Maharashtra Board Class 6 English Unit 1 Chapter 1.3 Autobiography of a Great Indian Bustard Solutions

Question 1. Read the passage aloud.
Answer: (Students to attempt) In simple words: This question asks you to read the given text out loud to practice pronunciation and fluency.

🎯 Exam Tip: Reading aloud helps improve articulation and comprehension, which are crucial for language proficiency. Focus on clear pronunciation and appropriate pacing.

Question 1. Read the passage aloud.
Answer: (Students to attempt) In simple words: This question requires students to practice reading the provided text aloud to enhance their speaking skills.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to intonation, pauses, and clarity when reading aloud, as these contribute to effective communication.

Question 2. You are going to meet a Great Indian Bustard very soon. Prepare at least 10 questions to interview him.
Answer: Hello! It is nice to meet you! Please answer a few questions:
1. What can you tell us about yourself?
2. Where are you and your friends found in India?
3. When are you the most happiest?
4. Why are your numbers on a decline across the globe?
5. Which are the organisations which are supporting you in your struggle for survival?
6. How can the government play a role to help birds and animals on the verge of extinction?
7. Whose initiatives have led to increased awareness about the plight of the Great Indian Bustard?
8. How can media help you in creating awareness about the problems faced by you?
9. What would you like the children to do to support you in order to survive?
10. Do you have any message for human beings? In simple words: This activity asks you to imagine interviewing a Great Indian Bustard and formulate ten questions about its life, habitat, challenges, and survival.

🎯 Exam Tip: When formulating interview questions, aim for a mix of open-ended questions that encourage detailed answers and specific questions to gather factual information. Consider different aspects of the subject's life.

Question 3. Play the roles of an interviewer and a Great Indian Bustard and write the interview.
Answer: (Students to attempt) In simple words: This question is an activity where you role-play an interview, acting as both an interviewer and a Great Indian Bustard, and write down the dialogue.

🎯 Exam Tip: For role-playing activities, focus on creativity, character portrayal, and clear dialogue that reflects the perspectives of both the interviewer and the Great Indian Bustard.

Question 4. Write a letter to your friend about the Great Indian Bustard. You may use the following points:
Why we need to protect the bird.
What you plan to do to help the bird.
Answer: A/18 Deep Mahal, Sahar Road, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400 057, 15th August, 2016. Dear Rajani, Hi! Hope this letter finds you in good health and happiness. I am writing this letter to express my concern about the fact that only the last 200 of the Great Indian Bustards are left in this world. The animals, birds, insects, trees, rivers, seas and other elements of nature including man are all the part of a link which binds us together, and which keeps us going. It is high time we protect the Great Indian Bustard and other species which are on the verge of extinction. How right are the words, "Let's preserve nature, if not for anything else, For the beauty and strength it inspires!” We can protect the birds by creating awareness through our school magazine. We can write letters to the government officials too. We can discuss this issue with the elders. We can ask our teacher to take us to sanctuaries to have a better understanding of the life of the Great Indian Bustard. Let us remember: 'The future lies in our hands. Let us conserve, preserve and protect all the elements of nature.' Please think about the issue I shared with you. Yours lovingly, XYZ In simple words: This question asks you to write a letter to a friend discussing the importance of protecting the Great Indian Bustard, explaining why it's endangered, and suggesting actions to help conserve it.

🎯 Exam Tip: For letter writing, ensure proper format (address, date, salutation, body, closing), clear expression of ideas, and logical flow. Incorporate the given points effectively.

Question 5. Form pairs and decide whether the following statements are those of a Great Indian Bustard or not.
Answer:

In simple words: This task requires you to classify various statements as either true for the Great Indian Bustard or true for some other bird, based on your knowledge of the species.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identifying characteristics of specific species demonstrates factual recall and comprehension of biological information. Double-check each statement against known facts.

Question 6. With the help of the internet and other sources, obtain more information about the critically endangered birds and animals in India. Find the names of their sanctuaries.
Answer: Some critically endangered birds and animals in India: 'CR' or critically endangered birds or animals are those that are likely to become extinct in the wild. We may never see them again.
• Forest Owlet
• Indian Vulture
• Siberian Crane
• Deoluli Minnow (fish)
• Asiatic Cheetah
• Himalayan Wolf
• Amboli Toad In simple words: This question asks you to research and list critically endangered birds and animals in India and their respective sanctuaries.

