UNIT 3

MYSTERY AND MAGIC

THE CASE OF THE FIFTH WORD

Let us do these activities before we read.
I Work in pairs. Solve the crossword puzzle given below with the clues
in the form of anagrams.

Note: An anagram is a word or phrase that is made by rearranging

the letters in a different order to make a new word or phrase. For
example, ‘Neat’ is an anagram of ‘a net’.
1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

9 10 11

12

13
Across: 3. Declare 6. Tucks 7. Heart 9. Felt
10. Sown 12. Sword 13. Evil
Down: 1. Aces 2. Read 4. Tool 5. Alps 6. Hooks
8. Mane 11. Loves
II Work in pairs. Match the different meanings of ‘case’ in Column 2 with
the correct usage in the sentences in Column 1. Share your answers with
your classmates and teacher.

Column 1 Column 2
1. Lalit said that he could not sing but that was not the case (i) writing
as he sang melodiously later. format
2. The lawyer was waiting for the case to be taken up in court. (ii) container
3. My pencil case is a gift from my grandmother. (iii) situation
4. The subject of a formal letter is written in title case. (iv) matter

Now, read the following text and find out which ‘case’ the title refers to.

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Let us read
I

Encyclopedia Brown is a young boy who lives in Idaville, USA.

His father is the Chief of Police. In spite of being so young he
often helps his father solve mysteries that even the police find
difficult to solve. Their discussions are generally held at the
dining table. Read this story to find out how the boy wonder
solves a case that has been troubling his father…
Encyclopedia’s father was Chief of Police. Everyone thought
that he must be the smartest police chief in the country. Chief
Brown was smart and quick. He didn’t sit around and worry.
When he came up against a case he couldn’t solve, he acted
at once. He cleared his desk, put on his hat, and went home
to dinner. Encyclopedia solved the case for him before dinner
was over.
Chief Brown would have liked to tell everyone about his only
child. But who would believe him? Who would believe that the
best detective alive was an eighth grader? So, he said nothing.
Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father. He
didn’t want to seem different from other boys. But there was
nickname: pet nothing he could do about his nickname. He was stuck with it.
name
Only his parents and teachers called him by his real name,
Leroy. Everyone else called him Encyclopedia.
An encyclopedia is a book or set of books filled with facts from
A to Z. So was Encyclopedia’s head. He read more books than

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anyone in Idaville, and he never forgot a fact. His pals said

he was like a library and computer rolled into one, and more
user-friendly. in a matter-of-
fact manner:
At the dinner table on Tuesday night, Chief Brown stared at without
his cream-of-mushroom soup. Encyclopedia and his mother showing much
knew what that meant. He had a mystery he could not solve. emotion

“Tim Nolan died yesterday,” he announced in a matter-of-fact hold-ups:

manner. robberies
conducted with
“That name is familiar,” Mrs. Brown said. “Wasn’t he mixed
the use of threat
up in a jewellery robbery a few years ago?” or violence
“Five years ago,” Chief Brown replied. “Two masked men held
nursery: a place
up the Diamond Mart on Sixth Avenue. They got away with a where young
million dollars worth of jewellery.” plants and trees
are grown for
“I thought Tim Nolan was arrested,” Mrs. Brown said.
sale
“He was questioned, not arrested,” Chief Brown corrected.
“I always believed that Nolan and a friend, a man named
Daniel Davenport, pulled the hold-ups. There wasn’t any
proof, though.”
Encyclopedia sat quietly. He knew his mother and father were
discussing the case for his benefit.
His father filled in the facts.
“Nolan and Davenport had met,” Chief Brown said, “while
both were in prison in South Carolina. They became friendly
because of shared interests.
Nolan was let out first.
He settled in Idaville
and started a small
palm-tree nursery. It
barely yielded him a
living.”
“Davenport came
to live with Nolan
a week before the
jewellery store
hold-up. During
the hold-up, one

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gunman’s mask slipped. A clerk thought she recognised

Nolan. But she wasn’t absolutely sure.”
testify: make “I remember now,” Mrs. Brown said. “The clerk refused to
a statement in testify against him, and no trace of the stolen jewellery ever
court to prove turned up.”
that something
is true “Davenport hasn’t been seen since the hold-up,” Chief Brown
hunch: a strong
said. “My hunch is that he and Nolan decided to hide the loot
feeling about until things cooled down.”
something “Didn’t you search Nolan’s house, dear?”
loot: stolen
“I got a court order this morning,” Chief Brown said. “Officers
goods
Lewis and Maloney just about took Nolan’s house apart. They
didn’t find one piece of the stolen jewellery.”
“Is there some mystery about Nolan’s death yesterday?”
Mrs. Brown inquired.
“Yes and no,” Chief Brown answered. “Nolan suffered from
a bad heart for many years. Yesterday morning he had a
stroke: a stroke. He must have realised he was dying. With his last
sudden serious strength, he managed to put his will on the kitchen table.
illness causing It leaves everything he owns, including his palm-tree nursery
inability to
to Davenport.”
move

Let us discuss
I Complete the following statements with suitable reasons. Share your
answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Leroy’s nickname was Encyclopedia and everyone called him by
that name because ______________.
2. At the dinner table on Tuesday night, Chief Brown stared at his
cream-of-mushroom soup as ______________.
3. Encyclopedia sat quietly at the dinner table because ______________.
4. Nolan put the will on the kitchen table because ______________.

II Do you think Chief Brown would need Leroy’s help to solve this case?
If yes, why? If no, why not?

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II
“What’s suspicious about that?” Mrs. Brown asked.
“Nothing about the will itself—just about
a sheet from his desk calendar. It was
clipped to the will,” said Chief Brown.
He took out his pocket notebook and
leafed through the pages.
“I copied what Nolan wrote on the sheet,”
he said. “Here it is.”
He handed the notebook to Mrs. Brown.
She read what he had copied. “It has Davenport’s name and
address,” she said, “and a few words I don’t understand.” will: (here) a
legal document
She handed the notebook to Encyclopedia. that says what
is to happen
“What do you make of the four words, Leroy?”
to somebody’s
Encyclopedia read the four words below Davenport’s name money and
and address: Nom Utes Sweden Hurts. property after
their death
Mrs. Brown looked at him hopefully. Usually he needed to ask
leafed
only one question to solve a case before dessert.
through:
They were still on the soup. quickly turned
(the pages)
Encyclopedia leaned back and closed his eyes when he did his
hardest thinking.
After several seconds, he opened his eyes and asked his
question. “Is there a young fir tree in Mr. Nolan’s palm-tree
nursery?” Chief Brown thought a moment. “Yes, there is… one.
On the south side of the house. How did you know?”
“The four words say so,” Encyclopedia answered.
“They do?” said Chief Brown.
“See for yourself,” Encyclopedia urged.
Chief Brown studied the four words: Nom Utes Sweden Hurts.
He shook his head and passed the notebook to Mrs. Brown
again. “Can you figure it out?”

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“Nom is a shortening of nominative, a grammatical term,”

confessed:
stated Mrs. Brown, who had taught English and other subjects
admitted in high school. “Utes
“ are an American Indian tribe. Sweden is
a country in northern Europe. Hurts is hurts.”
She lifted her gaze to Encyclopedia and
shook her head.
“I can’t figure it out,” she confessed.
“Davenport disappeared right after the
hold-up,” Encyclopedia reminded her.
“As Dad said, Davenport and Nolan must
have hidden the stolen jewellery. Probably
not a week or so ago, Nolan changed the
hiding place.”
“You think that he tried to tell Davenport by
phone and failed to reach him?” Mrs. Brown
asked. “So he wrote the four words as he was
dying?”
Chief Brown nodded. “We’ll find Davenport now
that we know his address.”
“He’ll learn he has been left the palm-tree nursery,” Mrs.
Brown said. “And the four words will tell him where the
jewellery is hidden!”
code: hidden “Right,” Encyclopedia said. “The code is simple, especially
message as it’s written on a sheet from a calendar. Davenport will
understand it easily. Still, it wouldn’t make much sense to
someone who isn’t looking for a hiding place.”
“Leroy!” Mrs. Brown exclaimed. “What do the four words
mean?”
“You already guessed, Mom. They
tell where the jewellery is hidden.”
Mrs. Brown looked ready to explode
with impatience, “Where?”
Encyclopedia smiled.
“Why, under the fifth word,” he said.
What Was The Fifth Word?

