Oxford Reading Circle Book-5

The Oxford Reading Circle Book 5 is important for several educational and developmental reasons, especially for students in upper primary or early middle school (typically ages 10–12).

 Here's why it stands out:

1. Builds a Strong Reading Foundation

Book 5 introduces learners to a range of literary genres—classic stories, modern tales, and poetry. This variety helps:

• Foster a love for reading
• Strengthen comprehension
• Improve fluency and expression

 2. Develops Critical Thinking

Each chapter includes:

• Comprehension questions (literal, inferential, analytical)
• Vocabulary building
• Creative response tasks
  These help learners not just understand the text, but think deeply about it—an essential 21st-century skill.

 3. Improves Language and Communication Skills

The book introduces rich and expressive English through:

• Dialogues
• Descriptive passages
• Poetic language
  This expands vocabulary, grammar knowledge, and speaking/writing fluency.

 4. Cultural & Moral Lessons

Texts such as "The Boy Who Served His Tribe" or "Sea Fever" offer moral lessons on:

• Courage
• Responsibility
• Appreciation of nature
• Cultural traditions

5. Designed for Curriculum Support

Oxford Reading Circle is aligned with many national curricula in South Asia (e.g., Pakistan, Bangladesh, India). Book 5 supports:

• Academic goals
• Exam readiness
• Independent study habits

6. Encourages Group Learning

The teacher’s guide and classroom activities promote:

• Discussion and collaboration
• Group reading, role-playing, and presentations

7. Prepares for Advanced Literature

Book 5 acts as a bridge between early readers and more challenging literature. It helps students:

• Understand themes
• Identify literary devices
• Analyze characters and plot

In Summary:

Oxford Reading Circle Book 5 is important because it doesn’t just teach reading—it nurtures thoughtful, expressive, and confident learners.

Chapter- 1

The River Bank

Word Meaning:

• spring-cleaning = the thorough cleaning of a house, usually carried out at the end of winter
• penetrating = strong enough to enter or spread through something
• bolted = moved suddenly and quickly
• privilege = an advantage, right, or benefit that is not available to all; a license
• chaffing = teasing
• jeeringly = laughing at somebody in a rude manner, mockingly
• meandered = wandered along a winding path
• pettishly = sulkily, irritably
• sculled = moved forward with a scull
• made fast = tied up securely
• rapture = great pleasure; joy
• surveyed = looked at; studied
• ecstasies = feelings of great delight

 Answers 

 1. Which words and phrases in the first paragraph tell us that the

Mole wanted to be out in the fresh Spring air?

Ans: Words and phrases in the first paragraph which tell us that
the Mole wanted to be out in the fresh spring air are:

a. spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him
b. sunlight
c. warm grass
d. something up above was calling him

2. How did the rabbits react when the Mole passed by the private road?

Ans: An elderly rabbit immediately tried to charge the Mole
sixpence for having passed by a private road.

3. Which words and phrases tell us that the Mole was enjoying the Spring?

Ans: Yes, the Mole was thoroughly enjoying the spring season
but not cleaning. Sentences that tell us that the Mole was
enjoying the spring are:

a. The sunshine struck hot on his fur, soft breezes
caressed his heated brow.
b. Jumping off all his four legs at once in the joy of living
and the delight of spring.
c. Birds building, flowers budding, leaves thrusting—
everything happy.

4. What seemed even more attractive than the Spring to the Mole, and what was so good about it?

Ans: The Mole found the boat even more attractive than Spring.
He found the fittings of the boat fascinating—the oars,
the cushions, the rowlocks. What appeared to be great
about boats was that nothing seemed to matter as one
swayed dreamily in the boat, reached one’s destination or
somewhere else, or even dropped down the river.

B. Reference to context

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. As he sat on the grass and looked across the river, a dark hole in the bank opposite, just above the water's edge, caught his eye.

a. Who is sitting on the grass and what was the 'dark hole' that he saw?

Ans: The Mole is sitting on the grass. The dark hole that he sees is the Water Rat’s home.

b. What does he see in the hole at first?

Ans: Something twinkled like a tiny star and he soon discovers it to be the Water Rat.

c. What does he see later?

Ans:  He saw a little boat just big enough for two animals.

2. 'Is it so nice as all that?' asked the Mole shyly.

 a. What is the Mole talking about?

Ans: The Mole is asking shyly about the boat.

b. Why does he ask this question?

Ans: The boat is something new for the Mole. He is not familiar with the river and the riverside life.

c. What does the Mole think was special about 'it'?

Ans: The Mole finds the fittings of the boat fascinating. The boat opened up before him with unforeseen destinations, ‘long waking dreams’, making the world around him come alive, its ripples, scents, and sounds.

C. Words and meaning:

1. Try to explain the following in your own words.

a. ......penetrating even his dark and lowly little house.
How is the word 'lowly' a suitable one to use here?

Ans: The word ‘lowly’ indicates that the Mole’s house is small but it also points to the fact that the sun from its height filters down everywhere.

b. He scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged....

You will not find the word 'scrooged' in the dictionary. 

What do you think it means? Why has it been used?

Ans: ‘Scrooged’ is alliterative here and it reaffirms the vigorous effort on the part of the Mole while cleaning his house.

c. 'Onion-sauce! Onion-sauce!' he remarked jeeringly..

Why do you think the Mole used these words?

What did he mean?

Ans: The Mole was stopped by an elderly rabbit as he reached the hedge at the end of the meadow. He was asked to pay a ‘toll’ of sixpence. But the Mole, out to enjoy the spring, pushed away the rabbit. As other rabbits peeped out of their holes to see what the row was about, the Mole said mockingly, dismissing them all, ‘Onion sauce, Onion sauce’ as if he was selling Onion sauce. The rabbits were left speechless.

2. Use the following in sentences of your own.

Ans: a. Her performance on the sports day was thoroughly satisfactory.
b. The children rambled busily around just before the function.
c. The butterflies meandered aimlessly, all over the garden.
d. It was an unlikely situation that the children would be required to buy tickets at the museum.
e. The variety of rides all around the fairground sent little Sad into a rapture.

===============================================

Chapter-2

The Months

Answers:

1. Which months are cold?

Ans: January and December are cold.

2. What is the weather like in March?

Ans: Cold breeze blows in March.

