The Case of the Fifth Word Questions Answers NCERT English Class 8

The Case of the Fifth Word Answers NCERT English Class 8 provides clear and simple explanations to help students understand how Encyclopedia Brown solves the mystery through logical thinking. This resource is designed to support learners of POORVI UNIT 3 Chapter 1, offering step-by-step solutions to all textbook questions. It makes the detective story easy to follow and builds critical thinking skills. With these answers, Class 8 students can prepare confidently for exams and improve their comprehension.

Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 101)

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’.

Ans:

The Case of the Fifth Word Crossword

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.

Ans: 

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

POORVI: Textbook of English for Grade 8 NCERT Solution 2025-2026:

The Wit that Won Hearts UNIT I Chapter 1
A Concrete Example UNIT I Chapter 2
Wisdom Paves the Way UNIT I Chapter 3
A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam UNIT II Chapter 1
Somebody’s Mother UNIT II Chapter 2
Verghese Kurien—I Too Had A Dream UNIT II Chapter 3
The Case of the Fifth Word UNIT III Chapter 1
The Magic Brush of Dreams UNIT III Chapter 2
Spectacular Wonders UNIT III Chapter 3

PART I

Summary:
Encyclopedia Brown is a smart young boy living in Idaville, USA. His real name is Leroy, and his father is the Chief of Police. Although he is only an eighth grader, he often secretly helps his father solve difficult mysteries. Their discussions usually take place at the dinner table. Chief Brown is intelligent and hardworking, but whenever he cannot solve a case, he goes home and relies on Encyclopedia’s sharp mind. The boy solves the case before dinner ends. Chief Brown keeps his son’s talent a secret because no one would believe that a child could be a brilliant detective. Encyclopedia also stays quiet about his role because he doesn’t want to seem different from other boys. He reads many books and remembers every fact, so his friends call him “Encyclopedia”. One evening, Chief Brown brings up a mystery concerning the death of Tim Nolan, a man once linked to a jewellery robbery with his friend Davenport. Evidence was never found, but Chief Brown believes they had hidden the stolen jewellery. After Nolan dies from a stroke, he strangely leaves everything to Davenport, raising new questions.

Word Notes:

Mystery: Puzzle: रहस्य

Detective: Investigator: जासूस

Nickname: Pet name: उपनाम

Nursery: Garden: पौधशाला

Stolen: Robbed: चोरी किया गया

Questioned: Interrogated: पूछताछ की गई

Recognised: Identified: पहचाना

Testify: Give evidence: गवाही देना

Stroke: Brain attack: आघात

Will: Legal document: वसीयत

Helpful: Useful: उपयोगी

Clue: Hint: संकेत

Suspect: Doubtful person: संदिग्ध व्यक्ति

Prison: Jail: जेल

Friendly: Amiable: दोस्ताना

Yielded: Produced: उपज हुआ

Hold-up: Robbery: डकैती

Clerk: Shop assistant: दुकानदार का सहायक

Refused: Declined: मना किया

Trace: Sign: निशान

Loot: Stolen goods: लूट

Court order: Legal permission: अदालत का आदेश

Announced: Declared: घोषित किया

Suffered: Experienced: झेला

Realised: Understood: समझा

Strength: Power: शक्ति

Kitchen: Cooking room: रसोईघ

Let us discuss (Page 104)

I Complete the following statements with suitable reasons. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Ans: 

1. Leroy’s nickname was Encyclopedia and everyone called him by that name because his head was filled with facts like an encyclopedia, and he read more books than anyone in Idaville and never forgot a fact.
2. At the dinner table on Tuesday night, Chief Brown stared at his cream-of-mushroom soup as he had a mystery he could not solve.
3. Encyclopedia sat quietly at the dinner table because he knew his mother and father were discussing the case for his benefit.

4. Nolan put the will on the kitchen table because he realised he was dying after suffering a stroke and used his last strength to put it there.

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

Ans: I think Chief Brown would need Leroy’s help because whenever he couldn’t solve a case, he quietly depended on Encyclopedia to solve it before dinner was over — showing that Leroy often helped his father handle difficult mysteries.

