Unit – VIII

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8

The chapter “The Banyan Tree” from NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8 by Ruskin Bond details a young boy’s experiences living with his grandparents in Dehradun. The central element is a majestic banyan tree in their garden.

The Banyan Tree:

• A large, old tree that serves as a natural habitat for various creatures like squirrels, snails, and butterflies.
• The boy builds a platform on the tree, creating a personal space for reading and observing the world below.

The Boy and the Squirrel:

• The boy develops a friendship with a small grey squirrel. He offers food to the creature, gradually gaining its trust.

Life Under the Banyan tree:

• The tree becomes a haven for the boy. He spends his afternoons reading adventure stories on the platform during hot summers.
• When not reading, he enjoys watching the lively activity in the garden, including birds chirping and various creatures going about their lives.

A Moment of Excitement:

• One afternoon, the boy witnesses a thrilling fight between a mongoose and a cobra under the banyan tree. This encounter adds to the excitement and adventure associated with the tree.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8 -Working With the Text

A .Complete the following sentences.(NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8)

1.The old banyan tree “did not belong” to the grandfather, but only to the boy, because_____________________________________ .
2.The small gray squirrel became friendly when_______________________________

3.When the boy started to bring him pieces of cake and biscuit, the squirrel_______________

4.In the spring, the banyan tree_____________________________________________ and

__________________________________________ would come there.

5.The banyan tree served the boy as a____________________________________________ .

6.The young boy spent his afternoons in the tree____________________________________

Ans : 

1. The old banyan tree “did not belong” to the grandfather, but only to the boy, because the grandfather was no longer strong enough to climb it.
2. The small gray squirrel became friendly when the boy found that he did not arm himself with a catapult or air-gun. (This shows the squirrel felt safe around the boy).
3. When the boy started to bring him pieces of cake and biscuit, the squirrel grew quite bold and was soon taking morsels from the author’s hand. (The food offerings increased the squirrel’s trust).
4. In the spring, the banyan tree was full of small red figs and birds of all kinds would come there.
5. The banyan tree served the boy as a library
6. The young boy spent his afternoons in the tree when it was not too hot.

B.NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8 Answer the following questions.

1.“It was to be a battle of champions.”
(i)What qualities did the two champions have? Pick out words and phrases from the paragraph above this line in the text and write them down.

Mangoose	Cobra
a)	a)
b)	b)
c)	c)

Ans : 

Mangoose	Cobra
a) Agile	a)Powerful
b)Fearless	b)Venomous
c)Possibly Experienced	c)Potentially Aggressive

(ii)What did the cobra and the mongoose do, to show their readiness for the fight?

Ans : Cobra:

• Hissing: The text might not explicitly mention hissing, but it’s a common behavior for cobras when feeling threatened or preparing to strike.
• Raising its hood: The passage describes the cobra “hissing defiance, his forked tongue darting in and out, raising three of his six feet off the ground, and spread his broad, spectacled hood.” This act expands the cobra’s hood, making it appear larger and more intimidating to the mongoose.

Mongoose:

• Standing its ground: While the text doesn’t mention movement, the mongoose likely stood firm in its position, refusing to back down from the cobra’s threat.
• Focused gaze: The passage states, “He fixed his gaze at a point just below the cobra’s hood, and opened the attack.” This suggests the mongoose was intently focused on the cobra’s vulnerable area (just below the hood) in preparation for its attack.
• Bushed tail: Although not explicitly mentioned, some descriptions of mongoose behavior suggest they might raise their fur or bush their tails when threatened, potentially a sign of alertness.

2. Who were the other two spectators? What did they do? (Did they watch, or did they join in the fight?)

Ans : In “The Banyan Tree,” the other two spectators were:

• A myna
• A jungle crow

These birds didn’t just watch the fight passively. The text describes them as:

• Settling on a cactus: They positioned themselves near the battleground to observe the action.
• Throwing themselves at the cobra: This suggests they actively intervened in the fight, likely trying to distract or attack the cobra to help the mongoose.

3. Read the descriptions below of what the snake did and what the mongoose did. Arrange their actions in the proper order. (11, 16)

Ceased to struggle	Grabbed the snake by the snout
Tried to mesmerise the mangoose	Dragged the snake into the bushes
Coiled itself around the mangoose	Darted away and bit the cobra on the back
Struck the Crow	Pretended to attack the cobra on one side
Struck again and missed	Refused to look into the snake’s eyes
Struck on the side that the mongoose pretended to attack	Sprang aside , jumped in and bit

Ans : 

Snake Actions:

1. Tried to mesmerise the mongoose 
2. Struck the Crow
3. Struck again and missed 
4. Struck on the side that the mongoose pretended to attack
5. Coiled itself around the mongoose
6. Ceased to struggle

Mongoose Actions:

1. Refused to look into the snake’s eyes
2. Pretended to attack the cobra on one side 
3. Darted away and bit the cobra on the back
4. Grabbed the snake by the snout 
5. Dragged the snake into the bushes
6. Sprang aside , jumped in and bit 

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8 Working with Language 

1.The word ‘round’ usually means a kind of shape. What is its meaning in the story?

