Click here to access the best NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Poorvi Unit 2 Friendship Chapter 4 The Unlikely Best Friends textbook exercise questions and answers.
The Unlikely Best Friends NCERT Class 6th English Poorvi Chapter 4 Question Answer
The Unlikely Best Friends Question Answer Class 6 English
Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 39)
Question 1.
Friends are an important part of our lives. Why do you think so? Share your ideas with your friend. What do you do when you are with your friends and how do you feel?
Now, complete the following sentences by writing in the shapes given below. Share your completed sentences with your classmates and teacher. One has been done for you.
Answer:
I think friends are really important because they make our lives happier and more fun. Friends are there to share our joys and help us when we are sad. They make us laugh and play with us, so we never feel lonely.
When I’m with my friends, we do a lot of different things. Sometimes we play games like hide and seek or tag, and other times we just talk and share stories. We also help each other with homework and projects, which makes studying a lot more enjoyable. During breaks, we like to draw, sing songs, or even make up little plays.
When I’m with my friends, I feel happy and relaxed. It’s like having a team of people who understand me and make everything better. We trust each other and can be ourselves without worrying about being judged. Having friends makes every day brighter and more exciting.
Complete Sentences:
- “With my friend, I play, laugh, share stories, do homework together.”
- “With my friend, I feel happy, relaxed, understood, excited.”
Question 2.
The title of the chapter is ‘The Unlikely Best Friends’.
(a) What can be the meaning of ‘unlikely’? Discuss in groups, and then discuss with your teacher.
Answer:
The word “unlikely” means something that is not expected to happen or is not probable. It suggests a situation or relationship that is surprising or unusual. In the context of friendships, “unlikely” best friends are people who, at first glance, seem too different to get along or have a close bond. They might have different backgrounds, interests, or personalities, but despite these differences, they form a strong friendship.
(b) Can you think of some unlikely friends? Share your answer with your teacher.
Answer:
Yes, here are a few examples of unlikely friends:
- A Cat and a Dog: Cats and dogs are often seen as natural enemies, but many stories and videos show them becoming best friends, playing, and even sleeping together.
- A Rich Kid and a Poor Kid: In many stories and real life, kids from vastly different economic backgrounds find common ground and become close friends, showing that friendship can transcend financial status.
- An Introvert and an Extrovert: An introvert who prefers quiet and solitude and an extrovert who loves socializing and being in crowds might seem like an unlikely pair, but they can balance each other out and learn from each other’s strengths.
- A Scientist and an Artist: Someone who is deeply analytical and someone highly creative might seem like they wouldn’t have much in common, but their different perspectives can lead to a deep and enriching friendship.
These examples show that unlikely friendships can happen when people look beyond their differences and find shared values or interests.
Let us discuss (Page 42)
Question 1.
Talk about the things that Gajaraj and Buntee did together. Now, write in the shapes given below. One has been done for you.
Answer:
Question 2.
Why did the farmer hug Buntee?
Answer:
The farmer hugged Buntee as he was glad to see Buntee. The farmer has been looking for Buntee since he disappeared from his house.
Question 3.
Do you think Buntee will leave Gajaraj and go home with the farmer?
Answer:
No, Buntee is unlikely to leave Gajaraj and go home with the farmer voluntarily. The story shows that Buntee and Gajaraj share a deep bond and have become inseparable friends.
Let us discuss (Page 45)
Question 1.
Why did Gajaraj not eat his food?
Answer:
Gajaraj did not eat his food because he was feeling sad and lonely after Buntee, the dog, was taken away from him. He missed his friend deeply, and this emotional distress affected his appetite.
Question 2.
Who were friends at the end of the story?
Answer:
At the end of the story, the friends were:
- Gajaraj (the elephant)
- Buntee (the dog)
- The mahout (elephant trainer)
- The farmer
The story concludes with the reunion of Gajaraj and Buntee, who continue their friendship. Additionally, the mahout and the farmer also form a friendship as they bond over their shared concern for Gajaraj and Buntee’s happiness.
Let us think and reflect (Page 45)
Question 1.
Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow.
(a) Despite royal comforts, Gajaraj was sad because he had no friends. The mahout, or elephant trainer, was the only one he ever interacted with. The mahout was a kind man who served Gajaraj food and gave him a bath in the elephant pond daily. He was a good caretaker, but not a friend.
(i) Complete with one word:
mahout : kind :: Gajaraj : ___________
Answer:
Sad
(ii) The mahout was a good caretaker because he gave _________ to Gajaraj and a ______ in the pond.
Answer:
Food, Bath
(iii) What do you think is the difference between a friend and a caretaker?
