Textbook Solutions: Mellidora | Gul Mohar Class 6: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

In-text questions

1. What does the word ‘confidence’ mean in para 4?
Ans: The word ‘confidence’ means strong belief or trust.

2. Why do you think the lady is laughing?
Ans: The lady is laughing because she finds the situation funny. Even though she fell in the ditch and is all muddy, she can see the humor in it instead of getting upset.

3. In para 14, the prince decides to wait because he is nervous/ wise/ uncertain.
Ans: wise

The prince decides to wait because he is being thoughtful and wants to follow the complete advice of his aunt.

4. What does para 16 tell us about how widely the king’s birthday was being celebrated? Name an event or occasion which is celebrated in our country by all sections of society.
Ans: Para 16 shows that the king’s son’s birthday was being celebrated in a grand and joyful manner. Even common people like the old woman were participating by bringing special gifts.

An event celebrated by all sections in our country: Independence Day  or Republic Day — These are widely celebrated across all regions and communities.

5: What does para 22 tell you about the prince?
Ans: Para 22 shows that the prince is compassionate and caring. He notices Mellidora’s kindness and the sadness in her eyes, which reveals his ability to empathize with others.

Understanding the Text

A. Complete the flowchart. (See the book for the full question)

Ans: Here is the completed flowchart based on the story. Students can use it to fill in the chart given in the book.

The prince was looking for a girl who—
1.a laughed when others cried.
2.a cried when others laughed.

Event 1: A carriage carrying six ladies turned over and

1.b all the ladies fell into a muddy ditch.

• The other ladies wept because
  1.c they were wet, muddy, and embarrassed.
• Mellidora laughed because
  1.d she found the situation funny and light-hearted.
• This shows she
  1.e had a cheerful nature and could laugh at difficult times.

Event 2: An old woman fell down, her cake was spoiled and

2.b her eggs were broken in the courtyard.

• Everyone laughed at her because
  2.c she looked funny shouting and waving her umbrella.
• Mellidora cried because
  2.d she felt sorry for the old woman and her ruined gift.
• This shows she
  2.e was kind and felt empathy for others.

OR

Flowchart completion:

Answer these questions.

1. Why did the prince go to his aunt?

Ans: The prince went to his aunt to ask for her advice on how to choose a wife. He was attending a festival and hoped to find a wife among the many ladies there.

2. Why were the five ladies in Mellidora’s carriage weeping? Was it natural for them to be upset?

Ans: The five ladies were weeping because their carriage had turned over, and they had fallen into a muddy ditch, which was a very unpleasant situation. It was natural for them to be upset because they were wet, dirty, and scared.

3. “But she laughed all the same.” (para 8)
a. Who was laughing and why?
b. Why does the line say ‘But she laughed…’?
c. How do you think the prince felt when he saw her laughing?

Ans:
a. Mellidora was laughing. She laughed because she thought it was funny that they all fell into the ditch and looked like a comical sight.
b. The line says “But she laughed…” because, unlike the others who were upset, Mellidora found the situation amusing and didn’t feel bad.
c. The prince probably felt surprised and maybe curious about why she was laughing despite the situation.

4. One of the king’s servants pushed her out of the way. Does this mean that the old woman’s cake was spoiled on purpose? Explain.

Ans: No, the old woman’s cake was not spoiled on purpose. The servant accidentally pushed her while trying to get through the crowd. It was a mistake, and the cake was ruined due to the chaos in the courtyard.

5. a. The old woman sounds like an ordinary person rather than someone very important. Would you agree? Why?

Ans: Yes, I agree. The old woman is described as someone simple and humble who is carrying a basket of eggs and a cake. She is not part of the royal family and is not treated as someone important, but she becomes important in the story because of her interaction with Mellidora.

b. How did the royal family treat the old woman? Which para tells you this?

Ans: The royal family treated the old woman with kindness. In para 24, it says that the old woman was kindly received by the king’s son, which helped her forget her troubles.

6. He went to consult his aunt, who was a wise woman. Do you think that the prince’s aunt was indeed a wise woman? Explain.

Ans: Yes, the prince’s aunt was a wise woman. She gave the prince helpful advice on how to choose a wife, saying that he should find a girl who laughs when others cry and cries when others laugh. This advice led him to choose Mellidora, who proved to be compassionate and kind, showing that the aunt’s wisdom was true.

Appreciating the Text

1. Tick the elements that make this story similar to a fairy tale. 

a. Some of the characters are princes and kings. 
b. The story includes magical events and characters. 
c. The story is about a brave prince rescuing a princess. 
d. The story begins in the style of many fairy tales (first few words). 
e. The story ends in the style of many fairy tales (last few words). 
f. The story is about going in search of someone or something with special qualities. 