3. Which types of flowers are mentioned in the poem?

Ans: According to the poet, the Summer months are filled with flowers, fruits, and cooling showers (like June brings tulips, lilies, roses, and fills the children’s hands with posies, and July has hot weather which brings cooling showers, Apricots, and gillyflowers) whereas the Winter months are dull with leaves falling down and chilling December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christmas treats.

4. Are there any months that the poet seems to like or dislike more than others?

Ans: The poet seems to enjoy the months of April, May, and June more than any other month. The poet does not like November very much. She uses the adjective ‘dull’ for that month.

B.  Reference to context

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions. Warm September brings the fruit, Sportsmen then begin to shoot.

 1. What is meant by 'brings the fruit'?

Ans: The fruits are ripe and fit to eat by September.

2. What will the 'sportsmen' shoot?

Ans: ‘Sportsmen’ here refers to someone who hunts or shoots wild animals as a pastime. So, the sportsmen will shoot birds or animals.

C. Words and meaning

1. Match the following to make common expressions.

 As cold as ice

As hungry as a wolf

As innocent as a lamb

As solid as a rock

As pure as snow

2. Think of original similes of your own for the following, and use them in sentences.

Ans: The apple Mary bought was as round as a ball.

I strive to be as great as Mother Teresa.

The shop owner was as wicked as a wolf.

The old lady was as poor as a church mouse.

The hostel dorm did not feel as safe as home.

Nadeem turned out to be as sly as a fox.

3. The following are the rhyming pairs:

snow-glow-flow corn-borne-torn

rain-again-pain fruit-shoot-loot

shrill-daffodil-bill pheasant-pleasant-present

sweet-feet-heat blast-fast-past

lambs-dams-clams sleet-treat-beat

showers-gilly flowers-bowers

a. Roses-posies

b. Roses-closes

posies-cosies

D. 1. 

• January—cold, people like to be out in the sun
• February—cold
• March—pleasant, fun with family and friends
• April—very hot, summer vacations, visit to grandparents’
• house, cousins
• May—very hot, summer camp, holiday homework
• June—warm, new class, friends
• July—rainy
• August—rainy, greenery all around

================================

Chapter-3

The Boy Who Served his Tribe

Q/A:1. In what ways was the tribe content?

Ans: The Chippewa people were happy and contented as 'they loved the good things of the Earth-like sunshine, the forests, and the cool springs of water.'

2. What was one of the customs of the Chippewa people?

Ans: The custom for them to go into some lonely place, without food, so that they could be alone for several days and think about the life which lay ahead of them.

3. Who do you think the young warrior was?

Ans: The young warrior was the Great Spirit.

4. Why did the boy not tell anybody about what he was doing?

Ans: Because the Great Spirit would give a gift, a gift for the whole tribe, if pleased.

5. What was the gift sent by the Great Spirit to the Chippewa tribe?

Ans: The Great Spirit sent corn as food for the tribe so that they no longer needed to spend all their time hunting animals.                    

Reference to Context

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions. 

1. 'I have come to test your courage. Stand up.'

a) Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: The warrior says these words and to the boy

2. 'I will break through the earth and return to the sunshine.'

a) Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: Warrior says these words and to the boy.

Word Meaning:

tribe = a society whose members have customs, beliefs, etc. in common
Wigwam = a North American hut made of a framework of poles covered with woven rush mats or sheets of bark
fast = not eating food as part of a religious custom
lack = shortage or absence of something
plumes = feathers
moccasins = heelless shoes made of soft leather
utterly = completely
wrestled = to fight with someone by holding them
Cloak = loose outer piece of clothing without sleeves
warrior = solder
grieve = to feel sadness
grave = a place in the ground where a dead person is buried
tassels = bunches of loose threads hanging together
burry = to put a dead into the ground

Chapter- 4

The Toad's Warts

Answers:

 1. Which of the incidents that occurred were accidents and which were done on purpose?

Ans: Chemchongsaipa was moving around doing his work,

sharpening his weapons when the prawn irritated, bit him.

Chemchongsaipa moved towards a tree, in pain, and swung

his knife around. The weapon accidentally struck the tree

and cut it.

The tree dropped fruit on purpose to hit him but it hit

a cock accidentally. The cock scratched the ants’ nests on

purpose, which bit the snake, which in turn bit a bear, which

crushed a plantain. The bat who lived on the plantain tried

to flee but accidentally it flew into the elephant’s ear and bit

him. The elephant kicked over a stone mortar that rolled

down into an old lady’s house.

2. Of all the animals that got hurt, which was the most affected? Give evidence from the text.

Ans: The ants were the most affected. So, they bit the snake on purpose declaring war.

B. 1. ‘It’s very dark in here!’—bat

2. ‘I’ll suck it dry!’—elephant

3. ‘I must find something to rub on it.’—bear

4. ‘I’ll build it for you.’—Chemchongsaipa

5. ‘I’ll soon be in the soup!’—prawn

C. 1. angry          2. shock            3. race

      annoyed           daze                  hurry

       furious           astonish            hurtle

       irate                   stun               dash

2. a. The prawn bit the man in the leg.

b. The man’s sharp weapon cut the tree.

c. The fruit from the tree hit a cock walking by.

d. They attacked a passing snake.

e. It lowered its head and dug furiously.

f. The plant collapsed.

g. It trumpeted and kicked over a stone mortar.

Chapter-5

Nurse's Song

When the voices of children are heard on the green,

And laughing is heard on the hill,

My heart is at rest within my breast,

And everything else is still.

'Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down,

And the dews of night arise;

Come, come leave off play, and let us away

Till the morning appears in the skies.'

'No, no, let us play, for it is yet day,

And we cannot go to sleep;

Besides, in the sky the little birds fly,

And the hills are all cover'd with sheep.'

'Well, well, go and play till the light fades away,

And then go home to bed.'

The little ones leaped and shouted and laugh'd

And all the hills echoed.

William Blakes : (1757 - 1827) was a poet and artist who grew up and worked in London, England. He earned his living as an engraver of illustrations for books. He wrote many poems for children as well as adults; he engraved all his poems himself.

Exercises:

A. Give one-word answers.

1. This is heard........laughter

2. This is at rest .......the nurse's heart

3. This is still......everything

4. They should come home........children

5. This has gone down.....the sun

6. This should be stopped.....the children's playing

7. This will fade away.........the light

Questions

1. Who is speaking in the poem? To whom is the person speaking?

Ans: The children’s nurse is speaking to them in the poem. The child is the person speaking.