PART II

Summary:
After Tim Nolan died, Chief Brown found a will with a strange sheet clipped to it from Nolan’s desk calendar. The sheet contained Davenport’s name, address, and four unusual words: Nom, Utes, Sweden, Hurts. Mrs. Brown could not understand the words and handed the notebook to Encyclopedia Brown. Encyclopedia closed his eyes to think deeply and then asked if there was a young fir tree in Nolan’s nursery. Chief Brown said there was one on the south side of the house. Encyclopedia said the four words pointed to that. Mrs. Brown tried to explain the literal meanings of the words but still could not solve it. Encyclopedia reminded them that Davenport disappeared after the jewellery hold-up and Nolan probably wanted to secretly inform him of a change in the hiding place before dying. He explained that the sheet was from a calendar and the four words were coded names of days—Monday to Thursday—with the letters d-a-y removed. The missing fifth day was Friday, or “Fir.” Nolan had hidden the stolen jewellery under a fir tree at his nursery. The police then found the jewellery inside a jug of earth under that very tree.

Word Notes:
Suspicious: Doubtful: संदिग्ध

Clipped: Attached: चिपकाया हुआ

Nursery: Garden: पौधशाला

Figure: Understand: समझना

Confessed: Admitted: स्वीकार किया

Disappeared: Vanished: गायब हो गया

Hidden: Concealed: छिपाया हुआ

Code: Secret message: गुप्त संकेत

Calendar: Date chart: कैलेंडर

Foreseen: Predicted: पूर्वानुमान लगाया

Notebook: Writing pad: नोटबुक

Leafed: Turned pages: पन्ने पलटे

Address: Location details: पता

Hopeful: Expecting: आशावान

Shook: Moved head side-to-side: सिर हिलाया

Tribe: Community group: जनजाति

Country: Nation: देश

Stolen: Taken illegally: चुराया हुआ

Jewellery: Ornaments: आभूषण

Probably: Likely: सम्भवतः

Reached: Made contact: संपर्क किया

Failed: Did not succeed: असफल हुआ

Simple: Easy: सरल

Meaning: Sense: अर्थ

Impatience: Restlessness: अधीरता

Unwritten: Not written: अनलिखित

Jug: Large container: मटका

Earth: Soil: मिट्टी

Found: Discovered: पाया गया

Let us discuss (Page 107)

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.

Ans: 

1. “Encyclopedia’s father was the Chief of Police.”FactPart I (Text line: “Encyclopedia’s father was Chief of Police.”)

2. “Everyone thought that Chief Brown must be the smartest police chief in the country.”OpinionPart I (Text line: “Everyone thought that he 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.”FactPart I (Text line: “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.”OpinionPart I (Text line: “His pals said 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.”FactPart I (Text line: “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.”FactPart I (Text line: “Nolan and Davenport had met… while both were in prison in South Carolina.”)

7. “Chief Brown’s hunch was that Davenport and Nolan decided to hide the loot until things cooled down.”OpinionPart I (Text line: “My hunch is that he 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.”FactPart II (Text line: “To tell Davenport where he had hidden the stolen jewellery, Nolan wrote a four-word code.”)

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.

leverness knowledgeable keen listener gentle humble

Ans: 

Textual EvidenceTrait
1. He read more books than anyone in Idaville, and he never forgot a fact.knowledgeable (given)
2. Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father. He didn’t want to seem different from other boys.humble
3. Encyclopedia sat quietly. He knew his mother and father were discussing the case for his benefit.keen listener
4. Usually, he needed to ask only one question to solve a case before dessert.cleverness

Let us think and reflect (Page 108)

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.

(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?

Answers

(i)  no one would believe that the best detective alive was only an eighth grader.

(ii)  C. He desires to blend with the other boys to prevent seeming different.

(iii) C. They want him to be remembered as different from the others around.

(iv)  It means he could not escape or change his nickname because everyone used it for him.

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?

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)

2. Answers

(i) B. He is confused, unable to make sense of the words.

(ii) Mrs. Brown explained the actual meanings of the individual words rather than decoding the hidden message behind them.
True

(iii)  It suggests that the message was a hidden or coded clue, not meant to be understood literally.