Answers:

a. True
The story is about going in search of someone or something with special qualities. (The prince searches for a wife with special qualities and finds Mellidora.)

b. True 
Some of the characters are princes and kings.

c. False
The story includes magical events and characters. (There are no magical events or characters in this story.)

d. False
The story is about a brave prince rescuing a princess. (The prince does not rescue the princess in the traditional sense; instead, he finds someone who is kind and wise.)

e. True 
The story begins in the style of many fairy tales (first few words).

f. True 
The story ends in the style of many fairy tales (last few words).

2. This story ends on a happy note. Complete this table to explain.

Grammar and Usage

A. | Look at the highlighted words and identify the kinds of nouns. Refer to a dictionary if you are in doubt.

1. We stopped on our way to admire a rainbow across a waterfall. compound nouns
2. In cold places, people still use coal and firewood for heat. 
3. Skyway Airlines has placed an order for a new fleet of aircraft. 
4. The intelligence of the fox is described in old stories as cunning. 
5. We must add some watermelon to the fruit salad. 
6. The highway is closed because they are laying it with tar. 
7. The audience cheered with excitement when the actors came on stage.

Ans:

1. Rainbow (Compound noun)
2. Coal, Firewood (Common nouns)
3. Skyway Airlines (Proper)
   fleet (Collective)
4. Intelligence (Abstract)
   Fox, Stories (Common nouns)
5. Watermelon, Fruit, Salad (Common nouns)
6. Highway (Compound noun)
7. Audience (Collective noun)
   Actors, Stage (Common nouns)

B. | Choose the correct words to complete these sentences.

1. There was not enough (enough/some) time to complete the test paper. 
2. We have received _______ (much/several) replies to our email. 
3. _______ (Few/Much) people understand the importance of being punctual, 
4. There aren’t _______ (some/any) pins in this stapler. Can you pass me _______  (another/either) stapler, please?
5. If we lose weight, there is _______ (fewer/less) pressure on the back and the knees.
6. Even though she did not spend _______ (many/much) time there, she  noticed _______  (many/much) things.
7. Can we add _______  (some/few) nice music to the video? 
8. Sorry, I don’t have _______ (much/any) extra pen to lend you.

Answers:

1. There was not (enough) time to complete the test paper.
2. We have received (several) replies to our email.
3. (Few) people understand the importance of being punctual.
4. There aren’t (any) pins in this stapler. Can you pass me (another) stapler, please?
5. If we lose weight, there is (less) pressure on the back and the knees.
6. Even though she did not spend (much) time there, she noticed (many) things.
7. Can we add (some) nice music to the video?
8. Sorry, I don’t have (any) extra pen to lend you.

Grammar Fun

Take turns to play the roles of a shopkeeper and a customer. Have a conversation about the ingredients you need to buy to cook your favourite dish. Use as many determiners as you can.

Ans: Sample Ans:

Here’s a short role-play conversation between a shopkeeper and a customer using many determiners (like some, many, much, a few, any, several, that, this, these, etc.). The topic is buying ingredients for vegetable pulao – a simple and popular dish.

• Customer: Good morning! I need some ingredients to cook a delicious vegetable pulao.
• Shopkeeper: Good morning! Sure, what would you like to buy?
• Customer: First, give me a kilogram of rice. I need some good quality basmati rice.
• Shopkeeper: Here is the best rice we have. Would you like this packet or that one?
• Customer: I’ll take this one, please. Now, I need a few vegetables—some carrots, two potatoes, a capsicum, and a bunch of coriander leaves.
• Shopkeeper: Sure. Do you want any green peas? They go well in pulao.
• Customer: Yes, I need half a cup of green peas too. Do you have any fresh ones?
• Shopkeeper: Yes, we have some fresh peas. What else?
• Customer: I also need a packet of cumin seeds, and a little ghee. Is there any ghee in stock?
• Shopkeeper: Yes, we have several brands. You can choose any one.
• Customer: Thank you. That’s all for now.
• Shopkeeper: You’re welcome! Enjoy cooking your special dish!

Words in Use

A. | Look at these phrases. In each phrase, underline the word that means something to be seen. Then, complete the sentence with correct phrases. (see the book for the full question)

Ans: Underlining the word that means something to be seen

 Completing the sentence with correct phrases

1. It used to be a beautiful house, but its ruins now present a sorry spectacle.
2. Let’s see, by a show of hands, how many of you agree with the idea.
3. His face was the picture of misery when he failed to catch the last train.
4. The child, walking around in his father’s shoes and coat, was a comical sight.
5. “You are the spitting image of your mother,” she said, looking at the photo.