2. Can you give two reasons why the words 'echoed' has an accented 'e'?

Ans: ‘Echoed’ has an accented ‘e’ as an extra beat is required for

maintaining the rhythm of the line. Another reason is that

the poet wants us to stress on this syllable to make it stand

out. 

3. Is there a rhyming pattern?

Ans: Yes, there is a rhyming pattern. The poem has four quatrains, rhymed ABCB, and contains an internal rhyme in the third line of each verse.

4. Do you like the poem? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans: Yes, I love the poem. 

It talks about children not wanting to go home. They want to continue their play and give their nurse excuses to extend their playtime. Nurse’s Song is a poem that shows the brighter side of life. This is something I can relate to, as it often happens when my mother calls me home in the evening.

Refernce to context

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.

Besides, in the sky the little birds fly,

And the hills are all cover's with sheep.

1. Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: The children say these words to their nurse.

2. What is said before this?

Ans: The nurse asks the children to come home as it is getting

dark.

3. What reply is made to this statement?

Ans: The nurse relents to let the children play a little more but

asks them to come home and sleep after that.

Word meaning:

leave off = stop

cover'd = covered

fades = becomes dimmer; fainter

leaped, etc = the letter marked thus - e- shows that the e sound is stressed: leap-ed. shout-ed.

Chapter- 8

The Sea

James Reeves

The sea is a hungry dog,

Giant and grey.

He rolls on the beach all day. 

With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws

Hour upon hour he gnaws

The rumbling, tumbling stones,

And 'Bones, bones, bones, bones!'

The giant sea-dog moans,

Licking his paws.

And when the night wind roars

And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud,

He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs,

Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs,

And howls and hollos long and loud.

But on quiet days in May or June,

When even the grasses on the dune

Play no more their reedy tune,

With his head between his paws

He lies on the sandy shores,

So, quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores.

Word Meaning:

clashing = crashing together loudly

shaggy = having long, thick and messy hair

gnaws = bites and nibbles at something persistently

bounds = leaps

reedy = high and thin in tone

scarcely = only just, almost not 

Questions/Ans:

1. What is the sea being compared to?

Ans: The sea is being compared to a dog. Because of the way it looks, sounds, and steeps. It is hungry like a dog. The poet sees a similarity between the sea and a dog.

2. What get gnawed?

Ans: The running, tumbling stones on the beach get gnawed.

3. What happens to the sea during a storm?

Ans: During a storm, the sea becomes rough. It also makes loud noises for a long time and the sea is calm and quiet in the months of May and June. When it is wild the poet uses a number of adjectives, words, and phrases to describe it, like it means, 'grows', 'snuffs and sniffs', 'roars', 'howls and hollows' with its 'clashing teeth,' 'shaggy jaws'. Whereas when it is calm and peaceful, the sea does not play but rather keeps his 'head between paws' and remains 'quiet' and 'lies' on the sea shore. 

Reference to context:

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.

1. He rolls on the beach all day.

a) What is really being described here?

Ans: Waves of the sea are really being described here.

b) Who rolls on the beach?

Ans: Waves of the sea roll on the beach.

c) Why does he roll on the beach? What is he doing?

Ans: The waves come and break on the shore and slowly recede.

2. the rumbling, tumbling stones

a) What really makes the stone move?

Ans: Waves of the sea make the stone move.

b) What are the stones compared to?

Ans: The stones are compared to bones.

c) What is being done to the stones in the comparison?

Ans: The stones are being gnawed like a dog would do to a bone.

C. Which of the words below would be the best one to use in this sentence.

1. His stomach was..........rumbling......... because he had not had any breakfast.

2. moans—Her soft moans of pain were faintly heard.

roars—We could hear roars of laughter from inside the

children’s tent.

tumbling—Razia tripped and went tumbling down the

stairs.

reedy—Shazia began singing in her reedy voice.

howls—Daud could barely sleep because of the dogs’ howls

all through the night.

Extension activity

Write a list of things you see or feel or hear during a visit to a sea

beach. Read it out to your class and describe each item.

Chapter-9

The Cruel Crane

Word Meaning:

outwit = to defeat or trick someone by being more intelligent, clever

blacksmith's pincers = tool for gripping hot metals

contrary = the opposite

folly = lack of good sense

vice = a metal tool with movable jaws, used to hold an object firmly in place while work is done on it

resound = to fill or echo throughout a place

plaudits = enthusiastic approval

deceit = the act of hiding the truth or making someone believe something that is not true

Q/A:

1. Why did the crane stop by the pond?

Ans:  The crane stopped by the pond because he was hungry.

2. What did the crane say he would do to help the fish?

Ans: The crane said he would take the fish to a large pond

covered with all kinds of lotuses.

3. Why did the fish believe the crane?

Ans: No, the fish did not do the right thing by trusting the fish.

The crane deceived the fish and ate them all one by one.

The crane first took one fish in its beak and showed it the

large pond. He then brought him back and let him go with

the other fish. He told the others all about the pond and

they believed the crane.

4. How did the crab outwit the crane?

Ans: The crab knew that the crane had tricked the fish and

wanted to teach him a lesson. So, he thought of a plan and

requested the crane to take him to the pond as well. He

told the crane that he would not be able to hold him, so the

crab should hold on to the crane’s neck instead. The crane

agreed and as soon as he saw the fish bones by the pond, he

threatened to cut the crane’s neck with his claws. 

He made the crane step down into the pond and then cut his neck.

Whereas, the fish were wrong in their approach as the

crane tricked them one by one. They agreed to be taken in

its beak and trusted a fish that was blind from one eye.

Hence, the approach of the crab was better than that of the

fish.

6. What is the moral of the story?

Ans: The moral of the story is that even a trickster can be tricked

by someone who is cleverer.

B. Reference to Context:

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. 'I must.... make a prey of them.'

 a. Who says this? To whom?

Ans:  The crane says this to himself.

b. What does 'make a prey of them' mean?

Ans:  ‘Make a prey of them’ here refers to making the fish his

prey, in tricking them as well as eating them.

c. What does he do after this?

Ans: The crane promises to carry the fish in his beak and

take them to a large pond. The fish don’t trust him so

he takes one fish there first and brings him back. After

the fish believe that he wishes them well, he takes them

one by one and eats them.

