In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at night. Why?
In desert lands, moisture is absent during the day. The moisture present in the air acts as blanket that protects the earth's surface from the harmful UV rays of the sun but the moisture in the air is absent in desert. Therefore, the moisture land gets heat up very rapidly during the day due to the sun's rays and cools down rapidly at night.
How do the smaller desert animals fulfil their need for water?
A camel can do without water for days together. What is the reason given in the text?
The phrases on the left in the following box occur in the text. Match each of them with a phrase on the right.
(i) an endless stretch of sand ---- fertile place with water and plants in a desert
(ii) waterless and without ----not visible because the grass shelter is thick
(iii) an oasis ----nothing but sand as far as one can see
(iv) hidden by a cover of grass ----no water and no shade
1. From the first paragraph
(i) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is;
(ii) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see it. Which do you think is an apt description, and why?
How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
1. The story of an ant’s life sounds almost untrue. The italicised phrase means
(i) highly exaggerated.
(ii) too remarkable to be true.
(iii) not based on facts.
The enclosure in which Kari lived had a thatched roof that lay on thick tree stumps. Examine the illustration of Kari’s pavilion on page 8 and say why it was built that way. ephant to learn?
What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?
Whom does Golu ask, “Why don’t you ever fly like other birds?”
Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of following statements.
(i) Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys.
(ii) He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and animals in his shop.
(iii) He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves.
(iv) He was a successful shopowner, though insensitive and cold as a person.
Why did Abbu Khan’s goats want to run away? What happened to them in the hills?
Where did the lady find the bear cub? How did she bring it up?
“He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have bagged any game...” The phrase in italics means
(i) Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.
(ii) Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.
(iii) Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.
Mark the right answer.
What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his underground home?
Why did Golu go to the river?
Whom does Golu ask, “Why don’t you ever fly like other birds?”
Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of following statements.
(i) Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys.
(ii) He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and animals in his shop.
(iii) He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves.
(iv) He was a successful shopowner, though insensitive and cold as a person.
Kari learnt the commands to sit and to walk. What were the instructions for each command?
In what ways is an ant’s life peaceful?
_The queen ant has a pair of wings, which she casts off before she begins to lay eggs.
_Eggs hatch and become grubs, grubs change into cocoons, and cocoons break to bring forth complete ants.
_The life of an ordinary ant in the anthill is a book which many of us seldom open.
Why did Kari push his friend into the stream?
Did Kari enjoy his morning bath in the river? Give a reason for your answer.
Describe the stranger who came to the pet shop. What did he want?
Complete the following sentences.
(i) Toto climbed up the curtains when —————————
———————————————————————
(ii) ———————————————————————
————————,I became one of the tiger’s favourites.
(iii) Timothy had clean habits, —————————————
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Kari helped himself to all the bananas in the house without anyone noticing it. How did he do it?