 Some sentence with the phrase the picture of health:

• After a month of good rest and food, she looked the picture of health.
• After her recovery, she was the picture of health, glowing with energy and vitality
• After months of exercise and a balanced diet, she looked like the picture of health.

Speech Practice

Work in pairs. Take turns to make suggestions for these situations. (See the book for the full question)

1. It is Teachers’ Day. You and your friend want to do something that will make your teacher happy.
2. You and your cousin have been waiting for the bus to pick you up. The bus hasn’t come, although it is long past its usual time.
3. Your mother has lost the key to your house. Both of you are locked out.

Ans: Sample Answers:

Here are some polite suggestions for the given situations using the highlighted structures from the example sentences:

1. It is Teachers’ Day. You and your friend want to do something that will make your teacher happy.

• Why don’t we make a thank-you card for her?
• Perhaps we could bring her some flowers.
• Won’t it be a good idea to perform a song or a short skit in her honour?

2. You and your cousin have been waiting for the bus to pick you up. The bus hasn’t come, although it is long past its usual time.

• Maybe we can call the driver and ask if he’s nearby.
• What if we start walking to the main road and try to get another bus or auto?
• How about asking someone nearby if they’ve seen the bus?

3. Your mother has lost the key to your house. Both of you are locked out.

• Why don’t we wait at a neighbour’s house until someone comes home?
• Maybe we can call Papa or Didi to bring the spare key.
• What if we try to enter from the back door if it’s open?

Spelling

Complete these words by using the letters given in the brackets either once or twice.

1. genera…y (l)
2. o…a…ion (c, s)
3. pu … led (z)
4. su…ound (r)
5. refe…ed (r)
6. beauti…u….y (f, l)
7. o…e…ed (f, r)
8. permi..ion (s)

Answers:

1. generally (l)
2. occasion (c, s)
3. puzzled (z)
4. surround (r)
5. referred (r)
6. beautifully (f, l)
7. offered (f, r)
8. permission (s)

Writing

Write a few paragraphs to describe any one of these situations. You can base it on your experience and you can also use your imagination_

1. You saw someone laugh at themselves.
2. You saw someone help and comfort another person.
3. You laughed at yourself or made someone feel better.

You can use these guidelines.
Introduce the people involved and the setting.
Explain what happened.
Describe how it made you feel and why.

Ans: Sample Answers:

Below are given sample answers to help students form their own answers.

Situation 1: You saw someone laugh at themselves

Last week during our school’s sports day, my friend Ravi participated in the sack race. Everyone was cheering loudly. But as soon as the race began, Ravi lost his balance and fell flat on the ground. Instead of feeling sad or angry, he sat up, laughed at himself, and waved at the crowd.

Everyone, including the teachers, laughed with him. Later, Ravi said, “At least I gave everyone a reason to smile!” His positive attitude made the moment very light and fun.

Watching him laugh at himself taught me something important — we don’t always have to be perfect. If we can smile at our mistakes, others will too. I felt proud of Ravi and learned to be braver like him.

Situation 2: You saw someone help and comfort another person

One rainy afternoon, we were all waiting under the school porch for our parents. A younger student from Class 2 was crying because he had lost his lunch box and was hungry. My classmate Ayesha noticed him and quickly opened her tiffin box.

She offered him her sandwich and water. Then, she sat beside him and told him a funny story to make him smile. The little boy soon stopped crying and even started giggling.

I was touched by Ayesha’s kindness. She didn’t wait for a teacher or complain. She simply helped. Watching her made me realise how a small act can make someone feel better. I decided that day that I too would try to be kind whenever I see someone in need.

Situation 3: You laughed at yourself or made someone feel better

It was a bright Monday morning, and we were in the school auditorium for the weekly assembly. Our teacher had chosen me to speak on stage about “Good Habits.” I was nervous but excited. When my name was called, I walked up confidently and started speaking. But suddenly, instead of saying “Always brush your teeth twice a day,” I said, “Always brush your shoes twice a day!”

The whole hall burst into laughter. At first, I felt embarrassed and wanted to hide. But then I laughed too and said, “Well, clean shoes are good too!” Everyone clapped, and I finished my speech with a smile.

After the assembly, many of my classmates came to me and said that my speech was the funniest and most interesting. One of my friends, who was also scared of public speaking, said I had given her the courage to try too.

That small mistake and the way I handled it made me feel happy. I learned that laughing at myself helped everyone relax and feel better. Sometimes, it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we stay positive and kind.