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To tell Davenport where he had hidden the stolen jewellery,

Nolan wrote a four-word code.
As the key to the code, he wrote the four words on a sheet
from a desk calendar.
The four words stood for days of the week.
Nolan dropped the letters d-a-y. Then he used the other letters
to form words.
So, Nom = Monday, Utes = Tuesday, Sweden = Wednesday and
Hurts = Thursday.
The unwritten fifth word was Fir, or Friday.
The jewellery was found inside a twenty-gallon jug of earth
foreseen:
from which grew the young fir tree in Nolan’s nursery—just predicted
as Encyclopedia had foreseen.

Donald J. Sobol
(ADAPTED)

Let us discuss
I A fact is something that can be proven true or false. A fact is not based
on people’s beliefs. An opinion on the other hand is a belief, feeling,
or judgement, and can vary from one person to another. An opinion
cannot be proven.

Identify which of the following statements from part I and II of the

story are facts or opinions. One example has been done for you. Share
your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Encyclopedia’s father was the Chief of Police. Fact
2. Everyone thought that Chief Brown must be the smartest police
chief in the country.
3. An encyclopedia is a book or set of books filled with facts from
A to Z.
4. Leroy’s friends said that he was like a library and computer rolled
into one, and more user-friendly.
5. Two masked men held up the Diamond Mart on Sixth Avenue.
6. Nolan and Davenport had met while both were in prison in
South Carolina.

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7. Chief Brown’s hunch was that Davenport and Nolan decided to hide
the loot until things cooled down.
8. Nolan wrote a four words code to tell Davenport where he had hidden
the stolen jewellery.

II Complete the table by choosing the character traits of Leroy given in the
box below. There is an extra word that you do not need. One example
has been done for you.

cleverness knowledgeable keen

listener gentle humble

Textual Evidences Traits

1. He read more books than anyone in knowledgeable

Idaville, and he never forgot a fact.

2. Encyclopedia never spoke of the help

he gave his father. He didn’t want to
seem different from other boys.

3. Encyclopedia sat quietly. He knew his

mother and father were discussing the
case for his benefit.

4. Usually, he needed to ask only one

question to solve a case before dessert.

Let us think and reflect

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. Chief Brown would have liked to tell everyone about his only child. But
who would believe him? Who would believe that the best detective alive
was an eighth grader? So, he said nothing.
Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father. He didn’t want
to seem different from other boys. But there was nothing he could do
about his nickname. He was stuck with it.
Only his parents and teachers called him by his real name, Leroy. Everyone
else called him Encyclopedia.

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(i) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.

Chief Brown’s dilemma can be called unique because____________.
(ii) What can be inferred about why Encyclopedia never spoke of the
help he gave his father?
A. He is shy and lacks confidence in his abilities to share his
insights.
B. He wants to avoid the jealousy others might feel about his
skills.
C. He desires to blend with the other boys to prevent seeming
different.
D. He is embarrassed about being smarter than most adults
around him.
(iii) The parents choose not to call their son ‘Encyclopedia’. Select the
reason that is false.
A. For them he is more than his unique abilities; he is their child,
with a personal identity.
B. Calling him by his real name reflects their affection and the
desire to acknowledge him as an ordinary boy.
C. They want him to be remembered as different from the others
around.
(iv) What does the writer mean by the fact that Leroy was ‘stuck with’
the name Encyclopedia?

2. Chief Brown studied the four words: Nom Utes Sweden Hurts. He shook
his head and passed the notebook to Mrs. Brown again. “Can you figure
it out?”
“Nom is a shortening of nominative, a grammatical term,” stated
Mrs. Brown, who had taught English and other subjects in high school.
“Utes is an American Indian tribe. Sweden is a country in northern
Europe. Hurts is hurts.”
She lifted her gaze to Encyclopedia and shook her head.
“I can’t figure it out,” she confessed.
“Davenport disappeared right after the hold-up,” Encyclopedia reminded
her.
(i) What does Chief Brown’s reaction of shaking his head suggest
about his understanding of the four words?

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A. He is confident that the words are a clue.

B. He is confused, unable to make sense of the words.
C. He believes the words are random and meaningless.
D. He thinks the words are unrelated to the case.
(ii) Identify whether the given statement is true or false.
Mrs. Brown explained the actual meanings of the individual words
rather than decoding the hidden message behind them.
(iii) What does Mrs. Brown’s inability to decode the words suggest
about the message?
(iv) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The purpose of Encyclopedia’s reminder in the last line of the
extract was to _________________. (refocus the discussion on the
context of the crime/suggest that the coded message was meant
for Davenport/imply that the message was likely a clue about the
location of the stolen jewellery)

II Answer the following questions.

1. Nolan and Davenport were very close. Support this statement with
evidence from the text.
2. Why did Davenport disappear right after the jewellery hold-up? What
might his plans have been if, Nolan had not died?
3. What does Mrs. Brown’s interest in the case tell us about her?
4. Explain why Chief Brown was proud of his son.
5. Why were Chief Brown’s suspicions regarding Nolan and Davenport
justified, even when there was a lack of concrete proof?
6. Analyse the role of the four-word coded message in the story.
7. Write a character sketch on Leroy with the help of the character traits
table given in ‘Let us discuss’ section.
You may begin it like this:
Encyclopedia was a knowledgeable eighth grader who never forgot a
fact that he read.

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Let us learn

I Match the phrasal verbs from the text given in Column 1 with their
meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Column 1 Column 2

1. put on (i) appeared, been discovered

2. cooled down (ii) solve a problem

3. turned up (iii) became normal or calmed

4. make of (iv) wear (clothes, hat, etc.)

5. figure out (v) escaped without being punished

6. got away with (vi) have an idea or understanding of something

Now, fill in the blanks with the phrasal verbs given in Column 1.
A. Finally, some important evidence about the case has _______________.
B. After I _______________, I understood that I had made a big mistake.
C. I couldn’t _______________ why he was angry with me.
D. He _______________ his special coat and went to his friend’s birthday
party.
E. Ravi forgets to do his homework but he _______________ it as teacher
didn’t ask for it that day.
F. I do not know what to _______________ his behaviour.

II Fill in the blanks in the following sentences by choosing the correct word
pairs from the box given below.

week/weak dying/dyeing fore/four

peace/piece break/brake

1. After running for 50 kilometres last _________________, I felt

_________________ for two days.
2. When the committee met yesterday, they brought _________________
local cases to the _________________.

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3. While learning to drive, Rina used too much force on the

_________________, causing the car to _________________ down.
4. He has composed a beautiful _________________ of music in order to
bring _________________ to thousands of people.
5. She was busy _________________ her hair not caring about the
_________________ flowers in her garden.

III Leroy solved the mystery of the missing fifth word with his critical
thinking abilities. Work in pairs to solve the puzzles given in the
illustrations below and infer what they say. One example has been done
for you.

Answer: Top secret

SECRET

SECRET

SECRET

It
stand It
AGED AGED AGED Try
2
uu GO
It
It

ONCE R
sense sense
O
sense sense M1LLION R O A D S
sense sense D
S

IV Spoonerism is a mistake made when speaking, where the first sounds

of the words in a phrase or a sentence are exchanged with each other.
This usually gives a funny meaning.

Some examples of spoonerism are saying ‘wrong load’

instead of ‘long road’, ‘round of mice’ instead of
‘mound of rice’.

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Find the correct order for the following spoonerisms.