2. 'Those fishes got eaten through their own stupidity,'

a) Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: The crane says these words to the crab.

b. In what way might the fish have been stupid?

Ans: The fish may have been stupid to believe that the crane

was their well-wisher.

c. Do you agree with what he says about the fish?

Ans: Yes, I agree. The fish should have given the proposition

more thought and should not have trusted the crane.

They should have been wary of him because they

already knew that a crane thinking about a fish’s

welfare was unheard of.

C. Words and meaning:

1. Explain these words and expressions.

a. cast it on the ground—throw it to the ground

b. it will be capital—it will be the best thing to happen

c. told them all the glories—described all the good things about

d. he’s sharp enough in any situation—is very clever or smart

e. it’s unheard of—not known to have happened before

f. lost in thought—not paying attention to anything happening around.

Extension activity:

Write a similar story where the characters are tricked and ultimately the trickster is taught a lesson.

Chapter-10

A Debt Made Profit

Answers :

A. 1. What do you think about what Tortoise and Tortesca did to Mister Monkey?

Ans: The Tortoise did not inform his wife about the money he owed to Mister Monkey because he thought she would get distressed.

2. What did Tortoise do the first time he saw Mister Monkey coming to his house?

Ans: The first time he saw Mister Monkey coming to his house,

Tortoise told his wife that he was going to the town and

that he would not be long.

3. How much money did Tortoise owe Mister Monkey?

Ans: Tortoise owed Mister Monkey three months’ salary.

4. Where did Tortoise go to think up his plan to trick Mister Monkey?

Ans: It was at the crack of dawn that Mister Monkey visited

Tortoise’s house for the final time to catch him unaware

and because he knew he would be in his house.

B. Reference to Context:

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. 'This is too much.'

 a. Who says this to whom?

Ans:  Tortoise says this to himself.

b. What is 'too much'?

Ans: Mister Monkey coming to his house every day to ask

for money is ‘too much’.

c. What does the speaker decide to do?

Ans: Tortoise decides to teach Mister Monkey a lesson with

the help of his wife.

2. 'I can't help it that my husband is such a walk-about...'

a. Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: Tortesca says these words to Mister Monkey.

b. Who is the speaker referring to?

Ans: The speaker is referring to Tortoise, her husband.

c. Explain what is meant by 'a walk-about'.

Ans: A ‘walk-about’ is someone who often goes out of the

house to take a stroll or run an errand.

C. 1. What is meant by 'eat his words'?

Ans: ‘Eat his words’ means having to admit that something one said was wrong.

2. Mister Monkey says Tortoise is 'playing me up and down like a small boy'. Discuss what he means.

Ans: Tortoise had been avoiding meeting Mister Monkey for

a long time since he owed him money. This made Mister

Monkey was angry and he said these words because Tortoise

had been treating him like one would a small boy by giving

silly excuses.

3. Find the simile in the story to complete the descriptions below.

a. Again came Monkey’s knocks, like a machine gun.

b. Tortoise flew through the air like a rocket.

c. I would break his head like a coconut.

d. His anger had blown itself out like a tornado.

e. Waving his long arms about like a windmill in a Hurricane.

Chap-11

The Speed Track

The Hour-hand and the Minute -hand upon a polished dial

A meeting planned at twelve o'clock to walk and talk awhile,

The Hour-hand with the Minute-hand could never keep apace,

'The speed at which you move:' he said, 'is really a disgrace!'

Then laughed the Minute-hand and sang, 'The way that I must go

Is marked with milestones all along, and there are twelve, you know.

And I must call at each of these before my journey's done,

While you are creeping like a snail from twelve o'clock to one.

So now, farewell! But we shall meet again, good sir,' said he,

'The road that we are following is circular, you see!'

Peter

Word Meaning:

dial = the round face of a clock

apace = at a good or fast pace; at a sufficient rate to keep up with

disgrace = shame or loss of respect arising from bad behaviour

milestone = a stone by the side of the road indicating the number of miles to a certain place (here. it stands for the marks indicating the hours)

Answers:

 1. Which hand moves faster- the Hour-hand or the Minute-hand?

Ans: The Minute hand moves faster than the Hour-hand.

2. Whose speed was a disgrace?

Ans: The Minute-hand’s speed is a disgrace because it moves

faster than the Hour-hand.

3. Which hand had to move further?

Ans: The Minute hand had to move faster and had to achieve

more milestones than the Hour-hand. Both of them could

not achieve the same number of milestones.

4. Which lines show that the two hands would meet again?

Ans: The last and the second last lines show that the two

 Hands would meet again.

But we shall meet again, good sir,’ said he,

1‘The road that we are following is circular, you see!’

They have to meet again as their road is circular and they

would be meeting each other after every round of their

journey completes.

5. Why does the poem have the title 'the Speed Track'?

Ans: Yes, the title is appropriate as the Minute and Hour

 hands of the clock follow a circular path. The Minute’s 

hand is speeding along this path or track, whereas the

 Hour’s hand creeps along. This is why the poem is 

appropriately titled as The Speed Track.

B. Refernce to context:

Read this line from the poem, then answer the questions.

'And I must call at each of these before my journey's done.'

1. Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: The Minute-hand says these words to the Hour-hand.

2. Why is this explanation being given?

Ans: The Hour-hand could never keep pace with the Minute

 hand and says that the speed at which the Minute-hand

moves is a disgrace.

3. What does 'each of these' refer to?

Ans: ‘Each of these’ refers to the twelve milestones 

(numbers on the dial) on the circular path of the 

Minute-hand.

C. Words and meaning:

1. Explain the following:

a. grandfather clock—tall pendulum clock enclosed in a

wooden case

b. 24-hour clock—This clock uses a 24-hour system.

1:00 a.m. is written as 01:00 hours.

1:00 p.m. is written as 13:00 hours, and 12:00 midnight

is 24:00 hours.

c. digital—dealing with numbers or digits

d. stopwatch—watch which can be started and stopped at

will for timing races

e. kph—kilometers per hour; unit of speed

f. pm—post meridian, afternoon

g. am—ante meridian, before noon

h. sundial—an instrument to show the time of day by the

shadow cast by the sun

2. Can you think of suitable ways to complete the following?

a. chattering like a monkey

b. snoring like a lion

c. flying like a kite

d. soaring like an eagle

e. dancing like a ballerina

f. singing like a nightingale

g. croaking like a frog

h. wobbling like jelly

Chapter- 12

The Winged Monkeys

Answers:

A. 1. Why did Dorothy and her friends want to go to Emerald city?

Ans: Dorothy and her friends were traveling to the Emerald

City to find the brain of Scarecrow and the heart of Tin

Woodman.