🎯 Exam Tip: When researching, use reliable sources and cite them if required. For lists, ensure accuracy in spelling and category. Understanding conservation efforts is key.

Question 7. Prepare a poster on the need for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard.
Answer:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र ग्रेट इंडियन बस्टर्ड के संरक्षण की आवश्यकता पर एक पोस्टर दर्शाता है। पोस्टर में "Together we can & we will make a difference" और "On the verge of extinction!!" जैसे संदेश लिखे हैं, जिसमें ग्रेट इंडियन बस्टर्ड को भोजन श्रृंखला का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा, दुनिया भर में केवल 200 शेष और एक प्रेरणादायक पक्षी बताया गया है। इसमें इस सुंदर पक्षी को विलुप्त होने से रोकने के लिए "Stop encroaching on forest land", "Stop hunting" और "Stop uncontrolled population growth" जैसे तीन प्रमुख कार्यों को दर्शाया गया है। पोस्टर का निचला भाग "The future lies in our hands..." संदेश के साथ समाप्त होता है। In simple words: This question requires you to create a poster highlighting the importance of conserving the Great Indian Bustard, focusing on its endangered status and actions needed for its protection.

🎯 Exam Tip: For poster design, focus on clear messaging, impactful visuals (even if described textually), and persuasive language to convey the urgency of conservation. Use bullet points or short phrases for key actions.

Question 8. Write a short autobiography of any bird or animal of your choice.
Answer: Hello friends! I reside in a dense jungle. I love rains and I express my joy by dancing in the rain. People say watching me dance is indeed a beautiful sight. Yes, I am a peacock. I long to fly in the high blue sky like the pigeon. I wish I could fly above the clouds and beyond. Alas! It is not possible. But I count my blessings. My beauty and the fact that I am the National Bird of India gives me reasons to rejoice and celebrate. Next time you see a graceful bird with a bright shining tail, dancing to its heart's content in the rainy seasons, you can be rest assured, it's me. I have a humble request. Please preserve and protect us. Many of us - my fellow beings are on the verge of extinction. Please save us else we will soon become a part of history. Remember: Harmony between man and wild life is the only way to solve all the problems faced by the world. Come, together let us co-exist. In simple words: This question asks you to write a brief autobiography from the perspective of an animal or bird, sharing its life, experiences, and feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing an autobiography, use first-person narration. Focus on descriptive language and convey the animal's unique characteristics and perspective. Include a message or reflection from its point of view.

Question 9. Make a list of the channels available on your TV under the following categories: News, entertainment, sports, movies, music, etc. Which are the channels on which you can watch programmes on animals, wildlife, conservation of environment, etc.?
Answer: (Students to attempt. Example channels for animals/wildlife: National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet.) In simple words: This task requires you to categorize TV channels by genre and then identify specific channels that broadcast programs related to animals, wildlife, and environmental conservation.

🎯 Exam Tip: For listing channels, be organized and accurate. When identifying conservation channels, think broadly about educational and documentary channels. This activity assesses observation and categorization skills.

Question 10. Ask your parents to show you TV programmes on animals, wildlife and conservation of environment on channels like the following: DD National, National Geographic, Discovery and Animal Planet.
Answer: (Students to attempt as an activity with parental guidance.) In simple words: This question encourages you to watch TV programs about animals, wildlife, and environmental conservation with your parents on specified channels to learn more about these topics.

🎯 Exam Tip: Engage actively with the content, ask questions, and discuss what you learn with your parents. This hands-on learning experience enhances knowledge and understanding of environmental issues.

Question 11. You have won a prize to visit a wildlife sanctuary or National Park in Africa or Australia. Choose a location, read about it. Imagine that you are visiting it and write a letter to your friend about it.
Answer: (Students to attempt as a creative writing exercise.) In simple words: This creative writing task asks you to imagine a visit to an African or Australian wildlife sanctuary or national park, research it, and then write a descriptive letter to a friend detailing your imagined experience.

🎯 Exam Tip: In your letter, use vivid descriptive language to bring the imagined experience to life. Include details about the animals, scenery, and your feelings. Ensure the letter follows a proper format and has a logical flow.