1. knowing sits 2. it’s roaring with pain.
3. plaster man 4. blarm wanket
5. tars and crucks 6. shake a tower
7. bead a rook 8. mardon me padam

V Read the following sentences from the text and study the highlighted
words.
1. Everyone thought that he must be the smartest police chief in
the country.
2. She read what he had copied.
3. They tell where the jewellery is hidden.
4. “Nom is a shortening of nominative, a grammatical term,” stated Mrs.
Brown, who had taught English and other subjects in high school.
5. “Nolan and Davenport had met,” Chief Brown said, “while both were
in prison in South Carolina.”
6. When he came up against a case he couldn’t solve,
he acted at once.
7. The code is simple, especially as it’s written on a sheet from
a calendar.
8. They became friendly because of shared interests.
9. Encyclopedia solved the case for him before dinner was over.

Now, fill in the blanks with the words in the box given below to complete
the following sentences. There are two extra words that you do not need.

where why who though which

when because whose if how

Detective stories are exciting, keeping readers guessing (i) ____________

the real culprit is. They take place in settings (ii) ____________ clues are
hidden carefully. (iii) ____________ the mystery seems tricky, a clever
detective always finds answers. Readers often wonder (iv) ____________
criminals leave small but important clues. The challenge is to decide
(v) ____________ suspect is guilty. (vi) ____________ the truth is revealed,
everything makes sense. But one may wonder (vii) ____________ they
could have solved it themselves. These stories are fun (viii) ____________
they make readers think till the very end.
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VI Combine the following pairs of sentences using the word given in

brackets. One example has been done for you.
1. We gave him the signal. He was waiting for the signal. (that)
Answer: We gave him the signal that he was waiting for.
2. We went to a place. The incident occurred there. (where)
3. Teacher said she would retire soon. She is now nearly sixty. (who)
4. It was the day. Half the class was absent. (when)

VII Read the following sentences from the text.

1. “What’s suspicious about that?” Mrs. Brown asked.
2. “What do you make of the four words, Leroy?”
3. “Wasn’t he mixed up in a jewellery robbery a few years ago?”
4. “Didn’t you search Nolan’s house, dear?”
5. “Is there a young fir tree in Mr. Nolan’s palm-tree nursery?”

The given sentences are the direct words of the speaker, hence, they are
in direct speech.

While reporting these direct words to someone else at some other time
and some other place, we make certain modifications in person, tense,
and adverbs of place and time.

Tense Changes (Time Shift)

• Present Past • Past Progressive Past

• Past Past Perfect Perfect Progressive
• Past Perfect No change • Present Perfect Past Perfect
• Present Progressive • Present Modal (e.g., will)
Past Progressive Past Modal (e.g., would)
• Past Modal No change

Pronoun Changes (Subject-Perspective Shift)

• I she/he • your her/his/their

• you (singular) she/he • me her/him
• you (plural) us • us them
• we they • mine hers/his
• my her/his • ours theirs
• our their • yours hers/his/theirs

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Time and Place Changes

• now then
• ago before
• today that day
• tomorrow the following day
• yesterday the day before
• next week/month/year the following week/month/year
• here there
• this that
• these those

There are two types of Interrogative sentences. They are Wh– questions
and Yes/No questions.

Steps for Reporting Wh– questions and Yes/No questions

1. Replace the reporting verb ‘said’ with words like ‘asked’, ‘inquired’
‘interrogated’, or ‘questioned’.
2. Convert the interrogative sentence into a declarative one.
3. Apply the appropriate tense shift as per the rules of tense changes.
4. Remove quotation marks and the question mark.
5. Omit the conjunction ‘that’ in the reported speech.
6. In Wh– questions, place the Wh– word immediately after the reporting
verb in the reported speech.
7. In Yes/No questions, use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ immediately after the
reporting verb in the reported speech.

Now, follow these steps to transform the sentences given as examples

from direct speech to indirect speech.

Indirect Speech
(i) Mrs. Brown asked ______________________________________________.
(ii) Mrs. Brown questioned Leroy __________________________________.
(iii) Mrs. Brown inquired __________________________________________.
(iv) Mrs. Brown asked Chief Brown ________________________________.
(v) Mrs. Brown inquired ___________________________________________.

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VIII Rewrite the following sentences in Reported Speech.

1. “Why did you stop talking to me?” asked Rohan.
Rohan questioned __________________________________________________.
2. “Did you enjoy the family gathering yesterday?” asked my aunt.
My aunt asked ______________________________________________________.
3. “When will you visit us again?” asked my grandmother.
My grandmother inquired _________________________________________.
4. Madavi said to Ravi, “Will you come with me to meet our old teacher
tomorrow?” asked Madavi.
Madavi asked Ravi __________________________________________________.
5. My friend said, “What gift are you planning to give your brother?”
My friend inquired _________________________________________________.
6. “Shall I carry these notebooks to the staffroom, Ma’am?” asked Veenu.
Veenu asked her teacher ____________________________________________.

IX Read the conversation between Aditi and Rahul.

ADITI: Did you see anyone leave

a package near the lift?

RAHUL: I noticed a man wearing

a blue jacket drop it off.

ADITI: What time did you see

this happen?

RAHUL: It was around 6:45 p.m.

ADITI: Were you able to see his
face?

RAHUL: He wore a hood and so I

couldn’t see his face.

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Complete the following paragraph by transforming the dialogue in

indirect speech.

Aditi asked Rahul 1. ___________________________________________________.

Rahul replied that he had noticed a man wearing a blue jacket drop it off.

Aditi asked Rahul 2. ___________________________________________________.

Rahul replied that it had been around 6.45 p.m.

Aditi further inquired 3. _______________________________________________.

Rahul said that he had worn a hood, so he couldn’t see his face.

Let us listen

I You will listen to a podcast about ways of improving observation skills.

As you listen, mark the statements 1–4 as true or false. (Transcript for
teacher on page 151)
1. Observation skills help improve your common sense.
2. Rushing through tasks helps you focus better and
observe more.
3. Taking notes or making sketches helps with what you
observe.
4. Incorporating tips on observation skills will soon lead to
success.

II You will once again listen to the podcast. As you listen, complete the
given sentences by filling in the blanks with one to three exact words
you hear.
1. It is important to slow down and ___________________ to notice several
aspects around you more clearly.
2. The more senses like hearing and smelling you use, the more
___________________ you absorb.
3. People who are ___________________ tend to be better observers because
they seek to understand what they notice.
4. When you make a note of things, it helps reinforce the ________________
in your memory.
5. Practising mindfulness helps a person stay ___________________ with
their surroundings.

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Let us speak

I Read the following words from the text loudly with the help of
pronunciation guide given in brackets.

jewellery (jool-ree) clerk (claak) dessert (dih-zuht)—a sweet dish

Now, practise reading the following words.

January (ja-nyoo-uh-ree) sour (sau-uh) pizza (peet-zaa)

Wednesday (wenz-day) bowl (bol) buffet (buh-fay)
pronunciation (pruh-nuhn-see-ay-shn)

II Work in groups of five or six. Conduct a group discussion on the topic,

‘The Interesting Aspects of a Mystery Story’.

Guidelines
• The moderator initiates the discussion inviting
the speakers to share their views on the subject.
• The speakers take turns to put forth their
viewpoint using polite expressions to agree
or disagree.
• The speakers may interrupt by raising their
hands to add or clarify a point.
• The moderator ensures equal participation of all the members in the
group, consolidates views, and calls upon other speakers to respond.
• The moderator sums up the points of discussion, suggests guidelines
for future action and thanks the members of the group.
Note: Choose a moderator. Decide upon the duration of the discussion.