2. Can you explain why the winged Monkey agreed to help
Dorothy and others immediately in your own words?

Ans: The Winged Monkey agreed to help Dorothy and others

immediately because they had a vow to fulfill three wishes

of the wearer of the Golden Cap.

3. Compare Quelala's response to the Joke that winged Monkey played on him with Gayelette's response. How and why were their responses different?

Ans: Quelala’s response was very different from Gayelette’s

response because he was a man wise beyond his age and

Gayelette was very furious as she loved Quelala extremely.

B. Reference to context:

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. 'She lived in a handsome palace built from great blocks of ruby.'

a. Who is being described?

Ans: Gayelette, a beautiful princess, who is also a powerful

sorceress.

b. What do people think of this person?

Ans: Everyone loves her because she uses all her magic to

help people and never hurts anyone who was good.

c. Which details in the story tell us that this person is rich?

 Ans: She lives in a palace built from blocks of ruby. Her

fiancé is dressed in a rich costume of pink silk and

2. 'The old fellow loved a joke better than a good dinner.'

a. Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: The King of the winged monkeys says this to Dorothy.

b. Who is the speaker describing?

Ans: The speaker is describing his grandfather.

c. Write the sentence in your own words while keeping the same meaning.

Ans: The person loved to play a trick and laugh more than

he loved a good meal.

3. Then Dorothy lost heart.
 a. What does this mean?

Ans: Dorothy is disappointed and loses her will to carry on.

b. Why does she lose heart?

Ans:  Dorothy loses heart because her companions are

convinced that they are lost and that they will never

reach Emerald City on time.

c. What idea does she have after this?

Ans:  Dorothy thinks of asking the field mice to help them

find their way to Emerald City.

C. Words and meaning:
1. Say the charm that Dorothy recites.

Ans:  Ep-pe, pep-pe, kak-ke!

Hil-lo, hol-lo, hel-lo!

Ziz-zy, zuz-zy, zik!

2. These are words that can be used to describe speech. Discuss what they mean and when you would use them. Use them in sentences of your own, trying to bring out the meaning clearly.

said,   grumbled,   whimpered,  answered,   asked,   declared,  pleaded,  replied, agreed

 a. said—Naina said she would bring the basket.

b. grumbled—Waqar grumbled about the amount of

homework given.

c. whimpered—The puppy whimpered after being hit by

a stone.

d. answered—The cat went out of the window while Tim

answered the door.

e. asked—Mimi was asked to draw an elephant.

f. declared—The two states declared war against each

other.

3. These words describe how someone says or does something. Use each one in a short sentence. Example: She whistled cheerfully.

a. anxiously—She waited anxiously.

b. brightly—The stars shone brightly.

c. carefully—He opened the package carefully.

d. soundly—The baby slept soundly.

e. badly—She made the bed badly.

f. easily—He found the pen easily.

g. calmly—She answered calmly.

h. swiftly—She moved swiftly.

i. happily—We sang happily.

Chapter-13

Haggard's Crossing

Answers 

A. 1. Why did people not stop at Haggard's Crossing?

Ans: Locals believed that the restless spirit of a man who had

been robbed and killed at Haggard’s Crossing roamed the

valley. People avoided Haggard’s Crossing as they believed

that the spirit caused many accidents from time to time.

2. Why was Jack much in demand by the villagers?

Ans: Jack’s father was a farmer and sold his vegetable to the city

market.

3.  Why did Jack play his banjo on the way home?

Ans: Jack always made sure that he got a lift back home on

somebody’s cart.

4. Who do you think the man at Haggard's Crossing was? How did he know Jack?

Ans: Jack was an excellent banjo player. He was in demand as he

enlivened parties with his music.

Jack played the banjo on his way home as he felt comforted

by its sound in the dark

B. Reference to Context

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. 'The road is not safe and Sindleford is quite some way,' said Jack.

 a. To whom is Jack speaking?

Ans: Jack is speaking to the Robsons.

b. Why is Jack speaking about Sindleford?

Ans: Jack lives in the village of Sindleford, which is quite a

distance down from the top of the valley at Barkham.

c. What answer does Jack get to make him feel less fearful?

Ans: Jack is reassured by the fact that Charlie Welling and

his family, from his village, have also been invited to

the same party. So they would give him a lift in their

cart on the way back home.

2. 'I have waited so long for you to come this way.'

a. Who says these words and to whom?

Ans: The spirit says the words to Jack.

b. Where has the person been waiting?

Ans: The spirit has been waiting at Haggard’s Crossing,

where he had been killed, since that time.

c. Why has Jack come that way?

Ans: Jack is compelled to go through Haggard’s Crossing

from the party at Barkham because the Wellhams who

were to give him a lift by cart had already left. Also, he

finds there has been a landslide on the other route to

their village. So, Jack is forced to take this route.

C. Words and meaning:

1. With the help of a dictionary, find out what these words mean. Use them in sentences.

 a. soul—a moving spirit

May his soul rest in peace.

b. spirit—a supernatural being

The dead man’s restless spirit roamed the valley.

c. ghost—soul of a dead person

The ghost rose from the grave at night.

d. phantom—a form without reality; apparent to the

senses but with no substantial existence

The boy imagined that he saw the phantom of his dead

father at his bedside at midnight.

e. ghoul—an evil being who robs graves and feeds on

corpses

In the dark, he looked like a ghoul.

f. poltergeist—a noisy mischievous ghost

The poltergeist made sleeping in the house impossible.

Chapter- 14

Ye Fairy Ship

1. Where was the ship? Use the sentence from the poem in your answer.

Ans: The ship was ‘A-sailing on the sea’.

2. What items was the ship carrying?

Ans: The ship was carrying raisins and almonds.

3. What were the sailors and how many of them were there?

Ans: The sailors were white mice and there were twenty-four of

them.

4. Which detail might make it seem like the mice are captives?

Ans: The mice had rings around their necks which may indicate

that they were captives and the duck was not a nice captain.

5. What makes the ship seem magical?

Ans: The ship has been referred to as ‘fairy ship’. Its captain is a

duck and the sailors are white mice.

