes to school and the teacher supports her. Later, her parents agree, and her mother feels proud. Jahnavi promises to teach other girls in the future. The story teaches the value of courage, equality, and education.
Biography of Kamala Nair
Kamala Nair was an Indian writer and educationist. She is known for simple yet powerful stories highlighting themes like women’s empowerment, childhood aspirations, and social equality. Her story The Day the River Spoke reflects her belief in the importance of education for girls and the role of courage in achieving dreams.
Try Again – Question Answers
Before the Text (Pg. 16)
Q1. Who inspires you to do your best?
Ans. (Personal response – Example:) My parents inspire me to do my best because they always encourage me.
Q2. Identify what you see in the pictures and what can we learn.
Ans. (Personal response – Example:) The pictures show people trying again after failure. We can learn that perseverance leads to success.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 19–20)
Q1. Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks.
Ans.
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despair
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great
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low
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mounted
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attempts
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conquered
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strive
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tried
Q2. Why can we say the poet uses the narrative style?
Ans. Because the poem tells a story about King Bruce and the spider in a sequence of events.
Q3. What is the central idea of the poem?
Ans. The central idea is perseverance—never give up even after repeated failures.
Q4. Pick three examples of lines that describe the spider’s efforts.
Ans.
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“It soon began to cling and crawl / Straight up with strong endeavour.”
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“Up, up it ran, not a second to stay.”
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“Steadily, steadily, inch by inch, / Higher and higher he got.”
Q5. Pick three examples of alliteration.
Ans.
Q6. Why does the poet repeat “tried and tried,” “steadily, steadily,” “up, up”?
Ans. To emphasize persistence and to create rhythm that mirrors repeated efforts.
Q7. Fill in the blanks (Pg. 19).
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Rhyme scheme: AABB
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‘Bravo’ is an example of: Interjection
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The poet uses ‘tis and ‘twas for: Rhythm
Metaphor & Simile (Pg. 20)
Q1. Identify metaphors (M) and similes (S).
(i) He ran as fast as a cheetah. – S
(ii) The world is a stage. – M
(iii) The night was as dark as coal. – S
(iv) He sang like an angel. – S
(v) Her voice was music to his ears. – M
(vi) The classroom was a zoo. – M
(vii) The baby slept like a log. – S
(viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun. – S
(ix) The lake was a mirror. – M
Q2. Transform similes to metaphors and vice versa.
(iii) The book was like a treasure chest → The book was a treasure chest.
(iv) Her laughter was like a melody → Her laughter was a melody.
(v) The mountain was like a guard → The mountain stood as a guard.
(vi) The night was a velvet cloak → The night was like a velvet cloak.
(vii) Her thoughts were butterflies → Her thoughts were like butterflies.
Think and Reflect (Pg. 21–22)
Extract 1
Q1. Select the phrase showing the King’s emotion.
Ans. “He flung himself down in low despair.”
Q2. Why does the poet use ‘low’ before despair?
Ans. To intensify the sadness and hopelessness of the King.
Q3. Meaning of ‘pondered’?
Ans. B. Thought
Q4. What image does ‘silken filmy clue’ create?
Ans. Something very delicate and soft.
Extract 2
Q1. Complete the analogy: toil : hard :: tumble : fall.
Ans. D. jump : tumble
Q2. Two characteristics of the spider.
Ans. Persistent and courageous.
Q3. What does “Ah me!” express?
Ans. Stress/worry.
Q4. Why can readers relate to this extract?
Ans. Because everyone faces failures but hopes for success through persistence.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. How does the first stanza set the mood of the poem?
Ans. It shows the King’s despair and hopelessness, creating a mood of failure and sadness.
Q2. Describe how King Bruce’s attitude changes.
Ans. At first he is discouraged, but after watching the spider’s determination, he gains courage and succeeds.
Q3. Why does the poet describe every action of the spider?
Ans. To highlight patience, detail, and persistence as a lesson for readers.
Q4. How does the spider inspire us?
Ans. By showing that repeated effort and perseverance can overcome despair.
Q5. Explain: “Failures are stepping stones to success.”
Ans. Each failure teaches us and brings us closer to success, as shown by the spider and King Bruce.
Q6. How does the spider’s journey show that anyone can inspire us?
Ans. Even a small creature like a spider can inspire a king to overcome despair.
Language Work (Pg. 22–23)
Q1. Write opposites.
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up × down
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fast × slow
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glad × sad
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win × lose
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succeed × fail
Q2. Meanings of underlined words:
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endeavour – work very hard
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toil – work long and hard
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strive – try very hard
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braced – prepared for something difficult
Q3. Classify words for distance.
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Far: afar, remoteness, light year, yonder
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Near: vicinity, a stone’s throw, adjacent, proximity
Summary of the Poem
The poem Try Again narrates the story of King Bruce of Scotland who loses hope after repeated failures. He observes a spider failing again and again while trying to reach its web but finally succeeding after nine attempts. This inspires the King to keep trying. The poem conveys that perseverance, patience, and determination lead to success.