Phrases for Turn-taking

• If I may say something…
• May I draw the attention of this group…
• If I may interrupt…
• Sorry for this interruption…
• I would like to add to what (speaker) mentioned a few minutes
ago…

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Phrases for Expressing Agreement Phrases for Expressing Disagreement

• I’m totally in agreement with that... • I’m afraid I don’t agree…
• That’s absolutely true. • Not quite so...
• There’s no question about that… • I’m sorry, but I don’t quite agree…
• I fully agree… • Maybe I’m wrong…
• I am with (speaker) on this… • If you look at it this way, then…

Let us write

I A report is written for an event that has already occurred. The purpose
of a report is to provide first-hand details of an incident or event.
It presents the information in a proper sequence.

Read the sample report written about the ‘Inter-school Football

Tournament’ organised by your Vidyalaya.

Note the format, content, and language used.

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Inter-school Football Tournament by Title—Byline

__________________________ (Reporter’s Name and
Class)

An Inter-school Football Tournament Paragraph 1:

was organised by our Vidyalaya from • What
21 April 20XX to 24 April 20XX at Motinagar
• Who
Football Ground. Ten teams participated in the
• When
tournament.
• Where
Note: use of past tense,
for example, organised,
participated, etc.

The tournament was declared open by the Paragraphs 2 and 3:

Chief Guest, Dr. Singh, Honorary Sports • Description of the event
Secretary of the State, on Wednesday, 21 April in detail
20XX in the presence of all the teams and Note:
spectators from the participating schools. The
(i) use sequence
matches were held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
markers: following,
on all the days of the tournament. Following a after, subsequently,
tough competition, the teams from ABC Senior finally
Secondary School and XYZ Senior Secondary
(ii) use of passive form:
School emerged as the finalists.
was declared, were
For the final match, players from both these held, were cheered,
teams were cheered by students from their etc.
respective schools. After an exciting match, the
score was tied at 3–3. Subsequently, a penalty
shootout was used as tie breaker by the referee
to decide the winner. Finally, the team from
ABC Senior Secondary School won the penalty
shootout and was declared the winner.

The winning team was awarded with a trophy, Paragraph 4:

medals, and certificates by the Chief Guest. • Prize giving ceremony
Addressingthestudents,hesaid,“Allofyoumust
• Remarks by the Chief
take up a sport to keep yourself healthy.” The
Guest
inter-school football tournament was a great
success, showcasing exceptional talent,
teamwork, and sportsmanship among the
participating teams.

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 Mystery and Magic

Now, as a member of the Art and Craft Club, write a report on an ‘Inter-school
Art Exhibition’ organised by your school. Include the necessary details.

Let us explore

I Work in pairs. Read the words and observe the images given below.
Check if your answers match. Share your answers with your classmates
and teacher.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

These are optical illusions which may trick the eye and make you think
that you can see two different things.

II Read the steps to play a language game—Name the Mystery Object.

1. Divide the class into teams.
2. Each team chooses an object and prepares three hints to enable the
other teams to name the object.
3. Each team takes turns to name the object given by the other team.
4. If a team names the object with the first hint, they get 20 points, with
the second hint 10 points, and with the third hint 5 points.

One example with three hints:

(i) I display information for all to share, with a swipe I’m clean and bare.
(ii) I am rectangular or a square, whom neither teacher nor student can
spare.
(iii) I am mostly black, sometimes green, now in white too I am seen.

III Visit the library and look for an encyclopedia. What is it? Check how it
is different from a dictionary. Share your answers with your classmates
and teacher.

IV A thesaurus is a reference book or digital tool that provides a collection

of words with similar meanings, allowing users to find alternative words
or phrases to express the same idea. Choose any five words and find out
their alternative words from the thesaurus.
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 THE MAGIC BRUSH OF DREAMS

Let us do these activities before we read.

I Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. Share your answers with
your classmates and teacher.
1. Mention a magical object that you would like to have. Give a reason
for your choice.
2. What would you draw for yourself, if you had a magic paint brush?
Why?
3. Would you use the magic paint brush to draw for someone else? If yes,
why? If no, why not?

II Work in pairs. Discuss instances of acts of kindness that you have heard,
read, or experienced. Share your answers with your classmates and
teacher.
III Work in pairs and guess the meanings of the words given below and
draw pictures depicting their meanings. Share with your classmates and
teacher.

paintbrush joy fortress feast fear

winding twig bows drawing cold

Now, arrange these words into different categories

as given below.

Things: .................................................................

.................................................................

Actions: .................................................................

.................................................................

Emotions: .................................................................

.................................................................

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 Mystery and Magic

Let us read
“Go and gather wild beans, Gopi,
Go and fetch some rice.
Go and pluck the mangoes
And bring home something nice.”

Gopi sits beneath the banyan,

A twig is in her hand.
She sits there drawing pictures,
Pictures in the sand.

The winds blow by and sweeps away

The pictures in the sand.

But on a stone there sits a man,

A brush is in his hand.

He looks around. He calls to Gopi.

“Come here!” he whispers. “Hush!
We mustn’t let the village know
About this magic brush.”

He slips the brush into her hand

And tells her to be sure,
“Paint not for the wealthy ones,
But only for the poor.”

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 Poorvi

“Did you gather wild beans, Gopi?

Did you fetch some rice?
Did you pluck the mangoes
And bring home something nice?”

“No beans, no rice, no mangoes!”

Gopi grins and runs inside.
She paints a bowl of khichdi
and waits,
Until the paint has dried.

“The bowl is full of khichdi, Gopi!”

Into the house the villagers streamed
The young and old all wish to see
The magic brush of dreams.

She paints a muffler for a farmer,

A plough for another man,
A shawl for a grandmother,
And for a girl, a fan.

And soon the news spreads far and wide,

Through forests, fields, and plains,
Until the Zamindar himself
Hears of these magic gains.

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 Mystery and Magic

“I order you to paint for me,

A fortress tall and grand.
Paint treasures, jewels, and riches rare,
Enough to rule this land.”

Gopi bows and shakes her head.

“My lord, I can’t comply.
I swore to use this magic brush
To help the needy by.”

The Zamindar roars and stamps his foot.

He bellows to his men,
“Seize this brush and seize the girl.
Throw her in the pen!”

Now Gopi waits inside the cell,

Upon a cold mud floor.
Until the Zamindar returns
And shouts through the door.

He holds the brush. He thunders loud,

“Paint my fortress tall!
Paint gold and rubies, emeralds bright,
And you shall leave this hall!”

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 Poorvi

That night the Zamindar lies in bed,

Dreaming of his gold,
While Gopi paints a winding road,
A horse both strong and bold.

The road leads out of prison gates.

The horse, she swiftly urges
Gopi leaps on and gallops fast,
Through fields and many villages.

“It’s Gopi! It’s Gopi! She’s back again!”

Say the villagers, merry and kind.
But Gopi keeps on painting still,
With the Zamindar’s men following
behind.

She paints a mighty river wide,

Its currents fast and deep.
The Zamindar and all his men
Stop short and cannot leap.

“Now should I paint a beast

To leap and chase you through?
Stop this chase or it will feast
On you, and you and you!”

The Zamindar cries, “No, no, no more!

I’ll leave, I’ll go away!”
He turns and flees; his men behind
Dare not choose to stay.

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 Mystery and Magic

Now Gopi paints for the village folk,

A feast of sweets and tea.
A courtyard bright, a band to play,
And songs of victory.

Adapted from a Folk Tale

Let us discuss
I Arrange the events in order of occurrence in the poem. The last one
has been marked for you. Share your answers with your classmates
and teacher.

1. Gopi paints a bowl of khichdi, which becomes real and

amazes the villagers.
2. The Zamindar orders Gopi to paint treasures for him.
3. Gopi is told to gather food but instead sits drawing pictures
in the sand.
4. Gopi returns to the village with the Zamindar and his men
chasing her.
5. The Zamindar throws Gopi into prison.
6. Gopi paints a road and a horse to escape.
7. Gopi uses the magic brush to paint useful items for the
villagers.
8. Gopi paints a wide river, stopping the Zamindar and his
men.
9. A man gives a magic brush to Gopi to paint only for the
poor.
10. Gopi scares the Zamindar away, and celebrates with the 10
villagers.

II Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from the box given below.

triumphant and celebratory tension and suspense

playful and innocent

The tone of the poem shifts throughout, reflecting the different moods
of the story. Initially, the tone is 1. _________________ as Gopi uses her
imagination to draw in the sand, and later when the Zamindar enters
the story, the tone shifts to one of 2. _________________. In the final part
of the poem, the tone becomes 3. _________________ as Gopi escapes, the
Zamindar is defeated, and the villagers rejoice.
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 Poorvi

III Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct option from within the brackets.

1. The poem mostly follows a simple rhyme scheme, _________________,

which adds a rhythmic flow. (ABCB, ABBA, ABAB)

2. This poem belongs to the _________________ poetry genre, which tells a

story through verse. (descriptive, narrative or ballad, free style)

IV Give examples from the poem for the following explanations.

1. The poem is rich in imagery, creating clear pictures in the reader’s
mind. For example, ___________________.
2. What is the effect of repetition in the line—‘On you, and you and you!’?

V Match the phrases from the poem in Column 1 with what they symbolise
in Column 2.

Column 1 Column 2

1. The magic paintbrush (i) greed and the desire for wealth

2. The grand fortress (ii) barriers to protect Gopi from the

Zamindar’s anger

3. The river and the beast (iii) the power of art and imagination to
change the world

VI Identify whether the following statement is true or false.

While Gopi uses the magic brush to help others, the Zamindar wants to
use it for personal gain. This contrast drives the moral of the story.

Let us think and reflect

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions

that follow.
1. But on a stone there sits a man,
A brush is in his hand.
He looks around. He calls to Gopi.
“Come here!” he whispers. “Hush!
We mustn’t let the village know
About this magic brush.”
He slips the brush into her hand

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 Mystery and Magic

And tells her to be sure,

“Paint not for the wealthy ones,
But only for the poor.”
(i) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in
the brackets.
The man is whispering and telling Gopi to keep the brush a secret
reflects his _______________________ (careful and secretive/magical
and delightful) nature.
(ii) What is the significance of the man slipping the brush into
Gopi’s hand?
(iii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The most likely reason the man instructs Gopi to ‘Paint
not for wealthy ones but only for the poor’ is because he
_______________________.
(iv) Select the most appropriate title for the extract from the two
given below.
A. The Magic Brush’s Secret
B. Gopi’s Special Gift

2. And soon the news spreads far and wide,

Through forests, fields, and plains,
Until the Zamindar himself
Hears of these magic gains.

“I order you to paint for me,

A fortress tall and grand.
Paint treasures, jewels, and riches rare,
Enough to rule this land.”
(i) Complete the following sentence with
the correct reason.
The news of Gopi’s magic brush spreads ‘through forests, fields,
and plains’ because of its _______________________.
(ii) Why does the poet refer to things painted by Gopi’s paintbrush as
‘magic gains’?

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 Poorvi

(iii) Which of the following statements given below is false? Rectify the
false statement.
A. Gopi’s magic brush draws the attention of the powerful
Zamindar.
B. The Zamindar requests Gopi to paint a grand fortress and
jewels.
(iv) What does the Zamindar’s demand for a grand fortress and jewels
reveal about his character?

II Answer the following questions.

1. Explain why Gopi made the right decision by refusing to paint for the
Zamindar.
2. Gopi threatens to draw a beast to scare away the Zamindar. Justify her
action. How would you have dealt with the situation differently?
3. What is the significance of Gopi celebrating with the villagers at the
end of the poem?
4. Compare Gopi’s use of the magic brush to how the Zamindar would
have used it.
5. What can be inferred about Gopi’s character based on her refusal to
follow the Zamindar’s orders?
6. Justify the appropriateness of the title of the poem.
7. If you had the magic brush, how would you use it in today’s world?

Let us learn

I The verb ‘draw’ has different meanings in different contexts. Match the
sentences in Column 1 with their appropriate meanings in Column 2.

Column 1 Column 2

1. His speech drew loud applause from

(i) opened
the audience.

2. The event will draw huge crowds from

(ii) pulled out
all neighbouring places.

3. Plants draw water from the soil. (iii) got a reaction

4. I reached the station when the train

(iv) attract
was drawing into the station.

5. The room was dark, so she drew the

(v) moving
curtains to let the sunlight in.

130 6. He drew a piece of paper from the

(vi) absorb
folder.

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 Mystery and Magic

II Fill in the crossword. Clues have been given below. You will find the
words in the poem.

2
G L P

3
M
4
W T
5 6
C
7 8
H E S
9

10
Y R P U
O
11
A T

12
Z E
Y

Across Down

2. the fastest pace of a horse 1. runs away from a place

4. happen fast 3. possessing a great deal of strength
7. speaks very softly or power
10. take hold of (something) and 5. a deep loud shout in pain or anger
quickly remove it from its place 6. to act according to rules
11. having a lot of money; rich 8. moved in a continuous flow in a
12. take hold of something suddenly specified direction
and forcibly 9. a win after overcoming an enemy

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 Poorvi

III There are certain expressions that convey a sudden feeling or reaction.
They can be used to express a variety of emotions and thoughts.
Example: ... he whispers. “Hush!”
(‘Hush’ denotes the act of silencing someone)
Now, match the expressions in Column 1 with what emotions or reactions
they convey, in Column 2.

Column 1 Column 2

1. Phew! (i) surprise

2. Eek! (ii) pain

3. Ouch! (iii) mistake

4. Yippee! (iv) attract attention

5. Whoa! (v) relief

6. Oops! (vi) delight

7. Hey! (vii) alarm

Now, create sentences using any five expressions from Column 1.

Let us listen

I You will listen to five speakers speak about a magical power they wish
for. As you listen, match statements 1–7 with speakers (i)–(v). There are
two statements you do not need. (Transcript for teacher on page 152 )

Statments Speaker No.

1. Power of healing ailments

2. Ability to end poverty in the world

3. Power to control the weather as per need

4. Ability to make wise business decisions

5. Power to predict one’s own future clearly

6. Ability to remember information quickly

7. Power to move around without using vehicles

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 Mystery and Magic

Let us speak

I Intonation is the rise and fall of the pitch of tone while speaking.

The ‘falling’ tone is the fall in the pitch of the voice from a high level
to a low level. It is marked [ ]. The falling tone is generally used in
imperative sentences. Such sentences are used in speech for different
communicative purposes— to express a command or an instruction, to
ask for a favour or to give a warning.

Read the following sentences from the text with the falling tone.
• Come here!
• Seize this magic brush…
• Paint my fortress tall!
• Go and fetch some rice.

II Work in pairs. Take turns to make requests for the following formal and
informal situations.
Formal Requests

Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3

You request your You request your You request your

teacher to organise a class teacher for an Activity incharge
class picnic. extra sports period, teacher to include
since you missed it you in the upcoming
last week. inter-school event.

Informal Requests

Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3

You request your You request your You request your

sibling to help you mother to enroll you cousin to come
with the completion in a dance class. over to spend the
of your project. weekend with you.

You may use the following phrases when you make the request.

Formal Informal

• Would you mind if… • Can/Will you…

• Do you think you could… • Do you mind if…
• I would like to… • By any chance do you know…
• Would it be possible… • I was wondering if…

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 Poorvi

Let us write

I Imaginative essay is a type of creative writing where the writers use

their imagination. An imaginative essay can be based on real-life
events, observation, or experiences. It is usually a descriptive piece or a
personal reflection.

Read the sample of an imaginative essay.

My Life as EcoFlash

Imagine an ordinary 13-year-old student who is also a

secret superhero protecting the environment. That’s my
life as EcoFlash! By day, I’m Meenu, an ordinary Grade
8 student. By evening, I use my powers to keep my
neighbourhood green and clean.