B. Refernce to Context

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.

1.  There were raisins in the cabin

a) What is unusual about where the raisins are stored?

Ans:  The raisins are stored in the cabin instead of the cargo
hold.

b. What is a cabin usually used for?

Ans:  A cabin is a private room or area in a ship where the
sailors stay.

c. Where would you expect the cargo to be stowed?

Ans: The cargo is supposed to be stowed in the cargo hold.

2. The captain he said, 'Quack!'

 a. Who is the captain?

Ans:  The duck is the captain.

b. What is the captain wearing?

Ans: The captain is wearing a jacket.

c. In your opinion, what could he mean when he says, 'Quack!'?

Ans:  I think when the captain said ‘Quack’, he ordered the
ship to set sail.

Ye Fairy Ship

1 

A ship, a ship a-sailing, 

A-sailing on the sea, 

And it was deeply laden 

With pretty things for me; 

There were raisins in the cabin, 

And almonds in the hold; 

The sails were made of satin, 

And the mast it was of gold. 

2 

The four-and-twenty sailors 

That stood between the decks, 

Were four-and-twenty white mice 

With rings about their necks. 

The captain was a duck, a duck, 

With a jacket on his back, 

And when this fairy ship set sail, 

The captain he said, "Quack!"

Walter Crane

===================

Three Men on A Boat

Chapter- 15

Word Meaning:

towed up = the men are in a barge; in certain places, the barge has to be pulled 

                     by someone on the bank.

hamper = a large basket used for carrying food for a picnic

clematis = a climbing plant (also honeysuckle)

the Stage = the name of an inn, a place to take refreshment or stay

vacant = unoccupied or empty; available for hire

meek = showing mildness; weak

coal cellar = a room under a house where coal is stored

enliven = to make somebody or something more lively or interesting

assume = to take on (a role or function)

limekiln = an oven for heating limestone to produce quicklime (used for improving the soil)

Q/A:

A. 1. Why does the author say: 'It will be some time before I forget it?'
         Why do you think he remembers it so well? 

Ans: The author remembered his first trip because of all the

         trouble his friends and he went through to find a place to stay.

2. What objection did Harris have to staying at the Manor House? 

Ans: Harris did not want to go to the Manor House as he didn’t

           like the looks of the man leaning against the front door

           there. He said the man didn’t look nice at all and thought

           his boots were ugly.

B. Reference to context 

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions. 

1. 'We passed a very pretty little hotel, with clematis and creeper over the porch.' 

a. Who was passing the hotel and whom? 

Ans: The author was passing the hotel Stag along with his

friends George and Harris. It was quite late, ten o'clock

at night, a Saturday in the month of August.

b. Were they carrying anything? 

Ans: The men were carrying a hamper, two bags, rugs, and

coats.

c. Did they stay at the hotel? If not, why? 

Ans: They did not stay at the hotel because the author

wanted a hotel with honeysuckle over the porch

instead.

2. 'We fell upon his neck there in the moonlight and blessed him.' 

a. Who is blessed by whom? 

Ans: The little boy is blessed by the three men.

 

b. Why is he blessed by them? 

Ans: The little boy takes them to his house, like a saviour

angel, when they were exhausted in their attempt to

find lodging at Datchet.

c. Where does the person who was blessed take the others and
   What happens to them there? 

Ans: The three men are able to spend the night at the little

boy’s house. They had a hot dinner served by the little

boy’s mother. They had only two beds in the room.

The smaller one was taken by Harris, the other shared

by the author and George.

C. Words and Meaning:

1. What do you think these expressions mean?

 a. This staggered us for a bit.

Ans: This surprised and unsettled us.

b. Harris rose to the occasion.

Ans: Harris exerted himself to meet the challenge or

demand.

c. We must rough it.

Ans: We must live without the usual comforts and

conveniences.

d. two feet of bare leg sticking out

Ans:  Two feet of the bare leg extending out, as the bed was too

small. (feet here is a measure of length)

2. Can you make sense of the following? Some punctuation marks might help!

a. I said, ‘Oh, don’t let’s go in there! Let’s go on a bit

farther and see if there isn’t one with honeysuckle over

it.’

b. ‘Well then,’ he said, ‘there’s the Manor House just

opposite. Have you tried that?’

c. ‘Oh well, never mind,’ said George, ‘two will do. Two of

us can sleep in one bed, can’t we?’

D. Discuss and write:

 1. Discuss the following. Are any of these proverbs appropriate for this story?

a. All good things come to an end.

Ans: Good times don’t last forever.

b. All's well that ends well.

Ans: If the end result is good and favourable, all the

hardships that one has gone through to achieve the

goal seem insignificant.

c. Beggers can't be choosers.

Ans: When you are asking for something, you can’t be

choosy and have to accept whatever is given to you.

d. The early bird catches the worm.

Ans: A person who starts work on time is sure to finish on

time and get results.

Q. Imagine you are making travel plans to visit a seaside or a mountain
resort. Make a list of the things you need to take, the things you
need to do to make the trip, and the places you need to visit when
you reach there. For this, you need to find out a little about the
place.

Chapter- 16

Leisure 

William Henry Davies

What is the life if, full of care, 

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass;

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance,

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies (1871 - 1940) was born in Newport, UK. At school he discovered a liking for poetry. He became an apprentice picture framer, but he gave this up and went to try his luck in America.
There he became a traveller, riding freight cars, working in the fruit fields, and narrowly escaping with his life after an attack of malaria and an assault by armed robbers!
He wrote many enjoyable poems. 'Leisure' is probably the best remembered.

Q/A

1. What is the poet asking us to do?

2. What are some of the things we might not have time to see?

3. What do you think the poet means by 'streams full of stars'? Are there really stars there?

4. In what way might our lives be 'poor'?

Reference to context:

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.

1. No time to see, when woods we pass,.......

a. What might be seen in the woods?

b. What is the poet telling us to do and why?

2. No time to turn at Beauty's glance,.......

a. Why is 'Beauty' written with a capital letter?

b. What are the images of Beauty that the poet illustrates?

c. What lesson about life does the poet want us to learn?