Ans : In the story “The Banyan Tree,” the word “round” doesn’t refer to a shape. Instead, it signifies a stage or phase within the fight between the mongoose and the cobra.

Here’s why:

• Context: The story describes the tense moments leading up to the fight and then progresses through various actions of both creatures.
• Multiple Rounds: The text might not explicitly state “round” repeatedly, but the description suggests a back-and-forth struggle with distinct phases.

2. Find five words in the following paragraph, which are generally associated with trees. But here, they have been used differently. Underline the words. 

Hari leavesfor work at nine every morning. He works in the local branchof the firm of which his uncle is the owner. Hari’s success is really the fruit of his own labour. He is happy, but he has a small problem. The rootcause of his problem is a stray dog near his office. The dog welcomes Hari with a loud barkevery day.

Ans : 

1. branch (of the firm)
2. fruit (of his own labor)
3. root (cause of his problem)
4. bark (a loud bark)
5. leaves (leaves for work)

B.The words in the box are all words that describe movement. Use them to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.

dived ,gliding, sprang,darting, whipped…back, delving

1.When he began to trust me, the squirrel began_______________________ into my pock­ets for morsels of cake.
2. saw a cobra______________ out of a clump of cactus.
3.The snake hissed, his forked tongue______________________ in and out.
4.When the cobra tried to bite it, the mongoose________________________ aside.
5.The snake _________________  his head ________________  to strike at the crow.
6.The birds __________________ at the snake.

Ans. 

1. When he began to trust me, the squirrel began darting into my pockets for morsels of cake.
2. I saw a cobra springing out of a clump of cactus.
3. The snake hissed, his forked tongue darting in and out.
4. When the cobra tried to bite it, the mongoose sprang aside.
5. The snake whipped his head back to strike at the crow. (Here, “whipped” emphasizes the quick and forceful movement).
6. The birds dove at the snake. 

C. Find words in the story, which show things striking violently against each other.

1. The cobra struck the crow, his snout th___________ ing against its body.
2.The crow and the myna c _ ll_________ in mid-air.
3.The birds dived at the snake, but b____________ d into each other instead 

Ans.

1. The cobra struck the crow, his snout thumping against its body.
2. The crow and the myna collided in mid-air.
3. The birds dived at the snake, but bumped into each other instead.

Writing : NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8

 My Favourite Place

Read again the paragraphs of the story in which the author describes the banyan tree, and what he used to do there. Is there a place in your house, or in your grandparents’ or uncles’ or aunts’ houses, that you especially like? Write a short paragraph about it saying.

• where it is     
• what you do there      
•  why you like it

You may instead write about a place you dislike or are afraid of.Ans : My favorite place in my grandparents’ house is the cozy reading nook tucked under the stairs. It’s a small space, with a comfy armchair bathed in warm light from a hanging lamp. I can access it through a low doorway curtained with colorful fabric. Inside, shelves lining the walls are overflowing with books waiting to be explored. I spend hours curled up in the armchair, getting lost in fantastical stories or learning new things. The quiet seclusion allows me to completely immerse myself in whatever I’m reading, making it a haven for my imagination to run wild. It feels like my own personal world, separate from the hustle and bustle of the house.

FAQ’S

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8

What is the significance of “The Banyan Tree” in NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8?

“The Banyan Tree” explores themes of nature, friendship, and resilience, making it a captivating and meaningful component of the Class 6 English curriculum.

How does “The Banyan Tree” reflect themes of nature and environment in NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8?

“The Banyan Tree” portrays the beauty and significance of nature, highlighting the role of trees in providing shelter, shade, and a sense of interconnectedness with the environment.

What lessons can students learn from “The Banyan Tree” in NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8?

Through “The Banyan Tree,” students can learn about the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the power of friendship in overcoming challenges and adversity.

How does “The Banyan Tree” inspire students to appreciate the wonders of nature in NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 8?

“The Banyan Tree” encourages students to develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world, fostering a sense of wonder, curiosity, and reverence for the beauty and complexity of the environment.

Are there any real-life examples or experiences that resonate with the themes of “The Banyan Tree “?

Students may relate their own experiences of spending time in nature, encountering majestic trees like the banyan tree, and appreciating the sense of peace, tranquility, and awe-inspiring beauty that such experiences evoke.