A Curious Mind - Class 6 English (SCERT)

Summary of the Story

The story presents a conversation among three children—Nikita, her younger brother Orgo, and their cousin Meera. Nikita is busy painting a sunset scene when Orgo asks why the sky changes colour at different times. Nikita feels disturbed and scolds Orgo for asking questions.

Meera enters the room and listens to Orgo. She explains that asking questions is not wrong and that curiosity leads to great discoveries. To support her point, she tells the children about C. V. Raman, one of India’s greatest scientists. She narrates how a simple question—why the sea appears blue—led Raman to discover the scattering of light, later known as the Raman Effect.

Meera further explains Raman’s life, education, achievements, and contributions to science, including his Nobel Prize and Bharat Ratna. Nikita realises her mistake and apologises to Orgo. The story ends with the children learning the importance of curiosity, polite behaviour, and asking questions at the right time.

Word	Meaning
Scenery	A natural view such as mountains, rivers, or sunset
Disturb	To interrupt or bother someone
Irritated	Feeling annoyed or angry
Curious	Eager to know or learn something
Discovery	Finding something new
Invention	Creation of a new device or idea
Voyage	A long journey, especially by sea
Scattering	Spreading of light in different directions
Phenomenon	An observable event or fact
Commemorate	To remember and honour an event
Inquisitive	Having a habit of asking questions
Breakthrough	An important scientific discovery
Renowned	Well-known and respected
Passion	Strong interest or love for something
Contribution	Something given to help or improve a field
Exceptional	Very special or outstanding

Activities

Let’s find out how much we have understood

1. Answer the following questions:

(a) Who was the scientist that Meera was talking about?
Ans: Meera was talking about C. V. Raman, one of India’s greatest scientists.

(b) What was the name given to the discovery made by C. V. Raman?
Ans: The discovery made by C. V. Raman was named the Raman Effect.

(c) What is the root of many discoveries and inventions?
Ans: Curiosity is the root of many discoveries and inventions.

(d) In which year did C. V. Raman win the Nobel Prize?
Ans: C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in 1930.

(e) What question did Orgo ask Nikita? Why was Nikita irritated by the question?
Ans: Orgo asked Nikita, “Why does the sky change colour at different times?” Nikita was irritated by the question because she was busy painting a sunset scene and did not want to be disturbed.

(f) “We’ll surely keep this in mind next time.”
What would Orgo and Nikita keep in mind?
Ans: They would keep in mind that questions should be asked politely and at the right time, and that one should not dismiss questions rudely.

2. Say whether the following statements are True or False:

(a) Nikita knew why the colour of the sky changes at different times.
Ans: False

(b) National Science Day is observed on 28th February.
Ans: True

(c) C. V. Raman was born in Calcutta.
Ans: False

(d) Raman was not good in his studies.
Ans: False

(e) Raman breathed his last on November 21, 1970.
Ans: True

(f) Meera was happy about Orgo asking questions.
Ans: True

3. Put a tick (✓) on the correct option :

(a) Raman was awarded the Bharat Ratna in

(i) 1888
(ii) 1954
(iii) 1930
(iv) 1921

Ans: (ii) 1954

(b) C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize for

(i) discovering the Raman Effect
(ii) clearing the IFS exam
(iii) working at Rajabazar Science College
(iv) completing his graduation

Ans: (i) discovering the Raman Effect

(c) C. V. Raman was born in

(i) Tiruvanaikkaval
(ii) Madras
(iii) Calcutta
(iv) Bangalore

Ans: (i) Tiruvanaikkaval

(d) National Science Day is observed to
(i) honour Raman’s contribution
(ii) celebrate Raman’s birthday
(iii) commemorate the discovery of Raman Effect
(iv) pay tribute to Raman on his death anniversary

Ans: (iii) commemorate the discovery of Raman Effect

(e) Nikita painted the sky
(i) orange
(ii) violet
(iii) red
(iv) blue

Ans: (iii) red

4. Read the lesson to complete the timeline given below. One is done for you.

Ans:

1. 1888 – Birth of C. V. Raman
2. 1930 - Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics
3. 1954 - Awarded the Bharat Ratna
4. 1970 - Passed away on November 21

5. Underline some words in the text which are not familiar to you.

In the following table, write down the words in the left column.
Write the meaning of each word (by looking up in a dictionary) in the right column.

Words	Meanings

Ans:

Word	Meaning
Curious	Eager to know or learn something
Phenomenon	An observable event or fact
Scattering	Spreading of light in different directions
Breakthrough	An important scientific discovery
Renowned	Well-known and respected

6. Frame a sentence of your own by using each word you have listed in the table above.

Ans:

1. Orgo is very curious about nature.
2. The Raman Effect is an important phenomenon.
3. Scattering of light makes the sky look blue.
4. C. V. Raman’s discovery was a great breakthrough.
5. C. V. Raman was a renowned Indian scientist.

7. Find and write down the synonyms of the following words from the text:

curious
breakthrough
essential
renowned

Ans:

• curious : inquisitive
• breakthrough : discovery
• essential : important
• renowned : famous

8. (a) Read the conversation between Orgo and his mother.

(b) Orgo went to the library accordingly. He came across a biography of Thomas Alva Edison, the great inventor, and read it.

(c) Orgo made some notes of what he had read about Thomas Alva Edison. Read what Orgo wrote:

Now, complete the paragraph with the help of the notes that Orgo has listed.
You can use the connecting words given in the box.

