3.5 A Book Review : Ranji the Music Maker
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six English.
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About the chapter
This lesson gives a book review of ‘Ranji the Music Maker’ along with an extract from the book. Ranji is a nine-year-old boy who plays an old flute. His music attracts many cats from the neighbourhood. The lesson also teaches us how to write a book review.
Key points
- Ranji sits on the steps of his house and plays an old flute.
- A tabby kitten, its mother and many other cats gather to listen.
- Ranji walks away so that his mother is not annoyed by the cats.
- A book review gives the book’s name, writer, central theme, characters and best part.
- Message: music has the power to attract listeners and win friends.
Words to remember
- review – a short report giving an opinion about a book
- extract – a short part taken from a book
- shrill – high and sharp (sound)
- tabby – a cat with striped fur
- mohalla – a neighbourhood
(i) Which characters are there in the story?
According to the review, the characters are Ranji, Ranji’s mother, cats, dogs, birds and a crocodile.
(ii) Why did Ranji think his mother would be annoyed?
Many cats had gathered at his doorstep to listen to his flute. Ranji thought his mother would be annoyed to see so many cats. So he walked away down the lane, still playing.
(iii) What is the best part of the story book?
According to the review, Ranji tries every instrument on the people and animals around him. This makes the story very funny. This is the best part.
(iv) What do you think Ranji learned from this experience about music and its power?
Ranji learnt that music has great power. His notes were not perfect, yet many cats came to listen. He learnt that music can attract listeners and win friends. He also learnt that practice makes music better.
(v) Can you imagine what might happen if Ranji decided to play a different kind of music?
If Ranji played soft music, the cats might fall asleep. If he played a loud drum, the cats might run away. Maybe dogs would follow him instead. A different kind of music would bring different listeners.
Students should review a book of their own choice. A model is given below.
Model book review
i. Name of the book — The Blue Umbrella
ii. Writer’s name — Ruskin Bond
iii. Central theme — Binya, a little hill girl, gets a beautiful blue umbrella. The shopkeeper Ram Bharosa wants it badly. In the end, Binya kindly gives the umbrella to him. The story is about jealousy and kindness.
iv. Characters — Binya, her brother Bijju, their mother, Ram Bharosa and the villagers.
v. The best part — The ending, where Binya gives away her umbrella. It shows that kindness can change a person.
- (i) n ei ghb ou rh oo d — neighbourhood
- (ii) st o r e r oo m — storeroom
- (iii) u nf a m i l ia r — unfamiliar
- (iv) r ea l i z e d — realized
- (v) i nstr u m e nt — instrument
- (vi) a tt e nt io n — attention
- (i) Synonym for ‘happiness or joy’ from the poem ‘Words’ — mirth
- (ii) Antonym for ‘valueless’ from ‘The Value of Time’ — precious
- (iii) Word meaning ‘family history’ from ‘The Untold Story of Samosa’ — lineage
- (iv) Word meaning ‘warm and comfortable’ from ‘Self Help is the Only Way’ — cozy
- (v) Antonym for ‘kind’ from the poem ‘Mirror’ — cruel
- (i) old flute (also “good” flute)
- (ii) shrill notes (also “magical” notes)
- (iii) tabby kitten (also “little” kitten)
- (iv) black patches
- (v) large black mother — “a large black cat with green eyes”
- book (example) — cook → cool → coal → goal
- (i) best — rest → rust → must → mast
- (ii) crow — brow → brew → blew → blow
- (iii) mind — mine → mane → cane → care
- (iv) drum — drug → drag → brag → bran
Remember: Change only one letter at each step. Every new word must be a real word.