Answer:
while both friends and caretakers play important roles in the lives of others, the difference lies in their relationship, the roles they fulfill, and the emotional connection they share. Friends provide companionship, emotional support, and mutual understanding, whereas caretakers focus on meeting practical needs and ensuring the physical well-being of those under their care.
(b) “Are you missing your friend?” asked the farmer remembering the happy look on Buntee’s face while sitting on the elephant’s back. “I cannot see you go hungry,” said the farmer, “If you miss your friend so much, go to him.” The farmer removed the rope with which he had tied the dog.
(i) The farmer uses the word __________________ to refer to the elephant.
Answer:
Friend
(ii) How did the farmer know that Buntee was hungry?
Answer:
The farmer noticed that Buntee had not touched his food since coming home with him. Hence he could see that Buntee was hungry.
(iii) Why did the farmer remove the rope with which he had tied Buntee?
Answer:
The farmer removed the rope because he empathized with Buntee’s longing for his friend, Gajaraj. Seeing Buntee unhappy and not eating, the farmer realized that Buntee’s happiness lay with Gajaraj. Therefore, he allowed Buntee to go back to his friend by removing the rope.
(iv) Complete with one word:
Gajaraj : Buntee :: __________ : farmer
Answer:
Mahout
Question 2.
Give two examples to show that Gajaraj was very happy to have a friend.
Answer:
- Gajaraj shared his food with Buntee when the dog was hungry, showing his generosity and care.
- Gajaraj playfully splashed water on Buntee during their bath together, indicating their playful and joyful interactions.
Question 3.
How did the mahout come to know that Gajaraj was sad?
Answer:
The mahout noticed that Gajaraj was not eating his food, which was unusual behavior for the elephant. Despite checking Gajaraj’s physical condition and finding nothing wrong, the mahout suspected that Gajaraj might be feeling sad due to the absence of Buntee, his only friend.
Question 4.
Why do you think Buntee licked the farmer’s hand?
Answer:
Buntee licked the farmer’s hand as a gesture of gratitude and affection. The farmer had shown kindness and understanding by allowing Buntee to return to Gajaraj, which made Buntee happy. Licking the farmer’s hand was Buntee’s way of expressing thanks and acknowledging the farmer’s compassion.
Question 5.
What was ‘unlikely’ about the friendship of Gajaraj and Buntee?
Answer:
The friendship between Gajaraj and Buntee was unlikely because they were different species – an elephant and a dog. Normally, elephants and dogs do not interact closely in natural settings. However, their friendship blossomed due to their shared circumstances and the emotional bond they developed through their interactions and mutual care.
Let us learn (Page 46)
Question 1.
Gajaraj was sad without a friend and when he met Buntee, he was filled with joy. ‘Sad’ and ‘filled with joy’ are opposites. Opposites can also be formed by adding some letters before a word. For example, un- unhappy, in- incorrect, dis- disconnect, mis– misuse. Now, take help from the words given as hints and fill up their opposites in the puzzle.
(Note: All the words are from the story you have just read.)
Answer:
Question 2.
Now, complete the paragraph with some of the words you have used in the puzzle.
My pencil was _____________. I was very ________________ as it was a gift from my friend. I woke up my elder brother who was ____________ on the bed. I told him that my pencil seemed to have ________________. He _______________ and told me to look under my pillow. I was ___________________ when I ______________ the pencil there.
Answer:
My pencil was
missing.
I was very
sad
as it was a gift from my friend. I woke up my elder brother who was
awake
on the bed. I told him that my pencil seemed to have
disappeared.
He
laughed
and told me to look under my pillow. I was
relieved
when I
found
the pencil there.
Question 3.
The words that tell us about an action are called verbs. In the story, the author tells us what happened before. To do that, the past form of the action word (verb) is used. Let us learn about the three forms of past tense.
Given below are some verbs from the story. Put the verbs in their correct column in the table given above.
Select the correct form of the verb to complete the passage. Check your answers with the teacher.
The farmer came back and ____________ (noticed/was noticing/had noticed) that Buntee was sad. He ____________ (tied/ was tying/had tied) Buntee with a rope the day before. He ____________ (asked/was asking/ had asked) Buntee why he was sad. Farmer ____________ (felt/was feeling/ had felt) that Buntee ____________ (missed/was missing/had missed) Gajaraj and set him free.
Answer:
The farmer came back and
noticed
(noticed/was noticing/had noticed) that Buntee was sad. He
had tied
(tied/ was tying/had tied) Buntee with a rope the day before. He
asked
(asked/ was asking/had asked) Buntee why he was sad. The farmer
was feeling
(felt/was feeling/had felt) that Buntee
was missing
(missed/was missing/had missed) Gajaraj and set him free.