As EcoFlash, I have the ability to grow plants, purify

water, and clean polluted air with a wave of my hand.
I wear a green suit with a glowing leaf symbol and carry
a small seed pouch that holds magic seeds to restore
damaged areas. My mission is to fight pollution, save
trees, and educate people about taking care of our planet.
My friends wonder why I’m always carrying a plant in
my bag or why my shoes are muddy, but I can never tell
them the truth.
Once, my little brother saw me turning a garbage dump into a beautiful
garden and almost spilled my secret to our parents. I had to convince
him it was a magic trick!

Being EcoFlash is not just about powers but also responsibility. Every
time I see clean streets, blooming flowers, and children playing in green
parks, I feel proud. I know that even small changes can make a big
difference, and that’s what keeps me going.

II Complete the given checklist based on your observations and

understanding of what an imaginative essay includes. Share the answers
with your classmates and teacher.
1. Title — A relevant title
2. Introduction
• Captivating opening sentence to catch the reader’s attention
• Clear statement of the setting, situation, or main idea

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 Mystery and Magic

• Establishes the tone (e.g., playful, serious, and adventurous)

• Introduces the narrator briefly (if applicable)
3. Setting and Context
• Description of the setting to create a mental picture
• Clear time frame (past, present, or future)
• Brief explanation of any unique or imaginative elements (e.g.,
powers, fantasy world)
4. Characters
• Main character introduced with unique traits
• Supporting characters briefly described (if relevant)
5. Central Idea
• Clear focus on a single powerful idea or narrative
• Logical flow of events, even if the story involves imagination or
fantasy
6. Language and Style
• Use of sensory details (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste) to
enhance the narrative
• Creative metaphors or similes to enrich descriptions
7. Resolution
• Key turning point or moment of realisation
• Resolution of the main idea
• Clear takeaway message
8. Conclusion
• Ends on a reflective or thought-provoking note
• Summarises the main message or leaves the reader with a strong
final impression

III Write an imaginative essay on any one of the following.

1. Imagine you were a scarf that flew away from a clothesline. Describe
the places you travelled to and how you came back. Also write about
what you thought was the most valuable experience.
2. Imagine you stumbled upon a magical book in the library. The book
transported you to a different time period. Describe your experience
and an important learning.

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 Poorvi

Let us explore

I Have you heard of India’s famous

magician, P. C. Sorcar Sr.? He is known
as one of the ‘World’s Greatest Magician’
and performed live magic shows in
front of audiences and on television,
internationally.
He was awarded Padma Shri on 26
January 1964 for his contribution to the
world of magic.

II Words can also play tricks. Read the

riddles about things that seem to be
unreal and find what they refer to.
1. I can fill a room, but I take up no
space. I’m often heard, but never
seen. What am I?
2. The more you take, the more you
leave behind. What am I?
3. I have cities but no houses, I have
forests but no trees. What am I?
4. I’m tall when I’m young and short
when I’m old, in a dark room, my
story is told.

III You are asked to create a magical object. What object would you create?
Make a drawing with all its details and mention its special quality on the
same sheet. Put up the sheet on the display board.

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 SPECTACULAR WONDERS

Let us do these activities before we read.

I Look at the pictures given below and sort them into natural and
man-made wonders.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

Natural: ______, ______, ______, and ______

Man-made: ______, ______, ______, and ______

II Which of these wonders—man-made or natural—are more appealing

and why? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

III Work in pairs. Write down two wonders of nature that have amazed
you. Discuss what makes them impressive. Share your answers with
your classmates and teacher.

IV Work in groups of four. Complete the web chart given below with words
that you associate with the phrase, ‘Nature’s Power’. Share your answers
with your classmates and teacher.

Nature’s Power

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 Poorvi

Let us read
mystifying: India is home to some of the most mystifying natural
strange or phenomena that surprise and spark our imagination.
impossible to
explain 1. THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS, UTTARAKHAND
spectacle: an
The Valley of Flowers is an eye-
unusual sight
that attracts
catching spectacle with around
interest 600 species of exotic flowers,
exotic:
including orchids, poppies,
uncommon primulas, marigold, daisies, and
anemones. It is a place where
nature blooms in its full glory
offering an attractive view.
The trek to the valley offers spectacular views of beautiful
waterfalls and wild streams. The valley is also home to rare
wildlife species like the grey langur, flying squirrel, red fox,
lime butterfly, and snow leopard, to name a few.
With a stunning backdrop of the mighty Himalayan ranges,
the Valley of Flowers National Park presents an unforgettable
experience for visitors. Spread over a huge area in the Chamoli
district, the Valley of Flowers National Park is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Between the months of May and October, this
botanical: area turns into a botanical wonderland!
relating to
plants 2. THE LIVING ROOT BRIDGES, MEGHALAYA
Imagine building a bridge
without the use of cement,
feats: tasks stones, concrete, etc. Is it
difficult to
achieve,
possible? The living root
especially those bridges are incredible feats
involving a lot of engineering built by
of skill the indigenous people of
indigenous: Meghalaya. The living root
native bridges are one of Meghalaya’s most beautiful tangible
tangible: UNESCO world heritage sites.
noticeable
Crossing the many waterways without bridges was difficult
for people in the past, during monsoons.

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 Mystery and Magic

Attempts to use bamboo or wooden bridges across these

waterways proved futile as these bridges could not last long futile: useless
in the heavy rains and strong waters. Living root bridges
are an innovative and indigenous solution to solve this
age-old problem.
They are made of intertwined roots which are a sort of magic, intertwined:
but they aren’t imaginary. These bridges have been built for twisted together

centuries by the indigenous people of the land. It is a naturally

built ecosystem of local flora. It also symbolises the relationship
and knowledge that the local people have over their region
and the cultural significance that it holds for them. Under
persist:
ideal conditions, a root bridge is thought to be able to persist
continue to
for hundreds of years. These bridges frequently rise 50 to 100 exist
feet in the air. The state’s longest living root bridge is said to
be a whopping 175 feet in length. There are approximately whopping:
100 or so known living root bridges across different villages. huge

3. THE LONAR CRATER LAKE, MAHARASHTRA

The Lonar Crater Lake is a
geological wonder, nestled in nestled:
the town of Lonar in Buldhana situated in a
half-hidden
district, Maharashtra. It is
or sheltered
believed to have been formed position
thousands of years ago. This
ancient landform, consisting
of a giant hole, came into
existence when a colossal meteorite, blazing at an extremely colossal:
high speed, crashed into the Earth, leaving behind a stunning extremely large

mark. It is the only crater in India formed in basaltic rock by

a meteorite impact and ranks as the third largest in the world,
placing it among the top five largest craters globally.
cradles: holds
The crater’s perfectly circular depression cradles a unique
rugged: rough
saline lake at its core, creating a striking visual contrast
terrestrial: on
against the surrounding rugged terrain. This site is a rare and
or related to
extraordinary blend of celestial impact and terrestrial beauty. earth
The rim of the meteor crater offers a breath-taking spectacle
allure:
of nature’s power and the enduring allure of our planet’s attraction
ancient past.
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 Poorvi

4. MAGNETIC HILLS IN LEH DISTRICT, LADAKH

In the travels around
Leh-Ladakh, is a fascinating
sight which arouses curiosity
to no end—the Magnetic Hill,
a place where gravity takes a
backseat!
Lying at a distance of around
30 km from Leh, the Magnetic
Hill is marked by a yellow signboard which reads ‘The
optical
illusion:
Phenomenon That Defies Gravity’. It also instructs visitors to
something that park vehicles in the box marked with a white point on the road,
tricks your eyes which is known as the Magnetic Road. When the vehicles are
and makes you parked at the indicated spot, they begin moving forward at a
see it differently
speed of almost 20km/h. This unusual place creates an optical
from how it
really is illusion where vehicles appear to roll uphill, a sight that has
left tourists in disbelief for years, caused by the peculiar
serene: calm
alignment of surrounding slopes and the horizon line.
backwaters: a
part of a river 5. GLOWING WATERS OF KERALA
where the water
does not flow Situated 15 kms from Kerala’s
biolumine- Kochi town, Kumbalangi
scence: light is a beautiful village with
produced inside vast green vegetation.
the body of a In the serene backwaters of
living organism
Kumbalangi village, one can
by a chemical
reaction see magically glowing waters
in the night.
eco-tourism:
tourism that This phenomenon is called bioluminescence, and is caused
is responsible
by a high concentration of micro-planktons in the sea, which
towards
preserving the
are small organisms found in marine and freshwater. This
environment beautiful sight has captured the attention of locals as well
acquaint: to
as tourists, making Kumbalangi an eco-tourism village in
become familiar India. One can experience the village life in all its beauty and
with something simplicity, and acquaint oneself to their cuisine and culture.

