| Book Name | : Blossom |
| Subject | : English |
| Class | : 6 (Madhyamik) |
| Publisher | : Prof. Nabanita Chatterjee |
| Chapter Name | : The Blind Boy (11th Chapter) |
Activity 1
Tick the correct alternative :
- In the poem, ‘1’ refers to (i) the blind boy (ii) the sun (iii) the light
- The blind boy cannot enjoy the blessings of (i) taste (ii) sight (iii) speech
- The blind boy identifies the sun by its (i) shape (ii) light (iii) warmth
- The boy is (i) happy (ii) sad (iii) angry
Answer
- In the poem, ‘I’ refers to (i) the blind boy.
- The blind boy cannot enjoy the blessings of (ii) sight.
- The blind boy identifies the sun by its (iii) warmth.
- The boy is (i) happy.
Activity 2
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
- The poor blind boy wants to know ____.
- The blind boy feels the difference between day and night by ____.
- The boy often hears mournings about ____.
- The boy does not want his ____ to be destroyed.
Answer
- The poor blind boy wants to know what is that thing called light.
- The blind boy feels the difference between day and night by “whene’er I sleep or play.”
- The boy often hears mournings about his hapless woe.
- The boy does not want his cheer of mind to be destroyed.
Activity 3
Answer the following question:
To whom do you think the blind boy is speaking?
Answer
The blind boy in the poem is speaking to someone who can see, possibly a sighted person or people around him. He is asking questions and seeking answers about things he cannot experience due to his blindness.
Activity 4
Fill in the chart with information from the text. One is done for you:
| Blind Person | Person with vision |
| (a) twenty-four hours of the night | twenty four hours day and night |
| (b) | sees the sun and feels its warmth |
| (c) | plays during the day and sleeps at night |
| (d) doesn’t realize the loss of sight |
Answer
| Blind Person | Person with vision |
| (a) twenty-four hours of the night | twenty four hours day and night |
| (b) doesn’t see the sun | sees the sun and feels its warmth |
| (c) plays during the day and sleeps at night | plays during the day and sleeps at night |
| (d) doesn’t realize the loss of sight | is aware of the blessing of sight |
Activity 5
Answer the following question in complete sentences:
- What would happen if the blind boy kept awake ?
- What does the blind boy bear with patience?
- Why does the blind boy think that he is a king?
- Quote any two lines from the poem that suggest that the boy has a positive attitude towards life.
Answer
- If the blind boy kept awake, he believes that with him, it would always be day. Since he cannot perceive the natural day and night cycle due to his blindness, staying awake would make no difference to his perception of time.
- The blind boy bears with patience the loss of sight. He accepts his condition without complaint or bitterness.
- The blind boy thinks that he is a king because even though he is a poor blind boy, he finds contentment and happiness in his life despite his limitations.
- Two lines from the poem that suggests the boy’s positive attitude towards life are:
- “My day or night myself I make, Whene’er I sleep or play.”
- “Whilst thus I sing, I am a king, Although a poor blind boy.”
Activity 6 (a)
Fill in the blanks with suitable articles or prepositions:
There was once ____ little girl who lived in ____ middle of ____ deep, dark forest ____ her parents.
Answer
There was once a little girl who lived in the middle of a deep, dark forest with her parents.
Activity 6 (b)
Classify the Nouns given below and place them in the proper columns:
light, day, patience, loss, boy, sight
| Common Noun | Abstract Noun |
Answer
Common Noun: light, day, boy, sight
Abstract Noun: patience, loss
Activity 7 (a)
Add a suitable prefix or suffix to each of the words given in brackets and fill in the blanks accordingly:
- My mother spent many ____ (sleep) nights when I was unwell.
- I was ____ (patient) to know the result of my examination
- It was an ____ (enjoy) moment.
- The ____ (bright) of the day made me happy.
Answer
- My mother spent many sleepless nights when I was unwell.
- I was impatient to know the result of my examination.
- It was an enjoyable moment.
- The brightness of the day made me happy.
Activity 7 (b)
Write the antonyms of the following words:
(i) poor (ii) warm, (iii) awake, (iv) destroy
Answer
(i) rich (ii) cold (iii) asleep (iv) create
Activity 8 (a)
Complete the following imaginary dialogue between Day and Night. The beginning of the dialogue is given for you:
Day : Dear friend, I must declare I am more important than you.
Night: I don’t know how you can say that.
Day : The sun rises during the day. People work and children ____________.
Night: Everyone takes rest ____________
Day : You bring darkness, I ____________
Night: I have the light of the moon. I make the surroundings cool, you ____________
Day : Indeed, that’s true. We can then say ____________
Night: Yes. Mankind needs ____________
Answer
Day : Dear friend, I must declare I am more important than you.
Night: I don’t know how you can say that.
Day : The sun rises during the day. People work, and children play.
Night: Everyone takes rest and sleeps peacefully.
Day : You bring darkness, I bring light.
Night: I have the light of the moon. I make the surroundings cool, you make them bright.
Day : Indeed, that’s true. We can then say we complement each other.
Night: Yes. Mankind needs both day and night.
Activity 8 (b)
Develop a story within sixty words based on the following hints. Add a suitable title to it:
an old lady loses vision—calls in a doctor— agrees to pay a large fee if cured—doctor removes some of her furniture daily—lady is cured— she refuses to pay—says she cannot see any of her furniture
Answer
Title: The Cunning Cure
An old lady lost her vision and called a doctor, promising a large fee if cured. The doctor visited daily and discreetly took away some furniture. Miraculously, the lady regained her sight. When asked to pay, she pretended not to see her furniture and refused to pay. The clever doctor smiled, explaining that it was his fee, not her furniture. The lady paid with a grudging grin.
