Afternoon on a Hill
a) What are the few things that the poet will see while standing on a hill in the afternoon?
Ans: The poet will see cliffs, clouds, the wind bowing down the grass, and the grass rising again.
b) When will the grass bow down and rise again?
Ans: The grass will bow down when the wind blows over it and rise again after the wind passes.
c) What will the poet do on the hill in the afternoon?
Ans: The poet will touch a hundred flowers without picking any, look at cliffs and clouds peacefully, and observe the beauty of nature.
d) When will the poet go home?
Ans: The poet will go home when lights begin to appear in the town below.
e) Why do you think the poet will not pick any flowers?
Ans: The poet will not pick any flowers because she wants to enjoy nature without harming or disturbing it.
2. Write down the stanza from the poem that you like the most:
Ans:
I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
3. Read the following explanations of the three stanzas of the poem given below. Identify and write the stanza number next to each explanation:
Explanation 1: The poet will look at cliffs and clouds and watch how the grass bows down because of the wind and rises again the next moment.
Ans: Stanza 2
Explanation 2: The lights will begin to show up from the town when it gets dark. The poet will identify the light that belongs to her place and return home.
Ans: Stanza 3
4. Match the following:
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| The poet | will be on a hill in the afternoon. |
| A lot of flowers | are in the hill. |
| The grass | bows down and rises again. |
| Lights | show up from the town. |
5. Discuss with your friends what you have understood from the poem and share with your class.
In this group work, you should discuss with your friends the central themes of the poem, which include the joy of being one with nature, the beauty of observing nature without disturbing it, and the sense of peace the poet feels while standing on the hill. You can also talk about the poet's decision to not pick any flowers, representing respect for nature. After the discussion, share your thoughts and understanding with the class.
6. Write the rhyming words from the poem for the ones given below:
DA - "sun"
brown - "down"
skies - "rise"
run - "one"
7. Read the following phrases from the poem:
cliffs and Clouds
Watch the wind
mark which must be mine
Here, the poet has used a literary device called alliteration for special effect.
Alliteration: Alliteration is a literary device. It is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of two or more words.
Now, write down a few sets of words using alliteration. One is done for you.
a) tall towers
b) peaceful path
c) silent sea
d) bright blue
e) wild wind
8.a) "I will be the gladdest thing Under the sun!"
These two lines from the poem say that nature gives happiness to the poet. Besides happiness, nature gives us a lot of other things like peace, calmness, inspiration, beauty, a sense of freedom, and connection to the environment.
Ans: Peace, calmness, inspiration, beauty, freedom, connection to the environment.
b) "Watch the wind bow down the grass And the grass rise."
The poet derives immense pleasure by looking at nature. Observe nature around you. What attracts you?
Ans: Nature around me attracts me in many ways, like the sound of birds chirping in the early morning, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze, the vibrant flowers blooming in the garden, and the calm flow of a nearby river. I am also drawn to the beauty of the sky at sunset, with its orange and pink hues, and the peacefulness that fills the atmosphere.
9. Look at the picture and write a description about it. You can use the ideas given in the box:
Ans: The picture shows a beautiful sunrise, a breathtaking view of nature at its best. The sky is filled with vibrant colours, from soft oranges to brilliant yellows, as the sun rises slowly above the horizon. The air is crisp and fresh, with birds chirping in the distance, adding to the serenity of the moment. The bright sunny morning brings a new sense of hope and positivity. Flowers in bloom add to the charm of the landscape, with their colours contrasting beautifully with the green grass. The flowing water in a nearby stream reflects the first rays of sunlight, making the scene even more enchanting. It's truly a perfect example of the beauty of nature.
10. Find words related to nature in the grid and encircle them. One is done for you.
Words related to nature in the grid:
WIND
GRASS
TREE
SUN
WATER
Now, make sentences using each word:
WIND: The wind gently blew through the trees, making the leaves rustle softly.
GRASS: The children ran barefoot on the soft green grass in the park.
TREE: The tree provided shade during the hot summer afternoon.
SUN: The sun rose early this morning, casting a golden glow over the hills.
WATER: The river water flowed smoothly, reflecting the blue sky above.
11.a) In group, discuss with your friend how you can take care of nature. You can use the ideas given in the cards.
Ans:To take care of nature, we can start by planting and nurturing trees to increase greenery and reduce pollution. We should also focus on preserving water by using it wisely and avoiding wastage. It's important to dispose of garbage in proper bins to prevent littering and pollution in the environment. Another simple yet effective way to contribute is by switching off the lights when not in use, conserving energy. Lastly, instead of using vehicles, we can start walking to nearby places, which will help reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier planet.
12. a) Draw a scenery:
(As this is a drawing activity, you can draw a simple nature scene — for example: a hill, a tree, some flowers, the sun, birds in the sky, and a flowing river.)
b) Describe the picture to your friend without showing it:
Ans:
I have drawn a big green hill in the center of the page. On top of the hill, there is a bright yellow sun. Near the hill, there is a tree with green leaves and a brown trunk. Below the hill, there are many colorful flowers. On the right side, a blue river is flowing. In the sky, there are a few white clouds and two birds flying.
13. a) Let's read these words aloud:
hill, cliff, rise, thing, lights, pick, wind, mine
b) Sort the words based on the pronunciation of the letter ‘i’.
Box A (‘i’ as in ‘hill’)
Ans:
hill
cliff
thing
pick
wind (when pronounced as /wɪnd/ - noun) LanguageResources
Box B (‘i’ as in ‘rise’)
Ans:
rise
lights
mine
wind (when pronounced as /waɪnd/ - verb)
14. Word Classes from the Poem:
a) Noun (a naming word):
Ans: hill, flowers, cliffs, clouds, wind, grass, town, light
b) Pronoun (a word used instead of a noun):
Ans: I, it, one
c) Adjective (a word that describes a person or a thing):
Ans: gladdest, quiet, hundred
d) Verb (a word that expresses state or action):
Ans: touch, look, watch, bow, rise, show, mark, start
15. a) Comparative and Superlative Degrees of Adjectives:
| Positive Degree | Comparative Degree | Superlative Degree |
|---|---|---|
| cold | colder | coldest |
| light | lighter | lightest |
| clean | cleaner | cleanest |
| bright | brighter | brightest |
| tall | taller | tallest |
Here are the completed answers for activity 15 (b, c) and 16 based on your textbook:
15. b) Complete the following table:
Positive Degree Comparative Degree Superlative Degree
quiet quieter quietest
safe safer safest
slow slower slowest
15. c) Picture Comparison and Nature Protection (Discuss with your friend):
Ans: I like Picture 1 more because it is greener, cleaner, and looks safer for living beings. The environment in this picture appears more peaceful and beautiful.
Ways to protect nature:
Plant more trees, keep our surroundings clean, use dustbins, reduce plastic use, and conserve water and electricity.
16. Use of 'will' in future tense (from poem):
Ans: The lines from the poem use "will" to express actions that the speaker plans to do in the future, such as being glad, touching flowers, watching the wind, and returning home.
The word "will" is used to talk about future events or intentions. Sometimes, "shall" is also used, especially with "I" or "we"
17. Listening Activity (Fill in the blanks)
Note: These answers should be filled after listening to the teacher's reading from page no. 22. But here’s a typical example response based on a common art competition announcement format:
a) The art competition will be held on the occasion of Children’s Day.
b) The theme of the competition is Nature and Environment.
c) The competition will start at 10:00 a.m.
d) The students have to bring the necessary drawing materials.
e) The school authority will provide only drawing sheets.
f) Three winners from each group will be awarded.