Language Study

Do As Directed.

Question 1. Identify the following from the list given in the box below :
Answer:

In simple words: This question asks you to classify a given list of words into four categories: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns.

🎯 Exam Tip: To accurately classify words, understand the definition and function of each part of speech. Context can sometimes help, but a strong grasp of basic grammar rules is essential.

Answer In One Sentence.

Question 1. Which is the heaviest flying bird in India?
Answer: The Great Indian Bustard is the heaviest flying bird in India. In simple words: This question asks you to identify India's heaviest flying bird, which is the Great Indian Bustard.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing specific facts about India's wildlife, like the heaviest flying bird, demonstrates general knowledge and attentiveness to environmental studies.

Question 2. How is the female Indian Bustard different from the male one?
Answer: The female Indian Bustards are smaller and slimmer than their male counterparts, and their neck is not white. In simple words: Female Indian Bustards are distinguishable from males by their smaller size, slimmer build, and the absence of a white neck.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detailed descriptions of physical characteristics are important for identifying and understanding species. Focus on key distinguishing features when comparing.

Question 3. Where do the Great Indian Bustards live?
Answer: The Great Indian Bustards live on grasslands and deserts. In simple words: Great Indian Bustards inhabit open grasslands and desert regions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the habitat of a species is crucial for understanding its ecology and conservation needs. Relate habitat to the animal's survival.

Question 4. Name any two things which are favourite food items of a Great Indian Bustards.
Answer: Grasshoppers and beetles. In simple words: Two preferred food items for Great Indian Bustards are grasshoppers and beetles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding a species' diet provides insight into its role in the ecosystem and its interactions with other organisms. Recall specific food items mentioned.

Question 5. Rains usher happiness into the lives of the Great Indian Bustards. Pick out proof from the lesson for this statement.
Answer: "I dance in joy with puffed feathers and cocked up tail and dropped down wings.” In simple words: The statement is proven by the Great Indian Bustard's description of dancing joyfully with puffed feathers and cocked tail during rains.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for proof from a lesson, always quote directly from the text and use quotation marks to show where the evidence comes from. This demonstrates comprehension and textual analysis.

Question 6. Who are the enemies of the Great Indian Bustard's eggs and chicks?
Answer: Monitor lizards, foxes, dogs, pigs, snakes and eagles are the enemies of the Great Indian Bustard's eggs and chicks. In simple words: The eggs and chicks of the Great Indian Bustard face threats from predators like monitor lizards, foxes, dogs, pigs, snakes, and eagles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying predators is important for understanding the survival challenges faced by endangered species and for designing effective conservation strategies. List them clearly.

Question 7. What is the difference between the young ones of other birds and the Great Indian Bustards?
Answer: The difference between the young ones of other birds and the young ones of Great Indian Bustards is that unlike the young ones of other birds which soon fly away from the nest, the Great Indian Bustard's mother and chick stay together for nearly a year. In simple words: Unlike most bird chicks that leave the nest quickly, Great Indian Bustard chicks remain with their mother for almost a year.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing and contrasting, highlight the key differences clearly. This question tests your ability to recall and articulate specific behavioral traits of the Great Indian Bustard.

Reading Skills, Vocabulary And Grammar

Read The Following Extract And Complete The Activities That Follow.

Question 1. Complete the list of things we can do to extend our love and support to help the Great Indian Bustard survive.
Answer:
1. Write letters to our leaders and make appeals.
2. Make drawings and submit it to your teacher.
3. Discuss with your parents.
4. Visit a sanctuary. In simple words: This question asks for actions we can take to show support and help conserve the Great Indian Bustard, such as advocating, raising awareness, and visiting sanctuaries.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing actions, aim for a variety of practical and impactful suggestions. Consider different levels of involvement, from individual efforts to community advocacy.

Question 2. Which environmental problem is highlighted in the extract?
Answer: The decline of the population of the Great Indian Bustard, driving them to the verge of extinction is highlighted in the passage. In simple words: The passage emphasizes the environmental problem of the Great Indian Bustard's declining population, leading to its near extinction.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying a problem, state it clearly and concisely. Connecting it to the specific subject (Great Indian Bustard) demonstrates precise understanding of the text.