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 Mystery and Magic

6. THE SUNDARBANS
Can a forest exist in a coastal
zone? Yes, they are called
mangrove forests, where
trees take root under water in
the low-oxygen soil. The roots
slow down the movement
of tidal waters, stabilising
the coastline and reducing
erosion. The Sundarbans is one such mangrove forest spread
over 1,400 kms in West Bengal, lying in the delta of rivers, such
as the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. The name is
derived from sundari trees that are plentiful in the area.
The area is also populated by an extensive range of flora and
fauna, including many bird species, the majestic Bengal tiger,
and other threatened species, such as the estuarine crocodile estuarine:
and the Indian python. living in an
estuary (an
7. THE INVISIBLE CHANDIPUR BEACH, ODISHA area where
a freshwater
Have you seen things river meets the
disappearing in front of ocean)
your eyes? Well, such things
happen at times, when we
keep things at some place,
and just forget where we
have kept them. But, what if
there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore
district where one can witness the sea disappearing
mysteriously—the Chandipur Beach which is known for its
unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors. retreats: goes
backwards
The sea can actually be witnessed disappearing and
reappearing. This is because the sea water moves. It retreats ebb tide: period
of time when
by 2–5 km during ebb tide, the duration between the high tide
water flows
and low tide, and comes back to the shore at the time of high away from the
tide. This unusual natural phenomenon keeps on happening shore

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daily, where one can actually see the sea, and then watch it
disappear in front of their eyes!
These awe-inspiring natural wonders of India highlight the
mystique: mystique of the country’s landscapes, each phenomenon
mystery
telling its own story of nature’s artistic flair and enigmatic
enigmatic: charm. They challenge our understanding of the natural world
puzzling
and captivate our senses. They serve as a reminder of the
intrigue: extraordinary forces that shape our environment, blending
interest
scientific intrigue with the magic of folklore.

Let us discuss
I Complete the information in the table given below. One example has
been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and
teacher.

Amazing Natural
Location One Unique Feature
Phenomena
1. The Valley of Chamoli district, Around 600 species of
Flowers Uttarakhand exotic flowers
2. The Living Root
Bridges
3. Buldhana district,
Maharashtra
4. Magnetic Hills
5. Glowing Waters
6. West Bengal
7. Balasore district,
Odisha

Let us think and reflect

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena that
surprise and spark our imagination.

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 Mystery and Magic

(i) Replace the underlined phrase with one from the extract.
India is the birthplace of several rare species of flora and fauna
that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.
(ii) What does the phrase ‘nature’s unusual side’ suggest about the
phenomena described?
(iii) Complete the similarity by choosing the correct option.
spark: imagination : : ______________ : ______________.
A. inspiration; creativity
B. wonder; amazement
C. effort; reward
D. knowledge; books
(iv) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
Some natural phenomena can surprise people.
2. Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such
things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and
just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that
disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one
can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously—the Chandipur Beach
which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its
visitors.
(i) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The writer’s most likely purpose to introduce the information
about the Chandipur Beach phenomenon with a question is to
____________________. (engage the reader’s curiosity and create a
sense of suspense/draw the reader to learn more about the unusual
phenomenon/set the tone for the surprising nature of the content
that follows)
(ii) Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and
Reason (R).
(A): Chandipur Beach in Odisha is known for its unique feature of
the sea disappearing.
(R): The tides retreat drastically, exposing the Chandipur beach.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation
of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
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 Poorvi

(iii) What does the term ‘unique’ suggest about the beach in Balasore?
A. very popular
B. one of its kind
C. ancient place
D. far from city
(iv) What does the writer want to convey with the use of the phrase
‘playing hide-and-seek with its visitors’?

II Answer the following questions.

1. How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people
of Meghalaya?
2. Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?
3. What might be the writer’s purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring
natural wonders of India?
4. The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for
some of the natural phenomena. What impact does it have on the
readers?
5. Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting
and why?

Let us learn

I Fill in the blanks with the correct expressions from the text given in the
box below.

came into existence to no end in full glory

in disbelief to name a few age-old problem

1. I have read many stories _____________________.

2. Do you know when this little town _____________________?
3. His hard work has helped him _____________________.
4. There are no simple solutions to the _____________________
of traffic jams.

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 Mystery and Magic

5. He opened the ancient wooden box and stared at the treasure

_____________________.
6. The garden is _____________________ in spring
with lots of beautiful flowers in bloom.

II Select the correct synonyms from the box given

below that match the list of words in 1–5. You
may refer to a thesaurus.

colossal exotic serene

enigmatic spectacular

1. mysterious, puzzling, baffling

2. mighty, gigantic, huge
3. breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring
4. peaceful, calm, tranquil
5. unusual, peculiar, foreign

III The expressions ‘hide-and-seek’ and ‘flora and fauna’ are used in the
text. These are called binomials—a pair of fixed words joined by ‘and’
or ‘or’. The binomials are mostly synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words,
same sound words (alliterations), etc.

Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.

You may refer to a dictionary.

Column 1 Column 2
1. odds and ends (i) put different things together to get a range
of possibilities
2. on and off (ii) complete part of or belong to
3. mix and match (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
4. all or nothing (iv) at some time in the future
5. part and parcel (v) sometimes, occasionally
6. pick and choose (vi) increase or develop very quickly
7. sooner or later (vii) small, unimportant things
8. leaps and (viii) something to be done completely or not at
bounds all

Use the binomials given in Column 1 in sentences of your own.

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 Poorvi

IV Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
• The living root bridges are one of Meghalaya’s most beautiful…
• …creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding rugged
terrain.

In the given sentences, the highlighted words ‘living’, ‘striking’, and

‘rugged’ are examples of verbs used as adjectives. Such verbs are called
participles.

Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives, and they
come in two types: present participles (‘living’ and ‘striking’) usually
ending in –ing, and past participles (‘rugged’) usually ending in -ed,
-d, -t, -en, or –n. (though irregular verbs may vary)
Present participles are used to describe ongoing or continuous actions.
For example,
People have seen these lights moving quickly in random directions
but often hanging out in one spot for a while before fading.
Past participles usually describe actions that have already been
completed.
For example,
When the vehicles are parked at the indicated spot, they begin moving
forward at a speed of almost 20km/h.

Now, fill in the blanks using present participle or past participle form of
the verbs in the box given below.

stand amaze carve scatter glow

1. The _______________ marble monument looks even more spectacular in

the moonlight.
2. The _______________ view of the Himalayas from Darjeeling attracts
visitors from all over the world.
3. The Sun Temple in Konark features intricately _______________ stone
wheels and walls.
4. _______________ at a height of 182 m, the Statue of Unity is dedicated to
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
5. The _______________ islands of the Andaman and Nicobar offer some of
the cleanest beaches in India.

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 Mystery and Magic

V Study the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text.
Crossing the many waterways without bridges was difficult for people
in the past, during monsoons.
In the given sentence, the highlighted word ‘crossing’, is one example of
a verb used as a noun. Such a verb is called gerund.