C. Words and meaning

1. Can you find these words in the poem?

a. to look directly at somebody or something

b. in, at, or to a lower position than something else

c. forested areas

d. large main branches

e. bright bodies in space

f. to improve the quality of something

2. Can you find the silent letters in the following?

a. boughs

b. where

c. daylight

d. watch

e. knuckle

f. comb

D. Discuss and write

1. There poem is an easy one to learn by heart. Why don't you try to learn it?

2. Look through the poems and stories you have read so far, and find all the examples of characters working and not working. Do you agree with the ideas of the poet that we should take some time to enjoy life? 

Chapter-17

The Boy Who Broke The Bank

1. How did the washerman's son help Nathu?

2. In what way was the barber's customer upset?

3. What astonished people about Ganpat's actions?

4. What did the manager tell the crowd?

5. Who do you think was most to blame for the collapse of the bank?

Chapter-18

How I Learned to Ride

Q. What is the message of this story?

Ans: The story conveys the message that success comes only after failure. So if one fails in doing something the first time he shouldn't get disheartened but try to do that even better the next time. 

That way one can achieve whatever one wishes to.

Questions

1. Right or wrong?

a) The boys had to study every day of the week. (Wrong )

b) The youngest boy was allowed to ride. (Right)

c) The boy climbed onto his horse by himself. (Wrong )

d) The boy's horse was called Ruddy. (Right)

e) The master watched the boy all the time. (Wrong)

f) The boy was afraid but did not show his feelings. ( Right)

B. Reference to Context

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. 'He who does not once fall down from a horse will not learn to ride.'

a) Who says this and to whom?

Ans: The author's father says this to him.

b) What does he say before this?

Ans: His father tells him he can go learn to ride a horse but do not cry even if he falls off it.

c) What impact do his words have on the listener?

Ans: The author very bravely sits on the horse and doesn't call out even when he slides off the saddle. He is frightened but he doesn't show it.

2. 'A child's body is soft.'

a) Who says this?

Ans: The master says this.

b) Why does he say it?

Ans: He says this because the author says he's not hurt after falling off the horse.

c) What does he mean?

Ans: He means to say that children often fall and seldom get hurt.

C. Words and meaning

1. Choose the best answer.

a) The father did not want his son to learn to ride because:

i. he thought he was too light

ii. he wanted him to study

iii. he was worried that he would fall off

b) The boy was frightened in the riding-school because:

i. the horses were noisy

ii. it was dark and unfamiliar

iii. he could not see

c) The boy fell off the horse because:

i. the saddle was broken

ii. the master was not paying attention

iii. the horse threw him off

2. Can you think of homophones for the following?

Note: A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another, but is spelt in a different way.

For example their/there

mane/main

reigns / rains

tale / tail

hair/hare

horse/hoorse

road / rode

nay / neigh

whoa / woe

Chapter- 19

The Lake Isle of innisfree

William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where

the cricket sings;

There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now; for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Word Meanings:

Innisfree = a place in Ireland

wattles =  materials such as branches and twigs, which are used to make a fence or wall

bee-loud = loud with the sound of buzzing bees

glade = an area in a wood or forest without trees or bushes

cricket = a leaping insect that produces a chirping sound by rubbing its forewings together

Linnet = a small brownish songbird

Core = the central or most important part of something

William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939 ) was born in Country Dublin, Ireland. He was fascinated from an early age by Irish folklore. Yeats lived for long periods of his life in London. He won the Nobel Prize in 1933. He died in France. Yeats said he wrote 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' when reminded of the holidays of his childhood by a novelty fountain in the window of a shop in Fleet Street, London.

A. 1. What are the simple things that the poet wants to do in Innisfree?

Ans: The poet wants to go to Innisfree and build a small cabin

with clay and wattles. He wants to grow nine rows of beans

and have a hive for the honey bees there.

2. What clues are there in the poem to tell us that the poet has set his mind on doing this?

Ans: The poet lives in the city and is perhaps tired of the noise

and grey surroundings. He dreams of living in Innisfree

surrounded by Nature.

3. Why do you think the poet dreams of Innisfree?

Ans: The poet hears the lake water lapping night and day. He

hears it deep in the core of his heart.

4. How are the following described?

   a. morning   b. midnight   c. evening

As: a. veils of morning—The mist and fog in the morning is like a veil.

b. midnight’s all a-glimmer—The moon is shining and

the lake sparkles with the reflection.

c. evening full of linnet’s wings—In the evening the sky is

full of linnets on their way home to their nest.

5. When does the poet hear the water of the lake?

Ans: ‘I will arise and go now’—is a definitive decision which the

poet reiterates at the end of the poem. The peaceful nature

images he can hear and see even amidst the hustle and

bustle of the city.

B. Reference to context

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.

1. And evening full of the linnet's wings.

 a. What other times of the day does the poet describe? What does he say about these?

Ans:  The poet describes morning, noon, midnight

times apart from the evenings. Peace drops slowly

permeating through the misty morning into the time

when the cricket sings. Midnight is not dark but

shining, the lake water glimmering with the reflection

of the moon, the noon tinged with the purple of the

sun about to set.

b. What are linnets?

Ans: Linnets are small brownish songbirds.

c. Does the poet mean that the linnets are big?

Ans: The linnets are not big but many. The evenings are full

with the noise of the linnets’ flapping wings retreating to their nest.

2. I hear it in the deep heart's core.

a. What does the poet hear?

Ans: The poet hears the sound of the lake water lapping night and day.

b. What is meant by 'deep heart's core'?

Ans: ‘Deep heart’s core’ refers to the innermost part of the self.

C. Words and meaning:

 1. a. arise—The leader exhorted the activists to arise and fight till the goal was reached.

b. veils of the morning—The veils of the morning parted to show a bright and sunny day.

c. a purple glow—The rainbow left a purple glow in the sky.

d. water lapping—The devotees dipped their feet in the

water lapping by the Ghat.

Chapter- 20

Fly Back to Me

A. 1. What is meant by the phrase 'out of the blue'?

Ans: It means all of a sudden, unexpectedly.

2. In what way was Wonder beautiful?

Ans: Wonder was a beautiful pigeon. Shades of green, blue, and

fawn bright and dull blended on its breast. Its tail was black

and white and its feet were pink.

4. Why do think Jerry did not bring back the bird he had shot?

Ans:  Jerry did not bring back the bird he had shot, as his mother

would be very angry if she heard about it.

5. With what comparison does Jerry describe the return of Wonder?

Ans: Jerry began to fear that he may have killed Wonder, and not

just any dove.