Question 3. Who suggested that the Great Indian Bustard should be given the status of the 'National Bird?
Answer: Dr. Salim Ali, a friend of Great Indian Bustards suggested that the Great Indian Bustard should be given the status of the 'National Bird'. In simple words: Dr. Salim Ali, a supporter of the Great Indian Bustard, proposed that it be recognized as the 'National Bird'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific factual questions like this require recall of names and associated contributions from the text. Accuracy in naming the individual is key.

Question 4. What is the consequence of the growing population of man on the Great Indian Bustard?
Answer: The growing population of man has pushed the Great Indian Bustard from more than 90 per cent of their home regions. In simple words: Human population growth has resulted in the Great Indian Bustard losing over 90 percent of its natural habitat.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing consequences, clearly link cause (human population) to effect (habitat loss). Quantifiable data from the text, like "more than 90 per cent," strengthens the answer.

Question 5. Two causes which has led to the decline in the number of the Great Indian Bustard.
Answer: Hunting, Electric power-line In simple words: Hunting and collisions with electric power-lines are two major factors contributing to the decline of the Great Indian Bustard population.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for causes, provide specific and direct reasons. Identifying key threats is fundamental to understanding conservation challenges.

Question 6. We used to live in all parts of India. (State the word class of the underlined part.)
Answer: all - adjective In simple words: This question asks you to identify the grammatical category of the word 'all' in the given sentence, which functions as an adjective.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding word classes requires knowledge of how words function in a sentence. 'All' here modifies 'parts', hence it's an adjective.

Question 7. We are losing our homes. (Add a question tag.)
Answer: We are losing our homes, aren't we? In simple words: This grammar question requires you to add a question tag to the statement "We are losing our homes," resulting in "We are losing our homes, aren't we?"

🎯 Exam Tip: To form a question tag, use the auxiliary verb from the main sentence (or 'do/does/did' if none) and the opposite polarity (positive statement, negative tag). The subject pronoun should match the statement's subject.

Question 8. We need your support and love in order to survive. (Use not only - but also.)
Answer: We need not only your support but also love in order to survive. In simple words: This question asks you to rephrase the sentence "We need your support and love in order to survive" using the correlative conjunctions "not only - but also".

🎯 Exam Tip: When using "not only - but also," ensure that the grammatical structures following each part of the conjunction are parallel. It emphasizes two equally important elements.

Question 9. Give the verb forms of:
Answer: population: populate electric: electrify/electrocute In simple words: This question asks you to provide the verb forms for the given nouns 'population' and 'electric'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding how to derive different word forms (e.g., noun to verb, adjective to verb) is essential for vocabulary expansion and flexible language use. Pay attention to suffixes and root words.

Question 10. Why should we save animals from extinction?
Answer: Animals are also an important element of the food chain. Many species of animals have become extinct. The animals are invaluable. Our existence depends on them, so to stop the links of food chains from breaking, we should save the animals from extinction. In simple words: We must save animals from extinction because they are vital parts of the food chain, invaluable for ecological balance, and our own existence depends on maintaining these natural systems.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the importance of conservation, focus on ecological interconnectedness, the concept of the food chain, and the intrinsic value of biodiversity.

Language Study

Do As Directed.

Question 1. I have got a long white neck, brown wings, tall yellow legs and a black cap on my head. Fill in the chart with Nouns and Adjectives.
Answer:

In simple words: This question requires you to identify and list the nouns and adjectives from the provided descriptive sentence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that nouns name persons, places, things, or ideas, while adjectives describe or modify nouns. Practice identifying these parts of speech in various sentences.

Question 2. Mrs. Bustard is smaller and slimmer than I am. (Pick out the adjectives and state the degree of comparison used.)
Answer: Adjective: Smaller Slimmer: Degree of comparison: Comparative In simple words: This question asks you to identify the adjectives 'smaller' and 'slimmer' from the sentence and state that both are in the comparative degree of comparison.

🎯 Exam Tip: The comparative degree is used to compare two things and often involves 'er' endings or 'more/less' before the adjective, followed by 'than'. The superlative degree compares three or more.

Question 3. That's a very healthy habit! (Pick out the adverb.)
Answer: Adverb: very In simple words: This question asks you to identify 'very' as the adverb in the sentence, which modifies the adjective 'healthy'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Adverbs often modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, telling us how, when, where, or to what extent something is done. 'Very' indicates degree.