Gerunds are verb forms that can function as nouns and they end in
–ing. They can serve as the subject, complement, or object in a
sentence, as well as the object of a preposition.
For example,
• Subject of a sentence:
Swimming is my favourite hobby.
• Subject complement:
Her passion is painting.
• Object of a verb:
I enjoy reading books in my free time.
• Object of a preposition:
She is interested in learning new languages.
• After certain verbs:
Shekar avoided talking about his weekend plans.

Underline the gerunds and participles in the following sentences. Write

‘G’ for gerunds and ‘P’ for participles in the space provided. One example
has been done for you.
1. Dancing is a great way to express emotions. G
2. Travelling can broaden your perspective.
3. The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn.
4. She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family.
5. Reading helps improve your vocabulary.
6. He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky.
7. Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door.

VI Combine the following pairs of sentences using participles or gerunds.

You may use the clues given in brackets. One example has been done
for you.
1. Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner.
(participle)
Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner.
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 Poorvi

2. Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)

3. Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)
4. Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)
5. Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)

Let us listen

I You will listen to a brother and sister discuss a natural phenomenon.

As you listen, mark the four true statements from 1–6 given below.
(Transcript for teacher on page 153)

1. The brother was taken aback to see the posted pictures.

2. The brother admitted to not knowing about his sister’s favourite
picture.
3. The sister stated that the rainbow mountain was like any other
mountain.
4. The brother was aware of the reason for the formation of colours on
the mountain.
5. The brother was surprised to learn about the mountain being covered
with snow till recently.
6. The sister understood nature’s role in the beauty of the mountain.

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 Mystery and Magic

Let us speak
I Work in groups of four. Make a presentation on a place of interest in and
around your region that people like to visit. You may use the following
guidelines to make your presentation.

Guidelines:
1. Slides 1–2: Choose any popular place of interest in your region.
2. Slides 3–4: Mention where it is located and how to reach there.
3. Slides 5–6: Describe the attractions of the place, why it is popular and
explain its historical importance, if any.
4. Slides 7–8: List out weather conditions, local food, customs, and
language.
5. Slides 9–10: Suggest the best time of the year to visit and why you
recommend this place.

Let us write

I You just read vivid descriptions of the natural wonders of our country.
Write a descriptive essay for your school magazine describing anything
from nature that attracted your attention. It may be an object, a place, or
an event experienced by you. Remember to give a title to your essay.

Use proper format and content organisation—begin with a title, include

introduction (one paragraph), body (two to three paragraphs), and
conclusion (one paragraph).

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 Poorvi

Let us explore

I Man-made Wonders
1. Kallanai Dam (The Grand Anaicut) in Tamil Nadu is one of the world’s
oldest dams and is still in use. The Kallanai Dam represents a significant
achievement in ancient Indian hydraulic engineering. It was built by
the Chola King Karikala around 150 CE.
2. Another spectacular legacy of ancient wisdom that we have is the
world’s first residential university at Nalanda in Bihar. Nalanda was
established much before any European university, providing higher
education to thousands of students. It was declared as a UNESCO
heritage site in 1980.
You may visit the site given below to know more about this.
https://nalandauniv.edu.in/about-nalanda/history-and-revival/

3. Hampi, a town in Karnataka, is

also a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. The Vittala Temple in
Hampi was built in the 15th
century. This temple has 56
special pillars known as the
SaReGaMa pillars. When
these pillars are tapped, they
produce musical notes that can
be heard clearly.
4. Some of the man-made wonders of modern India include the
Bandra–Worli Sea Link in Mumbai; Statue of Unity in Gujarat; Bhupen
Hazarika Setu (The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge) in Assam; and many more.

II Some micro-planktons in the sea are bioluminescent. Have you seen any
other life form that has this quality? Identify the insect given below and
find out what it is called in your language. Look out for it when you visit
a field or a place with a wetland.

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 TRANSCRIPTS

THE CASE OF THE FIFTH WORD

Let us listen (refer to page 117)

I You will listen to a podcast about ways of improving observation skills.

As you listen, mark true or false for the statements 1–4.

Hello everyone! In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing some

simple but effective ways to improve our observation skills.
Being observant isn’t just about seeing, it’s about truly noticing
details in the world around us. Whether it’s in daily life or in
the workplace, observation skills can help us become more
aware, make better decisions, and even improve memory. Let’s
get started!

First, slow down and take your time. Rushing through tasks often
leads to missed details. When you take time to focus on what’s
in front of you, you’re more likely to notice features you might
otherwise overlook. When you pause and observe, the details
become clearer.

Another effective method is to engage all your senses. Observation

isn’t just about seeing; it’s also about hearing, smelling, touching,
and even tasting. The more senses you engage, the more
information you absorb. For example, when you’re in a new
environment, don’t just look around—pay attention to sounds,
smells, and textures too.

A third tip is to ask questions. Curious people tend to be better

observers because they actively try to understand what they’re
noticing. Asking questions about what you see, like “Why is this
here?” or “What purpose does it serve?” forces your brain to
think critically about what you’re observing.

Next, take notes or make sketches. Writing down what

you observe can help reinforce details in your memory.
Even quick sketches of an object or place can strengthen your
understanding of its features.

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 Finally, it’s important to practise mindfulness. Mindfulness helps
you stay present in the moment and fully engage with your
surroundings. When you’re mindful, you’re not distracted by
anything, this leads to improved observation skills.

Start incorporating these techniques into your daily routine, and

soon you’ll be observing things you never noticed before!

II You will once again listen to the podcast. As you listen, complete the
given sentences by filling in the blanks with one to three exact words
you hear.

THE MAGIC BRUSH OF DREAMS

Let us listen (refer to page 132)

I You will listen to five speakers speak about a magical power they wish
for. As you listen, match statements 1–7 with speakers (i)–(v). There are
two statements you do not need.
Speaker (i) : If I could have any magical power, I’d choose
the ability to predict the future. Imagine
being able to see profits and losses before
time. I could make better savings and secure
my business. Plus, I’d use it to help others
make wise financial decisions as well.
Speaker (ii) : I think having the power to learn instantly
would be amazing! Exams would be easy,
and I’d have more time for activities I enjoy,
like playing cricket. If I could remember
everything, it would make life so much easier!
Speaker (iii) : I would want the power of flying. Imagine
being able to see the world from up above
clearly. I would be able to go from one place
to another quickly without using any means
of transport. It would be a dream come true.
Speaker (iv) : At my age, I’d love to have the power of
healing. There are so many aches and pains

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 that come with growing old, but it’s not just
for me. If I could heal others too, I’d help my
family stay healthy and happy.
Speaker (v) : If I had a magical power, I’d want control
over the weather. We depend so much on the
rains. With this power, I could ensure that
crops always get the right amount of rain
and sunshine.

SPECTACULAR WONDERS

Let us listen (refer to page 148)

I You will listen to a brother and sister discuss a natural phenomenon. As

you listen, mark the four true statements from 1–6 given below.
Brother : I liked the pictures Uncle Dileep posted yesterday
from the Republic of Peru. Can you guess which was
my favourite?
Sister : I know it was the Rainbow Mountain. I say that
because it was certainly my favourite.
Brother : Really! I didn’t know it was your favourite too.
Can you imagine the creativity in Nature? What a
marvellous natural phenomenon!
Sister : I could not believe my eyes when I saw that picture.
There are so many colours there. Do you know how
it’s formed?
Brother : Of course! It’s actually quite amazing. The mountain
gets its colours from layers of minerals like clay,
limestone, and sandstone that got deposited millions
of years ago.
Sister : Wow, I read that too. I think each colour is due to a
different mineral. Like, the green comes from copper,
and the red from clay. It’s like nature painted the
mountain!

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 Brother : I cannot believe the fact that it was all buried under
snow until recently.
Sister : Oh! The melting snow must have made it visible
again. That’s why it looks so fresh and bright today.
Brother : Those layers of minerals were actually deposited by
water from ancient seas and lakes.
Sister : Each colour represents a different time in history.
That’s why it’s called the rainbow mountain.

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