(iv) The purpose of the Encyclopedia’s reminder in the last line of the extract was to refocus the discussion on the context of the crime.

II Answer the following questions.

1. Nolan and Davenport were very close. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
Nolan and Davenport had met while both were in prison in South Carolina. They became friendly because they shared interests. After Nolan was released from prison, he settled in Idaville and started a small palm-tree nursery. Davenport came to live with Nolan a week before the jewellery store hold-up. This shows a close connection between them. They were believed to have pulled off the robbery together and then planned to hide the stolen jewellery. This proves they trusted each other deeply.

2. Why did Davenport disappear right after the jewellery hold-up? What might his plans have been if Nolan had not died?
Chief Brown said Davenport was not seen after the jewellery store hold-up. He believed Nolan and Davenport decided to hide the stolen jewellery until things cooled down. That is why Davenport disappeared. He possibly planned to stay hidden to avoid arrest and later return to collect the jewellery. If Nolan had not died, Davenport would likely have come back secretly to get the stolen jewellery when it was safe. Nolan even wrote him a message to tell him where it was hidden.

3. What does Mrs. Brown’s interest in the case tell us about her?
Mrs. Brown listened carefully when her husband spoke about Tim Nolan’s case. She remembered the old robbery and asked questions whenever she wished to know more. She said she could not understand the four coded words but still tried to guess their meanings. This shows that she was alert and thoughtful. She also was patient while waiting for Encyclopedia’s answer. All this proves she was intelligent, curious, and supported her husband and son in solving the mystery at the dinner table.

4. Explain why Chief Brown was proud of his son.
Chief Brown was proud because Encyclopedia could solve difficult cases that even the police found hard. When Chief Brown faced a case he could not solve, he would clear his desk, put on his hat, and go home. The encyclopedia would solve the case before dinner was over. Chief Brown knew his only child was the best detective alive, even though he was just in eighth grade. Though he never told anyone, he felt proud of his son’s abilities and intelligence.

5. Why were Chief Brown’s suspicions regarding Nolan and Davenport justified, even when there was a lack of concrete proof?
Chief Brown believed Nolan and Davenport were behind the jewellery hold-up. His suspicions were justified because they had met in prison and became close friends. Davenport moved in with Nolan just a week before the robbery. During the robbery, a clerk saw one gunman’s mask slip and thought it might be Nolan. Although she refused to testify, Chief Brown still suspected them. No jewellery was found at Nolan’s house, but Chief Brown believed they had carefully hidden the loot together.

6. Analyse the role of the four-word coded message in the story.
The four-word coded message, “Nom Utes Sweden Hurts,” was Nolan’s way of telling Davenport where he had hidden the stolen jewellery. Since Nolan knew he was dying after a stroke, he clipped the coded message to his will. The message used a calendar code where each word stood for a day of the week. Nolan dropped the letters d-a-y from Monday to Thursday. The missing fifth day, Friday, told Davenport to look under the fir tree. This code helped Encyclopedia solve the case.

7. Write a character sketch on Leroy with the help of the character traits table given in ‘Let us discuss’ section.
Encyclopedia was a knowledgeable eighth grader who never forgot a fact that he read. He was humble and never spoke of the help he gave his father in solving police cases. He did not want to seem different from other boys. At the dinner table, he sat quietly and listened carefully while his parents discussed cases. He was clever and usually needed to ask only one question before solving a mystery. His friends called him Encyclopedia because of his brilliant memory and intelligence.

Let us learn (Page 111)

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 1Column 2 (Meaning)
put on(iv) wear (clothes, hat, etc.)
cooled down(iii) became normal or calmed
turned up(i) appeared, been discovered
make of(vi) have an idea or understanding of something
figure out(ii) solve a problem
got away with(v) escaped without being punished

Now, fill in the blanks with the phrasal verbs given in Column 1.

