NCERT Textbook: Who Did Patrick's Homework | English Class 6 (Honeysuckle) PDF Download

 Page 1


WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 7
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
1. PATRICK never did homework. “Too
boring,” he said. He played hockey and
basketball and Nintendo instead. His
teachers told him, “Patrick! Do your
homework or you won’t learn a thing.”
And it’s true, sometimes he did feel like
an ignoramus. But what could he do?
He hated homework.
2. Then one day he found his cat
playing with a little doll and he grabbed
it away. To his surprise it wasn’t a doll
Nintendo: a
video game
ignoramus: an
ignorant person,
who lacks
education
1
Before you read
Discuss in class: Do you like homework? Do you
do it yourself, or do you get help? What
homework do you usually have?
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 2


WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 7
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
1. PATRICK never did homework. “Too
boring,” he said. He played hockey and
basketball and Nintendo instead. His
teachers told him, “Patrick! Do your
homework or you won’t learn a thing.”
And it’s true, sometimes he did feel like
an ignoramus. But what could he do?
He hated homework.
2. Then one day he found his cat
playing with a little doll and he grabbed
it away. To his surprise it wasn’t a doll
Nintendo: a
video game
ignoramus: an
ignorant person,
who lacks
education
1
Before you read
Discuss in class: Do you like homework? Do you
do it yourself, or do you get help? What
homework do you usually have?
Rationalised 2023-24
8 HONEYSUCKLE
at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He
had a little wool shirt with old-
fashioned britches and a high tall hat
much like a witch’s. He yelled, “Save me!
Don’t give me back to that cat. I’ll grant
you a wish, I promise you that.”
3. Patrick couldn’t believe how lucky he
was! Here was the answer to all of his
problems. So he said, “Only if you do all
my homework till the end of the
semester, that’s 35 days. If you do a
good enough job, I could even get A’s.”
4. The little man’s face wrinkled like a
dishcloth thrown in the hamper. He
kicked his legs and doubled his fists
and he grimaced and scowled and
pursed his lips, “Oh, am I cursed! But
I’ll do it.”
dishcloth: a cloth
used for washing
dishes
hamper: a basket
with a lid
grimaced,scowled,
pursed his lips:
his face had
these expressions,
showing disgust,
anger and
disapproval
britches:
breeches, or
short trousers.
The writer here
spells it, for fun,
to rhyme with
the word ‘witch’s’.
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 3


WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 7
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
1. PATRICK never did homework. “Too
boring,” he said. He played hockey and
basketball and Nintendo instead. His
teachers told him, “Patrick! Do your
homework or you won’t learn a thing.”
And it’s true, sometimes he did feel like
an ignoramus. But what could he do?
He hated homework.
2. Then one day he found his cat
playing with a little doll and he grabbed
it away. To his surprise it wasn’t a doll
Nintendo: a
video game
ignoramus: an
ignorant person,
who lacks
education
1
Before you read
Discuss in class: Do you like homework? Do you
do it yourself, or do you get help? What
homework do you usually have?
Rationalised 2023-24
8 HONEYSUCKLE
at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He
had a little wool shirt with old-
fashioned britches and a high tall hat
much like a witch’s. He yelled, “Save me!
Don’t give me back to that cat. I’ll grant
you a wish, I promise you that.”
3. Patrick couldn’t believe how lucky he
was! Here was the answer to all of his
problems. So he said, “Only if you do all
my homework till the end of the
semester, that’s 35 days. If you do a
good enough job, I could even get A’s.”
4. The little man’s face wrinkled like a
dishcloth thrown in the hamper. He
kicked his legs and doubled his fists
and he grimaced and scowled and
pursed his lips, “Oh, am I cursed! But
I’ll do it.”
dishcloth: a cloth
used for washing
dishes
hamper: a basket
with a lid
grimaced,scowled,
pursed his lips:
his face had
these expressions,
showing disgust,
anger and
disapproval
britches:
breeches, or
short trousers.
The writer here
spells it, for fun,
to rhyme with
the word ‘witch’s’.
Rationalised 2023-24
WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 9
5. And true to his word, that little elf
began to do Patrick’s homework. Except
there was one glitch. The elf didn’t
always know what to do and he needed
help. “Help me! Help me!” he’d say. And
Patrick would have to help — in
whatever way.
“I don’t know this word,” the elf
squeaked while reading Patrick’s
homework. “Get me a dictionary. No,
what’s even better, look up the word and
sound it out by each letter.”
6. When it came to maths, Patrick was
out of luck. “What are times tables?” the
elf shrieked. “We elves never need that.
glitch (an
informal word): a
fault in a
machine that
prevents it from
working properly;
here, hitch or
problem
shrieked: gave a
short, high-pitched
cry
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 4


WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 7
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
1. PATRICK never did homework. “Too
boring,” he said. He played hockey and
basketball and Nintendo instead. His
teachers told him, “Patrick! Do your
homework or you won’t learn a thing.”
And it’s true, sometimes he did feel like
an ignoramus. But what could he do?
He hated homework.
2. Then one day he found his cat
playing with a little doll and he grabbed
it away. To his surprise it wasn’t a doll
Nintendo: a
video game
ignoramus: an
ignorant person,
who lacks
education
1
Before you read
Discuss in class: Do you like homework? Do you
do it yourself, or do you get help? What
homework do you usually have?
Rationalised 2023-24
8 HONEYSUCKLE
at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He
had a little wool shirt with old-
fashioned britches and a high tall hat
much like a witch’s. He yelled, “Save me!
Don’t give me back to that cat. I’ll grant
you a wish, I promise you that.”
3. Patrick couldn’t believe how lucky he
was! Here was the answer to all of his
problems. So he said, “Only if you do all
my homework till the end of the
semester, that’s 35 days. If you do a
good enough job, I could even get A’s.”
4. The little man’s face wrinkled like a
dishcloth thrown in the hamper. He
kicked his legs and doubled his fists
and he grimaced and scowled and
pursed his lips, “Oh, am I cursed! But
I’ll do it.”
dishcloth: a cloth
used for washing
dishes
hamper: a basket
with a lid
grimaced,scowled,
pursed his lips:
his face had
these expressions,
showing disgust,
anger and
disapproval
britches:
breeches, or
short trousers.
The writer here
spells it, for fun,
to rhyme with
the word ‘witch’s’.
Rationalised 2023-24
WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 9
5. And true to his word, that little elf
began to do Patrick’s homework. Except
there was one glitch. The elf didn’t
always know what to do and he needed
help. “Help me! Help me!” he’d say. And
Patrick would have to help — in
whatever way.
“I don’t know this word,” the elf
squeaked while reading Patrick’s
homework. “Get me a dictionary. No,
what’s even better, look up the word and
sound it out by each letter.”
6. When it came to maths, Patrick was
out of luck. “What are times tables?” the
elf shrieked. “We elves never need that.
glitch (an
informal word): a
fault in a
machine that
prevents it from
working properly;
here, hitch or
problem
shrieked: gave a
short, high-pitched
cry
Rationalised 2023-24
10 HONEYSUCKLE
And addition and subtraction and
division and fractions? Here, sit down
beside me, you simply must guide me.”
Elves know nothing of human history,
to them it’s a mystery. So the little elf,
already a shouter, just got louder. “Go
to the library, I need books. More and
more books. And you can help me
read them too.”
7. As a matter of fact, every day in every
way that little elf was a nag! Patrick was
working harder than ever and was it a
drag! He was staying up nights, had
never felt so weary, was going to school
with his eyes puffed and bleary.
8. Finally, the last day of school arrived
and the elf was free to go. As for
homework, there was no more, so he
quietly and slyly slipped out the back door .
9. Patrick got his A’s; his classmates
were amazed; his teachers smiled and
were full of praise. And his parents?
They wondered what had happened to
Patrick. He was now the model kid.
Cleaned his room, did his chores, was
cheerful, never rude, like he had
developed a whole new attitude.
10. You see, in the end, Patrick still
thought he’d made that tiny man do all
his homework. But I’ll share a secret,
just between you and me. It wasn’t the
elf; Patrick had done it himself!
CAROL MOORE
kid (an informal
word): a child
chores: work that
must be done
everyday, often
boring
attitude: a feeling
about someone or
something
nag: one who
troubles someone
all the time by
complaining or
asking them to
do something
drag (an informal
word): something
dull and
uninteresting
slyly: secretively
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 5


WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 7
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
Who Did Patrick’s
Homework?
1. PATRICK never did homework. “Too
boring,” he said. He played hockey and
basketball and Nintendo instead. His
teachers told him, “Patrick! Do your
homework or you won’t learn a thing.”
And it’s true, sometimes he did feel like
an ignoramus. But what could he do?
He hated homework.
2. Then one day he found his cat
playing with a little doll and he grabbed
it away. To his surprise it wasn’t a doll
Nintendo: a
video game
ignoramus: an
ignorant person,
who lacks
education
1
Before you read
Discuss in class: Do you like homework? Do you
do it yourself, or do you get help? What
homework do you usually have?
Rationalised 2023-24
8 HONEYSUCKLE
at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He
had a little wool shirt with old-
fashioned britches and a high tall hat
much like a witch’s. He yelled, “Save me!
Don’t give me back to that cat. I’ll grant
you a wish, I promise you that.”
3. Patrick couldn’t believe how lucky he
was! Here was the answer to all of his
problems. So he said, “Only if you do all
my homework till the end of the
semester, that’s 35 days. If you do a
good enough job, I could even get A’s.”
4. The little man’s face wrinkled like a
dishcloth thrown in the hamper. He
kicked his legs and doubled his fists
and he grimaced and scowled and
pursed his lips, “Oh, am I cursed! But
I’ll do it.”
dishcloth: a cloth
used for washing
dishes
hamper: a basket
with a lid
grimaced,scowled,
pursed his lips:
his face had
these expressions,
showing disgust,
anger and
disapproval
britches:
breeches, or
short trousers.
The writer here
spells it, for fun,
to rhyme with
the word ‘witch’s’.
Rationalised 2023-24
WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 9
5. And true to his word, that little elf
began to do Patrick’s homework. Except
there was one glitch. The elf didn’t
always know what to do and he needed
help. “Help me! Help me!” he’d say. And
Patrick would have to help — in
whatever way.
“I don’t know this word,” the elf
squeaked while reading Patrick’s
homework. “Get me a dictionary. No,
what’s even better, look up the word and
sound it out by each letter.”
6. When it came to maths, Patrick was
out of luck. “What are times tables?” the
elf shrieked. “We elves never need that.
glitch (an
informal word): a
fault in a
machine that
prevents it from
working properly;
here, hitch or
problem
shrieked: gave a
short, high-pitched
cry
Rationalised 2023-24
10 HONEYSUCKLE
And addition and subtraction and
division and fractions? Here, sit down
beside me, you simply must guide me.”
Elves know nothing of human history,
to them it’s a mystery. So the little elf,
already a shouter, just got louder. “Go
to the library, I need books. More and
more books. And you can help me
read them too.”
7. As a matter of fact, every day in every
way that little elf was a nag! Patrick was
working harder than ever and was it a
drag! He was staying up nights, had
never felt so weary, was going to school
with his eyes puffed and bleary.
8. Finally, the last day of school arrived
and the elf was free to go. As for
homework, there was no more, so he
quietly and slyly slipped out the back door .
9. Patrick got his A’s; his classmates
were amazed; his teachers smiled and
were full of praise. And his parents?
They wondered what had happened to
Patrick. He was now the model kid.
Cleaned his room, did his chores, was
cheerful, never rude, like he had
developed a whole new attitude.
10. You see, in the end, Patrick still
thought he’d made that tiny man do all
his homework. But I’ll share a secret,
just between you and me. It wasn’t the
elf; Patrick had done it himself!
CAROL MOORE
kid (an informal
word): a child
chores: work that
must be done
everyday, often
boring
attitude: a feeling
about someone or
something
nag: one who
troubles someone
all the time by
complaining or
asking them to
do something
drag (an informal
word): something
dull and
uninteresting
slyly: secretively
Rationalised 2023-24
WHO DID PATRICK’S HOMEWORK? 11
Answer the following questions. (Refer to that part of the text whose
number is given against the question. This applies to the
comprehension questions throughout the book.)
1. What did Patrick think his cat was playing with?
What was it really? (2)
2. Why did the little man grant Patrick a wish? (2)
3. What was Patrick’s wish? (3)
4. In what subjects did the little man need help, to do Patrick’s
homework? (5,6)
5. How did Patrick help him? (7)
6. Who do you think did Patrick’s homework— the little man, or
Patrick himself? Give reasons for your answer. (9, 10)
A. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with the words or
phrases from the box. (You may not know the meaning of all the
words. Look such words up in a dictionary, or ask your teacher.)
out of luck    mystery    true to his word    chores
semester    between you and me    look up
1. Some people find household 
—————————————
 a
bore, but I like to help at home.
2. Who stole the diamond is still a 
—————————————
 .
3. This ————————————— we are going to have a class
exhibition.
4.
—————————————
, the elf began to help Patrick.
5. Can you 
—————————————
 this word in the dictionary?
6. I started early to be on time, but I was 
———————————
.
There was a traffic jam!
7. She says she’s got a lot of books, but 
————————————
I think most of them are borrowed.
WORKING WITH THE TEXT
WORKING WITH LANGUAGE
Rationalised 2023-24