Question 4. It helps me to impress my soulmate. (Rewrite the sentence using the underlined word as noun.)
Answer: It helps me create an impression on my soulmate. In simple words: This question requires you to convert the verb 'impress' into its noun form 'impression' and rewrite the sentence accordingly.

🎯 Exam Tip: To convert a verb to a noun, look for its noun form (often with suffixes like -sion, -tion, -ment) and adjust the sentence structure to accommodate the noun. Ensure the meaning remains consistent.

Question 5. I dance in joy. (Make it exclamatory.)
Answer: How I dance in joy! In simple words: This question asks you to transform the declarative sentence "I dance in joy" into an exclamatory sentence, expressing strong emotion.

🎯 Exam Tip: Exclamatory sentences often begin with "How" or "What" and end with an exclamation mark, conveying excitement, surprise, or other strong feelings.

Question 6. The egg looks like a stone. (Pick out the articles.)
Answer: Articles: The, a In simple words: This question requires you to identify the articles 'The' and 'a' present in the given sentence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that articles ('a', 'an', 'the') are a type of determiner used before nouns. 'The' is definite, and 'a/an' are indefinite.

Question 7. We need your support and love in order to survive. (Pick out the noun and state their kind.)
Answer: support and love: Abstract Noun In simple words: This question asks you to identify 'support' and 'love' as nouns in the sentence and classify them as abstract nouns.

🎯 Exam Tip: Abstract nouns refer to ideas, qualities, or states rather than concrete objects. They cannot be perceived by the five senses. Common nouns refer to general items, and proper nouns refer to specific names.

Question 8. You can discuss this with your parents. (Pick out the modal and state its function.)
Answer: can: possibility In simple words: This question asks you to identify 'can' as the modal verb in the sentence and explain that its function here is to express possibility.

🎯 Exam Tip: Modals (e.g., can, may, must, should) add meaning to the main verb, expressing ability, permission, obligation, possibility, etc. Accurately identifying their function is key.

Question 9. Come to see us at a sanctuary. (Pick out the preposition.)
Answer: at: preposition In simple words: This question asks you to identify 'at' as the preposition in the sentence, indicating location.

🎯 Exam Tip: Prepositions typically show relationships between a noun/pronoun and other words in a sentence, often indicating place, time, or direction.

Question 10. You will only see us in pictures. (Pick out the adverb.)
Answer: only - Adverb In simple words: This question asks you to identify 'only' as the adverb in the sentence, which modifies the verb 'see' by limiting it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Adverbs like 'only' specify the extent or restriction of an action. Understanding how adverbs modify other words is crucial for grammatical accuracy.

Word Building.

Complete The Table:
Answer:

In simple words: This activity asks you to complete a table by identifying the corresponding noun, adjective, and verb forms for a given root word.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mastering word families and knowing how words transform across different parts of speech is crucial for vocabulary development and nuanced writing. Practice identifying prefixes and suffixes.

Do You Know?

Penguins arrive in Mumbai Zoo. Three male and four female humboldt penguins have been brought in from Seoul, Korea. They have been kept in the quarantine section of the Veermata Jijabhai Bhosale Zoo. While the penguins need to be kept in a temperature between 4° and 25° Celsius, the temperature in the quarantine is between 16° and 18° Celsius. The humboldt penguins are between one and three years of age and have a life expectancy of around 20-25 years.

Autobiography Of A Great Indian Bustard Summary In English

In this lesson, the author acquaints us with the different physical characteristics of the Great Indian Bustard. He also talks about their habitat, their eating habits and other details, apart from providing information about their young ones.

Glossary:

1. impressive (adj) – one which evokes admiration
2. grasslands (n) – open area in a region covered with grass
3. deserts (n) a large, dry, barren region
4. gulp (v) – swallow quickly
5. pouch (n) a sac-like structure in animals, a pocket-like space (here)
6. resonating (y) – producing a loud, deep sound
7. swarming (v) – moving in large numbers
8. sanctuaries (n) a reserved area for birds and animals to provide them protection
9. power-lines (n) – used for electric power transmission
10. predators (n) – animals that hunt, kill and eat other animals