Biography of Eliza Cook
Eliza Cook (1818–1889) was an English poet and journalist. She was self-educated and known for her simple, inspiring verses that appealed to ordinary readers. Her poetry often carried moral lessons of hard work, courage, and perseverance. Try Again reflects her belief that persistence in the face of difficulties is the key to success.
Three Days to See – Question Answers
Before the Text (Pg. 27)
Q1. Recall a visit to a place you liked. Write the details.
Ans. (Personal – Example:) I visited a hill station with my family. I could see tall mountains, hear birds, smell fresh pine trees, taste local food, and feel the cool breeze.
Q2. How does this memory make you feel?
Ans. It makes me feel joyful and refreshed.
Q3. Do you think your experience would be different if you could not see or hear?
Ans. Yes, it would be very different. Without sight or hearing, I would miss many details, colours, sounds, and expressions.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 31–32)
Q1. Identify the true statements.
Ans.
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False
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False
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True
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True
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False
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True
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True
Q2. Complete the table of what Helen Keller wanted to do on each day.
| Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
| See the people whose kindness made life worth living, know her friends by their faces |
Arise with dawn, see sunrise, visit museums to see history of earth and man |
Go to the city, observe daily life, watch people’s expressions, understand their joys and struggles |
Q3. How is the narrator able to understand the feelings of a person though she calls the eye the ‘window of the soul’?
Ans. She touches faces and can sense emotions like laughter or sorrow through tone, expressions, and physical touch.
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 32–33)
Extract 1
Q1. What does ‘delicate symmetry of a leaf’ symbolise?
Ans. The beauty, balance, and perfection of nature.
Q2. List two phrases describing the texture of objects in nature.
Ans. “smooth skin of a silver birch,” “rough, shaggy bark of a pine.”
Q3. What does “awakening Nature after her winter’s sleep” refer to?
Ans. The arrival of spring when trees and plants bloom after winter.
Q4. What is the tone of the writer?
Ans. C. Admiring
Extract 2
Q1. Which word does not match with ‘thrilling’?
Ans. C. Knowledge
Q2. Why does the writer call the earth “sleeping earth”?
Ans. Because at night the earth seems silent and still, like asleep.
Q3. Why does the writer dedicate the day to a brief look at past and present?
Ans. To see man’s progress and learn history through museums.
Q4. Why does she use “should” many times?
Ans. Because she imagines the activities as wishes, not certainties.
Short/Long Answer Questions
Q1. Explain: “The sense of touch makes up for the loss of sight and hearing.”
Ans. Helen Keller understood the world by touching objects, faces, trees, and birds. This gave her joy and knowledge despite blindness and deafness.
Q2. Why does the author believe sight is the most wonderful sense?
Ans. Because it reveals beauty, colour, people’s expressions, nature, and life in its fullest form.
Q3. How can her opinion guide us to be kinder to people with disabilities?
Ans. By valuing our senses, we learn empathy and realise how strong differently-abled people are in overcoming challenges.
Q4. What is the significance of imagining the loss of a sense?
Ans. It helps us value our senses more and live every moment with gratitude.
Q5. How does the author encourage people to use their senses?
Ans. She asks us to use each sense as if we might lose it tomorrow, enjoying every sound, sight, smell, taste, and touch.
Q6. What do her choices for three days reveal about her values?
Ans. They show she values relationships, nature’s beauty, human progress, and understanding daily life.
Let Us Learn (Pg. 33–34)
Q1. Fill the sensory words.
| Sense |
From Text |
New Word |
| Sight |
Panorama |
Colour |
| Hearing |
Music |
Melody |
| Smell |
Perfume |
Fragrance |
| Taste |
Relish |
Sweetness |
| Touch |
Rough |
Smooth |
Q2. Identify modal verbs & functions.
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You can learn – Ability
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They might arrive – Possibility
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She must finish – Necessity/Obligation
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They ought to apologise – Moral obligation
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He would like – Polite request
Q3. Fill in blanks with modal verbs (Pg. 34–35).
(i) May I leave early today if I finish my tasks?
(ii) I must finish this report by tomorrow.
(iii) You should consider all the pros and cons.
(iv) It might rain later today.
(v) Could you pass the salt, please?
(vi) You ought to apologise for the mistake.
(vii) We shall go to any park nearby.
Summary
Three Days to See by Helen Keller describes what she would like to see if she had eyesight for three days. On the first day, she would see her loved ones. On the second day, she would see the beauty of nature and human history in museums. On the third day, she would watch the busy life of people in the city. She advises those with sight to use their eyes and senses fully, as if they might lose them tomorrow. The lesson teaches gratitude, appreciation of life, and empathy towards people with disabilities.