B. Reference to Context

Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.

1. Two days! Perhaps he might never see it again!

a. What does 'two days' refer to?

Ans: Two days had passed since Jerry’s favourite pigeon

Wonder had disappeared.

b. Why might the person never see it again?

Ans: Jerry might never see it again for it might have been

killed in the passage of two days. Jerry feared that he

himself could have been the culprit.

C. Describe 'it', recalling phrases used in the story.

Ans: Jerry refers to it as a beautiful pigeon on whose breast

mingled shades of green, blue, and fawn. The colours

on its neck and wings ‘merged in a delightful shifting

harmony’ when it shook its head. Its tail was black and

white like a draught-board in pattern and its feet were

pink.

2. I will break your hand if I see yo' with one.

a. Who says these words and to whom?

Ans:  Jerry’s mother says this to Jerry.

b. What is he or she going to 'break' and why?

Ans: Jerry’s mother warns him that she will break Jerry’s

hand if she ever sees a catapult in his hand.

c. Is anything broken later on? What is it and who breaks it?

Ans: Jerry breaks his own catapult at the end when Wonder,

his pigeon, lands safely near his feet after an absence

of two days. During this agonising period, Jerry goes

through the fear that the dove that he had killed was

actually his favourite pigeon Wonder.

2. a. loft—Bina had to sleep in the loft whenever they had

guests in the house. (noun)

Bina lofted the ball into the air. (verb)

b. flock—I saw a flock of pelicans near the swarm.

(noun)

Everyone flocked to the beach to look at the turtle

which had washed ashore. (verb)

c. feed—Rabia went to the market to buy feed for the

cattle. (noun)

I feed my pet parrot twice a day. (verb)

d. mother—Sania’s mother gave her a doll before she

died. (noun)

The old women mothered the orphans after the war.

(verb)

e. present—I have a surprise present for my brother’s

birthday. (noun)

Kasim presented a bouquet to the chief guest. (verb)

f. sling—Jerry took aim and shot the bird with his

sling. (noun)

Nehal slung the bundle over his shoulder. (verb)

Chapter-21

Sea Fever

Answers 

A. 1. Where does the speaker want to go?

Ans: The speaker wants to go back to the sea.

2. What kind of life does the speaker wish to have?

Ans: The speaker wishes to live the life of a gypsy, to wander from place to place. He wants to be on the sea and feel the sharp wind and listen to a merry yarn from a laughing

fellow seaman.

3. The speaker cannot deny the call of the seas as it is ‘wild’ and is ‘clear’.

4. The speaker is very eager to go to the sea as all the lines

starting from ‘I must go down to the seas…’ are repeatedly used. 

Also in the second stanza he says that the ‘call’ is 'wild’ and ‘clear’ and a call that cannot be refused.

5. What does the speaker wish for after his turn at the helm?

Ans: The speaker wishes for quiet sleep and a sweet dream after his turn at the helm.

B. Refernce to Context

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.

1. Is a wild call and a clear call...

a. Where is this 'wild' and 'clear' call coming from?

Ans: The wild and clear call is coming from the sea, from the running tide.

b. What does the poet think about this call?

Ans: The poet thinks it is a wild call that cannot be refuted.

c. What does the poet require to fulfill this call?

Ans: All that the poet requires to fulfill his call is a windy

day with white clouds, the seagulls crying, the water

frothy and sprayed like a mist.

2. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life

 a. What do the words 'vagrant' and gypsy' mean?

Ans:  The words ‘vagrant’ and ‘gypsy’ refer to the nomadic

character of the sailor’s life.

b. What other examples of this life are given by the poet?

Ans: ‘Merry yarn’ is spun ‘by fellow laughing-rover’ or seaman in this life where the wild call beckons. 

Here, the gull and the whale play with the knife like sharp wind every now and then.

c. What is it about this way of life that appeals to the poet?

Ans: The poet is lured by the constant play with nature’s vagaries and the exposure to the roughness of life that this life holds.

C. Words and meaning

 1. Refer to the poem and fill in the blanks.

a. wheel’s kick 

b. gull’s or whale’s way

c. wind’s song 

d. white sail’s shaking

e. sea’s face

"Sea Fever" by John Masefield is a classic and much-loved poem that beautifully captures the poet’s deep longing for the sea and the life of a sailor. It's included in Oxford Reading Circle Book 5 and is often taught for its vivid imagery, rhythm, and emotional depth.

Summary:

In "Sea Fever", the speaker feels a deep, irresistible pull toward the sea. He longs for:

• the freedom of sailing,
• the natural elements (wind, tide, sky), and
• the romantic, adventurous life of a sailor.

Masefield uses sensory language and rhythmic lines to make the reader feel the motion of the sea and the spirit of adventure.

Literary Devices:

• Repetition: “I must go down to the seas again” – creates a rhythm and emphasizes his longing.
• Alliteration: “wind’s like a whetted knife”, “white clouds flying” – adds musicality.
• Imagery: Vivid pictures of sea, ships, and sky.
• Personification: The sea seems alive, calling the speaker.

 Themes:

• Adventure and freedom
• Connection to nature
• Restlessness of the human spirit
• The peace of death (metaphor in final stanza)

Why it's in Oxford Reading Circle Book 5:

• It’s age-appropriate, yet rich in meaning.
• Encourages appreciation of poetry and deep thinking.
• A great example for teaching figurative language and poetic form.

Chapter - 22

Precious Treasure

A. 1. The Old man sold his house and land as he had retired

and wanted to spend the rest of his life with his sons and

grandchildren.

2. The attitude of each son and his family changed toward the

Old man because it has become difficult for them to manage

him for they think his habits are difficult. They also thought

that he does not have table manners and he pampers the

grandchildren which have a bad influence on them.

3. They decided to send him to school because he was free and

had nothing to do. Besides they were tired of keeping him.

4. The metal box was very precious to the Old Man as it

contained letters from his late wife.

B. 1. a. The Old Man said this to his sons.

b. He says this because he has sold all his land and house

to give the equal distribution of it to his sons in his life.

c.  Initially they do, in the middle of

the play they start getting tired and plan to send him

to school but in the end, they understand that they are

about to do a great mistake.

2. a. The Old Man is saying these words to Petra.

b. The speaker is referring to his late wife.

c. He says these words when his sons are about to drop

him to school. He was very grieved and sad.