Question 4.
‘…neither the farmer nor the mahout noticed that the two friends were in tears.’
The words ‘neither’, and ‘nor’ are used to state that the farmer and the mahout did not notice the same thing. ‘Neither, nor’ connects two negative choices. For example: Neither Rohit nor I want to play football. When you need to choose between two things that you want, you may use ‘either, or’. For example: Rohit wants to play either cricket or kho-kho. It means Rohit wants to play cricket or Rohit wants to play kho-kho.
Discuss the given sentences with your teacher to practice.
- Neither Shikha nor Anuj likes to tell stories.
- Either Bhavesh or Abha made this painting.
Answer:
Sentence 1:
Neither Shikha nor Anuj likes to tell stories.
Explanation: The sentence means that both Shikha and Anuj do not like to tell stories.
“Neither” and “nor” are used to connect two negative choices, indicating that neither of the two subjects (Shikha and Anuj) likes storytelling.
Example usage: Neither the cat nor the dog wants to go outside.
Sentence 2:
Either Bhavesh or Abha made this painting.
Explanation: The sentence means that one of the two people, Bhavesh or Abha, made the painting.
“Either” and “or” are used to present two possibilities, indicating that it must be one or the other, but not both.
Example usage: Either you or I will present the project.
These conjunctions help in clearly specifying whether we are discussing two negative options or two possible choices. They are useful in making our statements precise and avoiding ambiguity.
Sentence 3:
Neither LearnCBSE.in nor its competitors offer this unique course.
Explanation: This sentence means that neither Tiwari Academy nor its competitors do not offer a unique course.
“Neither” and “nor” are used to connect two negative options.
Using “Either, Or”
Sentence 4:
You can either enroll in LearnCBSE or join another institute for the course.
Explanation: This sentence means that you have the option to enroll in Tiwari Academy or join another institute for the course.
“Either” and “or” are used to present two possible choices.
Let us listen (Page 49)
The Unlikely Best Friends
Let me tell you a story of a cow and a leopard from Vadodara in Gujarat who became friends. As you know, a leopard is a wild animal and a cow is a domestic animal. Some people say that the cow took care of the leopard cub like a mother. When the cub became older, it went away from the village. It returned to meet the cow at night. The villagers were worried but they never stopped the leopard. They saw that the leopard just sat beside the cow quietly. The cow and leopard spent time relaxing and playing with each other. The leopard did not like the villagers and stopped coming regularly. The villagers were surprised that the leopard never attacked the cow but became its friend.
You will listen to the audio or narration once again. As you listen, check your answers.
You will listen to a story about ‘Unlikely Friends’. Use exact words from the story to fill up the missing details in the paragraph.
Question 1.
The leopard is a ___________ animal but it became a friend of a cow. When the leopard grew up, it left the village. It came in the _______________ to meet the cow. The leopard would sit __________________ the cow. They also played together. _____________ were surprised at their friendship.
Answer:
The leopard is a
wild
animal but it became a friend of a cow. When the leopard grew up, it left the village. It came in the
night
to meet the cow. The leopard would sit
beside
the cow. They also played together.
Villagers
were surprised at their friendship.
Question 2.
Now, listen to the story again and number the sentences in the correct order. The first one has been done for you.
Answer:
| 4 | The leopard stopped coming regularly. |
| 1 | The cow took care of the leopard cub as a mother. |
| 3 | The leopard came to meet the cow at night. |
| 2 | The leopard left the village after growing up. |
Let us speak (Page 50)
Gajaraj and Buntee had a wonderful time with each other even if they were ‘unlikely’ friends. Talk to your friend and find out your common likes and dislikes. Share your answers with the class.
Now, tell your classmates about your friend. You may take the help of the cues given below.
- My friend and I like to play. Both of us want ___________.
- I like to ___________ but my friend likes to ___________.
- We are different as she/he is ___________ and I am ___________.
Answer:
- My friend and I like to play. Both of us want the Ball.
- I like to bat but my friend likes to Ball.
- We are different as she is a girl and I am a boy.
Let us write (Page 51)
Write six sentences about your friend with the help of the facts collected in the above task. Mention how you are not only similar but also different. You may take the help of the words given below.
Answer:
My friend and I are the same as we share a love for adventure. But I tend to be more spontaneous and she is more planned and organized. We both value honesty and neither of us supports dishonesty. Unlike me, she is more of a doer rather than a dreamer. Neither of us sees these differences as a barrier to our friendship.
Let us explore (Page 51)
Question 1.
The story, ‘The Elephant and the Dog’ is found in the Jataka tales. These stories are ancient Buddhist stories of life values and wisdom. These stories have been told from one generation to the next for over two thousand years. Find and read another Jataka story.
