Thrill In School Life, My English Reader, Class VI, DAV Board, The Best Solutions, Section – A

Section – A

A.1. Do you like your school? Are you proud of your school? Why? Discuss in groups of four.

Group Discussion Sample Answer:

Yes, I really like my school and I am very proud of it.
My school has excellent teachers who not only teach us well but also support us in every way. The environment here is clean, friendly, and inspiring. We have a big library, smart classrooms, science labs, a playground, and even regular hobby classes.

What makes me most proud is the discipline and values our school teaches us. We celebrate all festivals, participate in inter-school competitions, and work on projects that make learning fun. I’m proud to say that students from our school often win prizes and bring a good name to the school.

A.2. When did you take admission in the school? Was it difficult for you to get admitted to the school? Describe your experience.

I took admission in my school in Class III. At that time, I was a little nervous because it was a new place and I had to leave my old school and friends.

The admission process involved a written test and a short interview with the principal. I remember my parents encouraging me to do my best. The test was a bit challenging, but I had prepared well. The principal was very kind and made me feel comfortable during the interaction.

When I got the admission letter, I was really happy! On my first day, the teacher introduced me to the class and I slowly started making new friends. Now, this school feels like my second home.

A.3. Summary In English: The Interview

‘The Interview’ is a humorous and inspiring play about a young boy named Ramu who is preparing for an admission interview for Class VI. Ramu is nervous but confident. His sister tries to encourage him while teasing him a bit. At the interview venue, he meets his friend Balu, and both joke about the pressure of facing the selection board. Ramu finally goes in for the interview and impresses the board with his wit, confidence, and spontaneity. His humorous and clever responses earn him admission. The story shows that being honest, confident, and thoughtful helps one succeed.

In Hindi:

‘इंटरव्यू’ एक मज़ेदार और प्रेरणादायक नाटक है जिसमें रामू नामक एक लड़के की कहानी है जो कक्षा 6 में प्रवेश के लिए साक्षात्कार की तैयारी कर रहा है। रामू घबराया हुआ है लेकिन आत्मविश्वास से भरा है। उसकी बहन उसे प्रोत्साहित करती है, लेकिन थोड़ी छेड़छाड़ भी करती है। इंटरव्यू स्थल पर वह अपने दोस्त बालू से मिलता है और दोनों परीक्षा के तनाव को लेकर मज़ाक करते हैं। अंत में रामू इंटरव्यू देता है और अपने आत्मविश्वास, बुद्धिमानी और हास्य से चयनकर्ताओं को प्रभावित करता है। उसकी ईमानदारी और चतुराई उसे प्रवेश दिला देती है। यह कहानी बताती है कि आत्मविश्वास और ईमानदारी से हम किसी भी चुनौती में सफल हो सकते हैं।

Word Meanings Table

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. Why was Ramu appearing for the interview?
   a) To get a job
   b) For a scholarship
   ✅ c) For admission to Class VI
   d) To meet the Headmaster
2. What was the relation between Ramu and Balu?
   a) Enemies
   ✅ b) Friends
   c) Cousins
   d) Neighbours
3. What was Ramu’s clever answer when asked about the number of steps to the temple?
   a) I don’t remember
   ✅ b) Same number I took to come down
   c) 100 steps
   d) I counted them one by one
4. What impressed the Board the most about Ramu?
   a) His marks
   ✅ b) His wit and confidence
   c) His school uniform
   d) His handwriting
5. Who is called the ‘Grey Eminence’ by Ramu?
   a) His uncle
   b) His father
   ✅ c) The Headmaster
   d) The clerk

Short Questions and Answers

1. Q: What was Ramu doing in the study room?
   A: Ramu was studying World Atlas and preparing for his interview.
2. Q: How did Ramu’s sister help him?
   A: She encouraged him to take the interview seriously, though she teased him at times.
3. Q: What did Ramu say about the number of steps at Uchipallayyar temple?
   A: He cleverly replied, “The same number I took to come down.”
4. Q: How did Ramu describe the fun in slopes and steps?
   A: He said one can race up a slope and skip step to step on stairs—both are fun.
5. Q: What was the Headmaster’s final response to Ramu?
   A: The Headmaster told Ramu he had been selected and asked him to deposit the fees.

A.4. Complete the following with one or two words only

(a) Ramu calls Akka poor because she has spent her money on buying a scarf.
(b) Ramu is appearing for an interview to get admission in one of the schools at Tiruchi.
(c) Ramu and Balu consider all those appearing in the interview as fools.
(d) According to Ramu, Tiruchi is famous for Uchipillayar Temple.
(e) Ramu has been told by his father that all the teachers are Grey Eminences.
(f) Ramu and his father are short in height.
(g) At the end of the interview, Ramu is selected for admission to the school.

A.5. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.

‘So the lamb to the slaughter is first offered a seat.’

(a) Who says these words?
➡️ Ramu.

(b) Who is the lamb here?
➡️ Ramu himself.

(c) Who is going to slaughter the lamb? How?
➡️ The interview board (Headmaster and teachers) are the ones who are going to “slaughter” Ramu by asking tough questions during the interview.

(d) What does ‘lamb to the slaughter’ mean in this context?
➡️ It means someone who enters a difficult situation without knowing what dangers or challenges await. Here, Ramu humorously refers to himself going into the interview with nervousness and uncertainty.

(e) Pick up some more figurative expressions from the play.

• “First lamb for the slaughter.”
• “My legs are long enough to reach the ground.”
• “Grey Eminences.”
• “Sharp knife to a dull one.”
• “Fools are in a majority.”

A.6. HOTS

1. Balu says, ‘The Board will have to see who among us are less foolish.’ What does he mean by this statement?
   Answer – Balu humorously means that all the boys are likely to make mistakes during the interview, but the selection board will choose the one who appears less foolish or more confident and sensible than the others.
2. Ramu was able to get admission in the school. The panel was really impressed with his answers during the interview.

Did he display wit or knowledge? Pick out instances from the play to support your answer.
Answer – Ramu displayed wit more than knowledge.

• When asked how many steps were there at the temple, he cleverly answered, “Same number I took to come down.”
• He humorously called the teachers “Grey Eminences.”
• He quoted his father saying, “My legs are long enough to reach the ground,” when asked about his height.
  These witty responses showed presence of mind and confidence, which impressed the panel.

A.7. Life Skills

Confidence is the key to success

Ramu did well in the interview. He was a confident boy.

There are many ways to boost self-confidence. Some are listed below. Discuss with your partner and add a few more to the list.

Ways to boost self-confidence:

• Think Positive
• Practice Speaking in Front of a Mirror
• Plan Ahead
• Prepare and Study Well
• Believe in Yourself
• Accept Failures and Learn from Them
• Set Small Goals and Achieve Them
• Stay Around Positive People

A.8. During the reading of the play, you come across a number of words like scowl, growl, etc., generally written in brackets at the beginning of a dialogue, that express different emotions. Some such words are given in the bubbles. Write what emotion each word expresses.

A.9. Know Your Friends Better – A Talk Show

Talk Show Format (Example):

• Host: Welcome to “Know Your Friends Better!” Let’s meet our guests: Aditi, Kabir, and Rohan!
• Host: Aditi, what is your favorite hobby?
• Aditi: I love painting. It helps me express myself.
• Host: Kabir, what’s one thing you dislike?
• Kabir: I dislike loud noises. They make me anxious.
• Host: Rohan, spell this word: ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ (laughs).
• Rohan: Oh! That’s a tongue-twister!
• (Audience claps)
• Host: Alright! Everyone, try saying this fast: “She sells sea shells on the sea shore.”

You can follow this format in your class activity.