A. Finally, some important evidence about the case has turned up.

B. After I cooled down, I understood that I had made a big mistake.

C. I couldn’t figure out why he was angry with me.

D. He put on his special coat and went to his friend’s birthday party.

E. Ravi forgets to do his homework but he got away with it as teacher didn’t ask for it that day.

F. I do not know what to make of 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 week, I felt weak for two days.
2. When the committee met yesterday, they brought fore local cases to the four.
3. While learning to drive, Rina used too much force on the brake, causing the car to break down.
4. He has composed a beautiful piece of music in order to bring peace to thousands of people.
5. She was busy dyeing her hair not caring about the dying 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.

1. Answer: Old age pension / Old Age Home / Ages and Ages

2. Answer: Try to understand

3. Answer: Look up to you

4. Answer: Let it go

5. Answer: Common sense

6. Answer: One in a million

7. Answer: Once upon a time

8. Answer: Crossroads

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’.

Ans: 

knowing sits → sowing knits

it’s roaring with pain → it’s pouring with rain

plaster man → master plan

blarm wanket → warm blanket

tars and crucks → cars and trucks

shake a tower → take a shower

bead a rook → read a book

mardon me padam → pardon me madam

V Read the following sentences from the text and study the highlighted words.

Now, fill in the blanks with the words in the box given below to complete the following sentences.

Detective stories are exciting, keeping readers guessing  (i) who the real culprit is.  They take place in settings (ii) where clues are hidden carefully.  (iii) Though the mystery seems tricky, a clever detective always finds answers. Readers often wonder (iv) why criminals leave small but important clues. The challenge is to decide (v) which suspect is guilty. (vi) When the truth is revealed, everything makes sense. But one may wonder (vii) if they could have solved it themselves. These stories are fun (viii) because they make readers think till the very end.

Extra words not used: whose, how

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)

AnswerWe went to the place where the incident occurred.

3. Teacher said she would retire soon. She is now nearly sixty. (who)

AnswerThe teacher, who is now nearly sixty, said she would retire soon.

4. It was the day. Half the class was absent. (when)

AnswerIt was the day when half the class was absent.

VII Read the following sentences from the text.

Ans:  Go through the Textbook

VIII Rewrite the following sentences in Reported Speech.

1. “Why did you stop talking to me?” asked Rohan.
Ans:  Rohan questioned why I had stopped talking to him.

2. “Did you enjoy the family gathering yesterday?” asked my aunt.
Ans:  My aunt asked if I had enjoyed the family gathering the day before.

3. “When will you visit us again?” asked my grandmother.
Ans:  My grandmother inquired when I would visit them again.

4. Madavi said to Ravi, “Will you come with me to meet our old teacher tomorrow?”
Ans:  Madavi asked Ravi if he would come with her to meet their old teacher the next day.

5. My friend said, “What gift are you planning to give your brother?”
Ans:  My friend inquired what gift I was planning to give my brother.

6. “Shall I carry these notebooks to the staffroom, Ma’am?” asked Veenu.
Ans:  Veenu asked her teacher if she should carry those notebooks to the staffroom.

IX Read the conversation between Aditi and Rahul.

Ans: 

Aditi asked Rahul 1.  if he had seen anyone leave a package near the lift.

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

Aditi asked Rahul 2. what time he had seen it happen.

Rahul replied that it had been around 6:45 p.m.

Aditi further inquired 3. whether he had been able to see the man’s face.

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

Let us listen (Page 117)

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)

Ans: 

1. Observation skills help improve your common sense. — False

2. Rushing through tasks helps you focus better and observe more. — False

3. Taking notes or making sketches helps with what you observe. — True

4. Incorporating tips on observation skills will soon lead to success. — True

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.

Ans: 

1. It is important to slow down and take your time to notice several aspects around you more clearly.
2. The more senses like hearing and smelling you use, the more information you absorb.
3. People who are curious 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 details in your memory.
5. Practising mindfulness helps a person stay present in the moment with their surroundings.

Let us speak (Page 118)

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

Ans: Go through the textbook

II Work in groups of five or six. Conduct a group discussion on the topic, ‘The Interesting Aspects of a Mystery Story’.

Ans: 

Group Discussion: “The Interesting Aspects of a Mystery Story”

Moderator: Good morning, everyone. Today we are going to discuss “The Interesting Aspects of a Mystery Story.” I invite all group members to share their views. To begin with, may I request Speaker 1 to start the discussion?