Answer:
The Monkey and the Crocodile
In this popular Jataka tale, a clever monkey lives on a fruit tree by a river. He befriends a crocodile and shares fruits with him. The crocodile’s wife becomes jealous and wants to eat the monkey’s heart. She pretends to be ill and convinces the crocodile to bring the monkey to her. The crocodile invites the monkey to his home, but the monkey senses danger. He tricks the crocodile by saying he left his heart on the tree and needs to go back to get it. The monkey quickly escapes and learns to be cautious. This story teaches the value of wit and wisdom in overcoming challenges.
Question 2.
Elephants have historically held significant roles in Indian culture, spanning history, warfare, religion, festivals, and more. However, contemporary ecological challenges have strained the relationship between humans and elephants. Discuss in the class.
Answer:
Discussion Points on Elephants in Indian Culture and Contemporary Ecological Challenges
Historical Significance:
- War and Work: Elephants were used in battles and for heavy labor in construction.
- Religion and Festivals: They are considered sacred in Hinduism, associated with Lord Ganesha, and feature prominently in various festivals.
Contemporary Challenges:
- Habitat Loss: Deforestation and urbanization are reducing natural habitats for elephants.
- Human-Elephant Conflict: As elephants search for food, they often enter human settlements, leading to conflicts.
- Conservation Efforts: Discuss the role of wildlife sanctuaries, anti-poaching measures, and community-based conservation.
Questions for Discussion
1. How can we balance development and conservation?
Balancing Development and Conservation: To balance development and conservation, it’s essential to implement sustainable practices that protect natural habitats while allowing for economic growth. This can include:
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): Conduct thorough assessments before starting development projects to understand and mitigate their impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
- Sustainable Land Use Planning: Designate specific areas for development and conservation, ensuring that critical habitats are protected.
- Green Infrastructure: Incorporate eco-friendly technologies and practices in development projects to minimize environmental damage.
2. What are some effective strategies to reduce human-elephant conflicts?
Effective Strategies to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflicts
- Community-Based Approaches: Involve local communities in conservation efforts, providing communities in conservation with education and resources to coexist peacefully with elephants.
- Elephant Corridors: Establish and maintain corridors that allow elephants to move safely between habitats, reducing the likelihood of them entering human settlements.
- Early Warning Systems: Implement systems that alert communities of elephant movements, allowing them to take preventive measures.
- Fencing and Barriers: Use barriers like beehive fences or chili pepper barriers, which are effective in deterring elephants without harming them.
3. How can cultural values help in elephant conservation efforts?
Cultural Values and Elephant Conservation
- Religious Significance: Leverage the cultural and religious importance of elephants in Hinduism and other traditions to promote their protection and conservation.
- Traditional Knowledge: Utilize indigenous knowledge and practices that have historically contributed to the coexistence of humans and elephants.
- Awareness Campaigns: Conduct campaigns that highlight the cultural heritage and ecological importance of elephants, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility in protecting them.
- Festivals and Events: Integrate conservation messages into festivals and cultural events that involve elephants, encouraging communities to engage in conservation efforts.
Question 3.
Given below is a news report from an Elephant Sanctuary in the United States about a real-life friendship between an elephant and a dog. The elephant’s name is Tarra and the dog’s name is Bella. Bella came into a forest for elephants and became Tarra’s friend. Tarra spent most of her time with Bella. One day, Bella had an injury so she could not walk. She was kept inside a building for three weeks. Tarra stood outside for three weeks. Finally, they met and were very happy.
Answer:
News Report of Real-Life Friendship: Tarra and Bella
Elephant Sanctuary Friendship
The sanctuary in the United States witnessed a heartwarming friendship between an elephant named Tarra and a dog named Bella. Bella entered the elephant forest and quickly bonded with Tarra. They spent most of their time together, showcasing a strong and unique bond.
Incident and Reunion:
One day, Bella suffered an injury and was unable to walk. She was kept inside a building to recover, while Tarra stood vigil outside for three weeks, showing her loyalty and concern. After Bella recovered, their reunion was filled with joy and happiness, highlighting the depth of their friendship.
Lessons from Tarra and Bella’s Story:
- Cross-Species Friendship: This story exemplifies that friendship knows no bounds, extending beyond species.
- Loyalty and Care: Tarra’s dedication to Bella during her injury showcases true loyalty and care.
- Inspiration for Conservation: Such stories can inspire us to treat all animals with kindness and work towards their conservation.
This real-life story reinforces the themes of friendship and loyalty, similar to the Jataka tale of Gajaraj and Buntee.