Biography of Helen Keller
Helen Keller (1880–1968) was an American author, activist, and lecturer. She lost her sight and hearing at 19 months but overcame her disabilities with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. She became the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree and wrote inspiring books. Her work focused on education, women’s rights, and support for people with disabilities. Her essay Three Days to See reflects her gratitude for life and her message to value our senses.
_________________________
📘 Unit 1 – Remaining Activities (Q&A)
🎧 Listening Task 1 – Five Speakers (Pg. 39)
Q1. Who said girls should get equal opportunities and freedom to choose careers?
Ans. The Father (Speaker i).
Q2. Who said many girls earlier could not attend school but today things have changed?
Ans. The Grandmother (Speaker ii).
Q3. Who explained that school teaches hands-on skills, dignity of labour, and vocational choices?
Ans. The Teacher (Speaker iii).
Q4. Who expressed joy of learning and companionship in school?
Ans. The Student (Speaker iv).
Q5. Who advised all students to attend regularly and focus on learning, not gender differences?
Ans. The Principal (Speaker v).
🎧 Listening Task 2 – The Ant Story (Pg. 40–41)
Q1. What was the ant known for?
Ans. Determination and never-give-up attitude.
Q2. Why was the ant unable to take the roti home?
Ans. Because it was too heavy to carry alone.
Q3. What was the bird doing?
Ans. Building a nest.
Q4. How did the bird inspire the ant?
Ans. By not giving up despite difficulties.
Q5. How did the fellow ants help?
Ans. They joined together and lifted the crumb with teamwork.
Q6. What is the moral of the story?
Ans. Teamwork and perseverance help us achieve success.
🎧 Listening Task 3 – Mother–Son Conversation (Pg. 41–42)
Q1. Who was the new student Anuj talked about?
Ans. Tara, a visually impaired student using Braille.
Q2. What did Anuj think Digital India was about?
Ans. He thought it was only about learning computers.
Q3. What did the mother explain about Digital India?
Ans. It provides inclusive digital infrastructure and services, including assistive technologies.
Q4. What is a screen reader?
Ans. Software that reads text aloud from computers and smartphones for the visually impaired.
Q5. What change did Anuj feel after learning this?
Ans. He felt proud of his school for including Tara and realised visually impaired people can be independent.
Q6. What final message did the mother give?
Ans. Inclusion is not just about tools, but also about the right mindset.
🗣️ Speaking Activities (Pg. 13, 25, 36)
Q1. What advice should be given if a girl wants to play football but the school has only a boys’ team?
Ans. “You should talk to the school authorities. Girls should also be allowed to play.”
Q2. What advice for someone weak in Mathematics due to nervousness?
Ans. “You should practise regularly and stay calm in exams.”
Q3. Advice for a student who enjoys music but lacks practice time?
Ans. “You must manage your time better and dedicate some time to practice daily.”
Q4. Advice for someone unable to see the blackboard clearly?
Ans. “You should sit in the front rows or get your eyesight checked.”
✍️ Writing Tasks (Pg. 14–15, 25–26, 36–37)
Q1. Why do the girls look happy in the poster? (Pg. 14)
Ans. Because they are attending school and getting education.
Q2. Relation between dignity and happiness?
Ans. Education gives dignity (self-respect), and dignity brings happiness.
Q3. How does a nation prosper when daughters are happy?
Ans. Educated and happy girls contribute to progress in family, society, and nation.
Q4. Write a descriptive paragraph about a recent place you visited. (Pg. 36)
Ans. (Personal example – Taj Mahal)
“The Taj Mahal looked magnificent under the sunlight. The white marble sparkled, the Yamuna flowed nearby, and I heard guides explaining its history. The air smelt fresh with flowers. I felt proud to witness such beauty.”
Q5. Write a letter to cousin on overcoming difficulties. (Pg. 25–26)
Sample:
20, Rajendra Nagar
Jeevanpur
23 August 20XX
Dear Monika,
I hope you are well. I want to share my plan to overcome difficulties. First, I will stay calm and patient. Next, I will try different methods instead of giving up. Then, I will seek help from my teachers and friends. Finally, I will keep trying until I succeed. Remember, failures are stepping stones to success. Never quit—keep trying!
Yours affectionately,
Deepa
🔎 Explore/Projects (Pg. 13–15, 37–38)
Q1. Why are rivers in India considered sacred?
Ans. Because they provide life, water, fertility, and are worshipped in tradition. Most are seen as goddesses.
Q2. Name some government schemes for girl education.
Ans. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Balika Samridhi Yojana, Samagra Shiksha Scheme, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya.
Q3. What is Braille? Who invented it?
Ans. A tactile system of raised dots for reading and writing used by visually impaired people. It was invented by Louis Braille.
Q4. What is Indian Sign Language (ISL)?
Ans. A visual language using hand gestures and expressions used by hearing-impaired people in India.