Speaker 1: If I may say something… I feel the most interesting aspect of a mystery story is the suspense. It keeps the readers guessing about what will happen next.

Speaker 2: I fully agree with Speaker 1. That’s absolutely true — suspense hooks the reader. May I draw the attention of this group to another point? The presence of clues is also very thrilling. Readers enjoy connecting clues to solve the problem.

Speaker 3: Sorry for this interruption… Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t quite agree that clues alone make it interesting. Sometimes it is the unexpected twist at the end that makes a mystery story truly fascinating.

Speaker 4: I’m totally in agreement with that. The ending, especially when it is surprising, leaves a strong impact. I would also like to add that strong characters like smart detectives increase the interest in the story.

Speaker 5:  If I may interrupt… Not quite so. In my opinion, it is not just the detective but also the setting of the story which makes it appealing. For example, whether it is an old mansion or a busy city, the background adds flavour to the mystery.

Speaker 1:  I would like to add to what Speaker 5 mentioned a few minutes ago. Yes, settings are important, but I still believe it is mainly the puzzle and challenge that forces the readers to think, which is the most exciting part.

Moderator:  Thank you all for your views. We have discussed many interesting aspects of mystery stories — including suspense, clues, twists, strong characters, and settings. To sum up, a good mystery keeps the reader involved through well-placed hints, surprising endings, and clever detectives. Let us remember to observe carefully, think logically, and enjoy the thrill of solving puzzles while reading such stories. Thank you, everyone, for your active participation.

Let us write (Page 119)

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.

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.

Ans: 

Inter-school Art Exhibition
— By Rohan Patel, Class VIII A

An Inter-school Art Exhibition was organised by our Vidyalaya on 15 November 20XX in the school auditorium. Twelve schools from the district participated in the event and showcased their artwork.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mrs. Meera Kapoor, District Education Officer, on Friday, 15 November 20XX in the presence of students, teachers, and invited guests. The exhibits were displayed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Beautiful paintings, clay models, recycled craft items and glass paintings were arranged neatly by the students.

Following the inauguration, students and teachers visited the stalls and appreciated the creativity displayed by the participants. After keen observation by a panel of judges, the artworks from Green Valley Public School and Sunrise Modern School were selected for the final round of judging. Finally, Green Valley Public School was awarded the first position for their innovative paper-quilling designs.

The winners were presented with trophies and certificates by the Chief Guest. In her address to the students, she encouraged everyone to explore their creative potential and participate actively in such events. The inter-school art exhibition was a great success and highlighted artistic skills and imagination among the young artists.

Let us explore (Page 121)

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.

Ans: 

1. The word can look like “learn”, but if you look again, it can also read as “earn” — depending on which part of the design you focus on.

2. At first glance it reads “hate”, but if you look differently, the same design can also hide the word “love” inside it.

3. You may first read the word “evil”, but if you flip your way of looking, it cleverly also hides the word “live.”

4. The picture can look like a big leafy tree, but if you focus again, the branches and trunk also form the picture of a human face.

5. This image can be seen as a penguin, but if you look carefully at the other shape, it also looks like a woman’s face in profile (side view).

6. This picture can either show a group of people standing… or, if you look differently, it becomes a row of pillars/columns.

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.

Ans: Do it yourself

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.

Ans: An encyclopedia is a reference book (or a set of books) that gives detailed information on a wide range of topics, such as history, science, places, famous people, animals, inventions, etc. The information is usually arranged alphabetically from A to Z, and each topic is explained in the form of an article with facts, pictures, and longer descriptions.

A dictionary, on the other hand, focuses mainly on words and their meanings, pronunciations, spellings, usage, and sometimes origin. It explains each word briefly, not full topics.

Difference: A dictionary tells you what a word means, but an encyclopedia tells you all about a subject.

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.

Ans: 

WordAlternative words (Synonyms)
HappyCheerful, joyful, delighted, glad, pleased
SmartIntelligent, clever, bright, sharp, brainy
BraveCourageous, fearless, bold, valiant, heroic
QuietSilent, calm, peaceful, noiseless, hushed
SmallTiny, little, miniature, petite, compact