Thomas Alva Edison had certain qualities that helped
him to become a great inventor.

Ans:

Thomas Alva Edison had certain qualities that helped
him to become a great inventor.
Firstly, he was very curious and always eager to learn new things.
He asked many questions and tried to find answers through experiments
Secondly, he believed in independent learning and read many books to gain knowledge on his own.
Lastly, he was determined and never gave up even after facing many failures.

9. (a) Orgo and his friends read the notice on the notice board.

Complete the following sentence that conveys the message of the notice :

On the occasion of ____________, every student will prepare ____________ on _____________.

(b) Orgo wrote an email to Meera asking for help to prepare the speech.

Let’s read what he wrote :

(c) The reply given by Meera to Orgo are in parts written in the cards. Read the parts:

Now rearrange and write the parts in the proper places to get Meera’s e-mail.

Ans:

Let’s learn some grammar

10. (a) Read these sentences:

(i) It is essential to have an inquisitive mind.
(ii) I am very curious to know more.
(iii) We are happy to learn about C. V. Raman.
(iv) In 1921, C. V. Raman, then a young man, was on a voyage.
(v) Orgo and Nikita were happy to learn about C. V. Raman.

Notice the underlined words in the above sentence.

The words is, am, are, was, and were are different forms of the verb “be”.

• is, am, are → present tense
• was, were → past tense

(b) Now, fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the verb “be”:

(i) Mita and Raman ______ my close friends.
(ii) Mita _______ Raman’s neighbour.
(iii) I _______ in regular touch with them.
(iv) They _______ here with me yesterday.
(v) We _______ very happy to visit a park together yesterday.

Ans:

(i) Mita and Raman are my close friends.
(ii) Mita is Raman’s neighbour.
(iii) I am in regular touch with them.
(iv) They were here with me yesterday.
(v) We were very happy to visit a park together yesterday.

11. Look at the picture and read the sentences given beside it:

(i) Nikita is painting a scenery.
(ii) Orgo is standing near the painting.

When we talk about actions happening at the time of speaking, we use the Present Continuous Tense.

12. Now, read the following sentences:

(i) Nikita has drawn a scenery.
(ii) Meera has entered the room.

When we talk about actions that have just happened, we use the Present Perfect Tense.

13. Choose the correct option and fill in the blanks:

(i) Nikita ________ (has come / is coming) to Meera’s house.
(ii) Meera and Nikita ________ (have watched / are watching) TV now.
(iii) They ________ (have eaten / are eating) snacks while watching TV.

Ans:

(i) Nikita has come to Meera’s house.
(ii) Meera and Nikita are watching T.V. now.
(iii) They are eating snacks while watching T.V.

14. (a) Let’s read the words in the box aloud and notice the beginning sound of each word:

All the four words begin with the consonant blend “sc”.
When we say the words scene and science, they begin with the sound “s” as in sun.
When we say the words scolded and scattering, “sc” is pronounced like “sk” as in sky.

(b) Now, read aloud the following words beginning with the consonant blend “sc”. Write “sk” if sc is pronounced like sk as in sky. Write “s” if sc is pronounced like s as in sun. Two are done for you.

(i) scale — sk
(ii) scent — s
(iii) scene —
(iv) scare —
(v) scissors —
(vi) score —
(vii) scooter —
(viii) scan —

Ans:

(i) scale — sk
(ii) scent — s
(iii) scene — s
(iv) scare — sk
(v) scissors — s
(vi) score — sk
(vii) scooter — sk
(viii) scan — sk

15. Read what Meera told Orgo and Nikita:

“However, Orgo, please remember, it’s also important to consider if someone is busy before asking any questions to the person. And Nikita, make sure that you don’t dismiss the questions straightaway. You can politely ask the person to wait.”

Meera told Orgo and Nikita about some ways to behave well. Work with your friend and make a list of five examples of good behaviour. Present the list in a piece of paper. Display the list in the classroom.

Ans:

1. Speak politely to everyone.
2. Listen carefully when someone is speaking.
3. Do not disturb others when they are busy.
4. Respect elders and teachers.
5. Help others whenever possible.

16. Think and say :

Nikita and Orgo have resolved their conflict with the help of Meera. This is an acceptable way of handling conflicts.
How do you address a conflict when you face one? List a few ways and share with the class.

Ans:

1. I try to stay calm and listen to the other person.
2. I speak politely and explain my point of view.
3. I try to find a solution that is fair to everyone.
4. If needed, I take help from elders or teachers.

17. Listen to a news item about a moon mission read to you by your teacher.

As you listen, fill in the blanks with the correct pieces of information.

(i) India became the ______ country to land on the South Pole of the moon.
Ans: India became the fourth country to land on the South Pole of the moon.

(ii) The Chandrayaan-3 mission was developed by ______.
Ans: The Chandrayaan-3 mission was developed by ISRO.

(iii) The Chandrayaan-3 landed on the moon on ______ August 2023.
Ans: The Chandrayaan-3 landed on the moon on 23rd August 2023.

(iv) We observe ______ Day on 23rd August every year.
Ans: We observe National Space Day on 23rd August every year.

18. Project :

You have learnt that C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930. Now, find out the names of other Indians who won the Nobel Prize in different fields. Collect and paste their pictures on a chart paper. Include the following information about each of them:

Ans:

19. Look at the illustration in Box 1. Try to draw a space shuttle in Box 2 following the steps shown in Box 1. Colour it and give it a name.

Ans: Do it yourself.