Everything Looks New
by Mala Kumar and Manisha Chaudhry
(adapted from Everything Looks New!)
(Roots)
Comprehension
Read and answer
1. Read these sentences and put a tick (✓) if they are true and a cross (X) if they are false.
a. Vasant Panchami is the first day of spring. [✓]
b. Winter is a good season to plant saplings. [X]
c. The dog is called Tingu. [X]
d. Grandpa likes red roses the best. [X]
e. Amma is wearing a yellow sari. [✓]
Reference to context
2. "I think they are singing to me."
a. Who are 'they'?
= 'They' are many birds.
b. Where are 'they'?
= 'They' are sitting on the tree near Meenu's house.
c. Why does Meenu think 'they' are singing to her?
= Meenu thinks that 'they' are singing to her because Meenu herself was very happy on that day of Vasant Panchami.
3. "Grandpa wants me to plant a tree today. "Why Grandpa?" I ask."
a. Why does Grandpa want Meenu to plant a tree?
= Grandpa wants Meenu to plant a tree so that they can grow up together.
b. Why did he choose this day?
= He chose that day because spring was a good season to start something new.
c. How do they plant the tree?
= They went to the garden. They dug a hole in the ground and planted a sapling.
4. "I want to chase Tingu."
a. Who wants to chase Tingu?
= Meenu wants to chase Tingu.
b. What is Tingu doing?
= Tingu is chasing a squirrel.
c. Where is this happening?
= This is happening in the garden.
5. "Everything looks pretty in spring. It is such a happy season."
a. Why does Meenu think everything looks pretty in spring?
= Meenu thinks everything looks pretty in spring because the garden is full of flowers. There is a carpet of leaves under the trees.
b. Why does she describe it as happy season?
= She describes it as happy season because it is not cold, it is not hot and it is not wet.
c. What does she enjoy doing the most during spring?
= She enjoys playing the most during spring.
Reflect and answer
6. Do you think Meenu is excited by the flowers in the garden? Why do you think so?
= Yes, I think Meenu is excited by the flowers in the garden.
She is very excited to see the garden full of flowers. She says that she likes yellow roses the best and her grandfather likes the white jasmine.
7. In the story, Meenu's grandfather plants a sapling because it is the first day of spring. People like to do different things on special days like the New Year or their birthday. Pick a special day and write about how you celebrate that day. Look at the example for help.
= Birthday - I like to pick one present myself. I will keep it safe in the almirah. I will open it after five or ten years later. This will be very exciting to see what is inside it after so many years. I will cherish my this birthday memories at that time.