Chapter-1 : Who Did Patricks Homework

NCERT Solutions Grade 6 Honeysuckle Chapter 1 Who Did Patrick's Homework 

Working with Text

Answer the following questions.

1. What did Patrick think his cat was playing with? What was it really?

Patrick thought that his cat was playing with a little doll but it was really a man of the tiniest size.

2. Why did the little man grant Patrick a wish?

The little man granted Patrick a wish because he wanted to get free from cat.

3. What was Patrick’s wish?

Patrick wanted the little man to do all his homework till the end of the semester, which was for 35 days.

4. In what subjects did the little man need help, to do Patrick’s homework?

The little man needed Patrick’s help in English, Maths and human history.

5. How did Patrick help him?

Patrick helped him by consulting a dictionary, guiding the little man in doing sums in arithmetic and read out portions from history book.

6. Who do you think did Patrick’s homework – the little man, or Patrick himself? Give reasons for your answer.

It was not the little man but Patrick himself had done his homework as little man did not know anything, in English, maths and human history. Patrick had to consult dictionary, guide him with maths and help him to read too. He stayed up at nights and worked hard. Therefore, it was Patrick who did the homework.

Working With the Language 

1. Some people find household ______ a bore, but I like to help at home.

Chores

2. Who stole the diamond is still a ______.

mystery

3. This ______ we are going to have a class exhibition.

semester

4. ______, the elf began to help Patrick.

True to his word

5. Can you ______ this word in the dictionary?

look up

6. I started early to be on time, but I was ______. There was a traffic jam!

out of luck

7. She says she’s got a lot of books, but ______ I think most of them are borrowed.

between you and me.

B. Use the clues given below to complete this crossword puzzle.

						7
						H
			1	W	E	A	R	Y
						M
			6			P
2	S	C	O	W	L	E	D
		H				R
		O						8
3	B	R	E	E	C	H	E	S
		E						H
		S						R
					4	G	L	I	T	C	H
								E
								K
							5	E	L	F
								D

Across

1. very tired

2. had an angry look on the face

3. short trousers

4. a fault in a machine that prevents it from working properly

5. a small and naughty boy-fairy

Down

6. work that must be done everyday, often boring

7. a basket with a lid

8. gave a short, high-pitched cry

Speaking

A. In the story Patrick does difficult things he hates to do, because the elf pretends he needs help. Have you ever done something difficult or frightening, by pretending about it in some way? Tell your classmates about it.

Or

Say what you feel about homework. (The words and phrases in the boxes may help you.) Do you think it is useful, even though you may not like it? Form pairs, and speak to each other.

For example:

You may say, “I am not fond of homework.”

Your partner may reply, “But my sister helps me with my lessons at home, and that gives a boost to my marks.”

(not) be fond of	(not) take to	(not) develop a liking for
(not) appeal to	(not) be keen on	(not) have a taste for

support	assist	with the aid of
help	be a boon	give a boost to

Answer:

I: I am not fond of reading books.

My partner: But my brother told me that reading books gives a boost to your vocabulary.

I: My friend is not so keen on scoring good grades in the exams.

My partner: But my sister said that she would assist me in my lessons to score well in the exams.

I: I have not developed a liking for playing football.

My partner: But my cousin assured me that he would help me to learn how to play football.

I: My younger brother has taken to playing chess.

My partner: But my brother does not support me in playing indoor games.

I: I have appealed to my Physical Training teacher to allow me a day’s break from the drill session.

My partner: But playing outdoor games can be a boon for your health.

I: I have always had a taste for delicious food.

My partner: But my mother says that I should clean my bare hands with the aid of soap and water before touching the food.

 Writing

A. This story has a lot of rhyming words, as a poem does. Can you write out some parts of it like a poem, so that the rhymes come at the end of separate lines?

For example:

Patrick never did homework. “Too boring,” he said.

He played baseball and hockey and Nintendo instead.

Answer:

The man of the smallest size

He was sincere and wise

Patrick loved to play sports, not work

He wasted his time and had pending homework

The elf promised to help and wore a high tall hat

Patrick saved him from the naughty cat

B. Look at these sentences.

1. “Too boring,” he said.

2. Cleaned his room, did his chores.

When we speak, we often leave out words that can easily be guessed. We do not do this when we write, unless we are trying to write as we speak (as in the story).

So, if we were to write carefully, we would say:

“Homework is too boring,” he said.

He cleaned his room and did his chores.

Answer:

Read the sentences carefully.

C. Rewrite the following incomplete sentences carefully, so that the reader does not have to guess what is left out.

1. more and more books

2. too difficult

3. got up late, missed the bus

4. solved the mystery

Answer:

1. My sister loves reading more and more books.

2. Mathematics is too difficult to understand.

3. Last Friday, my brother got up late, he missed the bus for college.

4. The detective solved the mystery of the crime scene.

D. Look at this cartoon by R.K.Laxman. Read the sentence given below the cartoon. Discuss the following questions with your partner.

What is it about?

Do you find it funny? If so, why?

Do you think a cartoon is a serious drawing? Why or why not?

(Picture from the textbook)

Answer:

It depicts a father’s concern for the improvement of his son.

Yes, the cartoon exhibits a funny tone. The father orders his son to finish his homework. But he stops the boy from reading the laws against child labour.

A cartoon mostly depicts the day-to-day activities of life with funny images. Although the above cartoon is a serious drawing, it draws our attention to a common problem that affects one and all.

Suggested Project Work 

After reading the story of Patrick, it's time you knew how well you know about yourself in doing your homework. 

Go through the given table and tick (✔) the boxes as per your opinion. 

Be sure! You are truthful to yourself!

Survey questions on Homework	Strongly Agree	Somewhat Agree	Disagree
1. Homework helps me practice what I've learnt in class.
2. I feel more confident about a subject after completing homework on it.
3. I enjoy doing my homework most of the time.
4. Homework sometimes feels too difficult for me to complete on my own.
5. I understand the instructions given for my homework.
6. Homework gives me a chance to show what I know.
7. I usually finish my homework on time.
8. Homework helps me remember what I learnt in school.
9. I find it easy to ask for help if I don't understand my homework.
10. Homework allows me to know new topics and learn more.

Now, fill in the gaps with suitable words given in the brackets and present it before the class.

Based on these findings, I realize that I ................... (enjoy / dislike / ignore) learning and taking up the challenge of homework. However, I must .................... (give / take / forget) help when needed and make sure not to leave tasks until the last minute. If I am .................... (organized / lazy / confused)and focused, I can do my best in studies.

Overall, this survey has helped me understand my .................... (strengths / fears / weaknesses) and areas for improvement. This is a .................. great(opportunity / danger / confusion)to introspect and identify ways to become a better student.