Class 6 English · Unit 4

Change of Heart

NCERT Poorvi · Unit 4: Sports and Wellness. Answers to all the textbook questions and activities, in simple words.

Let us do these activities before we read

I–IIWhich games or sports do you play? Make a list.

For fun: hide and seek, kho-kho, carrom, cycling
For competition: badminton, chess, cricket, running races

IIIHow do you feel when you win or lose?

When I win, I feel happy and proud. When I lose, I feel a little sad, but I try to learn from my mistakes.

IVTick the correct meaning.

1. friendly matches – (ii) matches played without competition
2. opponent – (i) someone who you compete with
3. tally of marks – (ii) record of points in a game/match
4. sporting spirit – (ii) being fair and respecting each player in a game

Let us discuss

1Part I

1. Prabhat would accept losing to anyone easily.

False He could not bear losing, not even at marbles.

2. What was special about the last Friday of each month?

On that day, the coach conducted friendly matches in the games period.

3. Who was responsible for maintaining the score for the match?

Prabhat was responsible for keeping the score.

4. Do you think Prabhat wished to play another match with Surya? Why do you think so?

No. Surya was a better player. Prabhat had won only by cheating, so he would be afraid of losing to him.

2Part II

1. How did Surya feel about playing?

Surya enjoyed playing every game. He did not worry about winning or losing.

2. What was it about Surya that Prabhat observed?

Surya was great at some games and terrible at others. But he enjoyed everything equally and always had a happy smile.

Let us think and reflect

I.1If Prabhat sensed that he would lose a game… like badminton.

(i) Complete the sentence.

Prabhat would play a game only if he was sure of winning.

(ii) Which game was Prabhat good at playing?

Badminton.

(iii) This behaviour of Prabhat tells us that he was ______.

Answer: c. afraid of losing

I.2Surprisingly, Prabhat could not sleep well that night…

(i) The way Prabhat was feeling that night:

Answer: b. unhappy

(ii) Why does Prabhat find Surya’s behaviour ‘surprising’?

Surya did not feel bad about losing. The next day he happily played basketball, though he was hopeless at it.

(iii) Fill in the blank.

We can say that Surya’s reaction to not winning was different from Prabhat’s.

IIAnswer the following questions.

1. How did Prabhat’s attitude towards winning and losing affect his enjoyment of games in the beginning?

Prabhat thought losing was the worst thing. He played only when he was sure of winning. So, he could not enjoy games.

2. Why do you think Prabhat cheated in the beginning to win the badminton match against Surya?

Surya was an excellent player and was winning points easily. Prabhat could not bear to lose, so he changed the scoreboard.

3. How did Surya’s attitude differ from Prabhat’s?

Surya played for fun and did not care about winning or losing. Prabhat only wanted to win.

4. Do you think Prabhat’s approach to games was healthy? Why or why not?

No. He worried too much about winning and even cheated. Games should be played fairly and for enjoyment.

5. Why do you think sporting spirit is important?

Sporting spirit teaches us to play fairly and respect other players. It helps us to accept defeat and enjoy the game.

6. Explain how the title of the story, ‘Change of Heart’, is suitable.

At first, Prabhat only wanted to win and even cheated. By watching Surya, he learnt to enjoy games. His heart and attitude changed, and he got a great sporting spirit. So, the title is suitable.

Let us learn

IMake words using consecutive letters.

1. BADMINTON – BAD, ADMIN, MINT, IN, TON, ON
2. PHENOMENON – HE, HEN, NO, OMEN, MEN, ON
3. BASKETBALL – BASK, ASK, BASKET, BALL, ALL, AS

IICircle the verbs.

1. Everyone was discussing their game and how Prabhat had played so well.
2. He had won the game but he did not feel as happy as he usually did.
3. What was more surprising that Surya had not felt bad about losing.

IIIArrange the verbs as the first action (old) or second action (new).

S. No.	First action (old)	Second action (new)
1.	had played	was discussing
2.	had won	did not feel
3.	had not felt	was (surprising)

IVFill in the blanks with the past perfect form of the verbs.

1. Prabhat had already finished his homework before going to the badminton match.
2. Surya had played basketball for years before joining the school’s badminton team.
3. By the time Prabhat arrived, Surya had already won several matches.
4. The new student, Surya, had never met Prabhat before coming to the school.
5. Before the games period, Prabhat had practised badminton extensively.

Let us listen

ICircle the pair that was chosen to play chess.

Answer: Sarita – Nupur

IIFill in the notes with important details.

Questions	Answers
1. How many Friday matches will be played?	Three (chess, kho-kho and badminton)
2. What was put up on the sports’ notice board?	The kho-kho teams’ name list
3. Who will sponsor the kho-kho team’s refreshments?	Xydium Sports Club
4. Who will be the scorekeeper for chess?	Vani
5. Who will be the referee for kho-kho?	The speaker (the teacher making the announcement)
6. Which Friday periods are meant for kho-kho?	The 2nd and 3rd periods

Let us speak

★Use ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ in each situation.

1. Vani: Could you please take me in your team during the games period?
2. Somiwon: Hitesh, please can you help me with cleaning the classroom cupboard?
3. Sumit: I’m sorry, Nupur, that was my fault. Let me wipe your desk.
4. Hitesh: I’m sorry, Simran. I forgot your Art file. I will bring it tomorrow.
5. Kriti: Nupur, I’m very sorry for the way I behaved. I apologise.
6. Mohan: Thank you, Hitesh. It means so much to me that you helped me practise for the speech competition.
7. Meher: Simran, I truly appreciate your help with the chapter. Thank you.
8. Rima: Thank you, Gita, for helping me collect the notebooks from the staff-room.

Let us write

✎Complete Prabhat’s diary page.

Today, I defeated Surya in a badminton match but 1. I do not feel happy about it. He was playing very well and was getting the points easily. I was sure that 2. I will lose the match. So, when everyone was laughing at a joke he cracked, 3. I managed to change the scoreboard. No one noticed the change and 4. everyone congratulated me after my win. What surprised me the most was that he said 5. he had fun playing with me and we should play again…
Though 6. I won the match, I did not enjoy as I usually do. It really disturbed me that 7. Surya did not feel bad about losing the match.

Extra phrase: I felt very happy.

Let us explore

★Read the bio-sketches of Deepika Kumari and Neeraj Chopra.

Both came from simple families. Deepika practised archery with homemade bamboo bows and arrows. Neeraj worked hard for years and won an Olympic gold medal in javelin throw. Their stories teach us that hard work and practice lead to success.

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